New to Princess - need help

[777steve]

Hey folks - for some of you Princess Cruisers.. I could use your help.

I live in Houston and Princess is going to be operating the Grand from Galveston next year. I've wanted to try Pincess out and this seems like a good opportunity. My questions are about the cabins.

Space is extremely important to us... we actually spend a lot of time on the balcony and like room to spread out in the cabin.

We have sailed regular outisde on Carnival, Cat C on RCCL and S Suite on HAL... from what I can tell, the Princess rooms are fairly tiny. Can anyone give me some idea about how well they are laid out - I'm certain I can only deal with something like the AA or AB mini-suites but even they seem cramped. I have looked at some of the stateroom web sites and the 360 tours but that's not the same as actually speaking with people who have done them - and especially not people who have done both Princess and other lines in similar cabin types.

Also, how do the cabin perks compare (boarding/concierge or butler, etc...)

I'm appreciative of any input you can offer.

Thanks and cheers to all!

Steve

 

[ocean.queen]

The mini-suites on the Grand are 323 sq ft ! They are not cramped at all. We have sailed the Princess "grand class" ships 4 times and have never used all the storage space. I will admit that the beds are a bit smaller than average but the cabins and bathrooms are wonderful. There are two TV's, a dresser with multiple drawers, an endtable in the sitting area with large drawers, and a dividing counter with a large lower shelf. The closet is large with numerous shelves and plenty of counter space in the bathroom. The balcony is ample with room for 4 with no problem and the full plexiglass view is a very nice feature. The only drawback to the minisuites on Dolphin deck is that ALL balconies above look down on you. There are a few mini-suites with covered balconies on Emerald deck but they are aft and we did feel quite a bit of vibration when we were in one of those on the Star Princess. The best balconies are on Caribe deck...larger than the other Balcony staterooms...half is covered and half is exposed. I know of no concierge or butler service on Princess. Platinum members (sailed 6 times or more with Princess) are allowed to board before others.

 

[gram]

Have been on the Golden Princess and will be sailing on the Grand in a couple weeks. Both cruises we are booked on Emerald deck mini suites. We really enjoyed that cabin on the Golden. This time we are booked on the Emeral Deck again but at the back. Mini suites on the Emerald deck are completely private and have a roof over head. The mini suites on the dolphin deck are completely exposed to the decks above. The two best mini-suites are emerald deck 728 aft port and 729 aft starboard side. These two cabins have an extra large balcony being they are in the back. the only time we felt any vibroation in the back was during docking and undocking.

Princess did away with any butler service. You will enjoy the Grand

 

[777steve]

Thanks a lot!! This is exactly what i was looking for!

Cheers

Steve in Houston

 

[Lady Jag]

Steve -

If you are concerned about space, I would go with at least a mini-suite. The suites on the Grand Class ships are the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. Just don't expect the mini-suites to be anywhere near as wide as the Cat. C's on RCI's ships.
WARNING: The minis are very, very narrow and long.
They have a bathroom almost identical to the Cat. C's on RCI, but not quite as nice. The balconies are very nice - huge and completely uncovered so you can get the sun during the day and see the stars straight above you at night.
Sorry, no perks until you're in the suites.
Sometimes, the minis are much cheaper than the reg. balcony cabins with Princess. It turned out that way for the Coral & Island Princess sailings for next April. Don't know why, but it did.
The atmosphere on a Princess ship is one of quiet, intimate elegance. No one really gets too wild or seems to care what other people are wearing or doing. Very private experience, IMO.

Have a great cruise!

 

[connie seabee]

We sailed on the Golden Princess last Feb, our cabin was a balcony on the Baja deck. The Cabin was not big, but we had alot of room for storage. The closet is open and very large. The balcony was big enough for us to sit out there for our morning coffee and danish.

As Lady Jag stated, Princess has an elegant, relaxed, atmosphere. Yet there is plenty to do on the ship. We enjoy sitting out by the pool listening to the band sing Caribbean songs during the day.

 

[sodostan]

We sailed on the Grand on October 12 out of Ft. Lauderdale. We had Baja 746, an inside cabin way at the stern of the ship. I am an average-sized woman and my husband is a bit taller than average. Our cabin was well laid-out and maximum use was made of every square foot. Although not cramped, I wouldn't call it roomy, either.

We did, however, have a chance to peek into one of the suites at the very stern of the Baja deck. These were extremely spacious. Unless you are very, very large people and claustrophobic, to boot, a suite like this would certainly meet your requirements.

We hope you are favorably impressed with Princess. We have been on quite a few cruises. Although we believe there is no such thing as a bad cruise, the ones on Princess have always been tops!

 

[777steve]

Thanks for all the input you guys. I think, because space is very important to us (really I should have put that in bold) we will have to go with one of the real suite categories. But I do hear so many good things about Princess it would be a shame not to try 'em out - especially since we'll have one in our back yard!

Thanks again - thrilled to get your input..

Steve in Houston

 

[Lady Jag]

Just another word of advice, Steve. If you and/or your wife don't like noise and movement, don't go with an aft suite. Go for one of the Penthouse Suites in the midship area.

Definitely give Princess a try!! You'll have a terrific time on a beautiful ship! :thumb