Princess Cruises
Overview
Cruises
Dining
Tipping
Kids
Overview
Imagine being pampered at a luxurious resort and waking up each morning to a brand new, stunning view of the world. That’s just what it’s like on a Princess cruise. Well-appointed ships boast all the amenities you’d expect from a land-based vacation and more, including many choices of restaurants and live entertainment.
For three decades, the sun has risen on the beautiful ships of Princess Cruises. Shimmering brass, imported teak and butter-soft leather appointments convey the highest quality. Spacious staterooms, many with private balconies, offer a luxury that Princess has now made affordable to all. Comparable in size to other recently built vessels, these ships carry significantly fewer passengers. And the Grand Class vessels, offer choice and variety, intimacy and spaciousness, with multiple dining rooms and entertainment lounges and fabulous amenities including everything from computerized golf centers to a virtual reality center. On the new generation of Princess ships, there truly is complete freedom to do “what you want, when you want.” In a fleet that ranges from intimate to ultimate, the ships of Princess Cruises suit a variety of tastes. Getting to know each one is a pleasure that will bring you back again and again.
Cruises
Dining
NBNB – on Sun and Dawn Princess evening dining is fixed with the choice of early (6pm) or late (8pm) sittings. Guests still have the option to book at other times at the specialty restaurants.
INTRODUCING A REVOLUTION IN CRUISE DINING
Welcome to a new dining experience in cruising. One that gives you the freedom to choose where, when, and with whom you wish to dine. On Princess, you are offered a variety of choices. In fact, on some ships there are up to nine different dining options to choose from. And, more importantly, you can select a seating option that’s based on your schedule.
WHICH DINING CHOICE DO YOU PREFER?
In the main dining rooms, there are two options for dinner: Traditional Fixed Seating and Anytime DiningSM. If you enjoy the traditional option of having the same table partners and waiters throughout your cruise, select Traditional Fixed Seating. This dining option features award winning Princess cuisine and offers a choice of two seating times, 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
When you select Anytime Dining, you choose your dining style-whether you prefer to dine alone or with newfound friends-anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. This option features the same award winning cuisine as the Traditional Fixed Seating.
Whichever dining option you choose, you’ll enjoy the same delectable menus and follow the same dress code in the dining rooms each night. Traditional Fixed Seating or Anytime Dining? The choice is yours. Simply let your travel agent know your preference when you book your cruise.
AFTERNOON TEA
Enjoy the time-honored custom of afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, scones, cookies, music and whiteglove service. It’s the perfect interlude between sunning and swimming out on deck and a star-studded evening at sea. Enjoy your choice of a wide selection of premium teas- from Earl Grey to your favorite herbal infusion. And of course there’s coffee if you prefer. The choice is up to you.
SPECIAL DIETS
Princess is happy to meet your request for low-sodium, low-fat, low-sugar, and vegetarian diets. In addition, kosher meals (frozen entrées only) and baby food are available upon advance written request. Any other special diet requests must be authorized in advance by the Princess corporate office. Please ask your travel agent to advise Princess in writing at least four weeks before you sail of any requests for special diets to accommodate medical needs or allergies. For Exotics cruises, please advise in writing of any special dietary requirements at least two months prior. Please note that baby formula is not available onboard. Once onboard, please check with the Maître d’Hotel to confirm your request.
ONBOARD ATTIRE
Princess has made it easier than ever to know what to pack and what to wear when you’re onboard. There are two designations for dress codes: if dress is Smart Casual, passengers dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home. Appropriate attire includes skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters or blouses for ladies and pants and openneck shirts for men. A jacket and tie is optional. In the dining room, items such as cutoff T-shirts, shorts, halter tops, and jeans are not permitted; shoes must be worn at all times. On Formal nights, appropriate attire includes evening gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies and tuxedos, slacks with dinner jackets, or suits for men. Princess offers formal wear rental on all itineraries; this can arranged prior to your cruise. See the chart below for a general evening attire schedule.
CRUISE LENGTH FORMAL SMART CASUAL
2-6 Days 1 Evening 1-5 Evenings
7-13 Days 2 Evenings 5-11 Evenings
14-20 Days 3 Evenings 11-17 Evenings
21-28 Days 4 Evenings 17-24 Evenings
29+ Days 5 Evenings minimum 24+ Evenings
Dining times
| Meal | Normal Sitting | Late Sitting |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Coffee | 6:00 a.m. | |
| Buffet Breakfast | 7:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. | |
| Breakfast | 7:45 a.m. (open sitting) | 9:00 a.m. (open sitting) |
| Buffet Luncheon | 11:30a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | |
| Lunch | 12 Noon (open sitting) | 1:30 p.m. (open sitting) |
| Tea | 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | |
| Dinner | 6:15 p.m. | 8:15 p.m. |
| Snack Buffet | 11:3O p.m. to 12:15p.m. |
Tipping
Gratuities
During your cruise, regardless of which Princess ship you choose, you will meet staff who provide you with excellent service. Crew members often rotate to different vessels within the Princess fleet which helps to maintain our high standards on every ship. These dedicated workers reflect our philosophy that all crew on all ships are but one family who share in our success.
