Bignickpsu

Headed out on the Grand for the first time soon and was curious as to how people think it compares to the Caribbean which is the only Princess ship I’ve been on.

I’m also wondering whether anyone here happens to have the MDR menu for the first night.  I’m thinking about booking Crown Grill for the first night since we have early dining and I don’t want to have to cut short the sail away party.

Does anyone know if hot chocolate is officially no longer included?  There are no terms for the soda package yet.  I only ask because the wording of new coffee and soda package groups specialty coffee and tea in one phrase and all of the sodas, juices, mocktails and hot chocolate in another.

Also, someone mentioned hot chocolate being complimentary in the buffet. Is that true in the MDR?  I wasn't sure if the paid hot chocolate referred only to IC.

Do all ships even offer smoothies/milkshakes? I don't remember seeing them on the Caribbean last year.  Headed on the Grand soon so I'm curious as to what they have.  I'm usually not a big complainer but it seems like a steep increase especially if hot chocolate is no longer included.  

1 hour ago, masterty said:

 

I did not notice any menu repeating yet. I also have not compared menus. Too busy cruising 😁.

 

I have not heard any mention of traditional diners being allowed to eat anytime. I am sure if one was to ask the maître d' ones options they would be pleased. Of course some reading this will say "go for it we do it all the time" and others will say "dont do it. It messes up the seating for everyone else. I hope this Alaska patters discussion does not turn into a traditional dining using anytime discussion. I say just ask your maître d'.

Thanks again! Enjoy the cruise!

I definitely dont want to start a debate about dining.  I have only been on one Princess cruise and the waiters were the ones that told me the traditional became Anytime on port days.  I just wasn’t sure if that was standard😀

Thanks for all of the info!

Did they repeat the menu from Day 2?  It looks almost exactly like the one you posted from earlier in your trip.

Did they mention if dining hours could be changed on port days?  On our Caribbean cruise last year, you were allowed to eat AnyTime on port days.  Thanks again!

11 minutes ago, mrell345 said:

To be honest the best crab is on the excursions that have the all you can eat Dungenous crab.  Every Alaskan I have ever talked to says it tastes just as good without the cost of King Crab and I tend to agree.  You never get fresh caught King crab either, it is frozen as soon as it is caught apparently.  Not to say it isnt delicious, but there are other options.

I know...I just have a hard time paying for food on an excursion knowing I've already paid for it on the ship.😀

Plus we are already doing the Mendenhall canoe excursion

Of course, the crab legs are on the day I'm going to have to miss the MDR because of excursions😡

Do you know if they let people eat anytime on port days?  On our West Caribbean cruise last summer, on certain port days they let everyone eat anytime.

38 minutes ago, SETexaslady said:

Thanks for posting the menus. I was wondering on the surf n turf.. it says "petite".  Are we (my husband) allowed to order two of a main course or is that rude?  I've read where people will order two glasses of orange juice, etc., because they're really small but can't find info on ordering a larger portion of food. My guy is a meat & potato man. 😛 Not much of a seafood lover (though I am) . 😉 

I'm pretty sure you can order as much as you want😀

On our upcoming cruise, we have Sitka as a port instead of Ketchikan and don't have much planned other than a walk around.   We are looking to get some Alaskan seafood and already have a pretty full day booked in Juneau so we thought we'd try to look for it in Sitka.  Any recommendations?

It is for the first two.  I missed out on an upsell from an inside to a balcony about a month ago because I had the same question and it was sold out by the time they got back to me.  I could afford an extra $500 but didn't want to go for $1000 if they were going to charge for my two kids.  Still crossing my fingers that another one opens up.  

Good morning all...I was just wondering if anyone knew if their was any age flexibility for the kids club. On our next cruise, we are bringing our two boys (11 and 7).  The 7 year old will be weeks away from his 8th birthday and we’d really like it if they could be in the same kids club.   On our last cruise the younger one had just turned 7 but did not ever want to go to the kids club after the first day because it was much more geared to the younger ages.  Thanks in advance.

20 hours ago, BarbinMich said:

In 2014, the 10-day out of SF was our last of 4 cruises to Alaska (did it in mid-May).  We love SF and have been there multiple times, but still spent a few days there pre-cruise and revisited our favorite places.  And sailing out of SF was a wonderful (but windy) experience.  Also, loved going west of Vancouver Island.  Sea was totally flat and we had a beautiful, long sunset reflected off the water; also saw a few sea ducks diving and then emerging out of the water.  Finally, the ship stopped in Victoria BC on the way back, another plus for us (love the Butchart Gardens there).

