lynwar

Hello,

Great pictures, TenneSea!! That piano seems to be very popular. We took photos of it, too. I'll be looking forward to you review.

 

Lynne

Dear Dave,

I was up at 4:30 to watch the beautiful Royal Princess arrive. She finally entered the port around 5:37AM behind the Royal Caribbean ship, with the glittering reflections from the windows making her all the more fantastic. I knew it was she, because I heard her arrival outside the port made by the Captain, with the Italian accent. Thank goodness for webcam sound. I followed her and saw her turn and back into her berth. I was sad to see that the camera didn't stay with her for her final docking. But, now it will be light, soon, so perhaps there will be a different view. The 17th Bridge was originally one of them.

 

Welcome home, as they say. I hope you have a wonderful day in Ft. Lauderdale. It is our second home, with relatives there. We only live about 2 1/2 hours from the city.

 

Take care and thanks, along with the others, for giving us a wonderful cruise through your eyes.

 

Lynne

I was looking at the ship's position you posted earlier. About this time in the morning the ship will probably be sitting out there waiting for the pilot boat to steer you into the Port or just starting to head in. This will be your final excursion!! I usually get up around 4-4:30 AM and head topside for my coffee in the Horizon Court. Then I walk up to 16-17th deck to an area in front right above the bridge. It's very windy up there, so have had to stay back a bit to the side. You might be in a slightly different location on the Royal. It's VERY quiet... except for early joggers and those enjoying the trip in with me, too. The pilot boat comes out and you've hardly realized the ship has turned, and then there's the slow movement forward..... everything comes into perspective, what was on the right, is now on the left. You realize you're back in reality when you hear the humming and activities in the port and the planes taking off......It is also interesting to see how the ship hangs a left and backs into it's space. By then, it's dawn, sunrise, etc.

I don't remember if you saw this last week, since you were in transit and didn't have to get up really early...

This time, though, I was a tad late-but thank goodness for our balcony. The ship seemed to have stopped, but it was after 5 and all of a sudden we were moving in. It was still spectacular, though. I don't get much sleep the final night because I keep checking the time and listening to the ship's sounds..and if on the right side, checking for the lights as we come up the coast. To, me, it always seems like we are coming into a V because of the angle of the course. Then the ship turns to go in straight.

 

Enjoy your final evening.... we are all there with you! And, I'm hoping there is some way you can save all these posts... it certainly would be another remembrance for you-with several affirmations.

 

Take care. Lynne

Wow, what wonderful photos of the ships departing at dark....that is one of my favorite parts, and I bet you won the horn contest with the Love Boat Theme. :)

 

If you ever produced a calendar with your photos or even a book, I would certainly buy it. Dave, you really captured the moments and scenes of your cruise, from such interesting perspectives. I'm sure that many of us didn't observe half of what you did.

 

Thank you, again, for a wonderful trip with you.

Lynne

Hi,

Great review. One year we'll have to try the Enclave as it sounds like a really relaxing place to be and more private. I haven't used the main pools on any cruise so far.

 

I did discover that while the card controls the power in the cabin, the bathroom light can be turned on and off individually, as well as, the lights above/behind the bed. However, just make sure you aren't in the bathroom and have your hubby/wife leave and take the card with them, or else you'll be in the dark. (like me).

 

We had a standard balcony room and it was big enough for us, as we also aren't large people. My biggest headache was the safe that kept opening when the closet door was opened. I had some tape with me and taped it shut. Problem solved.

 

I enjoyed my time on the Royal. I kind of wish Barrington (Barty) Brown had been in Crooners. We met up with him on the Emerald in 2012, after first seeing him on the Sun Princess in 1998-our first cruise. I wish I knew what ship he was/is on now.

 

Thanks, again, for your comments on your cruise. I enjoyed reading them.

Lynne

I've always looked forward to St. Thomas. What nice shots at Havensight! (and above). As you know, it's such a special time to see the twinkling lights in the harbor at departure. I hope you will have enjoyed your tour there.

The temps have cooled a tad here in Florida today, so enjoy your last couple of days until reality sets back in.

