Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You

[Woobstr112G]

I don't know why you find the corkage fee ridiculous. It is very common here in restaurants with no wine or where you are able to bring your own wine to pay a corkage fee. They certainly make a lot more money if you buy the bottle from them. Be thankful that Princess allows us to bring wine aboard unlike many other lines.

 

I have no problems with paying a corkage fee.....:):):)

 

Bob

[mrspaper]

Linda, regarding these prepurchase internet minutes, they always say on board that we cannot get the bonus minutes as a platinum or elite person but this looks like we could get those extra minutes plus more if it was allowed by prepurchasing this package. Do you or anyone else know if we do actually get the extra minutes?

We just became Platinum, so I don't really know.

 

I suppose if you use all your platinum minutes up and pre purchase a plan, you would get the 20 extra minutes. I suppose you can always go on line and purchase the minutes, after you use up your free minutes. At least then, you can ask questions of the internet manager. I have always purchased this for myself prior to leaving home, when we weren't platinum.

 

Re: the corkage fee conversation:

We don't mind paying the corkage fee (PS-restaurants where we live don't charge a corkage fee if they don't have a liquor license). At least we're getting wine that we prefer to drink. On average, looking at Princess' wine list, many wines that we're familiar with, they are only getting $15 - $25 over the retail cost, anyway. Some nights we drink wine in the cabin, some nights we pay a corkage fee, and on occasion, I carry a glass of wine with me to the dining room

 

Another tip: If you drink red wine and prefer the large red wine glass, you can request those at dinner. Initially, your wait staff will tell you they don't have them. When you mention that you know they have them, they say, "I'll go check", and always come back with the large glasses for us

 

Linda

[yoyosma]

English bacon is available (under the counter)in Horizon Court at breakfast time. Just ask for it, where the fried eggs are served

 

Sandy in Spain

Just got off the Emerald Princess. English Bacon was available above board in Horizon Court. Don't know if it was everyday, but it was out in plain sight at least twice.

[CrusinAgain]

We just became Platinum, so I don't really know.

 

I suppose if you use all your platinum minutes up and pre purchase a plan, you would get the 20 extra minutes. I suppose you can always go on line and purchase the minutes, after you use up your free minutes. At least then, you can ask questions of the internet manager. I have always purchased this for myself prior to leaving home, when we weren't platinum.

 

 

Linda

 

Well the way it works is you buy a package and they credit your account for the amount of minutes you are entitled to and they plainly say on board that the platinum and elite are not entitled to the promotional packages offered on the first day of sailing if you sign up by a certain time. The link you gave certainly appeared like a person would get the bonus minutes. I hope someone comes on and tells us their experience.

[Grammar Goddess]

Linda,

Thanks so much for the info! I've downloaded the form and will fax the order today. That's a great tip for other onboard credits as well--spa, liquor, excursions, etc. I'm putting the charges on my debit card so as not to run up a big credit card bill on the cruise, a way of paying some of the charges ahead. I think other Princess cruisers might like to do the same.

I do appreciate your help! :)

GG

[SeaTheWorldBySea]

Click here: Communications : Princess Cruises®

 

You order them as a gift to yourself

 

Linda

 

It looks like you get a nice discount by pre-ordering internet minutes, as well as getting the bonus minutes.

 

Anyone who is not platinum or elite, or who expects to need more minutes than they get for free would do well to pre-order.

 

If you are platinum or elite, the credit to your OBC does not appear until you are onboard and order your internet minutes. Order the $ amount you are eligible for, based on length of cruise.

 

If you have also pre-ordered minutes, I assume that charge would be on your OBC and you would have those minutes available to you (including bonus minutes). Or - maybe use your pre-paid minutes, then sign up for your free time. If it did not all happen automatically - I'll guess the internet manager could help you get it straightened out.

[Bob++]

I hope no one minds but I just posted this on Cruise dot - the British equivalent forum.

 

I stole these from the American equivalent of Cruise dot - Cruise Critic. I wonded if anyone here can add anything?

 

 

Check out the sanctuary (search the boards for description using the word sanctuary) but you have to get there as soon as you get on board if you want to reserve for the entire cruise.

