Would Princess Be For Us?

[Wishing on a star]

Did a quick check, and I think it looks like you can choose either Emerald or Caribbean.  Of the two... I am one who would choose the newer Royal class ship.   

[MsTabbyKats]

59 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Did a quick check, and I think it looks like you can choose either Emerald or Caribbean.  Of the two... I am one who would choose the newer Royal class ship.   

It's only the Emerald for next fall.

Oh well, lots of time to do the research.

I greatly appreciate all tips and guidance.

 

Thanks!

[cruisequeen4ever]

We eat every breakfast in the buffet and most dinners in the buffet now after getting tired of 2 hour dinners. We love the Princess buffet on all of its ships, from the small to the big. The Royal class have the best ones because they’re huge, but you’ll still find plenty on the Emerald. You’ll also have the poolside grill for burgers and dogs, the poolside slice pizzeria, the cooked to order pizzeria indoors called Alfredo’s, and the International Cafe for grab and go options. You can stay casual the whole time. You might as well try Princess; you may just love it!

[dreaminofcruisin]

We were just on the Emerald in August and had a wonderful time. I think you will find plenty to eat between the buffet and the International Cafe. I am one who prefers the older grand class ships (like Emerald) for the walk-around promenade deck, Skywalkers which has nice views from the top and the Outrigger Bar on the back which is often one of the quietest places on the ship.

[SiliconCruiser]

36 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

It's only the Emerald for next fall.

Oh well, lots of time to do the research.

I greatly appreciate all tips and guidance.

 

Thanks!

From your preference for diversity, I think you will appreciate the wide variety of choices in the buffets on the Royal (only) class ships if they are properly staffed.  But don't dismiss the MDRs if you'd like a sit-down meal as well.  But no where on any Princess ship will you find a proper hot dog,. corned beef on rye, or pastrami on rye that you might find in the lower east side 😉.  And Alfredo's used to be more of a European pizzeria, but on our last visit they sliced the pizza (!).  The pizza place up on the deck with the hotdog/hamburger floor may have something more representative of a "slice" but it's not very good.

 

[MsTabbyKats]

3 minutes ago, SiliconCruiser said:

From your preference for diversity, I think you will appreciate the wide variety of choices in the buffets on the Royal (only) class ships if they are properly staffed.  But don't dismiss the MDRs if you'd like a sit-down meal as well.  But no where on any Princess ship will you find a proper hot dog,. corned beef on rye, or pastrami on rye that you might find in the lower east side 😉.  And Alfredo's used to be more of a European pizzeria, but on our last visit they sliced the pizza (!).  The pizza place up on the deck with the hotdog/hamburger floor may have something more representative of a "slice" but it's not very good.

 

LOL....I'm thinking about what Frank Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond) said about a restaurant that didn't have rye bread.

 

For pizza, it's only MSC.  Being a native NYer I'm a pizza purist and MSC does it "just like the guy on the corner" did 73 years ago.

[crusinthrough]

3 hours ago, Kay S said:

 Alfredo's or Sabatini's?  One is free, the other not.  All ships are Medallion ships now.  I think you mean "Royal Class" ships, which both Royal and Discovery are.

I was referring to Sabatini.  I consider Alfredo's a pizza restaurant but I can see how it could be considered Italian.  I may have mistakenly remembered my TA telling me the Island Princess was an older ship and did not have the Medallion.  If all ships have been retrofitted to add Medallion, this this doesn't matter.  

 

I only named Royal and discovery because they are the two I've been on.  

[Username0123]

14 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Also...entertainment is a big deal.  Are there "B'way type" productions? Is there music in venues around the ships? No interest in comedy or comedy clubs.

 

I'd say you're going to be disappointed here.  RCCL has some Broadway-worthy shows.  In my experience, and Princess IS our favorite line, it's closer to Vaudeville.  Not that this is bad, but don't go in expecting the big shows.  Sometimes raunchy comedians, musical acts that are generally good (including some amazing violinists and pianists in the bars), acrobats, a hulahoop guy and his wife,  etc.  Entertainment is where Royal far outshines Princess.  Everything else is wonderful.  Just save the entertainment expectations for New York.

[SiliconCruiser]

4 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

For pizza, it's only MSC.  Being a native NYer I'm a pizza purist and MSC does it "just like the guy on the corner" did 73 years ago.

I didn't know that pizza purist were from New York ...

[caribill]

9 hours ago, crusinthrough said:

  I suggest a Medallion ship as these are the newer ones with more food options. 

 

All Princess ships are now Medallion ships.

[MsTabbyKats]

What is a Medallion ship?

[MsTabbyKats]

7 hours ago, Username0123 said:

I'd say you're going to be disappointed here.  RCCL has some Broadway-worthy shows.  In my experience, and Princess IS our favorite line, it's closer to Vaudeville.  Not that this is bad, but don't go in expecting the big shows.  Sometimes raunchy comedians, musical acts that are generally good (including some amazing violinists and pianists in the bars), acrobats, a hulahoop guy and his wife,  etc.  Entertainment is where Royal far outshines Princess.  Everything else is wonderful.  Just save the entertainment expectations for New York.

As long as singers can carry a tune, the musicians aren't off key....I'm good.  I don't expect "B'way Quality" (I have that at home for $$$)...just something more than the passengers being the entertainment.  Acrobats, hula hoops are good too....

 

I've pretty much set my mind that our Fall Cruise to Canada will be with Princess....barring no personal or world wide issues.

[Wishing on a star]

It might be great to give Princess a try!!!   

Medallion is the system where you get the medallion and it is your room key, your way to do business and purchase online, and even order drinks and food to where you are sitting thru the linked APP.  Took them a long time to get this up and working well, but it is a respectable system now!

