Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You

[5326jan]

I think that sounds great! So Princess didn't notice/care about the boxes when they scanned your bags prior to boarding?

 

Nothing said! We also took box wine out of FLL and Alaska. It wasn't until we found the Black Box brand that we even considered taking boxes, but that brand is better than most IMHO and it's equal to 4 bottles! In FLL, we had it packed in a box from Total Wine with three regular bottles, some liter size mixers and misc other stuff. They packed it in a Dewars box and taped it shut. We put a luggage tag on the box and it arrived in our cabin with the luggage. Although it had been opened, nothing was missing. I think they just wanted to be sure we weren't bringing on a case of scotch! :)

[Travels with Lisa]

nice...I wish we had time to shop in LA, guess I should have planned to stay over night even though we didn't need to! But the black box is a great idea, thanks for all your useful hints

[Shadavi]

This secret comes from Hutch (Port Guru on the Diamond). When you get off the ship in any 'foreign' port, before you leave the port area, take a photo of the Ship AND a recognizable land mark e.g. Port Office/customs building etc? Same if you catch a shuttle into town - photograph a statue/landmark where you get off the shuttle. :cool: If you get yourself lost, or simply need to get a taxi etc. back to the ship or pick-up point, a photograph of a distinctive building can help overcome any language barrier. Might just help you catch the ship -particularly if there is more than your cruise ship alone in port at the time. And, although you can always delete the photos when you are safely back on board, it provides a point of reference and can help you identify your photos if you (like me) don't diligently download them after each port of call.:rolleyes:

BIG 'thank you' Hutch!

Sharon

[cruzisme]

Hutch was the best port lecturer ever!

This is a great hint as we did not do this in Helsinki and if we had, we would not have panicked like we did!

From that time on, I always take photos just in case.

Thanks Sharon.

[Travels with Lisa]

we have done that with tour buses...they all look the same. Get the license number and you are bound to get on the correct bus!

[gracie65]

We were on the CP for Sandy - the only staff that were rude at all were from the Crown Grill - go figure! We finally decided to try it and they kind of ruined it for us! :mad: We may try it one more time and hope we get better service!

 

Everybody else was fantastic!

 

Maybe you just had a off night. We were on The Crown last November that had to return due to the noro outbreak. We finally made it to Crown Grill on our last night. The waitstaff could not have been nicer especially considering so much of the crew were sick. We have also had wonderful experiences at Crown Grill on CB and The Ruby.

[mr green]

This secret comes from Hutch (Port Guru on the Diamond). When you get off the ship in any 'foreign' port, before you leave the port area, take a photo of the Ship AND a recognizable land mark e.g. Port Office/customs building etc? Same if you catch a shuttle into town - photograph a statue/landmark where you get off the shuttle. :cool: If you get yourself lost, or simply need to get a taxi etc. back to the ship or pick-up point, a photograph of a distinctive building can help overcome any language barrier. Might just help you catch the ship -particularly if there is more than your cruise ship alone in port at the time. And, although you can always delete the photos when you are safely back on board, it provides a point of reference and can help you identify your photos if you (like me) don't diligently download them after each port of call.:rolleyes:

BIG 'thank you' Hutch!

Sharon

 

We were told just to take the ship's Postcard with us!

 

john

[DiamondDiva]

John,

Taking the ship postcard helps identify the ship very nicely. However, in some ports there is more than one pier (ie Cozumel has 3). Taking a photo of a landmark right at your pier with the ship included will help a cab driver find the correct pier as well as ship.

 

In all our cruises we never thought to do this-what a great idea, especially if you do not speak the language.

[Shadavi]

Here's another 'secret'. If you are travelling with friends or family and you have adjoining cabins with balconies, ask your steward to open the connecting balcony doors. We did this when travelling with our two granddaughters and it works as connecting rooms but with a bit more privacy. Great for family as there are very few 'family' ie 'connecting' rooms on ships. Just got to get in early. We managed to get a balcony and mini-suite side by side. Perfect.

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Lilly'sMom]

We were there on a b2b2b for that cruise and ate there many nights - they were GREAT - that is why we ate there so much. None of the crew were rude at all. And I wouldn't blame them if they were since there were so many angry passengers that blamed Princess for the weather and they were the rude people.

 

Well, since we were not rude I expected better from them too. We had fantastic service in the dinning room and decided to ask for the same server - he made it a lot of fun for us!

