LACruiser88

May 2, 2024 9:30 AM EDT Around the World in 114 Days with Princess Cruises! 2026 World Cruise Sails to the Most Destinations EVER Visited by "The Love Boat" Line SANTA CLARITA, Calif., May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises today announced its 2026 World Cruise - a 114-day voyage aboard Coral Princess - will visit 52 ports in 28 countries, across six continents, the most destinations ever reached on a Princess World Cruise. With itineraries now on sale, global-seeking cruisers can take advantage of early booking perks and secure their spot now aboard the 114-day adventure that will sail over 35,000 nautical miles. Around the World in 114 Days with Princess Cruises! The destination-rich World Cruise offers two roundtrip options with departures from both Ft. Lauderdale, departing January 5, 2026, and Los Angeles on January 21, 2026. "This 2026 World Cruise addresses a growing interest in longer voyages that make stops at more exotic destinations, and the urge to do it as part of a more all-inclusive experience," said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer for Princess Cruises. "Our 2026 World Cruise offers our most destination-rich itinerary ever so guests can immerse themselves in a global experience rich with landmarks, ancient ruins, unique landscapes, wildlife, gastronomy, cultures and heritage." What's Exciting & New? New elements guests can look forward to aboard the 2026 Princess World Cruise include: Inaugural call to Boracay, a tropical paradise in central Philippines known for its gorgeous beaches and resorts, a first for Princess. Coral Princess will also make first-time World Cruise calls to: Puerto Chiapas, Mexico Ponta Delgado, Azores Islands Visits to 52 destinations, the most ever offered on a Princess World Cruise, with access to 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the globe. More time in port with "More Ashore Late-Night" stays in 13 ports including Singapore, Sydney and Honolulu, and one overnight stay in Hong Kong. Coral Princess Amenities and Entertainment Connecting guests to the destinations through the cruise line's onboard programming with enrichment speakers, destination experts, ambassadors, performers and theatrical productions supports the critically acclaimed and expertly curated itinerary, making this World Cruise truly memorable. The onboard experience offers: Cultural Enrichments: Language classes; dance lessons (tango, salsa, waltz and more); destination-based arts & crafts; instrument lessons (ukulele, mandolin and penny whistles) and locally-inspired cuisine, cocktails and wine. Destination-Specific Events: Folkloric shows highlighting traditional entertainment for various ports in Honolulu, Auckland, Barcelona and Lisbon; destination-themed deck and sailaway parties; trivia; and Princess Book Club, reading novels set in the countries visited. Guest Lecturers: Mediterranean art and history, maritime and WWII historians, bridge lecturers and destination ambassadors from Hawaii and Māori. Booking Information Rates for the 2026 World Cruise start at $19,999 per guest. Guests booking the full World Cruise by October 31, 2024, receive the following, coveted perks: Free Princess Premier Package - featuring Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, premium alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, specialty dining, unlimited casual dining, unlimited fitness classes, OceanNow delivery anywhere, reserved theater seating and more. Captain's Circle discount of $1,000 for two guests. A $500 onboard credit each for two guests. Free EZAir airfare – economy class for balcony accommodation and first class for mini-suite and suite guests. Free transfers from local airports (LAX, FLL and MIA). Free specialty dining – one experience per week. Additionally, the MedallionClass vacation experience delivers exceptional, personalized experiences typical of small ships while enjoying only the best large ship amenities. With expedited boarding, locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, enhanced service like having whatever they need delivered – guests can spend more time connecting with each other and doing what they love on their Princess vacation. For guests who only want to see various parts of the world, cruise segments are offered with shorter sailing times and those booking by October 31, 2024, receive a $200 onboard credit. More information, including the full and segmented 2026 World Cruise itineraries, can be found at http://www.princess.com/worldcruise.

@Yehootu I hope you make it home in time for all of your appointments. It is now 8 am and we are still waiting for CBP to start processing passengers. They were supposed to start at 7:15. 😵‍💫

Good morning Honolulu!

