crochetcruise

The Caribbean Princess is the only ship with Window Suites AND thermal suites. I love the Golden....but she's gone.

Sorry for you, but I'll be enjoying her again in October 2018, the last Cruise before Ocean Medallion is activated. Can't find the Soda and More Package for pre-ordering, so will make sure I have On Board Credit to try and buy it, or will get the Buy 6 Sodas for the Price of 5 from Room Service,. Probably need several orders.

One suite perc is the complimentary same-day laundry. You can actually send out your laundry out and get it back on a three-day cruise if you like.:)

 

This may be useful depending on how many vacation days you have before and after your three-day cruise.

Just remember to have the bag ready before 9.00am or it's returned the next day. I made that mistake as a Blue Card cruiser-never again!

I asked for a 2nd helping of scrambled eggs in Sabatini's, "No problem Ma'am," and they were just as delicious as the 1st helping. I can't do scrambled eggs-standing at the stove hurts my back, so I happily enjoyed them on the cruise!

The Platinum/Elite/Suite Function in Skywalkers Bar on the Golden Princess was also nice. I had focaccia and smoked salmon-yummy. I was drinking Coke as I'd taken an anti-nausea tablet-1st cruise, and stupidly forgot and enjoyed the Welcome Glass of Sparkling wine! Gave myself a right headache too-that'll teach me to forget what medication I've taken!

Do enjoy your cruise!

Not itineraries Jennie, bookings into OPT in Sydney.

Golden has a booking for the 10th Oct 2018 and then will probably go to Melbourne as it has done. Arrivals of others are:

Sapphire 22 oct 2018, Diamond 20th Nov 2018, Emerald 17th Nov 2018.........who know what we will get:)

Sapphire's arrival might be interesting. I am booked on a 3 night Sydney-Melbourne sailing from the OPT Oct 22 2018. To my knowledge-and if I'm wrong please would someone with more accurate knowledge help out-only 1 ship can berth at the OPT at a time. I have booked the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite, so Princess is aware of 1 Handicapped Passenger at least. The Golden Princess is too big to use White Bay as you sail under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and she's too big to fit. It was lovely watching as she backed out of the berth and carefully reversed to the right before sailing majestically past the Sydney Opera House and out of the Heads bound for Melbourne. I sailed her 11/11/2016, my 1st cruise, had to cancel the 2017 cruise but found the 2018. The only problem is I'm on the cruise before the Ocean Medallion debuts on the Golden and I can't pre-order the Soda and More Package. Hope I can buy it aboard, or I'll have to hope I can get the "Buy 6 Sodas for the Price of 5" through Room Service. I have the insulated tumbler, the plastic straw is broken but I can buy a packet of smaller straws and bring with me so just pouring ice from the fridge and emptying a can into the tumbler rather than going to a bar and presenting my cruise card. Sounds like more exercise going back and forth to the Suite to get myself another drink is coming up! Oh well, I can easily enjoy those delicious cookies from the International Café, a friend advised me to try the peanut cookies and I LOVED the chocolate cookies! Terribly moreish!

Thanks for reminding me....Old school and forgot about Club Class Dining. I get to experience both (Club Class Dining and Thermal Suites) since I generally do the suite life on the Grand and Golden. Looking forward to my voyage on the Caribbean this fall (in a suite).

The Golden Princess doesn't have a Thermal Suite, not personally sure about the Grand Princess.

If you pre order, your sticker will be on the card when you check in. The last cruise we had this hey were running low on the cups and had to beg for them from those selling them. There were also only a few people who had the cups to give with the soda package. We had not prepaid so it was a bit of a pain, but I think that was the exception. Usually if you prepay stick on card at check in and cup eventually delivered to your room. If you purchase on board, the sticker gets put on there and they give you a cup immediately .

You're lucky. I had that on my 1st cruise, but my next cruise is just before the Golden Princess gets the Ocean Medallion, and I can't pre-order the Soda and More Package. I may need to get the 6 cans for the price of 5 offer available through Room Service, bring the tumbler I already have and just add ice cubes to a can.

We did this. All you are getting is a guaranteed reservation with a specialty photographer. You will spend about an hour with him/her and will get some awesome pictures. Really awesome. Be prepared to sell your car to pay for the pictures. If you get a package you should throw in a couple of your kids too.

