Anyone with experience on Princess?

[PrincessTrisha]

I'm glad to see all of the good thoughts on Princess. I recently cancelled our 7 night DCL Fantasy cruise for a 10 night Partial Panama Canal on Princess.

 

[quickcat]

I didn't feel nickel and dimed on princess at all either. The gelato is an up charge but it's very minimal. My son went for it every day and by day four the man would see him coming and just scoop him up a ton of it and we always got charged the same
We did get the drink package for the kids that included the milkshakes which I felt was really reasonable.
It seems as though the same menu every night in the main dining room isn't the norm and I wish that we didn't experience that but it definitely was the same every single night.

 

[RedSox68]

I'm glad to see all of the good thoughts on Princess. I recently cancelled our 7 night DCL Fantasy cruise for a 10 night Partial Panama Canal on Princess.

You will love it. I have found, to our initial surprise, that once we started branching out to other cruise lines, their crew and food and cleanliness and decor were just as wonderful and nice and fun as on DCL. Carnival had the biggest standard oceanview room we've ever had, NCL Breakaway had by far the most amazing room steward on any of our 16 sailings, and Princess and Carnival had wonderful buffets which were bigger with more variety than I remember on any Disney cruise. Now I am NOT dissing Disney or finding fault, I am only comparing. Disney was our very first cruise and we still consider it our home and when we can afford it, we will be back on one of the ships. But all I'm saying is if you can't afford DCL, don't be afraid to branch out. You may just be pleasantly surprised and end up with more money in your pocket!

 

[Dug720]

I can't figure it out either. I will say that on RCCL Oasis the sales pitches were generally a bit more aggressive - and I am sure there are other lines out there that take the same approach. But that was not the case on Princess. I do not recall any hard sell attempts on any of our Princess cruises.

DCL, while not necessarily aggressive, is ubiquitous. Future cruises, timeshares, photos (especially at meal times) and the like. If "nickel and diming" is the standard DCL is far worse than Princess.

I am hearing more and more of "the gauntlet" at embarkation on RCCL with them hounding you to get beverage packages, dining packages, etc. I remember it outside the Windjammer on the first couple of days, but people as of late have described it as ridiculously over the top now.

 

[RedSox68]

I am hearing more and more of "the gauntlet" at embarkation on RCCL with them hounding you to get beverage packages, dining packages, etc. I remember it outside the Windjammer on the first couple of days, but people as of late have described it as ridiculously over the top now.

That's a shame because it sets the tone for the beginning of your cruise. I will say that we have had spa packages on other lines and Disney has been the only one that has that hard sell at the end of the massage to buy products. Kind of ruins your relaxed moment.

 

[Dug720]

That's a shame because it sets the tone for the beginning of your cruise. I will say that we have had spa packages on other lines and Disney has been the only one that has that hard sell at the end of the massage to buy products. Kind of ruins your relaxed moment.

I got a hard sell on HAL even with putting NO SALES on my intake form. RCCL started to try and I gave her a stinky side eye and she stopped.

 

[tink1970]

I will say that we have had spa packages on other lines and Disney has been the only one that has that hard sell at the end of the massage to buy products. Kind of ruins your relaxed moment.

Not to quibble but Steiner is the provider for DCL and they do an incredibly hard sell. That said they are contracted by Disney, NOT DCL, per se. I don't enjoy the hard sell and have mentioned it many times in the cruise survey. Sadly, they continues to use Steiner in the spa so I don't ever get services other than the Rainforest Room.

Thanks @Dug720 for this question. I'm pondering different lines for my cruise next summer and Princess is one of them, so this is super helpful.

 

[Dug720]

Not to quibble but Steiner is the provider for DCL and they do an incredibly hard sell. That said they are contracted by Disney, NOT DCL, per se. I don't enjoy the hard sell and have mentioned it many times in the cruise survey. Sadly, they continues to use Steiner in the spa so I don't ever get services other than the Rainforest Room.

Thanks @Dug720 for this question. I'm pondering different lines for my cruise next summer and Princess is one of them, so this is super helpful.