 

Also chef's table is fantastic ($75 per person) but it includes all wine, food, a cookbook, a photo, and a rose for the ladies. I have done it twice and once on the ruby, and it was the highlight of the cruise. You have to call the dine line and ask to be put on the list, and there is no guarantee you will get it

 

Ask your travel agent to fax a request for the egg crates for bed tell them you want a top sheet as well, as i don't like the duvet cover without the top sheet.

 

I always ask for a terrycloth robe and usually get it

 

Most of the evening entertainment is focused on deck 7, promenade, with the princess theatre, crooner's piano bar, wheelhouse, explorer's and club fusion.

 

But, the entertainment on deck5 in the piazza also offers an alternative. For a really lovely place to have a pre-dinner or sunset watching cocktail, try the little area outside (aft) of adagio. Also, skywalker's offers incredible views if you prefer to be indoors.

 

The international cafe on deck 5 is not the only place that you can use the coffee card. Use it in the dining rooms for espresso based coffees, and also on a few of the bars on lido deck for same and brewed coffee. If you ask at one bar and they don't have same, they can tell which ones do.

 

In the morning, you can get waffles at the pizza stand.

Princess makes lovely ice cream and sorbets, which are on the luncheon and dinner menus. My favourites are the pink grapefruit and honeydew sorbets. They also make lovely soufflés.

 

If you want a breakfast (or for us hot tea) delivery before the times that are listed on the order card, just write in the time you want delivery. It will arrive on time, or most likely a few minutes early.

Most importantly, don't disembark without a couple of future cruise credits.

 

have a wonderful cruise!

On our last cruise on the grand we learned that you can have escargot anytime but you need to let the dining room know 24 hours in advance.

 

That’s true for most dishes. I know we missed crab legs as they were the same night as our chef's table. So the maitre d took the order for us for the next night.

 

I don't know about the bigger ships, but the small ships have ice cream at the buffet from 3:30 to 4:30 each afternoon

 

If the ship has "scoops" or an ice cream bar on the lido deck, the ice cream there is now free and they have discontinued the free ice cream at the buffet. Thankfully, i was able to get free chocolate or vanilla hard ice cream at scoops since i didn't care for the soft-serve. If you don’t like the cones, bring a small, empty dish from the buffet and tell them you have a wheat allergy. They'll put the ice cream in the dish.

 

At dinner, you can ask to see the menu for the next night, if you don't like what is on the menu you can ask for something different and they will make it for you, they are very accommodating. I also ask for fresh berries for dessert and they are usually very obliging.

 

Many people think that the salads, sandwiches, and pastry in the international cafe cost extra, but they are free!

 

You can order a complementary plate of assorted stuffed olives at the martini bar.

 

If you bring wine onboard you can pick up wine glasses at any bar or just leave your room steward a note to always leave clean glasses in your room.

 

If you pre purchase internet minutes before you leave you will get free minutes based on the package you pick.

 

If you are staying in an interior stateroom leave the TV on the bridge cam channel it will give the illusion of a window and if you leave it on all night it will serve as a night light.

 

On all the cruises we've been on, we have asked for fresh squeezed orange juice in the mdr at breakfast, and there was no charge.

much better than the frozen concentrate This no longer exists. They now charge for fresh squeezed. Sorry!

 

Cookies and milk about 3pm.

 

Onion soup is available every night

 

I use room service as my wake-up call. I hang the request on my door before i go to bed, they knock on my door at the time I request and they have coffee and pastries for me.

 

Yes they have pineapple juice I have requested it on the card you fill in for room service breakfast. It isn't one of the choices on the card. Sometimes i get it and sometimes not.

 

Yes, you can bring wine, soda and water on board with no problem....enjoy

 

Volcano dessert, available on children's menu basically a huge banana split – yum

 

Books in the library are free to borrow, as long as you return them before you get off

 

And has anyone mentioned that if you've finished with your own book, there is a little cupboard in the library for 'passenger exchange'? This is open even when the rest of the library shelves are locked and - particularly at the beginning and the end of the cruise - you can find an interesting selection of those paperbacks which people have read and don't want to carry home.

 

Popcorn during muts(music under the stars)

 

Always ask for what you want, the staff try to accommodate to the best of their abilities

 

I bring packets of crystal light [so light to carry] and mix it with water and ice from the buffet and, i'm all set with my drink.

