New to Princess - A few questions

[cruisefan2012]

Hello

 

I`m sorry if these questions have been asked before but I`m new to Princess, previously having sailed 6x with P&O UK...

 

I`m sailing on Coral Princess from Vancouver to Alaska in September 2017 with my parents

 

We have both sailed previously with P&O and are aware we can pay tips/gratuities in advance - Is it possible to opt out of paying them on the ship... Tipping those who we feel are deserving...

 

Whilst I`m happy to go along with the dress code for the evening, my mother isnt so struck on the idea, is the dress code adhered to in the buffet restaurant on the ship and in the anytime/freedom dining restaurant?...

 

Also can anyone that has sailed on Coral Princess tell me anything more about the ship? She seems to me to be the perfect size for a 7 night Alaska cruise

[Thrak]

Hello

 

I`m sorry if these questions have been asked before but I`m new to Princess, previously having sailed 6x with P&O UK...

 

I`m sailing on Coral Princess from Vancouver to Alaska in September 2017 with my parents

 

We have both sailed previously with P&O and are aware we can pay tips/gratuities in advance - Is it possible to opt out of paying them on the ship... Tipping those who we feel are deserving...

 

Whilst I`m happy to go along with the dress code for the evening, my mother isnt so struck on the idea, is the dress code adhered to in the buffet restaurant on the ship and in the anytime/freedom dining restaurant?...

 

Also can anyone that has sailed on Coral Princess tell me anything more about the ship? She seems to me to be the perfect size for a 7 night Alaska cruise

 

Coral is a wonderful ship. We love her and there are great viewing areas both fore and aft.

 

Tips can always be "turned off" but be aware that most folks will say if the auto tip is removed then any and all tips you make to select staff MUST be turned in and applied to the pool. The result is that your selected staff won't get to keep the tip and the overall pool will be depleted so the effect is that the staff you wanted to tip end up with less in the end.

 

The "smart casual" dress code for the evening (6 PM onward) applies to most of the ship as far as wandering around. It doesn't apply to Lido deck (MUTS and pool area). The dress code for dining doesn't apply to the buffet but, there again, that is up on Lido deck.

 

Formal night attire doesn't apply to the buffet or the specialty dining venues. However, the specialty dining venues are not up on Lido deck and the "smart casual" attire applies.

 

It really isn't that difficult to dress "nicely" in the evening. As I said, there is no need if you are up on the pool deck to swim, watch MUTS, eat in the buffet, grab a burger or slice of pizza, etc. but, on the rest of the ship, you will pretty much "stand out" if you are running around in shorts, tee shirt, etc. after 6 PM.

Edited October 12, 2016 by Thrak

[OCruisers]

Coral Princess is a wonderful ship and a great choice for Alaska.

 

The dress codes are "suggested". The anytime dining room has the same dress code as the traditional dining room.

 

It's so much easier to do the auto-tip so you are covering all who should be tipped.

 

Enjoy your cruise. :)

[cruisefan2012]

Much like P&O UK

 

Thank you both for your replies

[skynight]

Hello

 

I`m sorry if these questions have been asked before but I`m new to Princess, previously having sailed 6x with P&O UK...

 

I`m sailing on Coral Princess from Vancouver to Alaska in September 2017 with my parents

 

We have both sailed previously with P&O and are aware we can pay tips/gratuities in advance - Is it possible to opt out of paying them on the ship... Tipping those who we feel are deserving...

First - you can pre-pay the hotel charge, but it isn't required. If you don't pre-pay then the charge will be posted each evening to each passenger's on board account.

The question about opting out comes up frequently with UK residents. You can go to the customer service desk and request that the daily hotel charge be removed, but it is not recommended. Suggest you read this FAQ: http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/onboard/experience.jsp.

If you do opt out and tip to certain individuals that you see, for example the cabin steward, that staff member is supposed to turn in the cash tip so that it can be shared among all the service you while on board, those you see and those you don't see. So the person you think you are tipping is not really getting to keep the entire tip.

The auto tip is one method of leveling the tipping process between different practices in different countries.

Whilst I`m happy to go along with the dress code for the evening, my mother isnt so struck on the idea, is the dress code adhered to in the buffet restaurant on the ship and in the anytime/freedom dining restaurant?...

The two dress codes are smart casual and formal. These are only for the DR's which includes the traditional DR AND the Anytime DR's. Both traditional and Anytime have the same dress codes and same menus. Specialty restaurants are smart casual every night The buffet and othere locations on the ship are casual all the time. It is difficult to imagine that your mother will not be dressed in smart casual unless she is in shorts and a "T" shirt or tank top.

For formal nights a nice dress or slacks with a nice top is suitable. No need for gowns.

Also can anyone that has sailed on Coral Princess tell me anything more about the ship? She seems to me to be the perfect size for a 7 night Alaska cruise

Great Cruise ship for Alaska. Have been on it a number of times.