May 2, 2024 9:30 AM EDT Around the World in 114 Days with Princess Cruises! 2026 World Cruise Sails to the Most Destinations EVER Visited by "The Love Boat" Line SANTA CLARITA, Calif., May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises today announced its 2026 World Cruise - a 114-day voyage aboard Coral Princess - will visit 52 ports in 28 countries, across six continents, the most destinations ever reached on a Princess World Cruise. With itineraries now on sale, global-seeking cruisers can take advantage of early booking perks and secure their spot now aboard the 114-day adventure that will sail over 35,000 nautical miles. The destination-rich World Cruise offers two roundtrip options with departures from both Ft. Lauderdale, departing January 5, 2026, and Los Angeles on January 21, 2026. "This 2026 World Cruise addresses a growing interest in longer voyages that make stops at more exotic destinations, and the urge to do it as part of a more all-inclusive experience," said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer for Princess Cruises. "Our 2026 World Cruise offers our most destination-rich itinerary ever so guests can immerse themselves in a global experience rich with landmarks, ancient ruins, unique landscapes, wildlife, gastronomy, cultures and heritage." What's Exciting & New? New elements guests can look forward to aboard the 2026 Princess World Cruise include: Inaugural call to Boracay, a tropical paradise in central Philippines known for its gorgeous beaches and resorts, a first for Princess. Coral Princess will also make first-time World Cruise calls to: Puerto Chiapas, Mexico Ponta Delgado, Azores Islands Visits to 52 destinations, the most ever offered on a Princess World Cruise, with access to 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the globe. More time in port with "More Ashore Late-Night" stays in 13 ports including Singapore, Sydney and Honolulu, and one overnight stay in Hong Kong. Coral Princess Amenities and Entertainment Connecting guests to the destinations through the cruise line's onboard programming with enrichment speakers, destination experts, ambassadors, performers and theatrical productions supports the critically acclaimed and expertly curated itinerary, making this World Cruise truly memorable. The onboard experience offers: Cultural Enrichments: Language classes; dance lessons (tango, salsa, waltz and more); destination-based arts & crafts; instrument lessons (ukulele, mandolin and penny whistles) and locally-inspired cuisine, cocktails and wine. Destination-Specific Events: Folkloric shows highlighting traditional entertainment for various ports in Honolulu, Auckland, Barcelona and Lisbon; destination-themed deck and sailaway parties; trivia; and Princess Book Club, reading novels set in the countries visited. Guest Lecturers: Mediterranean art and history, maritime and WWII historians, bridge lecturers and destination ambassadors from Hawaii and Māori. Booking Information Rates for the 2026 World Cruise start at $19,999 per guest. Guests booking the full World Cruise by October 31, 2024, receive the following, coveted perks: Free Princess Premier Package - featuring Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, premium alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, specialty dining, unlimited casual dining, unlimited fitness classes, OceanNow delivery anywhere, reserved theater seating and more. Captain's Circle discount of $1,000 for two guests. A $500 onboard credit each for two guests. Free EZAir airfare – economy class for balcony accommodation and first class for mini-suite and suite guests. Free transfers from local airports (LAX, FLL and MIA). Free specialty dining – one experience per week. Additionally, the MedallionClass vacation experience delivers exceptional, personalized experiences typical of small ships while enjoying only the best large ship amenities. With expedited boarding, locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, enhanced service like having whatever they need delivered – guests can spend more time connecting with each other and doing what they love on their Princess vacation. For guests who only want to see various parts of the world, cruise segments are offered with shorter sailing times and those booking by October 31, 2024, receive a $200 onboard credit. More information, including the full and segmented 2026 World Cruise itineraries, can be found at http://www.princess.com/worldcruise.

The extra dish tonight in the Reserve Dining Room was Lobster Rissoto.

We are almost there! During the Captain's update today, he advised that we should be able to see the Island of Hawaii early this evening. Big day for the crew tomorrow as they all have to go through CBP inspection, Ship Coast Guard Inspection, and "maybe" surprise Ship Health inspection. Tomorrow's forecast looks good!

Sorry, no Dr Pepper onboard.

That must have been before we started cruising with Princess in 1992!

