Platinum member - coming back to Princess after 8 years, what has changed?

[flvol77]

So, like the title says we have been gone from Princess for 8 years, 6 years from cruising up until last week.

 

We went on 4 Celebrity Cruises in a row, did Aqua Spa each time, enjoyed it, but we got a deal on the Regal in Feb 2019 and couldn’t pass it up, 1300 dollars cheaper for a mini suite vs an Aqua Spa.

 

 

Reason we left before was the smoking policy on balconies with Princess, there is no worries about that now. Though I see they still allow smoking in the casino and celebrity is smoke free I believe inside.

 

 

The other major reason we are coming back is the last cruise we felt we got nickeled and dimed to death on Celebrity. I was asked 31 times in 3 days about a Beverage package and about 40 times through out the cruise about speciality dining.

 

 

 

 

So what major difference will we see?

 

 

I can tell you this Princess Cruise personalizer is far superior to Celebrity, that is incredible.

 

 

Also reading the board I see that the medallion thing is an interesting and hot topic. We met a couple last week from the Caribbean Princess in St Maarten and they loved the high speed internet, and the medallion. They said they had been on over 100 cruises and it was the fastest internet they have ever had and over all it was one of their best cruises.

 

 

I see it’s suppose to be on the Regal, along with potentially new bedding by the time we go in Feb 2019.

 

 

Any tips on things changed?

 

 

I see the speciality restaurants are much more reasonable than Celebrity, does anyone know if either has a Soufflé for dessert? Or does the MDR have a Soufflé?

 

 

It’s my wife’s thing and it’s an Anniversary Cruise, so I have to make sure she gets a soufflé.

 

 

How does one book the Chefs Table?

 

 

Any info would be appreciated.

[moki'smommy]

You do understand that a mini suite is a bigger room, right? No suite perks.

Crown Grill has lava cake for dessert.

Coffee cards are no more--now you can purchase a coffee package that expires at the end of your cruise.

Club Class dining is new, but you have to book at least a club class mini to get this.

Internet is spotty and depends on which ship. Most are still running on slow, stupid, per minute.

[voljeep]

adult beverage package(s)

 

from none

to 'unlimited' all inclusive beverage packages

to the current - preferred beverage package of 15 alcoholic drinks per day

[flvol77]

You do understand that a mini suite is a bigger room' date=' right? No suite perks.

Crown Grill has lava cake for dessert.

Coffee cards are no more--now you can purchase a coffee package that expires at the end of your cruise.

Club Class dining is new, but you have to book at least a club class mini to get this.

Internet is spotty and depends on which ship. Most are still running on slow, stupid, per minute.[/quote']

 

We have been in a mini all but 2 of our 11 cruises with Princess, that is why is said we got a mini for 1300 less than a Aqua Spa, which is basically a balcony cabin with Blu perks. Which made booking Princess an easy choice.

 

Good to know about the coffee card and that it expires, that may change my mind to buy one for each of us, I see they have loose leaf tea, is it any good?

[sunsetbeachgal]

Great dessert soufflés and have not had any issues with people smoking on balconies! Have a great cruise!

 

 

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[moki'smommy]

We have been in a mini all but 2 of our 11 cruises with Princess, that is why is said we got a mini for 1300 less than a Aqua Spa, which is basically a balcony cabin with Blu perks. Which made booking Princess an easy choice.

 

Good to know about the coffee card and that it expires, that may change my mind to buy one for each of us, I see they have loose leaf tea, is it any good?

There was no loose leaf tea on our August cruise. It was a premium brand (Mighty Leaf) bag tea. Yes, it was excellent. The unlimited tea or coffee is for one person, but you can share what used to be the "punches" if you wish.

[voljeep]

There was no loose leaf tea on our August cruise. It was a premium brand (Mighty Leaf) bag tea. Yes' date=' it was excellent. The unlimited tea or coffee is for one person, but you can share what used to be the "punches" if you wish.[/quote']

 

 

specifically, does the "Regal" currently have high speed internet and loose leaf teas? :confused:

[flvol77]

There was no loose leaf tea on our August cruise. It was a premium brand (Mighty Leaf) bag tea. Yes' date=' it was excellent. The unlimited tea or coffee is for one person, but you can share what used to be the "punches" if you wish.[/quote']

 

Thank u

 

Also after reading the new Sabatini‘s menu, I think we will go to the Crown Grill twice.

 

If there is a soufflé on the MDR menu for desert will they still bring it to you in the speciality restaurant?

