First Princess cruise - any extra charges

[oceansandseas]

Sailing on Grand Princess later this month. First Princess cruise but have sailed many days with Cunard, Oceania and Seabourn.

 

What are the extra charges? Gratuities of course. Also excursions and liquor and casino.

 

Is there a charge for ice cream during the day and is it available? I hope that it is not soft ice cream. I do not drink soda pop. Is there a place to get juice, lemonade or tea and coffee during the day. If I go to a dance club in the evening would I be able to get a juice or ice water without charge. I do not drink alcohol. Are there any parties where the cruise line buys the drinks. DH will have a drink occasionally.

 

Do they charge for bottled water. I usually just drink what comes out of the tap though. Other than small tip, any charge for room service, even in the wee hours of the morning?

 

Anything else that might be different than other lines I have sailed with? Anything that is good to know?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[fishywood]

Try to answer all or at least many of your points in order:

 

• Soft-serve ice cream available at no charge from the stand on the Lido deck between 11 AM and 11 PM. Scooped ice cream is available at lunch and dinner in the main dining rooms.
   
  
• Horizon Court has complementary tea, coffee and ice tea throughout the day. No juices or flavored water at the beverage stations. Various fruit juices can be requested at breakfast service in the dining room and Horizon Court for no charge.
  
• Lemonade is free for the asking only from servers in the Horizon Court and poolside during the daytime. Not available in the main dining rooms.
  
• You can also purchase a "coffee card" giving you unlimited brewed coffee from the International Cafe (not reconstituted syrup like in the Horizon Court) and 15 specialty coffees at a discount.
   
  
• From the bars and lounges you can get a free glass of water; juices and mixers will carry a charge similar to soda.
   
  
• Since this is your first Princess cruise you will not be invited to a Captain's Circle cocktail party; only free adult beverages you will likely encounter will be the champagne waterfall on the first formal night.
   
  
• Bottled water is not complimentary; you will be charged if you open the 1.5 liter bottle on the table in your stateroom (as you will be if you consume any canned drinks in your fridge). Bottles also can be purchased from bars and at the gangway at many ports. And there is a bottled water package you can pre-order in your cruise personalizer: a 12 pack of half-liter bottles for $6.90.
  
• No late night surcharge for room service as on some other lines; only time you would incur any charge is if you ordered a whole pizza to your room.
  

 

But if you are sailing in a full suite (not a mini-suite) you will have a complimentary mini-bar set-up in your cabin.

Edited March 7, 2016 by fishywood

[GUT2407]

And excursions, specialty restaurants that sort of thing.

 

The soda and more package is similar to Cunard's but includes a few extras such as virgin cocktails.

[wishfulone]

Sailing on Grand Princess later this month. First Princess cruise but have sailed many days with Cunard, Oceania and Seabourn.

 

What are the extra charges? Gratuities of course. Also excursions and liquor and casino.

 

Is there a charge for ice cream during the day and is it available? I hope that it is not soft ice cream. I do not drink soda pop. Is there a place to get juice, lemonade or tea and coffee during the day. If I go to a dance club in the evening would I be able to get a juice or ice water without charge. I do not drink alcohol. Are there any parties where the cruise line buys the drinks. DH will have a drink occasionally.

 

Do they charge for bottled water. I usually just drink what comes out of the tap though. Other than small tip, any charge for room service, even in the wee hours of the morning?

 

Anything else that might be different than other lines I have sailed with? Anything that is good to know?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Some of the Princess ships have introduced New Zealand Natural instead of the soft serve ice cream. Beautiful apparently but it is not free. $5 AUD a scoop on the Dawn Princess out of Sydney this summer.

[Potstech]

If there are specific non alcoholic drinks that you would prefer bring them on the ship with you. Princess allows cruisers to bring their own sodas, juices and water on board at no additional charge. You can either carry them on with you or wrap them up to prevent breakage and put a luggage tag on them to be delivered to your cabin with your luggage. Tap water on the ship is excellent so bring a sports bottle to use to have water anytime and place you wish

[JF - retired RRT]

On our first cruise there was a "party" (in the theater...more a sales pitch for Princess) and all who attended were given a coupon for a free drink.

