kywildcatfanone

We started in 2006 and I guess stopped going to DR in 2014. Did the same thing probably 12 times during that range. I'm not aware that the ability to do so was ever advertised, but there was always someone in there to talk to and arrange what you wanted. I only knew you could do it because my BIL showed me on our first cruise.

I guess they don't do it anymore, I said it was years ago. We would go to the DR on embarkation, walk around the DR, select our table and they had a head waiter and other staff in there. He took our names and our time we wanted and that was our table that week. There were always people in there doing the same before sail away.

We have been on 2 celebrity cruises and 30 with Princess. They are very similar. The service on Celebrity was overall better, but I like the ship layout on Princess better, especially the pool decks. Celebrity food is overall a little better, but not significant.

Pretty normal now a days The whole idea of the buffer being in the middle of the ship and that there is no retreat pool will keep me off as well. That plus the expanded kids play areas means with new builds they are moving to Carnival/Royal clientele.

Still mad about that benefit cut

Yes

We did it for all our cruises years ago. Was nice to get your table selected when you embarked and know you were getting one you wanted. Especially a table for 2. Those rows where they separate the tables by six inches aren't really what I would call tables for 2.

Yes, I realize from responses you can't do that anymore. Oh well...

Hmm. Do you just go the first night at either your assigned time or whenever ready and pick a table that way? I liked it when you could claim what you wanted before the service started.

I haven't eaten in the DR for a few years, but you used to could walk in look around pick a table you like and reserve it.

Aren't you better off making them onboard anyway do you can pick your table?

We were on 3 weeks ago and no coke or sprite zero. We brought on our own. We are on next week as well, and bringing our own. I do not understand why they don't stock both of those in the US ports.

Looking forward to your experience. We were on 3 weeks ago and board again when you get off.

How did you select your table? We haven't been to a DR in 20 yearS, and it used to be you boarded the ship and could walk around the DR, pick you out a table and ask for it each night.

So I'm late to this discussion, but from another thread it appears Princess is allowing people to wear shorts in the DR. Is that every DR, or only certain ones? Are they designated per ship? Does everyone have to do reservations now, or can you walk up whenever you are ready and request your table size?

Crap. They take away the adults pool area and the only other potential quiet pool area is near smoking.

Does anyone know if they have a smoking area near the wake pool like they do on other ships?

I've seen white on a lot of cruises. Was told it was either for the inaugural season or a group booking.

I said this in another thread. Would be really easy for the Royal And Regal, and mostly easy for the others. If they do that, they will lose me as a customer.

It really wouldn't take much at all to convert the retreat pool area into an expanded sanctuary on the newest ships prior to Sun. All you have to do is move the entrance to the Sanctuary to the retreat entrance area and expand into that whole space. Edit: It would be super easy on the Royal/Regal as the Sanctuary is on the same level as the retreat pool. Again, if they did this, they would lose me as a customer. We use the retreat pool every day we are on the ship the weather permits.

Good to hear. We are on again in 2 weeks and hope it's the same.

Yep, they most certainly will.

Value is in the eye of the beholder. Princess has enough data to know that 75%+ of passengers buy a package and that many do it as suggested by most on here for the convenience of not having to worry about an end of cruise bill being unexpectedly higher than planned. It makes sense for the cruise line to offer it, and it makes sense for the consumer to buy it if it fits their lifestyle. We don't buy the package because when I do the math for us, it would cost us more than double the cost of wifi and tips to have it for what value it provides. Lucky or unlucky, we cut out things like sugary drinks a couple of years ago, and so basically we bring onboard what we want to drink outside of what is included, and it works perfectly well for us. If most people buying the packages keeps the cruise fare from going up as quickly, then it's a win for everyone along the way. Packages also allow the cruise line to lock in tips and wifi for those who might not normally include those items or use them. Again, a win/win.

Yep, if the expand the Sanctuary and remove the retreat pool, I will have to find another cruise line entirely.

This plus the buffet location will keep us off these new ships. That and the the kids focused deck. That's okay, will find others.