First time Princess cruiser with many questions!

[tampabrat22]

Hi everyone,

We will be sailing on the Sky Princess Feb 19th for my birthday! We're avid cruisers but have spent the past 20 years on Disney, Royal & Carnival with our kids and extended family. The kids are grown now so this cruise is just for us, first cruise without a crew with us. I've been dreaming of sailing on a Princess ship since I was mesmerized by every episode of the Love Boat as a child.🥰  I am enjoying all the helpful posts here but have some questions and I'm hoping someone may know the answers.

 

-What nights are the dress up nights on a 7 day?

-Is there a bar/lounge that might be playing sports (All Star Basketball game)?

-Do I need to reserve my dining times now? We don't want a set time, we'd like to choose when to go each night.

-Is the Ultimate Balcony Dining canceled right now (for breakfast)?

-Are we allowed to bring a bottle of wine onboard?

-Do they sell a day pass to the thermal suites?

 

We have downloaded the apps and are Green Lane ready, our Medallions are on the way and I've submitted my shareholder benefit request via email. I just need to figure out the small stuff. Any tips would be appreciated.🙂

 

 

 

[DCThunder]

HI there...

 

Based on my recent experience on Enchanted Princess (sister ship to Sky Princess), I can answer a couple of these questions:

 

• You can bring one bottle of wine aboard to consume in the stateroom free of charge. Additional bottles are charged a corkage fee.  That should be on the Princess app somewhere.  When I bought some rum in Barbados, they held it until I was packing to disembark so it couldn't be consumed.
• There is no "sports bar" per se, although they showed NFL playoff games on the big movie screen on the Lido Deck.  There are some TVs in the Casino that were playing the Australian Open tennis and what looked like rugby at other times.  
• Go to the Medallion App.  It has all the info on making dinner reservations, both at the dining rooms and specialty restaurants.
• We had two formal nights on a 10 day cruise.  The first one was on the first se day (Day 3) and the second one was on Day 8 (another sea day).  On my cruise at least, it wasn't all that formal, a sport coat for men was sufficient.

I can't help you with the spa question and I never heard about Ultimate Balcony dining, although perhaps that was something for the Elite passengers.  I'm not at that level yet.

 

I loved Enchanted Princess, so I hope you like the Sky.

[skynight]

Wine. Further info. It's 1 x 750ml bottle per adult passenger no charge to be consumed in your cabin. If the bottle is brought to a public area it is subject to the $20 corkage fee. Additional bottles can be brought on board and are subject to the $20 corkage when boarding. 

[skynight]

Formal. Most likely the 21st & 24th, sea days.

[Moondogy]

Formal nights for 7day cruise from all the ones we have done were the 1st and last sea days. Also, if either or both in cabin are us or Canadian veterans be sure to get the onboard credit 🙂 all of our last cruises we just walk up to the dinning room and said we wanted a table for 2 to share...Next cruise will be our first with the new and improved? app.....lol

[Coffeeluvr05]

Formal nights will always (I'm sure someone will correct me because there is probably some exception to this somewhere) be on a sea day.  

 

The Sky is a great ship!  We sailed on her on our first transatlantic from Spain in 2019 and loved it!  You can schedule your dining time for each day as you like on the MedallionClass app.  If you have Princess Plus or if you purchased the PBP you can order drinks (including specialty coffees in the AM) from your room or anywhere on the ship.  Think enjoying coffee in your robe on your balcony!  

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[nini]

From what I have read and observed, just be aware that the "vibe" will be more subdued and not so "flashy", which is just one of the characteristics we love about Princess. The "Piazza" area is very open and bright., offering many opportunities to gather, eat, drink and be entertained.

 

If you booked with the "Princess Plus", then you do not need to worry about bringing wine onboard, unless you have a particular favorite that you can't live without. After you do the math, the Princess Plus is very cost effective (at least for us), and we do not really drink much.

[Phantom of the Seas]

If you can....book Princess plus with CC Mini Suite......won’t have to worry about a thing!

[dreaminofcruisin]

4 hours ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

Formal nights will always (I'm sure someone will correct me because there is probably some exception to this somewhere) be on a sea day.  

Enjoy your cruise!

 

The exception🙂 is that it will never (as I understand it) be the night before disembarkation. If that is the only other sea day, it will be some port day which is often difficult to figure out which one, so best to ask others who have taken that particular itinerary.

Edited February 7, 2022 by dreaminofcruisin

[Loverofdogs]

You will have the BEST Captain of all the a Princess ships!!    Captain Tuvo or Captain Bye Bye as you will learn to know him by.  We have had him two times as the captain of the ship and he is absolutely wonderful and funny!!  He will be walking around and loves to talk to the passengers. Enjoy your cruise and hope you will enjoy Sky Princess. We have sailed on her twice and booked to sail on her next January. 

[capriccio]

11 hours ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

Formal nights will always (I'm sure someone will correct me because there is probably some exception to this somewhere) be on a sea day. 

One exception I thought of immediately:  it can be held on a 'short' port day.  For example, on the 7 day Alaska RT from Seattle, the next to last day is a morning in Ketchikan with a very early afternoon departure (1 pm IIRC).  The second 'formal' night is held then.  The last night of the cruise is an evening stop in Victoria, Canada (7 pm to midnight IIRC).

[Torfamm]

You can see which nights are scheduled for formal nights in the app.  The JourneyView Activities Timeline will show either “Fun, casual portraits” or “Formal portraits” for each evening. I’ve seen it populate as early as 6 weeks before sailing.