 

You can bring an insulated mug [also very light] and use that to put your ice tea or your soda in. We also bring cans of caffeine-free diet coke.

 

Our best tip:

one of the dining rooms will be open for lunch on embarkation day although you are usually directed to the buffet. We think the dining room is a better experience and starts the cruse off perfectly.

 

No one has yet mentioned what we thought was a big secret! Our TV on the last 2 cruises wouldn't shut off so called purser’s desk. They talked us through how to unplug it, leave it alone for a minute and then replug! Now that in itself was great but, when you open the little door under the TV for the plug, well, there are extra outlets not being used! This was great when the shortage of outlets to recharge everything we needed to recharge was a problem! Not any more.

 

Sit at a slot machine and insert your cruise card (which is also your cabin key) and ask for money from your account to be loaded to the slot machine. The charge that will appear on your account is the amount you asked for with no service fee added. If you go to cashier a 3% fee will be charged. When you are finished at the slot machine, be sure to upload any remaining money to your cruise card (actually, it is to a ship's computer so if you lose your card, the money is not lost -- the cruise card is the vehicle to identify yourself). Then you can bring your cruise card to the casino cashier and ask to be given cash for the money that has been uploaded.

 

Downstairs in the spa-they do not usually set out for entire cruise to purchase the hot stone loungers, etc. We usually purchase a half day when we think we will use it.

 

In MDR at breakfast, you can request berries. they're not on the menu, but very delicious

 

One person did mention writing in on your room service card. We have requested eggs, etc. and gotten them.

 

At the IC, they serve egg/muffins, if you ask, in the morning.

 

You can request an MP3 player at the sanctuary.

[hansi]

Regarding the tea in the morning, we don't put the card out because we don't know when we will wake up. So when we do wake up, we ring room service and the tea is there within minutes.

[floridarob]

You can order a complementary plate of assorted stuffed olives at the martini bar.

 

If you pre purchase internet minutes before you leave you will get free minutes based on the package you pick.

 

Onion soup is available every night

 

Volcano dessert, available on children's menu basically a huge banana split – yum

 

Sit at a slot machine and insert your cruise card (which is also your cabin key) and ask for money from your account to be loaded to the slot machine. The charge that will appear on your account is the amount you asked for with no service fee added. If you go to cashier a 3% fee will be charged. When you are finished at the slot machine, be sure to upload any remaining money to your cruise card (actually, it is to a ship's computer so if you lose your card, the money is not lost -- the cruise card is the vehicle to identify yourself). Then you can bring your cruise card to the casino cashier and ask to be given cash for the money that has been uploaded.

 

At the IC, they serve egg/muffins, if you ask, in the morning.

 

 

 

 

I've been on 31 Princess cruises and just goes to show you, there's still stuff we don't know about...listed above I didn't know or just forgot,lol

 

Great info....thanks

[mrspaper]

I hope no one minds but I just posted this on Cruise dot - the British equivalent forum.

 

.

You made a great summary that anyone can print out

 

Don't forget the link for free internet minutes

[mrspaper]

Well the way it works is you buy a package and they credit your account for the amount of minutes you are entitled to and they plainly say on board that the platinum and elite are not entitled to the promotional packages offered on the first day of sailing if you sign up by a certain time. The link you gave certainly appeared like a person would get the bonus minutes. I hope someone comes on and tells us their experience.

I will do my best to remember and inquire next wk when I cruise

[Colo Cruiser]

I will do my best to remember and inquire next wk when I cruise

 

We have been able to get the bonus minutes and we used the 15 min coupon in the book as well.

Not always but it does not hurt to ask. ;)

[mrspaper]

We have been able to get the bonus minutes and we used the 15 min coupon in the book as well.

Not always but it does not hurt to ask. ;)

with 46 cruises, I guess we have our answer

thanks

Linda

[tntfox]

Quick question -- and I apologize if this has been question has been posted previously -- is WiFi available in staterooms or only in the internet lounge? We'll likely be bringing my iPad instead of the laptop as it's a lot easier to transport, but only if the internet is made available in our stateroom.