 

 

Sure they are better and cool but I am not about to pay $1000 for a picture of me and my DH. I forget how many picture you get for that amount but I can tell you unless you have money to spare you won't be buying any of the pictures and you have just spent a few hours of your vacation taking pictures you won't buy.

 

On the other hand, if you do have the money I would have bought them in a heart beat.

THANK YOU! I've been looking for that pricing as I'm in a Window Suite on the Golden Princess October 2018. That money, I personally consider, would be better spent in purchasing another cruise!

If you need a Handicapped Accessible Cabin or Suite (of which there are very few Suites available, only the Window Suites on the Caribbean, Golden and Grand, and some ships have a Handicapped Accessible Penthouse Suite on a much higher deck and roughly double the price of a Window Suite, you simply must book early!

I've sailed on the Golden Princess, and am hoping she is posted to Australia for the 2012-2022 Cruising season. We do have the new Majestic Princess sailing here, but the price is at least double, and she sails from Sydney round-trip so access is a bit of an issue for me. I do like the 6 nights aboard, but would prefer Melbourne or Adelaide for an embarkation point.

I was advised to choose a Handicapped Balcony Stateroom, then the uncle of a friend found out about the Window Suites and sent a message to me to, "Check the pricing against a Balcony, and if it's too much to upgrade, tell J. (my friend) and she'll send the extra money over to you for a Belated 50th Birthday Present!" Another friend warned me about the heavy balcony door, especially when the ship is in motion-she sailed in a Suite on the Sea Princess, not Mobility Impaired, but she and her friend found accessing their balcony a challenge at times.

HTH.

Just boarded Sun Princess today, here are the photos of B748.

Happy to take questions. This is a fabulous suite!!

 

http://daleyfamilytravelblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/sun-princess-monaco-suite-b748.html?m=1

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Please could you take clear photos showing the shower if separate-due to disability I cannot safely climb into a bathtub but need a freestanding shower? I can manage with towels on the floor and my walker used for steadying myself if needed, I am aware the Sea and Sun Princesses do not, to my knowledge, have a specifically Handicapped Accessible Suite at this time.

Your photos are really clear and I can easily see the Suite. If I can safely manage the bathroom, I have 2 more possible ships for Coastal Cruises out of Brisbane and Sydney if I've read the Cruise Calendar correctly.

Do enjoy your cruise!

Lol accurate to a tee those press releases, just received an email from Princess advertising the arrival of the first ship to arrive in Australian waters with the Ocean medallion. The Golden Princess, first cruise available 25 Oct 2018............... :D

I'll just miss it-sailing 22/10/2018, and no regrets as I prefer the card carried in a wallet. I like the convenience of the Soda and More Package, much easier for me to budget my On Board Spending with most drinks accounted for.

I prepay as much as possible-Soda and More Package; Canapes; On Board Credit for Cocktails, Souvenirs (carefully costed) and Gaming and allow for the purchase of Future Cruise Deposits or booking another cruise. :D

I do use a Debit Card that is a TOTALLY separate account to my normal banking. Have had no trouble. HTH.

OR...carry the cup that comes with the soda package. That is also a nice big cup! :D

It easily takes a 375ml can of Coke without ice cubes-I've tested this personally! Could take about 400ml, I can get 2 and a bit drinks out of a 1litre bottle of pre-mixed cordial, haven't actually measured how much is left in the bottle after 2 drinks, I must check that, you've got me curious now!

I'm budgeting to get the Buy 5 cans of Soft Drink and get the 6th can Free, found the details in the folder in my Suite, when I sail in October 2018. This will mean I don't have to get dressed if I've changed for the evening, and have the urge for a can of Coke! Not too keen on parading round the ship in my night attire, unless there's an emergency evacuation!

Canned soda is $2.00 + 15% gratuity = $2.30.

So based on my Cruise Personalizer having On Board Credit at AUDS65 for USD$50 I should allow AUD$2.65 approx. for a can of Soda. I noticed last November that I could have got the Buy 5 cans get 1 free from Room Service. As a Newbie Cruiser I didn't take advantage of it, and should have for late evening drinking when I didn't feel like making myself decent to go out to a bar to get a drink-I had the Soda and More Package. I now know to allow On Board Credit so I can call Room Service on the Embarkation Day, this will save me the hassle of packing them to transport to the ship! THANK YOU for helping me learn something new!

