Live From The Sun!

[cruiserforlife]

Dreamer,

 

Princess does a good job with tendering and allows you to get tender boarding passes before hand to avoid long lines.They also delivered to our stateroom VIP tender passes for Princess Cays because my wife is an Elite member so that we could avoid any lines which I thought was a nice touch.

 

Another great meal tonight...I had Talipia & a jumbo Prawn entree and my wife had a perfectly prepared medium-rare Rack of Lamb.

 

I once again prepped my waiter for Lobster night tomorrow,our 2nd. and last formal night.He know's about the personal record of 13 and he always says in his broken english..."no problem"...but as I get older,that record seems more and more unapproachable.He says he told the chef to order an extra case for me which makes me laugh.

 

Tomorrow,we are doing the Champagne Breakfast which includes among other tasty treats,Crab Quiche and Alaskian King Crab legs with a 1/2 bottle of Moet & Chandon.That should be a treat since in all of our cruises together,we have never had breakfast in our room or dined in the dining room.The cost is $25/couple.

 

After that,I better eat lightly and run several miles if I expect to break that record.

 

One note:Every night,I have seen several people wearing jeans in the dining room.I know this is a sticky subject with a lot of people and frankly,I just don't understand people showing up dressed like that.

 

Superbowl is Sunday and I ask Miguel what we were going to do since dinner falls smack in the middle of the game.Since we would have to pack our clothes that night and I usually wear shorts on the plane trip back,I wondered what would happen.He said many people wouldn't show up and that they would do some kind of outdoor buffet so I guess I'm off the hook.

 

Checking out for now,talk to everyone later.

 

CFL

[c&bcruise]

To all those who have taken time to share your daily experiences on the Sun, many thanks. To Cruisin'Chris - yes, please continue this thread. We leave on the Sun on Feb. 27 and we are watching every posting.

 

We cruised on the Sun last year, same time, Southern Caribbean. We had very rough seas the first couple of days to the point where there was a serious injury due to a fall and a passenger had to be airlifted off and we were 2 full days out of Port Everglades. Those at the back of the ship had to evacuate their cabins (including us) and it was about 3 hours before they could get the passenger, her husband and the doctor off in the high winds and rough seas. Once we got further south things settled down. We are truly hoping for calmer seas this time.

 

She is a wonderful ship. The food is excellent and the staff are friendly and attentive. We look forward to seeing CD Dan again. Your postings are keeping us going until we can get there ourselves.

 

C&B

[russg140]

CFL:

 

Your posts have been fantastic and I thank you so much for making me feel so good about choosing the Sun. I want us all (me included) to remember to review the Sun on the websites after our cruises (cruisereviews.com, etc). If you check the Sun reviews now, most of them are either out of date or written by someone who got "the bug" during their trip. Let's paint a real, honest, and true picture of the ship once we've sailed her. She seems to have gotten such a bad (and it seems undeserved) reputation. CFL, and all his effort, demand we get the word out about this terrific ship! Thanks again CFL and Chris for bringing furture Sun "worshippers" to the truth!:D

[cruiserforlife]

I appreciate all the kind words and I am happy to help bring so much joy to all fellow & future Sun cruisers.

 

This really has been a fantastic cruise despite the setbacks mainly because of the great attentive service of the staff.It seems to be a very polished group that is always willing to go out of their way to do whatever is necessary to make you feel at home.

 

This morning we enjoyed the Champagne Breakfast which was a ton of food served entirely too early for me to enjoy.Very delicious however.

 

Looks to be a lazy day today at sea but I gotta get my butt in gear if I expect to at least challenge my personal best Lobster record.

 

Chat with everyone later,

 

CFL

[cruzzers]

I appreciate all the kind words and I am happy to help bring so much joy to all fellow & future Sun cruisers.

 

This really has been a fantastic cruise despite the setbacks mainly because of the great attentive service of the staff.It seems to be a very polished group that is always willing to go out of their way to do whatever is necessary to make you feel at home.

 

This morning we enjoyed the Champagne Breakfast which was a ton of food served entirely too early for me to enjoy.Very delicious however.

