Gimer

Last year I met a gentleman who made fresh coffee every morning.  He brought his three favorite coffee bean and would grind his pick of the day and pack it into to his "Travel Portable French Press Coffee MUG", all in one.  He got his hot water at the Horizon Court Buffet Coffee Station, where I first met him.  Must be a Coffee Connoisseur, cause he would only drink fresh ground coffee.  

Who were your Hawaiian Ambassadors on this cruise?  Mahalo. 

Boarding day on the Pacific North West  October 7, 2018 cruise, this area was blocked off for a VIP Fleet Week Party viewing.  It was an Invitation ONLY Party by the Captain / Staff for City Fathers and TV media and a few Suites.  I tried to get through but was turned away.  They were serving refreshments and drinks.  I ended up next to the Sea Breeze Bar area.  Fantastic Air Show.   

Hi Chris & Mike.  Getting ready for Hawaii again on April 6.  Hope to see you two down the line soon.   Stan

They not only love him, they want a photo with him, at our Hawaiian Cruise Meet & Greet.  

FYI, "Martin Cruise" is one of the Assistant Cruise Director, who got on board Grand on January 27, 2019.  In some of the other photos, there are the other Assistant Cruise Directors who are Vicky (China), Emma (England), Roo (Scotland) and Gonsalves, not sure where he is from.  Martin will be a great Cruise Director.  He's got it all.  

Last years Grand's Cal Coastal stop in Los Angeles and we went to see the Battleship Iowa BB-61.  It was located on the next berth.  There was a free Trolley taking you to the LA Maritime Museum, Battleship Iowa, Historical Downtown, CRAFTED (Home Made Market Place), Cabrillo Beach and the S.S. Lane Victory (Merchant Marine Cargo Ship) and returns to Berth 93.   

Tom, It's on Grand Princess right after it's Dry Dock up in Portland.  In January, I took pics of the ship as is and I wanted to see all the new changes they are doing to it.  Grand is my home away from home.  Mahalo, Stan

Hi Tom.  Here is my latest door sign for our b2b starting on March 30th.  Waiting for your Majestic review.  Stan 

In the Grand Princess Calypso Cove Store, they are selling a 4 foot tall Stanley the Bear for $295.  My wife can barely get her arms around Stanley, he is BIG ... & ... CUDDLY.  

Last November's Hawaii Cruise, the Cruise Director Matt held a cruise long contest for those who turned in Wake Show Daily Questions & Answers form.  At the end of the cruise he had a box full of Wake Show forms and he pick my wife.  She got a Stanley the Bear.  She's always been lucky.  

May 2020, Grand goes to LA for the Alaska season and when the season ends, Grand will go to Singapore.  I don't think she is leaving the Fleet,  not with all the money they are spending on her.  

Was on Grand Princess doing a Bridge Tour in November.  The Bridge Watch Team is manned by two Deck Officers and two Able Seamans.  We found a Fifth manning the Watch Team.  His name is "Grand Bear" and was sitting in a Bosun's Chair in front of one Able Seaman's console.  Maybe related to "Stanley the Bear"?  See photos.   Cool and cute stuff.....

Grand Princess is going into dry dock on March 3rd and they will re-wire the ship for the 1st phase of the Ocean Medallion.  They will complete the Ocean Medallion system on the second dry dock, two years out.  I asked about the Internet Speed and they said it will be address on the second dry dock.  Info gathered from a Bridge tour and the Chief Engineer.  

Paul Koudouris is on Grand.

smilesalot1, check out the January 27, 2019 Grand to Hawaii Thread and posting #372.  Movies that were played on the Jan. 7th to 17th cruise to Mexico.  Cruise Director is Steve Campbell, from Leeds, England.

No tv changes on the work sheet I saw.   

David, After your river cruises, you can came back and join us on Star Princess for an Alaskan Cruise Season 2020.  Take care and it's great to hear from you.   Stan

Hi Larry, we'll be on Star for their May 13, 2020 cruise.  I will miss Grand to Alaska.  Give my best to Ginger.  Stan

I don't think so, Big Corporations & Military set spending  budgets and they go through with projects, even if thing change before the projects ever finish.  The wiring for Medallion, could be a benefit for P&O, in their future.  

