cruzin4us

First Formal Night.  Not going to bore you to tears on what people are/aren’t wearing.   There was a massive line, and I was grateful I could bypass it and walk right in

the only downer has been a young toddler has been crying/whining throughout the entire dinner.    Not sure why parents don’t take them out of the restaurant until they calm down.   😵‍💫

appetizer:  

Duck Pate and Crab :delicious and came chilled as it should be.  
Crab, Monterey Jack Cheese Quiche - first absolutely disgusting thing I’ve tasted.  It was crab with a K and tasted like Krab not crab.   Don’t try to pull one over on me.   
 

pasta:

Taglaitelle with herbed chicken:    Came piping hot and was delicious 

Main course:  

Medallions of beef - Princess gets this right almost every time but today it was exceptional.   Another meal that arrived hot and perfectly cooked (med rare) and beautifully plated.  Yum

I don’t know how the Diamond can serve nice hot food when some of the other ships are failing miserably on this account.   Again, I ate too much

too stuffed for dessert but I snapped a pic of the menu 
 

Wow, came back to my room to these goodies.  I knew the fig/cheese on crostini was coming but not the wine and the fruit.   I just was snapping some pics as Jean-Paul the head of food and beverage called to see if he could be of assistance with any reservations and asked how my food has been thus far.  About fell off my chair.  This is like days of old cruising with Princess.   Kudos to them.  
 

the fig/cheese doesn’t look that appetizing. But it tastes great and beats the canapés that they usually offer on formal night.   
 

and kiwis 🥝.  I have seen a fruit basket in my last 5 post Covid cruises.  

Sorry about the duplicate pics…..I was trying to post while I ate and the sake probably had something to do with it.  
 

Here’s what I spent which I justified as I ate for two and would have probably dumped it in the casino.    No, I’m not pregnant, I just ate like my husband was with me.
 

my belly is full and I’m one happy camper

Kai Sushi for lunch:

I cuddled up to the sushi bar and the sushi chef made me a great dish.  Yellowtail Carpaccio.  It’s a bit on the spicy side but I loved it    I wasn’t going to eat as much as I did, but formal night can’t be as good as Sushi, surely…..right?

It’s a good thing I sat at the bar my myself because I moaned with delight as I ate every bite.   

Miso soup (complementary)

sake

Poke

yellowtail carpaccio (not on the menu).   The kind of stuff I dream about at night.  If it wasn’t formal night, I’d have ordered more.  
Sextent Sashimi:   Scallops, shrimp, calamari, salmon, yellowtail and tuna - very good but the Yellowtail Carpaccio was my favorite 
 

Kai Sushi is more expensive than the sushi on the Discovery, but it’s a different experience.  Much nicer venue.  Both are good.  On the Discovery you are sitting out in the Piazza, here is more formal.   As a sushi/sashimi lover I’m in heaven.  
Every item was beautifully platted.   The little itty shrimp are from Japan and the sweetest I’ve ever eaten.   I laughed at the size but shut up after I tasted them.  Oh, so sweet!

2 orders of sake and my sashimi and they pretty much had to roll me out of here…..I will be back

The casino:   The starboard side is smoking, port side and table games are non smoking.  Drink service was abundant.    The casino is fairly small compared to other Princess ships but it’s adequate.    I haven’t heard of any tournaments but I haven’t asked if there will be any.   Last night for me:  casino 1, Laurie (me) 0.

the theater:   Starboard side, deck 6 has stairs, so if you are in a mobility scooter, don’t go this route 

The busiest place on the ship is Guest Services.   For the life of me, I don’t know why people just don’t go later in the evening when it’s not so busy.    It is the only place where people congregate with bad ju ju.    I know not all people are up there complaining, but heck we haven’t even been on board 24 hours yet.   Unless my toilet is overflowing or my air conditioner doesn’t work, that’s the last place I want to spend my vacay.   Me just ranting 

Just a note:   I’m posting using my iPhone and my fat fingers make mistakes that I don’t catch.   Punctuation is off, words misspelled, etc.   please forgive the errors.    Normally I use a laptop and I’m much better catching my errors.   It’s just a pain to transfer pictures from one device to the other.   
 

oh, I was able to stream Netflix last night with no buffering.  Took a little bit of time to load, but I watched a movie with no problem 

Well that was definitely a rough night.   It’s currently 8:30 am and there are still very few people out and about.  