 

Looks to be a lazy day today at sea but I gotta get my butt in gear if I expect to at least challenge my personal best Lobster record.

 

Chat with everyone later,

 

CFL

Looks like you are having a great time in spite of the rough seas and illness. We are sailing on the Sun Feb 17th and can't wait. Hopefully the weather will be a bit more tame by then. We wish you the best for your final day at sea. Enjoy! Thanks for all the good information!

[CruisinChris]

Morning Gang!

 

 

We're here at the Hyatt Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale! We had an interesting day yesterday. Shortly after my last post, mid-air on the way here my mom told me that she had forgotten her most important prescription (just the one that regulates her heartbeat!!) So after we arrived, we brainstormed how to handle (have the pet sitter fed ex it to us?) Fortunately, we able to have the Walgreens up the street here fill it (but not after calls back and forth to the doc's office since they wanted to see her before they refilled it). Nightmare averted! Woohoo.

 

Anyway, it was cold, grey and misty here yesterday. Reminded me of some of the yuckier days I've spent on the beach in Maine.

 

The rental car companies have all been relocated to an on airport location at Fort Lauderdale. You still pick up a shuttle at the same location except now they run one common bus for all companies. It takes about 7 minutes to get to the car place. It was a bit confusing and the shuttles didn't seem to be coming fast enough for demand but they've only been doing this for two weeks, apparently, so they're still working out the kinks. I think they still run a shuttle to the port, but I'm going to chat with the conceirge here today and double check. I think it might be easier just to cab it to the port (leaving mom and the luggage off first) but we'll see.

 

After getting the car, we came over to the hotel and checked in. I'm using points for this stay which ordinarily would net me a Lanai room. I asked to be upgraded to the Tower and much to my surprise when the room was ready, we were upgraded two categories to a Junior Suite (Executive deluxe on their website). We've had this kind of room before and it's really nice and actually larger than we need. We have a fab balcony directly overlooking the port. This morning I have a great view of the Queen Mary 2, Caribbean Princess, MSC Opera, Celeb Century, and Enchantment of the Seas. I got up at 6 to get a glass of water and thought I'd peek and see if anybody was coming in and I was just in time to watch the Caribbean come into port. There was actually somebody on a balony taking flash pictures (at that hour) in the dark!!

 

The weather is much improved today!! Pretty blue skies, no clouds, light breeze, and much warmer! There is fog or haze over the ocean, though. We're going to hit the pool after a quick trip over to Costco to pick up Champagne!

 

Had a blast last night. We went to Taverna Opa and had really good greek food. They have belly dancers who dance on the table tops (along with some of our fellow diners). The restaurant also had an porch but it was too cold last night even with the heaters going! When we returned to the hotel we hit the Pier Top for a night cap and then hit the sack. It was a really long day!

So, that's pretty much it for now. More later!

 

CFL: Looks like you guys have sun today. though it still looks like the seas are choppy. Enjoy your last couple of days! Oh, and glad to hear you're feeling better!

[cruiserforlife]

For the person who asked,the Maitre 'd Hotel on this cruise is Silvio Zampieri and the Executive Chef is Peter Kuffuss.They both came into the dining room last night to see how we were enjoying our meals so far ( a nice touch I thought) and to invite us to tour the galley today if we would like.

 

Partly cloudy now,with some sizable swells currently.All sorts of activities on this,the last sea day.last minute big discount sale in the Marquis dining room,the final art auction in the Wheelhouse Bar,and wooden horse racing as well as BINGO of course!

 

Dan the CD was broadcasting his usual spiel this morning when he said he had just been handed a very important announcement to read and it went like this:

 

"For the gentleman who lost the diamond encrusted Rolex watch...I repeat,for the gentlemen who lost the diamond encrusted Rolex watch...the time is now 9:51"

 

Ah,a little shipside humor for those so inclined.

[cruiserforlife]

'Chris,

 

Sounds like you've got the killer room and are getting ready to assume the Sun as soon as we leave.What room are you staying in?I'll go check it out for you and make sure they're taking care of it for you.