The benefit most commonly missed by stewards is the Elite bathroom amenities. Lately that is a little gold bag with things like emory board, cotton swabs/cotton balls, and other extra stuff. If you don't see it in your cabin's bathroom, then just ask.

 

Enjoy the mini-bar setup. All that stuff is free and doesn't come with a restocking charge when used. But don't be afraid of exchanging items for something you prefer.

Someone more experienced will politely correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge only the original set up of the Mini Bar is complimentary, if you want any more of the items, you are charged for them whether Suite or Elite.

Also TMK, 2 Elites in a stateroom only receive 1 Mini Bar Set up but an Elite in a Suite receives 2 but might need to call Room Service for the 2nd set up.HTH.

There will be a letter with all the hours which vary on sea days VS port days. Although there is a menu they will make anything you request if it's available. If you ask for something that's not in their kitchen they will get it for you from the MDR. I asked for fresh mango every day so they kept it available and had it ready each morning. There are very few occupied tables at any time so they cater very well to your wants and needs. It's one of the nicest perks of a full suite.

The staff are very attentive without being intrusive. I finished my 1st pastry, and the waitress-that day-came over with the tray and politely asked, "Would you like to choose another Miss?" I certainly did, and enjoyed the requested scrambled eggs. I accidently dropped my knife, and a waiter appeared at the table, offering me another-I'd tried to retrieve it and was told, "Leave it, I'll get it when I clear the table." The 2nd day-3 night cruise so only 2 breakfasts but wonderful!-I was provided with a seat near the window, and the dining room seemed to be fuller than the previous day. I think I was later going for breakfast, that might be the reason.

I'm not normally a breakfast eater, but I certainly enjoyed the scrambled eggs, asked for another serve on the Sunday, and with the extra passengers in the dining room, had to wait a bit. The waiter was most apologetic about the delay, telling me, "They're trying to catch the chicken to lay really fresh eggs for you." I laughed and suggested, "Please tell that chicken to let them catch him or her, you've got a hungry client who wants some scrambled eggs. " The staff laughed at the joke. It was no problem for me, I had nothing else planned for the morning, so a lazy breakfast was just nice!

I also found the Special Suite/Elite line at the Passengers Services Desk very handy when I had a query.

Enjoy your cruise.

Chez i'm not sure but we could not buy anything from the gift ship and i dont know if it'll filter to the other cruise lines or they may not worry about it but it was from the government

 

i have a friend doing a 2 night cruise from Melb to Sydney in a couple of weeks on the Golden and the cruise will be going to Fiji so i'll ask her to find out if any restrictions

If she's on a leg of a longer cruise, it may not affect her. I did the 3 night Sydney-Melbourne on the Golden, and was able to buy souvenirs-teddy bears, a manicure set, playing cards, and ship mugs. Don't smoke, and my preferred choice of alcohol isn't served-Crème de Menthe-so didn't check if I could buy smokes or alcohol.

A topic that I always have lots to say about! I too suspected the OP was on the April 12 Emerald Princess 29 day Sydney to LA. IMHO Princess has the best perks overall and we appreciate them very much!

 

We've had the "three day warning" cards quite often in the past but this was the first time for us that it was always 3 days and sometimes 4 but we probably put it in too late in the day when it took 4 days. Also there was no priority tendering but that never bothers us. I noticed that even the Suite/Elite line at Passenger Services was missing.

 

This did make me think just a little that the Elite benefits are occasionally being watered down a little due to too many Elites. This would be just the way it is if everyone got to Elite the same way but it seems to me there are way too many shortcuts to Elite lately. We got one cruise credit for 29 days yet this same ship did the 1 night Vancouver to Seattle cruise just 10 days later where many couples book two single occupancy inside cabins just to get two cruise credits each for less than 20 hours onboard.

 

It's I think it is important to always have a higher level to strive for. That doesn't have to mean a big expense to Princess though. Laundry usually seems to be the biggest problem on cruises with large numbers of Elite passengers.

