lynwar

Hi,

Great shots again!!

The water fall was a big thrill for me on my first cruise, with the dancing and great celebrating. I never went up to actually pour some in the glasses because I was taking pictures-we didn't have a digital camera in 1998. This last time took more pictures, now with a digital camera and my phone camera. I also took a nice shot of our two table mates the first formal night. I have their first names but no further info. so I doubt we'll ever see them again. Too bad. They were fun.

Oh, we never got any champagne because by the time we were finished with dinner and so on, there was none left!! :(

The sea looked very calm, you're right. It's a bonus to have it that way.

Take care. I'll see you later! Lynne

Our cruise was good. We don't expect the moon and kind of stick to ourselves. Our favorite spots were the aft pool area, Horizon Court, Crooners and the Casino (;) )

I think you'll have a good time. We all age, and are like good wine... lol.

Bert Stratton will be leaving the Caribbean Princess on Dec. 22 and return in February.

His signature song with cruisers is "Sweet Caroline"--sing a long. :)

Have a wonderful cruise. Yes, that carpet and aroma situation would have been very trying on me and I think we would have paid the difference for another cabin. Hubby certainly wouldn't have liked that damp feeling.

Once again, it was great revisiting the ship after 10 years and I would go on her again.

Lynne

That video was great, and fun. Thanks for the link!! :)

Lynne

Hi,

Nice review. We were on the Caribbean Princess in September after a 10 year break. The first thing I noticed was how small the atrium area was upon boarding compared to the Royal Princess. And, I noticed the wear and tear, as well. There was one fellow in a white jump suit varnishing the rails every day. It got to be "cute". But, we found the rails to be tacky quite often after they had been polished. LOL. (Much later)

With that said, we had a wonderful cruise in 2004, same month, with a great roll call group, a few I still correspond with today. And, once I got back into the groove of the ship, I was quite comfortable and enjoyed the ship.

I did notice that the floors up on Lido deck had puddles or water after a rain or cleaning or something. I had forgotten about that.

We did catch up with Bert Stratton the second night but it was standing room only. We stood back awhile and then gradually worked our way up to the post at the entrance by the piano, where I stood. Happily, there were some nice cruisers who let me get in front of them since I'm 4'11 1/2 ". The third night, he was in the Explorer's Lounge where he and his audience had much more room. We were in the seats to his right. From then on, I was in Crooners every evening, either in front (behind)? of the piano looking toward the window, or to his left with other fans. He calls it his "living room".

I do agree that it's too small for his type of delivery, but he's booked for Crooners on the short cruises. We were on a combined 5/4 (9 day)cruise. The folks way back by the bar were like in a different room, almost, although he did try to include the ones who were about halfway back. His second set is instrumental, unless he gets caught in a song request that really sounds better sung. He is a wonderful pianist and the performance is much more serious, low key and mellow. I hope you get to hear him and participate on a cruise with him at some point. Bert is a great guy.

Thanks, again, for your review. I'm really enjoying it.

Lynne

That horn concert would be amazing to hear. :D I wonder if our Princess ships have a secret button to play others. Can you imagine hearing that start at sail a way in those Caribbean ports? Maybe a bit overwhelming, but fun to think about.

Have a great day. I got a smile from the post and your answer, Dave. It's brightened up a dismal afternoon.

Lynne

Hi

I did see the Ruby leave port, as well. I always enjoy the ship going up the channel, approaching the cameras and seeing all the folks waving like mad. :D Then the horn. At that point, I wish I were on the ship, too.

The Eastern Itinerary is my favorite. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.

Lynne

I found a 2006 thread and post and replied to it with all the ship 2 letter designated letters. It's currently on the first page of the general forum questions.

I hope it helps you. Lynne

Is this still current? Do the Regal and Royal Princess have the same letters? Someone was asking about the designations on a current 2014 thread and I am researching it.

Thanks!!

Lynne

Hello,

I learned the way the ship initials are named many years ago, but I've forgotten. :( But, the reason offered is as good as any. I'll have to google it. :) It's a fair point that the thread or any info on the ship might be missesd.

OIC= Oh, I see? ;)

jenseib, this last set of photos REALLY made me homesick for the ship. We usually sat at the table behind the sign that says "no jumping or diving". lol. And, that area is our favorite spot on the ships that still have the Terrace Pool.

Have a great evening. Lynne

I watched the Ruby as she was leaving port and the horn was blown. You are on your way, again!! Enjoy.

The HAL Westerdam left ahead of you.

Lynne

I will enjoy seeing the Ruby leave port IF I remember to go to the Webcam. :D . We've been on her twice.

I'm enjoying your cruise with you, too.

Lynne

Hello,

We were scheduled to go to Nassau once but got hi-jacked by Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 so missed it. Your excursion sounds good, and something to keep in mind. I like to have the ships in sight when I disembark. :) That said, when we went to Dominica, we were walking around downtown and a van pulled up with the driver saying he needed another couple to fill it, $16, each. So, Hubby wanting some adventure, got us on board and we got to see the Tropical Rain Forest and had a nice afternoon with a good group. We don't do that very often. If we go, it's usually ship sponsored.

