cruiserj12

It seems like the issues that have been reported earlier have been resolved. We arrived on 1/28 around 10:15 am and waited about 5 minutes outside before being let into the terminal. They started allowing people through the security checkpoints at 10:30 am. We were on board by 11:00 am. 

Thanks, everyone!

Can you book chairs in the sanctuary everyday or only on sea days?

2 hours ago, Teechur said:

How did you get T-mobile OBC? They are my provider for 4 line (myself and 3 grandsons). I would like to receive this too, if possible!

3 hours ago, buckeye7 said:

We have $275 OBC from our cell provider T-Mobile. It doesn’t show yet, but they assured me that once you board, it shows up and is available. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Ditto!

I'm hopeful someone will be able to answer my question regarding onboard credits since after calling Princess, I don't have a clear answer. When we booked we paid the deposit with our AMEX which is supposed to give us $100 OBC and we also referred our friends on the cruise so we are supposed to get a $50 OBC. Our cruise embarks on 1/28. I don't see this on the cruise documentation anywhere nor do I see it in the app. I called to ask and Princess said it would reflect after the cruise. That makes no sense to me. The rep also said to call back 3 days before embarkation and it "might" be there. Does anyone know how this should work and what we should expect? Thanks!

5 hours ago, wallyj said:

Yes, you can ‘charge’ chips or slot play to you shipboard account via the Medallion just like previously if you have a cruise card they would take the info from. 
 

Currently Princess does NOT charge any transaction fee to charge to your stateroom account. There have been rumors the casino will be separating accounts in the future as OBC is not supposed to be used against Casino charges, but it has not happened yet.

8 hours ago, starvenger said:

They use the medallion at the table to track and rate your play. Not sure about pulling money against your onboard account - I only use cash at a casino in order to limit my losses. 

Thank you both for your help.

Hi All,

I hope either the hive mind or Crookshanks can answer this casino question for us. On Princess, can you use your medallion to play at the tables and if so, is there a transaction fee? Ultimately, is it better to just bring cash? Thanks in advance for any knowledge anyone can share on this topic.

Best,

Cruiserj12

Thanks, everyone for the information. This is what I was sensing from other posts about the port.

We are sailing in a couple of weeks on Regal Princess out of Galveston and we are in a full suite. It says you get priority embarkation. What does this mean in Galveston? From what I've seen others post, there are only two line options Green and Blue. Is there a separate line? We've cruise suite class on Celebrity and it is a completely separate line, but this was out of Ft. Lauderdale. Any info would be helpful and thanks in advance!

Thank you for this well written and thoughtful review. I agree, no line is perfect and since COVID, most have struggled to return to their former glory. I think and hope  in time, they will.

10 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

Yeah, sure! It's confusing because every line handles the law differently. On Princess, we got a $25 OBC to be used on anything we wanted upon boarding. You had to pay for drinks from the limited Texas menu all lines use until we hit international waters (hour and a half or so after sailing).... once you hit int'l waters, the Plus package kicks in for those who have it and the full bar menu begins!

Thanks, much appreciated!

1 hour ago, bethfelk said:

On Ruby out of Galveston cruise last year, you could buy drinks from a limited menu as soon as you got on the ship, but would be paying the menu price and Texas liquor taxes out of pocket. The full menu and packages became available once we hit international waters, which I think was around 5:30 pm. Drinks from that point are counted to your package (kinda "free" in the sense that you're not charged for individual drinks out of pocket but of course you already payed for the package). We did receive a $25 "voyage disruption credit" although if I recall it didn't show up on our account until a couple days into the cruise. I would guess princess doesn't want to publish that as an official policy in case they decide to change their mind and stop doing it.

 

The package not starting until 6am people are probably getting confused with Carnival, because they don't start their Cheers packages until Day 2. But Princess does start them on Day 1, as soon as you reach international waters. We will be on the Regal out of Galveston on the NYE so I can confirm that all this is still true then

Thanks, Beth! I appreciate it. Please keep us posted and I hope you enjoy your NYE Cruise!

On 11/19/2023 at 2:14 PM, TxTeach79 said:

Lots of people really giving it to the bartenders about having to pay for drinks. I get how ridiculous a lot of our archaic laws are around here, but still - that’s just poor planning on your part. This isn’t some secret. 
 