May 1, 2024 9:30 AM EDT See the Northern Lights on Every Princess Cruise to Alaska in 2024 Award-Winning "North to Alaska with Princess" Program Debuts New Immersive Experiences for 55th Anniversary 2024 Cruise and Cruisetour Season FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The dreamlike images of green and purple lights swirling in the northern sky, known as the Aurora Borealis or "Northern Lights," is an unforgettable spectacle, and something all guests sailing this summer with Princess Cruises to Alaska is guaranteed to see. See the Northern Lights on Every Princess Cruise to Alaska in 2024 This new immersive Voyage to the Stars experience is part of the cruise line's award-winning North to Alaska with Princess program set to debut for the upcoming 2024 cruise and cruisetour season that strengthens the overall guest connection in the Great Land. This year Princess guests will step inside a planetarium in the Princess Theater for a front row seat to the "Northern Lights" presentation showcasing the beauty and wonder of this phenomenon featuring live imagery, designed to engage adults and kids alike. "Each season in Alaska we strive to deliver enriching experiences for our guests to feel immersed in the beauty and local culture of this spectacular destination," said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer of Princess Cruises. "After receiving our highest guest satisfaction ranking ever last season, we knew we wanted to design elevated programming to further connect our guests to all of the wonders of the 49th state for our 55th anniversary season." The 2024 season promises to be the biggest and best ever for Princess with 158 departures on 14 unique itineraries with 17 destinations, including five glacier viewing experiences on seven stunning ships. The cruise line's 55th anniversary season also features 91 visits to Glacier Bay National Park, taking more guests through this scenic cruising experience than any other cruise line, including the "Voyage of the Glaciers" itineraries between Anchorage (Whittier) and Vancouver, B.C., and Inside Passage voyages roundtrip from Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver, B.C. The award-winning North to Alaska by Princess program is exclusive to the cruise line and designed by experts to showcase local storytellers, cultural experiences, the flavors of Alaska and more. Additional North to Alaska by Princess offerings for the 2024 season include: Onboard Princess Ships Cook My Catch comes to The Catch by Rudi Guests sailing to Alaska aboard Majestic Princess and Discovery Princess can enjoy their very own catch of the day after a day of fishing on special Princess shore excursions in the new specialty seafood restaurant, The Catch by Rudi. The first Princess restaurant primarily devoted to seafood offers a completely fresh take on seafood with contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, highly creative presentations, and an engaging dining experience. Crabshack This fan favorite returns to Alaska in all its shell-cracking glory with casual seafood options not to be missed. The four-course meal features a range of seafood favorites, including popcorn shrimp, clam chowder, even an Alaska-inspired steamer pot full of crab legs, shrimp, clams, and mussels. Guests will find this pop-up dining event in the World Fresh Marketplace on all seven ships sailing in Alaska in 2024. Salmon Cooking Demonstration Embark on a culinary adventure onboard with a new Salmon Cooking Demonstration, an exclusive experience on the last sea day of the cruise, that celebrates the richness of Alaska cuisine. Expert chefs showcase the art of preparing and cooking salmon, a staple in the region and a delicacy known for its flavor and versatility. Pendleton: A Partnership Highlighting American Craftsmanship Celebrating the 55th anniversary sailing to Alaska, Princess has partnered with Pendleton, an iconic lifestyle brand that has been based in the Pacific Northwest for over 100 years. Popular Pendleton blankets, flannels, coats, graphic tees and more will be available for purchase onboard (and at the Princess Wilderness Lodges). Specially designed for Princess, a commemorative limited edition "Alaska, The Great Land" blanket will be available for $299. Shore Excursions Princess has added 13 new shore excursions to the already abundant lineup ashore to bring Alaska to life in an engaging, immersive, sometimes delectable and always memorable way. New shore excursions for the 2024 season include: Juneau Juneau Highlights: Glacier Gardens & Whale Park Treadwell: Living History Walk of Alaska's Lost Mine Ketchikan Crab Feast at George Inlet Lodge Exclusive Flightseeing & Taste of Alaska Skagway White Pass Steam Train to Bennett Lake (offered on Friday & Sunday calls only) Haines Port Chilkoot Distillery Tour & Tastings Stories of Haines E-Bike Tour Stories of Haines E-Moped Tour Sitka Metal Torching Alaska Art Class Advanced Mountain Bike Adventure Guide's Choice Hike Marine Expedition & Wildlife Quest WaveRunner Island Exploration On Land at Princess Wilderness Lodges Alaska Adventure Quest: Geocaching Expedition Guests will embark on a thrilling Alaska adventure like never before with a new Geocaching Expedition program at each of the five Princess Wilderness Lodges throughout