LewesBeach

There are many places that have bars with parties on rooftops which isn't much different than on a deck of a ship. It just isn't for the demographics that includes DW and me. If they can generate more on board revenue it will help keep fares down for us ;)

 

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Agree. Been reading about this and it seems like something to try to see if it flies. Princess has a rep of having a mature clientele, and if this helps attract a younger (think 20's-30's) demographic, great! Keep the prices down for the rest of us. It's on a 7 day Caribbean cruise, its only one nite, & they're marketing it as an exclusive velvet rope venue, private cabanas, etc - all of which is going to appeal to them, especially first timers. I do think there would be more incentive however, if they offered a drink ticket with the entrance fee, it would cost them virtually nothing. If the music was good, I might even go and I just turned a young 60!

IMHO the NCL Getaway is more kid friendly. And I think it makes a huge difference to kids. Maybe not toddlers, but especially an 8 & 11 yr old who are old enough to discern their choices. I've had my grandkids on Disney and Princess - guess where they had more fun?

I may be remembering wrong , but I think I saw ashtrays in skywalkers on the star last month.

We were on the Star in June and Skywalkers there, as on all ships, is a non smoking area

After reading this and other threads regarding children on ships, are there any "adult only" ships on any line? There are certainly enough options for families with children to cruise everywhere. However, there are people that, for many legitimate reasons, prefer not to vacation with children. If Princess designated say, their new ship, as an adults only ship, do you think it would be popular enough to be booked most of the time? Or maybe designate selected itineraries on other ships as "adult only". I know it will never happen, just a theoretical question. Would these be popular? Would you book? Is this an untapped market?

We are booked on the Regal Princess in September 2015. We booked D425 and D429, extended balcony staterooms on the Dolphin Deck. Does anyone have any information on these midship staterooms?

Not sure what kind of info you are looking for, but these are some of the largest balconies on a ship with very small balconies. And you are far enough below the Seawalk that you'll have privacy. They are not deluxe balcony rooms so you will not have the loveseat in the room, but the bigger balcony will make up for it.

The demographic will generally depend on the time of year and itinerary. Longer voyages, a TA to or from Europe for example, may be an older crowd. But we also did cheap 4 & 5 day itineraries in the Caribbean in Feb/March and the ship was filled with Spring Breakers. We are getting off the Emerald in Houston from a 17 day TA on Nov 11 - the day you embark. First time in Houston for us as well.

Do the math of $30/day for full cruise or $40/day for the days you want.

 

(Is the Panama Canal day extra in any case?)

Good question! Still wondering if anyone else has any experience on other ships with booking single days in advance?

Just back from our wonderful cruise on the Caribbean Princess. They let us book individual days in advance at the Sanctuary on embarkation day. We just booked the two at sea days. This was more convenient than having to do it on the morning of each day. On a sadder note, the Sanctuary is no longer serving scones and clotted cream. :(

Wow! That's great but I wonder if this is fleet wide or an individual ship's policy? Anyone else have experience with this on other ships? I'm on a full transit Panama Canal in Jan on the Island and was going to book the full cruise, but didn't want to pay for port days.

Berni

I know what an "upgrade" is, but what is an "upsell"?

Awesome job!!! I'm not on your roll call, I'm doing FFL - LA on the Island in January, but this is very helpful. Thanks again!!'

Berni

Also looking for this info. Thx to whoever is trying to reconstruct the deck plans. Sailing on the Island in January.

Berni

Thank you very much Kelly

Can anyone answer a probably stupid question.:confused:

My husband isn't going to have the AI package as he just has beers but I like cocktails.How will he order drinks at the bar,one using the package and one paying for?

If u have the pkg and he doesn't, he will order his drink and pay with his card. You will have to order your own drink with your card which will have the AI sticker on it. One can't order drinks with someone else's AI card.

Can I go up to the Sanctuary on the first day and book it in advance for the three individual days I will need at $40 per day or do I need to show up bright and early on those days I want one day Sanctuary passes?

