First Princess cruise: hints and tips

[TNhome]

We have sailed many times but this will be our first Princess Cruise.  We are sailing on the Star Princess in March to Baja Mexico.  Any tips or cruise hints we should know about with Princess?  We are Elite Plus with Celebrity but wanted to give Princess a try because they do longer cruises.  We are planning an extended cruise in the future and Princess seems to have a more choices when choosing one. Can anyone compare Celebrity to Princess for us?

[snoozecrooze]

Hi and welcome to Princess! 

In terms of Princess cruiser-pooled "secrets" that aren't necessarily officially promoted but are good to know, take a look here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2623467-princess-cruise-secrets-2019/?tab=comments#comment-56548971 There's also a 2018 thread that I think is nice to peruse. 

 

In terms of a comparison between Princess and Celebrity, also take a look here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2690930-princess-vs-celebrity/?tab=comments#comment-58212404

 

There's also a "Star Princess favorites" thread here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2701553-star-princess-favorites/?tab=comments#comment-58780315

 

Personally, I've not been on Celebrity and also not on Star. But her sisters are definitely gems. Some tips I feel are thrown around a lot are:

- take a walk around the full walkaround promenade deck on deck 7

- take a seat in Skywalkers Nightclub at the very top of the stern, which has great views, and should be good for private time during the daytime (potential to be crowded but it depends)

- try out the embarkation lunch in one of the dining rooms if you're interested (should be Portofino on deck 6 midship but do check once onboard) if you prefer a sit-down lunch on your first day

- Alfredo's is not an official venue on the Star (but it's a much-loved Princess pizzeria on many of the other ships in the fleet) but keep your eyes peeled for its opening hours (in Sabatini's, I believe?) in the Patter (and you can also inquire at Sabatini's / Guest Services).

 

Hope this helps a bit (sorry that I have not provided as much cliff notes to grab and go) and wishing you the best in planning!

Edited November 24, 2019 by snoozecrooze

[neverbeenhere]

Specialty dining less cost on Princess. Piazza is the center of a lot on Princess. Just hang out there.  Movies under the stars are a good event. 
 

The Star Princess is Infinity-like compared to newer Princess ships. Very nice, smaller, but missing the New ship feel and amenities. 

[skynight]

I have always enjoyed the Star. It is an older ship, 2002, one of the 3 original Grand Class ships. I can't compare to Celebrity, but here is some information.

If you look at the PDF you can see all the different dining options. The column on the left will mention which options are on the Star. Food in the MDR's is good. No need to use specialty dining unless you enjoy that particular experience. Chef's table seating is limited. They may have one or two during a cruise. No pre-booking. Place your name on the list at passengers services when boarding. Note, the International Cafe has nice sandwich, salads, desserts and other food options, all no charge.

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/food-and-dining/dining-options.pdf

Pools. There are 5 of them. The very popular Terrace Pool aft, and the Lap Pool (not really laps), forward are for adults. Neptune Reef Pool has outdoor movies and other stuff playing most of the day with recent movies in the evening. The Calypso Reef Pool is indoors with a conservatory above. The Oasis Pool area on deck 16 aft is a family pool area, very quiet, not used much.

Entertainment. All shows are walk in, no reservations. Shows and entertainers every evening in the Princess Theater. Arrive early for select seats. Popular production shows and good comics fill at least 30 minutes before showtime. There are also entertainers, such as singers, comics, other in the Vista Lounge, aft. There is live music starting late afternoon in the Piazza. In the evening there is live music in all the lounges, including Crooner's, Wheelhouse Bar, Explorer's Lounge, Vista Lounge. Late evening Skywalker's is a nightclub with a DJ.

There is a nice 360 degree promenade for walking and just sitting. Cushioned seating.

Drinks are moderately priced. Cocktails around $10, straight spirits around $8, beers around $5/6, wines around $12/glass with better wines higher. Around 95% of all beverages on board are menu priced $12 and under, most $10 and under. An 18% gratuity is added to all beverage purchases. Each adult passenger may carry on 1 x 750ml bottle of wine at no charge. This wine is for use in your cabin. Many pour into a glass and carry around the ship. Additional bottles may be carried on and are subject to a $15/bot. corkage. These bottles are marked and can be used anywhere on the ship without additional charge. Beers and spirits are not permitted to be brought on board for use on board. There are no limits, restrictions for non-alcoholic beverages. Bring on as much as you like.

Coffee, Tea, Other. Free coffee is available all day and evening in the buffet. This coffee is prepared from a liquid concentrate, think vending machine. It is ok, but not coffee shop quality. Better brewed coffee as well as specialty espresso drinks are available at the International Cafe. You may want to consider the coffee package. Free tea in the buffet is Twinnings, Lipton and some herbal selections. Free ice tea, lemonade are also available. Specialty teas in the International Cafe are Mighty Leaf.