Have a lovely day. Lynne

Thank you so much for your updates and photos. The ones from the veranda/promenade today were especially spectacular. Seriously, they and many others, should be submitted to photography sites or contests. They make me want to be back on the ship so much. We were in A603 and you even sent me a photo with an arrow pointing out where our cabin was located before we cruised. It was also nice to see your picture with the crew member.

 

Have fun in St. Thomas. I always enjoyed the Havensight pier, but hubby got tired of going through the shops after several stops. It's fun to pull in first and then see other ships follow. Sometimes, one is there first and you get to wave hello to them as the ship docks.

 

Take care. I'm so enjoying your commentary.

Lynne

Hi

We didn't have too much of a problem. We either used the Aft elevators-closer to our cabin or hiked to the more forward ones, which were the panoramic ones. The long walk was from the Princess Theater elevators. Our cabin was A603 so we had 2-3 jogs to go around. :D

I'm used to my former workplace elevators (retirement community) where residents would go up to go down and they and the elevators were pretty slow-plus, some were left standing there when the passengers wouldn't squeeze in tighter. I was in no hurry on the ship. I guess the 2 interesting experiences we had, were to 1) get stuck in an elevator. The guy with us finally called on the phone and it was fixed in seconds, and 2) after hitting the buttons, the elevator that did arrive was the one farthest from us and behind our back. We either had to run like mad, or miss it. :)

 

As for the internet service-great up until Wed or Thursday and after that could get nothing. (Nov 17-24) I had no pressing news or business so it wasn't a problem. It was just frustrating when I couldn't check in on FB or with a friend for nightly emails. I left her one for every night just in case so she'd have something to read.

 

I've been enjoying all the comments on here and waiting for my next cruise.

 

Lynne

I'm sorry I missed it. I kept looking in the Patter for the performance day and must have looked right over it. I was on the week of Nov. 17-24. I enjoyed listening during our last cruise. One year, I might just get energetic enough to join it, as I've been a singer for many years.

The group always does a wonderful job and looks like it is having fun.

 

Lynne

This was a wonderful video. Thank you! I hope we allowed to share the link with friends. I've been telling them all about the ship!!

 

Lynne

It would be neat to hear "When You Wish Upon a Star" and the "Love Boat" horns in the same ports and giving us a concert! :)

gracie65-- Nice review. I'm also reading Dave's now, to continue the journey.

We're already looking into future cruises, which is pretty soon for us.

Take care. Lynne

Wonderful pictures, Dave. Thank you, so much. You are seeing parts of the ship that we didn't get to when we were sailing.

Hi, Joe. Unfortunately, we didn't get into Crooners for a sit down evening this time. There were too many other things to do. Hi to Amelia.

 

Dave, I feel as if I'm enjoying the ship all over again through your eyes and reports.

 

Lynne

I really think we need to take another cruise on the Royal to do all the things we missed on our first cruise. :D We used to hang out at the Outrigger Bar, especially in the evenings. This time Hubby missed some good drinks. Also, we didn't go into Crooners later as we usually did because there were other things happening earlier and Kory started after they were over, which was getting late.

Every time we cruise we have the "Casino Talk"--we have to stay out of it, but..... we always end up in there (this time it paid off for me), but we miss so many other activities by being hypnotized in there.

We will really have to eat in the Crown Grill or have the English Pub Meal in the Wheelhouse Bar.

 

Denise, thanks for your review. It is keeping those of us on recent cruises going for awhile longer and getting through our PCD. That said, I watched the Royal depart Pt. Everglades today!!

 

Lynne

Dragonqueen,

That's a great picture of the Outrigger Bar area. I had never seen it from that direction or vantage point. It looked like it might have been overcast or misting down there for sail away so this was a perfect place to be. Thank you.

I'd looked out from it but not into it!

 

Lynne

I watched the sail away, too. I noticed several on balconies. There was a fellow in a bright outfit kind of waving on the "Promenade Deck" outside deck.

How do you like that back area, Dave? I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it and walked through it. We ate supper out there a couple of times, too.

Have an excellent week!

 

Lynne

Hi Dave,

The Speakers is a nice little group-British, Young. The lead singer has a pretty good voice, too. The entertainment is about the same as the Nov. 17-24 cruise. I like the Dance Party idea in the Piazza. It should be jumping/active there all week.

