Live from the Land of Princess

[YVRteacher]

26 minutes ago, arizonaperson said:

@YVRteacher

at Sabatini’s Italian

when you get onboard and when Sabatini’s is open on the first night( probably at 5 pm, or when there may be somebody staff wise hanging around at 4:30 go in person and ask). Ask when Italian night is in the main dining room. This is usually when I go to Sabatini‘s. You may also want to ask them if they can prepare any off menu items for vegetarians.

Here’s what I believe is on the menu, a vegetarian soup or Insalata mista salad and you choose one of those. Under Antipasti I don’t see any vegetarian items and primi piatti course I see a porcini mushroom risotto or you choose Penne primavera. Second Piatti course Parmesan Melanzane.. And desserts I don’t have a list of, but you should be good there.

 

hope you see your specialty dining somewhere listed in your dining app or Reservations or somewhere on your itinerary because that could become a problem if they gave it to you complementary and nobody on the ship can see it and you can’t prove it. Hope you’ve already thought of all that ,but one time our travel agent gifted it to us, and we could not find it anywhere in our itinerary and we never had “ certificate “ in our room ( when they use to do it that way) so always pays to be prepared 

This is so helpful: thank you!

Yes, it shows up on my cruise documents.

[YVRteacher]

13 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Can't wait to hear about all your exploits on this foreign cruise line, Princess. Foreign to us, that is. Princess is an option whenever we make our way to Alaska. Just gotta get past that formal dress.

 

Safe travels through Newark! I'm so excited for you!

I don’t own any formalwear! I will be sure to report on how I survive amidst the ballgowns and sequins. 
Have I ever mentioned my dislike of sequins in both crafts and clothing? It is significant.

[YVRteacher]

30 minutes ago, dickinson said:

They may try to sell her the packages that cost a lot.  If you are interested in sailing again within the next 12 months then purchase a future cruise deposit for $100 which will also get you some onboard credit.  It is refundable if not used.  It can be purchased on the app while onboard the ship.

Can I use a future cruise deposit on a cruise I already have booked?

[laudergayle]

So glad you reminded us NCL folks about your summer journey.  7 weeks of cruising…WOW!  Well-deserved my friend.

 

I’ve been following the Princess board for a bit…as we have two Princess cruises booked—California coast in April ‘25 and Norway/Iceland in June ‘26.  I must say, price is comparable to NCL and the food options look great.

 

Really looking forward to your LIVES…summer reading for us all.  Thanks for bringing us along. 😊

[memoak]

2 hours ago, muffydawg said:

Congratulations on your decision to try Princess!

 

Hubby and I are loooong time Princess cruisers having been married years ago on the Dawn Princess. While our  Island Princess is 3 months from now, there are many things we do regardless of the ship: 1). use embarkation day to explore the ship and get the "lay of the land". (In the old days we'd confirm our dining rezzies with the maitre d)--; 2). explore the Shops of Princess, 3). participate in the Muster Drill on embarkation day, 4). check out the bars and choose a venue for "Happy Hour", 5). review the Princess Patter for daily activities & shows, 6). scope out the casino, and 7). unwind and enjoy the adventure that lies ahead.

 

Have a wonderful time!

The muster drill is done  on your phone or TV nothing to participate in

[dickinson]

13 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Can I use a future cruise deposit on a cruise I already have booked?

No because it is used as your deposit. You get some OBC depending upon the length of your cruise. 

[WisCruiser2]

22 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

I don’t own any formalwear! I will be sure to report on how I survive amidst the ballgowns and sequins. 
Have I ever mentioned my dislike of sequins in both crafts and clothing? It is significant.

While those who enjoy dressing up for formal nights do so, you won't be out of place (and no one will care) if you stick to the "smart casual" suggestion. A friend saw a rumor on another forum that they may be doing away with "formal nights" alltogether soon!

[dlh015]

I'm very familiar with your posts over on the NCL board...I'm usually just lurking there but post from time to time.

 

I've really enjoyed yours posts! Looking forward to your observations on Princess.

 

I'll probably be begging/whining for hints about NCL cruising as we're booked for our first one this October.

