BrandiGreg

I am a competitive trivia player too.  The actual prize is not why I play (i give them away to kids onboard). But I like to test my mind.  That is why most amateur sportmen compete in games...to test the limits of their skill.   My mind is my particular skill.

We were on this same cruise in our cheapo inside cabin. Our 57th with Princess and it was above average.  Food great.  Good ports. Easy embarkation for us.  

What if the name on your birth certificate does not match the one on your DL?  Many people (women especially) take new names through marriage.

55 cruises, always order it, always looks and tastes the same.  Had it on October Discovery cruise too.  This was entirely different.  I suspect they ran out and decided to substitute potatoes,  hoping no one would notice.  I should have sent it back but with such slow service I didn't want to take more time.  The waiter picked through it but didn't comment.  It was very odd.

9 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Still the same Chef.  We both had the soufflé tonight and enjoyed it.  Inconsistent???    🙅

 

 

 

 

 

I hardly ever complain, but tonight I ordered goat cheese souffle, one of Princess' best dishes that I have had on each of my prior 55 cruises. However, tonight it was LUMPY MASHED POTATOES in the shape of the souffle.  Who do they think they are fooling?  And it was served with a pile of arugula and thin potato slices.  Totally ridiculous. 

Has anyone else encountered an "overly-friendly" young man named Casey whom I observe frequently introducing himself to everyone and hugging them?  I'm all for friendliness to your fellow passengers, but I have an issue with unsolicited hugging of others in this day of Covid and flu season.  Also, unsolicited hugging may be seen by some as a violation of personal space.  So far, I have tried to stay clear of him.

8 hours ago, tonit964 said:

Oh, good to know. I guess I should book a B2B so I’m aware of these things. 😁

Did you see Rock Opera? Deciding whether it’s worth checking out.

 

We've seen Rock Opera on 2 different ships and it's one of the best Princess productions we have seen.  5 Skies also great, but not on Discovery.

Not everything is actually in the fridge, as it doesn't fit.  Here is a pic of our set up delivered this week on the Grand (our 3rd set up, so it is piling up).  We exchanged all our alcohols for Bud Light (don't judge).  And room service does any exchanges, not the steward.

Currently on the Grand we have 529 passengers, less than 20%.  Best time to cruise!  Safest place to be also.

13 hours ago, wallyj said:

This itinerary allows for the dining room to be open ‘everyday’ for lunch, which is unusual. I think day 3 will be one of my favorite lunch menus. Frito Misto, fried seafood platter with fried shrimp, scallops, calamari and whitefish. Tuna melt with potato chips(similar to plain lays chips), Nasi Goreng(sp) which has Beef Satay sticks, I had all three.

 

The first 5 day sailing reported they did Lobster and Escargot on night 4, must have been one time deal being first cruise, as we did NOT have this menu, I think I reported what the mains for night4 were in the live from thread started by AF-1 for Oct 4 sailing.

Here's the frito misto, plus rollmops (pickled herring) appetizer which I had double of

18 hours ago, wallyj said:

Here are the exact numbers for #1, 1666 days, #2 1245 days and #3 1157 days.

 

I believe the cutoff for for making the MTP luncheon was low 200’s. The circle host announced only the number of elites at 107 but I was told the number of invites to the party was about 250, so about 143 Platinums.

Just back from the MTP luncheon.  The loyalty gal said cutoff was 300 days.  Better than the last MTP.  Here's the menu.  And the dessert. Sea bass was divine.

59 minutes ago, BrandiGreg said:

Here was tonight's mains (4th night). Calamari was good.  107 elites I think.  3rd most traveled about 1100 days. Most traveled about 1600 days.  Most Traveled Passenger luncheon tomorrow,  we made it with 478 days.  

Here's the appetizers tonight

Here was tonight's mains (4th night). Calamari was good.  107 elites I think.  3rd most traveled about 1100 days. Most traveled about 1600 days.  Most Traveled Passenger luncheon tomorrow,  we made it with 478 days.  

21 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

@BrandiGreg Can you please let me know how late the tenders run overnight in Cabo? We have dinner reservations on shore and might not be done until 10PM. Thanks and hope you are having a blast! 

 

Here's my answer from guest services:

To answer some of the questions above, 1. No chocolates on pillow, 2.  Unlimited specialty coffees with drink package, 3.  And formal night is 2nd night of the 5 day itinerary (first sea day) and menu attached.  Lobster and escargot are on 4th night, but not formal night.  We are on 3rd leg of our 4 b2b's.   Covid testing was this morning at 0900 in One5 lounge. Much more efficient than 1st time.  You didn't need to wait around for the results.

14 hours ago, AF-1 said:

What time do you guys dock in SanPedro tomorrow morning

Well, I got up at 7am and we were docked.  I'm currently (0820) in the International cafe at the window looking up at the passenger gangway, and don't see anyone leaving.  The forklifts are busy loading lounge chairs however.

41 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

What time do you guys dock in SanPedro tomorrow morning

I assume as scheduled, but will try to remember to post when actual time is.  B2B guests are to meet in the Crown Grill at 0910 to be escorted into the terminal.  No word yet on when covid testing will be.  Last leg it was on day 2 and 3.

5 hours ago, mellon1 said:

I BELIEVE YOU.  Just sad not knowing.  Just talked with my husband and he said he will just say in the room the entire time and be on the balcony except for dinner if he has to mask everywhere.  I am not happy with that for 42 day cruise, b2bs.  Read on this site about testing in dining room.  I am not a doctor or nurse, but how sanitary is that when people will be eating in there?  Ewww.

I am a nurse (not that it makes me an expert), but I am assuming they changed the tablecloths from the section we were all sitting in....just as they would between dining parties.  I didn't observe any visible mucus from the nostril swirling.

1 hour ago, AnyMajorCruiseDude said:

We were on with you last week and also thought the vast majority were complying.  Any noticeable difference in passenger breakdowns?  Older, younger, etc...

About the same assortment of ages and other demographics.

Compared to the previous leg, I've observed a LOT of non-compliance with mask wearing, or wearing improperly (not covering nose).  Staff seems to ignore it. But I assume they don't want to start an argument,  and for wait staff and entertainment staff it is probably not their responsibility.  I have not seen any "mask police" in action.  I have to just remember to control my own actions and not feel I need to be responsible for others.

1 hour ago, ebeluga said:

 

 

Is the test self-administered?

Yes.  They have one person in front "observing" a room of about 60 passengers simultaneously swabbing their nostrils.

1 minute ago, Cruise Raider said:

I’m sure you will … haven’t seen anything close to a dry eye yet!  

This is the best time to be cruising.  With reduced capacity, no lines and super service by staff.

Getting covid tested en masse this morning in Boticelli dining room with other b2b passengers.  Negative!

15 minutes ago, srpilo said:

 

Thanks good to know, I'm on the Emerald in 14 days for her first cruises (15 days) and trying to gather my expectations for the indoor vibe. Thanks for your honest reply... It helps 😉

Just my observation.  We're used to masks, living in California.   I think many are unnecessarily worried about using them.  With reduced capacity, you are rarely within 6 ft of each other.  10% seem to disregard completely, but that's life I guess.  I figure just enjoy the cruise and not worry about those few.