West Coast Gal

Air exchange seems to be the most important factor.  I saw a study that had an air exchange on a commercial aircraft from the floor to the ceiling every 2 min while in a house because we have sealed up our homes so well is every 6 hours.  And I agree with a great side note of getting rid of the cigarette smoke would be lovely.

15 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Now that she is in the Marina harbor we can no longer view the vessel.  It gives me a good excuse to get up early tomorrow and walk the 4 miles (one way) from my Condo to the port (not sure I want to get up early on a Sunday) just to get a close up look.   DW and I have many good memories of our time on that vessel.

 

Hank

I have enjoying your posts . .  we have many good memories of the grand.  We went by the port of Tacoma yesterday and there was a little 6 or 7 deck cruise like ship and I know how excited to see it, so I can just imagine the Grand sighting is  . . .  okay I have to say it . . . . grand!  lol

7 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Wow. They no longer allow you to wear glasses for your passport pictures; yet many of us are always wearing their glasses.

I know, I really wondered about that too!

On 2/26/2021 at 4:58 PM, hobbyfarmer2 said:

I'm of Italian descent and speak the language a bit.  Amaretto actually means slightly bitter, not almonds.  I think the great tasting DiSarrono brand is made with apricot kernel oil from the pits (no almonds) though I think almonds are used in some other brands.  The almond flavour comes from benzaldehyde which is found in peach, apricot, and almond pits.

I thought I heard that Italy made DiSarrono ( which yes we enjoy) could not call their drink Amaretto anymore . . .  I think it was exactly for the reason you described

On 2/26/2021 at 4:06 AM, skynight said:

Almond hot chocolate to us means hot chocolate with Amaretto. Excellent.

Double YUM!!!

I believe the entire world will be a lot different on the other side of COVID and I think a lot of things will cost more also.  I think cruising will be different to start with, but that doesn't mean that is how it will continue.  It will be up to us to use cruise critic to be one of the feedback methods we use to let the cruise lines (on a positive note) What they are doing right .  . .  because they need to hear that and what they need to improve on . .  again because they will need to hear that too.

I loved the comments that the basics that drew me to cruising in the first place will all be there, thanks PaperSniper4!

9 minutes ago, voljeep said:

see post # 23 on page 1

Thanks, I posted a little to quickly, I had several more after that post I quoted 
AND not far enough!  lol

19 hours ago, Loreni said:

Before coronavirus, I believe Princess used cost saving strategies as trivial as rationing the so-called butter and as serious as the “magic pipe.”  Since they apparently felt the need to do these things when they were profitable, one wonders what types of cutbacks will they may resort to going forward and how might it change the cruise experience?  Some of these cutbacks may be very apparent (like the “butter”), others might be hidden (like the pipe).

 

We will take our time returning to cruising.  We won’t do it while masks are required.  And I don’t want to be on a cruise ship when a new mutation is discovered.  Also, we won’t cruise if we are required to use Princess shore excursions in order to leave the ship.  Sometimes we do use Princess excursions.  Usually we don’t.  It isn’t all about saving money, although that often is the case.  It is about leaving the ship on our own schedule after breakfast and doing what we like on shore.  Occasionally we have spend much more than any Princess excursion would have cost.

 

We’ve been talking about going back to a beachfront  cottage that we can drive to.  It isn’t exotic, but the water is warm and clean.  We can sleep as late as we want without worrying about answering the door to room service or rushing to the MDR or the crowded buffet.  We can prepare and eat a simple healthy lunch or dinner when our stomach tells us to.  We can swim or walk on the beach at anytime without cabs or tenders.

 

Of course, we still miss cruising.  In a few days, it will be one year since we disembarked.  I hope it was not for the last time.

I am sorry for asking a dumb question, but what is the magic pipe?

4 hours ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

Do also consider that the PBP covers all beverages, not just alcohol.  Coffee, teas, soda, milkshakes, mocktails, bottled water.  We always picked up some bottled waters for excursions.  One day I also worked my way through the Bellini menu in Bellini's.  Yum!  Oh, and do try the after dinner drink menu!  Who knew I would like cognac!?!  The almond hot chocolate is super good too!  Ok, now I'm just reminiscing...and longing for my next trip!

Never heard of the almond hot chocolate, I will have to try it!  Thanks

4 hours ago, Capalaba said:

It was a story within an email from CC. I think it was a story about packing - but it was a number of years ago. I have been searching but cannot find it. Given the title I assume this forum may have been created from that story??

My recall (which may or may not be accurate) is that they had the adjoining cabin for the luggage!

Wow, that is so incredible, pretty much blows my mind!

11 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

After almost 40 yrs with P&O/Princess, our last cruise with them was the 2015 World Cruise R/T Sydney. We had been Elite for a number of years. We found the Carnivalisation of a once great company had dropped the standards below our minimum.

 

The Sea Princess was very badly maintained, resembling a Greek Tramp ship, rather than a cruise ship. The quality of the meals were extremely poor and the Entertainment, which was contracted out was rubbish.