Grand Princess just passed the USPH Inspection with 98 %.  Those minor 2% were record keep mistakes.  Then the following cruise, the USCG did their inspection and passed with flying colors.  The Captain threw ta party up at the One 5 for the crew for doing a deep clean in every US Ports and Canada for over 6 months, waiting for those un-scheduled inspections.  The crew on Grand is the BEST and a tight working family....  Grand is old, but she's A Grand Lady.  

jondfk,  Like you , we are doing a cruise before the dry dock and after.  Jan. 27 and the Apr. 6.  On our Nov. cruise, I went around and took pics of the different locations that were listed, so I could compare later.  On other dry docks, Contractors were on board some times a month ahead.  On their last dry dock (2017) when they installed exchangers, there were 8 contractors preparing the engine area, so when the ship went into the dry dock, it got installed with out delays.  Carpets were delivered two weeks earlier and they were installing the carpets from 11pm to 6 am.  The exchanger contractors were from the UK and couple of times, I shared a breakfast table with them at 6 am in the Horizon Court.  No, the ship will be running it's full service with out any hiccups !

Hi Tom,  a belated Happy Holidays and that all your cruises are fantastic.  Scuttlebutt has it among some Officers are that Star will do the 2020 Alaskan Season in San Francisco and then another ship will replace her.  I hope we will run into you on another cruise down the line.  Stan

Off Grand on Dec.3rd and here is the scoop for Grands Dry Dock up in Portland at the Vigor Ship Yard.  We got to tour the Bridge and spent 1/2 hour with the Captain.  This dry dock is required by IMO and Lloyd's of London.  They will inspect, repair / adjust and clean the following:  propellers, exchangers, propulsion efficiency and thrusters.  Replace the hot and cold water main lines.  Many Hotel renovations like reupholster all lounge chairs in the Explorer's Lounge, Crooner's Bar, Wheelhouse Bar, Crown Grill, Library and the Snooker's Bar.  Replace all Stateroom Cabin Sleeper Sofas.  New sofas for the Explorer's Lounge, and Crooner's Bar.  Replace all Astro Turf in the Open Decks.  Refinish the Wheelhouse Bar Dance Floor.  All of Horizon Court Buffet carpets will be replaced, along with the tiles.  Coffee Station Wood Cabinets in the Horizon Court will be refinished.  New carpets for the Botticelli Dining Room and Crooner's Bar.  Finally, Installation of the first phase of wiring for the Ocean Medallion and to finish it on the next dry dock.   Yep !, I did not miss speak or write... I guess their continuing up grade goes on, even if the ship is scheduled to be sold in the future.  

They did change the dining times, so I stand corrected. Thanks..   FYI, the Horizon Court gets very busy and seating is sparse, so we generally will eat in the Alfredo's.  We order our pizzas and the I'll go the mens rooms to wash up and on my return, I'll stop at the International Cafe for two different salads and by the time I'm back, our pizzas are being delivered.  That's how we start our Cruise.   

Pier 27 Gangway entry is on Deck 7 Port Side.  Passengers staterooms located Forward to Mid-Ship enter at this area between the Princess Theater/Back Doors of the Crown Grill and directed to Forward Elevators.  Passengers with Staterooms located in the Mid-Ship to Aft areas are directed to the Mid-Ship entry located between the The Shop/Side of the Explorers Lounge and directed to the Mid-Ship Elevators.  Your photos will be taken and Cruise Card scanned at these entries points.  If Staterooms are not ready, you will be directed to the Horizon Court Buffet, Prego Pizzeria and the Trident Grill, all on Deck 14 for lunch.  Some will go to the Main Dining Room for lunch (closes at 1:30pm) and others will go to the International Cafe or Alfredo's Pizzeria, for those 5 custom made, thinned crusted pizza.   YUM !