SeaGypsies

I can affirm what Sea Gypsies said. We were both on the same 28 day cruise. The Vista Lounge was packed every Sea Day when services were being held. We were also fortunate to have a Deacon onboard from Canada who volunteered and assisted Father Gold. Many who attended not only the services, but also his lectures, were of various faiths. I'd like to add that having a religious on board is most helpful not only for the crew and staff but in those cases it is most helpful when there is an emergency because of major illness or death of a crew member or passenger. Besides Holland America, that has Catholic clergy on every sailing, both Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have Catholic clergy on sailings from time to time.

 

Regarding the Hanukkah services (as reprinted in my last post), from attending these, I can affirm that Princess does a superb job of providing all the amenities including printing out the prayers and songs for those leading the nightly services. And again, others than the Jewish faith also are welcome & do attend.

 

Santa "scampi"

Hi Santa,

I am so glad you posted on this issue, for many reasons.

I remember you well from the wonderful 28 day cruise to the South Pacific on the Star Princess over the 2013 Easter holidays.

I am a returning Catholic after almost 50 years and have traced the beginnings of my "return" to that Easter cruise on the Star. I remember you mentioning going to Easter services in one of our ports (that's before we knew we would have Fr. Gold onboard) and I felt a calling to do the same.

When I attended the Good Friday services in the Vista Lounge, it was pretty much game over, so to speak. I am on my way back and you are one of the people I have to thank for that.

I love telling this story and my "Catholics Returning Home" class loves it too.:)

Thank you so much, Santa.

This is something that I've noticed on many ship's, recently. Not only are there not priest's (who used to be there daily), but there are no Minister's and no Rabbi's onboard for any holiday's :confused:.

 

IMHO, if it's very important to you, stay home for the holiday.

Don't have to stay at home. Thankfully we are in Maui port that day so can seek out a place to go to Mass.

Thanks for all the responses to my question. So many nice people on these boards.:)

You won't have to search far: here is a link to the Web page for the RC church closest to the pier in Kahului. And if you are tendering into Lahaina, here is a link to a church there.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Thank you for these links. Very helpful. We will be in Lahaina and I've already sent an email to the MLCC website asking for Mass times. Kind of excited to go to service there in Maui so "its all good.":)

A priest for 28 days?! That's a lot of confession -- clearly, someone was having themselves a good time of it on that cruise . . . Wishing you continued debauchery on your future travels.

You betcha:D

Current Princess "Cruise Answer Book" on page 23 says

 

Princess places Guest Catholic and Jewish clergy on board for the following religious holidays. Catholic clergy will perform both Catholic and Protestant services when on board.

Easter Sunday

Christmas

Passover

Yom Kippur

I hope you are right but the Princess rep directed me to their online site while I was on the phone and pointed out the new wording. I think it's under Onboard Services but not certain.

Or, as is more likely, Princess forgot to update their docs and will now catch flak for it..

 

I'd be curious to know what attendance was in 2013. If we could get a broad enough sample of how many folks showed for services, would be a good indicator of decision reasons.

The Vista Lounge was almost packed every time I attended.:)

I was just told by a Princess rep that Princess no longer furnishes a Catholic priest for passengers traveling on their ships over Easter or any religious holiday.

Our only chance is if a Catholic priest is booked on the cruise and is willing to do a service and arranges with Princess.

I have very fond memories of traveling last year at Easter on the Star Princess and we had the wonderful Father Gold the whole 28 days. It really made that cruise special.

Guess I will have to search for a church in Maui where we will be on Easter Sunday.

Easter Services

 

Just got off the phone with Kelly (new Deputy CD). Princess does not sponsor an Easter Mass any more. If a qualified priest is on board, with a letter or some kind of paperwork, and wishes to volunteer and conduct such a mass, Princess will provide space and anything they can to make it happen, but they do not sponsor such events any more.

Oh, we are so disappointed with this news. But thank you so much for getting us an answer. Really appreciate your effort. Guess we will try to find a church in Maui for Easter services.

Since you are on the cruise before us would you please ask, if you will be so kind, as to who the Catholic Priest is who will be on the Easter Cruise leaving San Francisco for HI on the 13th? I would be so grateful. I was on the Easter cruise to the So. Pacific last year and I'm hoping the priest will be Fr. Gold but will appreciate any Catholic minister on our cruise.:)

Only if you get a chance, would you inquire as to who the Catholic Priest will be on the April 13, 2014 Grand Princess cruise to Hawaii?