Cabin. You did not mention the type of cabin. You may find the cabin a little smaller than Celebrity. Balcony cat. cabins and lower do not have a sofa. Mini suites as well as full suites have a sofa. There is plenty of storage with a 6 ft. open closet with wardrobe, plus storage drawers in the dressing table and night stand. Most full sized suitcases fit under the bed. Balcony cat. cabins and lower have smallish showers with curtains and fixed shower heads. Mini and full suites have tubs with shower.

Any additional questions just ask. 

[JF - retired RRT]

11 minutes ago, skynight said:

Note, the International Cafe has nice sandwich, salads, desserts and other food options, all no charge.

 

Coffee, Tea, Other. Free coffee is available all day and evening in the buffet. This coffee is prepared from a liquid concentrate, think vending machine. It is ok, but not coffee shop quality. Better brewed coffee as well as specialty espresso drinks are available at the International Cafe. You may want to consider the coffee package. Free tea in the buffet is Twinings, Lipton and some herbal selections. Free ice tea, lemonade are also available. Specialty teas in the International Cafe are Mighty Leaf.

Just to clarify...the food at the International Cafe is no charge.

The drinks (alcohol, coffee, tea, hot chocolate) at the "Lobby Bar" adjacent to the International Cafe cost $$.

[skynight]

Also, no charge for juice in DR's and buffet during morning hours. Fresh squeezed OJ has a charge. Not many Princess ships have this equipment. Don't remember regarding the Star.

[skynight]

I keep thinking about other tips. This tip is about the Carnival Corp. Shareholder, and the Princess Military benefits. OBC of $100/cabin for the shareholder benefit, and $100/qualified passenger, up to two per cabin for the military benefit. OBC on Princess is stackable. You are not required to select. Refer to the sites below.

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/shareholder-information/shareholder-benefit

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/faq_answer_legal/Military_Personnel_Benefit_US.pdf

[frugaltravel]

I really like the open forward viewing area that is above the bridge.  I go there for sailaway and when the ship comes into a port.  Great unobstructed views.  Even with a balcony like I had on my last cruise, this is a much better place for views than a balcony on one side of the ship.

 

[TNhome]

Thanks so much to each of you! I can always count on cruisecritic members to have great answers! Skynight I did have a question regarding bringing extra wine aboard, so we may bring more than one bottle per person with no problems other than there will be a corkage fee on each of the additional bottles?  Is this fee charged at embarkation or when they open the bottles for us?  To answer a few other questions, we are in a balcony room,  we have booked late seating for dinner, does this conflict with being able to arrive at shows 30 min early for seating?  I still need to read all links sent to us by snooze cruise but will definitely read it all.  Thanks again, please keep those tips coming.  Any food or drinks, or shows we should not miss?

[Cruise Raider]

We're also elite on Celebrity and have sailed twice as often on Princess, 4 of which have been on the Star.  To be honest, I prefer Celebrity but don't sail on them as often as they don't have very much of a selection of cruises out here on the west coast.  

 

Don't get me wrong, Princess is a very good cruiseline and does have many things to rave about.  But, for us, Celebrity hits the mark for our likes.  I would pick a newer ship on Princess if you are looking to compare it to Celebrity.  But, again ... just my opinion.  

 

Things I really love about Princess:

Their beds are awesome!!  

Their specialty restaurants are much more reasonably priced (however, they don't sell them in packages)

They sail out of San Francisco ... that's a big one for me!  

You are allowed to take your own wine onboard and pay $15 corkage on any bottles beyond your 2 bottle limit that are corkage free (provided you consume them in your cabin) 

You can stack your OBC (stock holders, military, future cruise credit, loyalty credit, etc)

The ships with MedallionNet (wifi) sell it at a basement bargain price compared to that on Celebrity

The movie screen up top (referred to as MUTS) is great ...plus, they serve fun food during the evening shows (popcorn, chicken wings, crab cakes, street tacos, etc ...may be dependent on the itinerary) 

Some of the ships have the Medallion and everything that goes with that (I like it, not everyone does) 

Seriously ... did I mention those beds??  Super comfy!!  

 

I won't go into those things I like about Celebrity better, because as an elite+ member on that line, you already know what it is that you like about them.  

 

 

 

 

 

[madelinerose]

Celebrity has glass shower doors. Princess still has shower curtains.

 

Celebrity smoking is restricted to designated outdoor areas only. Princess allows smoking in the casino.

