Princess Secrets they Don't Tell You - 2013 version

[Kentchikan]

I work in public education. I do more Info Tech but still get roped into the Instructional Tech. I have been in the same district for 19 years.

 

I hope that this thread does not die and others will continue to post secrets not yet mentioned.

Thanks,

Christie

 

I taught for 42 years and was a TSA (teacher on special assignment) for technology the last five. It was a lot of fun helping teachers see the importance of Technology and working with them in helping them incorporate it into their lessons. Of course with No Child Left Standing...er uh Behind. The fun bits are rapidly vanishing.

[Kentchikan]

At Vines the sushi is at no additional charge with the purchase of any beverage. :)

 

LuLu

~~~~

 

Good one thanks.

[Kentchikan]

Just read the condensed list...thank you. Don't know if its still the same but we bought cards from the casino....had been used I presume for tables.....$1 or $2.

 

They used to give them away in Vegas. I don't know if they still do. Come to that they used to give them away on ships and planes too.

[sept10dsm]

I think I found out this information on this thread so if I'm on the wrong one, I'm sorry. There were posts regarding 'secret' balconies on the Island Princess and some difference of opinion as to whether or not they were public. We were just onboard and the aft 'secret balcony' was clearly public. The doors had windows and were just marked that the deck may be windy. There were some others at times also using this balcony and it was a nice place to go! I was also happy to see a library as well as card room on deck 8! They were both used quite a bit as well, no so much for the internet cafe. Most times that we saw it there were many open seats.

[paul929207]

They used to give them away in Vegas. I don't know if they still do. Come to that they used to give them away on ships and planes too.

They used to give them away on Princess. We used to laugh that they awarded them as a trivia prize, but you could go to the front desk and just ask for a deck.

[sept10dsm]

Also, I did have a question on Princess status change (to Platium) during our cruise since although we booked as a 14 day RT Vancouver, it was sold as 2 cruises. Anyway, I wondered if my husband's status would be changed after the first 7 days, since I had read here that you can request this. Well, what happened to us was when getting onboard we received 7 day cruise cards referencing the cruise number that was assigned to the first 7 days. The night before the last day of the first cruise, we received new cruise cards with the upgrade to Platium for him. Also, a letter stating the status change. Now I will have to see how the cruises were counted for number of cruises when Princess updates that! Hopefully we will both get credit for the 2 cruises.

[sept10dsm]

Just read the condensed list...thank you. Don't know if its still the same but we bought cards from the casino....had been used I presume for tables.....$1 or $2.

Yes, they were selling them on the Island Princess when we sailed last a few weeks ago. Also, no cash or even a paper receipt for winnings at a slot. You must put your cruise card to retrieve and monies not lost or won. The funds are put on the card but must be cashed out to receive. They also did not give any change (coin amt) I did not like that you had to use the cruise card, thus no losses for me!! I didn't gamble or lose anything. Many were losing. I did not see any real winners. Also, they had a big non smoking area on board as well as a couple no smoking nights that weren't on the formal nights. I found that part odd since any other cruise that had smokefree nights were the same as a formal night.

[Kentchikan]

They used to give them away on Princess. We used to laugh that they awarded them as a trivia prize, but you could go to the front desk and just ask for a deck.

 

The trivia prizes used to be great. We got brass clocks, umbrellas, etc.

[Kentchikan]

Also, I did have a question on Princess status change (to Platium) during our cruise since although we booked as a 14 day RT Vancouver, it was sold as 2 cruises. Anyway, I wondered if my husband's status would be changed after the first 7 days, since I had read here that you can request this. Well, what happened to us was when getting onboard we received 7 day cruise cards referencing the cruise number that was assigned to the first 7 days. The night before the last day of the first cruise, we received new cruise cards with the upgrade to Platium for him. Also, a letter stating the status change. Now I will have to see how the cruises were counted for number of cruises when Princess updates that! Hopefully we will both get credit for the 2 cruises.

 

You can sign in online and check on it. Just sign in and go to "My Princess"

They're very quick about updating the info.

[Kentchikan]

Yes, they were selling them on the Island Princess when we sailed last a few weeks ago. Also, no cash or even a paper receipt for winnings at a slot. You must put your cruise card to retrieve and monies not lost or won. The funds are put on the card but must be cashed out to receive. They also did not give any change (coin amt) I did not like that you had to use the cruise card, thus no losses for me!! I didn't gamble or lose anything. Many were losing. I did not see any real winners. Also, they had a big non smoking area on board as well as a couple no smoking nights that weren't on the formal nights. I found that part odd since any other cruise that had smokefree nights were the same as a formal night.

 

I hate the card system. When you change machines it's a process to access your money. I so much better like Nevada where you just print out a slip and dash to the next machine. I often wonder what they do with money left on the card at the end of the cruise. NCL keeps the unclaimed booze maybe Princess keeps the extra shekels.

[bhopal21]

I can tell you what they do with money left on the card on the last night.

 

Your cabin phone will ring around 2am and you will have to go down and retrieve it.

 

I found this out the hard way.;)

 

Mike:)

[Kentchikan]

I can tell you what they do with money left on the card on the last night.

 

Your cabin phone will ring around 2am and you will have to go down and retrieve it.

 

