Princess Cruise Line?

[ebseckar]

We took our first cruise earlier this year. It was on the Disney Magic and we had a wonderful time. I read the posts on this message board for months before our trip and don't know how I would have managed otherwise. The information I got from this board was THE BEST.
Just because we like to try different things, we are planning our second cruise for next year on the Grand Princess. I have been trying to find a message board like this for Princess, but no such luck. I was reading an earlier post from April of this year in which people were talking about DU starting up message boards for other cruise lines. The last I could find, it was still up in the air. Anything new on this?
Also, are there any Grand Princess experts out there who can answer some specific questions for me. Things like you learn on this board like where to store your luggage, how early can you get on the ship, what ressies need to be made, "secret" spots to hang out on the ship, what's good from room service, . . . you know . . . all the good stuff we all talk about here for the Magic and the Wonder! Thanks!

 

[CathyCanada]

I don't know a lot about the Grand Princess, but I just talked to an old friend yesterday and he and his wife did the Eastern Caribbean cruise on it. He said it was fabulous and at this point he isn't considering cruising on any other cruise line (wife isn't a Disney fan and won't do DCL anyway ).

Good luck and I'm sure you would have a great time!
CC

 

[my3kids]

Try cruisecritic.com They have great cruise message boards for all lines.

 

[nicurnc]

Cruise@ddicts.com is another board that has Princess. We sailed on the Grand last October...it was grand !


Loretta

 

[hilltopfamily]

could I add a question, too? I'd like to know about their kids programs (if anyone here has used them). Did they compare favorably to DCL? any complaints? thanks

 

[WeRHappy]

Hi! Just some more info I thought you'd want to know. We went on the Star Princess (their newest ship) to Mexico in April and took our 3 yr old and 6 mo old. Our 3 yr old son was potty-trained and took part in the kids Princess Pelican Program. I was a little leary the first 2 days since he'd only been in preschool 2 days a week but he seemed to adjust very well with the help of a great staff. I didn't like the 10 to 1 ratio but it ended up working out fine. After you sign up your child (the first night at an orientation) you will receive a print out of all the activities (which change every 30 min's) for each day. You must pick up your child for meal times (except on port days) and you will receive a pager each time you drop off your kid. They are pretty strict about seeing 2 forms of ID when picking up your child (ie:your roomkey AND your passport or driver's license) to prove you're really who you are supposed to be! I don't recall how old your kids are but they do not have a nursery or any babysitting services. The kids program (as best I can remember) was open until 12 or 1am and they had mats and movies. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions I can answer!

 

[kalama]

This is helpful. I too am considering a cruise (after my next Disney Eastern in April) on either Princess or Royal Carribean to Alaska.

Royal Carribean says all their counselors have degrees in children's ed or the like. Do you know if Princess is the same? If not, what are their qualifications?

Alaska might not be too exciting for our son (wil be 7 at the time) so I wanted a good kids program for him. He adored Disney's, of course.

 

[nicurnc]

I did not see many kids on our cruise.

When we did see them, it seemed that they were always with their parents. It made me wonder if there even was a kids program on that ship.

I do remember one of the performers, a magician, used several skunks in his act. After the show he had the kids come up and pet one of them and answered any questions from the audience. He was very good with kids, but that was only one show on one day of a seven day cruise...you'd need a little more than that to say it was a good cruise for kids

Sorry I can't be of more help, but I can tell you this, Princess seemed to do everything very well. Probably as close as you're gonna come to Disney quality. IMHO.

Loretta

 

[mytmouse]

Sailed on the Grand Princesswith DW for her inaugural sailing and everything from food to customer service was first class. If your budget allows get a stateroom with a veranda, nothing like sleeping with the sound of the ocean to lull you to sleep!!!!

 

[my3kids]

I think on Princess that they only offer the children's program if a certain number of children are booked on a particular cruise...at least that is what I remember from a number of years ago. Today, with so many families cruising, I can't imagine that would be an issue anymore. Princess currently sets a limit on the number of children allowed on board each sailing as well...maybe 200 kids a trip. They have no connecting staterooms or rooms that hold 5 passengers, so we had to rule it out pretty quickly. I have sailed on Princess without children though, and had a great time.

 

[hilltopfamily]

no connecting rooms and no rooms to accomodate 5 persons?

well, I need read this thread no further--we are a family of 5!! I guess I'll keep looking at RCCL & CCL as the only other possible alternatives to DCL. (I know nothing about NCL & HAL). thanks

 

[snoopy5386]

we went on the grand princess for our honeymoon in july and it was absolutely fantastic. I am now trying to figure out how to fit a cruise and a trip to disney into the budget every year. Some advantages of Personal Choice Dining. This means instead of eating at the same time each night with strangers you can eat whenever you want (between 5 and 11) at any size table. We were accomodated for a table for 2 every night. Also princess has freshwater swimming pools and the grand princess has 4 pools. It is a great ship, large, but not too large, the pizza and hot dogs are excellent. I had such a great time, I dreamt about it when we got back. Just talking about it now makes me want to go back soooo bad.

 

[fireplug]

Anyone been on the new Coral Princess yet?

Steve

 

[nicurnc]

No, but we are considering the Coral for an Alaskan cruise ourselves next June

Loretta