My wish list for Princess

[Iamcruzin]

21 hours ago, Torfamm said:

The nightlight issue is crazy. Why a blindingly bright automatic overhead light outside the bathroom seemed like a good idea is beyond me. A simple nightlight in the bathroom would be much more helpful 

I agree. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships have night lights in the bathroom. I remember my wife packing battery operated tea lights to leave in the bathroom when we sailed on Princess. Overall I sail Princess for the itinerary. The room accommodations are the worst among the mainstream lines. The room configurations haven't changed since I first sailed with them on the  Crown Princess in 1991.

[beshears]

I see a LOT of posters here, and quite a bit (I did NOT read very many postings) of it is in regard to smoking, which I cannot stand like many other people. All I can say is we were on the Regal the last part of February. I'm pretty sure there was smoking there, and I know there was a casino on the ship, but I never smelled any smoke, or had to go through the casino (some ships that is the ONLY way to get to dinner) to get to our dinner for the evening.

[canadjineh]

On 3/29/2024 at 11:54 AM, BabySarge said:

 

Since this is a wish list, I'm going to wish that there was a way, other than me having to be MacGyver, to turn off that dang automatic light in the closet that is so freaking bright in the middle of the night. 

 

This is our main wish!!!! I need pitch black to sleep (partly why we often pick interior cabins) and those bloody floor lights that flash on every time you stick your foot out of the duvet along with that closet light that is sooooo bright just kill me.  I have a senior husband who hits the washroom a few times a night (I know, TMI 🤐.)  On our first Princess cruise our cabin steward rigged up something to cover the sensors for the floor lights at least but we/they aren't allowed to fiddle with the closet 'emergency' light.

Also can we please opt out of all the lanyard crap if we've already got one?  Think of how much money they'd save.

[OzKiwiJJ]

On 4/2/2024 at 6:10 PM, TheMichael said:

 

Not the I'm ever going to be in a suite, but Keurig is to Nespresso as a Wet 'n' Wild is to Universal Studios. 

That analogy means nothing to me, I haven't been to either.

 

But I guess it depends on what type of coffee you like. Nespresso does make a true espresso - not a great one but drinkable. I have no idea what Keurigs make but I'm guessing it's more American-style coffee?

[OzKiwiJJ]

20 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

So get what you like and just pay the small difference plus gratuity.  Just. a couple of dollars.  Or, move up to the Premier package if Plus doesn’t work for you.  Plus works for us and most people.  We had a ton of FCC for our next cruise, so moved up to Premier.  

The Premier wines aren't much better. We've already resorted to paying the little bit extra for those. But in Australia, at least, the variety of wines is still very limited - even our local cafes have wider selections. It's very strange. 

 

Since we not interested upgrading our package - it's fine for internet and all drinks except wine - we just budget to buy wines by the bottle at the 25% discount. Not only do we get a better choice, we actually get to have the bottles on or near our table so can get top ups when we need them instead of having to wait until our poor waiter goes off to get us another glass of whatever. Oh how I wish Princess had sommeliers like Celebrity. 

[OzKiwiJJ]

10 hours ago, NavyVeteran said:

You are not in the United States while on a ship. Bars on Princess are not just for alcohol. They are the only place that kids can get sodas or mocktails other than with meals. They are paying for their drinks the same as the rest of us are. As long as they are well behaved, they should be welcome anywhere as long as there isn't adult only entertainment going on. I've seen adults misbehaving at bars. At least the kids aren't drunk.

The cutest thing I ever saw was a couple of kids coming up to the bar (on another cruise like) to get their drinks. They were so proud/excited to do this by themselves as I suspect it made them feel very grown-up. They sat for a few minutes sipping their drinks but soon got bored and wandered off. 

[JamieLogical]

7 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

I agree. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships have night lights in the bathroom. I remember my wife packing battery operated tea lights to leave in the bathroom when we sailed on Princess. Overall I sail Princess for the itinerary. The room accommodations are the worst among the mainstream lines. The room configurations haven't changed since I first sailed with them on the  Crown Princess in 1991.

 

The Sun Princess finally has a new room configuration and glass shower doors! Only took them a quarter century to catch up to the rest of the mainstream lines.

