vickie_bernie

10 hours ago, chrysalis said:

 

I can confirm the Caribbean Princess is docking tomorrow at Halifax.  Their arrival will be delayed due now at 1130 until 530. 

We will be heading down to see some crew we know. 

1 minute ago, chrysalis said:

Glad that you are OK....was just looking at some videos on The Weather Network. A real mess in some places!

Yes we were lucky.  We are to the west of Halifax and although we got high winds and rain nothing like eastern part of the province.   And Newfoundland West coast where complete buildings were washed into the ocean.  

Bridge cam is showing bound for Halifax.

So maybe it will dock there tomorrow.

I live an hour and a bit outside Halifax and we were lucky.  Halifax is starting clean up, but a lot of trees down and power out.  

However I doubt they will dock in sydney on Monday as it really got hit bad.  It will take awhile to clean up.

Vickie

Yes.  But neither was open while we sailed the Caribbean princess last week.  Staffing issues were the reason.

56 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Long time no see.

Will you stay on through 2023 and be my dancing partner again!

Oh man we sure had a lot of laughs.

I am on until apr 12  2023

Off in Vancouver... 4.5 months!

Bernie and I will be on the Sapphire for the South America season starting December 2.  If you have any questions let us know.

4 hours ago, sfaaa said:

This is getting scary. Can you please confirm if buffet is still served by crew or now self-serve.

 

I was so looking forward to my cruise this month after suffering from cruise withdrawal since 2020. The excitement of going back cruising is now suddenly gone, replaced by initial worry and now outright concern. I will be adopting all the precautions you are taking.

Buffet is being served by crew, but rarely I see people washing or sanitizing their hands.  Few wear masks and social distancing is rare.  At  least this is what I have experienced on the enchanted.

I am on enchanted right now.  10 day cruise.  I am very concerned with very very few washing their hands or even sanitizing even at the buffet.  First day someone was there making sure you washed, now no one,   

I would guess only 20% wear masks on board, including areas where you can't socially distance.

The casino is a mess.  Packed, I mean shoulder to shoulder, almost no one I masks.  The place is full of smoke too.  I am scared just going near the place.

We have know  J and G a long time.  I have always respected them and have followed them for ever.  If they are disappointed (not the right word, should be stronger ) then that says something considering the hiccups they have dealt with over their years cruising.

We are at 800 days with Princess as guests.  Love them, but yes service is inconsistent, they don't really care, we're just a number a dollar number.  Now when I say princess I mean corporate princess.  I truly believe the crew care but their hands are tied.  

I am taking precautions on board, lots of washing of hands, masks all the time, and avoiding spaces where we can't socially distance.  This does not guarantee we won't get it.

Take care G, J I am sure the twins are making you smile.  

Vickie

i live in Nova Scotia and have done this itinerary numerous times.  Tons of history here.  

In halifax definitely visit Pier 21 (right where you dock) it is a national museum honouring all those that travel here and called Canada home.  Sort of compared to the US Ellis Island.  Very very good.  Also the Citadel is amamzing and easy to just walk to.   

Further afield is Annapolis Royal where the Acadians settled and were forced out by the British - some settled in Louisiana and brought the french language.  

Are you going to Sydney - a strong vote for Louisburg National Historic site. 

Where else are you visiting

For my American friends here.

Any word about US removing covid tests requirements for fully vaccinated when flying into US.  Currently test Is required from day prior.  

Hoping US will change soon

1 minute ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Not 24 hours.  It’s one day prior.  So, for example, if you are flying into the US on Sunday you can take your test anytime on Saturday or Sunday.

 

 

You are correct.  

Sorry I can't edit post.

Yes one day prior. Test results to enter US.  

Well I am glad.  I am flying from Canada.  US requires antigen 24 hrs prior to flight.  Thankfully that test will now work for cruise as we fly down early.  

1 minute ago, azbirdmom said:

 

I was wondering what happened to you as I was hoping to meet you last week on the Regal.  I know you were hard at work on your presentation and had shared some past Belize pictures with you.  In any event I hope all is well and am glad that you'll be able to be on a Princess ship soon.

Thanks again for the Belize pics I did add them to the presentation - but they will come in handy for another gig.

I currently scheduled for the Caribbean Princess to Greenland in August.  

Sorry for sidetracking the live thread.

So where are you today....  what are you up to?

What are your thoughts  on the Regal?

7 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

He brought you up the first night!  Said you were at his wedding. What an amazing man. Loved spending time with him and gaining his knowledge on wines. 
 