[Lilly'sMom]

Maybe you just had a off night. We were on The Crown last November that had to return due to the noro outbreak. We finally made it to Crown Grill on our last night. The waitstaff could not have been nicer especially considering so much of the crew were sick. We have also had wonderful experiences at Crown Grill on CB and The Ruby.

 

I'm sure you are right. We are planning to try it again on our March cruise on the Emerald. ;)

[mrspaper]

I'm sure you are right. We are planning to try it again on our March cruise on the Emerald. ;)

Some of the best wait staff are typically in the specialty rest. I'm sure it was an off night when you tried it

[puff1950]

and it is called PUREX 3 IN 1. Use it with our FL washer so no pouring 2 TBSP detergent each load & softener for each load. Now just throw the sheet in & all goes into the dryer & use it to clean the dryer filter.

 

Be sure to clean the dryer filter on the ship too so no fire like we had on Carnival Ecstacy.

 

Purex 3 in 1 is not available anymore, some have said that e-bay has it and the odd store, but Purex does not make it anymore. I am taking Tide pods, not too heavy, and some dryer sheets. I find the powder leaves white marks on the clothes.

[ChiefBoats]

We were on the Star in September and the deserts and sandwiches were free in the IC. The only thing you paid for in the IC was the brewed and speciality coffees.

[SeaLaRae]

We just ordered the 3 in 1 Purell sheets from Amazon.com.

 

Sharon

SPI, Tx

[catsgirl]

We just ordered the 3 in 1 Purell sheets from Amazon.com.

 

Sharon

SPI, Tx

 

I bought 3 in1 on Amazon in the fall. It's handy to pack. Tide pods are good too. Using the dry sheets first for freshener then laundry is dual purpose.

 

 

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[sunlover5]

About the tip of the egg foam mattress topper.....can't remember what post it was but said to fax in your request.....wrote that all down but how far in advance or close to your sailing should you do it???

 

Thank you very much! And thank you everyone for all these great tips! This will be our first time on Princess and they have been so helpful.:)

[mrspaper]

About the tip of the egg foam mattress topper.....can't remember what post it was but said to fax in your request.....wrote that all down but how far in advance or close to your sailing should you do it???

 

Thank you very much! And thank you everyone for all these great tips! This will be our first time on Princess and they have been so helpful.:)

I usually check the bed first. It's very rarely that we have needed to request an egg foam mattress, most of the mattresses are pretty good. When we want one, we request it of the steward and it is brought to the room

 

You can also request it of your TA to call Princess. If you reserved with Princess, I believe a phone call to them is enough

[LuvinDisCruiser]

Wow !

 

Just finished reading all these amazing tips. Thank you everyone, I love impressing my husband with all this valuable information !

 

Can't wait to experience Princess for the first time in July. !

[Yukonbear]

OK, I scanned the pages from Posting 1 to make sure I wasn't repeating, but my item is what I call the "free telegram" from shore side. This is the method for a person on land to send you a message using email. You use: Ships name@Princesscruises.com. In the subject line, enter the addressee and Cabin number.

 

We've received greetings twice in our years of sailing with Princess. The last time, there was a knock on our door; when I opened it, I was presented an envelope from a Third Officer/Communications. It was a short message from my son telling us "Happy Anniversary" and have a nice cruise. Just a small amenity, but it reminded me of why we love Princess.

 

ie. would it be Emerald@princess.com or Emeraldprincess@princess.com

 

This is a great tip

[kluv2cruz]

nice...I wish we had time to shop in LA, guess I should have planned to stay over night even though we didn't need to! But the black box is a great idea, thanks for all your useful hints

 

Heads up that princess has recently changed their bring a bottle of wine on board rule - used to not specify the size of bottle, now it says ONE 750ml only bottle. Sad, but understandable.

[LidoCanuck]

I haven't checked this out yet, but I was just told by my TA that the little waves on the carpet face forward.

[only1deejay]

I've been on princess before...looking to do my 2nd cruise...thinking about celebrity cruise lines....are they on par with princess or better?? thanks.:)

[Tucker in Texas]

I've been on princess before...looking to do my 2nd cruise...thinking about celebrity cruise lines....are they on par with princess or better?? thanks.:)

 

I would say they are the same. Celebrity has smoke-free casino whereas Princess does not (except one or two designated nights) and, like Princess, does not allow smoking on the balcony (effective last year).

 

Tucker in Texas

[gracie65]

Heads up that princess has recently changed their bring a bottle of wine on board rule - used to not specify the size of bottle, now it says ONE 750ml only bottle. Sad, but understandable.

 

Hopefully someone sailing soon and taking more then one bottle will come back and post how strict this rule is!!