PRINCESS Sweet Pea

Oooops, sorry!  Of course you will see that the Retreat adult pool is forward of the main pool area.  The Sanctuary (fee - reserved only) is at the bow, in front of the Retreat pool and bar.

A bar for every vibe...

The bar in the main Piazza, at Crooners, will be overlooking everyone boarding and starting off their cruise.  Their might be a musician on the Piazza main floor.

The Outriggers bar might be less busy, no musician or entertainment.  Wake-view for sail-away.

The main pool will be louder with the jumbo MUTS screen going.

The bar at the Retreat Pool, adult only, aft of the main pool area, is another option.

Take your pick!

We will take each of us a plastic zip-loc/rubbermaid type divided plate or storage container with sections and a cover.  Easy to carry, can even place in a carry-bag.  No leaking, dripping, or getting cold too fast.

Maybe a small covered storage bowl as well, for soup, fruit, etc...  

We can get many things for breakfast by the breakfast room service.

But, then one of us can run to the Buffett or International cafe for other items, like hot breakfast items.

If we do the Sanctuary, it is nice to take some breakfast items, and have it there, as they will set us up with hot coffee, plates, napkins, etc.  THAT is so so nice! 

Not sure if being right at the retreat pool outweighs the other larger balconies...

Decisions, Decisions!

Ooooops, I think I typed that backwards!!!   But, there are those cabins there with cabins or suites both above and below.

This cabins on the sundeck, the ones close to the stairwells, but not right adjacent to the pool, would have those suites below them, and should be quiet from above as well.

I hoped to book E425 on the one cruise we are looking at...  The equivalent balcony as the photo above, on a regular not-deluxe cabin.  But, it is already taken.  We have a tentative booking on E429, and I will def change over to E425 if it opens up.

Look at D226 or D227.

Also look at the balcony cabins on Dolphin that have the larger balcony bump-outs either forward or aft.

And, as mentioned, those mid-ship so-called obstructed cabins on Emerald deck can be a good value.

All of the other usual rules apply.... not above loud venue like the theater or crooners.

Not sure you could even get a good answer from Princess on that?

Are you closer to New Orleans?

Perhaps they found better availability and pricing and facilities at Galveston?

Perhaps that was just the way they chose to go?

I would probably consider by ship and itinerary, and not so much by port.

I made a spinach mushroom and cheese omelet for Sunday brunch today, and it was SO good!

GTY rate?????

Rates are same whether a cabin is selected, or it is a GTY, right.

I wonder if the possibility of a number of BTB cruisers is one reason.

If we did want to pay a bit more for a deluxe balcony, I might try again asking our PVPlanner!

We have tried both, once.

I think it comes down to the particular staff (perhaps front, and back) as well as preferences and knowing how and what to order.

Our experience at CG was just okay....  I would say that based on both the front staff and service, and the food.  However, I imagine that if we had ordered better, we would have been more impressed with the food.  I did do the lobster tail with my steak...  And, believe me, I should have just sent that thing back.  I do not recommend the lobster/seafood at CG.  I would recommend going for the steak or chops, and ordering the best selection on the menu.  Not just the filet.

Our experience was better at Sabatini's.  I think there may be some truth to the fact that Sabatini's is less busy.  The staff there were excellent.  Due to the Italian influence and staff on Princess ships... it almost seemed like we were in Italy with the staff there and how they interacted.   (of course, that was our one unique experience, and might not be indicative at all)

The food was good, and did seem to be 'Italian'.

I am not sure how much it might have been adjusted to be more mass-market?  But, a lot of seemed fairly authentic.  Again, I think that knowing what and how to order really affects the experience.  Some dishes are known to be very good, and some maybe not so much.  I wish I had known more about the specialty drinks and desserts!

Ohhhh, I am talking about the delivery tip, not the actual cabin steward.  Sorry!

I am still assuming that the breakfast room service menu is limited.

At one time, it seemed almost impossible to hope to get write-in hot food items.

If a steward did go out of their way to make sure that we got extra write=in items, then I think that is def. tip worthy!

I don't like Omelettes on Princess because they are made with the pre-prepared liquid eggs.

Unless that has changed.

I have heard many times that people have NOT been able to get hot non-listed breakfast items like eggs and meats when they write them on the breakfast card.

I am seeing breakfast mentioned here.  Is this still true that the breakfast menu is limited?

It was usually like coffee, tea, croissants or pastries, yogurt.  That kind of thing.

Glad to hear that, for now, you still have that cabin!

Maybe it all has been some 'stupidity'?