 

Have a great cruise! I'm pulling up a chair...

[Brian V]

So looking forward to your impression of Princess - we have only ever cruised on NCL (6 so far with another booked for next March) and are open to exploring fields anew 🙂

 

We would really appreciate your views on the food and service on board. Even though we are not veggie ourselves, we have found that any place we have been that does a good vegetarian meal does everything else well as well 👍

 

Enjoy your cruises, only sorry your Dad may not be able to join you on too many more 😒

[libtrek]

I’m looking forward to your report. Still thinking about a similar itinerary with my daughter. Homefront is settling into a new normal, dementia is just so cruel. We are at hospice level which I think will help. Have fun, fun, fun. ♥️ 

[cr8tiv1]

Welcome to Princess.  As a retired teacher, you definitely deserve this vacation.  Wait until you retire!  Life is wonderful.  Thank you for giving so much of yourself to your students.

 

Are you a vegetarian or a pescatarian?  My cabin mate is a pescatarian and was always able to find something at the Crown Grill.  But she always enjoyed Sabatini's more.  In the main dining room, take a list of what foods you would like to eat.  Hand it to the Assistant Manager on the first night.  If they are any good, they will create magnificent dishes that you will enjoy.  They do have a vegetarian menu too.

 

I did look into the Briggs and Riley compressible carry on.  I was truly impressed, but can't justify another carry on (for the price) since I have more luggage than I can store.  

 

Your itinerary is ideal.  Enjoy each land.  I'll be following your journey.  

[YVRteacher]

1 hour ago, dlh015 said:

I'm very familiar with your posts over on the NCL board...I'm usually just lurking there but post from time to time.

 

I've really enjoyed yours posts! Looking forward to your observations on Princess.

 

I'll probably be begging/whining for hints about NCL cruising as we're booked for our first one this October.

 

Have a great cruise! I'm pulling up a chair...

Thank you for reading! Where is your NCL cruise?

[YVRteacher]

40 minutes ago, libtrek said:

I’m looking forward to your report. Still thinking about a similar itinerary with my daughter. Homefront is settling into a new normal, dementia is just so cruel. We are at hospice level which I think will help. Have fun, fun, fun. ♥️ 

Sending you so much love, Mary Lou!

[YVRteacher]

33 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Welcome to Princess.  As a retired teacher, you definitely deserve this vacation.  Wait until you retire!  Life is wonderful.  Thank you for giving so much of yourself to your students.

 

Are you a vegetarian or a pescatarian?  My cabin mate is a pescatarian and was always able to find something at the Crown Grill.  But she always enjoyed Sabatini's more.  In the main dining room, take a list of what foods you would like to eat.  Hand it to the Assistant Manager on the first night.  If they are any good, they will create magnificent dishes that you will enjoy.  They do have a vegetarian menu too.

 

I did look into the Briggs and Riley compressible carry on.  I was truly impressed, but can't justify another carry on (for the price) since I have more luggage than I can store.  

 

Your itinerary is ideal.  Enjoy each land.  I'll be following your journey.  

I am an ovo lacto vegetarian. No fish or meat. If it has eyes and a mother I won’t eat it.

[YVRteacher]

With NCL, I didn’t purchase shares until a few years ago. Not wanting to make the same mistake with Princess, I purchased Carnival shares as soon as I booked this cruise. Since it is a longer cruise, I have $250 on board credit. The process of applying the shareholder credit is different from NCL. For Princess, I needed to download the Stockperks app, upload my recent brokerage statement from the online statement (I just did screenshots) then request the benefit. It was quick and easy.

 

What are some of the best ways you have used onboard credit?

(My shore excursions are pre-booked and already paid for)

[dlh015]

8 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Thank you for reading! Where is your NCL cruise?

Honolulu to Tahiti...on the Sun! 

[YVRteacher]

Oh lovely! I really love the Sun. Have you read @shadowmeboy ‘s trip reports from the Sun? They always make me fall in love with cruising over and over again!