[moki'smommy]

Thank u

 

 

If there is a soufflé on the MDR menu for desert will they still bring it to you in the speciality restaurant?

Yes....at least on the Golden in August, they would.

[Coral]

Thank u

 

Also after reading the new Sabatini‘s menu, I think we will go to the Crown Grill twice.

 

If there is a soufflé on the MDR menu for desert will they still bring it to you in the speciality restaurant?

 

Yes the main dining room has it. They are smaller but still outstanding. They no longer take them out and put them on your plate.

[Belle]

Casino smoking at slots but no smoking at tables

Formal nights no smoking starting at 6 pm

 

Free internet minutes with Platinum.

[skynight]

So, like the title says we have been gone from Princess for 8 years, 6 years from cruising up until last week.

 

We went on 4 Celebrity Cruises in a row, did Aqua Spa each time, enjoyed it, but we got a deal on the Regal in Feb 2019 and couldn’t pass it up, 1300 dollars cheaper for a mini suite vs an Aqua Spa.

Reason we left before was the smoking policy on balconies with Princess, there is no worries about that now. Though I see they still allow smoking in the casino and celebrity is smoke free I believe inside.

The other major reason we are coming back is the last cruise we felt we got nickeled and dimed to death on Celebrity. I was asked 31 times in 3 days about a Beverage package and about 40 times through out the cruise about speciality dining.

Specialty dining, pre-book or book on board. The Regal has Sabatini's and the Crown Grill. The Crown Grill is $29/pp. Sabatini's on the Regal I believe is also $29/pp but it may have the newer menu which is $25/pp. There are also special dining experiences such as the Chef's table, WIne Maker's Dinner, Balcony dining, Crab Shack. The Regal also has Alfredo's, no charge, open every day from 11am until late evening. Check out the International Cafe also no charge and the very large buffet area. No one has ever approached us regarding specialty dining or beverage package. The beverage package can be pre-purchased or purchased on board on the first day.

So what major difference will we see?

The Regal is a totally new designed ship, it has some design faults, but most people like it.

I can tell you this Princess Cruise personalizer is far superior to Celebrity, that is incredible.

Also reading the board I see that the medallion thing is an interesting and hot topic. We met a couple last week from the Caribbean Princess in St Maarten and they loved the high speed internet, and the medallion. They said they had been on over 100 cruises and it was the fastest internet they have ever had and over all it was one of their best cruises.

The Regal has fast internet. As a Platinum Captain's Circle member you will receive free minutes.

I see it’s suppose to be on the Regal, along with potentially new bedding by the time we go in Feb 2019.

Any tips on things changed?

I see the speciality restaurants are much more reasonable than Celebrity, does anyone know if either has a Soufflé for dessert? Or does the MDR have a Soufflé?

MDR's have souffle

It’s my wife’s thing and it’s an Anniversary Cruise, so I have to make sure she gets a soufflé.

How does one book the Chefs Table?

Sign up at passenger services when you board.

Any info would be appreciated.

See above

[Thrak]

Welcome home to Princess. Have a fantastic cruise. :D

[flvol77]

See above

 

Good info

 

Thank u

[fishywood]

Also after reading the new Sabatini‘s menu, I think we will go to the Crown Grill twice.

 

You would be doing yourself a disservice in my opinion

 

I was on Island Princess and Golden Princess consecutive weeks in May. Island still has the old Sabatini's menu, Golden the new Sabatini's Trattoria. The quality of preparation and presentation was night and day. Yes the new menu lacks a steak or lobster entree (and the chocolate Tiramisu dessert) but my whole impression on Island was that the old format is tired. They only very begrudgingly would allow a half-portion of a pasta dish to count as an appetizer rather than a second entree (with accompanying supplement). The new menu is a straight five courses (including dessert) very easy to select from. I was pleased with every choice I made, unlike the tough undercooked veal chop from the old menu. And the gentleman at the next table took one bite of his old-menu steak and immediately sent it back.

Edited September 1, 2018 by fishywood

[flvol77]

Welcome home to Princess. Have a fantastic cruise. :D

 

Thanks

 

I booked Crown Grill twice, and hope we can figure out the chefs table.

 

I called Princess this afternoon and they said they would absolutely get us a soufflé if they were serving it in the main dining room and we were at a speciality restaurant.

 

I was excited to see that you can buy some water for a reasonable rate to be delivered ro the cabin.

 

Another thing that irked me was Celebrity in their buffet would shut down the water stations during off hours and the water would pour so slow, being in the beverage industry in my past I toward them how to fix it, it would take 15 seconds to pour 8 to 10 oz of water, it was like you were being pushed to buy a water package.

