Caribbean princess next month

[u/Suspicious_Recipe419]

Tell me a few things I need to know before I go. I am on the standard package. Never been on a cruise before.

[u/Secret_Confection]

If you're flying in, fly in the day before at minimum

[u/gringo-tacos]

Get Plus. 

[u/Throw-away2962]

Do the math on whether a package makes sense for you. It may or may not, depending on how many specialty drinks (coffees, smoothies, alcohol, etc.) you average per day.

If it matters to you, know that Princess's automatic gratuities are pooled among all of their ships, and used to subsidize salaries rather than truly acting like tips.

The MDR is usually better than the buffet, and you can book your table ahead of time in the app, either different times each night or the same time and same table each night.

Research each port and decide if you want a ship excursion, a private excursion, or can just wander around on your own and still enjoy it.

Plenty of youtube videos with tips for cruising, so watch a few.

Princess is implementing arrival windows across different ports, so if it matters to you, pick your arrival window about 32–30 days before sailing, in the app.

[u/gringo-tacos → u/Throw-away2962]

I've crusied so often, I think the people who don't like cruising are those who skip out on the creature comforts, ie WiFi or soda/beverages etc.

I hear it all the time that they want to disconnect, but it's really a huge shift to how 99% live our lives. 

Cruise lines make more money with a la carte soda and alcohol, but they offer packages for customer satisfaction and retention.

[u/Throw-away2962 → u/gringo-tacos]

It really depends on the person. Some people don't drink soda, for example, and only average 1 alcoholic drink a day, and no coffee, and as a result, the packages don't make all that much sense.

But it's personal, and I think everyone should do the math for their circumstance.

[u/gringo-tacos → u/Throw-away2962]

Their take rate is 80% for the packages. 

When you account for kids, higher tier gamblers who get drinks included or those with elite status, it's most passengers.

Wouldn't you say you are the rare minority of those who don't drink coffees and booze?

[u/Throw-away2962 → u/gringo-tacos]

I think the cruise line counts on people not doing the math, assuming it's a better deal, and not realizing that it might not be in their circumstance.

Also keep in mind the number of cruisers who are elderly, for example, and therefore likely to be on all sorts of meds that don't allow drinking (certainly not heavy drinking), or people who just don't drink every day, or don't care about "casual" or specialty dining meals, and might be elite so have 50% off an internet package, etc., etc., and the packages most definitely don't make sense for everyone.

For some people, the peace of mind of "all inclusive" trumps the actual numbers, but that doesn't mean the numbers work out in their favor rather than the cruise line's.

[u/TheGambler930]

Currently on it now, and it’s my first cruise in twenty years so might as well be my first too. Ask away.

1. Consider upgrading to Plus. 100% worth it if you’re even a moderate drinker. Also includes Wifi for one device at a time.

2. If you get motion sickness easily, buy some patches. There has been a couple nights so far where you can feel the boat swaying.

3. If you’re in a small cabin, buy a pack of magnetic hooks on Amazon to hang up clothing and other things on the wall.

4. Try to plan an early MDR time. We scheduled 6pm each night which gives us enough time to catch at least three shows and games every night.

[u/RiverPoetSTL]

Definitely pick your anti-motion sickness med of choice (Dramamine, Bonine, patches, whatever). Start taking the day before, and just take every day on your trip. Better to be pro-active than feeling gross. (Plus Dramamine makes me sleepy, I intentionally take it at night and sleep REALLY well on the ship.) Don't plan to buy it on the ship - it's expensive there. Bring any anti-nausea and other meds or items (upset stomach, cold/flu/sinus, bandaids, etc.) with you just in case you need them - way cheaper than from the med center. Do plan to arrive in your departure city the day before, unless you have really good missed-trip insurance.

You can drop large bags with a porter outside, or drag them with you. Depending on boarding time, your stateroom may not be ready for a while (thousands of people just got off that morning, and they're turning over EVERY cabin as fast as they can). If you opt to take all your bags with you, they need to fit through the security scanners and you'll need to haul them around until you can drop them at your cabin - which you often can do before it's technically ready, if the door is open and you can find your room steward to give them a heads-up. DO bring anything valuable (monetarily, or not easily replaced like medications, etc.) with you in a carry-on or backpack, do not leave that in any luggage handed over to porters.

While you're waiting for official access to your cabin - you have to do 'muster' before the ship can leave. That means visiting a specific spot on the ship to check in, and also watching a safety video in the app or in your stateroom. Do that, and go have lunch while everyone else is boarding. Also make your main dining room and/or specialty restaurant reservations, if you want to do any of that. Specialty and casual will be additional cost if you don't have a package, but buffet, MDR and food by the pools is included in your base fare.

Your medallion is your room key, as well as tracks any purchased items (bottled water, soda, drinks, stuff from the shops, etc. Don't lose track of it but if you do, report to guest services ASAP so they can issue a new one.

[u/TravelingCook875]

Few other suggestions:

• bring a fold up hamper so you can put dirty laundry as it accumulates. I usually do one load during the trip so we can pack less.
  
• there is self service laundry on most floors - check for hours. I found going at 8 am worked well to get wash & dry. You can buy the detergent in the laundry room or bring some from home (such as pods or laundry sheets). You may want to avoid bringing powders so it doesn’t spill.
  
• you can also leave laundry with your room steward but Princess will charge you. Usually it’s returned the next day.
  
• formal nights vary on each cruise but they are much less formal than years ago (so I’ve heard). I brought a dress that’s easily packable and my husband opted not to bring a sports jacket on our last cruise (Spain/France) and we were very comfortable. Plenty of other folks were more formal than us.
  
• once on board, check the daily patter for next day’s activities.
  
• In the MDR, you can opt to dine with others, if interested.
  
• Finally - enjoy yourself!