 

Keep the dialogue rolling for everyone to enjoy and have a great cruise...I hope the weather cooperates.

 

CFL

[rucruizin]

CFL,

 

now I'm depressed...

 

When you said this is the last day at sea...my heart sunk, I felt all yuckie inside and I thought about those choppy seas and sizeable swells. It totally took me back to my last cruise. You just described our last sea day perfectly...perfect day for packing all my stuff ready to disembark the next morning. For a second my cruise was already over.

 

I hate the last day! It makes me sad just thinking about leaving.

 

Ok, pitty party over...CFL and Cruisin Chris had me confused for a second, I didn't look at the names close and I though CFL had to get off the ship for the medecine or something...my DH straightened me out. I'll try to pay better attention.

 

What did y'all have for dinner last night...besides fish of course.

[cruiserforlife]

ru,

 

Well,today's not the last day,we still have PC to go if the weather allows us to tender in.

 

The weather today has gone from good to bad and very overcast with choppy seas.This boat's a rocking!

 

I mispoke earlier when I said that the Sterling steakhouse cover charge was $20,it's not,it's $15 for those that care.

 

Last night,I had Tilapia & Jumbo Shrimp and the wife had Rack of Lamb.

 

Today,they had a lot of pasta's in the HC which I should be avoiding because of the carbs.They also had a huge spread of desserts as well including a great chocolate mousse which the server gave me way too big of a piece which of course I had to eat.Very full and I think the Lobster record is safe for this cruise...unless something very strange happens.

 

Time to break out the sweatshirts!

 

CFL

[Ya Ya Cruiser]

CFL

 

Thanks again for your posts - they've got us so excited for our March 19th cruise we can hardly stand it! If you do get to Princess Cays and you have the time it would be great to hear how it is now that they've done their refurbishments.

 

You have done an outstanding service to your fellow cruisers - thanks again so much!

 

Cruisin' Chris

 

It's great of you to keep up the posts - at this rate we'll feel like we've already cruised before we take our first one!

 

Chrysalis was very kind to give us some insight into the immigration process in ST.Thomas from his cruise last year - if you could give us an idea of the process this year and how long it takes (we have a non-ship's tour at 9:00 am that day and don't want to be late) we'd be most appreciative.

 

Thanks again for being so thoughtful to the future Sun cruisers!

 

Deb

[cruiserforlife]

Ya Ya,

 

We too are keeping our fingers crossed we'll do PC if the weather remains as it is now.

 

Wish us well!

 

CFL

[rucruizin]

CFL,

 

you may have mentioned this earlier but where was your cabin located? Also, how are the beds/mattresses/pillows...new?

 

I know its' not the last day but usually our the last day is a sea day, for us it has been anyway. It just makes me sad thinking about it. I guess one cruise we were on our last day was in Key West.

 

You have been so wonderful with all your information, prior to this I wasn't really excited about our vacation...I'm psyched now!

[mkk]

CFL...It's interesting, the tone of these posts....It's as if we've been WITH you the whole trip..you've really made this week for me! Now I'm kind of sad that it's almost over for you...just as I would be if I were there!

We've not heard from our friends.. we have their car and will meet them at the shuttle bus on Monday..anxious to hear their take on the trip. I think I mentioned earlier on..we were supposed to go with them this time and since we ended up on a 7 day with them in Nov (that was supposed to be a 3 day) we opted out of this one. We HAVE to paint the house this winter and completely re-do our master bath all before April..cause we're going to NC for a month..so..something had to go..:(

We've accomplished a lot this week...we also had to build a carport for our truck and chop up a pile of downed tree branches from the hurricanes last summer..we did do all that this week..so we accomplished much AND I got to cruise vicariously also!

Hope you can get your appetite up ..the 13 lobster tail are my DH's personal best also...he didn't consume his on a cruise though so I told him that doesn't count..I think his best on a cruise is only a pitiful 4... but he had a steak to go with.....between the two of us we can empty the kitchen of escargot though!!

Anyway..have fun tonight and hope your seas calm down for PC tomorrow!

