I would appreciate if anyone can help me with a few questions... I'm wondering what the towel policy is on Princess? Can we bring pool towels off the ship for shore excursions?
Also do you know if there is an alarm clock in the stateroom? It wasn't specifically listed (with TV, hair dryer, etc) and I've stayed in hotels before that didn't have a clock. If there isn't, I definitely want to bring one, especially since we have an interior room so it will always be dark.
And finally I'm wondering about the formal nights. The Princess guidelines stated that "tuxedos, slack with dinner jackets, or suits" are appropriate for men, but a travel agent review I read said that Princess formal nights were heavy on tuxedos, beaded gowns, etc. Anyone know what the passengers actually wear? A lot of the men in my family don't even own a suit, but if most guys are in tuxes, I'd think they'd feel very underdressed in a sport coat.
Hi mlsunshine, there is no need to bring an alarm clock, unless you just want to. You can always leave a wake-up call, it's fully automated, you dial the number, enter the time, and the phone will ring at that time. As for formal night, there will be everything from tuxedos and long gowns, to sports jackets and cocktail dresses. As long as they have a jacket and a shirt with a button down collar, tie, and dress pants they will be fine. You will see more tuxedos on Princess than other lines, but a jacket/slacks combination is fine. If they really don't want to dress for dinner on formal nights, you can always go to the buffet. But do try and make formal night, it's so nice. Also, it's a great opportunity for a good picture. The photographers do a great job, and the prices aren't that bad, unless you purchase every picture they take. Please let us know how you enjoyed the Grand, we're thinking about taking the Christmas/New Years cruise on her next year. Best wishes and have a wonderful time!
I think I'll pack a small one, just because I wake up a lot during the night and like to check how much longer I have to sleep. But that is a good idea to use the wake up call.
I'll let you know how we like it! I think I have literally spent more time researching cruises/ships/ports/excursions, before and after we booked, than we are going to actually spend on the cruise. We're going with a big group - me, dh, our 2 preschoolers; my in-laws, and my family...20 in all, and 3 generations. So I guess that's why I want to be as prepared as possible (since I'm doing the planning for all of us basically). We're counting down the days!
Let us know how the Grand is when you return. We'll be on it in Jan. The days of being very formal have long since past although many people still adhere to it. As long as you husband has a jacket of some type he'll be fine.
I would have liked to go in January, since it was cheaper, plus going the week before Christmas will make our holiday a little crazy, but my husband has a lot of "year end" work in Jan and couldn't get off. But oh well! Will let you know how we like it.
The more I think about it, the more questions I come up with... I've heard that suitcases store nicely under the bed, but is there somewhere to unpack your clothes? I know there's a small closet, but is there a dresser too?
There's plenty of room to store you suitcases either under the bed or in the closet. If it really gets tight you could always ask you room steward to stash them until you ready to pack. My wife usually takes all the draws for her things. You can always ask for more hangers if needed.
Formal nights: I, like members of your family, own one suit and have owned that one suit for 10 years +!!! I hemmed and hawed about participating in formal night, but of course my wife won out on that one. I actually enjoyed getting dressed up, so I had fun. I simply wore a reular ol' suit, no tux, and certainly didn't feel under dressed at all. So in my opinion, a tux is not a necessity. As for the pictures....Penny.....your right, not too bad....unless you purchase a lot of them...and or course, once again, my wife won out on that one!!! It got expensive!!! If I'm not mistaken, the larger ones were around $20.00 (if you bought 5 you got the sixth free) and the smaller ones were somewhere around $12.00. Have a great time!!
There are drawers on the side of the bed, like end tables. Then there is a dresser with drawers as well. The center drawer will have your hair dryer. The rooms, surprisingly, can accomodate a lot of "stuff". The suitcases will fit easily under your bed. Best wishes.
On our cruise in April on the Caribbean Princess the chef went all out on formal nights. The most memorable meals of the cruise!
There is such a range of attire that you will not feel out of place. But you will feel like a millionaire for the night! You have paid for all this luxury - enjoy it!
A woman could wear a simple black skirt and shell top with an inexpensive pair of sparkly earrings for effect if you wish. Your husband will be fine with his sport jacket. Don't worry that everyone else will look like they are attending the Academy Awards. They won't.
We're on the Grand in just a few more days. Can hardly wait.
Re: alarm clock. I got in big trouble with my better half cuz I told her she didn't need to pack her alarm clock. I was certain they had one in the room. NOT! None for sale in the ship's store either. First port stop we had to buy one. She, like you, wakes up during the night and always wants to know what time it is.
Re: Formal attire. Our first two cruises, I rented tuxes from Princess. It was great and I felt like James Bond on the formal nights. The more we cruised, the easier it was to just bring a dark suit (and saved money). Now it is a suit or dark sport coat and nice slacks. I have never felt out of place at dinner.
Have a great time. You will have a blast traveling with a large group of friends.
Grand Princess has shelves and drawers and closet space for clothes. The suitcases do fit under the bed. My partner wears a suit for formal nights and I usually wear a long dress, not a fancy gown. There are more people attired that way than full formal dress. The wake up call works great, but I always bring a small travel clock anyway.