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, TNhome said:

Thanks so much to each of you! I can always count on cruisecritic members to have great answers! Skynight I did have a question regarding bringing extra wine aboard, so we may bring more than one bottle per person with no problems other than there will be a corkage fee on each of the additional bottles?  Is this fee charged at embarkation or when they open the bottles for us?  To answer a few other questions, we are in a balcony room,  we have booked late seating for dinner, does this conflict with being able to arrive at shows 30 min early for seating?  I still need to read all links sent to us by snooze cruise but will definitely read it all.  Thanks again, please keep those tips coming.  Any food or drinks, or shows we should not miss?

 

Yes, you can bring a case of wine and only pay corkage on 10 of them.  You will be asked to visit the wine table just beyond security and pay for the corkage at that time.  They will charge your account and sticker the 10 bottles that you pay the corkage on.  Be sure to pick out the ones you'd like to take to dinner as they won't double charge you for the corkage that way.  If you take a non-stickered bottle into the dining room, they will charge the $15 corkage there.  

I would be amiss to not tell you about the wine packages that they sell on Princess for sailings that are 10 days or longer.  They have a very good wine bottle list and you can purchase a 7, 10 or 12 bottle package at a pretty good discount.  The 12 bottle package comes out to about $33 a bottle with the taxes already added in and you can chose any wine listed under $45 a bottle.  If you chose a bottle that is over the $45 limit, you simply pay the difference.  For instance, Rombauer chardonnay is $55 on the menu so you basically pay $43 for that.  And, if you love this chardonnay, you'd know that you pay about $38 a bottle for it in the store, add the corkage $15 and now it is actually just cheaper to buy it via the package and not have to lug it with you.  

Of course, if the higher end wines are not to your liking, it would be most cost effective to just bring your own.  With the package, we were also allowed to bring a bottle or two back to our room with us.  When we wanted it opened, we stopped by one of the bars and the bar tenders were always more than happy to open it for us.  I think the room steward would also oblige.  I know they always supplied us wine glasses in our room per our request.  

[Cruise Raider]

Just now, madelinerose said:

Celebrity has glass shower doors. Princess still has shower curtains.

 

Celebrity smoking is restricted to designated outdoor areas only. Princess allows smoking in the casino.

 

There are usually non-smoking nights in the casino .. they always seem to coincide with the formal nights.  

[TheRabbit]

1 hour ago, TNhome said:

Thanks so much to each of you! I can always count on cruisecritic members to have great answers! Skynight I did have a question regarding bringing extra wine aboard, so we may bring more than one bottle per person with no problems other than there will be a corkage fee on each of the additional bottles?  Is this fee charged at embarkation or when they open the bottles for us?  To answer a few other questions, we are in a balcony room,  we have booked late seating for dinner, does this conflict with being able to arrive at shows 30 min early for seating?  I still need to read all links sent to us by snooze cruise but will definitely read it all.  Thanks again, please keep those tips coming.  Any food or drinks, or shows we should not miss?

You can bring on all the wine you want. They will give you the corkage label for each bottle paid for (you get one each for free). At that point you can take it anywhere and they will open and serve it for you. We have even done this in the theater with dessert wines.

Here is a link with info I put together bringing wine on board. Don't listen to cruisers saying the only way to bring it on is to carry it. We have brought wine on by the case with a luggage tag taped to it. I go down to the pursers desk after sailing and pay the corkage. When it is delivered to the room, they will place it in your room wherever you want. For us, bottom of the closet works. Put them on their sides and you have a small wine rack and shoes can go on top of the box so no space lost.

 

LINK

 

As for late seating and shows, usually the late show doesn't require you to be there as early to get a seat. If you think there will be a problem, just let your waiter know you want to get to the show early and he/she will get you out on time.

[TheRabbit]

5 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

Of course, if the higher end wines are not to your liking, it would be most cost effective to just bring your own.  With the package, we were also allowed to bring a bottle or two back to our room with us.  When we wanted it opened, we stopped by one of the bars and the bar tenders were always more than happy to open it for us.  I think the room steward would also oblige.  I know they always supplied us wine glasses in our room per our request.  

I have an opener on a pocket knife I bring and have also asked our steward for one.  No Problem. As Cruise Raider indicated, you can stop anywhere and the bar staff will be more than happy to help you.

[Cruise Raider]

33 minutes ago, TheRabbit said:

I have an opener on a pocket knife I bring and have also asked our steward for one.  No Problem. As Cruise Raider indicated, you can stop anywhere and the bar staff will be more than happy to help you.

 

I also usually bring a little travel wine opener but one time, we were on a 7 night sailing and they sold us the package.  This is when I found out they didn't mind opening a bottle at the bar.  They were quite pleasant and jovial about it, actually.  