Alaska. The program offers a unique blend of outdoor exploration and teamwork, making it the perfect adventure for families, friends, and solo explorers alike. Guests can use their cellphone as a GPS device or grab a map from the front desk at their lodge and follow clues and coordinates to find hidden caches strategically placed throughout the lodge properties. Alaska-Themed Cocktails, Mocktails and Appetizers Leveraging local ingredients, embark on a taste journey throughout the rugged wilderness of Alaska with signature crafted cocktails, mocktails and appetizers. All are infused with the flavors of Alaska and all options vary by lodge to give guests the most exquisite tastes from all over the state. Garden to Table At the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge and Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, Princess chefs tap natural resources to provide guests with the freshest ingredients from the on-property gardens in their dishes and drinks made right at the lodge. The menus are seasonally crafted to accommodate nature's growing and harvesting season. Using fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs from these gardens will help guests feel more connected with the great land and make a positive and sustainable impact by minimizing the food delivery carbon footprint. Golden Heart Tea at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge Nestled in the heart of the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, Princess' Alaska tea experience invites guests to step into a world of sophistication and culinary delights. The attentive staff, well-versed in the art of tea service, will guide them through Alaska sourced tea, helping them choose the perfect blend to enhance each exquisite bite—from scones to salmon mousse, mini cakes and more. Naturalists Lead Outdoors Program For those seeking a more hands-on connection with nature, the naturalist program at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge immerses guests in the breathtaking wilderness of Alaska, offering a unique and educational experience focused on the region's rich natural environment. Led by experienced naturalists, the program combines hands-on field experiences with informative lectures to deepen understanding of Alaska's flora, fauna, and geological wonders. Cocktail-Making Class at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Guests can immerse themselves in the art of mixology at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge's Cocktail Making Class. This hands-on experience at Fannie Q's Saloon invites participants to discover the secrets behind crafting the perfect cocktails and mocktails. Led by skilled mixologists, the class covers various techniques, from muddling and shaking to garnishing. Denali Education Center Presentations at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Discover the wonders of Denali National Park as the Denali Education Center presents sessions that bring the region's natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage to life. Expert educators and naturalists lead these presentations, sharing their deep knowledge and passion for the unique ecosystem that surrounds the lodge. Cooking Demonstration at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge Embark on a culinary adventure at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge with a captivating cooking demonstration. Led by an expert chef, this experience invites guests to discover the artistry behind crafting delectable dishes inspired by the flavors of the region. The chef will share insights into the use of local and seasonal ingredients, highlighting fresh seafood that define the culinary landscape of the Copper River region. New for 2024 are convenient, seven-day Inside Passage itineraries, many including Glacier Bay National Park, round-trip from Vancouver on Ruby Princess. The cruises deliver four awe-inspiring ports, including Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan along with visits to Endicott Arm and scenic cruising of Dawes Glacier. Plus, there are more than 20 amazing cruisetours (cruise + land tour) that combine the unmatched Princess cruise experience with visits to the sights of Denali National Park, Kenai Peninsula, Copper River, Fairbanks and Anchorage and all from the comfort of the exclusive Princess lodges. Celebrating the 55th anniversary, two new cruisetours debut in 2024: National Parks Tour - A 15-night adventure to five of Alaska's most breathtaking parks including Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords National Parks, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway. This experience combines a seven-day cruise, scenic rail travel, and eight nights land, including stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges. Katmai National Park Tour - Nine-day cruisetour includes two nights in Anchorage, where guests have the chance to embark on an intimate bear-watching experience at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. This tour immerses travelers in the heart of Alaska's wilderness, allowing them to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, before or after sailing on a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise that includes a coveted visit to Glacier Bay National Park.

