New Year’s Sky Princess Review – Maybe our most enjoyable cruise so far?

[nini]

1 hour ago, swjumbo said:

Great post and thank you. We’re on this ship in April and are v excited as our ‘normal’ cruise line is Celebrity but thought we’d give Princess a go from Southampton as they’ve taken our favourite ship elsewhere and given us a newer model.😢

 

Couple of questions if I may?

 

Dinner. Celebrity’s main dining is ok but our main cruise indulgence is speciality dining and would rather have a lesser cabin if it meant we could eat well throughout. Would you be content with main dining every night? Does it feel special or would you do speciality for the duration of the cruise? Also, is there a difference between Cielo and Estrella dining rooms?

 

Did you have a drink package? I’m early 50’s, she’s mid 40’s and we do enjoy a small libation throughout the day from a glass of bubbles with breakfast to a nice cognac in the early hours.

Thanks again!

 

PS. Your first pic where people are swimming next to the ship is awesome!!!!

 

I realize that your post is directed to the OP. However, we cruised on the Sky last June and really enjoyed the Sky, our cabin, and the crew.

We have been always purchasing the Plus package due to the simple math panning out for us. A rough daily calculation:

$5.00    Morning fancy espresso drink at International Cafe (gratuity is included)

$30.00 Two glasses of Wine (gratuity is included)

$15.00 Daily Internet

$16.00 Crew Gratuities/ Appreciation

$66.00

I realize that more is now included with this package, but was not when we have been onboard. If you want a drink that is over the $15.00 than you only pay the difference.

 

As far as "living on" Specialty Dining, that could be ok but repetitive if it is a longer itinerary. The Sky has Sabatini's and the Crowne Grill. We have very much enjoyed the Crowne Grill a few times but we also enjoy the dining rooms and often share tables with people we do not know as it is really interesting chatting with them. We enjoy the variety of the Main Dining Rooms and Specialty Dining and even sometimes the Buffet which has themes in the evening like the main dining rooms.

 

We were very fortunate to participate in a "Chef's Table" on the Sky and it was very impressive and worthwhile. However, I have heard that the price has greatly increased and we will not be participating again.

 

[Leo37]

1 hour ago, swjumbo said:

Great post and thank you. We’re on this ship in April and are v excited as our ‘normal’ cruise line is Celebrity but thought we’d give Princess a go from Southampton as they’ve taken our favourite ship elsewhere and given us a newer model.😢

 

Couple of questions if I may?

 

Dinner. Celebrity’s main dining is ok but our main cruise indulgence is speciality dining and would rather have a lesser cabin if it meant we could eat well throughout. Would you be content with main dining every night? Does it feel special or would you do speciality for the duration of the cruise? Also, is there a difference between Cielo and Estrella dining rooms?

 

Did you have a drink package? I’m early 50’s, she’s mid 40’s and we do enjoy a small libation throughout the day from a glass of bubbles with breakfast to a nice cognac in the early hours.

Thanks again!

 

PS. Your first pic where people are swimming next to the ship is awesome!!!!

Thanks for the questions. Will caveat my answer in that we're yet to cruise with Celebrity, but it's on our list to try!

 

As for dining on Sky and Princess, we liked the main dining room and more meals were good than just ok. We don't have any allergies and have pretty broad tastes, so never had a hard time finding something to eat. Staff were great at making suggestions, bringing us extra courses or dishes etc.

 

We ate in the Main Dining Room four times for dinner. In the buffet once, in the Alfredo's Pizza Restaurant (free if you have Plus, token charge otherwise) and once in The Crown Grill. Certainly wouldn't say you need to eat in speciality restaurants all the time, but we enjoyed mixing them in.

 

Decor varies a little between the dining rooms, although not hugely. With the App, you can book tables in different ones. Try them and see which you like!

 

Yes we had drinks package. We're spirit and cocktail drinkers, rather than wine or beer, and found plenty to drink, good bar staff, quality brands. No complaints there!