April 13 is Palm Sunday so I am assuming they will have a priest for the duration of the 15 days of the Easter holydays. Thanks very much in advance.:)

I mean the duration of the 15 day cruise.

First one with regular (luggage awaiting you on shore instead of dragging it yourself ) was scheduled for 0845 (that was the one I used) and we disembarked at 0900.

Boy, that is cutting it close. :eek: All I can hope for is an uncomplicated luggage locating if I disembark at first regular.

Thanks again for the info. Just what we needed to know.

Due to tides and fog issues, I would not be highly trusting of the exact on time arrival in SF every time.

 

Assuming an actual 7am, and no issues with customs, you should be able to be off by 7:30 if you carry your bags off.

 

Execucar is a highly reputable service. A taxi will be $45 or so, so compare the prices.

 

11:20 would be the earliest flight I would seek.

thank you cruiserbruce.:)

On my recent SF to Hawaii to SF cruise (Jan/Feb 2014) The earliest 'Express Walk off' time was listed at 0745. They were running about 10 minutes behind.

Do you remember when the first regular disembark was? I am thinking of scheduling a pickup from execucar at 8:30am. Should I be able to be off and locate my luggage and out the door by then to meet the car? Thanks for you help.

Does anyone know the earliest one can disembark returning to San Francisco from the 15 day Hawaii cruise?

Grand is scheduled to arrive at Pier 35 at 7am. What is the usual walk-off with luggage and the usual first call for normal disembarkation with luggage pickup in terminal?

We have an 11:20am domestic flight to catch.

Thinking of using ExecuCar for transport to SFO. Are they reliable?

Thanks for all advice.

.

. This is going to be a B2B2B starting with a 10 day Mexico, followed by a 7 day CA coastal, followed by a 15 day Hawaii. The 10 day Mexico takes us to Cabo, Loreto, La Paz, Puerto Vallarta. Then we have the 7 day coastal which takes us to Ensenda, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Long Beach. Then we do the 15 day HI cruise to the Big Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai.

 

. So if anyone plans to go on the Grand later, ask your questions and I’ll try and answer them.

 

.!

Please forgive me if it has been stated elsewhere but are these cruises all on the Grand and consecutive days? How does one go about getting a good price for this kind of lengthy cruise? We sail out of San Francisco and would love to avoid air flights if we could. :)

Hi Sue,

We are on this cruise also. So glad you are doing a "live from."

Hope everyone 'makes it to the ship on time' and has a fabulous voyage.

Maybe we will meet you at Gary's at the Sail-away gathering. We are close by in an aft balcony. Love those afts. The wakes are mesmerizing.

My husband and I have enjoyed your live blog every day in anticipation of our April cruise on the Maasdam and same itinerary. You have been so informative about the ship and the ports. Many thanks and welcome home!

Kay and Bill

I cannot say enough good things about Capt Bob and his tour! My parents and I took the excursion Wednesday, January 25 while docked in St Martin aboard the Navigator of the Seas. We followed the directions in the email which were exact and we had no problem locating the dock or the boat. Capt Bob welcomed us with open arms. Unfortunately there was a party of 4 that did not show up on time. The email clearly stated to be on the dock at 10:15 AM. We waited until 10:45 and they still were not at the dock. Capt Bob made a decision to leave, as he didn’t want us to lose any more time out of our day.

 

My party of 3 was joined by a wonderful young couple who we immediately became friends with. The tour was amazing, lunch was awesome at Pinel Island, and the snorkeling was great. Don’t miss the fish feeding swim! I was cold, which is no fault of Capt Bob’s but he convinced me to get in the water and I’m so glad I did!

 

We were back to the ship in plenty of time. We even had some time to shop at the dock before all aboard. I would not hesitate to book this tour again the next time I’m in St. Martin!

 

Please let me know if you have any questions... but HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!!

Was not having shade on the speed boat all day between stops a problem for anyone? Thats the only thing holding me back from booking this excursion. :o

Hi Tom,

Just wanted you to know that I tried a recipe of Scouse that I found on the internet and it was sensational. I am a little too Irish so I just had to add some green peas so I guess it was more like an Irish stew but it was delicious.

Kay

Dear CruzerToo,

Thank you very much for sharing your videos with us. Wish we could have been your companions on some of those trips. You brought back fond memories of our visit to Ronda.

Beautifully done presentations. Loved the music too.