[orcoastcruiser]

I heard that Sanctuary was extra?

[Colo Cruiser]

I heard that Sanctuary was extra?

 

$20 half day $40 full day.

[tomko2]

$20 half day $40 full day.

 

Is there a pool in the Sanctuary? Is there any pool under cover? Friends are going on a TA this spring and wondering if they should bring bathing suits.

thank you.

Edited March 10, 2016 by tomko2

[orcoastcruiser]

Is there any other adult only area besides Sanctuary?

[fishywood]

Is there a pool in the Sanctuary? Is there any pool under cover? Friends are going on a TA this spring and wondering if they should bring bathing suits.

thank you.

 

Though seemingly in the same contiguous area the Lotus Spa pool is not part of the Sanctuary and is open to all, though nominally adults only.

 

None of the ships doing Transatlantics this spring (Royal, Regal, Emerald, Caribbean) have indoor pools. My guess is that if your friends leave their bathing suits at home the weather will be nice and sunny; if they bring them, overcast and windy.

Edited March 10, 2016 by fishywood

[fishywood]

Is there any other adult only area besides Sanctuary?

 

On Caribbean Princess the aft pool is posted as adults only. Enforcement is another story...

[VictoriaSquared]

Sailing on Grand Princess later this month. First Princess cruise but have sailed many days with Cunard, Oceania and Seabourn.

 

What are the extra charges? Gratuities of course. Also excursions and liquor and casino.

 

Is there a charge for ice cream during the day and is it available? I hope that it is not soft ice cream. I do not drink soda pop. Is there a place to get juice, lemonade or tea and coffee during the day. If I go to a dance club in the evening would I be able to get a juice or ice water without charge. I do not drink alcohol. Are there any parties where the cruise line buys the drinks. DH will have a drink occasionally.

 

Do they charge for bottled water. I usually just drink what comes out of the tap though. Other than small tip, any charge for room service, even in the wee hours of the morning?

 

Anything else that might be different than other lines I have sailed with? Anything that is good to know?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

Just to add that in addition to the soft serve ice cream available on Lido deck, there is also sugar free scoop-serve ice cream. Usually only one flavour available but very yummy.

[Lucky TGO]

Though seemingly in the same contiguous area the Lotus Spa pool is not part of the Sanctuary and is open to all, though nominally adults only.

 

None of the ships doing Transatlantics this spring (Royal, Regal, Emerald, Caribbean) have indoor pools. My guess is that if your friends leave their bathing suits at home the weather will be nice and sunny; if they bring them, overcast and windy.

 

The Royal and Regal have The Enclave it's a great Therapy pool Spa & Salon.

I don't know what the price is to use it sorry.

Tony

[Pam in CA]

Is there a pool in the Sanctuary? Is there any pool under cover? Friends are going on a TA this spring and wondering if they should bring bathing suits.

 

thank you.

The only Princess ship with a pool in the Sanctuary is the Coral Princess. None of the other ship Sanctuaries have a pool.

[OzKiwiJJ]

The only Princess ship with a pool in the Sanctuary is the Coral Princess. None of the other ship Sanctuaries have a pool.

 

Sun, Sea and Dawn have "splash" pools. About 10 inches deep - if you're lucky, but enough to get wet in on a hot day if you're determined enough like me. :D

[tomko2]

Though seemingly in the same contiguous area the Lotus Spa pool is not part of the Sanctuary and is open to all, though nominally adults only.

 

None of the ships doing Transatlantics this spring (Royal, Regal, Emerald, Caribbean) have indoor pools. My guess is that if your friends leave their bathing suits at home the weather will be nice and sunny; if they bring them, overcast and windy.

 

Thank you. :)

Yes, I can well imagine Murphy's law would prevail if they didn't take their bathing suits.