Maybe they have finally tried to 'fix stupid'!

I wonder if staffing could actually be a reason for this.

I know that Princess is not going to actually say anything, at all, or even obviously mark off specific areas beforehand. Whatever the issue, they are just going to shuffle passengers as they think they need to.  The person who thinks that looking at cabins showing availability would give some insight might to be on the right track.

The thing is, I wonder if there are sailings that are going at nearly full capacity?

The idea of a limited capacity ship sounds good to me, if would reduce any crowding!

As long as there weren't issues handling dining.

There seems to be good availability on the cruise.  Plenty of regular balconies.

We would be booking a cheaper cabin, as this cruise seems pricey, especially as compared to pre-shutdown fares.

But, it just seems odd.   We usually would spring for the deluxe balcony for the extra seating and bit of extra room.

There is only the one desk-chair now in the regular cabins.

Thanks!   That is about what I had thought, except I thought maybe we could pre-select a cabana.

Some are situated better than others, more space/shade etc.

Thanks again!

We might consider renting one of the regular cabanas, not Sanctuary.  And we would not add on the food/lunch delivery.  I wonder what perks would come with the regular cabanas.  Would we get priority tender?  Would they bring any drinks or regular food options?  Or would we have to go over to the Buffet and the Bar?

It is nice that they come with a foam float lounger and extra towels.  

Also, can you not select which cabana you would like to rent?  Or is it first come first served?

I do not think that an inside cabin would be an actual quarantine cabin.  

But, all cabins in a quarantine area will be set aside.

I have heard of lower decks being quarantine cabins.  Not Riviera.  

Perhaps easier to service these cabins with everything they need, food, etc????

This whole thing is beginning to sound crazy!!!

Crooners, of course, is the main Piazza, and the Piazza can have a more active vibe.  Sometimes the Piazza is crowded for an evening performance or event.  The Crooner's entertainer will alternate with the Entertainment or event that will take place on the main floor of the Piazza.

Another bar you might want to consider would be the bar at the Crown Grill.

There is often some lighter entertainment there.  Jazz ensemble, etc.

Or you could watch the wake/sunset at the Wakeview bar.  I do not think that there is any entertainment at all there.

ENJOY!!!

If this area has been an isolation area, then you might want to plan for a cabin in another area anyhow.  

I am sure that they do not want to put new and non-covid cruisers in the Covid area unless absolutely necessary.

Is it one of those wake-view cabins?

Are there cabins the exact same category showing booked?

I still think that it is possible that they are preparing to use that area for Covid isolation?

They are certainly not going to say that, at all.

It does look like something is going on if this keeps happening over and over with that cabin.

If you had been bumped for that cabin to be used for other passengers (not covid) then I don't see how you would be able to get it back.

For sure a mid-ship area would not be an isolation area.

I would imagine these isolation areas would be forward of the forward elevators, or aft of the aft elevators.

They would want to eliminate any other cross traffic.

If this happens yet again, and you see an acceptable cabin that is mid-ship, and you do not like the specific one assigned, I might consider going with a mid-ship cabin.  

Or, there is the possibility that then those cabins are all filled, they would have to move you to an even bigger upgrade.

Here is what it says, right from the Protection link on the Princess website home page:

Cancellation Fee Waiver1 (Non-insurance features provided by Princess Cruises)
Life is unpredictable… but you can rely on Princess Vacation Protection. If you need to cancel for specified reasons outlined in the Cancellation Fee Waiver section of the plan, you’ll receive a refund of your cancellation fees. If you need to cancel for any reason not listed in the plan, under the “Any Reason” Cancellation Enhancement feature, you’ll receive 75% of the cancellation fee amount in the form of future cruise credits under our Standard plan and 100% under the Platinum plan.

And, the first question under the Q and A is about Covid, as this posted asked.

Q: What happens if I test positive for COVID-19 and need to cancel the day before my cruise?
A: Like with any illness diagnosed and treated by a medical professional, if you test positive for COVID-19 after purchasing the plan, you will be eligible to receive a refund to your original form of payment. If you do not have an official medical diagnosis, but feel unwell, you will receive a Future Cruise Credit.

If a passenger can not board due to Covid, then in that case they should get a full refund to the original form of payment.  Otherwise, the cancel for any reason refund is a percentage of FCC,  I think this has been the non-covid policy since back before the pandemic.

NOTE: I do not know, but I believe that the insurance offered is dependent on each State, and so Princess might not offer this in Canada.  I am not sure.  But it is certainly possible that not every passenger from non-U.S. locations, would not be able to get the Princess Protection Plan.