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I am sure the packaging will be reduced at some point and then we can all complain about the cheap packaging.  I love the boxes and have upcycled  them in various ways after throwing the useless parts in the recycle bin. 

They show movies in the Princess Theater sometimes. Usually sea days. No charge for On Demand movies. If there is something you like on MUTS it will show up in the queue in your cabin the next day. I love catching up on the movies I never make time for when I am home. 

I was on the same cruise and had a similar experience. I never did get my free drink.  I found it mildly irritating to have to sign in every time to the app.  It did work better than when we were on board in September. FWIW  Crossing my fingers that it keeps improving for my February sailings.

I love smoked sea salt!

If you are in a full suite there will be an arrangement waiting for you. Unless that has changed since the last time I sailed in a suite.

2 hours ago, satxdiver said:

 I have thought about buying flowers and taking them on the ship.  What do you do for a vase?  Do you bring your own or get one from the cabin steward?

I found a collapsible vase at the Dollar Tree that I brought with me on one trip. But, good ol' Stewart can probably come up with something better.

It worked for me. $1 deposit on each of three cruises.

I have seen people stick one of metallic balloons on the cabin door. I used window clings to decorate our cabin for Christmas, perhaps you can find birthday stuff, too. You can use magnets inside the cabin as the walls are metal. What fun! I think a group birthday picture would be a wonderful gift. I did this for our birthday girls on the last cruise and passed it around so everyone could sign the back. 

I would fight for the aft suite unless you are super sensitive to the sea conditions. Princess may think the midship location is an upgrade but nothing beats the wraparound view of that aft location. Personally, I like the extra balcony space. We did a Antarctica from E732 which is the opposite suite.

The turnaround time for Passport renewal is super fast right now. If you are anywhere near Palos Verdes, I suggest making an appointment at one of their libraries.  They do the pictures right there, they are kind and friendly, very efficient and there are places to sit while you wait. The money from the pictures goes directly to the library. Once you make the appointment they confirm and update via text or email. I have had a passport my entire life and in over 50 years this was by far the best experience ever. 

I recently ate at the CG on the Royal for the first time. I usually don't see the point of paying extra for food on board when there is so much but we had a lot of OBC.  It was wonderful and I will gladly spend the money to eat there again. No complaints from our group.

My only bit of advice would be to inquire about the special salts that they bring around before you take your second bite. I am crazy for smoked sea salt and it really complimented my filet.

I truly hope you have a wonderful experience.

There's a Ralphs supermarket right down Sepulveda/PCH at the corner of Mariposa in El Segundo that has a decent wine selection.  If you are in a taxi or rideshare you could stop there before you get on the freeway.  Anything you purchase at LAX is going to be comparable cost wise to what you purchase on the ship.

This was fantastic!  Thanks so much for posting.

Yes.We recently traveled as a party of 10 on the Royal and were able to be seated at the same table.

Now that I have licked the REAL butter off of my fingers I can construct my own reasonable reply.... I think there are a couple of ways to build a little more enthusiasm for your cruise.  If it is a port intensive itinerary think about all the money you can spend on excursions. Start researching all the cool things there are to do in each port. Go on the personalizer and put all those excursions on your wish list.  If it has more sea days, wait until after final payment check what's available and see if you can trade up, for a small fee, to a better cabin or book the Sanctuary for you and your husband if there's lots of leisure time.  I think outside cabins are a waste of money because even with the window there is no fresh air and you can't really see much out of the window. 

FWIW some of you all are just plain mean.

I do the pop up hamper, the battery tea light and the magnetic clip.  I, also, designate the bottom desk drawer solely for the tons of paper you will accumulate on that 15 days of awesome cruising.  The night before disembarkation I go through and throw out anything I do not wish to save. I did the HI cruise over Christmas and NY so there was a sentimental attachment to some of the otherwise boring and redundant sales papers. The tealight will last exactly as long as your cruise, by the way.  I also recycle a letter sized Fedex envelop for all my travel documents.(My own personal filing system). Bring a reusable water bottle as the tap water is perfectly fine for drinking and Stewart will make sure you have ice. Yay! For you and your fabulous adventure. Have a blast.

I just got off the Royal this morning and last night was the last balloon drop on Princess per the announcements on board. The reason cited was a commitment to eliminate single use plastics. 

My son is a 14 year old sushi lover, as am I. Don't waste space in your stomach with the stuff on Princess. Even what they serve in Vines(if they have one on your cruise)is junk. It is truly awful.

I always check a small collapsible suitcase with water and or soda. No problem ever and as recent as last week. YMMV (Let them do the heavy lifting.)

We had a group of eight on this sailing as well. Upon returning my Father asked me if I noticed things were lacking and indeed I had. I have sailed on the Crown numerous times and the last two times I really noticed the lack of cleanliness. (In addition to the penny pinching.The butter thread!) A few of our group were on their first ever cruise so they thought everything was wonderful, but for those of us who sail often things are definitely going down hill. It's becoming on par with Carnival just different decor. FWIW, I, like the OP, also have a lengthy history in the hospitality/restaurant/customer service industry.(35 years)

I love the Wake show idea. Not your run of the mill announcement and the CD will probably be more than happy to make it special.

Congrats.

Another zip tie user here. Keeping the honest people honest. I have never had one taken off or broken in transit.

Sometimes I wish someone would steal my stuff on the way home so I don't have to unpack and wash everything.

I have purchased coffee cards on board and on Ebay. I have never had a problem getting the brewed coffee. A card usually lasts me several voyages since I don't really get any of the specialty coffee just brewed.

The thing I am sensitive to, however, is that if you purchase your card on Ebay there is no gratuity added for the crew. When using one of those cards or when my card is a carry over I always carry singles with me and tip whomever is serving.

If you are planning to pack some tea bags anyway, I am going to tell you how I handle the coffee situation. I hate the ships coffee, but love room service so I pack some Starbucks Via and put a couple of those in the carafe. Gets me through the first couple of cups so I can go down to the IC and get the good stuff.

Did not get any a couple of weeks ago on the Crown.(I really don't need another one.0:eek:) But, Ms. Stewart told me they do not give them out on short cruises. After reading these posts I am curious if we get one on our 7 day in a few weeks.