I found this out the hard way.;)

 

Mike:)

 

OMG. I might have been tempted to tell them to keep it or something in language even more colorful. Why couldn't they just have credited your account? Probably because it's a different department.

[sept10dsm]

I hate the card system. When you change machines it's a process to access your money. I so much better like Nevada where you just print out a slip and dash to the next machine. I often wonder what they do with money left on the card at the end of the cruise. NCL keeps the unclaimed booze maybe Princess keeps the extra shekels.

I'm sure they just keep it. We were on a 2 week and had to claim anything after the first 7 days as well or lose it. No winnings on the ship though. Lose lose lose. I didn't play and I'm glad I didn't. Just the principle. I don't want to have to put in my card and then also, have to collect off it! Not many gambling either.

[sept10dsm]

OMG. I might have been tempted to tell them to keep it or something in language even more colorful. Why couldn't they just have credited your account? Probably because it's a different department.

Who knows, but they gladly let you charge to your room card! No problem there. It is getting anything back that you have to do. Never will gamble there again. Not much of a gambler and really did like the real money to come out! I don't gamble much at all since so many places just give a paper slip now.

[Kentchikan]

Who knows, but they gladly let you charge to your room card! No problem there. It is getting anything back that you have to do. Never will gamble there again. Not much of a gambler and really did like the real money to come out! I don't gamble much at all since so many places just give a paper slip now.

 

We were in Reno and thought nostalgically about the old machines so we found a casino that had some. We went running back to the paper slips. Not as much fun as we remembered. Although I do miss the clink into the tray. And now it seems every time you win a nickel there are so many bells and sound effects it sounds as though you'd won the casino.

[bhopal21]

OMG. I might have been tempted to tell them to keep it or something in language even more colorful. Why couldn't they just have credited your account? Probably because it's a different department.

 

I tried that. I said, "Please give it to M----- the cocktail waiter in the casino" No deal.

 

Motto is, Be sure and cash out your casino balance before retiring the last evening.

 

Mike:)

[gooch47]

I definitely do not miss the filthy hands you got from scooping coins out of the tray. Especially the nickles.

[Kentchikan]

I tried that. I said, "Please give it to M----- the cocktail waiter in the casino" No deal.

 

Motto is, Be sure and cash out your casino balance before retiring the last evening.

 

Mike:)

 

I find it amazing that they'd call at that ungodly hour. On the bright side you could have been first in line for breakfast.

[Kentchikan]

I definitely do not miss the filthy hands you got from scooping coins out of the tray. Especially the nickles.

 

Isn't that the truth. I remember the casinos gave out the foil wrapped moist towelettes so you could clean your hands but they never worked well. And I always felt sorry for the change people who had to lug those heavy aprons filled with cash around.

[azippy]

Glad I am not alone -- not a big gambler, but I used to put my pennies in to kill some time -- it was entertainment!!

Since the use of the onboard card, I too have given that up.

Maybe the odds have changed - they still have to make money and if less people are gambling -those that do have to make up the difference....

 

thanks for the recap of 'secrets' - always interesting to see what people 'learn' as they go along.

[Kentchikan]

Glad I am not alone -- not a big gambler, but I used to put my pennies in to kill some time -- it was entertainment!!

Since the use of the onboard card, I too have given that up.

Maybe the odds have changed - they still have to make money and if less people are gambling -those that do have to make up the difference....

 

thanks for the recap of 'secrets' - always interesting to see what people 'learn' as they go along.

 

It always seems as if there are a couple of "good" machines on each ship that pay well. Everyone gets on to them early in the voyage and they're hard to get to when you want to play.

[Cruisin Oma]

It always seems as if there are a couple of "good" machines on each ship that pay well. Everyone gets on to them early in the voyage and they're hard to get to when you want to play.

 

We found that on the Star. I never play slots, but my SIL found a machine about the 3rd day, every time we put in $20 we got back $200. Trying to remember now why we didn't play it more. I think we both hit the $200 twice.

[Kentchikan]

We found that on the Star. I never play slots, but my SIL found a machine about the 3rd day, every time we put in $20 we got back $200. Trying to remember now why we didn't play it more. I think we both hit the $200 twice.

 

We found one on the Star also. Actually on most ships. Congrats on the 200! Also I don't know if it works on ships but I've asked personnel in casinos and they often will point out a "hot" machine. We know someone who works in a casino and a man asked her to point out a good machine so she did and he won almost 2 Grand he asked her again and she pointed out another one and he won $1500. Then he didn't even tip her.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Kentskie

[beshears]

Thank you, you are doing a great job.:)

[pablo222]

I can tell you what they do with money left on the card on the last night.

 

Your cabin phone will ring around 2am and you will have to go down and retrieve it.

 

I found this out the hard way.;)

 

Mike:)

 

Then, you go down and they say, we were kidding -- we will credit it to your credit card. Then, a half-hour later, they call back and say

no, we do need you to come down, and give you cash.

 

Then, when you try to disembark the apass will alert that there is a problem with your card, and the rudest J.A.P. ever will drag you out

of line, and not even apologize for having not removing the APass alert when the problem was resolved.

 

I found this out the hard way, too.

Edited August 15, 2013 by pablo222