westerdam

That is more than fine. I just want to get it all settled ASAP. I guess time will tell though. It would not be so bad if I was not flying in from the west coast. 😂🤦

I do hope RCI gets off of the proverbial pot soon about all this. I am supposed to be going on the next cruise and in theory should already be onboard by this time next week. If I have to cancel, reschedule flights or book a bus to get me to wherever ship is going to be docking the sooner the better. Not just for me but everyone. By now I would have thought there would have been at least a minor update.

Sadly, I am one of the very few (probably) flying in. I currently live in Las Vegas and it was a semi free cruise from MGM that my friend received. I would rather have flown to Florida and boarded something from there or gone out of Galveston but hey this is the one he picked on the list and I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth! Hahahah

That is all one can do I suppose. I am sure there is someplace the can dock the ship in the Baltimore area even if they have to set up temporary facilities with tents and whatnot.

Wow! I am shocked this happened let alone the bridge collapsing like that! I am on the next cruise of the Vision of the Seas so it will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Loving your detailed review so far! I am surprised they don't have free ice cream at all. 3 weeks ago there usually was an ice cream dessert on the menu in the main dining room in the evening and they had it every afternoon in the buffet in the dessert section. As for the coffee machines in the Lido. I found out if you do one of the espresso then switch to one of the cappuccino it fills the cup perfectly with no overflow. Can't wait for further installments of your review! 😀

I will be following your post with interest on your thoughts. I also sailed on her as the Ryndam years ago and was just on her 2 weeks ago for the first run of the season up to the Adriatic. There is not a lot left from that era of her operating as Ryndam. The majority of what I saw off the top of my head was on statue outside of the Blue Room, a few mirrors in the upper level of the atrium, the door handles to the crows nest, and the ships cabin hallways. My cabin that was an inside on 5th deck was 100 percent vintage HAL from when they did the big signature of excellence about 15 years ago if I recall correctly. The promenade deck is outstanding but there is no place to sit anymore. Other than all the way forward they did put in a couple of benches. I really missed the old fashioned steamer chairs! Overall, I had a lovely time on her and would not hesitate to use them again. On a side note if you received a credit for shore excursions make sure you use it BEFORE you embark the ship! I almost found out the hard way and saw several people in line at the shore excursion desk trying to use it but it is only available before you embark for whatever reason. That being said do enjoy your cruise and if you have any questions feel free to send me a message.

Me too. I am in the same boat. I didn't realize it was the same cost for the expanded version of the passport and I have to renew it shortly as I have just about filled my current one with stamps. I arrived home yesterday from a month in Europe and was stamped in and out about 13 or so times give or take.

Thank you for posting this. I was onboard for this trip. I was running around on the promenade deck taking photos but don't seem to see myself even if in ant form. I will have to have a look at it again on my computer when I return to the USA in a week.

My last cruise with Princess was in May of 2002 on the original Pacific Princess to Bermuda. Fast forward to April of 2022. There was a dirt cheap cruise for 4 days to Vancouver on the Grand Princess. They instantly looked up my number and had my full history there. Oddly enough with several cruises that I had not been on for some reason. Not going to complain as it bumped me to platinum. Have done another 2 with Princess since then.

Just curious do they actually stamp your passport or is it just a glance of it and hand you the tourist card?

I do not debate anything that you said. I do recall even my own ship when I was in the US Navy and when it was brought back into service after being in the shipyards for drydock and repairs it took months afterwards to get everything back together and set right. Braemar has been a dead ship more or less for over a year. In cold iron status (as far as I know) I am sure it would be prohibitively expensive to bring her back to life and class. Even if it was just for non sailing purposes as an accommodation ship. As for her possible sale for scrapping/recycling I do remember the entire debacle a year or so ago with the Black Watch going off to Alang and the parent company of Fred fighting it. She still went none the less. Perhaps this time if it comes down to it they should just sell direct to an EU approved breaker like the ones in Turkey. So I do agree for now that she has become sadly nothing more than an expensive hulk.

I do envy you! Once upon a time I used to spend my summers in Eastport and the Perry, Maine area as a child. Have not been back sadly in going on 33 years now even with owning land there that I finally parted with 10 years ago. It is a lovely area with more than meets the eye to do if one has an automobile and passport.

I myself would love to see and sail aboard the Mardi Gras. I have one of the 4 big glass panels that were in the main ballroom in my collection so it would be nice to see it in place.

I am rather surprised that they did not charter out the Braemar to house all the Ukrainian refugees. Maybe by the time she would be done with that she could be brought back to regular service if the numbers warranted it or just sold for scrap at that point due to her advanced age.