Just a word of warning, if you have mobility issues, you probably don’t want to get a room with a tub (at least my mini suite).   It is one gigantic step to get in and out of the tub/shower.  I’m 5’11” and I was like Holy Cow, am I going to be able to do this?   There are grab bars but it’s a very high step to get in (and out) of the tub.    The ceiling is quit low (I’m guessing just a tad over 6’).  I think I’d rather have just a shower.   Good note however, the shower curtain isn’t clingy 

I headed down to Good Spirits and got my 4 shots of espresso in a small flat white.   The coffee and menu are the same as in the international cafe

Today we have the meet and greet at Skywalkers, so I’ll take some pics of it later

The weather is still chilly but it’s kinda sunny.   
 

Tonight is our first formal night so I’m not going to stuff myself all day so food pics will be after dinner

Pics are of:

coffee menu

piazza

handicap bathroom - notice it has a private sink and plenty of room to maneuver - nice touch

Boy are we a rockin’.  I’m happy but the casino cleared out really early.   The Captain said we can expect more of the same tomorrow.    I was walking into walls trying to get back to my cabin.   He also said he was going to head on a more southerly route to try and avoid some of the storm.  
 

Pics are of Kai Sushi restaurant 

Explorer’s Lounge

model ship in the gift shop

5 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

The bread crumbs just seem to spread out ALL OVER our table...we're almost embarrassed because it looks like a table of kindergartners was eating there!

 

Following along...especially interested in how good/bad the internet is.  Did you post the pics up to this point via shore service or did you go through the ship?

 

Thus far I’ve been posting using the ships Wi-Fi.    On the Ruby in November we had good service the entire trip so hopefully this will be the same

Random stuff 

the dinner Lin at 6:30

deck 7 promenade 

San Diego 

tonights comedian 

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Thank you for taking the Diamond to Hawaii and back (AND reporting when possible).  Enjoy your cruise.  I will be following your entries.  If you want to know anything about the islands, ask away.  Will you have Hawaiian Cultural Ambassadors on this ship?

 

Aloha.

Brian and Rowena are the Hawaiian Ambassadors.  
 

here’s a pic of Brian, my bud

We just pulled out of port at about 6:00 pm - 2 hours late.  No biggie for me, just reporting the facts….only the facts

I walked right in to my table.   Another happy moment.   The menu didn’t appear to have changed yet as reported on other ships.  The standbys are still there:  Fettuccine, shrimp cocktail, salmon, kale salad, French onion soup and chicken 

Dinner started on a real positive note.   My cold dishes came out cold, my hot dinners hot.   Oh, boy.  I was thrilled beyond belief.    Hopefully this is a good sign of things to come!

I had the Wahoo Ceviche which I have ordered on the Discovery and the Ruby.   This blew their out of the park.  Could have eaten 5 more.   Next up was the linguine with clams.   It was piping hot and delish.   There was only 1 clam in the shell but there were many others tucked away.   Again, very happy.   For my entree I ordered the Mahi Mahi, and it too was hot!    It was a bit on the fishy side but not too bad and maybe just a tad overcooked but not by much.   

My asst waiter Mohammed said it was his 1st cruise ever and his very first day.  He’s as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof.     So, cute.    There are some very nice people in my sitting area all of which have been welcoming to him.   
 

No room For dessert.    At another hard delicious crunchy roll instead.   And yes, I have crumbs everywhere 

The Captain just came on the speaker and said we will be having rough weather for at least the first couple of days.    Looks like my wish came true for some rocking’ and a rollin’

we will also be departing about 1 hr late because we are still waiting on luggage to be loaded.   It’s piled up on the pier.  
 

Got back to my room.....the air was back on and the smell was 97% better.   Also, my luggage had arrived at some point and was in my closet.   I wouldn't have even noticed it had I not been covering the light sensors with duct tape....ha.    So, at 3:15 pm, I'm all unpacked, in a cool room virtually stink free.