 

You put in your order on the APP, and the medallion has a location feature that shows where you are.  The staff gets the order, along with the location and the thumbnail photo they snapped as you board, and your order finds you.   You can make and change dining reservations.  Princess dining is called Dine My Way,  DMW.  And do most all business onboard just by picking up your phone using the App.

[Wishing on a star]

Just don't forget your Medallion in your cabin, and then order something while you are at a bar, the pool, deck, etc.  The order will show to go to your cabin!! 

[4x4bob]

18 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I'm looking at the Emerald Princess out of NYC next Sept.

We traditionally do this route every fall....but the Princess cruise has 5 ports (most others have 3).

 

I'm very easy to please...as long as I can find something to eat....and some sort of musical entertainment is offered.  Also...a casino is mandatory!  And, I can dress-up or down my basic black wardrobe.

 

BTW....I hope they do have theme night in the buffet.  They had that on NCL....I loved it.

 

 

Ref the Casino on a Princess ship.  If you  visit several times you just may receive Casino perks for your next Princess cruise.  My Wife and her sister are big casino players and both receive different level Casino Perks depending on how much they visit and the length of the next cruise.

Bob

[Kay S]

8 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

What is a Medallion ship?

The Medallion is an electronic device you wear (or carry) that does stuff for you.  Opens the door, etc.  It's connected to an app you download onto your phone.  From there you can make reservations, order food, etc.  Every ship is now upgraded to this technology.

[rj59]

Princess is good if you like pizza, since they have the best at sea, and if you get on a ship that has Alfredo's, you get full, excellent pizza.  It's also the best non-paid, informal restaurant at sea, and has salads, pasta, and desserts, so it makes a great free alternative to the MDR or buffet. I used to be deterred by formal night, but now I see that a lot of men wear just a shirt and slacks, so I feel fine and not out of place. I think the destination aspect of Princess is good because of the piazza, a central gathering place with a nice cafe (also a good MDR/buffet alternative, with 24/7 snack options), and a large outdoor movies screens with comfy loungers and blankets. I take the same approach, staying close to home on West Coast cruises, even though I've been on Mexico/coastal/Alaska cruises dozens of time, so I just want a nice ship experience that's comfortable, pleasurable, and affordable. Princess meets that experience best for me, although I try to find the best in any cruise experience (this summer I sailed to Alaska on Carnival, Princess, and Celebrity, and found things to enjoy about all of them). As a solo cruiser I'm sometimes shy or stressed by the MDR experience, but I find the best way to avoid that is to eat late, after 8, when it's not crowded and eat at your own table, so you can ask for quick service (they have a dining speed option in the app now). Another way to avoid the MDR, besides the buffet, is to try Holland America or Celebrity, which allow you to order MDR menu items through room service. 

[SiliconCruiser]

43 minutes ago, rj59 said:

I used to be deterred by formal night, but now I see that a lot of men wear just a shirt and slacks, so I feel fine and not out of place.

I used to always bring a tux for formal night, but I started to feel out of place. So I switched to a suit, then to a blazer/dress shirt/tie/slacks, then I stopped wearing the tie, and on our next cruises I may just wear a dress shirt and jeans, or polo shirt with slacks, I'll probably bring a tie, but don't know if I'll wear it.  The only thing is that the tux was only being used for cruises; guess it will spend a lot of time in the closet.

[geoherb]

I usually eat in one of the dining rooms or International Cafe (for breakfast and lunch). But I made it up to the buffet three times in August on the Caribbean Princess--once each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was lucky to go on sushi night. There's always something that they're carving at dinner. It was leg of lamb the night I went. I wish they had more vegetables.

 

Another option is room service. There are lots of free options. I lived off room service for three days when quarantined back in 2019.

Edited September 19, 2022 by geoherb

[JeffElizabeth]

On 9/18/2022 at 10:29 AM, MsTabbyKats said:

 

I live in NYC....Manhattan to be exact.  I eat out almost daily (being served isn't a novelty)...and when I cook it's "cooked to order" with a lot of spices and variations.  "Cruise food" isn't cooked for the individual. 

 

We don't have buffets here.  On a cruise..if I like something at the buffet I can go back and get as much as I want, without waiting for service.  I can also prepare a plate "as I like it".  On NCL Getaway I made pita/hummus filled with the vegetables of my choice.

 

Bottom line....I eat in the buffet because the dining room food is limited and too restrictive.

Great point. Buffets in my city disappeared during the pandemic so I actually enjoyed having that option again on the Emerald Princess.  My BIL also buffets only, he is a vegetarian and finds the main dining room too limited.  

[Roatanfans]

Of the three lines you've mentioned the only one we haven't been on is Carnival.  NCL is known for its entertainment and MSC has beautiful ships (we were on the Divina- that staircase!).  Princess we find has better food and something we love on Princess is the educational lectures they do on sea days.  These aren't the usual "buy bamboo sheets, color changing shirts or tanzanite at these stores" lectures.  We've been to WW2/Pearl Harbor talks, route 66, volcanos, famous ships and naughty marine life lectures.  Princess also does a lot of cultural programs in different areas.

[Wishing on a star]

Assuming you see the trip report from cruisers who recently cruised on Emerald.  You might get some good insight there, or maybe ask some questions.

I haven't followed that, but did notice that Emerald has Rock Opera as one of their shows!

[MsTabbyKats]

@Roatanfans"Lectures" is a big plus.

We were on an NCL "Guy Harvey" cruise to the Bahamas a few years back....really like having something other than "buy overpriced jewelry" or "the finest copy of an art piece in the world" to listen to!