Thunderbird19

I really like that Princess allows guests to do their own laundry rather than having to send it out to be done at quite high prices like NCL does. Husband and I have worked on really streamlining what we bring to avoid bringing excess clothes and huge pieces of luggage. We tend to take longer cruises so doing laundry as needed is great. It makes the trip more enjoyable to travel lighter, have a smart mix & match wardrobe and have less clothes to sort through in the cabin! While I know some people enjoy the dress up aspect and formal nights, i'm amazed to see so many ladies cruising with several different purses and numerous pairs of shoes.

Thanks everyone. I feel totally prepared for visiting Princess Cays now! I did look up excursions for that day and, besides actual excursions, they have MANY things available for rent (floaties, umbrellas, kayaks, inflatables, etc. - even basic pool noodles for $4.99 if I remember right).

Thanks everyone (wasps!)

On prior Princess cruises have never had Princess Cay as a port stop, but doing a quick cruise in June and booking Standard package (no Princess Plus or Premium package added). I understand the stop is a "captive audience" situation and a place for Princess to make some $ by charging for water toys, umbrellas, floats, etc.), but could use input from any helpful cruisers who've been there before on these questions : 1. Is it best to try to get on the first tenders over? 2. We will bring our own snorkel gear. Is there good snorkeling from the beach or do you suggest one of the excursions? 3. So there is free lunch/food provided on the island - is this buffet style and available all day or only for a set time period so it gets crowded/long lines? 4. If someone has just the Standard package what free beverages are available throughout the day? 5. If a bar drink or soda is purchased can it just be charged to the room? 6. Are there big coolers of water available to refill personal water bottles? 7. Do beverage servers visit people on the beach in chairs & loungers or does everyone need to visit a bar for drinks? 8. Any reason to bring cash to Princess Cays? 9. Can you bring big bath towel from your room to Princess Cays? (some comments talked about towel shortage on the Cay) 10. Thinking of probably renting umbrella or shade shell to be assured of having shade - important to rent before sailing because they run out? 11. Bring: swim suit, cover up, sunglasses, water shoes, sun screen, snorkel gear, water bottle, personal stuff. Any other must brings? 12. Happy to just relax on the island and snorkel, but is any of excursions truly a "must do"? THANKS VERY MUCH!

I've read through lots of this thread for info (understand the stop is a "captive audience" situation and a place for Princess to make some $ by charging for water toys, etc.), but could use input from any helpful cruisers who've been there before on these questions : 1. Is it best to try to get on the first tenders over? 2. We will bring our own snorkel gear. Is there good snorkeling from the beach or do you suggest one of the excursions? 3. So there is free lunch/food provided on the island - is this buffet style and available all day or only for a set time period so it gets crowded/long lines? 4. If someone has just the Standard package (no Princess Plus or Premium) what free beverages are available throughout the day? 5. If an alcoholic drink or soda is purchased can it just be charged to the room? 6. Are there big coolers of water available to refill personal water bottles? 7. Do beverage servers visit people on the beach in chairs & loungers or does everyone need to visit a bar for drinks? 8. Any reason to bring cash to Princess Cays? 9. Can you bring big bath towel from your room to Princess Cays? (some comments talked about towel shortage on the Cay) 10. Thinking of probably renting umbrella or shade shell to be assured of having shade - important to rent before sailing because they run out? 11. Bring: swim suit, cover up, sunglasses, water shoes, sun screen, snorkel gear, water bottle, personal stuff. Any other must brings? 12. Happy to just relax on the island and snorkel, but is any of excursions truly a "must do"? THANKS VERY MUCH!

Is the Sanctuary empty and not used in very cold weather? Caribbbean Princess is cruising Norway in Sept & October and unless one is really bundled up it doesn’t seem like that lovely space would be worth renting. Or do they make it free in cold weather?

Thanks for mentioning this group. Just booked them for Southampton to London this October. We are staying in London a couple extra days post cruise and they had a nice day tour picking up in the morning at the cruise ship and going through Cotswolds and ending up at Heathrow or London very late in the afternoon. Perfect ! We ( and our luggage) were going to just take the train into London that morning on our own, but it’s nice to have this Cotswold trip ( 3 stops in quaint villages) and not have to deal with luggage!

If you bought through Costco and used your Costco credit card then you get the Costco 2% travel purchase back ( not sure if it’s on total purchase price as well as any excursions, etc. also bought or if it is just on the cruise cabin fare)

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/airports/heathrow/southampton-to-heathrow London friends recommend the National Express bus service as super easy, frequent, inexpensive and convienient (as Jimmy mentioned above)

Mine was unwrapped. And they stuck the handle/stick of the lollipop into the ice cream 😑

That would be a caloric catastrophe for me!!!

Would be good if a current cruiser asked staff and reported back. Last year when I was onboard, I was told premium desserts were those ice cream big mug extravaganzas. We tried one (threw away all the hard candy toppers - which seems wasteful - and I bet most people do) from the ice cream place near the pool.

The premium desserts we saw were at the ice cream counter next to the pizza counter on the pool deck. The desserts are visually fun and worth having one just to take a picture. But lots of what creates the look is the add in lollipops and hard candy treats they stick in them (which we didn’t eat). The “ice cream” itself and flavored toppings were OK but I can’t imagine having one a day, much less the allowed daily amount of two. I think Princess includes them on the packages just to have an item to list as included and to beef up the package offerings while knowing full well most guests will never really use the benefit.

Thanks. I will be on the look out! Was wondering/hoping if there was a loose schedule (i.e. new itineraries released every February!) which would of course make things easier.

How do people know when a cruise line is releasing information about new cruises? 🫣