 

Princess doesn't like to rock the boat. Any changes that mean taking something away will create lots of howling. With free laundry solve the problems, don't take it away, just introduce limits to avoid losing the perk all together. All laundry items have a price which is calculated and then refunded to Elites. Set a reasonable limit per Elite Passenger, for example $10 a day. Board a 7 day cruise and each Elite Passenger sees a $70 Laundry credit on their account. They can use it throughout the cruise however they want. This solves the problem of boarding with a bunch of laundry needing done due to a week of travelling before boarding.

 

Make the allowance generous enough that even this extra laundry won't consume all of your allowance unless maybe you are someone who puts everything in the laundry every time you wear it. Everyone is quick to mention hot climates but even then not everything you wear every day has to go to the laundry.

 

People frequently mention making a 1 bag per day per cabin limit. Okay but to me that is still over the top. Typically my wife and I put in about 1 bag every 3 days depending on the climate. If we leave it any longer we usually have to put in two bags.

 

A 5 day cruise and putting in laundry? Really? Maybe if you were on the road at least several days before boarding.

 

Getting everything cleaned before going home so you don't have to do laundry once home? Really! Abuse of the perk IMHO. If they cancelled the free laundry for Elites, which would you be more upset about: Losing the clean laundry to take home or having to do your own laundry numerous times while on a 28 day cruise? It is such a good perk while you are cruising why run the risk of ruining it to get your laundry cleaned just to take home?

 

Put some reasonable limits on the Elite Free Laundry, introduce Elite Plus and give them a higher laundry allowance and save Unlimited Free Laundry for a new "Merrill Stubing Class"! Most laundry delay problems solved, passengers no longer sending in laundry for their ten relatives, most Elite passengers still receiving a generous laundry allowance AND extra perks created to give to new higher classes of Elite. Win-Win!

 

AE_Collector

For medical reasons, I needed to have a certain item washed and dried, while on a 3 night cruise on the Golden Princess. I was in a Window Suite, and only sent 1 bag of laundry out-but I did get everything that needed to be done, attended to. I always intended to get my Embarkation outfit cleaned ready for Disembarkation, it came up a treat! I have honestly tried using the disposable version of the item, but disposables just DON'T do the job to the same standard! :mad: It's a nuisance for me, and believe me, I HAVE tried to find a way around needing the item freshened up. I aired my top overnight, and used a different top the next morning and changed for the evening-mi-and-match toning colours are a great help here.

Already started planning my wardrobe for the September 018 cruise-I learnt lots about what works for me, and what failed, so should be even better prepared.

Again, how do we make the leap that others are in different cabins? Why should we conclude that people who wear extra large clothing items do not travel with children? No one can see inside another person's laundry bag, so this entire discussion is theoretical in any event. If one wants to draw conclusions from the volume of laundry, fine. But no conclusion can be drawn from the size or style of the items in the bag.

I use a sheet protector which goes on top of the sheet, and if reasonably bulky when folded so it bulked out my laundry bag. I forgot-newbie mistake-to put the bag out before 9.00am, fortunately I had disposable protection with me. I have learned from this mistake.

I'm also a larger size and wear men's tshirts and sweatshirts because I prefer the brown and orange tones I can't usually get in women's clothing

THANK YOU for asking this question. I had been wondering about bringing the insulated cup I received when I got the Soda and More Package, the drinking straw has a bit broken off, but still usable. This would mean I could get a refill easier-I have the sticker on my cruise card which I automatically show the bar tender.

I need a handicap room to accommodate my mobility scooter. Therefore, we usually make reservations months or sometimes a year in advance. I read some comments on CC about too many people who did not need them reserving them anyway. When I tried to make my reservations recently, all accessible cabins on the Princess site said that they were sold. I asked my travel agent to check and sure enough several were available.

 

A few weeks ago, my TA got paperwork from Princess requesting information on my need. For example, what are the dimensions of my scooter, what kind of battery does it use. Also, do I need the scooter all of the time. I thought that the questions were fair and important. I don't know if all passengers in accessible cabins had to fill out the same paperwork, but to be fair to the passengers, I hope so,.

Yes they do. I've just booked the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite on the Golden Princess for 22/10/2018 Sydney-Melbourne 3 night cruise. My TA printed off the form-2 pages-from Princess requesting relevant information, for me to fill out. I had to phone the Government Agency that provides my Rollator to me, as I couldn't answer the questions about height, width, and weight. IIRC, there was a question about WHY I needed a Handicapped Accessible stateroom/Suite.

Crochetcruise

It is very uncool for those who don't need the cabin to book one. Be thankful every day that you are not in a wheelchair!

I use a Rollator for safe mobility, not a wheelchair, but I need to security, where possible, of grab rails beside the toilet and in the shower.

With respect, there are some handicaps eg. cardiac issues or osteoarthritis, that may restrict a person's mobility without being obvious. I have personally found that with using a Rollator more people are aware I HAVE a mobility issue and are more helpful, keeping a closer eye on excitable children so I don't get bumped off balance-so easy for an excited child to cause a problem and not understand why they are then scolded. I've also had children try to open the door for me as I approach so I gratefully thank them for their help.

Crochetcruise

If you like, or need for medical reasons eg diabetes, a certain type of canned soda, I respectfully suggest bringing your own supplies, so you know you have them.

I noticed, when aboard the Golden Princess last November, that the soda cans were only 330ml, instead of the 375ml I can buy in the supermarkets. I'm considering buying a 10-pack, known as a Fridge Mate, for when I cruise in October 2018.

HTH.

I login to the Princess website to access the Cruise Personalizer to manage my cruise. I believe that it's not necessary to create an account & with the confirmation code & name it's possible to access the Cruise Personalizer to manage the cruise.

 

For me their Cruise Personalizer is great & allows me to manage nearly everything about my cruise whether booking through a TA or Princess.

 

Everyone needs to complete the pre-boarding information such as passport & credit card.

I asked my TA for my Booking Number, and then access my Cruise Personalizer through the Princess website. Having a lovely time pricing souvenirs and planning On Board Spending for November 2018. :cool:

wish we had that option in australia $59 if buying onboard, $76 if pre paid although u get the difference refunded.

When I cruised last November, I had OBC so went to the Calypso Bar on the embarkation day and bought myself the Soda and More Package.

I'm booked again October 22, 2018, again sailing the Golden Princess Sydney-Melbourne 3 night cruise. I'm planning to pre-purchase the Chilled Shrimp Canapes-delicious!-and put money into On board Credit to buy souvenir pens, mugs, lanyards and another cuddly Teddy Bear. I will also allow OBC for the cost of 1 or 2 daily Cocktails.

Thanks for jogging my memory! Please does anyone know the cost of the Cocktails at the Australia/New Zealand Platinum/Elite/Suite Function? I didn't get there on the Friday night, and never thought of having a Cocktail on the Saturday night, I had the Soda and More package and was quite happy with a soft drink.

Thanks so very very much for your time to give us a CB report. :D

Seems most of the changes are on Lido Deck (15).

Did you go to the Salty Dog Grill that was Trident Grill and if you tried the $5 burger?

NOTE: To get the sushi at Vines it's ANY drink ... does not have to be wine. ;)

THANK YOU! When I sailed on the Golden Princess last November, I was a COMPLETE newbie-thought Vines only served wine, and I am not fond of wine, no gourmet here!

I get the Soda and More Package, and there's a useful shop with a good choice of souvenirs right next to Vines, so I can do my Early Christmas shopping next year, might even do some Future Christmas shopping-several people who are hard to buy for, but can ALWAYS use a mug. also noted to watch for the Sale in 1 of the Dining Rooms as I may be able to get mugs from other ships.

There are some odd things happening re the Aussie bookings. On the cruise I booked many categories seemed to be booked out, and I was looking at 9am Sydney time. The online booking kept coming up with an error after I selected the cabin I wanted. Eventually I rang Princess and booked by phone.

I went to my TA this morning, another dealt with my booking and I got the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite for the 3 night Sydney-Melbourne sailing 10/22/2018. Once home I went online to check January and April sailings and both cruise the required Window Suite is already booked. Still, I'm going to start saving for a 20% deposit on the April trip, keep monitoring the availability, and if necessary, get the Window Suite next to it, and hope F315 becomes available. The cruise I had to cancel, this happened and I was able to transfer, then disaster struck with household expenses messing up my budget so I had to cancel the November 2017 cruise-so I was really impatient to get the booking completed. The TA rang Princess, and the booking's marked NO UPGRADE, however I will still monitor my Cruise Personaliser, just in case it's changed without the TA being notified. She did have to verify I was Handicapped before the booking went ahead, I have the Questionnaire to fill out and take back to the agency.