[Cruise Raider]

16 hours ago, charliedalrymple said:

 

It definitely made us drink more than usual.  However, in our case that meant 5-6 alcoholic drinks per day rather than two.

 
Although I didn’t clearly state this, I am wondering if the drinks went from a limit to 15 to unlimited, would people drink more or less?  Some others seem convinced that because there is a limit of 15, people try to achieve that number to get their money’s worth.  So, if they change it to unlimited, would people drink more or less?   It would make no difference in my case but maybe the limit creates a challenge for some or they feel entitled to reach that limit by sharing.  

[JimmyVWine]

4 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

The cutest thing I ever saw was a couple of kids coming up to the bar (on another cruise like) to get their drinks. They were so proud/excited to do this by themselves as I suspect it made them feel very grown-up. They sat for a few minutes sipping their drinks but soon got bored and wandered off. 

 

 

[JimmyVWine]

14 hours ago, memoak said:

Bar stools are for adults 

What an odd thing to say.  No one, ever, anywhere has implemented such a rule.  I have bar stools in my house.  All are welcome to sit there.  Even my cats.  I've been to countless restaurants where we (and by that I mean my whole family) have been asked to wait at the bar (on stools or otherwise) until our table is ready.  Of course, if the venue itself has an age restriction just to get in, that would not happen as the minor would never get past the front door.  But if the venue lets minors in, it doesn't restrict where they can sit.  Never, ever have I been told: "You are welcome to wait in the lounge and we will come get you when your table is ready.  But do NOT sit at the bar.  Those stools are just for adults."  Now you're just making stuff up.

 

On a Princess ship, when a minor has a No Alcohol Package and wants to get a soft drink or a mocktail, they go to a bar to get it.  There is absolutely no rule (nor should there be) that the guest cannot then sit at that bar to drink it.  If I had a dollar for every mocktail my kid sipped at the Mermaid Bar, or any of the other pool bars on Princess ships, I could pay for 10 more cruises. 

Edited April 3 by JimmyVWine

[memoak]

19 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

What an odd thing to say.  No one, ever, anywhere has implemented such a rule.  I have bar stools in my house.  All are welcome to sit there.  Even my cats.  I've been to countless restaurants where we (and by that I mean my whole family) have been asked to wait at the bar (on stools or otherwise) until our table is ready.  Of course, if the venue itself has an age restriction just to get in, that would not happen as the minor would never get past the front door.  But if the venue lets minors in, it doesn't restrict where they can sit.  Never, ever have I been told: "You are welcome to wait in the lounge and we will come get you when your table is ready.  But do NOT sit at the bar.  Those stools are just for adults."  Now you're just making stuff up.

 

On a Princess ship, when a minor has a No Alcohol Package and wants to get a soft drink or a mocktail, they go to a bar to get it.  There is absolutely no rule (nor should there be) that the guest cannot then sit at that bar to drink it.  If I had a dollar for every mocktail my kid sipped at the Mermaid Bar, or any of the other pool bars on Princess ships, I could pay for 10 more cruises. 

Every restaurant that I go to in my state have big signs over the bar saying “No minors allowed in this area”. Pool bars are one thing this discussion had to do with entertainment venues such as Crooners, Crown Grill Bar, Wheelhouse and Take 5 where there are bar stools and table areas

[JimmyVWine]

5 minutes ago, memoak said:

Every restaurant that I go to in my state have big signs over the bar saying “No minors allowed in this area”.

Of course any establishment owner can implement whatever lawful restrictions they want. Princess, being the establishment owner, has chosen to allow all of its paying guests to enjoy the piano stylings of its onboard entertainers performing at Crooners or the Wheelhouse while sitting at tables or stools. This is hardly a novel, groundbreaking or controversial allowance.  Out of curiosity, other than 20 inch rise in altitude, what is the difference between a bar stool and the seat at the table that is 2 feet away from the stool?  Is there some sort of mysticism that is escaping me that makes one suitable only for people who are 21, but not for people who are 20 years and 364 days old? Is there some concern that proximity to a bartender is dangerous to a 17 year-old? Or that the person sitting at the next stool poses a greater danger than people who are seated at tables?  My supposition is that Princess believes that its Public Venues (which is how it describes all the places you mention) are safe environments for all guests and that the ship is not replete with scofflaws, scoundrels, miscreants and ne'er-do-wells who hang out on bar stools intending to do harm to minors. My experience reflects that supposition.    