The balcony is quite large and I was pleasantly surprised.  

I'm glad I brought some towel clips, because my drapes don't want to close completely....and if the sun is even coming thru even 1 cm, I'm awake.   I've always been that way......go to bed and wake with the roosters.    If only the drapes were 2" longer......

Anyway, I'm quite comfortable in my new digs for 16 more days.  

San Diego turned out to be such a beautiful clear day.....I'm happy for those who've never been here to SD.    She's shining in her finest right now.

Plans for the evening???   Dunno.....I really have no plans other than maybe throw a few dollars away in the casino.

This ship is unique in it has a sushi/Japanese restaurant called Kai Sushi.   It's open for lunch on sea days and for dinner every night beginning at 5:00 (I think).....yes, I know I could look it up on the patter, but I'm lazy at the moment.

Did make a reservation at Sabatini's....the venue is quite nice looking, so reservation was made.   I'm judging the book by its cover 🙂

The speaker for the hallway is right outside my room.....hope I don't hate Hawaiian music after 16 days....lol

My mini bar was set up and my room steward switched out the Beefeater Gin, Sky Vodka, and some kind of Scotch forCourvoisier.....mostly because the bottles are kind of cool looking.   One of the perks of the Elite loyalty status.

The ship is sailing with about 2600 people, so it's pretty much full.   For a small ship, there are nooks and crannies full of bars that I didn't even know existed until I stumbled upon them.   Well, I kind of knew about them, but they are nicer than I thought they'd be....like the Wheelhouse bar.   

Churchill's Cigar Lounge is also nicer than other ships (especially Discovery's).    It's comfortable with lots of TV's and it has it's own bar.   

Sail away begins in 15 min, so I'm gonna get movin'.

I will do my best to do a live report, wi-fi willing. 
16 Day Hawaiian Islands and a brief stop in Ensenada on the way home. 
Cruise embarkation in San Diego was a bit of a cluster.   The Disney Wonder is also in port and it’s a small cruise terminal and the lines were long.   At least the weather was nice today because it was horrible weather yesterday.   
My room is D115 far forward.   I chose it because I like the rock and roll movement of the ship and since I’m cruising as a solo, I can do as I please.   
I arrived at 10:00 and was on the ship at 11:30.   It’s now 2:15 and the line is still extremely long for those waiting to board.  
I headed right to my cabin to drop off my carry-on luggage.  The elevator door opened and I was hit by the dreaded sewer smell.  The air was also off making it doubly bad.   Man, it’s hard to forget that smell.  
Met my room steward Hector. Dropped of my bag and got the heck out of there before I got sick.  The gag reflux was hitting me.   I snapped a couple pics of part of the bathroom first.   
I’m in a mini suite which has a full bath and bidet.   Ok, curiosity made me try it before I skiddattled out of there.   Interesting but not unpleasant.   I’ll investigate this further after the smell vacates.  
Headed to Good Spirits Bar to get my long awaited Sandia en Fuego but they don’t offer the Good Spirits cocktails until after 5:00.  Disappoint filled my heart.  The Ruby and the Discovery didn’t have this restriction.  Wahhhh

For those of you wondering about the International Cafe, you can order the full coffee menu at Good Spirits but there is no food.   At least I found I can a great cup of cappuccino.  
Then I headed to the International dining room, mouth salivating for the shrimp salad appetizer and salmon.   Nope, not to be had….what?  Really?   There’s a very small menu on embarkation day.   I ordered the crawfish and salmon appetizer and the trout.    I won’t order the appetizer again, it was a bit fishy tasting.  The trout was pretty good.  It wasn’t the salmon but it was still good.  
Was able to get a set table for 5:20 every night.  Yay!!!   I’m near a window and not in a bench seat so score one for me!

The ship has a comfy feel to it with a lot of wood paneling.   
Wandered to the aft of the ship and checked out the Izumi pool area.  It’s beautiful aft view makes it very tempting.