 

Hi TxTeach79, I too am in education and in Houston and will be sailing at the end of January! Can't wait. You mention this isn't a secret, but I can't find anything in writing on the Princess website or in my booking that explains exactly what to expect. I've seen online some say you pay until you are in international waters and then the full bar and your package is applied, others say you pay, get the $25 credit and your package is active at 6 am, and still others have reported you pay, get the $25 and drinks are free after 6 pm (once in international waters. The latter seems implausible. Can you share what you experieinced. I don't want to be someone giving them a hard time, just trying to understand what the policy is and what to expect. Thank you for your help and hang in there for the next two weeks!!!

We are on the second leg of your sailing. We join on Feb.1st. Can't wait. Now just to get through the next two weeks.

11 hours ago, markeb said:

 

Just to be clear, you will NOT find this on the ship...

 

 

This is the set up! If you can find Cocchi Vermouth, that is another good option. Knob Creek also has a Rye that is good, but Bulleit is my go to as well. I still prefer Makers in my Manhattan even though it is supposed to be Rye, technically.

1 minute ago, markeb said:

No. 
 

The World Class Bar had some,  Not sure who has them now. 
 

The martini bar will probably shake your Manhattan...

 

if you want a real Manhattan, with rye, a real sweet Vermouth, and a real maraschino cherry (NOT a food died candy cherry), I suspect you’re out of luck. 
 

Sorry. Manhattan snob!

I'll own that title! LOL. But you must share some of my taste, you know not to shake it!

I'm normally a Maker's guy, but can branch out. Blanton's is fantastic neat. I'll just need a decent Manhattan somewhere or I'll go insane. None of the menus really feature bourbon or whiskey drinks. Most I see are rum vodka forward drinks. I know I can order standards, but I'd like to see at least one bar/lounge not focused on fruity/sweet drinks.

We are sailing on the Edge next week and I started looking at the cocktail menus for the bars and none of them seem to feature any cocktails with whiskey or bourbon as the base spirit. Last time we cruised on a large ship with Celebrity, we cruised on the Equinox in 12/17 and they had a great bar (Molecule?) by the art and watch shops. They had amazing cocktails. Does anyone know of an alternative or at least a bar that can make a decent Manhattan? Thanks for your help! 

We are on the maiden cruise of the Flora next week. We are super excited. Thanks for the info on what to pack. It was pretty much inline with what I was thinking about packing. I do have a question about attire at night. It says for men, pants and a comfortable shirt. What were most men wearing? Is it cool at night? I know we are going at the beginning of the drier cooler season, but can't really tell what to bring for the evenings. Thanks for your advice.

We booked the 10-night maiden voyage on Flora in two weeks and have a question about the dinner the night before the cruise in Quito. Does anyone know any of the restaurants that Celebrity typically takes their guests to? 

Vtcruising and Cruise a holic thank you both for your posts. 

Hello,

I'm having trouble finding a review from someone who has stayed in a sky suite that is along the vertical magic carpet track. I would like to know how much it moves, is it noisy, and anything else you can add that will help us decide if the price difference vs. privacy is worth it.

Thanks,

J

Stumblefoot and JollyJones, Thank you both for your guidance. I'll be starting to pack in a couple days. I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Stumblefoot,

I have a question that am hoping you can help me out with. We have cruised the Med with Regents and Seabourn and we will be on the the Muse on July 1. My question is in regards to gentlemen and sports coats. I know the official is Jackets every night except casual and formal is optional in most restaurants and public spaces, but wondered what the majority are wearing. I appreciate your help with this as we prepare to pack and enjoy our trip in a couple weeks.

Best,

cruiserj12

Hello,

TheRoadie, I have a quick question for you. I will be cruising at the beginning of July and reservations are about to open up and we want to take full advantage of that. My question is I see the list of restaurants on their site (Atlantide, Indochine, Dame, Keiseki, La Terrazza, The Grill, Silver Note, Spaccanapoli), but which is the main dining room? I see a large space on deck 5 that says dolce vita, but I called and they said that is a bar. I can't be, it's huge. Is there a main dining restaurant on this ship other than the ones listed on their site? See attached. Thank you in advance for your help.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g0Jix7so7wdf7UHHLzfFPQj_IhdLO2WU/view?usp=sharing