We had the towels and the greetings on our September cruise, so maybe you, or someone else is right; reduced staff. We kind of ran into something similar in 2006 on the Carnival Legend. It was the week after Thanksgiving and the activities weren't abundant, nor the pools open (closed for repair). We did meet some great roll call people who have continued to be friends to this day.

As for formal night, we have opted for the Horizon Deck more and more. Casual, one on one service, cloth table cloths and good silver, a glass of wine, basically the same food as downstairs and a wonderful sunset. Cheers! :)

We haven't seen this comedian. He was also on the ship in September, but enjoyed the entertainer in Crooners so stayed put in there.

I'm looking forward to your next installment. Lynne

Thanks for your review. We were on this ship in 2004 and then again this past September.

We had an interior room. From what I saw in our cabin, there were plugs on the wall by the "desk", as our lap top was plugged in there. The lights were there, too. Chargers for cameras were plugged in there, also, as I remember. And, we used the outlet in the bathroom, as usual.

I'm happy to hear that you've had good experiences, among your iffy ones. We never traveled with children so can't speak to the staff behavior. Sorry about that.

We've always had decent experiences on our cruises up to this point--10 with Princess. I'm waiting to read more about your cruise. I hope you enjoyed a good part of it.

And, thanks for the pictures.

The only thing this time that was a bit inconvenient for us was the fact that the overhead or bunk beds were in there and we had to watch that we didn't hit our heads when we got up. Our bed was comfortable. It was really a cabin for 4 people which would have made it very crowded I would think.

Lynne

Hi,

We eat the Marie Callender pot pies and regular pies. :eke: I can relate to the weight thing. But, they sure are good. However, the International Cafe fare is so good.

Dave, I wouldn't mind if the Grand were retired. We heard about her build on the Sun Princess in 1998, but sailed on the Golden, first. The Grand didn't impress me, and I don't know why. It was older by then, but maybe it was the clientele and it seemed dirty. It's my least favorite of all that class. We've come far from the Sun to the Regal, as of Jan. 2016.

Yes, pictures from all of you who are sailing on the Regal this year. That would be awesome. :)

Goodnight for now. Lynne

Hi,

We were in E 114 on one cruise that located right at the top of the stairs. We could see out but the people couldn't see in. It was very amusing as we saw them once they made it to the top, huffing and puffing. I put my face right up to the tinted glass and could see in but normally the cruisers just kept walking because of the tint. (our little secret).

I wonder if Ifk60 got to Crooners this week and saw Bert's show this week. I always try have someone cruising say hello to him from me/us.

As usual, thanks for the deck and sea photos. We have to wait a year until our next cruise.

Take care for now. Lynne

Hello,

We just put new carpet into two bedrooms and it felt like we were moving! LOL. Everything had to be dismantled in order to move the furniture, like books from bookcases, items off the desks, drawers emptied. It took way longer than 30 minutes. We did have the house on the market for 6 months with no bites and it's funny how things are starting to appear in "de-cluttered" spots.

I did hear that the Ocean Princess was going elsewhere, so maybe the new sister will take her name. But, if that happens then the new ships might be water or fish themed. :D

I'm happy to see that we have our Royal companions posting here again. it's like a reunion. I'm sorry I'm late to the party.

Stay warm up north. We're back into the high 70's now after a chilly few days. I'm lovin' it!

Bye for now. Lynne

Thank you for the review. The putting green area was the place where I waited and watched the ship go back into Port Everglades at the end of our 9/20-29/14 cruise. It was a great vantage point, and to the side of the Sanctuary where you took your shot out to the side.

Crooners Lounge-one of my perches was in one of those barrel chairs right inside the hall entrance at the Explorer's Lounge end of it-where the posts are on each side. I was right at the end of the piano. My other spot was to the left of the piano.

The Aft pool area (Terrace Pool) was one of our favorite places. We ate almost every meal in the Horizon Court-usually going back to the Cafe Caribe or out to the back. we have some fond memories with some roll call friends back there.

Thanks so much for your review. We were in Cozumel pre-and post hurricanes and the far pier with the outlet mall feel is new since 2004 or more recently. We used to dock at the International Pier and go through a white building with duty free things. Senor Frogs and Carlos and Charlies was right across the street in a shopping complex. We used to shop in the stores across from the ocean/beach area. Now, this time, it wasn't worth the trouble to us, to try to walk into town-much too far. Also, many years ago, we learned we couldn't haggle with the shop owners in the complexes because the prices weren't set by them. This time, we did buy a bracelet for me on a "side street" with vendors. One of the sales guys, used to be a staff person for Princess-(worked in the kitchen?).

Anyway, we cruise to relax, too, as we've been to most of the ports in the Caribbean now. We don't go too far if we get off the ship.

