Are you planning to go on a Princess Cruise? I’ve been on over 25 cruises, and I must say, Princess Cruise is one of my favorites. Let me share the best things about Princess cruise and some cruise tips to help you get the most out of your next vacation on a Princess Cruise.
Best Things About Princess Cruise
Big Closet
One of the best things about going on a Princess Cruise is that the closet is bigger than on other cruise ships. The cabin layout is impressive, with a closet that resembles a very, very small walk-in closet located near the bathroom door. It’s a little alcove area that functions as a changing area which gives a little privacy.
Champagne Tower
Make sure you don’t miss the champagne tower event on the Princess cruise. It takes place in the atrium- you’ll see an amazing tower made of hundreds of champagne glasses.
The cruise director initiates the display by pouring champagne from the top, resulting in a stunning cascade. The best part is that guests take turns pouring champagne onto the tower.
It’s a fun experience, and don’t worry—the cruise photographers are there to capture the moment.
If there’s one cruise photo worth investing in, it’s this one. Believe me, I have a photo displayed in my home office of my son pouring champagne into the champagne tower, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face!
Alfredo’s Pizzeria
Alfredo’s Pizzeria is a bit of a hidden gem on Princess Cruises. It’s easy to overlook because, from the outside, it looks like a specialty restaurant where you’d have to pay extra to dine. I certainly made that assumption, and I’m sure I’m not the only one!
The semi-upscale ambiance may mislead you into thinking it’s not included in the cruise fare. Interestingly, I only knew about it because my mother-in-law couldn’t stop raving about the Margherita pizza!
Truth be told, Alfredo’s is a relaxed, complimentary sit-down restaurant. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely Italian lunch, conveniently located near the atrium and shops.
The pizza at Alfredo’s is delicious, you can even see them making it in the brick oven. But it’s not just the pizza that’s great; you’ll also like the appetizers like caprese salad and antipasto. And if you’re not in the mood for pizza, there are plenty of pasta dishes to choose from, and you definitely shouldn’t overlook the desserts – the tiramisu is a must-try!
It’s a great place to go to for lunch on embarkation day if you want to get away from the buffet crowd. I also like to go to Alfredo’s for lunch on sea days.
Afternoon Tea
The Afternoon Tea on Princess Cruises is not to be missed. It is one of the activities I enjoy the most while on board. This elegant tea service is usually offered in one of the main dining rooms on sea days.
Treat yourself to a selection of freshly made scones, tea sandwiches, pastries, clotted cream, jams, and a variety of teas. It’s a great way to take a break from the afternoon activities and enjoy a refined experience on board. Plus, the best part is that it’s complimentary!
International Cafe
When you’re on a Princess Cruise and don’t feel like heading up to the buffet for a snack or breakfast, the International Cafe is the place to go.
Located in the heart of the cruise ship, in the atrium area, it’s conveniently close to the gift shops and the “hotel lobby” of the cruise ship!
What’s great about the International Cafe is that all the food is complimentary and there is a wide selection of cold and hot foods. In the morning, you can grab an egg sandwich, parfait, or pain au chocolat. For lunch, options include a variety of sandwiches and small casserole dishes such as a shepherd’s pie.
It’s not just savory items; there are also plenty of desserts, from pastries to chocolate chip cookies. The International Cafe is open 24 hours a day, so you can always stop by to see what is being served.
If you prefer to skip the buffet crowds and want a quick grab-and-go breakfast, this is the place to go. It’s perfect for a post-shore excursion snack before dinner. My kids love the chocolate chip cookies, while I always go for the shepherd’s pie as a hearty snack (they call it beef burger pie).
The best part is that there are plenty of seats near the International Cafe, so you can people watch and enjoy the live music while you eat.
Just a heads up, specialty coffee and tea aren’t complimentary, but the food is always free. This is convenient because you don’t have to trek all the way to the buffet for a snack.
Laundromats
Many Princess Cruise ships have a self-service laundromat on each deck. This amenity is not only money-saving but also very convenient.
The cost of using the laundromat is minimal, which is great for longer cruises. It’s come in very handy for me, especially when cruising with kids to Europe, which is usually at least a 2 week long vacation for us.
So, before you go on your Princess Cruise, check the deck plan to see if there are laundromats on your cruise ship. Then, you can adjust your packing accordingly!
Kids Club
I have to say, the Princess Cruise Kids Club is one of the best kids’ clubs on cruise ships. It never feels overcrowded, probably because there aren’t as many families with kids on Princess Cruises. While some might not see this as a positive, I think it’s great.
Dropping off your child at the kids’ club is much less chaotic without long lines. It’s a more personalized experience, too. For example, my daughter won a foosball and drawing competition on the Princess cruise ship, and even the captain came by to present her with a prize. We were even there to take photos of her receiving her prize. I don’t think we ever had that kind of personalized experience at other cruise ship kids’ clubs!
Back of the House Kitchen Tour
Be sure to attend the complimentary kitchen tour at Princess Cruise. It’s a great way to see the behind-the-scenes operations of the kitchen.
Keep in mind that the tour is not a fully functional kitchen but rather a very clean kitchen with minimal food preparation and cooking. You’ll have the opportunity to see where the assistant waiter gets their drinks, the area where all the liquor is locked up, and the preparation station for the line cook.
During my tour, the pastry chefs displayed intricate cakes, which was truly impressive. Witnessing what goes on behind the scenes, especially for children, is a valuable experience. While some cruise lines charge for similar behind-the-scenes tours, Princess Cruise Line gives this tour for free! So don’t miss it!
Outdoor Movies
Don’t miss the outdoor movies on Princess Cruises! These movie screenings take place on the pool deck, where the cruise staff sets up a cozy atmosphere for enjoying movies under the stars.
Princess Cruises’ outdoor movies differ from those of other cruise ships because the staff goes the extra mile to turn the pool deck into an outdoor movie theater.
They convert the pool loungers into a comfortable outdoor movie theater by adding soft seat cushions and warm blankets for cozying up. They will also give out popcorn for you to enjoy during the movie. It’s a fun experience that you should not miss on Princess Cruises.
Medallion
Princess Cruises has transitioned many of its ships to a medallion system, replacing the traditional cruise keycard. Upon check-in, every guest will receive a medallion, instead of a cruise keycard.
The medallion is small, about the size of a quarter, and is designed like a beautiful medal. Its color will signify your Princess cruise loyalty tier, and it will be personalized with your name, the cruise ship’s name, and the date of your trip.
This medallion is basically your keycard, allowing you to get in your cabin, buy things at the cruise gift shop, embark and disembark the ship, and buy drinks. If you prefer, you can also buy wristbands to wear your medallion like a watch, although a lanyard will be provided for free. This eliminates the need to pack lanyards!
To be honest, I don’t see significant advantages to the medallion system since it essentially works as a cruise keycard. The only benefit is its trackability; you can use the app to locate family and friends traveling with you.
Another neat thing about the medallion is that you can request food and drinks to be delivered to wherever you are on the cruise ship. Get your cocktail delivered to you in your stateroom, by the pool, or in the hot tub. The cruise staff knows your exact location because they can track your medallion!
Check out these free cruise printables
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