 

CruisinChris...keep those posts coming...you are motivating me to get my work done then come in to the office to read the news from the SUN!!

Sounds like your suite is awesome! I love the Hyatt hotels! Who all are you travelling with?

[OCruisers]

We've totally enjoyed "cruising with you" this week!!!

 

Thanks so much!!! Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[cruiserforlife]

Evening all,

 

Just after 6pm and it's about time for the 2nd. repeater party to start so I better get upstairs and change before I get yelled at.

 

rucruizin,

 

the beds aren't the best but they'll work for just about anyone.The fact that they push two singles together to make one bed always leaves a little to be desired.The pillows are like sleeping on wafers and after the first night,I had to request extra ones so 2-3 usually get the job done.We were kinda spoiled though because we stayed at the Sheraton FL and they had these really comfy pillow-top mattresses just like we have at home.My wife wanted to take it on the cruise with us.

 

We are in Baja 605 which is just under the Sun Princess sign which we can see from our room,Nice mid-ship location.

 

mkk,

 

Just got done walking for a 1/2 hr (6 laps=2 miles) so hopefully,I'll be able to approach the record after all my talk this week.Heck,if I don't come close,even Miguel my waiter will be disappointed.

The escargots were truly excellent,perhaps the best we've ever had at sea.Although I'm trying to avoid bread,I couldn't help but soak up all that wonderful buttery juice!

 

Gotta go,talk to you all later and keep your fingers crossed we go to PC!

 

CFL

[FBrew]

Cruiseerforlife;

I would like to thank you for posting a review of your cruise I am glad you had a good time even thought you were not feelling well. I am sorry if I missed this who was the Captain of the ship.What time is the muster? What ports did you have to tender in? I would like to thank you again for postin you have made me excited ofr my cruise at the end of April. Thanks again

PS I hope you enjoyed your lobsters.

[rucruizin]

Fbrew...End of April?

 

Are you not sailing with us on 3/29?

[mlbcruiser]

Yes, it's really fun to live vicariously and learn little tidbits from those of you posting while on the ship. THANK YOU! :) We're on the March 19 sailing w/Ya Ya Cruiser, too. . . . Oh, I forgot about the escargot! My DD LOVES escargot. . . .I'm not happy to hear about the jeans in the D.R., though. Her fiance' and his father do not really like to dress up much - and dressing up to them means khakis! I have warned them they CANNOT wear jeans in the D.R. at night! No doubt someone on our cruise will do it and I won't hear the end of it. (I thought Princess was one of the more strict lines on this. I guess not.)

 

Chris, I was surprised to hear about the rental cars. Reason? I JUST reserved one through Budget last nt. Pickup at the FLL airport 2 days before our cruise. Returning at their 17th St. Causeway location, which is very near the port. They did tell me, however, that their van to the port only holds 7 people and to expect a long wait. My husband will no doubt drop us off at the port then go return the car, so I guess he can take a cab the short way back to the ship if necessary. But now I am wondering what the real deal will be???? Did I understand you correctly that ALL the auto rental places are AT the airport now and all use the same bus? They are all still listing other locations.

[cruiserforlife]

Morning all and a happy Super Bowl Sunday to you all as well,

 

Well,another pleasant evening aboard the Sun Princess.

The CC repeaters party was ok,nothing real special.Once you've been to one of these,you've basically been to them all.The top 3 winners were announced from the 1st. party of the evening (we went to the 2nd) and 3rd. place had over 310 days at sea.The grand winner had over 595 DAS!

 

WOW! I guess that left my wife out of the running.

 

Our Captain,William Kent (FBrew),quipped another "funny" in his dry,british style of humor.He said that the recent weather reports he had received were about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.

 

The seas were very rough for the better part of the afternoon/evening but calmed out towards the middle of the night.

 

Well,for all of those who are wondering,records are meant to be broken I guess because I can now proudly say (burp!),that I have shattered my old record of 13 tails and consumed 18 Lobster tails last night!!!

