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Singular Santiago

I have to say in all our years of cruising we have been very lucky with our tablemates. Some have become life long friends and others were just great or fair company. We like to sit at a large table 8-10 so we have the opportunity to get to know someone!

We've only had one negative experience on our last cruise we sat at a table with 2 young ladies and this very grumpy couple who did not smile and barely talked. We were traveling with another couple and after the second night (14day cruise) I told them I felt bad for the young ladies but we were moving!! The head waiter gave us a wonderful 4 top. I watched the table and soon noticed that no one was sitting with this couple -- of course I felt bad for them -- but you can't expect people to ruin their vacations because you are a grump -- So Grumps stay home or sit at a table for 2!!!

Although this does not pertain to dinner mates, I would like to add this very touching experience of ours.

 

As DH served in Vietnam (1966 – 1967), we chose to take the PCL Veteran’s Cruise (2013) which was fantastic.

 

On this cruise, a strange series of events occurred which told us that our fate was truly meant to be.

 

Maybe one or two times prior (in almost 40 PCL cruises) we have never gone to the MDR for breakfast . . . at least that we can remember. Somehow, on the next to the last day of the cruise we spontaneously opted to do so.

 

We were seated at a two top near the 2nd (not main entrance) set of doors that are typically used for excursion disembarkation. After being seated and placing our orders, an elderly (but spry) couple was seated at a table next to us and against the wall. Within no time, the gentleman asked my husband what branch of service he had been in and then if he had been in Vietnam. Initially, DH really "didn’t want to be bothered", but, as it turns out, all of us were so glad that the gentleman at the other table persisted.

 

When the gentleman stated that he had served in Tay Ninh, my husband immediately turned and said, “I was there”, with all his near-aloofness then fully abandoned. The man then informed DH that he was a Physician at the hospital. (This hospital attended to the 196th LIB in which my husband served as a grunt) To make a long story short, and after the two exchanging common experiences and knowledge, it turns out that Dr. B was the Anesthesiologist for my husband when he was shot in the Michelin Rubber Plantation and airlifted (in pitch black darkness) to said hospital. It was a very surreal experience with both Dr. B’s wife and I choking back tears.

 

For the first couple of years or so, they kept in touch. Although now it is a little harder, as Dr. B has moved several times and we are trying to find where to send the Christmas Card. I keep getting several different addresses from several different online sources. Oh well. We’ll send one to each address obtained and hope for the best that one of them will be the right one.

 

Kudos and many thanks to then CEO Buckelew for setting up such a wonderful cruise.

Love this story!! Thanks for sharing.

Can anyone recommend a restuarant that might be open on Jan 1, 2018 for dinner?

Preferably in Palermo area.

Can anyone tell me something about this festival in January?

Thanks again for all of he helpful information. Looks like I'll stick with ATD and set up CC the first night onboard both ships.....:):):)

 

Bob

If you are in a suite you are automatically in Club Class Dining

Traveling on the Emerald Princess, leaving Buenos Aires on Jan 3, arriving in Puerto San Antonio on Jan 17 rather than Valparaiso. Looking for transportation to Santiago where we will spend a few days before we fly home. Private transportation is not inexpensive. Wondering if there is a bus service from San Antonio to Santiago.

 

Thank you.

Take a look at our Roll Call Page -- there are a few groups forming

Downtown Lima is an interesting area with many beautiful Squares, the palace ( watch the changing of the guards) you'll recognize the song they play as a Simon and Garfunkel tune!!

Also make sure to visit the San Francisco Church .

The Miraflores area is also lovely area to walk around and visit the shopping area across from the Marriott.

We bring it on by the case with the checked bags. If you bring the "free" bottles into the DR, you may be charged the $15.[/quote

 

 

How do they charge you for your case?

Our disembarkation port has changed to San Antonio.

We will be staying over night in Santiago.

Would appreciate any suggestions on which way to go i.e.

stop in Valparaiso, wineries, tours etc etc. Thanks in advance.

We were just informed by Princess our January South American cruise will now be disembarking in San Antonio.

My best advice is get out of Limon port area -- we did a private tour with lunch to the Sloth Sanctuary -- wet rocky road -- depressing sanctuary.

Can I bring a bottle of wine back on when we stop at a port, without corkage fee, if I brought one on at original embarkation?

We were on Princess a few years ago for Super Bowl -- you don't see commercials BUT -- we did hear all the commentators remarks about the cheerleaders---

We sailed Celebrity Solstice to St. Petersburg and that route a few years ago. We found the food on the ship very poor. We found ourselves eating in the speciatly restaurants mosts nights. The solstice dining rooms were gloomy compared to the many Princess ships we have been on. We found just about everything was a lower standard then we have seen on any Princess ship we've been on and no where as beautiful!! IMHO

We did Smith's and had them stop at Stonehenge --

Are there window suites on the Emerald?

If so, how do you find it on the princess site?

We're booked for Jan 2019 and you're booked for "this December" 2017? if so your sailing isn't changing.

Sorry I meant January 2018 !!!

We are booked on the Emerald for South America Jan 2019 and just received this email from Princess that we are now on the Star. Looks like Star is cruising South America!

 

VOYAGE REDEPLOYMENT

 

Please be advised that due to deployment changes, your voyage will now sail on Star Princess rather than Emerald Princess. Star Princess features the same signature Princess amenities as Emerald Princess, including the Sanctuary, Lotus Spa, Movies Under the Stars, International Cafe, and Crown Grill. In addition, Star Princess offers Sabatini s, a classic Italian trattoria at sea. For more information on Star Princess, please visit http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/tp-star-princess/.

 

You will be rebooked on the new voyage, and you will receive your new booking information no later than July 19, 2017. Your cruise fare and promotions have been protected, and your new booking will be in the same category type and located in the same area of the ship. Once you receive your new booking details, you can verify your cabin location using the deck plans available at

www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=TP. We look forward to welcoming you aboard Star Princess.

Wow, what a coincidence! Using Renmar's site, I chose and booked E605 for a September cruise just this afternoon, and specified meta-upgrade only. Nice to hear you liked it.

What is Renmar's site??

We were on the Caribbean Princess -- Window suite.

Loved the suite and hidden location, and all the perks. BUT -- we were on a deck were early risers like to RUN. It was a big problem since it woke us up at 530-630 am every morning. We complained a lot and after 5 days - the staff finally dealt with it.

The product made from concentrate should be called covfefe. It is not coffee.

 

Sent from my SCH-S968C using Forums mobile app

Love political humor !

Understand that. Just wondering which one people prefer

Who has done both and what would you recommend.

Not looking for a big glitzy show.

I am looking for a winery tour for our cruise next year. Do you have a company that you can recommend?

THE Wine Experience