New to Princess

[lovetotraveltx]

We've cruised about 6 plus times before but this will be our first time on a Princess cruise. Looking at Alaska in June, 2015.

 

Just some general Princess newbie questions.

 

Do all princess ships have specialty restaurants? What is the extra fee for the this?

 

Can you buy beverage packages?

 

What cabins if any can add on Concierge service? Is there any other service like spa...

 

For a balcony room to Alaska what deck(s) are best?

 

Do princess guests do meet and greets and/or gift exchanges between cabins like other cruise lines?

 

Sure I'll have more later!

 

Thank you!

[Gunner22aa]

Although we have cruised on 5 different lines Princess has become our line of choice. In answer to our questions:

 

Do all princess ships have specialty restaurants? What is the extra fee for the this? Yes. Cost is 20-25 dollars per person depending on the venue. They also offer the Ultimate Balcony Dinner for 50 a head. It is well explained on the Princess site

 

Can you buy beverage packages? Yes and no. They offer buckets of beer where you get 5 for the price of 6. They also offer wine in the bottle packages where you buy 6 or 12 bottles for a fixed price and get to chose any bottle on the menu up to a certain value. Again explained on their page. They do not however offer a fixed bar package where you get unlimited drinks for a set daily fee like Celebrity and other lines

 

What cabins if any can add on Concierge service? Is there any other service like spa... Only full suites get any significant ammenities. They have a dedicated line at customer service but no Concierge or butlers. With a mini suite you get a glass of sparkling wine when you board and a little more space but thats it. Again see the web page for suite ammenities

 

For a balcony room to Alaska what deck(s) are best? For a balcony room Carib deck gets you the largest balcony on the ship other than aft facing cabins. Almost twice the size of a standard one and it is half open half covered which is nice if the weather is ugly

 

Do princess guests do meet and greets and/or gift exchanges between cabins like other cruise lines? Yes. There might be a roll call going for your desired cruise now. Our roll call for our next trip started 18 months out. See the Princess roll call section.

Edited October 10, 2013 by Gunner22aa

[skynight]

We've cruised about 6 plus times before but this will be our first time on a Princess cruise. Looking at Alaska in June, 2015.

 

Just some general Princess newbie questions.

 

Do all princess ships have specialty restaurants? What is the extra fee for the this? Yes, most have Sabatini's Italian and a steak house. $25pp. The Royal has a crab Shack and Fondue location in the Buffet for extra charge.

 

Can you buy beverage packages? Soda or ultimate soda package. Fountain sodas only, not canned.Coffee Card for 15 special coffee drinks and unlimited brewed coffee and tea. No alcohol Package. Some longer voyages have wine packages. Special buckets of beer.

 

What cabins if any can add on Concierge service? Is there any other service like spa... No Concierge Service Cabins, except full suites on the Royal/Regal. You can book spa on line or on the ship.

 

For a balcony room to Alaska what deck(s) are best? Any Deck, but in the Caribe deck on most Princess ships have larger balconies, approx. twice the size. Best views in Alaska are not from your cabin, but from the upper open decks.

 

Do princess guests do meet and greets and/or gift exchanges between cabins like other cruise lines? Yes. This is done through the Cruise Critic Roll Calls for your specific voyage, not coordinated by Princess. The CC roll call organizer will contact Princess for a location and invites.

 

Sure I'll have more later!

 

Thank you!

 

See above

[gcvt]

Although we have cruised on 5 different lines Princess has become our line of choice. In answer to our questions:

 

Do all princess ships have specialty restaurants? What is the extra fee for the this? Yes. Cost is 20-25 dollars per person depending on the venue. They also offer the Ultimate Balcony Dinner for 50 a head. It is well explained on the Princess site

 

Can you buy beverage packages? Yes and no. They offer buckets of beer where you get 5 for the price of 6. They also offer wine in the bottle packages where you buy 6 or 12 bottles for a fixed price and get to chose any bottle on the menu up to a certain value. Again explained on their page. They do not however offer a fixed bar package where you get unlimited drinks for a set daily fee like Celebrity and other lines

 

What cabins if any can add on Concierge service? Is there any other service like spa... Only full suites get any significant ammenities. They have a dedicated line at customer service but no Concierge or butlers. With a mini suite you get a glass of sparkling wine when you board and a little more space but thats it. Again see the web page for suite ammenities

 

For a balcony room to Alaska what deck(s) are best? For a balcony room Carib deck gets you the largest balcony on the ship other than aft facing cabins. Almost twice the size of a standard one and it is half open half covered which is nice if the weather is ugly

 

Do princess guests do meet and greets and/or gift exchanges between cabins like other cruise lines? Yes. There might be a roll call going for your desired cruise now. Our roll call for our next trip started 18 months out. See the Princess roll call section.

 

I think that's the other way around :p

[lovetotraveltx]

Thanks all!

 

Any must do's on a Princess Cruise and in Alaska?

[skynight]

Thanks all!

 

Any must do's on a Princess Cruise and in Alaska?

 

Not must do's, but

 

There are three classes of Princess Ships sailing the Alaska route in 2014. They are: Grand Class: Golden, Star and Grand Princess as well as the Crown Princess. These are similar ships, but not identical. The first three were sister ships when built have an indoor pool. The Crown is an enlarged version with 500 more passengers, does not have an indoor pool, but does have many other nice features. Then there are the Coral & Island Princess. These are sister ships with approx 2,000 passengers each and lots of public space. The Coral was updated during a recent dry dock with the addition of the International Cafe and an improved Horizon Ct. Buffet layout. The Island is not scheduled to go into dry dock before the 2014 Alaska season and does not have these improvements. These are my favorite Princess ships. The Pacific Princess is a small 670 passenger ship which many passengers enjoy.

 

I would select a voyage that goes into Glacier Bay.If time and money allow I would also book a Cruisetour and not just a voyage. Princess has excellent cruisetours in Alaska with lots to choose from.

[Gunner22aa]

Wrote that like I had already had a couple of buckets!

[UpcountryTravelers]

deleted

Edited October 11, 2013 by UpcountryTravelers
Sorry, duplicated some others that did not originally come up.

[loliola]

Not must do's, but

 

There are three classes of Princess Ships sailing the Alaska route in 2014. They are: Grand Class: Golden, Star and Grand Princess as well as the Crown Princess. These are similar ships, but not identical. The first three were sister ships when built have an indoor pool. The Crown is an enlarged version with 500 more passengers, does not have an indoor pool, but does have many other nice features. Then there are the Coral & Island Princess. These are sister ships with approx 2,000 passengers each and lots of public space. The Coral was updated during a recent dry dock with the addition of the International Cafe and an improved Horizon Ct. Buffet layout. The Island is not scheduled to go into dry dock before the 2014 Alaska season and does not have these improvements. These are my favorite Princess ships. The Pacific Princess is a small 670 passenger ship which many passengers enjoy.

 

I would select a voyage that goes into Glacier Bay.If time and money allow I would also book a Cruisetour and not just a voyage. Princess has excellent cruisetours in Alaska with lots to choose from.

 

Wow...that was an excellent explanation! I was on the Island through the Panama Canal...did the Golden in Alaska...loved both but would absolutely choose Coral or Island next time in Alaska...passenger ratio is noticeably better and really loved the ship!

[gcvt]

Wrote that like I had already had a couple of buckets!

 

LOL! If we ever meet on a cruise, the first bucket is on me :)

[catugirl]

We did Alaska on RCCL, but we cruised on Island Princess through Panama Canal. Loved that ship. The service, food, entertainment and general atmosphere of the ship were great.

 

As to Alaska, be sure to do whale watching. We did that in Juneau, and saw a humpback breach the water twice, along with seeing Orcas, sea lions and eagles. We did crab catching and a crab feast in Ketchican. We did the White Pass railroad tour in Skagway. We visited Hubbard Glacier; it was eerily beautiful. Loved all we saw and did in Alaska. Such a majestic place.

[lovetotraveltx]

We did Alaska on RCCL, but we cruised on Island Princess through Panama Canal. Loved that ship. The service, food, entertainment and general atmosphere of the ship were great.

 

As to Alaska, be sure to do whale watching. We did that in Juneau, and saw a humpback breach the water twice, along with seeing Orcas, sea lions and eagles. We did crab catching and a crab feast in Ketchican. We did the White Pass railroad tour in Skagway. We visited Hubbard Glacier; it was eerily beautiful. Loved all we saw and did in Alaska. Such a majestic place.

 

Your tours sound great! Did you book the excursions through your cruise ship or on your own? If on your own, which tour operators did you go with.

[caribill]

Your tours sound great! Did you book the excursions through your cruise ship or on your own? If on your own, which tour operators did you go with.

 

Not catugirl, but in Juneau I suggest Harv & Marv for the whale watching. Costs about the same as a Princess whale watch excursion, but H&M only put six people on the boat which means everyone gets to see all the wildlife that appears. You need to book well in advance (see their web site) to be sure you have spots on their boat.

[catugirl]

Your tours sound great! Did you book the excursions through your cruise ship or on your own? If on your own, which tour operators did you go with.

 

We booked excursions through RCCL. We were on Radiance of the Seas. It seemed to be a fairly old ship, so I'm not even sure she is still sailing. But I'm sure whatever ship is doing that itinerary has similar excursions. The excursions were amazing, and it is always a comfort to us to know the ship will not leave without us.

[lovetotraveltx]

Thank you!

[TXRed]

Not catugirl, but in Juneau I suggest Harv & Marv for the whale watching. Costs about the same as a Princess whale watch excursion, but H&M only put six people on the boat which means everyone gets to see all the wildlife that appears. You need to book well in advance (see their web site) to be sure you have spots on their boat.

Do you have a link Harv & Marv???? TIA

[msmoger]

Do you have a link Harv & Marv???? TIA

 

Here you go. They were FANTASTIC!!!

 

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/

[TXRed]

Here you go. They were FANTASTIC!!!

 

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/

 

Thank you, Thank you...THANK YOU!!!!:D