[skynight]

4 hours ago, TNhome said:

Thanks so much to each of you! I can always count on cruisecritic members to have great answers! Skynight I did have a question regarding bringing extra wine aboard, so we may bring more than one bottle per person with no problems other than there will be a corkage fee on each of the additional bottles?  Is this fee charged at embarkation or when they open the bottles for us?  To answer a few other questions, we are in a balcony room,  we have booked late seating for dinner, does this conflict with being able to arrive at shows 30 min early for seating?  I still need to read all links sent to us by snooze cruise but will definitely read it all.  Thanks again, please keep those tips coming.  Any food or drinks, or shows we should not miss?

Wine, you got the answer.

Shows. Late traditional seating does conflict with evening shows and other activities. I haven't been on the Star in a while, but believe their TD early seatings are 5:00 and 5:15 with the late seating around 7:15 or 7:30. Theater shows are timed so that you would be able to see one of them, but it could be close. There is also some entertainment in the Visa Lounge which could overlap the late seating. Other activities such as marriage game, yes/no game, evening trivia games, will also run during your dining time.

Many years ago we switched to anytime dining. We have found that with anytime we can plan our dining around our evening activities and not the reverse. It works for us.

[jondfk]

Back to the comparisons.  We've sailed both X and Princess, I can easily imagine adopting either as a favorite, what tilted it towards Princess for us were the much greater variety of longer (10+ day itineraries).  Princess has scads of them to all parts of the world.  X and most others focus on week long voyages with a very limited number of exceptions.  

 

That said, I won't deny that we've found food (highly subjective I realize) and service to be at a noticeably higher standard on X.  Whether this matters is a personal thing, and as I say, we've become very focused on Princess on the basis of itineraries.  You'll find folks talk a lot about the inconsistencies ship to ship which we've witnessed.  To the greatest extent though we've found Princess 'comfortable' in it's practices.

 

Star, as others have written, is a great early build example of Princess Grand class ships.  She is notable for her lower passenger count (than others in the series) and the elevated Skywalker lounge aft high over the sea.  We've sailed her repeatedly and have only positive memories.  That said, she is coming up on 20 years old and much has moved on (for all cruise lines) in that time.  You might find her just a bit dated and she is undeniably less glitzy that the newer Princess Royal class ships.

[kiwichick62]

Thanks for all the tips everyone 😊  I will be on Sky Princess in April, my first cruise with Princess.  My last cruise was on Celebrity Solstice which we enjoyed a lot.

[TeaBag]

Very interesting thread.  Thank you everyone for your suggestions and tips.We, too are Elite + with Celebrity and we have now booked 2 cruises with Princess.  That being said, you can book longer cruises with Celebrity by doing B2B2B's  We have sailed 46 days and 37 that way.  The reason we are booking Princess is that Celebrity has pulled out of the Middle East for 2021 and we want to sail Singapore to Rome, a cruise we had booked 2 years ago on the Constellation and had to cancel.

[Thrak]

I agree about the late dining messing with activities. We gave it up. Early dining is like "daycare" timing and late dining kept us from hitting the late show, the games, etc. We switched to Anytime Dining and it works much better for us.

[TheRabbit]

4 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

I also usually bring a little travel wine opener but one time, we were on a 7 night sailing and they sold us the package.  This is when I found out they didn't mind opening a bottle at the bar.  They were quite pleasant and jovial about it, actually.  

That has been my experience. Once we would show them the bottle, they would happily take it with a smile and were back in a minute with glasses and the bottle opened.

[Thrak]

We have had stewards who saw our wine in the cabin and, the next thing we knew, there were wine glasses in the cabin. Very nice. We have also had stewards who didn't do this. On our last cruise we actually had the worst steward we have ever had (usually they are great but this guy was terrible) and were luck to get glasses of any kind. Twice we had to ask for bathroom glasses... We stopped by Explorers and asked for wine glasses for our cabin. Not a problem. Knowing how our steward was we rinsed them and hid them in a cupboard so we would have them on subsequent days as well.

[debsjc]

This is a really useful thread, we are new to Princess as well. Most of our previous cruises have been on HAL, with 3 on Oceania, and a couple on NCL.

Can you only get complimentary fruit juice at breakfast time? On HAL you can request it at lunch time in the buffet, and in the MDR any time.

 

 

[snoozecrooze]

8 minutes ago, debsjc said:

Can you only get complimentary fruit juice at breakfast time? On HAL you can request it at lunch time in the buffet, and in the MDR any time.

As far as I know (and I hope someone can correct me if I'm wrong), if you have no drinks package, then the only free "fruit juice" you can get throughout the day is lemonade whenever the buffet is open. Fresh fruit juices are indeed, only complimentary during breakfast (buffet/MDR). In my experience, if you're on a ship outfitted with the World Fresh Marketplace buffet (Emerald, Caribbean, Sky, Majestic), then you should have more choices for free fruit juices that you can grab and go (as opposed to needing to ask). But this is definitely just from my memory/assumptions.

 

There's also iced tea from the dispensers and you can customize that as much as you would like (such as through lemon slices).