Going to go see if my luggage has arrived but I pray that stench is gone.   


 

I know I'll be in Kai Sushi next week....LOL.   Please tell me they are open and not just looking like they are.   Fingers crossed!

My DH and I always start with the same bank roll.  He plays tables, I play slots.    I get free balcony cruises/$500-$1,000 free play/Plus Beverage Pkg.   He gets an interior cabin with $100 - $400 in free play.    No doubt in my mind that the slots give you better perks

On 12/29/2022 at 12:07 PM, phxsun2001 said:

I am a Caesars Seven Star and  have Black Card status at Wynn Casino.  I have been getting free cruises from Caesars Casino,  Casino at Sea and UR Comped.  I am trying to get discount cruise and free play on Princess in Japan and Asia.  I have never been on Princess and they don't know if I am a player.  I signed up the Princess players club and contacted a rep.  She is sending me some information on discount and free play.  What is your suggestion on getting discount and free play the 1st time on Princess.  

If you are a Seven Star with Caesars, don't they periodically give out free cruises for Princess?   I know that Venetian/Palazzo does.   That's how I went on my first Princess Cruise.   I think Boyd offers Holland America cruises for high card status.    

Anyway, once I got my free cruise on Princess (thru Palazzo) I gambled enough apparently to get me on the "list".   Now I get offers quite frequently for free cruises/free play/Princess Plus. 

Obviously, the more $ you play, the better the offers.  My guess though, if you are Seven Star and Black Card you will easily qualify for free cruises (after your first cruise) if you gamble like you do.

I think you are asking which night Formal nights are??   If that is your question, usually it's the first sea day and the last sea day (unless you have 2 sea days at the end of a 7 day cruise), then it usually falls on the 2nd to the last sea day.  Very rarely will you see a formal night on a port day.    

You pretty much summed up everything as I've experienced for my last 7 post covid cruises.   The good as well as the bad. 

It's a pretty standard well rehearsed response when they run out of an item.   "Lack of supply chain due to covid".   For example running out of Hendrik's Gin, Premium Whisky or Reposado Tequila at Good Spirits Bar on day one is BS in my opinion.   They are substituting much cheaper versions of liquor, but the price doesn't change.    

We have also noticed the MJ smell......watched a lady light up a joint and smoke it on deck 17 without a care in the world.    

2 hours ago, mjceditor said:

Glad you were able to find the source of your clicking noise and fix it. I talked to our neighbors and they said they also heard clicking but they are skeptical the rolling of the ship was causing the problem.
 

You should have been on the Ruby in November in the rough sea going to Hawaii.   It sounded like the ship was falling apart it creaked so badly.    I kinda liked the sound, but I like the rough weather too.

Enjoying the ride.....especially glad to hear about the Diamond since little has been written since 2020.  Boarding her for Hawaii in a week.   Thanks again for your report and lots of pictures, it's appreciated!

On 12/29/2022 at 9:34 AM, mjceditor said:

Medallion Net, a little slow but works fine.

We were able to stream a show on Hulu so

all is good. Medallion App works but occasionally

drops the Internet connection.

 

Crooners Bar last night at 6;15 was full but we were able to get seats. Service was slow and our waitress was apologetic.

 

Skagway dining room was good. Dinner was typical and

service was very good. We asked if we could reserve our table for 7pm so the hostess put our room number down. We will see what happens tonight. In the past our request for the same table has been granted.

 

Now the VERY annoying part, our cabin midship has a constant clicking noise. When I see our neighbors on either side of us I will ask them if they hear it also. When we see the cabin steward i will bring it to his attention. I can’t believe that we are the first to hear this noise so I’m thinking it can’t be fixed.

I also had a clicking noise and it was driving me bat s..t crazy.    Turns out the clicking in my room was on my balcony door.  I shut the door, but didn't put the handle in the down position (to firmly lock it).    It was worse in rougher water.   It was such an easy fix after a couple of days of torture.

The funny part of the news story is actually true:   "We've reached out to Princess but have yet to receive a response"......I could have written this line.     Wonder if her request is being "escalated"......ha

I made myself laugh at the irony.