Coming back to Princess after a Long Break!

[Robkat]

We haven't cruised on Princess for about 5 years, so we're sure things are either done differently ... or we've forgotten how they're done on Princess.

 

We're cruising on the Caribbean Princess and we have a couple of questions:

 

Are the cabins normally unavailable until ~1pm on embarkation day? So, you can't get in until afterwards?

 

We saw that the main dining room is available for lunch on embark day. Can you tell us what the times are, especially when does it close up?

 

We're booked into Anytime Dining ... can we make a standing reservation for a specific time? Does Princess tend to put you at the same table each evening (if you show up around the same time) or do they mix things up?

 

Are there lots of tables for two in nice locations (as opposed to being all close to each other)?

 

Are there 5 or 7 bottle wine packages available for purchase onboard? Would anyone have the price of these packages?

 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ... we appreciate it. :)

Edited June 24, 2014 by Robkat

[critterchick]

The cabins are usually ready when you board. The MDR is open for lunch from noon to 1:30 - as long as you arrive before 1:30 they will seat you, at least that's been our observation.

 

We were able to make a standing reservation on Sapphire Princess, not sure if that varies from ship to ship. We had the same waitstaff twice, but the passengers at our table stayed late on the last night so we were seated in a different area.

 

I don't know about 2-tops on CB. On Grand they had a section of mostly tables for two that were not too close together - certainly not the banquet bench on one side that may as well have been a single table.

[BrandiGreg]

Not many changes from 5 years ago that I can remember.

 

Are the cabins normally unavailable until ~1pm on embarkation day? usually around noon they will let people start boarding the ship, cabin is always ready for you. Luggage may not be there though until 4-6 hours later.

 

We always have traditional seating, so don't know about anytime dining.

We always prefer sharing a table, so not aware of tables for two, though I don't recall seeing many.

 

Are there 5 or 7 bottle wine packages available for purchase onboard? Would anyone have the price of these packages? Only available on the longer cruises in my experience (10 days or more) and then not guaranteed they will be offered. Price per bottle works out to about 20% discount using the package, depending on normal price of the bottle. It is a good deal if you KNOW you will consume all the bottles on that trip (since you cannot use on a future cruise, like you can with coffee cards). Welcome Back!;)

Edited June 24, 2014 by BrandiGreg

[ggprincess2004]

On the CB there are tables for two, but many of them are very close together so you don't really have a lot of privacy.

 

As far as a standing reservation in ATD, it depends partly on the maitre'd and also on the head waiter in "your section". Last time we were on CB (April) our head waiter was more than happy to make sure we had a table for 2 standing reservation at about 7:45 in the evening.

 

Wine package - we have heard that it is generally only offered on "longer" cruises, but again, ask your head waiter. He/she might be able to make it happen on a 7 day cruise. We are hoping so, as the cruise we will be on in August on the CB is 14 days, but is also being sold as a 7 day cruise.

 

When are you sailing? Take a look for your roll call!

 

Also, Princess now takes attendance at muster by scanning your room card. Bring it along...

 

Bon Voyage!

[Jasperdo]

Are there lots of tables for two in nice locations (as opposed to being all close to each other)?

That really varies by ship. I haven't been on the Caribbean Princess, but some ships have nice tables for two. Here's a photo from the Star Princess:

 

Star Princess - Hawaii Cruise by Jasperdo, on Flickr

 

Other ships have most of the tables for two very close together. Here's an example from the Coral Princess:

 

Coral Princess by Jasperdo, on Flickr

[capriccio]

That really varies by ship. I haven't been on the Caribbean Princess, but some ships have nice tables for two. Here's a photo from the Star Princess:

 

Star Princess - Hawaii Cruise by Jasperdo, on Flickr

 

 

We were on a 12 night British Isles cruise on the Caribbean Princess last summer and had anytime dining. The 2 tops we had were like the ones in the Star Princess picture. There may have been 2 top bench seating but we were never directed to that section (thank goodness because I hate those tables).

[OCruisers]

Welcome back to Princess!

We also "sleep around" from time to time ... but it's always good to get back home to Princess. :D

LuLu

[Robkat]

Thanks so much to all for your replies. CC really such a great resource for all of us!

(The photos were especially useful! as they reminded us of the Princess DR's. Extra thanks for those.). :D

[skynight]

We haven't cruised on Princess for about 5 years, so we're sure things are either done differently ... or we've forgotten how they're done on Princess.

 

We're cruising on the Caribbean Princess and we have a couple of questions:

 

Are the cabins normally unavailable until ~1pm on embarkation day? So, you can't get in until afterwards? General boarding normally starts around noon. If you are planning on going from Ft. Lauderdale arrive around 10:30/11:00am. You will wait some and then board. Once on board go directly to your cabin it will be ready. Drop your carry on and start your cruise. In exchange for your cabin being ready when you board you will be requested to depart your cabin on the last morning by 8am and wait in your assigned waiting area. I'm not certain about the arrival timing in Houston if that is where you are sailing from

 

We saw that the main dining room is available for lunch on embark day. Can you tell us what the times are, especially when does it close up? One MDR will be open from noon until 1:30 on boarding day. You also have the option of dining at The International Cafe( a favorite of ours), Deck 5, Trident Grill, Prego Pizza, and THe Horizon Ct./Cafe Caribe buffet on the Lido deck.

 

We're booked into Anytime Dining ... can we make a standing reservation for a specific time? Does Princess tend to put you at the same table each evening (if you show up around the same time) or do they mix things up?

ATD, yes you can make a standing reservation, but reservations are normally accepted for set times, for example 5:45, 6:00, 7:45, 8:00. Each ship is a little different. You can also make a reservation each day by calling the dine line in the morning

 

Are there lots of tables for two in nice locations (as opposed to being all close to each other)? No, not lots of tables for two. It is easier to get a table to share.

 

Are there 5 or 7 bottle wine packages available for purchase onboard? Would anyone have the price of these packages? Probably no wine package if you are taking segments that are less then 7 days. For a 7 day cruise maybe, ask when on board. You can carry on without charge 1 750ml bottle of wine per adult. Additional bottles will be charged a $15 corkage fee when boarding. No spirits or beer.

 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ... we appreciate it. :)

 

See above

[shredie]

CB has a lot of those banquette-type tables for two that have about 8" between them. I think I've seen fewer "good" two-tops on CB that on other ships.

[latebloomer56]

We were on a 12 night British Isles cruise on the Caribbean Princess last summer and had anytime dining. The 2 tops we had were like the ones in the Star Princess picture. There may have been 2 top bench seating but we were never directed to that section (thank goodness because I hate those tables).

Happy to see CB has some of the same set up as the Star. We booked a year in advance and hope to get something like what we had on the Star. If not oh well just because we are close to folks doesn't mean we aren't alone (sort of). This way if we make other plans or are a couple minutes late we are not holding others at the table up. We still try to let our waiter know ( If we do) when we are not coming. That way he doesn't have our drinks sitting there for us :).

Now just keeping my fingers crossed for next month. We are in second seating which is new to us.