AndyTheK

Only the specialty drink of the day is now discounted on the Emerald Princess; all others are at regular prices.

BOOOOO! I only like one of them, and will be on the Emerald for 28 days in June.

 

Side question... is this "lounge" opened on embarkation day? I simply don't remember.

 

Shalom. Andy.

I am first time platinum as well. How do you get a priority boarding pass?

The boarding pass you print will be automatically marked. You don't need yo do anything. Have a great cruise.

 

Shalom. Andy.

Hi @all,

 

today I got an info via Princess' facebook page that RUBY PRINCESS will do a South America trip in 2015!

The whole 49 day trip from Ft Lauderdale to Los Angeles via Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile will be from Jan - March 2015 and takes 49 days - it will be possible to book parts, for example from Rio to Santiago.

the trip will be open for booking the 13th of Feb 2014.

 

Surely it will be the same schedule as for CROWN PRINCESS in 2014, and RUBY will do the 7 night Glacier Voyage between Vancouver and Whittier than.

So I guess ISLAND will leave Alaska...

Thanks for the heads up.

 

We'd love that! DW and I wanted that cruise for 2014 or '15 but by the time we saw it, there were no more handicapped accessible cabins available (necessary for DW) so we need to book early. If it's true and the price is right, we'll cancel our B2B Panama Canal on the Island and go around the horn instead.

 

Shalom. Andy.

Carnival Corporation Casino Division is the largest and most popular cruise group in the world, serving over 10 million guests a year.

 

It is a fully owned subsidary of the parent corporation Carnival Inc and operates on all 10 of the lines that they own.

I agree. On a Princess cruise (Princess is a Carnival company) two years ago,I asked the casino manager exactly who operated the casino. His response was that they were operated by Princess,and all personnel were Princess employees, with the same type of contract as, say, entertainment staff.

My wife and I are sailing on Island Princess in April, and like to play blackjack on board. It has been over two years (way too long) since our last cruise. Can someone who has been on Island Princess (or any Princess ship) recently tell me what table minimums are now? Also, is Princess still paying 3:2 for blackjack, or are they paying 6:5?

 

Thanks!

We were on the Crown last July Here is the rundown:

 

6 decks in a Continuous shuffling machine

Blackjack pays 3:2

Minimum $10 - maximum $500

Dealer hits soft 17

Split any pair - no extra cards or re-split on split aces

Double any two card hand

Double after split

Surrender is not offered

 

Have a good rime. Andy

Also, those players who tip the dealers or bet for the dealers seem to be recognized and get free drinks more. I am amazed at how many people hit big and do not tip the dealer!

Tipping does a lot more than most people think. My mantra is "take care of them and they will take care of you!"

Strike up a good relationship with the floor people and the casino host. A smile goes a long way.

Yes, the size of your bets does count but is not the only factor. Playing time counts for a lot.

We've been comped cash (based on your last cruise action), drinks on the house once a night or so for each of us, two specialty restaurant dinners on a 14 day cruise, wine in the cabin, and a bag of "goodies" souvenirs at the end of the cruise.

 

Good luck. Andy.

<snip> ...we have a b2b booked for March. First leg is a Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale to LA. The second is the reverse. All the ports are the same

We're doing the same thing except that a few of the ports differ (going to stop at Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, a new port and new country for us) in February 2015.

 

We have been referring to it as a B2B... who cares if it is "really" or not LOL.

 

Shalom from Tel Aviv. Andy.

Why should they turn away anyone who is willing to buy a drink? You have no choice of drink. It is the drink that they are selling for $5. As for the snacks? You can get much more from the buffet. This is really not a perk.

Actually, you can order any drink which is on the list of specials on any evening. We had Chairman of the Board every night. Yes, there is more food at the buffet, but the featured hors d'oeuvre of the day is not ever offered anywhere else as a "bar snack".

 

This was on the Crown in July. YMMV. Andy.

DW has rented from http://www.specialneedsatsea.com/ a number of times. she is 100% satisfied.

 

Be sure to bring a power strip with you, as the scooter changing cord will take up one power socket, and in some cases that's all there is in the cabin!

 

Shalom,. Andy.

Anybody know what the rules are now on e-cigs ?

 

I'm just starting to try them out.

 

Cruising with Princess again in October.

