Luckybee

I'm used to land based holidays more than ship based( only have done a few cruises and many more on land only). Normally I usually spend 1 or 2 hours in the sun then am usually doing something else for the day. For simply r and r I expect I'll simply be on my balcony but wanted to know what my options were for the "at sea" days. Thanks as this info was very helpful :)

Thanks for the replies so far. Does anyone know whether the chairs in the Sanctuary can be moved at all ie: direction or pulled back slightly to avoid the lip cover ? Are lounge chairs in the sun anywhere else available generally( dont care if it is by the pool) ?

Will be sailing on Enchanted Princess in Feburary for 10 days in Carib. First time on Princess. Since I'm in a suite I'm presuming because of early embarkation I have a decent shot of getting into the Sanctuary. That said I want to make sure I want to do so. This is a port intensive cruise and I anticipate most if not all port days I will be hitting a variety of beaches. I am a sun worshipper, and like to tan.There are 3 sea days and I will definitely want to get out in the afternoon sun on those days onboard. (Note I said afternoon as I am not into early rise and shine on vacation lol). When I first read about the sanctuary it was an absolute for me to book once onboard but having looked at many youtube videos I am realizing that many/most of the chairs appear to be shaded or covered by netting which I definitely dont want( I realize more people are looking for shade...not what I am seeking). I saw one are where the chairs appear to be partially in the sun but if they were moved back a tad could have full direct sun. Can the lounge chairs be moved ? Am I dreaming that on sea days in the afternoon if I dont hit the deck until lunch that I will find a chair in the direct sun for a couple of hours anywhere on board if I dont book the sanctuary for the sailing ? And if I do book the sanctuary for the sailing am I able to let someone else use it for the days Im off the ship? ( I am travelling alone so I dont want to waste it...could I just tell staff I wont be using the chair on x days so they can give it to someone as a freebie who could use ?)

Thanks for asking...In post 18 I asked "When I first booked on a certificate (which I had to cancel because of expected surgery) I was able to get a PH on the Dolphin deck where the balconies look huge. This time there was only one suite available on the Aloha deck which has a much smaller balcony. The cruise is not until Febuary of next year so Im hoping to be able to move to any of Marina, Riviera, Baja or Dolphin decks and I have been stalking the website but of course I could miss an opening. Can one waitlist within a category that you are already booked in ?" I also wanted to know if the suite perks apply with the certificate such as 1st night specialty dining (I have 2 different answers from reps on that) I also wanted to know if there was a way of finding further info on shore excursions since for example a couple that I might be interested in such as beach breaks dot tell you which beach you are taken to so I can determine whether I should book or DIY

My certificate was good for any of Carnival, HA or Princess. When I first called I had checked with the sub line for HA (had to push different extesions for each)but the cruises and suites I could get were more limited so I chose princess because I was able to book the suite I wanted (at least the category).

Thanks Karate...the number I have was the number on my certificate which is 1-800-819-3906. When one calls that number the recording asks that you choose between Princess, Carnival, and Holland America for booking your cruise certificate then once chosen takes you to an agent. I had assumed, perhaps wrongly, that the was just for the original booking but I will try them...Thanks for the idea !

In the meantime I wonder if anyone knows the following ... When I first booked on a certificate (which I had to cancel because of expected surgery) I was able to get a PH on the Dolphin deck where the balconies look huge. This time there was only one suite available on the Aloha deck which has a much smaller balcony. The cruise is not until Febuary of next year so Im hoping to be able to move to any of Marina, Riviera, Baja or Dolphin decks and I have been stalking the website but of course I could miss an opening. Can one waitlist within a category ?

I booked through the casino department as I was given a cruise certificate for a free suite from my local casino so I dont have the options that many have suggested. When I did my original booking a couple of months ago I didnt have any issues with the rep I dealt with. When I call now on the "already booked" line this seems to be where the problems arise. I have travelled extensively but not with Princess. I think what surprised me the most is that I have dealt with companies all over the world for bookings since I always book without an agent and I have never seen the language issue this bad even when Im dealing with a hotel in Timbuktoo where one might expect a language problem

I am a new Princess customer but have sailed on other cruise lines. I've called Princess 3 times within the last week to sort out a couple of issues and have been waiting for a call back from to no avail and have been totally unable to understand the various phone reps I have spoken with because of their extremely poor English. I explained my queries to one rep who didnt even understand what I was saying and it wasnt complicated , had to get another rep to repeat what they were saying 3 times before I could barely understand them and now when I called back to see why I hadn't as of yet heard back I have no idea what I was just told. In my profession I often deal with people whose first language is not English but they are not generally in first line customer service positions. Is this the norm for Princess or am I just not calling the right number or at the right time? Very frustrating !

