StarAFire

Thank you, all!

Hi,

We are potentially looking at a last min cruise on the NCL Joy.  We saw there was a speedway there that sold adult and child tickets.  Are the min height requirements that are listed on the website for if you want to drive alone?  Or is that the same requirement for child riding w/ parent, as well?  Just wanted to check.  We have a 7 year old who wants to know if she can go with her dad.

Thanks!

Hi,

I wasn't sure... does Princess have something similar to NCL in this respect.  Last year, when we were on NCL, and it was my dad's birthday, NCL gave me a card, where we could give to any of the restaurants waiters, and they gave him a free small birthday cake.

Thanks!
 

14 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Are you aware of the web version of the App which has a link in the Cruise Personalizer.  Also, if the App shows Blue Lane with Ocean Ready items checked,  you are okay.  What you see in Personalizer shouldn't matter based on what you wrote above.

I used the one that was on the Check In page where it says web version after the top part which tries to tell folks to get the app. At this point we figured just show up at the port. In 20+ cruises in other lines with apps and stuff, lol this is the only one where after check in we can’t tell if 100% we are checked in. Not the greatest user experience. Hopefully it gets better once we make it on the ship

1 hour ago, memoak said:

There is a web version to enter info to the app. My non smart phone friends have had no problem with it

That one also not good. It shows me orange for medallion wearable choice instead of blue check. But when I click into it to see if I need to complete something, it says medallion order is completed and it shows in order history that I went through it. So 3 diff entry point to same data gives diff things?  This should be reading same data source and at least all 3 say complete or not?  🤷‍♀️. 

1 hour ago, memoak said:

I can’t believe all the Luddites out there. I set the app up in 2022 and have not had to add anything to it since. Just use it to order the medallion. Everyone uses smart phones these days or are all of the complainers using a 20 year old computer ?

This is my first time on Princess.  We normally do NCL and RCL and they also have apps.  Compared to them, this has been the worse one.  When the app doesn't work, we try and go to the website.  The website basically says, sorry, that feature is in the app, you need to use that. 

At the moment, I have checked in myself, and my 70+ year old parents via the app... I think?  It looks like everything has a blue check, and we are in blue lane because I choose to pick up medallions at the port.  However, if we log onto the Princess website, it says our check in status, is incomplete?.  I tried calling Princess, and they told me they weren't sure what might be missing.  Any ideas?  Thanks!

Wait, so it will go back to the gift card, while i am on the sailing, so I will need to go back to guest service to put it back on?

Hi,

I think i read on this board that I can call to ask my TA to load my gift card and I can use it to pre-book shore excursions before the sailing.  What happens to the balance if I don't use all of it before the sailing?  Will it just become regular OBC?

Thanks

LOL, here I am thinking either RCCL or NCL experience, and Princess has one in the middle.

Thanks!

Hi,

This is my first time w/ Princess.  I have shareholder obc in my acct.  I was wondering, is Princess more like RCCL, where you can use the OBC to book excursions and stuff before sailing or is it more like NCL, where you have to wait until you are actually on board the ship to use it?

Thanks!

What happens if I add from gift cards, but end up not spending it all?  Do they refund my gift card?  Or do I need to go back to guest service on last day?

Thanks

On 5/6/2023 at 10:05 PM, Redwing55 said:

Totally agree with your points.  I guess the software just can't handle all those numbers and a PIN for those gift cards.  So, it's on to the phone I go.  

It was easy to apply gifts cards to on board account.at guest services. One can also buy on board credits with the gift cards, pre cruise.

Hi, 

This will be my first time cruising w/ Princess and w/ gift cards.  Do I have to wait til like the last day to go to guest services to apply or can I go anytime during the sailing to have it applied to my on board account?  

Thanks!

Thanks, all 🙂

Hi,

I usually sail w/ NCL, and since I don't drink, I normally have the option to take the rest of their Free at Sea promo, but have option to remove just the drink package, which saves a little money.  I was wondering, does Princess have something similar?  Or is it all vs none?

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Ellipooh said:

I’m 5’11” so this is a concern. Are there provided shampoo and body wash affixed to the walls? I’m not particular about “my” brand for a 7-day trip, esp if I can avoid bending down and hitting my head. 