I was hoping you were going to be on board since you had said that earlier. 

Yes I was suppose to be there mid Feb till next week.  But we got hit with an ice storm the day we were to fly out.  No flights made it out and we could not join the ship.  

Then something came up and we'll everything fell apart.  These things happen.  We learn to go with the flow.  

So instead we are sailing as guests on enchanted later this month.

Have a great trip.  Sounds like you are,  thanks for all the hard work you do,

Love Franco

Sailed with him so many times,

We were there when he proposed to his wife.

Then we were honoured to be invited to his wedding 

So how often do you get that chance.  So we attended Franco and Laura's wedding in Sardinia.

It has been a while since we have seen them.  Hopefully soon.

If you see Franco soon say hi from Vickie and Bernie

Thanks for the live thread.

We will be on at the end of the month

Can you post a pic of the senior officers' poster here.  Just curious.

Yeah so glad you are doing a live thread  

Captain Dino is off on vacation   

Sorry

I saw a vlogger today on You Tube - Don - who updated Princess' policy.  However what he said was different than what was posted here.

- He stated starting March 1st mask will not be mandatory

- Children under 5 who can not be vaccinated will not be counted in the % of guests allowed who are unvaccinated for medical reasons.  Currently they are.  

- also testing pre cruise will be changed to 3 days prior instead of two days.

This is what Don reported (I think his channel is called cruising with don) and I am just reporting what he said.  I am not sure who the person above in the post was referring to when they mentioned a vlogger.   I would share the link, but I don't think it is allowed here.  

I have heard from a reliable source with Princess that testing will be going to 3 days too.  I hope so too.

Nathalie Elaine transhipped and is joining the Majestic.  

Aaron Hawkins is CD on Regal now 

On 12/17/2021 at 4:19 PM, skynight said:

Anyone heard about Bernie Fuentes?  Returned to sea life?

She was Entertainment director on the Majestic in December. Can't recall when her contract is up though

I can help

We are currently on Majestic doing 7 day Mexican. 

On last sea day we were directed to Alegro dining room for 10 am.  We were given complimentary rapid antigen tests.  While we waited for results they had mimosas, coffee and tea with pastries. All have been negative in the 5 weeks we have been on.

 You are given an in transit card then with a sticker which represents a neg test.

On turn around day we can go ashore if you wish for as long as you wish and when you come back just show your in transit card.

It has actually been a rather smooth process.

Hope this helps 

1 minute ago, echoshipmate said:

Hello Vickie, I saw where you said you were on for 5 weeks. We are getting on Jan.15 thru Jan 29. Wondering if you will still be on. As I recall, you guys were on the 45 day Royal cruise around South America a few years ago, or maybe my memory is fading. We love the Royal class ships, thanks for the nearly live from.

Doug

Yes I was the destination expert on that 49 day voyage around south america 

I get off Dec 18.  Been away for 2 months loving iT but looking forward to being home too.   

The crew here are amazing 

2 hours ago, imalori said:

Looking forward to your wrap up posts! Please let us know about any sea life you saw (whales?) And, post the menus if you took pictures.  Counting the days to my embarkation (7!)

We have seen lots of dolphins.

Whales in cabo the last few weeks in the bay especially around the arch.

This week was the first week we saw whales in Bandaras Bay in PV

No burgers on evening menu.  I too enjoyed the different special burgers before.  Hope it comes back.

Service thru the app to the cabin is great.  We are on for 5 weeks and have ordered ice, water, cocktails, food, pillow and very quick and great friendly staff.  Take note that even though ship is half full, crew numbers are down too.  So I would imagine it will still be quite good even with more guests.   

Food is very subjective.  And we certainly have not gone hungry.  We really enjoyed bistro sur le mer and harmony and will go again.  

Wine selection is 10 pages!  So I am sure you can select something.  However if you have the drink package you are limited in choices.  We don't have drink package so we usually order a bottle and store for next night!  Although we usually finish entire bottle.  

The crew are really what makes this trip.  They are amazing.

Have dined at alfredos 4 times sine we boarded 3 weeks ago.  Initially the pizza was undercooked for our taste but next time we asked for it to be cooked longer and it was perfect.

Christmas movies have now been loaded on the tv.  Now the debate is Die Hard a Christmas movie?  Well it is there!

New set of singers and dancers start tomorrow.   Looking forward to seeing them.

Vickie

Yeah a live thread!  

So glad we are sailing together again.