 

Thanks! :D

[floridarob]

Yeah, wifi works from the cabins....and so does your cell phone when ship is at sea, both depend on signal availability.

 

good way to check before trying to log on and getting frustrated is go to the free Princess site 1st, if that works well, then start using your minutes,,,,if not just wait a while before trying again.

 

And remember to logoff by putting 1.1.1.1 in the address bar.

[denims]

Yeah, wifi works from the cabins....and so does your cell phone when ship is at sea, both depend on signal availability.

 

good way to check before trying to log on and getting frustrated is go to the free Princess site 1st, if that works well, then start using your minutes,,,,if not just wait a while before trying again.

 

And remember to logoff by putting 1.1.1.1 in the address bar.

 

I thought you just clicked on "logoff"!

[floridarob]

I thought you just clicked on "logoff"!

 

Maybe it's my browser, I use google chrome (sooo much faster than IE) but I never got the popup on my laptop that had the logoff and the instructions say to logoff by entering that 1.1.1.1 in the address bar and it always worked that way for me.

[yoyosma]

You can. I do that and get the sign off page with minutes used/left summary.

[kerryw29]

I asked about the ipad wifi elsewhere - and got the same answer...

 

I am so excited - but have 200+ days before our next trip!

[Lemonslikethefruit]

We could... but then they wouldn't be secrets any more! ;)

 

 

Hey, darkenstormy!

 

Weren't you on our Panama Canal Cruise Oct. 2009???? Ever so often I look to see if I see anyone from our board that trip. That was a favorite. Remember Angel and her friend? Pat & Jimmy, etc. etc. :D

[pablo222]

I thought you just clicked on "logoff"!

 

I only get the logoff pop-up when using a PC in the internet cafe,

never on my laptop.

 

I just have a button in my "links" bar in the browser that points

to 1.1.1.1

[Mist_ynight]

just thought I would bump this up since It's been buried on the last page.

[adjoankora]

I Love Princess and DH will not cruise anybody else,,, because they let me bring a couple of bottles of wine on,, a case of Diet Pepsi's, and some bottle water and they let me get as many beach towels I like with out scaning my card and not charging me $25.00 per towel if I do not check them back in because I forgot and left them in my cabin..free ice cream...warm cookies and milk at 4 around the pool..so if I pay a $15.00 fee to cork it outside my cabin so be it...now no other cruise line except for Princess is so good to us. I hope we can keep it that way

 

We just returned from a 10-day on HAL Zuiderdam. We took with us wine, coolers, soda and bottle water. No problem with the beverages; no charges for forgetting to return towels. Also, lots of varied juices (including grape fruit) readily available at breakfast and free ice cream and sorbet.

 

We will be sailing Ruby Princess TA from Venice in October and I am on the boards as this will be our 1st Princess cruise. Can anyone who has sailed both lines (Princess and HAL) compare the two for us please. Thanks much.

[adjoankora]

Tipping is on another thread, dont hijack this one. I agree about the rules. The ship belongs to them, not me and why do people try to get away with carrying booze onboard when they will pay hundreds to gamble, thousands to cruise and buy a car because people will look at them instead of a Prius to save the planet? It seems odd to em and Princess is good to people but theyll eventually screw it up for everyone.:confused:

 

The towels in that motel were so thick I had to have my wife set on the suitcase to get it shut. Yogi Berra

 

I agree with you to some extent. We NEVER took any beverage to any dining venue. The drinks we brought on board were for use in our room, balcony, or while relaxing on decks. In the dining room if a beverage was ordered, the cost went on our account.

[fun_seeker]

We just returned from a 10-day on HAL Zuiderdam. We took with us wine, coolers, soda and bottle water. No problem with the beverages; no charges for forgetting to return towels. Also, lots of varied juices (including grape fruit) readily available at breakfast and free ice cream and sorbet.

 

We will be sailing Ruby Princess TA from Venice in October and I am on the boards as this will be our 1st Princess cruise. Can anyone who has sailed both lines (Princess and HAL) compare the two for us please. Thanks much.

 

The thing that put a burr under my saddle is after spending thousands on the cruise I had to spend time doing my own laundry on Princess while I could buy unlimited laundry on HAL. The other differences were not comparable as I sailed the larger vessels on HAL and a smaller one on Princess.