[caribill]

On 2/6/2022 at 1:45 PM, tampabrat22 said:

-Do I need to reserve my dining times now? We don't want a set time, we'd like to choose when to go each night.

 

 

No need to reserve in advance. Can do it while on the ship with the app or can just go to the dining room at the time you would like and you will likely be seated within a few minutes, especially with the light passenger loads at this time.

[CruisinFinsUp]

On 2/6/2022 at 2:45 PM, tampabrat22 said:

 

-Do I need to reserve my dining times now? We don't want a set time, we'd like to choose when to go each night.

-Is the Ultimate Balcony Dining canceled right now (for breakfast)?

-Are we allowed to bring a bottle of wine onboard?

-Do they sell a day pass to the thermal suites?

 

 

As others have said you can reserve dining daily thru the app.  

 

UBD is a PAY extra available to all passengers, not just higher tiers.   They offer breakfast and dinner.   

No idea if it is currently available or not.  Perhaps ask on any one of the current "live" threads.  

 

One 750 ml bottle of wine pp .... 

https://www.princess.com/learn/faq/pre-cruise/what-to-pack-for-a-cruise/

click on "alcohol policy"

 

and here:   https://www.princess.com/legal/passage_contract/pcl.html

point "5"

 

to quote:   

Guests agree not to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or for any other use except as follows:

• For Guests of legal drinking age, an allowance of one (1) bottle of wine or champagne (750 mL in volume or less) per Guest per Voyage may be presented to security during embarkation. A US $20.00 corkage fee will be charged should Guests wish to consumer their wine or champagne in the ship’s public areas.
• A US $20.00 corkage fee (which is subject to change without notice) will apply to each additional bottle (750 mL in volume or less) beyond the one-bottle per Guest per Voyage allowance. Limitations apply, and wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused.
• Guests are also prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages on board that are packaged in bottles. A small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, juice, milk) packaged in cans or cartons may be brought on board on embarkation day, only if carried on in Guests’ hand luggage (not in checked luggage). A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person.  Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding.

end quote

 

One link says $15 corkage, the other says $20.......   check the passage contract for your cruise in your personalizer.   

 

[pathi]

Couple of things for the 1st day. I am getting off when you are getting on. 🙂

 

When you board Lunch options are a little different on Princess. Buffet is available of course. But you can also go to the Main dining room for a relaxed lunch.(12:00 to 1:30) Usually Deck 6 midships dining room. If you like Italian Alfredos is also in the Piazza midships. There is no surcharge for this restaurant.

 

One of my favorite spots is the International Cafe. Also in the Piazza. Small sandwich's, soups, salads, and very yummy desserts. Plus this is the coffee bar. Food is free, coffee has a surcharge unless you have a package deal.(Princess Plus, or the Coffee Package.) The Coffee pkg has a limit of 15 specialty coffee's with unlimited fresh brewed coffee.

 

Up on the Lido there is the buffet, plus several casual cafes. Pizza by the slice, Burger stand, and Ice cream stand. 

[tampabrat22]

Thank you so much everyone! You are all so helpful! We did not book Princess Plus as this was a special First Responders & Healthcare professionals deal they offered and that was not an option (but our cruise was 50% off).

[cr8tiv1]

1 hour ago, tampabrat22 said:

Thank you so much everyone! You are all so helpful! We did not book Princess Plus as this was a special First Responders & Healthcare professionals deal they offered and that was not an option (but our cruise was 50% off).

 

Decide what you really enjoy over the length of your cruise.  If you are a coffee person, pick yourself up a coffee package (15 specialty drinks for $39/I think) and includes all the fresh brewed coffee, teas, and hot chocolates.  Must be used during your cruise.  You can share the specialty coffees, but the other perks are on the card holder.

 

Someone else has mentioned soda package.

 

You can bring a bottle of your own wine per 21 year old passenger to enjoy in your cabin.  Your steward will provide you with wine glasses.

 

Thank you for your service as a first responder.  Hope you enjoy your cruise.  

[JF - retired RRT]

On 2/8/2022 at 11:24 AM, CruisinFinsUp said:

UBD is a PAY extra available to all passengers, not just higher tiers.   They offer breakfast and dinner.   

No idea if it is currently available or not.  Perhaps ask on any one of the current "live" threads.  

 

Passengers on Live Froms have reported that the UBD (dinner) is not available...yet.

The UBB (breakfast) is available.

 

Did anyone mention Afternoon Tea? Gotta try it at least once.

 

@Moondogymentioned the Military benefit. If you qualify (active, retired, veteran), Google Princess Military OBC for the requirements. You only have to apply once, the OBC will automagically appear for every cruise.

[voljeep]

8 hours ago, tampabrat22 said:

Thank you so much everyone! You are all so helpful! We did not book Princess Plus as this was a special First Responders & Healthcare professionals deal they offered and that was not an option (but our cruise was 50% off).

Our CVP ( Princess Cruise Vacation Planner ) was able to add Princess Plus to our recently completed cruise booked under that rate promotion. It was $ 40 pp per day

 

j/s

[Moondogy]

8 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Passengers on Live Froms have reported that the UBD (dinner) is not available...yet.

The UBB (breakfast) is available.

 

Did anyone mention Afternoon Tea? Gotta try it at least once.

 

@Moondogymentioned the Military benefit. If you qualify (active, retired, veteran), Google Princess Military OBC for the requirements. You only have to apply once, the OBC will automagically appear for every cruise.

@JF - retired RRTIndeed, those who are active and veterans of US and Canadian military branches don't forget to check it out. Stays in your files forever once applied. Thanks JF 🙂