DiRonT

Thanks everyone - appreciate the info.

On 4/4/2024 at 9:05 AM, startedwithamouse said:

Just try not to bring peanuts onboard due to allergies other guests may have.

 

Even if you consume in your cabin, there's peanut dust. 

DH has deadly allergy to tree nuts and unfortunately they are all over the ship (desserts, main courses with almonds and pistachio, etc).  We have just learned to be VERY careful and prepared with EpiPens and Benadryl).  

Anyone who has recently parked for duration of cruise in the Berth 92, 93 parking lot - can you tell me if you pay in advance (seems strange to do that) or upon dusembarkation and departure from the parking lot.  We have always paid via credit card at disembarkation, but thought I read recently that there had been a change in this procedure, but can not find it on this board.  Thanks in advance.

1 hour ago, RV Queen said:

We are booked on a cruise in 5 weeks, out of the country. We just found out that hubby's oxygen is way low at night. Doctor ordered an oxygen concentrater for use at night.  Suggestions please, how do others deal with that necessity? Plane travel, hotel stays, cabin on cruise etc. 

DH uses a portable concentrator when we cruise.  They are pricey but better than the option of not traveling.  We don't do flights any more because of the hassle of getting through security and the fact that he doesn't have enough battery power for more than about a 2 hour flight.

Jerome's- great detailed explanation.  OP should be very thankful!

18 hours ago, memoak said:

our ritual is to eat lunch on land to avoid the early crowds and go to the terminal around 2:00 when we can just waltz on the ship

Love this - always our plan too.  Much more relaxing way to start the cruise.

43 minutes ago, 20165 said:

This is really what we want to do next month before we board, but we keep debating on making the Sanctuary run and get there early.  Does anyone know if the concierge can make these bookings or do you have to go the Sanctuary to do it?  thx

 

Unfortunately, like everything else with Princess, it depends on ship and also on the suite Concierge.  

56 minutes ago, memoak said:

We no longer care to sit around before boarding so we show up after noon

We always arrive at Port at least 1 day prior to sailing.  Day of embarkation, we sleep in, have a late leisurely breakfast and arrive at ship after vast majority have boarded.  No lines, no muss, no fuss.  Very relaxing.  Great way to start the vacation.

20 hours ago, c-boy said:

I'll start off by stating, When it comes to suites, starting with S category. I lobbied princess corp. in their questionnaire forms and beyond, for more amenities, better menu offerings, secluded areas, private dinning area ...  after years of keepin' on keepin' on,  plans for a new class of ship were announced. I am ecstatic to see the sphere class and all it has to offer, including a passenger  tier class approach.  I'm not the only one who had some disparaging comments on lack of commodities while cruising top dollar. My wife and I know there are other lines that offer what we and other individuals desire, and we felt princess was lacking in this particular area. Princess/ccl corp. isn't any different when it comes to wanting our dollars to survive. I will gladly separate from ours, if princess can raise the bar for people like my wife and I, and future passengers who don't mind paying extra, if the extra is worth paying for.

We have been suite passengers for many years now and totally agree that Princess has not provided the amenities we feel should be available to full suite passengers sailing at top dollar.  We love Princess but would love to see them step up their game in this area.  Special boarding times and areas and private dining, etc.  We really enjoy the Concierge on the latest ships, but would love to see that on older ships as well.  We are more than willing to pay for the upgrades if and when they are made available.

1 minute ago, cjpj said:

Some treatments will give you access to.the enclave/Thermal suites.

Yes. We have done that in the past, but the price of spa services is more than purchasing a weekly pass.  Was hoping not to have to pay for time we would not utilize.

Has anyone been able to buy a one day pass to the enclave/thermal spa on Discovery.  Looks like you can only purchase a weekly pass online, but we are only interested in 1 or 2 days.

On 2/21/2024 at 10:37 PM, Thrak said:

 

It's my belief that towel animals appear in Full Suite cabins far more often than in any other cabin category. Doesn't bother me a bit. People pay a premium for suites.

We have cruised in full suites 5 or 6 times in the last 2+ years and have never seen a towel animal.  Not that it is an issue. Just an observation.

On 7/3/2023 at 3:23 AM, bobpell said:

Can suite passengers get breakfast delivered early on the last day?

