Princess Fans

JoeyandDavid · February 13, 2007

John can I assume from that statement that a table for two is NOT an option at traditional dining?

jacketwatch · February 13, 2007

:cool2: Well I am a fan of Princees. I don't think the cabin selection is an issue. The service has always been very good for the two times we have cruised them. As for dining IMHO Princess combines the best of what is out there. You have fixed, traditional seating and anytime dinig is several venus which offer the same menu. You also have the surcharge restaurants which are worth it IMHO. Do try Sabatinis as Z suggested. The ratings for this ship from "other" boards are quite good. I gleaned the following for one of them:

Best For People Who Want:

Elegantly understated decor reminiscent of the Grand '90s, 1990s that is, before ships became floating Las Vegas theme parks. A choice between traditional or personal choice dining options, unusual shore excursions, water sports (Caribbean sailings); facilities for the disabled; outdoor movie viewing on the "biggest LED monitor you have ever seen.

OPverall I would say definitely yes. Try it.

JohnG · February 13, 2007

I can't recall if they had any small tables for two, but I have had them turn a table for 4 into a table for 2 when they had space. They just couldn't accommodate us either way in the traditional dining room, and I thought the Maitre De's solution was a great one. We still had our same table every night at the same time, even though he made it in the dining room normally reserved for anytime dining.

PrincessOne · February 13, 2007

John...Princess is changing the free internet...depending on the length of the cruise...for a typical week you would get a $75 credit instead of it being totally free. Still good...but free is always better.

I forgot the Dawn didn't have Sabatini's...ooops...sorry Joey.

D

cherole · February 13, 2007

I haven't been on Princess, but asked a friend who really like Princess. Here is her response to the original question:

1. A BA vs. BF is a huge difference. BA is the ONLY category that we would book but it is balcony only, not service. The balcony on a BA is approximately 4 times larger than that of any other balcony cabin (other than suites) so well worth the larger price. The only issue is there is little to none regarding privacy because of the way the ship is built. I believe there may be privacy close to the door but the remainder has none. Also, there will NOT be chaise lounge chairs (they only have high back chairs), nothing to recline in.

2. The specialty dinner we always do at Sabatinni's. It is a fun place to go, a little up scale but nothing like the Normandy. It's the fantastic food that we go for! Something like 17 courses (just a little of each) served like 3 at a time. It's a must do! We find the food on Princess a tad better than Celebrity, especially the desserts! Must always order their souffles when they offer them!

We have sailed on the "Sea" and the "Dawn". There is also a sister ship called the "Sun". All are the same, rather old, not too large.

sailinglisa · February 14, 2007

Joey, I've been on the Dawn Princess and I really liked her. There are some things to keep in mind in comparing the Dawn to other Princess ships and to Celebrity ships.

The Dawn is 79,000 GRT. Smaller than the Millie class of ships on Celebrity. I personally love this size of ship. You do tend to see the same people over and over and get to know everyone a little better.

There is no difference in service between inside, outside, regular balcony cabins, mini suites or full suites. The mini suites and suites have the upgraded ammenities (shampoo, etc.) but that is about it - no butler service. No concierge service. All decks do have public laundry rooms with washers, dryers and ironing boards with irons on a timer.

The pools are all freshwater and open 24/7 - just like the hot tubs.

I know that compared to the Millie class ships the cabins (even balconies) will be smaller than you are used to. The Sun class of ships, which Dawn is part of, were the first ships to have a lot of balconies on them. At the time, these balconies were carved out of the hull of the ship - much different than ships built later where the balconies were added on to the hull. Therefore the interiors of the balcony cabins are a bit smaller on this class of ship.

There are two main dining rooms on the Dawn.....one traditional, one anytime dining. The Sterling Steakhouse is part of the Horizon Court (Lido buffet) that is closed down and done up with tableclothes, candles, etc. I really enjoyed all my meals on any Princess ships in Sterling.

There is no Sabbatini's on this class of ship. However, they do have a pizzeria located on deck 8 called La Scala........it not only serves individual made to order pizzas, but Caesar salads, pastas, etc. It is open from lunch time through about 11:00pm or maybe later. It is a sit down area on the top deck of the 4 deck atrium in the center of the ship - opposite of the Casino.

I love the Wheelhouse Bar and Lounge, also the Vista Lounge. There is a champagne and martini bar on this ship but I cannot recall the name of it (it is not Crooner's which is a favorite place of mine on the Island Princess.)

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

http://www.princess.com/ships/dp/index.html

zebra · February 14, 2007

Joey, we have done 8 Princess cruises and one major difference (which has been discussed here already) is the balconies on the Sun class ships. All other classes, Grand or Diamond class have wonderful balconies all glass and vary in size depending upon category or where it is situated on the ship. BUT in the Sun class all the balconies (other than the Grand Suite) are inside the superstructure - and look like they've been carved out. The problem - when you sit on your small balcony you can't see the sea, because the sides are steel. We always travel in Mini-suites on Princess, but truly on this class ship an outside cabin is just as good. Now that is our personal opinion only!!!

The anytime as opposed to traditional dining. Yes they can seat just two people, you can also book traditional now and then say on your 2nd night onboard give anytime a try at the time of your preference - and compare for yourself. When we get a good waiter we just book his table for the rest of the cruise.... but go to the restaurant at a time that suits us. Anytime dining on the Sun class also never has a wait time for a table, sometimes on the bigger ships you may be given one of those "flashing/vibrating" thingees and go to the bar for a drink to wait for your table to become available... this doesn't happen on port evenings, but sometimes on days at sea.

TheSkipper · February 14, 2007

Hey Guys,

We are booked on the Dawn on October 14th. Why not join us???

JoeyandDavid · February 14, 2007

Oh wow Skipper really?? may can do have to see if David can change his vacation week...

jacketwatch · February 14, 2007

According to a site I found both BA and BF are balcony cabins and ea. are 179 sq. feet in dimension. Also on the Dawn the BF is available on Caribe deck only. These cabins are more toward the aft and stern but the more forward stern cabins are practically amidships. BA is on the Aloha deck and amidships. Caribe is two decks below Aloha. Hope this helps J and D. :cool2: