Wishing on a star

Yes, thanks Wally... I did already go back and edit that... what a strange typo/autocorrect!!!! One of them is still wrong, as the time window for editing expired!

Somebody needs to cal a time-out and assess what is going on with this company.....

Hey.... everybody has their 'things'.... This poster did not start out making negative comments. They asked a clear and respectful question. Several have done their best to advise..... Everyone, remind yourselves to think twice before hitting SUBMIT.

O M G.... WOW.... Should we all begin to see what exactly this corporation 'Princess' is that we have been dealing with.... I know that everyone booked is probably very very upset and angry and overwhelmed. I am just wondering what the heck is going on, systemically and at the upper levels... Talk about total lack of trust and credibility. Is this total dysfunction or what!!!

Karen, with recent changes... Alfredo's/Gigis is now an additional upcharge... You will have TWO visits to these casual, but uncharge, restaurants with your package. O'Malleys is also one of the casual, but upcharge, dining options. With your package you will have TWO full meals at these 'casual' venues. You can also go and order an item or two, Ala carte. like just a pizza at Gigi's/Alfredo's, or just a burger at O'Malley's. You can use one visit at each of these, or two visits at any one of these. I am among the many that recommend Gigi's/Alfredo's! I can't give an opinion on O'Malley's. Crown Grill, Sabatini's, The Catch, are specialty dining restaurants... and they are not included in the Plus package. Enjoy!!!!

If you have a good room Steward, they will be very receptive to your needs/desires. (Of course, some are better than others) They will usually try to introduce themselves and speak with you as you get settled into your cabin on the first day. You might be able to speak with them then, and simply arrange that you will take care of straightening your bed, cleaning your bathroom, etc... I would bring some small trash bags, and then you can collect your trash and leave it in the front of your cabin, just inside the door, with your used towels. Which your steward would just open your door and exchange.... I think a direct approach... along with a nice pre-paid tip and a smile, would be the best way to take care of it. They will probably be required to enter the cabins at some point, just to see that everything is satisfactory and if there are any maintenance tasks. The steward should be happy to speak with the guests, and find out if they want plenty of ice everyday... an extra top-sheet for the bed... things like that. That is what they are there for. (we always like a fresh ice-bucket of ice left in our mini-fridge) These ships are big!!! Front desk is busy.... And, hopefully you would not mind to have the steward open the door and make a quick exchange of trash and towels... As, I would never advise leaving things like this, room service dishes, etc... in the doorway/hallway. And, cruise hallways are very narrow!

One of the many 'bad' decisions by Princess.... Very 'institutional' in appearance and vibe as well. Even the loungers in the Sanctuary on the newer ships look like this. Just square boxy institutional looking frames. WOW.... They paid money for these, so no way they are going to change them now. I expect these will be the same on the new SUN Princess.

We can only go by the smoking areas on other ships.... And, I think it is pretty safe to say NO.. No smoking on that cabana deck. There is not supposed to be smoking in cabins or on balconies. And, I would consider this area to be like these cabana cabin balconies. Smoking areas have been much more restrictive. Examples are an area on one side of the aft public deck area, the casino... What I want to mention is this... remember that there is double high blue glass along that cabana deck area. This will be there, just out from / below those deck 10 cabins. I thought maybe I wanted one of those larger/deeper balconies there on deck 10. The ones that are not 'inset' but are on the 'bump out' areas. But, most all were taken, and none that were non-adjoining and the layout we want are available. We chose a balcony on a bit higher deck, so that might not be a factor.

Thank you so much!!! Following for sure. It will be amazing to FINALLY see some video coming in! I am interested in anything that might be 'adult' focused. Will there be ANY open public area onboard that is adults only? Currently there is deafening silence from Princess on this, as well as everything else...

Yes, the deck plans show what you describe... the retreat pool is 'enclosed', not covered but enclosed, with cabins on port and starboard... the elevator/stairwell in the back, and the bar in the front. I am not sure what the confusion is???? btw: Love the REGAL and the open Retreat Pool area and the super nice Sanctuary.

Yes, the design of the back of the ship, with NO cabins, severe lack of wake view area.... That might be one of several big 'negatives' on this ship. I am still excited to be booked to be onboard when she gets here to the U.S.

Not covered... but what I call 'enclosed', and not open to the sea view.. as there are cabins on both sides of it. The open area is the deck overlooking down into where the pool is.

OHHHH... I was thinking 'penthouse suite' and one of those AFT. Yes, if you are on the port side of the ship, then this will be covered and not visible from above. SORRY! was thinking the on on the Port side - AFT)

This video, from the starboard side on the Enchanted shows the same.

Here is a video.... check at about 1:15 minutes in. You can see the railing of the deck above, which overlooks this balcony. The photos and videos and deck plans all speak for themselves.