You're welcome! I'm excited to try it! (And I admit the little nerd in me is excited to hear the ship's horn do the Love Boat theme.)

I have heard of people having some success with threatening to remove the tip if they are given a hard sell. But even then it is more a soft sell than a no sell.

 

[RedSox68]

You're welcome! I'm excited to try it! (And I admit the little nerd in me is excited to hear the ship's horn do the Love Boat theme.)

I have heard of people having some success with threatening to remove the tip if they are given a hard sell. But even then it is more a soft sell than a no sell.

My husband seems to have come up with a way to end it -- I give him massages on the ship as a present and the hard sells used to just exhaust him. Now he tells the person at the beginning that he has had years of massage experiences and had many items sold to him -- and he has never used them and never will. So please don't bother wasting my time by trying to sell me on an item I have on intention of buying. And so far it has worked the last four times.

 

[dani24]

I am hearing more and more of "the gauntlet" at embarkation on RCCL with them hounding you to get beverage packages, dining packages, etc. I remember it outside the Windjammer on the first couple of days, but people as of late have described it as ridiculously over the top now.

Ugh, that would annoy me to no end. I have no problem saying "no", but I don't want to have to (over and over again) while I'm on vacation.

 

[Dug720]

Ugh, that would annoy me to no end. I have no problem saying "no", but I don't want to have to (over and over again) while I'm on vacation.

That is a big part of the reason I decided not to go with them. (RCCL)

 

[heapies926]

This is a really helpful thread for me because I'm looking at an Alaska cruise on the Ruby Princess next year even though I'm a DCL addict. (Going with family, and its a lot harder to justify the price difference with 5 rooms being purchased)
Thanks all to their insights!!

I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like a great ship on a great line that is worth trying.
I have two concerns:
1. Norovirus. Princess has had 15 outbreaks since 2011 (tied with another line for most outbreaks). I've heard cruisers (both on this thread and elsewhere) saying there is no enforced hand washing or sanitation when you enter the buffet area. That's insane!!
2. Formal attire is optional on DCL on formal night, but from what I've read, it's verrrry mandatory on Princess. I've heard of men in suits being turned away for not wearing a tie, and so on. I also know that at age 27, I'm going to be on the young side on the ship. I can handle fighting my husband into a tux, but I'm just wondering if all that implies the whole cruise is going to be 'stuffier' than I'm used to...

 

[Dug720]

This is a really helpful thread for me because I'm looking at an Alaska cruise on the Ruby Princess next year even though I'm a DCL addict. (Going with family, and its a lot harder to justify the price difference with 5 rooms being purchased)
Thanks all to their insights!!

I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like a great ship on a great line that is worth trying.
I have two concerns:
1. Norovirus. Princess has had 15 outbreaks since 2011 (tied with another line for most outbreaks). I've heard cruisers (both on this thread and elsewhere) saying there is no enforced hand washing or sanitation when you enter the buffet area. That's insane!!
2. Formal attire is optional on DCL on formal night, but from what I've read, it's verrrry mandatory on Princess. I've heard of men in suits being turned away for not wearing a tie, and so on. I also know that at age 27, I'm going to be on the young side on the ship. I can handle fighting my husband into a tux, but I'm just wondering if all that implies the whole cruise is going to be 'stuffier' than I'm used to...

I fully expect much more dress code enforcement on Princess. But I don't equate that with "stuffy".

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is a really helpful thread for me because I'm looking at an Alaska cruise on the Ruby Princess next year even though I'm a DCL addict. (Going with family, and its a lot harder to justify the price difference with 5 rooms being purchased)
Thanks all to their insights!!

I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like a great ship on a great line that is worth trying.
I have two concerns:
1. Norovirus. Princess has had 15 outbreaks since 2011 (tied with another line for most outbreaks). I've heard cruisers (both on this thread and elsewhere) saying there is no enforced hand washing or sanitation when you enter the buffet area. That's insane!!
2. Formal attire is optional on DCL on formal night, but from what I've read, it's verrrry mandatory on Princess. I've heard of men in suits being turned away for not wearing a tie, and so on. I also know that at age 27, I'm going to be on the young side on the ship. I can handle fighting my husband into a tux, but I'm just wondering if all that implies the whole cruise is going to be 'stuffier' than I'm used to...