Earlier this month, I used them in my cabin, and at the blackjack table in the casino (all tables were non-smoking) and had no problems. It seems quite a few people from the UK are trying them too.

Was on the Crown 28 June to 13 July. This was the situation for smokers:

 

A. Indoors.

 

Deck 6(Fiesta) Speakeasy Cigar Lounge. Well Ventilated. Attended by bar waiters whenever Casino Bar is open. Cleaned and ashtrays replaced regularly. Popular with regular smokers.

 

Deck 6 (Fiesta) Casino. No smoking at tables. Many smoking areas at slot machines away from the tables. Ashtrays available at the bar. Casino does not "fill with smoke". E-cigarettes permitted at tables. Two smoke-free evenings during 14 day cruise.

 

Deck 18 (Sky) Skywalkers. I've seen it written that smoking is permitted here. I was in this lounge only for our Meet and Greet, and for the Daily Platinum/Elite/Suite Happy Hour. I didn't see any smoking at those times.

 

B. Outdoors.

 

Deck 7 (Promenade). Starboard side - several locations. Indicated by metal ashtrays attached to the wall. I saw some between the forward and midships elevators, and some a bit aft of midships. NOTE: none of these are next to seating.

 

Deck 15 (Lido). Outrigger Bar (Horizon Terrace) also called the "deck overlooking the Aft Pool". Port side. Ashtrays on tables cleaned regularly by bar staff. Very popular with regular smokers.

 

Deck 16 (Sun). Tradewinds Bar. Port side. Ashtrays on tables cleaned regularly by bar staff.

Andy the K,

 

If you are the only player at the table they will accommodate your preference for which side of the table you want to shoot from. My Carnival Valor cruise I was just on I was the first player at the table every evening and if the dealer was on the left side and saw me coming, he would automatically shift to the right side to accommodate me. If you are toking the crew they will jump through hoops for you.

 

 

Dicenator

Of course! And THANKS for your great review of your cruise!

It doesn't make any sense, when they do open the other side, another dealer just shows up and they move some chip stacks over to him. Perhaps if the table is empty, tell them you'll be back when the other side is open. Sounds to me they are just being lazy.

I'll bet the box person (OUCH!!!) knows (or checks) how much is in the rack being moved.

 

But first and foremost... The floor people are the ones who are rating me. I do NOT want to develop a high WQ - "wiseguy quotient" - with them. Might well affect my comps!

I have a question for anyone here who has worked craps tables. On my upcoming cruise, I expect the table to be lightly patronized - often I am the only player. So, they only open one half of the table. I am strictly right-handed and prefer the RS1 ir 2 position. If they open the left half, is it a bad breach of etiquette to ask them to change to the right half, or should I just play on the open side?

Tip the wait staff, and the dealers. The pit supervisor notices, and it goes a long way toward getting drinks comp'd.

 

Even if you're nowhere close to making the minimum points, the supervisor will send a drink your way if you're treating his staff well. After all, he records your betting averages/points for the table games, and may have some discretion over how quickly those points add up.

 

Happy players = good comment cards = happy bosses = all sorts of happiness.

Yes - remember the dealers too! DW is a table player but usually a minimum bettor... she has not been rated (below the Princess minimum). BUT she tips the dealers and waiters. And is offered comp drinks regularly!.

So I want to play around $20 on a $5 table. What is better PASS with 3X odds or PASS 1X with place the 6 & 8?

Neither! If you have $5 or $15 odds on a point of 5 or 9, you'll be shortchanged: as an old timer who was giving lessons to a youngster said, "there ain't no fifty cents at the crap table!" Of course, for those points you could change your odds bet to $6 or $14 if you're doing 3X.

Player....1X odds best return????:rolleyes: You are paid even money on the front line bet and the TRUE ODDS (No house advantage) on your odds bet...take as much odds as you can afford......THE HOUSE HAS NO ADVANTAGE ON YOUR ODDS BET.

I agree wholeheartedly. About 15 years ago I was at a table in one of the big A/C casinos where the limit was 5X odds. Was playing pass + 2 come bets for $10, with $50 odds on each one. At one point (don't remember the exact details) I indicated to the dealer that the $10 "didn't really count" and was only there to let me get the fifty down. He broke out into a wide smile and nodded!

 

Six weeks to my next cruise... been a long stretch since the last one. Palms are etting itchy!