Yes they have some attached to wall. I have my shave cream and shampoo and conditioner on the floor so that is why I have to bend down. There is a coffee machine in the lounge. But I don’t drink coffee. Afternoon Snacks are same cookies and pound cake that is in the buffet. Breakfast is same croissants and pastries at buffet too. I actually go to buffet most of the time since I don’t drink coffee and there is more selection at the buffet. But it’s convenient if you don’t want to go upstairs. The first day they had water and lemonade. Then second day for breakfast it became orange juice and water and it’s been orange juice ever since. Also to answer a question I asked before boarding. I did buy a coke from the studio lounge bar tender. Was a can for $4.20

24 minutes ago, hallux said:

Interesting that you mention this.  When I was on the Escape in March I was definitely able to use my Android phone (and the Google Messages app) to receive and send SMS/MMS messages to people not on board the ship, without being signed on to access the external internet.

Are you talking about the google chat app or something else?  Because we tried google chat, teams, discord and WhatsApp before giving up and using ncl app. I do oddly see notifications from teams when my co-workers are talking. But when I try and go in the app to see the message it doesn’t load.  Same thing happened when my brother who isn’t on the cruise with us sent an Easter greeting through our google group chat. We all saw the notification but couldn’t open the app to see message or load app to respond. I think my parents can text each other from two android phones although they are typically together.  It’s just we aren’t able to reach each other between iPhone and android. 

32 minutes ago, hallux said:

Not that I'm proud of it, but I have 9" of height and probably 2.5x the weight on you.

The door is more to close that off so you don't have to look at the toilet when you're not using it, I need to stick a leg out the opening.

As a "fluffy cruiser" I had no trouble showering, and there's an even 'fluffier' Youtuber that stayed in one and didn't complain about the size of the shower (I don't really think it's that much smaller than a shower in other standard cabin types.  I found it odd that the shower glass in my Studio cabin on the Escape was frosted in such a way as to provide modesty for the person using the shower.  Because someone else in the cabin might see them?

Were you just showering or were you trying to shave too?  That is also where I was having issues maneuvering.  They placed the footrest right under the shower head so it washes off the shaving cream before can use it. I have tried moving shower head left and right but since small stall it doesn’t help much. 

25 minutes ago, hallux said:

Not that I'm proud of it, but I have 9" of height and probably 2.5x the weight on you.

The door is more to close that off so you don't have to look at the toilet when you're not using it, I need to stick a leg out the opening.

As a "fluffy cruiser" I had no trouble showering, and there's an even 'fluffier' Youtuber that stayed in one and didn't complain about the size of the shower (I don't really think it's that much smaller than a shower in other standard cabin types.  I found it odd that the shower glass in my Studio cabin on the Escape was frosted in such a way as to provide modesty for the person using the shower.  Because someone else in the cabin might see them?

The shower is smaller. Not by a lot but it does appear to me. I can see vs my sister’s and my parents inside cabin and as I haven’t had this issue before. And I saw one of the YouTubers also say it was a tight fit. So when I bumped my head it wasn’t a surprise🤷‍♀️. Been sailing ncl for years on the smaller ships in inside cabins mostly. First time in studio. It’s ok. But nothing to write home about for me. 

We had this same problem. When we got on the Getaway last week I was all the sudden able to make reservations for 7 of us at 5 and 5:30. 

I am on the getaway now in a studio cabin. My sister who is in a BF balcony said she would have preferred the setup of the studio. Personally i am 5ft 2 vertically challenged Asian girl. I find it a tight fit in the toilet area and being able to close the door. The shower is a bit small too. I have my shampoo and conditioner on the floor of the shower in a corner and I swear I bump my head each time when bending to get them. However bed area and the set up of storage space seem ok.  
 

the oddest thing. Lol it’s inside but I swear I can hear like the sound of wind howling at night. I did faintly hear the fog horn as we had to keep using it the first night.

I am on getaway right now. I can text my sister using iMessage for free.  Just put yourself on airplane mode and connect to ship internet

My parents however are on android. We weren’t able to find a free solution and ended up I and my mom had to both join the ncl app text/call plan for $9.95 each. It’s awful. We ended up at the internet manager so many times. Because the phone part would just stop working on the android phone. The iPhone would stop ringing when she called me. We left it as we had obc to use and text working about 85% of the time

Thank you!

On 4/2/2023 at 6:58 PM, Ellipooh said:

While I can’t answer your questions, I’m chiming in to say that apparently there’s a nice espresso machine in the Studio Lounge. That will save me from buying the Starbucks package- and the lines that are sure to congregate. 
 

Following to find out the answers too, my first NCL/solo/studio coming up on Getaway at the end of May…

LOL, I am sailing on Wednesday, so I guess I'll find out the answer and post back 🙂

Hi,

This will be my first time traveling in one of the studios.  I know i have seen on some youtube videos there is a bar area in the studio lounge.  I was just wondering, is there a place for me to refill my water bottle w/ ice water ?  And if the bar tender is there, am I able buy a coke/soda too or do they only serve alcohol?

Thanks!