scluvsrain

I'm a little late to your Live From blog, Kathi.  I just found out you were posting when I saw Susie on the Discovery Princess last week (we did the Eclipse cruise, it was fantastic).

I've just caught up reading and I'm so happy the cruise went well for you AND that you are up for the Pole to Pole.  I've been considering doing a segment of it, so if I do decide to sail, I'll let you know and it will be awesome to see you again.  I can't believe it's been 4 years since we were "disembarked" in Perth on our 2020 world cruise!!

Cheers to you my friend!

Sherita

I took the zip line a couple of years ago and loved it!  It was pricey but worth it, in my opinion.  It's the longest zip line in the world, I believe, and to me, it seemed like it lasted a long time.  I went first thing in the morning, so no wait time issues.

Rich, thank you so very much!!!  These photos are awesome and I'm so glad we booked the cabin that we did.  😄. You're the best!!!

I haven't been on the Volendam since 2013.  I'm sure it's been updated, and I will be on the 2025 NYC 45 day Med sailing.  I'm wondering if all of the cabins (OVs) have been updated to include shower only and the interactive TVs?

We've booked 2704 on main deck which is far aft.  Hoping it will be quiet?  Not sure what's down below us and if there is a back door at end of corridor to the back of the ship?

Thanks for any info you could provide.  😄

Seems like $70 for a mini suite is a good deal?

And who is Jumari?  Is it a person or a group? And is it a show in the main theatre or in one of the lounges/piazzas?  You said something about finding Jumari earlier in the cruise, what do you mean?

What night was the first formal night, do you recall?

That's great.  But you don't have to buy a specialty drink to get the food for free do you?

Do you have to pay for the food in the IC? 

My cruise is showing on Princess site as "not available" so I assume it is sold out or they are finagling with cabin assignments and have frozen new bookings.  Not sure, as I am sailing on Princess for only the second time, so don't know the ins and outs very well.

I have received multiple emails from Princess over the past 4 weeks to bid for an upgrade.  I currently have a balcony cabin that I picked.  So I'm happy with it, but wonder what is the likelihood that Princess would give me a "free" upgrade since my account is marked as willing to accept these, since they keep sending so many emails about bidding, or is that just their way?  The only upgrade I would be interested in bidding on at this point is a deluxe balcony.  For a short 10 day cruise it's not worth it to me to pay several hundred dollars for a mini suite.

2 minutes ago, chubbypiggy said:

10 day cruise only $100.

Ah, you are correct.  Thanks !! 😀

I just went on AARP site and bought two $100 cards (for $92 each).  I too noticed the drop from 10% to 8%.  But hey, it's still 8% savings.  I'm down with that.  I use them to apply to my onboard account to pay for the daily gratuities and any other charges I accrue.  

There is also the "free" OBC if you own Carnival stock.  For a 10 day cruise that's $150.  That pays for my wifi.

Hi.  Can you tell me what the difference is between the 3 main dining rooms?  Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli?  Are they all the same size?  More intimate than others?  What?  Benefits of one over the others?

The map photo you posted of Ponta Delgada looks just like California!!  I did a double-take!

I am happy to hear you are back at home and the surgery is over.  What an awful ordeal!

I want to echo several others here who have mentioned that perhaps HAL is at fault for the slippery floor causing your fall.  Did you have anyone that witnessed it that can help you in this regard?  It sounds like HAL should be responsible for all of this and making proper compensation.

Please take care of yourself, Jacqui - sending you cyber hugs and well wishes.

I’ve got a veranda cabin but not a suite. 

Some of the older shops don’t have them. CPAP users: have had to use extension cords. 

I've searched the forum but can't find an answer - since the Eurodam was updated a few years ago, I would like to know if there are now power outlets at the bedside instead of just at the desk area.  

Anyone know for sure?

Before sunrise as we were arriving. 

I’m not trying to be mysterious. It just wasn’t relevant except to note I have previous sailing experience. The other line is Holland America. 

I will. I’m open to trying again. Right price, right itinerary. 

That’s what I usually do. Walk to the bar and order the drink myself. 
 

I will make good use of the survey. The good, the bad and the ugly. I’m not shy. 

Coopco - there has been a lot discussion onboard amongst passengers about the medallion thing and ordering drinks. And there may be an impact from some of that. However,  when I’m sitting in the crooners lounge with a whopping 5 other guests scattered throughout the lounge, and there’s one server who is standing up at the bar talking to the bartender who also isn’t busy - well, that’s just bad service. Or, the server walks by with an empty tray and ignores you. 
 

I blame it on hotel management. That manager is responsible for making sure their employees are providing the service at a level promised to them by Princess. 

Hi J!! I don’t know who’s going to keep him in line when I leave. Hahahaha. 

This is my first Princess cruise, but I’m a seasoned sailor on another cruise line with over 800 days at sea.
 

I’ve found the food in the buffet to be less than mediocre. The dining room food is very good. The Crown Grill is outstanding. Sabatini’s was awful. As was Salty Dog Grill (not at pool, it is good especially the hot dogs). 
 

Everything else has been fairly comparable to my other cruise line with one more exception- the bar wait staff. They are not very responsive at all and it’s pretty consistent across the various lounges. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat and waited for a server to stop at my table and ask if I’d like anything, only to see them look my way and just walk by, turning their head. There are a few small exceptions. But in general it’s lousy. On my other cruise line, they never leave you unattended. Just sayin.