 

I did daily posts on our 2015 Princess cruise and the 2020 Viking WC - www.AndyandJudi.com

 

Please note our blog is only a record of our travels, so is not moneterised in any way, so we gain no benefit from suggesting it to others.

So Sad to hear, we have loved Princess because it just seemed to have  "crisper" service and we really enjoyed the food.  Thanks for sharing your blog!

On 2/11/2021 at 12:12 AM, Roger88 said:

I remember surfing the internet looking for some good traveller's  bag deal just to have everything packed in one place. Unfortunately all those bags lack one thing or the other. Its better to watch travel blogs and pay attention to what they are using 

Do you have any suggested travel blogs to look at?

On 2/8/2021 at 6:49 PM, Heidi13 said:

Although we no longer sail with Princess,

Wondering why you no longer sail on Princess?  We are booked on a world cruise with them in 2023, and even though we are elite, we have not been on a Princess ship since 2015

On 2/1/2021 at 8:44 PM, Capalaba said:

I have read that story of the lady with the 12 bags - amazing.

You deserve a medal for 8.

Do you remember where the story is of this lady, I would enjoy reading it!

This was a fun share . .  Thank you

56 minutes ago, skynight said:

C326 has a large balcony, approx. 9ft. x 9ft. which is half covered by the balconies on baja deck above which have 9ft. x 5ft. balconies. The photo in post #2 is the aft of the ship. Your cabin is mid ship and not part of the renovation.

Great information, We truly love the bigger decks!

18 hours ago, Easyrider949 said:

However, that photo was the pre redesign. This one shows after the ship modifications. So it looks like it might be covered

Great job on finding these pictures!  Extremely helpful and thank you SO much!

Hi, DH and I are booking our first world cruise, and I am trying to find out if Caribe 326 balcony is covered or not.  I know some Princess ships have tiered decks so that the deck above you looks down on the balcony of the deck below.  Of course we don't want to spend 111 days with someone looking at us every time we go on the balcony.  Thanks for your help!

2 hours ago, rideev said:

Buy one, get one free

 

Duuuhhhh, as I smack my forehead with the palm of my hand!  Thank you!

On 9/10/2019 at 8:35 PM, steelers36 said:

This reminds me of the old joke Ron Goodman used to tell about his cabin steward.  Stewart was so efficient that when Ron got up one night to use the bathroom, he came back out to find his bed made.

 

Love this!  How Fun !

Loved the pictures!  Thanks for sharing

On 9/21/2019 at 8:29 AM, MissP22 said:

Not unless you have one of the BOGO coupons. 

okay, maybe I am way behind but what is a BOGO Coupon

16 hours ago, pjrockman said:

Yes, that one always perplexes me.  It’s like the canned stuff, but it appears to be housemade, since it rotates daily with pork hash and turkey hash.  I am partial to the pork one, but eat all three!

 

One of my favorite things to do with the Regal/Royal Horizon Buffet is when they have the thinly sliced Smoked Duck Breast in the MDR.  At some point after I eat in the MDR, I go to the buffet and they have plates of the Smoked Duck slices.  I get a couple plates and a crusty roll to make a nice sandwich for a midnight snack.  Great Stuff!  Also, when there is Ceviche in the MDR, there are several different ones available in the Horizon Court!

 

Mangia!  Paul 

Has anyone tried asking them to put it on the griddle and make it crisp for them . . .  wondering if they would do that?

21 hours ago, SANDRAMARTINEZ said:

I know that it will sound strange but on the Royal the corndogs in the Kids Corner area and also available during American BBQ night used to be the best corndog I have ever eaten--fresh hand dipped corny batter with a juicy and meaty dog.  They just could not make enough for the demand.  However the last time we were on the Royal in Alaska they were using a new batter that is just plain awful and taste more like a fish fry batter than a corn-based batter and many repeat Royal cruisers were complaining and asked what had happened.  Was told that they locally supply the corndog mix so hoping that in our upcoming Mexico cruise on the Royal the batter will be different 

You will have to keep us posted!  Corn dogs are a fav of mine too! When is your Mexico Cruise?

12 hours ago, h-sar said:

 

Definitely always mention it as a major positive in my post cruise surveys. I want to make sure they continue providing the free service in the MDR.

 

Totally agree about the social aspect of it and that, too, is another reason why I prefer the free one over the paid one.  As we often travel with extended family, we always get our own table for dinner. Teatime is an opportunity to sit with other guests for half an hr (if one chooses) and hear about their cruise experiences without having to commit to sitting with strangers for a two or three hour dinner, LOL. Always love meeting new people from different parts of the world and this would not be possible during the paid tea in the piazza. OK, I think from the last few posts, I have just convinced myself I will NEVER do the paid experience. LOL.

I will Try the piazza, but I will remember your post and write it up in my comment card!  I too agree, tea time was an easy way to meet some new guests.