Yes, you can order room service breakfast or go to whichever location is serving the Suite breakfast- they are also open day of departure, but only until 9am I think.

1 hour ago, tonit964 said:

You have the option to do either. Credit card or cash. If you start getting close to using up your cash on your account, they notify you to go to GS to add more. 
 

For me, it’s just easier to do cash. 

So if you don't use all of the cash deposit, do you get the remaining balance back in cash or do they send you a check?

17 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

If I could get the Suite breakfast in Sabatini's I would order the potatoes with poached egg and Hollandaise on top. Ahhh... would love to have that right now.

That is my husband's favorite!!!

So as you can see the top 2 decks are Marina and Riviera - good size balconies, but no cover at all. 

Then Aloha, very narrow balcony.  Baja is a good size balcony with some cover.  Caribe, small balcony and no cover.  Dolphin is the largest balcony with some cover and Emerald is the Owners Suite.

Cabin sizes are the same - but balcony sizes differ.  Baja and Caribe are the larger balconies with some shade cover.  The others are smaller balconies with little or no shade/rain cover.  Try searching YouTube for the cabin you interested in.

5 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

My wife often orders ice cream for dessert in MDR and gets a glass of Amaretto as well. She then pours the Amaretto over the ice cream. It's quite good. I've tried it with Drambuie but it's not nearly as good as it sounded. I wonder if Cointreau would be good over ice cream. Perhaps I'll give that at try in April. 😉

Mmm - kahlua works well also.

13 minutes ago, riffatsea said:

Noone tries to upset me because I tell the massage person I'm not buying anything right at t h e beginning

It sounds like this is your first massage?

They will give you a robe and you get undressed as much as makes you comfortable 

They do need to touch your body

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep - same here.  We have been doing that for a few years now.  On first meeting with the massage therapist (when they ask questions about allergies, etc), we ask that they please not try to sell us any products because we have a cupboard full at home that we don't use.  So far it has worked just fine!

Go to You Tube and you will find videos of the Suite you are looking at, specifically on Discovery Princess.  We have stayed in aft suites as well as the Riviera deck suites port and starboard.  We love the size of the aft balconies (especially on Baja and Dolphin decks) but don't love that there is not much shade.  We like the layout of the suites on Riviera deck best and love the proximity to the Concierge Lounge (only available on Royal Class shops).  It is so nice to have quick and easy access to coffee and specialty coffees in the morning and snacks throughout the day, as well as happy hour drinks in the evening.

On 1/9/2024 at 7:24 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

Oh, I forgot about the canapés!  Floral arrangements are a hit and miss.  Same ship, got one, got none.

Definitely good reason to forget about the canapés.  They are definitely not memorable.

25 minutes ago, memoak said:

These are all available in full suites. Water is brought every day or sometimes in groups of 4. Fruit basket is always there on sailing day (we always have it taken away. There will be one small flower but not a huge bouquet 

We have sailed in suites the last 2 years (4-5 a year) and always had these items

Yes. I agree, we have also had these things on Ruby,  Sapphire, Discovery (numerous times) and Majestic (twice).

2 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

 

No. The App makes it seem like you will be charged but the charge will be zero. 

Having been in suites for our past 6 cruises and our next four, I can tell you that this is not always the case.  We have been charged for some and not for others.  However, it is easier to have the Concierge assist with getting your money refunded as obc than to deal with Guest Services.

On 12/29/2023 at 5:32 AM, Ombud said:

Yes BUT in my experience the actual wait staff never seems to know that I've checked that box

Agree with that - even though we have received confirming emails from Princess recognizing a food allergy, it never seems to get communicated.  We are comfortable in the dining room after we have informed head waiter, but the other casual eateries, we have to explain each time AND yes, the buffet is an issue especially when other passengers cross contaminate serving utensils by moving them around.  Just be extra vigilant!

We love the Suites Only breakfast available each morning in one of the specialty dining restaurants.  On Discovery it is in Sabattinis and on Majestic it is in Harmony.  On the Emerald it might be in Crown Grill.  The menu appears to be limited, but order whatever you would like and they will get it for you.  Also, you will have a one time mini-bar set up of alcohol, waters and sodas.  You can swap alcohol for alcohol and non-alcohol for non-alcohol.  For instance, we always swap the alcohol for all vodka.  You will also have bottled water provided daily.  Enjoy!