1. Norovirus - you can get that any where. I was watching a tv show where the park rangers were looking for a lost man. They found him, out there all alone in the woods, sick. When they got him to the hospital, they determined he had noro. Our recent Princess cruise the hand sanitizer dispensers were right at the entrance to the buffet, right across from the crew member who was wiping off the plates and handing them to us. They do keep an eye on people coming into the buffet area. Yes, I saw her asking people to use them. There were also random sanitizer dispensers at the exit to the buffet, along the wall coming in either direction to the buffet, and at each end of the dessert buffet area.
2. Yes, on our cruise people were asked to return(to the dining rooms) when they had dressed "more appropriately" on formal night. Or you could eat at the buffet for dinner, dressing as you wish.

I didn't find the cruise itself any "stuffier" than a Disney cruise. Just different.

 

[dmunsil]

1. Norovirus. Princess has had 15 outbreaks since 2011 (tied with another line for most outbreaks). I've heard cruisers (both on this thread and elsewhere) saying there is no enforced hand washing or sanitation when you enter the buffet area. That's insane!!

No cruise line is as aggressive as Disney about handing out wipes. Princess, HAL, and RCCL all had those automatic sanitizer dispensers at every entrance to the MDRs and buffet, but not the specialty restaurants. Maybe half the people use them. That's just the industry in general. I'd love to see other lines emulate Disney, but they don't want to annoy the guests, I suppose. The ship certainly seemed clean, and folks were out cleaning all the time. I think the basic advice is wash your hands regularly and eat as little with your fingers as possible, especially in the buffet.

2. Formal attire is optional on DCL on formal night, but from what I've read, it's verrrry mandatory on Princess. I've heard of men in suits being turned away for not wearing a tie, and so on. I also know that at age 27, I'm going to be on the young side on the ship. I can handle fighting my husband into a tux, but I'm just wondering if all that implies the whole cruise is going to be 'stuffier' than I'm used to...

There were plenty of people in a collared shirt and chinos on formal night. I don't think any of the big lines really are aggressive about dress codes any more, except Cunard maybe. I may have seen 10 guys in actual tuxes (me included).

 

[dani24]

This is a really helpful thread for me because I'm looking at an Alaska cruise on the Ruby Princess next year even though I'm a DCL addict. (Going with family, and its a lot harder to justify the price difference with 5 rooms being purchased)
Thanks all to their insights!!

I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like a great ship on a great line that is worth trying.
I have two concerns:
1. Norovirus. Princess has had 15 outbreaks since 2011 (tied with another line for most outbreaks). I've heard cruisers (both on this thread and elsewhere) saying there is no enforced hand washing or sanitation when you enter the buffet area. That's insane!!
2. Formal attire is optional on DCL on formal night, but from what I've read, it's verrrry mandatory on Princess. I've heard of men in suits being turned away for not wearing a tie, and so on. I also know that at age 27, I'm going to be on the young side on the ship. I can handle fighting my husband into a tux, but I'm just wondering if all that implies the whole cruise is going to be 'stuffier' than I'm used to...

Norovirus - We've been on four Princess cruises, and never experienced an outbreak. Though we did hear many stories (either on our ship, or through a message board I posted on for Princess) of people being quarantined if they start exhibiting signs. Princess does take it very seriously when it appears a problem may be brewing. Do your best to keep YOUR OWN hands and such clean, and your risk should decrease. Also, keep in mind that people get Noro all the time from land-based locations like restaurants, schools, hospitals, work, family and friends, etc. You're not safe anywhere. I would not freak out that you're highly likely to get sick on Princess. And I wouldn't expect that you're highly unlikely to get sick on DCL. There was an outbreak on the Wonder just last year.

Formal attire -- you should dress up to eat in the MDRs on formal nights. But there's a wide variation of "dressing up". I've seen people in slacks and button up shirts and dresses that would be more suitable for a daytime garden wedding. And I've also seen full blown tuxes and red-carpet worthy gowns. If you don't wish to dress up they have a full and delicious buffet, or room service, or the ultimate balcony dining if you have a balcony.

We cruised on Princess at ages 25, 27, 28 and 30. We never found it stuffy. Yes, the age skewed older than us. But we did two 7 day Mexico, a 10 day Alaska, and a 12 day Med, and we met many people our age on all of them. And most of the people we met on Princess -- even if they were our parents age or older -- were VERY nice and friendly. We had no problem socializing and feeling comfortable on the ship. We never felt out of place at all.

The feel on Princess is more "refined relaxed". If Vegas or spring break in Cancun is more your style, you'll hate Princess. If something like a day at the spa followed by dinner at a fine restaurant is more your speed, Princess will likely appeal. We loved how we were able to find quiet areas to relax or even just enjoy a peaceful walk along the promenade, but could also go dancing or enjoy a lively game of bingo or trivia, or a fun show. But never did it feel "stuffy". We tend to be pretty down to earth people, and we thought it was the perfect mix of casual and classy.

 

[quickcat]

This is a really helpful thread for me because I'm looking at an Alaska cruise on the Ruby Princess next year even though I'm a DCL addict. (Going with family, and its a lot harder to justify the price difference with 5 rooms being purchased)
Thanks all to their insights!!

I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like a great ship on a great line that is worth trying.
I have two concerns:
1. Norovirus. Princess has had 15 outbreaks since 2011 (tied with another line for most outbreaks). I've heard cruisers (both on this thread and elsewhere) saying there is no enforced hand washing or sanitation when you enter the buffet area. That's insane!!
2. Formal attire is optional on DCL on formal night, but from what I've read, it's verrrry mandatory on Princess. I've heard of men in suits being turned away for not wearing a tie, and so on. I also know that at age 27, I'm going to be on the young side on the ship. I can handle fighting my husband into a tux, but I'm just wondering if all that implies the whole cruise is going to be 'stuffier' than I'm used to...

When we were on the Ruby Princess going to Alaska I did not find they were strict on the dress code at all. The formal nights yes people dressed up but there were some people who definitely weren't and nothing was said to them at all.
To be honest, the dress code aspect I thought was exactly like Disney's. But I did not ever go into their pay restaurants so I do not know about if they enforce the dress code in those.
I felt young at 40 so you're going to feel like a little kid only in your 20's

 

[Dug720]

When we were on the Ruby Princess going to Alaska I did not find they were strict on the dress code at all. The formal nights yes people dressed up but there were some people who definitely weren't and nothing was said to them at all.
To be honest, the dress code aspect I thought was exactly like Disney's. But I did not ever go into their pay restaurants so I do not know about if they enforce the dress code in those.
I felt young at 40 so you're going to feel like a little kid only in your 20's

I've found that on both HAL and RCCL the "restrictions" tend to be more relaxed in Alaska. Well, I can compare RCCL in Alaska to RCCL in the Med and it was definitely more relaxed in Alaska than the Med. It just seems to be a more relaxed atmosphere anyway (Alaska).

 

[jujubiee4]

Contemplating a California Coast cruise on the Ruby Princess out of LA (hits San Francisco, Monterrey, and somewhere that starts with an E in Mexico. (I'm not home right now to look at it directly.)

Pics of the ship look beautiful. And at least looking at videos and websites, Princess looks much closer to DCL than some other lines. Just curious for experiences...

One of my daughters went on this exact same cruise with her best friend and parents.
When she came back she showed me pictures of the ship and it was quite lovely. It
actually took me by surprise.

I asked her about the passengers on the ship and she said it looked mixed ages (remember
this was the Calif-Mexico cruise).

 

[Dug720]

One of my daughters went on this exact same cruise with her best friend and parents.
When she came back she showed me pictures of the ship and it was quite lovely. It
actually took me by surprise.

I asked her about the passengers on the ship and she said it looked mixed ages (remember
this was the Calif-Mexico cruise).

Thanks! She does look lovely from the pictures and videos I've seen. I'm super excited about this one!