See above

[WupperAV]

You will really standout in AK in shorts. It Frosts in September and is usually cold, 20s at night. On the water it will feel cold at 50. Right now its 45 day and 35 night in Anchorage and it's close to water which makes it feel colder.

[Cruisin' Chick]

It's best to let the auto-grats stay on your account (whether you prepay or let each day's charge be posted to your folio). After all, do you want to carry around currency on you, when it's basically a cashless system for your convenience? the auto-grat takes care of everyone behind the scenes too, so those people who normally are given a share will be stiffed. That's why the waiter or cabin steward you give cash to are required to turn in the cash to their supervisor...and they will end up with less money.

 

As stated, the traditional and anytime dining rooms follow the dress code (smart casual on some, formal on others -- the schedule will be on the Patter on the first day). You can find out how many of each by going to the cruise answer place (the FAQs) on the princess website...it usually goes by the number of nights of the cruise. Specialty restaurants are smart casual, but sometimes passengers celebrating a special occasion may dress up more than that.

 

If you go the casual route and eat at the poolside venues or at the buffet (the Horizon), you're not required to stay away from the other areas of the ship. You can still go to the shows, casino, etc. without dressing up. But I find the internal of the ship to be a bit cool. I just wouldn't go to those areas in a swimming suit as the dress codes want you to be more covered up inside the ship.

 

You can find out more about the coral on the princess website.

[cruisefan2012]

Wont be wearing shorts in September in Alaska !!

[hel0013]

You will really standout in AK in shorts. It Frosts in September and is usually cold, 20s at night. On the water it will feel cold at 50. Right now its 45 day and 35 night in Anchorage and it's close to water which makes it feel colder.

 

Oh you southerners are so wussy... :D

 

Us Canucks will still be in shorts & flip-flops tanning by the pool. :D

[OCruisers]

Much like P&O UK

 

Thank you both for your replies

 

That's what our Brit cruise pals tell us ... P&O UK is very much like Princess.

Lot's of UK folks cruise on Princess so you should feel very much "at home".

Look forward to having a wonderful cruise! :)

[cruisefan2012]

OCruisers

 

Thank you

 

Cruisefan2012

[Cruise Raider]

Oh you southerners are so wussy... :D

 

Us Canucks will still be in shorts & flip-flops tanning by the pool. :D

 

I am with you ... we have taken and worn shorts on every cruise up to Alaska in September save one that was very chilly.

Before getting all up in arms ... no, not to dinner but during the day, for sure! Once, I didn't put a jacket on one time but used an entire tube of sunblock throughout the 11 days.

[TravelingEA]

The "smart casual" dress code for the evening (6 PM onward) applies to most of the ship as far as wandering around. It doesn't apply to Lido deck (MUTS and pool area). The dress code for dining doesn't apply to the buffet but, there again, that is up on Lido deck.

 

This is the first I have heard this. I thought the "smart casual" is for those eating in the dining rooms or specialty restaurants. I have seen many pair of blue jeans on the ship after 6 pm, just not in the dining room.

[Cruisin' Chick]

The "smart casual" dress code for the evening (6 PM onward) applies to most of the ship as far as wandering around. It doesn't apply to Lido deck (MUTS and pool area). The dress code for dining doesn't apply to the buffet but, there again, that is up on Lido deck.

 

This is the first I have heard this. I thought the "smart casual" is for those eating in the dining rooms or specialty restaurants. I have seen many pair of blue jeans on the ship after 6 pm, just not in the dining room.

 

there's been some cruiselines where a certain dress code was required for anywhere in the public area of the ship and maybe even on Princess at some time. I remember a discussion on CC about the wearing of shorts being discouraged after 6pm on HAL ships...maybe that's a thing of the past too.

[Lucky TGO]

Coral is a wonderful ship. We love her and there are great viewing areas both fore and aft.

 

Tips can always be "turned off" but be aware that most folks will say if the auto tip is removed then any and all tips you make to select staff MUST be turned in and applied to the pool. The result is that your selected staff won't get to keep the tip and the overall pool will be depleted so the effect is that the staff you wanted to tip end up with less in the end.

 

The "smart casual" dress code for the evening (6 PM onward) applies to most of the ship as far as wandering around. It doesn't apply to Lido deck (MUTS and pool area). The dress code for dining doesn't apply to the buffet but, there again, that is up on Lido deck.

 

Formal night attire doesn't apply to the buffet or the specialty dining venues. However, the specialty dining venues are not up on Lido deck and the "smart casual" attire applies.

 

It really isn't that difficult to dress "nicely" in the evening. As I said, there is no need if you are up on the pool deck to swim, watch MUTS, eat in the buffet, grab a burger or slice of pizza, etc. but, on the rest of the ship, you will pretty much "stand out" if you are running around in shorts, tee shirt, etc. after 6 PM.

Thrak Great answer I totally agree with you.

Tony

[camper49]

Wont be wearing shorts in September in Alaska !!

 

Maybe the first of June...I hope😊