We are having a grand ole time with our friends from the Gold Coast of Australia!

Last night's certificate was for crossing the Equator. We now have had both certificates delivered.

Another certificate...

A new arrival to Vines. Boarded in Sydney and just unpacked. In the Plus Package and not bad. A strong 90 pointer!

Yes, except for the Majestic. Which we are currently onboard. But it is available on all the other Princess ships.

You can still get pizza by the slice on the pool deck. 🍕

We just received our crossing the Date Line certificates. I wish there was a way to opt out of these? I hate to waste their time and paper on something we do not need. We would have a stack of them if we kept them all! I'm going to mention this to the HGM...

Good morning Sea Day #4 and Cruise Day #22! Still very windy and we had another bumpy night. Map shows us just below the Hawaiian Islands.

April 30, 2024 9:30 AM EDT Princess Cruises Announces Revised 2025 World Cruise Itineraries Uncertainties in the Red Sea and Surrounding Region Prompts Rerouting of Global Voyages SANTA CLARITA, Calif., April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Given the ongoing situation in the Red Sea and surrounding area and following extensive consultation with global security experts and government authorities, Princess Cruises is revising the itineraries for its two 2025 World Cruises, which will no longer visit the Middle East or Asia, and now instead, will offer new port stops in Africa and Europe. Princess Cruises Logo (PRNewsfoto/Princess Cruises) "A Princess World Cruise is truly the voyage of a lifetime and after careful consideration with guidance from global security experts and government authorities, we know our guests will understand and appreciate the change to our upcoming 2025 itineraries to avoid certain areas," said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer of Princess Cruises. "These global events beyond our control have necessitated these reroutings but we are pleased to continue to ensure these world cruises retain destination-rich itineraries with incredible stops along the west Africa coast and the Mediterranean." Island Princess World Cruise Sailing from North America on Island Princess, the 116-day World Cruise offers two roundtrip options with departures from both Ft. Lauderdale, embarking January 5, 2025, and Los Angeles on January 20, 2025, and ends in Los Angeles on May 17, 2025. This destination dreamers delight will traverse over 36,700 nautical miles, visiting 46 destinations in 24 countries and six continents. The voyage includes visits to historic Bar, Montenegro and Taranto, Italy, along with inaugural World Cruise calls to the idyllic Greek Island of Patmos and to Volos – for the Monasteries of Meteora. The revised World Cruise itinerary, from February 16-April 9, departs Sydney and will travel to Melbourne and Perth, then on to South Africa. From there, the cruise resumes the scheduled itinerary starting in Valletta, Malta on April 9. Following is the amended portion of the voyage: Date Destination Sunday, February 16 Sydney, Australia (as scheduled) Monday, February 17 At Sea Tuesday, February 18 Melbourne, Australia Wednesday, February 19 At Sea Thursday, February 20 At Sea Friday, February 21 At Sea Saturday, February 22 At Sea Sunday, February 23 Perth (Fremantle), Australia Monday, February 24 At Sea Tuesday, February 25 At Sea Wednesday, February 26 At Sea Thursday, February 27 At Sea Friday, February 28 At Sea Saturday, March 1 At Sea Sunday, March 2 At Sea Monday, March 3 Port Louis, Mauritius Tuesday, March 4 At Sea Wednesday, March 5 At Sea Thursday, March 6 At Sea Friday, March 7 At Sea Saturday, March 8 At Sea Sunday, March 9 Cape Town, South Africa (overnight) Monday, March 10 Cape Town, South Africa Tuesday, March 11 At Sea Wednesday, March 12 Walvis Bay, Namibia Thursday, March 13 At Sea Friday, March 14 At Sea Saturday, March 15 At Sea Sunday, March 16 At Sea Monday, March 17 At Sea Tuesday, March 18 At Sea Wednesday, March 19 At Sea Thursday, March 20 Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands Friday, March 21 At Sea Saturday, March 22 At Sea Sunday, March 23 Madeira (Funchal), Portugal Monday, March 24 At Sea Tuesday, March 25 Gibraltar Wednesday, March 26 At Sea Thursday, March 27 At Sea Friday, March 28 Siracusa, Italy Saturday, March 29 At Sea Sunday, March 30 Athens (Piraeus), Greece Monday, March 31 Volos, Greece Tuesday, April 1 Patmos, Greece Wednesday, April 2 Kuşadasi, Turkey (for Ephesus) Thursday, April 3 Rhodes, Greece Friday, April 4 Crete (Chania), Greece Saturday, April 5 At Sea Sunday, April 6 Dubrovnik, Croatia Monday, April 7 Bar, Montenegro Tuesday, April 8 Taranto, Italy Wednesday, April 9 Valletta, Malta (as scheduled) Those guests scheduled to originally depart or join the cruise from Dubai on March 14, 2025, will now embark or disembark four days earlier on March 9, in Cape Town, South Africa. Booked guests disembarking in Cape Town will be refunded the amount equivalent to four days of the cruise fare and those joining earlier will not incur an added cost to their cruise fare. All these guests will also receive a $300 onboard credit as a gesture of good will. Crown Princess World Cruise Departing from Down Under, Crown Princess - the largest ship to ever host a World Cruise - is scheduled to depart Auckland May 31, 2025; and Sydney June 4, 2025; and sail on a 113-day adventure visiting 42 destinations in 22 countries, across five continents. This cruise will also bypass the Red Sea and surrounding region, including the transit of the Suez Canal. The ship will travel via Africa instead of the Red Sea and Asia itinerary. The fully revised itinerary is currently being finalized and will be communicated shortly. More information about World Cruise itineraries, plus shorter World Cruise segment options can be found at http://www.princess.com/worldcruise

We were informed tonight that when we arrive in Vancouver we will be disembarking 1,000+/- passengers. And will be embarking 1,000+/- new passengers for the 3-day voyage to Seattle. The first few Alaska voyages starting on the 12th of May are going to have 3,800 to 4,000 passengers.

Weather has not been great today. Windy, bumpy and a bit wet all day.