New Princess Policy

[lolane1]

Well, on one cruise, DW thought the Staff Captain was cute ...

 

Sign me up.

[pablo222]

The gratuitous and rather snide remark about the "uber-elite" is quite a misinterpretation of how those were chosen to visit the bridge.

 

As I mentioned, I was invited upon reaching 50 cruise with princess.

I don't view myself as 'uber-elite', but I can see how one might.

 

We got an invitation 5-6 years ago -- I think the PSD set it up.

One of the gents on 'VIP' tour had written a book, and signed a

copy for the captain.

 

I viewed him as 'uber-pompous'.

[pablo222]

Hi All

Bridge tours selection,

A very nice letter to the captain may be a golden wedding, 100 birthday etc

Being connected to Princess shore side staff etc from head office

Being an old sea dog, captain from merchant navy a harbour pilot

Getting married on board and being invited by captain

Doing a lot of cruises

Being friends of captain or senior crew

 

Being a celebrity, and/or swimsuit model.

[srpilo]

Very limited private bridge tours on Princess ships have been offered at no cost for years at the approval of the Captain. Generally they have been offered on sea days.

 

The actual tour usually was given by one of the junior bridge officers. Occasionally the captain personally gave the tour. Those on the bridge tours were requested to keep the matter confidential.

 

I agree, I toured the bridge on the Grand in 2011

 

Srpilo

[dmwnc1959]

Years ago, anyone could go do the bridge tour without a fee. Of course, ships were smaller then and there were no safety concerns. I did it a few times and thought it was interesting, but I wouldn't pay $50 for it.

 

 

I'm not sure I would pay $50 either, though I did spend most of my 12-year Navy career as a Quartermaster on the bridge of many ships. However, the vantage point does make for some good pictures. ;)

 

Captain Dino Sagani hosted our Royal Princess bridge tour, and 2nd Officer Luigi Starace took over after he left.

 

Here are some pictures...

 

 

:D

[PoohUnderstands]

Also, when we did the Ultimate Ship Tour on the Coral, when we visited the bridge, not only was the Captain there to speak to us, but right after the tour we went into his conference room area and had non-alcoholic drinks and refreshments and had about a 15 minute or so question and answer period. That was enjoyable. I too highly recommend this tour and well worth the price. Would only do the one time, but really so worth it. It is limited, so if you are interested, go straight to the purser's and sign up even before going to lunch or your room when you embark.

 

Pooh

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

I'm not sure I would pay $50 either, though I did spend most of my 12-year Navy career as a Quartermaster on the bridge of many ships. However, the vantage point does make for some good pictures. ;)

 

Captain Dino Sagani hosted our Royal Princess bridge tour, and 2nd Officer Luigi Starace took over after he left.

 

Here are some pictures...

 

 

:D

 

I agree. As nice as a tour of the bridge is there are few differences that would make me pay the $50 fee. For the first time cruiser it might be an experience to remember.

[Shogun]

Hi pablo222

 

So if l wear a bikini l have a better chance of a bridge tour,

 

And l thought wearing a kilt would be enough for an invite

 

Yours Shogun

 

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Forums mobile app

[goodie2shoes]

In 2008 we were on the Tahitian Princess for our first cruise to Alaska. It was a 14 night cruise, and to this day I wish it was still available. Near the end of the cruise they auctioned off the Chart of our cruise that had been prepared by the Bridge Staff. I purchased that chart. After all the details of paying for it were completed (this is one item that could not be charged to your ship card) we were approached and invited to meet the Captain on the Bridge that evening before dinner. It was formal night, so we were all well dressed. We were conducted to the Bridge where the Captain and other officers showed us all the instruments and talked about what they were doing and seeing. There were just the three of us, me, my husband, and our adult daughter. Needless to say, it was the experience of a lifetime, and I will never forget it. The pictures we have with the Captain are wonderful with us all looking our best. Sadly things like that don't happen much any more. I think of it every time I look at the chart that is mounted and hanging on my office wall. What a wonderful memory.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I did the Ultimate Ship Tour on the Caribbean Princess a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I don't think a tour of the bridge is worth $50. As discussed above, the bridge tours used by free when the ships were smaller and there were fewer security concerns.

 

I have taken similar "behind the scene" tours with other lines (Allure of the Seas, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth), but think the Princess Ultimate Ship Tour was the best.

 

Chuck

[pablo222]

Hi pablo222

 

So if l wear a bikini l have a better chance of a bridge tour,

 

If you post a picture, I will be happy to offer my opinion. :)

[jak378]

m pretty sure that bridge tours at no cost were found on all lines prior to the heightened security caused by the events of 9/11. I remember touring bridges on Princess, HAL, Costa and the now defunct Regency Cruise lines. Somewhere I have a photo of myself standing at the helm wearing an imitation Captain's hat. The bridge on the Regent Sea of Regency cruises may have been the most interesting since it was an older ship with a lot of stuff that dated back to the 50's at least.

 

On a Regal Princess cruise last December my wife and I took the Ultimate Ship Tour. If it is offered, I highly recommend it. It visits the Backstage area of the Theatre, Kitchen, Engine Control Room, Photo Shop, Print Shop, Laundry, Anchor Locker and Bridge. Security does join before getting to the Anchor Locker and also accompanies .to the Bridge. They serve sweet snacks in the kitchen, and the Captain greets the tour on the Bridge with Champaign and soft drinks. After he welcomes everyone he does turn the group over to one of the Second Officers, a very knowledgeable person. It is limited to a small group, 12 to 16 or so and is well worth the 150 bucks. A photographer accompanies the tour and 6 or 8 photos are delivered to you cabin a day late, along with a premium robe, picture frame and a Princess apron. If you decide to go sign up early at the Passenger Serviced Desk.