[memoak]

3 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Of course any establishment owner can implement whatever lawful restrictions they want. Princess, being the establishment owner, has chosen to allow all of its paying guests to enjoy the piano stylings of its onboard entertainers performing at Crooners or the Wheelhouse while sitting at tables or stools. This is hardly a novel, groundbreaking or controversial allowance.  Out of curiosity, other than 20 inch rise in altitude, what is the difference between a bar stool and the seat at the table that is 2 feet away from the stool?  Is there some sort of mysticism that is escaping me that makes one suitable only for people who are 21, but not for people who are 20 years and 364 days old? Is there some concern that proximity to a bartender is dangerous to a 17 year-old? Or that the person sitting at the next stool poses a greater danger than people who are seated at tables?  My supposition is that Princess believes that its Public Venues (which is how it describes all the places you mention) are safe environments for all guests and that the ship is not replete with scofflaws, scoundrels, miscreants and ne'er-do-wells who hang out on bar stools intending to do harm to minors. My experience reflects that supposition.    

They do it in the casino. Why can’t kids sit at the casino bar while their parents are gambling  ?  

[JimmyVWine]

3 minutes ago, memoak said:

They do it in the casino. Why can’t kids sit at the casino bar while their parents are gambling  ?  

Silly question.  The Princess Policies clearly states: "Guests under the age of 18 will not be permitted in the Casino."

 

So someone who is 18 (or 19, or 20) CAN sit at the Casino Bar.  People who are under 18 cannot get into the Casino in the first instance, so it is metaphysically impossible for them to get to the bar. 

[memoak]

Just now, JimmyVWine said:

Silly question.  The Princess Policies clearly states: "Guests under the age of 18 will not be permitted in the Casino."

 

So someone who is 18 (or 19, or 20) CAN sit at the Casino Bar.  People who are under 18 cannot get into the Casino in the first instance, so it is metaphysically impossible for them to get to the bar. 

They walk through the casino constantly to go to the theatre on every ship I have ever been on

[memoak]

12 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Of course any establishment owner can implement whatever lawful restrictions they want. Princess, being the establishment owner, has chosen to allow all of its paying guests to enjoy the piano stylings of its onboard entertainers performing at Crooners or the Wheelhouse while sitting at tables or stools. This is hardly a novel, groundbreaking or controversial allowance.  Out of curiosity, other than 20 inch rise in altitude, what is the difference between a bar stool and the seat at the table that is 2 feet away from the stool?  Is there some sort of mysticism that is escaping me that makes one suitable only for people who are 21, but not for people who are 20 years and 364 days old? Is there some concern that proximity to a bartender is dangerous to a 17 year-old? Or that the person sitting at the next stool poses a greater danger than people who are seated at tables?  My supposition is that Princess believes that its Public Venues (which is how it describes all the places you mention) are safe environments for all guests and that the ship is not replete with scofflaws, scoundrels, miscreants and ne'er-do-wells who hang out on bar stools intending to do harm to minors. My experience reflects that supposition.    

No in Oregon there is a state law that states ‘No minor may sit or stand at a bar”. It is not the establishment but the state law so if a ship is berthed in Astoria that law should apply 

[JimmyVWine]

3 minutes ago, memoak said:

They walk through the casino constantly to go to the theatre on every ship I have ever been on

The operative word being "through". It has a different meaning than "remain".

[JimmyVWine]

19 minutes ago, memoak said:

No in Oregon there is a state law that states ‘No minor may sit or stand at a bar”. It is not the establishment but the state law so if a ship is berthed in Astoria that law should apply 

Except for the fact that Oregon Law exempts cruise ships from its enforcement purview.

 

(1)  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission may not require the owners, operators and employees of a cruise ship to have a license or permit issued under the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of possessing, transporting, storing, selling or serving alcoholic beverages that are described in subsection (3) of this section.

 

(2)  The provisions of ORS 471.740 (Exclusive right of commission to handle certain liquors) do not apply to alcoholic beverages that are described in subsection (3) of this section.