There were some crew members on our cruise that I thought I recognized up in the Horizon Court and in passing, but never had become close enough to them to get to know them. I did talk to a fellow up there this time named Michael. He was pretty nice. Team 7.

 

I can tell you are already enjoying yourself!! :)

 

Lynne

Hi,

I tried to post last night, but it didn't send.

To me, the carpet design (blue) kind of looked like large footprints in the middle of the smaller design. So, if going forward, they would be going ahead. I didn't see any for going aft. It just seemed whimsical and a "aha" when I looked down. And, I hadn't had any rum punch or wine, either. ;) If that wasn't the case, then maybe I needed a short or two! :D

Look down and see if you see the same thing. We were on Aloha Deck.

 

It will be "Time To Say Goodbye" for many of you tomorrow. I hope your cruise has been enjoyable.

 

Take care. Lynne

gracie65

We were also enjoying the last minute passenger races up on the 17th deck. There was a guy next to us who had some facts about how long different ships have waited, and we had a couple of good stories ourselves.

You are right. Our ship's "Love Boat" horn was more than impressive against the FOS's single blast. I wonder if newer ships are going to incorporate parts of songs in their horns. LOL.

It is always a bittersweet moment to sail away from St. Thomas and St. Maarten, as the twinkling lights on shore seem so magical. I'm glad you all had a good time on your tours.

 

Lynne

Have a wonderful cruise, Dave. Thanks for all your help along the way. I think you'll find some special little perks and changes that will surprise you. We'll be waiting to hear your impressions.

 

Lynne

Thanks for your review. We also enjoyed our cruise Nov 17-24. No major issues for us. The ship was beautiful. I do agree that the hall where the Wheelhouse Bar is located, going toward the Piazza is dark, but very "rich" looking, with beautiful paintings.

The Piazza was the place to be each night, for sure!

Alfredo's was very good. Hubby enjoyed the Calzone the first time, but it wasn't as good the second time. Since my foods are limited, I did get the salad and Hawaiian Pizza there, and was able to get the pizza without the tomato sauce. It was very good-cut in

4s, and I ate it all. The second time, I had the salad and the apple dessert. Very good. Alex was our server. A very nice guy.

 

Lynne

We were on the Royal the week of Nov 17. It never was overly crowded. Some were playing cards, some were eating, some were on the sofa seats chatting, very few were at the bar. It was quiet. We enjoyed it, as we always liked to go back to the Terrace Pool area on the other ships because of that.

I was pleasantly surprised because it had the veranda feel with the wood floors and was a bigger area than I thought it would be. I didn't miss the pool.

SHHHHH.

Lynne

You're doing great so far!!! I'm enjoying your review. Lynne

Hi Wendy, and all.

Deputy Dan is on vacation, and will experience his first American Thanksgiving and a college football game, Georgia and Georgia Tech. We "met" Ryan through the Wake-up Show and then saw him at the door of Princess Live while Dan was conducting the Musical Movies trivia. He seemed really nice and good, so I'm glad you are having a good experience with him.

As for the toilet paper-we never used the roll in the holder-just used the extra roll that was available if needed.

The lights-yes, the card is inserted, but once is, the lights can be turned on and off manually from different points in the cabin. My husband went out once when I was in the bathroom and all of a sudden, everything went dark. LOL. Thank goodness it was daytime.

I'm sorry about your weather. We lucked out with a beautiful week, with some passing showers in St. Maarten, only. But, it wasn't severe and we were able to go ashore. It was warm and humid.

 

Wendy, thanks for the live reports. I'm am "on board" for one more week with you!!

 

Lynne

Hi, Bill and Kathi,

Glad we were able to meet at the Retreat Pool. I hope you had a great time during the week. We basically did our own thing, as usual. gracie65 is helping me relive some good "stuff" on the ship. I missed your Beatlemaniacs performance in the Piazza. I caught the show in the Princess Theater. I did enjoy the dancing in the Piazza in general, though. I saw many happy faces there.

 

Take care and I hope to see you again sometime, even if on the boards.

Lynne

No, we didn't have any odor issues in our restroom either. A603.

 

Lynne