[FraudBroad]

I've been on the bridge of a Princess ship two times. Once as part of the Ultimate Ship Tour (Golden) and once by invitation. I believe I was invited the second time because I'd set up the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet twice on that particular ship and had gotten to know the Hotel Director from both cruises.

 

That being said, every time I've sailed on an NCL ship I've been invited on a tour of the bridge. They do this for all of their passengers who attend the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet.

 

And in the end...they ALL LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME :):):)

[Cruise Junky]

We were invited in 2006 on Sea Princess. We were in a suite

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DrivesLikeMario]

I don't think the Ships Bridge has been able to be toured for years now other than on the "Ultimate Ships Tour" which has been priced at $150 per person so $50 for the bridge only might satisfy some of the demand. What with ships carrying 2, 3, 4 thousand passengers (and more) coupled with short 3, 4 & 5 day cruises, a free Bridge tour on each cruise would have lineups that rival the gangway lineup after the first announcement that everyone is clear to go ashore after arriving in port!

 

Terry

 

We were invited to a private bridge tour not too long ago, so yes, they still do it. This "new" policy is news to me though. Maybe we won't get invited for free in the future.

[TomCruises]

In the past it was an honor to be among those few selected to tour the bridge of a Princess ship. Those selected to tour the bridge were asked not to discuss it with other passengers, most did not.

 

We learned this week that Princess has changed its policy. Now anyone can tour the bridge for a fee of $50. On our cruise this week on the Crown Princess, the new tour was advertised in the Princess Patter.

 

We discussed the change with the Hotel General Manager and he verified the policy change and said it would roll out fleet wide.

 

If you would like to tour the bridge, check the Patter on your next cruise and be prepared to pay $50 per person.

 

The "Ship Tour" is available for $150.00 which is quite extensive.Also includes lots of gifts.

[Wehwalt]

I wonder how wide they mean by "fleet wide". The Pacific and Ocean do not offer the UST. Wonder if they'll offer this.

[mammajamma2013]

In the past it was an honor to be among those few selected to tour the bridge of a Princess ship. Those selected to tour the bridge were asked not to discuss it with other passengers, most did not.

 

We did the Ultimate Ship Tour on the Grand this past August - very enjoyable! We signed up as soon as we got on board and had eight people in our group. Thanks for posting this information!

[Woobstr112G]

Tagged along with BIL on the Diamond. He and his DW were invited because they were in the Grand suite. His DW didn't want to go so I took her spot. While nice, I do not think I'd pay $50.00 to do it.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Max49]

Originally Posted by Shogun View Post

Hi All

Bridge tours selection,

A very nice letter to the captain may be a golden wedding, 100 birthday etc

Being connected to Princess shore side staff etc from head office

Being an old sea dog, captain from merchant navy a harbour pilot

Getting married on board and being invited by captain

Doing a lot of cruises

Being friends of captain or senior crew

Being a celebrity, and/or swimsuit model.

 

Being a Moldovan Dancer Girlfriend of the Captain;)

__________________

[LabGuy64]

You know....I kind of like the mystique of being invited to exclusive tour only open to a select few....rather than one open to anyone with 50 bucks...the first was adds to the charm of the cruising experiance....and the experianced cruisers....hearing rumors of the exclusive tour could always hope that they might get the invite each time they cruised.

 

It does require a lot of planning, and there is one person who is in charge of it. It isn't always difficult to get on them, when I was on the Ruby last January B2B2B on the Getaways promotion (where you got your fare back as a credit) the first two (five and four days) they did not have enough people and on the third (five days) they barely made the minimum of six.

[KruzeKrazy!]

We were invited on our very first Princess cruise - on the CB. It was just my DW and me.

 

We had security escort us there, met with the Captain and GM, and spent more than an hour with a bridge officer showing us everything on the bridge and how it works, answering all our questions, taking photos including them taking some of just us, wandering all over from one side to the other, and general observing the goings on.

 

It was fascinating and a wonderful surprise we'll never forget and presume we won't get to experience again.

Edited January 22, 2015 by KruzeKrazy!

[Homosassa]

Over the years, starting in 1976, we have taken many bridge tours. The only interesting thing about the tours at this point is to compare the new technology

to the older procedures.

 

My best tour to date was the tour with refreshment in the Captain's quarters after the tour.

 

I am not a uber elite. We sail in our preferred inside cabins, are not personal friends with on board staff, written a letter, etc.

 

In one case, I think we were asked because of the conversation we had with a staff member about our memories of Princess Cay before it was Princess Cay with the original cruise line that offered a beach day at the then deserted strip of beach (only the still existing pit toilets were there) and we had to wade ashore from the open life boats used as tenders.

 

We had other "historical" stories of our experiences and we were asked to share them.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

In one case, I think we were asked because of the conversation we had with a staff member about our memories of Princess Cay before it was Princess Cay with the original cruise line that offered a beach day at the then deserted strip of beach (only the still existing pit toilets were there) and we had to wade ashore from the open life boats used as tenders.

 

What was Princess Cays called in those days?

I can envision people climbing out of the tenders to get ashore. :D It must have taken them a 1/2 hour per load to get the people off.

[Wehwalt]

You know....I kind of like the mystique of being invited to exclusive tour only open to a select few....rather than one open to anyone with 50 bucks...the first was adds to the charm of the cruising experiance....and the experianced cruisers....hearing rumors of the exclusive tour could always hope that they might get the invite each time they cruised.

 

I'm not sure I want it every time I cruise. I certainly enjoy seeing the bridge, and left with reluctance both times, but having it every time would make it less special. Ho hum, sea day, is this the day of the wine tasting or the bridge tour?