How was the water coming out of San Fran?  Was it overly rough? We are doing the 10 day to Alaska this summer and I have a tendency to get seasick and I have heard the Pacific can be quite rocky.  Hoping the patch continues to work for me.

7 hours ago, oskidunker said:

There are no longer pictures on the wall. Tv is now where picture used to be. Old place where tv empty. They need to do something with that space. 

 

 O elite bar set up yet probably due to last minute upgrade. Room steward not great so far. Have to ask twice for everyvthing

I heard the TVs are now set up for on demand but they weren't sure when it would be up and running.  Any luck with on demand?

Does anyone know if there is a way to order it from Princess and have it sent to my house?  I think my kids would like to read through it ahead of time.

For anyone interested on more on the dry dock, search for Martin Cruise on Facebook.  He is giving daily updates on the happenings with pictures.  Looks like major work is getting done. According to his posts, it looks like all new TVs, new jacuzzi structures, new carpet, and a lot more.  I believe he is an entertainer on the ship and is staying on board during the dry dock.

Thanks so much for the information!  We heading on the Grand at the end of June so I am curious as to what changes are made during dry dock.  We have only done the Caribbean Princess before.  Two questions:

1.  Are the beds the “new” beds?  When I was on the CB before, there was a lot of discussion on which ships had the new beds.  I wasn’t sure if they have all been changed at this point.

2.  Are the TV’s on demand?  My kids really enjoyed watching movies in the room when the Mrs. and I felt like doing more adult things.

Thanks!

I just booked a cruise for this summer and the Princess rep was able to offer me free gratuities and a bottle of wine in addition to the advertised promo.  This was not offered to me when I tried to book it through the website.

Is it typical to get an email with boarding times? I haven't gotten anything in a while and board this week.

My wife and I also just got off the Caribbean Princess after doing the 14 day B2B. We had a great time. We embarked about noon time and went straight to the room to drop off the carry on bags. We didn't see the sign stating rooms were not ready until 1pm. No one stopped us or said anything about dropping our bags off. I'll try to answer some of the questions posted above. There were 4 formal nights. All were on sea days except one which was after one the Western ports, possibly Belize. We dined next to a couple who were staying on the ship when we got off and stated the ***** was going live starting their 2nd half on 7/14. There were IT guys all over the ship during our second week. The rear pool was emptied one day to repair a broken railing.( In reference to a comment above about a empty pool)

At this moment I only remember a couple of MUTS. Some were the same as our March cruise. Greatest Showman, Black Panther, Star Wars........

Now I'm curious to see if ***** will be up and running on my upcoming CB cruise

Hello again all... Does anyone know if sea lice are usually an issue in the Western Caribbean? I've only done one cruise before (with Disney to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay) and a lot of people recommended a special lotion to protect against sea lice. Wasn't sure if I should bring that for the waters in the Western Caribbean. Thanks!

I've checked EVERY DAY since Jan 1... The Thanksgiving cruises I am interested in didn't have the $1 sale. Or the $99. The sale might have been for the next years' cruising.

It might have only been select cruises. We first saw it in March and ended up booking a cruise to the Western Caribbean for later this month.

will they ever have a $99 sale for the 3rd and 4th passenger???? I am holding out for that.

Earlier this year they had a promo where the 3rd and 4th guests were $1. That is what prompted my wife and I to book our first Princess cruise.

I just got off Caribbean Princess in May and yes, it does have Let It Ride.

Great news for me! Not so good for my wife...lol.

Do you happen to know the minimums?

Itinerary from the brochure:

 

Day at sea

Grand Cayman 7 AM-4 PM (now 8 AM - 4 PM)

Roatan 10 AM - 6 PM (now 12 noon - 7 PM)

Belize City 7 AM - 6 PM (now Costa Maya 8 AM - 6 PM)

Cozumel 10 AM - 10 PM (7 AM - 9 PM)

Day at sea

Hmmm...my trip on 7/28 still lists Belize City on Day 4 even though the times for Grand Cayman and Roatan are updated. Cozumel is now listed as 9 AM - 9 PM

Since this thread is about the casino, does anyone know if the Caribbean Princess has Let It Ride in their casino?