 

I didn't think I'd be able to after what I ate yesterday.Plus,our dinner service was excruciatingly slow,we hadn't even ordered after we sat for just over 30 minutes.I guess this can sometimes be the complaints of PC dining.Can't fault our waiter who had more tables full in his station that he could handle.Other stations were half full and they were on their entrees before we were served our 1st. course.

 

This does not bode well for a record attempt but Miguel our waiter,knew the task in front of him.I ordered the Clams Casino,Double Chicken Consomme,and a salad before the record attempt.The usual serving is two tails in their shell that the waiter removes tableside.He immediately brought me a platter of 6 tails without the bothersome shells.After 2 more plates like that,I was done and quite full.Please keep in mind,these tails are really quite small,probably around 3-4 ounces each.Still,that's just under 3lbs. of Lobster,no small feat anyway you look at it.

 

Today is of course PC.The weather is partly cloudy and looks to be a little cold.We will go ashore soon to check out the new digs and report back later.

 

FBrew,

 

The muster was at 4:30 and I DID attend for those keeping score at home.

We tendered in to St.Maarten and of course today at PC.We did tender in to Tortola but if you remember,this island was substituted because we had to miss Barbados.

 

Talk to you later,

 

CFL

[gvre]

CFL,

Good job on your record breaking meal! 18 lobsters...wtg! We have enjoyed your posts of your trip so much and we really appreciate that time you took to post. Hope you get to go to PC today!

Debbie

 

CruisinChris,

We are booked at the Hyatt Pier 66 in November. We bought it through Priceline so we are expecting the garden room but we are hoping to upgrade to a tower room as it is my husbands birthday that we will be celebrating while we await our 14 day Sea Princess cruise.

We look forward to hearing from you during your upcoming cruise as we will sail on the Sun in about 60 days!:D Hope you have great weather!

Debbie

[CruisinChris]

Morning.

 

Sunny here today - finally! It could be warmer though.. It's also very windy. Cfl that doesn't bode well for the sail over from pc tonight. We've got white caps and visibly rough seas.

 

Watched the ships sail away last night including the qm2. Pretty cool. Full house in the port this morning. Star p, coral, costa mediterreaneana, costa altantica, jewel otseas, westerdam, anf millenium.

 

Some one asked who I'm traveling with...I'm here with my mom (she's my travel buddy) and we're celebrating her 65th b-day this trip. You'd never guess if you saw her, she's the bomb.

 

Re: the car rental location. Sounds like you're returning to a secondary location. I'm sure that's still there. It's just the primary or airport locations that have been consolidated.

 

Not much to say today. I've managed to get some chest congestion and I'm fit to be tied. I'll be darned if I'm going to be sick this cruise. More later!

[jmcruiser]

We'll be sailing the Sun Feb.27 and I already feel like I've started my cruise. One thing I have not seen reported is the noro virus. Any signs of that? Hopefully they have it taken care of. Thanks again for sharing your cruise and Cruisin Chris, I'll be checking daily (likely several times) for your thoughts also.

[mkk]

CFL..Good Morning...hope you enjoy PC today..It was cloudy and cool when we were there also (Dec'03) but still had fun..I still snorkelled a bit but the wind kept most from doing anything else as far as water activities.

Congrats on the lobster! Amazing feat..

Last time DH and I ate that much on a cruise we literally staggered back to our cabin and slept all afternoon! (Johnny Rockets on RCCL)

Hope you get to watch the Super Bowl somewhere!

 

CruisinChris....Good morning...(I was the one that asked who you were cruising with..) As Mom of a grown son..makes me happy and a little jealous..because of geography and job we don't see as much of each other as we'd like. :)

Hope you're not coming down with something...just load up on meds and keep a positive attitude...you'll be fine!

Enjoy the Super Bowl tonight and keep us posted!

MK

[Sun, Moon, & Stars]

Cruiserforlife

 

Thanks for all of the great information. I just reserved for the Sun Princess leaving on March 19th. Last minute decision so your board has really gotten me ready to go now.

 

Hope you have a safe trip home when the time arrives. This board has really got me stoked to go!!

 

Hope this keeps up for the next cruise.

 

Thanks again.