If you are not booking for the entire cruise at $30/day on embarkation day, then you must go up early each morning to book a lounger for that day at $40/Day. They do not allow you to Book multiple individual days in advance

Has anyone experience with, as a previous poster noted, how it would work to buy the bottle of wine with 40% off and share it with others at the table? Just wondering if I'd feel I was being sneaky? What about getting a liqueur and letting my DH have some sips.... If I buy the package for me, I'm thinking he'll want the odd swill of my drinks :-)

 

 

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We have been on 2 cruises now where my husband bought the pkg, I did not. On both trips, he has ordered a bottle of wine at dinner and we have shared it. We asked and the waiters always said it was ok, they never had a prob with it - said one person is not expected to drink the entire bottle. I've never seen it in writing where this is against the rules, could've missed it? But if it is, the public and staff should be better informed about it. Ps: I never used his card to get any other drinks for myself.

Interesting, as everything I could read on Princess indicated all within the same cabin had to purchase. It wouldn't be too bad for me, though my husband just wouldn't do well with it at all I don't believe. I would be better to pay for his drinks as we go along. I guess we are just able to ask when we board that day?

It's been posted on many other threads by people who have cruised multiple ships. Both people do not have to buy the pkg. Princess website is not up to date.

One more thing to keep in mind-destination. Lack of wind - in the tropics, or Med in the summer - was a huge drawback for us. It was HOT!

Thx for all the info. Looking forward to Panama in January.

Very good point about the itinerary - heavy port days, people will not be up late regardless of how good the show/entertainer is. However, I'm early 60's, & my husband & I are night owls, as are many others in the ship we have met. Lounge acts/bands are usually pretty bad, off key, whatever. If I hear Celebration, Sweet Caroline, or Old Time Rock and Roll, I run screaming to the exit (to each his own I guess). My fav bands were Janis Joplin, Traffic, Cream, Stones, Motown, Allman Bros, good country music - if the bands were better, people would show up on non-port intensive cruises.

Is the Pastiserrie on the Island like the International Cafe on other ships - serving salads, desserts, Paninis, and gelato? Or is it strictly pastries?

Also, is Churchills Lounge a cigar bar? Thank you.

Berni

Also love the aft cabins. But - there is vibration of the engines, the noise of the wake, much more movement in rough seas, and a long walk to activities. I don't have any issues with this, but keep these things in mind before you book so you won't be disappointed.

Berni

I love classical music in the atrium area. We love sitting in the atrium and meeting new people, but sometimes the music is so loud that carrying on a conversation is nearly impossible.

 

Also we're not big fans of the games in the atrium that we're seeing more often. Ring toss reminded me of occupational therapy I've seen in nursing homes.

Agree! You're having a nice quiet conversation in Vines, then something akin to a 3 ring circus starts up in the atrium, and you can't hear a thing.

Thanks for all the helpful info re weather, seas, and whales!! This is on my bucket list - Pretty sure we're going to book the Ruby out of LA on Jan 9, 2016.

Berni

If you have not already, come join our roll call for this cruise. We have a very active group already.

Love to, but I'm not on this cruise:-). I'm booking one for 2016, but I'll be following your roll call for any info of interest. Have great time!!

Berni

This informative thread and having input from someone with recent experience is so helpful! I wonder if you have any input on the wine packages that are offered once we board? It may just make more sense for us to go that route with a coffee card.

Packages specifics below are from a previous thread:

Silver Package (wine up to $29)

7 Bottle - $161 ($23/bottle)

10 Bottle - $210 ($21/bottle)

12 Bottle - $241 ($20/bottle)

Gold Package (wine up to $45)

7 Bottle - $217 ($31/bottle)

10 Bottle - $290 ($29/bottle)

12 Bottle - $336 ($28/bottle)

A 15% gratuity is added to the price of the packages.

Berni

Thanks for your responses. Going to book it!!