Don Herman Article 12 of 13 in our Cruise Planning Guide — how to plan a cruise, one decision at a time.
You’re onboard, you’ve unpacked, and the ship is sliding away from the pier. Now what?
The good news is that the hardest part of a cruise is behind you. From here on, it’s mostly a matter of knowing where to look for what’s happening, when to dodge the crowds, and how to get full value from what you’ve already paid for. Here’s how we do it.
[Photo idea: a relaxed onboard shot — the two of you on a balcony or deck with a coffee, or a quiet corner of the ship. Something that says “we’ve settled in.”]
Start Every Day With the Ship’s Newsletter
The first thing we check each day is the ship’s daily newsletter. On Princess it’s called the Princess Patter. A hardcopy arrives each day when your steward freshens the room, and it’s also available online in the Princess app. Other lines have their own version, so look for it on yours.
There’s a lot packed into it: the hours for every dining room and bar, fitness classes, specials in the salon and spa, trivia contests and other games, and the day’s entertainment. Most days there’s also a “Need to Know” section with the specifics for the port: when the first water shuttle (tender) departs, a phone number to call in an emergency while you’re off the ship, what to do about wheelchairs, and, most importantly, what time you need to be back onboard.
That last one is worth writing on your hand if you have to. The ship sails on schedule, and it will not wait for a passenger who lost track of the time.
Introverts, This Is Your Moment
If you’re more of an introvert, no worries! Especially on a port day, if you’d rather stay onboard, it’s the perfect time to find a cozy spot and a comfy chair and just read or play games. The ship will be very quiet, most amenities won’t have lines, and the whole place feels like it belongs to you. It’s a great option for the crowd-averse, and a lovely change of pace after a few busy days.
Sea Days: Know When the Crowds Hit
On a sea day (as opposed to a port day), the main venues can get busy. We find the pool deck is most crowded from about 11 to 3. That’s when everyone has finished breakfast and is ready to soak up the sun.
You’ll also see something that’s technically against the rules: people staking out blocks of loungers early in the morning with towels and books, then disappearing for hours. Princess has been getting tighter about this, and staff will remove items from chairs if no one is sitting in them. We generally steer clear of all of it, but if you’re the pool-going sort, be considerate and only claim loungers and chairs when you’re actually using them.
Plan Dinner Around the Show
Evenings are where the ship’s entertainment shines, with some kind of show in the theater most nights. On Princess there are two show times, 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm, so if you really want to catch a show, pick your dinner seating with that in mind. (We cover choosing dining times in Article 10, the Pre-Cruise Checklist.)
If one night’s dinner time doesn’t line up with the show you want, you don’t have to redo your whole schedule. Just talk to the maître d’, who can fix it for all nights or for just the one. And if you do want a good seat, know that the show-going crowd arrives early. The good news is that there aren’t really any bad seats in the theater.
Timing matters for dinner, too. Princess tends to draw an older crowd, and the earlier seatings are the busiest, especially around 5 to 6 pm. Later seatings are quieter, and the same goes for the specialty restaurants. If you’d like a calmer dinner, go later, and if you’re not sure how to pick your dinner time, see Article 10.
Keep an Eye on What You’re Spending
If you’ve bought a package, you may not run up any additional charges onboard. Drinks, meals, and even some fitness classes are often covered by the tiered plans. (We break down what’s in each in Article 8, Choose Add-On Packages.)
If you went with the basic fare instead, it’s easy to keep tabs. You can check your onboard spending online in the app, or simply stop by the Service Desk and ask. They’re happy to print out your totals. It’s also a good time to chat with them about any question or problem, and a quick look at the mid-point of the cruise means no surprises on your final bill.
Use What You Paid For
Here’s a tip that sounds obvious but gets overlooked: review what your package covers and take advantage of it. If your plan includes fitness classes, try one. Photo packages are often covered, too, so convince your group to let the photographers take pictures. You’ll be glad you did later.
Loyalty Programs: Don’t Leave Perks on the Table
Here’s our honest take: cruise-line loyalty programs have been getting stingier and stingier. On Princess, the program is called Captain’s Circle. You’re enrolled automatically after your first Princess cruise, and it costs nothing, so there’s no reason not to use it. But until you reach the top tier, Elite, the rewards are pretty meager. In the middle tiers, the perks are mostly modest discounts (on things like spa treatments, photos, and onboard internet) and lounge or help-desk access. There’s also significant overlap between those benefits and what you get with the Princess Plus and Premier packages, so we don’t use Captain’s Circle much.
Elite is where it gets good. Among other things, you get free laundry, which is awesome on a long cruise. It takes roughly 150 cruise days or 15 cruises to get there, so it’s a long game, but a rewarding one for frequent cruisers. We’re Platinum now and keeping a close eye on Elite, which we’re very close to, and once we get there, we’ll certainly be using that laundry service! We’ve also noticed that Elite status makes the staff “snap to” a little more, though they’re always amazing and helpful either way. If you’re planning on sailing with the same line again and again, it’s worth keeping track of your progress. Check the line’s current program details before you book, since the benefits change from time to time.
Onboard Tips at a Glance
- Check the daily newsletter or app each morning
- Note the “all aboard” time in the Need to Know section every port day
- Use port days for quiet time onboard if crowds aren’t your thing
- Expect the pool deck to peak from about 11 to 3 on sea days
- Choose dinner times around the 7:30 or 9:30 pm shows, and see the maître d’ if you need to adjust
- Skip the 5-6 pm dinner rush for quieter dining, in the main dining room and the specialty restaurants alike
- Only claim loungers you’re actually using
- Track spending in the app or at the Service Desk
- Use everything your package includes, from fitness classes to photos
- Enroll in your line’s loyalty program (it’s free), but keep expectations modest until the top tier
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Princess’s loyalty program work? Membership in Captain’s Circle is free and starts automatically after your first Princess cruise. The perks are modest until you reach the top tier, Elite, which adds benefits like free laundry.
What is the Princess Patter? It’s Princess Cruises’ daily newsletter, listing everything happening onboard, from dining hours and shows to trivia, fitness classes, and port information. You’ll get a printed copy each day, and it’s also in the Princess app.
How do I know when I need to be back on the ship? Check the “Need to Know” section of the daily newsletter. It lists the all-aboard time for each port. The ship leaves on schedule, so make it a habit to note it every port day.
When is the pool busiest on a cruise ship? On sea days, we find the pool deck is most crowded from about 11 to 3. Early morning and late afternoon are much quieter.
How can I check my onboard spending? In the cruise line’s app, or by asking at the Service Desk, where they can print out your totals.
Is it okay to just stay on the ship on a port day? Absolutely. It’s a great way to enjoy the ship with few crowds and short lines, especially if you’re an introvert or need a rest.
Next up in the guide: Article 13 — Disembarkation and Post-Cruise. Or head back to the full Cruise Planning Guide to pick up wherever you left off.