And alot may have to do with "new" casino promotions being offered. I have never been on a Princess ship before now but my home casino recently had promos through Princess for "free" cruises. I recieved a free suite up to 12 days which allowed me to book an aft penthouse for a 10 day Caribbean cruise. I know others who got the same thing and there were ALOT of people who got a "free" cabin( lol.... including my secretary who plays pennies/nickels only and has no interest in taking a cruise even this one ). Port fees and taxes were extra and of course plus/premium not included . This is just one (albeit large) casino and there are many other casinos doing the same thing. I could be wrong but I would think that has a big effect on filling ships.

Sorry ? I dont understand the comment.

Thanks for the responses ! It would probably be a a different casino though and likely on land. I just couldnt say no to this offer :)

And lol....it is only "free" until I get in the casino :)

Thanks Its not really about the cost that Im considering but rather does having the package improve or lessen the service.or be more convenient ? I've been to resorts where I have seen those on the AI package get ignored by bartenders etc where those on pay as you go get treated better becuase they are hustling for tips. Or alternatively if you are on AI then you dont have to worry about the bill etc but those paying as they go are waiting around. What is Princess like for this ? Other than the cost what are the pros and cons for either choice with Princess ?

I forgot to add, does it matter in terms of convenience that I'm in a suite? On other cruise lines I've been on the service is vastly improved in some suite categories. Im sort of getting the impression there is no real difference with Princess in terms of service?

Hello all I had planned my first Princess cruise for next month but unfortunately Im dealing with a stress fracture so my cruise will be in Feb/25 instead on the Enchanted princess for a 10 day Caribbean cruise in a aft penthouse. I have booked through a casino promo and have only had to pay port taxe . I am trying to determine whether to add plus or premier to my booking and after having crunched the numbers I've decided cost wise its a few hundred $ with or without or one way or another , so I wont bother unless it is worthwhile from a convenience perspective. I tend to not like all inclusives but rather just ordering what I want and paying as I go......So, if I order a glass or two of wine with dinner or soda by the pool, as an example does it take longer if paying as you go ? Do you have to clear accts more ? More errors with/without ? In other words does it simplify things more if I have a package ? Im mainly concerned with reducing annoyance and not about the cost differential since I dont think its enough savings with a package for me to bother unless there is a more intrinsic benefit. Im the type of person on my normal land based holidays who will book all of my restaurants in advance before I travel so that I dont have to think while on holidays lol. I will be booking an internet package if I dont get the premier or plus( I've sort of concluded that if I do go for the "all in package" I should go for the premier because the wines I would want would all be over the first limit)...and I will be booking mainly specialty and casual dining whether I have a package or not. Opinions pls ?

Thanks everyone for the advice !

cheetorevil....I had already searched (and searched and searched finding a great deal of contadictory info and no info whatsoever on some of my questions) Thanks Kiwi....yes it is on the Enchanted Princess and I appreciate the comments about the balcony. I had looked at 726 on a video I had found but it was hard to determine if the balcony was shaded or not in that video. Good to know that a comped cruise gets all the benefits as well :) I've already booked each of Catch, Sabatini's and Crown Grill so now I know to do the 360 experience too !

So my home casino had a deal going where I could choose a suite with any of H.A/Princess or Carnival. I chose a 7 day Caribbean cruise with Princess for April .Although dh and I have cruised (a few times only) with the Paul Gauguin and with Royal I have a ton of questions regarding princ3ss. I will be travelling solo as dh can no longer travel because of his health issues . First does anyone know if you are on a comped cruise whether you get the suite perks like first night specialty dining, 360 etc, ? Can you book those things in advance and if so how ? Ive booked other specialty nights but the first night shows up with a cost attached, amd 360 doesnt show up at all? I am trying to decide whether to add princess plus/premium ?Given the cost of internet/tips/drinks/specialty dining/casual dining etc. I think its close price wise either way for me (I'm not a big drinker but do like good quality Chardonnay and am not seeing many options on the menus, so I expect I will bring a few bottles on board for the room even with the knowlede that I'll pay a corkage fee). Is there any service advantage/disadvantae to paying as I go? I've already booked 3 nights of specialty dining and if I change to premier I presume I can simply cancel 2 of them to let the package pay for 2 nights but will I be able to book those in advance as well? I want to make certain I get the times that I want and wouldnt be thrilled getting what "they would book for me". I plan on doing alternative/specialty dining most if not all nights. . I'm basing that decision on my previous cruise on Royal where we were very unhappy with main dining and chose to do specialty dining for the remainder of the cruise (being honest I admit I am pretty particular and fussy and am a bit of a foodie) is food on princess better than Royal/same/gawd forbid worse? Should I leave 1 night/more for club dining ? Lastly does anyone know whether the balcony for Dolphin 727 has enough of an uncovered balcony for sunbathing on the lounger or should I try to get a cabana in the sanctuary for sea days ? Thanks in advance for any help