 

(3)  The provisions of this section apply only to alcoholic beverages that are served aboard a cruise ship and that are served solely for the purpose of onboard consumption by a cruise ship’s passengers, guests, officers and employees.

Edited April 3 by JimmyVWine

[MsSoCalCruiser]

Are we still talking about children in bars? I thought this was a thread about wish lists. 🤣

[JGmf]

16 hours ago, memoak said:

Bar stools are for adults 

 

Amen.  Full stop.

[Cruisemeister2002]

4 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 
Although I didn’t clearly state this, I am wondering if the drinks went from a limit to 15 to unlimited, would people drink more or less?  Some others seem convinced that because there is a limit of 15, people try to achieve that number to get their money’s worth.  So, if they change it to unlimited, would people drink more or less?   It would make no difference in my case but maybe the limit creates a challenge for some or they feel entitled to reach that limit by sharing.  

As with everything if you have for instance an eat all you can at a set price some will literally eat all they can. I have seen instances where people go to the buffet area at breakfast and pile their plate high and then leave half of it. Possibly one reason for silver service being done away with on ships and ready plated meals are served in the main dining rooms. A pity really as I like silver service and was as a young man trained as such. Therefore I believe that if you made drinks unlimited some would literally go for it and some would be under the current 15 drinks. My concern would be that whilst I am in no way concerned what others alcoholic wise consume if it spilled over into bad behaviour , drunkenness followed by bad language and fighting and impacting on other passengers enjoyment then no I wouldn't agree with unlimited and I doubt from a personal view I would even near the 15 a day.

[memoak]

3 minutes ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

As with everything if you have for instance an eat all you can at a set price some will literally eat all they can. I have seen instances where people go to the buffet area at breakfast and pile their plate high and then leave half of it. Possibly one reason for silver service being done away with on ships and ready plated meals are served in the main dining rooms. A pity really as I like silver service and was as a young man trained as such. Therefore I believe that if you made drinks unlimited some would literally go for it and some would be under the current 15 drinks. My concern would be that whilst I am in no way concerned what others alcoholic wise consume if it spilled over into bad behaviour , drunkenness followed by bad language and fighting and impacting on other passengers enjoyment then no I wouldn't agree with unlimited and I doubt from a personal view I would even near the 15 a day.

Originally the drink packages were unlimited and limits came in when people started sharing with friends. 

[JamieLogical]

30 minutes ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

As with everything if you have for instance an eat all you can at a set price some will literally eat all they can. I have seen instances where people go to the buffet area at breakfast and pile their plate high and then leave half of it. Possibly one reason for silver service being done away with on ships and ready plated meals are served in the main dining rooms. A pity really as I like silver service and was as a young man trained as such. Therefore I believe that if you made drinks unlimited some would literally go for it and some would be under the current 15 drinks. My concern would be that whilst I am in no way concerned what others alcoholic wise consume if it spilled over into bad behaviour , drunkenness followed by bad language and fighting and impacting on other passengers enjoyment then no I wouldn't agree with unlimited and I doubt from a personal view I would even near the 15 a day.

 

Other cruise lines seem to do just fine with unlimited drink packages. I have sailed on NCL, Celebrity, and MSC. All of the drink packages on those lines are unlimited. Princess is the only one I have sailed on that has a drink number limit.

[Cruisemeister2002]

1 minute ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Other cruise lines seem to do just fine with unlimited drink packages. I have sailed on NCL, Celebrity, and MSC. All of the drink packages on those lines are unlimited. Princess is the only one I have sailed on that has a drink number limit.

Are the prices on these cruise lines higher for unlimited ? Also as I say, some would exceed the 15 limit and some wouldn't so I suppose as far as the unlimited cruise lines are concerned if you make a charge it evens itself out whereas Princess would gain because they would charge extra for those exceeding the 15 limit and also make on those that come well under it as well.

[Torfamm]

11 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Other cruise lines seem to do just fine with unlimited drink packages. I have sailed on NCL, Celebrity, and MSC. All of the drink packages on those lines are unlimited. Princess is the only one I have sailed on that has a drink number limit.

I can’t speak to MSC or NCL but drink packages are MUCH more expensive on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean than the extra $19 per day above crew appreciation and internet that passengers pay to have an included drink package when they book a Plus fare on Princess

Edited April 3 by Torfamm