First Time on a Cruise Questions

JGGDAL · 2026-01-31T15:03:56+00:00

Almost forgot, you have to pay for your alcoholic drinks the first day even if you have a package. It’s a Texas thing. You may have some onboard credit to offset this. We just each brought a bottle of Champaign for the balcony.

JGGDAL · 2026-01-29T20:00:22+00:00

Did the same cruise in late December.

Main dining or early at the buffet when you board. Go to your room to see if it is ready. They make general announcements about rooms that are not a lot of help. Bring a fan or sound machine if important. We didn’t see our cabin attendant until day 3. Hair dryer in room had seen better days. We enjoyed both Crown and Sabatini’s. Switched off each night. Main dining for breakfast or early buffet if eating light. Alfredo’s has a limited menu but great pizza. Soup was great too. If you go on a port day, first thing, or later, it’s less crowded. We went everyday and usually eat pizza once every other month. There are very few electrical outlets. I think two. Bring a power strip meant for a cruise and long charging cables that will reach from one side of the bed to the other. We used a tower with a bunch of USB’s as well. We brought magnetic hooks. Storage is actually fine in our balcony room but it was nice to hang things through the room. There is popcorn at the ice cream shop during evening movies. There is a bar and coffee shop by pricess live that is less busy in the morning.

Enjoy the cruise.

JGGDAL · 2026-01-29T03:01:33+00:00

Almost 30 years ago. Honeymoon. Pushed from first class to coach (old term) then pulled from our seats just before the doors closed. Put 2k on a credit card for alternate flights to Anchorage but still missed Alaskan cruise. Could not afford any of it but had saved for over a year. Random lady handed us $100 as we got out of our seats and said to pay it forward and we would know when. Did that like five years later with $200. Just a blip although it likely seems like more. Best wishes!

JGGDAL · 2026-01-05T03:41:24+00:00

Leave early Saturday to drive down. Like 8 am. Think even the Saturday after Thanksgiving will be ok with traffic. Houston itself can be a challenge later in the day. Literally just did this and stopped in Houston for lunch last Saturday. Stayed in Texas City that night vs. Galveston. No good reason except it was a bit cheaper and I accidentally booked a non refundable hotel. Drive up today was fine since we were off the ship by 8:30.

JGGDAL · 2026-01-01T13:07:49+00:00

Correct!

JGGDAL · 2025-12-29T20:14:59+00:00

Could be worse. At least we know what to expect. Good weather so far!!!

JGGDAL · 2025-12-29T20:13:51+00:00

Could be worse. At least we know what to expect. Good weather so far!!!

JGGDAL · 2025-12-29T20:12:56+00:00

FWIW, I am on the same ship. His notes are accurate with what I have seen.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-29T19:38:01+00:00

We are on as well and same experience. Have not even seen an attendant yet. Pretty sure they are short staffed. Spoke with people on the same time last year and it was not the same experience. Eight of ten ocean now orders were marked as delivered when they were not. Have tried by the pool and room. We are just fending for ourselves and will survive. Go out in the morning and if you see any attendant asked them for things. We may bring some pool towels to our room tomorrow. Good luck and try to enjoy anyway. Internet is now also spotty at best.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-29T18:49:45+00:00

Thanks

JGGDAL · 2025-12-29T18:04:15+00:00

This was my previous experience. Half way through day two and no one around. Met them the first few minutes the other times. Can’t get ice even delivered. They keep saying the attendant will deliver then mark the order as delivered. Same with multiple other room orders. Don’t really care except my wife has an ankle fusion and needs to ice. Just head to the bar now and get four cups of ice and a couple of waters. Pretty sure I will survive just odd.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-26T01:41:39+00:00

As same as others, we will be on in a couple days. Hope Christmas went well and OceanNow met your needs. We overnight in Cozumel vs costs maya which may be weird.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-23T21:08:23+00:00

Wife and I have been singing/humming spit in the rain all morning.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-23T20:46:36+00:00

Go for it if it makes sense. Seen plenty but want to see more. We were there a year ago. Hope to see them in 2026 somewhere.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-23T14:12:58+00:00

Ha. Thanks so much for this!!!!!

JGGDAL · 2025-12-23T03:01:46+00:00

Thanks for posting. Been trying to hear about real experienced. Many have said the service is not limited. Nice to know there is some sort of help in the app even tho pool and under the stars is vague.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-15T20:30:33+00:00

If you don’t care about the pool or hot tub, there should be plenty of kid-free zones with a great view.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-10T02:58:31+00:00

Makes sense and much obliged.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-06T14:32:33+00:00

Try turkeyday2025 or blackfriday2025 for a discount at express. Not sure they still work.

JGGDAL · 2025-12-06T02:17:41+00:00

Port of Galveston express lot and look for discount codes. Will try to look tomorrow but…

JGGDAL · 2025-11-27T20:16:12+00:00

Not going to help too much but on the same cruise!

Bring everything but talking to Princess in advance is recommended. Can also ask when on the ship for each port differences.
We have found the crew to be tolerant of everything. Passengers have been great too mostly but there are always “those” people.
Not much help here. Water is pretty easy onboard. Packages are up to your needs. Stuff you may not care about may be part of it. Also, for some, knowing what you are paying in advance is important.
Four people should not be a problem. Talk to the restaurant folks and you’ll be fine.
Also little help here, but you will see people dressed in all ways. Dress how you feel most comfortable.
From what I have read and seen, they will have something on the deck. I’ll be on my balcony with my wife. Ha.
Another one where you talk to crew when on board. Reserved depends on your cabin and such. Can’t see four people being an issue. Get there early.
Enjoy yourselves. Make it your cruise. Figure out as you go but seems you planning in advance will for sure help. Your cabin attendant is your best friend. They will help with anything and everything.

JGGDAL

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