 

Enjoy your cruise, let me know any other questions.

[swjumbo]

Ty

33 minutes ago, nini said:

 

I realize that your post is directed to the OP. However, we cruised on the Sky last June and really enjoyed the Sky, our cabin, and the crew.

We have been always purchasing the Plus package due to the simple math panning out for us. A rough daily calculation:

$5.00    Morning fancy espresso drink at International Cafe (gratuity is included)

$30.00 Two glasses of Wine (gratuity is included)

$15.00 Daily Internet

$16.00 Crew Gratuities/ Appreciation

$66.00

I realize that more is now included with this package, but was not when we have been onboard. If you want a drink that is over the $15.00 than you only pay the difference.

 

As far as "living on" Specialty Dining, that could be ok but repetitive if it is a longer itinerary. The Sky has Sabatini's and the Crowne Grill. We have very much enjoyed the Crowne Grill a few times but we also enjoy the dining rooms and often share tables with people we do not know as it is really interesting chatting with them. We enjoy the variety of the Main Dining Rooms and Specialty Dining and even sometimes the Buffet which has themes in the evening like the main dining rooms.

 

We were very fortunate to participate in a "Chef's Table" on the Sky and it was very impressive and worthwhile. However, I have heard that the price has greatly increased and we will not be participating again.

 

Thank you as well. Your comments are very sensible and taken on board. As it’s a longer cruise we may even do the buffet and have real chill out day.

 

[swjumbo]

26 minutes ago, Leo37 said:

Thanks for the questions. Will caveat my answer in that we're yet to cruise with Celebrity, but it's on our list to try!

 

As for dining on Sky and Princess, we liked the main dining room and more meals were good than just ok. We don't have any allergies and have pretty broad tastes, so never had a hard time finding something to eat. Staff were great at making suggestions, bringing us extra courses or dishes etc.

 

We ate in the Main Dining Room four times for dinner. In the buffet once, in the Alfredo's Pizza Restaurant (free if you have Plus, token charge otherwise) and once in The Crown Grill. Certainly wouldn't say you need to eat in speciality restaurants all the time, but we enjoyed mixing them in.

 

Decor varies a little between the dining rooms, although not hugely. With the App, you can book tables in different ones. Try them and see which you like!

 

Yes we had drinks package. We're spirit and cocktail drinkers, rather than wine or beer, and found plenty to drink, good bar staff, quality brands. No complaints there!

 

Enjoy your cruise, let me know any other questions.

Thank you again! 

[candy4040]

On 1/10/2024 at 4:36 PM, DAJones1 said:

I'm glad the OP enjoyed the cruise.  We did as well.  But the ship was totally overbooked and the staff paid for it. The venues were overwhelmed.  Comedian nights had people standing four deep to watch them if they got in at all.  As previously posted the staff did well accommodating all guests as best they could but they were certainly working overtime. We decided to bring in the New Year in Take 5 and it was much more enjoyable than standing with thousands of other people on top deck.

We'll never sail Sky again.  Too many changes we don't appreciate.  No bar at all in casino.  No more Churchill's (thanks John Padgett).

When did they take the bar out of the casino?  We were on about 10 months ago and bar was still there.  

[swjumbo]

One more question please.

 

Is there any difference between the two main dining rooms?

[Leo37]

There are three Main Dining Rooms. All three serve the same food, have the same service style etc. Only difference is small decor differences. Nothing major, just slightly different colours.

 

I'd recommend booking one of the two mid ship ones, just because they have bigger entrances. The one at the rear on Deck 6 has a tight entrance that can become a choke point.

[JF - retired RRT]

On 1/16/2024 at 9:24 AM, swjumbo said:

 

Couple of questions if I may?

 

Dinner. Would you be content with main dining every night? Does it feel special or would you do speciality for the duration of the cruise? Haven't been on the Sky, but on all of our cruises, we've mostly eaten in the MDR every night. Rarely disappointed. Also, is there a difference between Cielo and Estrella dining rooms? Same food, different location.

See above.