 

Princess has about two or three packages, celebrity had 10 beverage packages.

[geoherb]

Our favorite celebratory dining option is the Ultimate Balcony Dinner. You might want to consider it instead of one of the nights at the Crown Grill.

[flvol77]

You would be doing yourself a disservice in my opinion

 

I was on Island Princess and Golden Princess consecutive weeks in May. Island still has the old Sabatini's menu, Golden the new Sabatini's Trattoria. The quality of preparation and presentation was night and day. Yes the new menu lacks a steak or lobster entree (and the chocolate Tiramisu dessert) but the whole experience on Island was that the old format is tired. They only very begrudgingly would allow a half-order of a pasta dish to count as an appetizer rather than a second entree (with accompanying supplement). The new menu is a straight five courses (including dessert) very easy to select from. I was pleased with every choice I made, unlike the tough undercooked veal chop from the old menu. And the gentleman at the next table took one bite of his old-menu steak and immediately sent it back.

 

Problem is we just don’t a lot of Pasta anymore, I have lost 50 pounds and my wife has lost 15 pounds, so pasta just isn’t as appealing to us anymore.

 

One of my fondest memories I have ever had was in Sabatini‘s with my wife and my parents (about a year before my dad passed away) and it was an incredible, incredible experience.

 

The maître d’ recognized me from another crusie as we were walking in and said thank you, I was confused and he said the reason he was promoted was because of review when he was a waiter in the MDR, so you can only imagine the level of service and extras we received and my dad was happy and loved it, and my mom still talks about it to this dad.

 

We will check it out onboard, we really want to try the chefs table.

[flvol77]

Our favorite celebratory dining option is the Ultimate Balcony Dinner. You might want to consider it instead of one of the nights at the Crown Grill.

 

I really don’t know much about the Regal, are all of the balconies covered in mini suites?

 

It would be fun, it’s not that expensive imo, it’s the same price as what we paid for Tuscan on Celebrity.

[IECalCruiser]

There will probably be soufflés in the MDR 2 nights with a milky chocolate-hazelnut soufflé on embarkation night. There may also be a Grand Marnier soufflé for embarkation lunch in the MDR but you need to be there between noon and 1:30 and they might close the doors a little early.

 

 

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[JF - retired RRT]

We will check it out onboard, we really want to try the chefs table.

Go to passenger services ASAP. The number of diners is limited.

The dinner includes alcohol or no alcohol...if you aren't drinkers, it will save you about $15pp.

If you definitely want to do, it be sure to bring closed-toe shoes. Dinner includes a tour of the kitchen and those shoes are required. DW can wear the shoes and carry her heels (if she wears them).

There's a meeting a day or two ahead of dinner where you sign the safety regs and let the head chef know of any allergies.

Absolutely, the most amazing dinner I've ever had. Be prepared to be stuffed.

Also, if you're flying...each couple gets the Princess cookbook, it weighs 2 or 3 pounds.

[Knickearth]

on the royal and regal (and I'll bet the Majestic and Sky for next year) the coffee in the dining rooms is the same as the cafe. Only the older ships have some sort of syrup coffee in the dining rooms.

[famski740]

The coffee is not really all the same.

 

Coffee around the ship is fresh brewed but with regular coffee beans.

 

International Café coffee is fresh brewed with a higher quality coffee bean. Less acidic.

[flvol77]

The coffee is not really all the same.

 

Coffee around the ship is fresh brewed but with regular coffee beans.

 

International Café coffee is fresh brewed with a higher quality coffee bean. Less acidic.

 

I am not a coffee drinker but the wife is, and I have already purchased a coffee card, she likes Starbucks. Thanks for the info.

[flvol77]

Go to passenger services ASAP. The number of diners is limited.

The dinner includes alcohol or no alcohol...if you aren't drinkers, it will save you about $15pp.

If you definitely want to do, it be sure to bring closed-toe shoes. Dinner includes a tour of the kitchen and those shoes are required. DW can wear the shoes and carry her heels (if she wears them).

There's a meeting a day or two ahead of dinner where you sign the safety regs and let the head chef know of any allergies.

Absolutely, the most amazing dinner I've ever had. Be prepared to be stuffed.

Also, if you're flying...each couple gets the Princess cookbook, it weighs 2 or 3 pounds.

 

We have done the chefs table twice when it was first introduced, it was awesome, good to see it’s still enjoyable, we are driving so no worries about the cookbook. Thanks for the tip about going to passenger services.