Yes, the AFT of this ship is tiered or stepped, so decks can be seen from decks above. Here is a good video, drone, showing the back of the ship. Start at about the 5:00 minute mark.

Thanks again blue_water ! I am hoping and begging the others here to report back how their excursions to JVD go!!! Especially the third party shore excursion. Hopefully there will be some videos that will show just how much 'activity' the operations at Gertrudes will create on the water. I just don't see White Bay as the place for jet-skis and stuff. : (

I would say that many if not most cruisers have quite a few more than a couple of drinks!!! 🍷 🍹 🍺 🍸☕ 🧋 There really is no reason for questions... it is easy enough to break down the break-even point. For each person... YMMV !

Again... I recommend heading out onto Princess Cays early.... and remember, the lunch and bars will probably shut down earlier than you might think. Enjoy!!!!

When comparing Princess Cays to these other well 'developed' private islands, yes, it is very simple and rustic. We still enjoy it! If the weather and water are nice.. a day under a blue sky, sunshine, and palm trees is nice! Last time, we rented what is now my favorite bungalow! I do wish that Princess would develop a better private island/beach, one with an actual better beach. Have some nice more 'resort like' areas, even they are a bit of an uncharge. DCL is now right over on the other side of Eleuthera... Would be nice!!!! (But, that is the sargassum 'windward' Atlantic side of the Island.

We do enjoy our specialtycoffee beverages, waters, Alfredo's.... sodas are included... as well as gratuities and WIFI. Unless one really does stick to the offered water, tea, lemonade, etc.. The PLUS package does start to save pretty quickly.

All chairs are there for the taking! Be off the ship early to find shade or your favorite spot. They do rent umbrellas, or those big blue 'clamshells'. Yes, the PLUS package works while you are at Princess Cays, when you are sailing a Princess ship. The bars, and everything else will start shutting down early... They want to close down and everything and everyone back onboard well before sailing. While the lunch buffet is not 'stellar' like the buffet onboard. We find it to be good for a beach-day. I hope you have good weather and a great day when you are there!

Shanna, if they system will allow you to 'bid', on these categories... Then you can put in your bid. You can bid the lowest, or try bidding higher to increase your odds.... The thing is, the number of available cabins in each of these categories will probably be what increases your odds, and determines which of your bids could be accepted. I believe that the 'system' might look at how much you paid, increased by the amount of your bid, and then determines by the actual total fare/revenue that they will get for that category of cabin, as it determines which bids to accept. If you booked thru Princess, and they have your email and everything is working, you could get an email about your bid. If you booked thru a TA, it might be possible that this would go to your TA, and you might not be notified right away. Many report that they check their cruise booking online, and see the change in their cabin, even before that notification comes thru. I understand that, if your bid is accepted, and they assign the new cabin, then you are pretty much locked in.. Especially if the cruise is sold out, I doubt that there would be any other available cabins in your new category to move another one. Example: they assign you a Balcony cabin that is far forward, over a loud venue, etc... You might not be able to move to any other Balcony.

If you are not big on shows, and 'partying', but like to be where the 'vibe' is, and enjoy being at sea, then you should be very happy! The Piazza that Princess has is the perfect offering. Depending on who the band and entertainers are onboard, the Piazza could be LOUD on some nights, and more laid back. (but not a snooze-fest) on other nights. We have seen everything from 'Rock' band shows to 'middle of the road' bands who do numbers like "Isn't she wonderful" (Stevie Wonder) and "Hello" (Lionel Ritchie) The piano entertainer at Crooners will alternate with the band/entertainer on the main level of the Piazza throughout the evening. Things to note, and enjoy - The international Cafe. breakfasts sandwiches snacks all day... This is where you will get your nice specialty coffees. Gigi's/Alfredos - Def. use your Plus Package to get the BEST pizza. (this. used to be free/included) Enchanted has The Catch by Rudi, right? This would be one of the specialty (uncharge) restaurants that you might want to try. The adult pool area... The main pool area will be louder, busy, with the huge MUTS screen playing concerts/videos/movies. (unfortunately, they enclosed the adult retreat pool with cabins, so most seating is on the deck overlooking.) Princess will have a lot of the same things as CCL - the casino, game shows, etc... ENJOY!!!

Is your cruise on March 7th? That means that bidding has already been open for quite some time. I am not sure how that would affect your chances at getting a better cabin. The website is showing that March 7th on Enchanted is 'sold out'. Are you seeing the ability, invitations to bid, for these better categories? I don't know what kind of personal recommendations we can make. But, for me... 10 days/nights in a small inside cabin... I wouldn't want to do that. Do you have you days onshore planned? Are you booking excursions?