Camillus112

Years ago we had friends meet us for lunch.  You needed to request paperwork to ensure ID of guests.  Guests needed to bring passports (this was in Europe) to verify identity.  There was a charge for lunch.   Fun memory:  Inadvertently, we sat for drinks at the space that would be used for trivia at the time...a rude participant screamed we were taking his team's place.  We immediately began to exit, when we heard other participants loudly inviting us to stay and play with them.   A lot more kind people than not.

Thank you so much Port Power for sharing your lovely photos of our El Yunque with us!!

9 minutes ago, RollTide49 said:

 

How do I find the web cam- I would love to see the ship. We will be on board on Dec 13

Roll Tide, I think you mean Dacember 14.  So will we!!

1 hour ago, the_dylaness said:

<mic drop>

 

I hope your spouse includes this feedback about the speaker on the post-cruise survey.  

I am a Puerto Rican woman...many said pretty in my youth...but I would not like my Island to be highlighted for this banal fact.  I hope he talked about our culture, history, architecture, etc.  

Staying right now at the Condado Vanderbilt and agree it is a lovely hotel.

Wow!  A  push-button hair dryer!!  Not even the moderately priced hotels have it any longer.  Thanks for sharing this information; of course I'll bring my own dryer.

For many years, the Caribe Hilton was the best hotel in all San Juan.  Somehow in recent years it has lost its lustre.  You may want to check an AI summary of more than 100 reviews of the hotel.  Caveat emptor...AI makes mistakes...

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147320-d149921-Reviews-Caribe_Hilton_Hotel-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

1 hour ago, GMIAC said:

.... but I've always stuck with the adage that the plural of anecdote is not data. 

Dear fellow roll call member, I will be stealing this, oh so clever, phrase from you!!  So true.

Thank you Mike, I am very much looking forward to enjoying the art.  The bonsai cherry tree looks lovely! 

1 hour ago, vistaman said:

do you play trivia? 

I will wear a Belgian pin the first  2 days !

I do not, but I hope to meet you (will look you up); my DH is a wine enthusiast and you are a connoisseur.  I always follow your posts. 

3 minutes ago, dabear said:

Already on roll call & you must of forgot that we've communicated with each other for months. 

Oh!  Sorry about that...and I was the last to post on the roll call.  I owe you a drink!

4 hours ago, dabear said:

So will we !

Great!  There is a roll call if you care to join.

We will see Grandeur up close and personal on December 14 (Caribbean)...can't wait!! 🛳️

While most posters inquire because they would feel more comfortable in smart casual clothes, some may also inquire because they would like to dress up and not feel out of place.  ME.  I like to dress up and have used formal clothes in Med cruises.  I enjoy doing this and I think nobody cares.  We have a Caribbean cruise coming soon...no formal clothes, but elegant casual.  Dress elegant or smart casual, you will be fine.

I have been to El Yunque, though not on a tour.  It is lovely, with hiking trails and small water falls.  However, it is an around 45 minute drive from the Condado area of San Juan.  You can research the El Yunque site on line to get a flavor for its beauty.  Enjoy!

Sail Away during my only (pre Covid) Regent cruise was as poster cwn described.  Old Crystal was very well known for exciting, scrumptious, sail aways, and I also had nice experiences in Silversea and Seabourn.  

Thanks so much, fellow Grandeur cruiser, for sharing what we will be enjoying as entertainment in the Grandeur.  After years of British Invasion and Mind the Gap in other lines, this will be welcomed.  But, hey, I've been a Beatles fan for ages...I mean, since the 60's of course.

I had the opportunity of watching the workings of the "botafumeiro", a huge incense dispenser which hangs-and is swayed- from the Cathedral's ceiling. This only happens when a group of "peregrinos" or "caminantes" arrive at the Cathedral, to celebrate their finishing the Camino de Santiago.  It was breathtaking!

Thanks Lois, DH and I need to return!

7 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Cam, it is definitely still open........here is a link:

https://www.brennansneworleans.com/

Oh Lois, thanks for the memories!!  Looking at the menu...the oysters!! And, of course, the Banana Foster!!  They were famous for this dessert back in the 70's...

Lirio, enjoying your posts from New Orleans.  Enjoyed visiting many years ago, when the most sought after restaurant was called Brennan's.  Will never forget all their special dishes.  Wonder if still open...

Hello GMIC, I am a fellow member in your roll call.  Our reserve date was Sept 15, and I was sitting in front of my computer right at the hour....so was everybody else with the same cut off date.  I did not get all I wanted, but feel pretty satisfied with what I got.  Hey, luck of the draw.  Please be sure to be ready with a written out planned booking agenda, so you won't waste time thinking.  Plan A, B & C can work for you.  Now, remember that on some days (I think rotating) the specialty restaurants open for lunch. Since we enjoyed Chartreuse, we had several lunches there (our prior cruise was longer than this one).  You may find you can walk in at lunch time at the open specialty restaurant.  Hope you get what you prefer!!!

Hi Rachel, did you get a chance to visit the Wine Museum?  Unfortunately my DH and I did not have time, else we would have missed the ship sailing out of Bordeaux!  I've been told it's excellent with a top level great restaurant.  Oh well, next time.

While in San Juan, we stay at the Condado Vanderbilt.  Although ocean front, guests use the beach at the neighbor hotel La Concha.  It has two pools and three excellent restaurants.

In both Crystal and Regent my DH (classical music composer) found pianos he could practice on.  You will probably need to identify yourself as professional and an electronic piano, if available, will probably be available to you at convenient times.