 

Shalom, Andy

Thanks for all the answers. We've done touring in the UK before, and the thought of just having the ship to ourselves sounds fantastic!

 

I believe that we booked the same two cruises yesterday. Good information to have.

 

Hey great!!! I think it's just a little early to start roll calls this far in advance... probably do it in a week or do if nobody else does.

 

Shalom. Andy.

We just booked a B2B for 2014. Embarkation, Debarkation and turnaround are all in Southampton. I've read here that when turnaround is in a US port, you are required to leave the ship (though only for a short time).

 

What's the situation or the UK? Can we stay aboard while the crew does its thing? We have the same cabin for both legs.

 

Also, since the total length of the B2B is 28 (11+17) days, are there any unusual entry/exit considerations? We travel on US passports.

 

TIA and shalom from Tel Aviv.

Just off the Crown TA 17 day. On each blackjack table there was a little sign (sorry I didn't take a photo of it) saying that cash could be obtained with your cruise card with no fee! In other words, everybody is right!!! I was reasoning from year-old data.

What this proves Andy, is that different casinos on different ships are doing different things. I'm sure that on your next cruise you will be more proactive, now that you know about it. Then again, perhaps each casino manager has a certain amount of carte blanche.

Thanks. Pia. Already done that! ("fool me once...":D)

 

@Toto: I'll accept the possibility that things might have changed, though I doubt that Princess Casinos would change to a policy more generous toward players - that would be highly unusual. As far as the possibility that I "shouldn't have been charged", I don't accept that for two reasons. For one thing. this surcharge has been pretty standard aboard cruise ships for many years, and across more than one cruise company (NCL, RCL, CCL brands). Secondly, it kind of makes business sense to charge a fee for this type of transaction... for examples, ATM withdrawal. Slots are a different matter, since you don't actually get anything other than electronic blips in a data base. Casino checks (chips) are traditionally considered "good as cash" - any waiter will accept a chip as a tip without batting an eyelash, and I have yet to have a cage teller question the source of a chip presented for redemption, as high as purple ones.

 

Do we know that for sure?? "All Princess ships are not created equal". Let''s hear from somebody currently on board!

Not currently on board, but will be 48 hours from now. If the net is good I'll report from the ship, otherwise when I get off (Sept 14th).

Either things have changed, or there is some confusion over the difference between charging at slots versus tables.

 

I just looked at my account statement for our previous cruise on the Crown. The entries are dated 17 OCT 2010.

 

This was obtaining chips while playing at a blackjack table.

 

There is am entry for $200.00 CASINO CHARGE.

The next entry is labeled SURCHARGE for $6.00.

 

I have to get to dinner now so I haven't typed in the EXACT wording (and code) of the entries, but they are there.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, whatever the policy may be now, and on whatever ships, I can say that on the Crown last October, there was a surcharge! Those who contradict this are invited to refund these SURCHARGES to me - I will accept them gladly.:):)

 

Caveat emptor.

 

Shalom, Andy.

That's very strange Andy................not sure why you were charged.:confused:

I expected it - it is written somewhere - but I can't remember where. Not only that but this charge is discussed all around the boards. This is actually the first time I've seen anyone say that there is no charge for chips at the tables! If you're right then there will be no need for purchasing casino credit in advance. I'll ask when I'm aboard this coming week.

Andy, I think you missed the part where it says "To Gamble" ;) I should have phrased it differently that at the tables you will purchase chips (sorry for my error). Getting just cash does add a 3% charge.

Sorry Toto, but my statement stands. We in fact got chips and immediately played them - there was a 3% charge. In sum, tables and slots are handled differently!

The 3% charge doesn't vary according to ship. If you go to the casino cage to get money charged to your shipboard account, you will be charged the 3%. If you download to the slots, or get money at the tables 'to gamble' no 3% will be charged.

Is this new? Last October there was a 3%charge for cash at the tables on the Crown, and similarly for cruises before that one.

 

How do you get money at the tables? Thanks!

Put your cruise card on the table and tell the dealer how much you want. They will take the card, swipe it and bring back a slip for you to sign. Then the dealer gives you the chips. You may take the chips to the cage if you want actual cash.

 

BTW I've learned my lesson and for my upcoming cruise Sunday I purchased casino credit in advance. No charge.