For our Australian & New Zealand passengers, when sailing on cruises departing from Australia aboard Sun Princess, Dawn Princess or Sea Princess, a daily gratuity amount will no longer be added to your on board account. You are welcome to reward our on board crew for exceptional service, however, tipping is not required.
For all other Princess itineraries and passengers, to save you the worry of who to tip and how much, an automatic gratuity of US$12 per passenger for mini-suites and suites, and US$11.50 per passenger in all other staterooms per day (including children) is automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis and may be adjusted or removed at your discretion on board. This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff across the fleet.
On these worldwide itineraries, a 15% gratuity is also added to bar charges and dining room wine accounts. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff. We know you will find these services onboard exemplary.
Casino dealers and Lotus Spa® personnel do not share in these gratuities, as not all passengers utilize these services.
Kids
A BOAT LOAD OF FUN
When you cruise on Princess you’ll find completely equipped Youth and Teen Centers. There’s everything from arts and crafts corners, games tables, movies, and splash pools to Teen Centers with ping-pong tables, juke boxes, and all the latest video games.*
Toddlers’ are even offered a play area, special outdoor deck area, splash pool, and video games. Teens have their own “Off Limits” special hideouts: Cyberspace, The Fast Lane, and Wired are guaranteed to give them the time of their lives. In addition to all these features, kids on Grand and Golden Princess will also enjoy their own deck space with a whale’s tail splash pool. And teens have a separate jacuzzi and deck area just for them.
All Youth and Teen Centers are fully supervised by staff of Youth Activities Coordinators.
Children are welcome on all Princess ships, but facilities vary. Pacific, Royal and Tahitian Princess do not have dedicated Youth and Teen Centers. However, when 20 or more children ages 3 to 17 are traveling on Pacific, Royal or Tahitian, they will enjoy a varied schedule of supervised activities organized by a Youth Activities Coordinator.
ADDITIONAL REMINDERS
Children under 3 are not permitted in the Youth Center unless accompanied by a parent at all times. Youth Center staff cannot administer medication, bottle feed, change diapers, or provide meal service.* Private babysitting is not available on any Princess ship.
PRINCESS PELICANS
Princess Pelicans, ages 3 to 7, are entertained with non-stop activities:
– Arts and crafts – Galley tours
– Movies and cartoons
– Scavenger hunts
– Hall of Fame tournaments
– Backstage tours – Birthday parties
– Afternoon ice cream – Disco night
PRINCESS PIRATEERS
Princess Pirateers, ages 8 to 12, are always busy with activities such as:
– Arts and crafts – Galley tours
– Movies and cartoons
– Scavenger hunts – Video games
– Hall of Fame tournaments
– Backstage tours – Birthday parties
– Afternoon ice cream
– Edutainment programs and services
PRINCESS TEENS – OFF LIMITS
Off Limits, designed for teens ages 13 to 17, offers a wide range of activities:
– Bop ’til you drop teen-only disco
– The dating game
– Shipboard Olympics
– T-shirt painting – Pizza party
– Basketball tournaments
– Karaoke and lip-sync shows
– Casino night – Video games
FAMILY CRUISING TIPS
Anytime Dining is recommended for families who want to dine together so that children may fully participate in the evening youth activities (starting at 7 p.m).
The dining alternatives aboard the ships allow parents the freedom to spend time with their children while they eat an early dinner in the pizzeria, in the 24-hour restaurant offering a special children’s menu, in the stateroom with 24-hour room service, or in one of the many alternative dining locations. After taking their children to the supervised Youth Center, parents can enjoy dining on their own in the elegant dining rooms.
Many shore excursions have been selected with family cruisers in mind. Discounted rates for children and “family-friendly” activities are available to make the most of your time in port.
On embarkation day, the Princess Kids schedule for the entire cruise will be delivered to your stateroom.
Don’t miss the orientation and registration meeting on the first night of your cruise. You and your children can meet the Youth Staff and learn more about the exciting shipboard programs.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Caribbean, Coral, Dawn, Diamond, Island, Golden, Grand, Regal, Sapphire, Star and Sun Princess Centers are open at sea 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; 2-5 p.m.; 7 p.m.-1 a.m for children ages 3-17.**
**US$5.00 per child per hour group babysitting charge from 10:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. for youth passengers ages 3-12.
Caribbean, Coral, Dawn, Diamond, Island, Golden, Grand, Regal, Sapphire, Star and Sun Princess Centers are open while in port 8 a.m.-5 p.m. without charge. A supervised, complimentary lunch service is available with parental consent.
Royal, Pacific and Tahitian Princess (Program available when 20 or more children are sailing). Activities from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. while at sea. Activities in port are available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. A supervised, complimentary lunch service is available with parental consent.
JUNIOR DINING
As part of the Princess Kids program, Junior cruisers will also be able to participate in two special dinner evenings designed for each age group.
Younger passengers will enjoy dinner without parents and in the company of newfound friends and counselors in one of their ship’s many eateries.
For teens, one of the two evenings will feature a special evening get-together in one of the main dining rooms, complete with group photograph and a night out to enjoy Princess’ many evening offerings.
ADDITIONAL REMINDERS Children under 3 are not permitted in the Youth Center unless accompanied by a parent at all times. Youth Center staff cannot administer medication, bottle feed, change diapers, or provide meal service.* Private babysitting is not available on any Princess ship.