Thank you for the photos. This was a reunion of sorts for us, as we were first on the Caribbean Princess in Sept. of 2004, during Hurricane Jeanne week. It was one of the best cruises we ever had.

Lynne

Hi Dave,

This is Lynne. Guess what! We have booked the Regal Princess for January 2016. We're going for a group function this time, but having been on the Royal last year, it will be kind of like a homecoming with the new sister!! :)

Now, I'm going to go back and read this thread and enjoy the thrill of learning all about the Regal. I'm so glad you are still around helping us navigate this ship now.

Take care, and bundle up in your area!!! It does seem too early to have to be completely wrapped up in warm clothes and outerwear so early in the season.

Bye for now. Lynne

Great pictures! That area above the Sanctuary was where I stood to see us return into the Port. It was a good spot. I didn't get up any higher than that. The atrium photos were terrific. I know I sat in some of those chairs in the shots!! LOL

Thanks for the Crooner's photos. That black grand piano is the place where Bert did his show. It's his "living room". LOL. I usually had a seat right in front of it or to his left side,along with other fans.

I'm happy that you did have a decent cruise. Lynne

Hi

Bert Stratton is the entertainer we like. We just met him in September 2014 on the Caribbean Princess. He does have a good following. I'd heard about him for several years from a cruising friend but this was the first time we were on the ship with him. He's a really nice person.

I also like Barrington "Barty" Brown. We first saw him in February of 1998 and didn't catch up with him until 2012! He has aged very gracefully. He's more Broadway oriented. I understand he was on the Emerald Princess in March but no news of him since then. I do have a picture of us together from the 2012 cruise, though.

I've only been in Starwalkers for Meet and Greet activities and to look around. I'm not a member of the disco/late night dancing group so don't go up there much on any cruise. However, we have another friend who there every night when he sailed Princess. He was MUCH younger than we were, then and now. :)

I'm glad you had the chance to look around. We miss a lot on cruises because we don't investigate the entire ship or go to cover charge restaurants. And, we're down to buying maybe one picture! Ah, the age of digital cameras. Ha Ha.

So, thanks, again. I'll see you again, I hope. Lynne

You are doing a wonderful job. We take several pictures but never do anything with them. I enjoy coming here and other posts to see what's new. No problem. I'm enjoying seeing the ship when I can. I even watched her sail away on the webcam on Saturday.

We're getting many offers through the mail and from different venues concerning great deals for Caribbean cruises, this ship, included. I may have to wait until after the holidays and then revisit the possibility of one final cruise before her transatlantic in April. The entertainer I like will be off again from Dec. 22 until Feb. Then on to April. I would like to go in that time frame. However, he's doing a special cruise in January 2016 and that's another goal if we or I can afford to go. However, reservations would need to be in way before then. We'll see. It will be on another ship.

So, take care for now. We're on your time!! Lynne

I want to add that I do appreciate all the photos and effort put into them. It's hard getting back to reality following a cruise, depending on how it goes. There are some that are so pleasurable that we wish they could continue well past the time we had on the ship. After not really thinking about this ship in 10 years, and after getting reacquainted with the smaller atrium than the newer ones, it was very enjoyable to be back aboard. I still correspond with folks from that 2004 cruise.

Cruises are what we make them and we haven't been overly disappointed yet. My husband tells me each year that we're going to skip a year, so, OK, but then it is he who starts searching for the deals. LOL Now, I'm the one with the PCD and he's moved on--until the next one. He knows I'm ready to go again now that it's on my mind.

Goodnight for now. Lynne

Bert is back on the Caribbean Princess until Dec. 22. Then he'll take another break and return in February, I believe. The ship will then take a TA in April for the Summer. He will be off at that point.

Thanks for your last installment. I'm still in PCD after my Sept 2014 cruise on this ship. Many memories.

We did see people in that pool up on Deck 17 in the afternoon. It's near the kids club, I believe, but there were adults in the pool. It was a well kept secret. LOL. Someone else might know more about it.

The Terrace Pool, aft, was our favorite spot on the ship. We have similar photos of that area and sunsets, etc.

It was fun to revisit the Caribbean Princess after a 10 year break. Now, I'd like to see her once more, before we move on to other opportunities. The Regal could be next- "the new ship in town". LOL.

We've never been on a Disney ship but if my son and family decide to take a cruise on one, I'm all in. My grandson is now 6. However, we will have to save our pennies. The biggest asset is that there would be no casino to tempt us. ;)

Thanks again for the updates. Did you take any photos of the entertainment on board? You and and another fellow who is posting took a lot of food shots....

See you again, I hope. Lynne

Thank you for your report. I also watched the sail away on the webcam. It was amazing that the horn was blown 4 times-that I heard.

We were on the Royal last year and did see the Beatlemaniacs both in the lounge and Piazza.

If the Regal is truly like the Royal, it is another beautiful sister.

Have a great time.

Lynne