[cr8tiv1]

42 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

With NCL, I didn’t purchase shares until a few years ago. Not wanting to make the same mistake with Princess, I purchased Carnival shares as soon as I booked this cruise. Since it is a longer cruise, I have $250 on board credit. The process of applying the shareholder credit is different from NCL. For Princess, I needed to download the Stockperks app, upload my recent brokerage statement from the online statement (I just did screenshots) then request the benefit. It was quick and easy.

 

What are some of the best ways you have used onboard credit?

(My shore excursions are pre-booked and already paid for)

 

Stock Perks is supposed to be easier to use.  I am old fashion and it was so much easier to fill out and email Carnival.  Now that you own stocks, you WILL have to cruise more.  You can order the Future Cruise Credit on your app or fill out a form and drop it in a box.  Lots of warnings to not let the Future Cruise Consultants (O.N.E) hook you into buying their "fantastic, not to be missed" Princess Promotions.  You know the drill...broken record..."no thanks".

 

Your $250 non-refundable OBC will be use to pay off the automatic crew appreciation.  I am just relaying information.  I am not giving opinion nor do I want others to weigh in on if you should/should not remove.  Please don't take this wonderful thread off on a tangent.

 

Since you are an ovo lacto vegetarian, you may find it a little more challenging in finding dishes you can eat.  Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.  My cabin mate got a lot of off the menu dishes that were so good.

[wallyj]

@YVRteacher, Princess has ‘separate’ vegetarian menus you will probably need to ask to see. You can mix and match from both regular and vegetarian menus.

 

Unlike NCL, OBC CAN be used towards the daily gratuities, so no need to worry about spending elsewhere, unless you will still have more after gratuities are charged. They are posted daily to your folio.

[EDDY0827]

29 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Your $250 non-refundable OBC will be use to pay off the automatic crew appreciation.

 

29 minutes ago, wallyj said:

Unlike NCL, OBC CAN be used towards the daily gratuities, so no need to worry about spending elsewhere, unless you will still have more after gratuities are charged. They are posted daily to your folio.

I believe that OP stated they had Plus so no need to worry about mandatory gratuities.

[AKR2011]

Welcome back, Yvonne! I'm excited to hear about your experience on Princess and how it compares to NCL. I am always curious. Safe travels! ❤️⚓️

[wallyj]

5 minutes ago, EDDY0827 said:

 

I believe that OP stated they had Plus so no need to worry about mandatory gratuities.

Yes, must have blanked out after reading OP has Plus. Thanks for the catch.

 

@YVRteacher, Princess Casino operates differently than NCL, as a hint for using OBC.

[YVRteacher]

46 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Stock Perks is supposed to be easier to use.  I am old fashion and it was so much easier to fill out and email Carnival.  Now that you own stocks, you WILL have to cruise more.  You can order the Future Cruise Credit on your app or fill out a form and drop it in a box.  Lots of warnings to not let the Future Cruise Consultants (O.N.E) hook you into buying their "fantastic, not to be missed" Princess Promotions.  You know the drill...broken record..."no thanks".

 

Your $250 non-refundable OBC will be use to pay off the automatic crew appreciation.  I am just relaying information.  I am not giving opinion nor do I want others to weigh in on if you should/should not remove.  Please don't take this wonderful thread off on a tangent.

 

Since you are an ovo lacto vegetarian, you may find it a little more challenging in finding dishes you can eat.  Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.  My cabin mate got a lot of off the menu dishes that were so good.

I think I have already paid the automatic crew appreciation by purchasing Princess Plus. 
 

Can someone let me know if this is correct?

[cr8tiv1]

You are correct.  I missed that....but did recall you saying something about the premium desserts.  Goes to show you where my mind was.

 

[YVRteacher]

47 minutes ago, wallyj said:

@YVRteacher, Princess has ‘separate’ vegetarian menus you will probably need to ask to see. You can mix and match from both regular and vegetarian menus.

 

Unlike NCL, OBC CAN be used towards the daily gratuities, so no need to worry about spending elsewhere, unless you will still have more after gratuities are charged. They are posted daily to your folio.

I’m really looking forward to more variety in the food department when cruising. There are only so many times in a lifetime where one can order baked ziti and pretend to enjoy it.