Live From The Sun!

[cruzzers]

CFL, I agree with all stated above. Thanks much! It's been great to re-live our Sun b2b's last month through you. Thanks for taking your cruise time to share, and yep....ain't that Elite free internet just grand?? :-)

 

BTW, it was me who mentioned Juliet as being the most professional CCH we've encountered. We enjoyed chatting with her during some of her quieter moments. She IS on top of things! Our hello's to her again, if you remember. (Pat and Carol from the b2b last month). And yes....Carol is a man, my hubby, spelled that way! What WERE his parents thinking???

 

CFL, please post upon your return home to let us know how your disembarkation, flights, etc. went. Am I right that you are from Monterey, CA? Flight through SFO? We're long-time year-round Lake Tahoe residents.

 

Have a safe journey back, and we'll miss your daily reports. However, Cruzin'Chris and Cruzzers, please post for us to continue our Sun journey with you.

We will have the free internet while on the Sun so we will try to take time out to post for all of you. We have really enjoyed looking at everyone's adventures so we will try to keep up the pace for those of you who are interested in our cruise on the 17th. We are looking forward to some nice weather, (we hope!) and meeting some nice friends on this cruise.

Will try to stay in touch as much as possible. 10 days till sail-away but who's counting!!???

[cruzzers]

We are cruising on the Sun Princess (for the second time) on 2/17 so just over a week to go. Cruiseforlife your posts have been wonderful and very much appreciated. I was a bit concerned that the Sun has gone down in service and general upkeep but after reading your posts I feel much better.

 

I had also worried about the Norovirus but heck you can get that anywhere and I have already purchased the Purell per another post. I can't wait, this will be our 6th cruise and 4th on Princess.

 

We are doing a minisuite this time...I also hope the weather is warmer than what you had. THANKS AGAIN from Texas!

Lisa H. Be sure to go check the post we have going on the roll call for 2-17 if you haven't already. There are several postings there.

[Host Anne]

Terry & Beth ~ you'll have a great time on your cruise. We'll look forward to hearing from you. Happy countdown!

[ciana]

HI.. we too just arrived home from the Sun and have to agree wholeheartedly with John and Anne. We had a great trip!!! We thought the food was excellent especially in the dining room. We did PC and ate about 6:00 p.m. We never waited once in the whole trip. There were 4 of us and we wanted to sit with others. Every night was quite enjoyable and we met many fine people from all over the US, Canada and England. Our dinners were a definite highlight for us. Great companionship!

 

Tours-- none of our ship tours were cancelled. We snorkeled in Antigua, Tortola and St. Thomas. All were quite good trips. In St. Thomas we sailed to a very calm bay and were in the water about 1 - 1/2 hours.. thoroughly enjoyed! At Princess Cays we also snorkeled and enjoyed the sand and sun! We did island tours in St. Kitts and St. Maarten which were both fine.

 

We too thought that the personnel on the Sun were great and we filled out some "You made a difference" cards which we have never done before (4 previous cruises).

 

Cruise Director Dan Gibbons has a wonderful sense of humour! We thought he and his staff.. Mandy, Robyn, Brett, Rodney and Jamie really worked their hearts out. They seemed to be everywhere at all hours.

 

I'm not sure why but we ran across a number of people who seemed to do nothing but complain.. we just couldn't figure out what they were complaining about. Some even blamed the ship for the rough seas and the weather and said they wouldn't sail Princess again because of it.. how ludicrous! We chose to put an open deposit on a future Princess cruise while onboard.. can't wait to cruise again!!!

 

For those going on the Sun Princess soon.. I wish I was going again!!!

 

Cheri:)

[CruisinChris]

Howdy!

 

Lots to go though this morning!

 

Patti: I personally think it's better to keep all of this together rather than create multiple threads. Are you aware you can click a link and go right to the last page? Even cooler, if you just open the thread, on the upper right in the blue bar will be a link that say "First unread" click that and it will take you right to the first post in the thread you haven't read. That will save you all that fishing around! Promise!

 

To whomever is having doubts: search for my December review of the Sun. I think it is a fair and balanced assessment. I'll be doing the same thing here. I'm a professional marketing researcher and am well trained at being objective - I'll do my best for you to provide a balanced view.

 

Ok. Yesterday we returned the car to Hertz back at the airport. Because it wasn't a busy port day, they were able to drive us back to the port in our rental car. Be aware however, that the rental companies operating from the airport DO NOT have their own shuttles anymore to the port. If you are returning a car on a busy port day (Saturday, Sunday) you will need to cab it back to the port. The Hertz guy mentioned that Broward County has plans to build a tram/train between the airport and the port. That would be beyond slick!

 

Embarkation was ok. Not the fastest not the worst. There was a line out the door (similar to our cruise in December). All the folks ahead of us had their Bahamas immigration from and the health survey. No one behind us did. Inside the building was a different story. This cruise, they had the line snaking through a "mouse trap" that went up and back 4 times. Then you were allowed into an open area to do your forms (if you didn't get them already), then through another "mouse trap" (no line here) and then to the check-in desks. If you were a non-US citizen you were called over at the open area to clear immigration. No wait at all for the Elite check-in but I was, frankly, a bit irritated to wait in the first long line. Oh, well. I think the whole thing was maybe 15 minutes.

 

The Horizon Court had the usual welcome aboard stuff (fried scallops every time for like 5 years). We were able to serve ourselves though they do encourage the hand sanitizer, which just seems like common sense. We sat by the pool until the drill, after which we unpacked and enjoyed some champagne on our balcony. Sail away was delayed due to a crew member gone AWOL. The captain indicated that they were leaving without him but they had some immigration issues to resolve before doing so. We were on our way in short order. The CD was not present at the sailaway party by the pool, and he did not make an announcement introducing himself nor did he play a sailaway song. I was disappointed because I always enjoy that but Dan didn't do it in December either. Just my opinion but I think he's a bit lazy. (I'm not somebody who gets all whipped up about cruise directors but I do know a good one when I have one. He's not).

 

We traditional second and last night we were initially escorted to a table for 10. No way! Way too difficult to talk and hear everyone. Fortunately no one else was seated so we went back and talked to the Maitre D and got a smaller table. However, our tablemates there wanted to dine alone. So tonight we'll get our final table assignment. Wish us luck.

 

There's a new band in the Wheelhouse, Phoenix Rising, that is really really good. They play a lot of 50-70's stuff. Just loved it. Can't wait to see them again tonight.

 

The seas were not too bad last night though we're in heavier seas now. I have to look at the TV to see but I'm guessing we're in the 10 foot range. Lots of creaking. The skies are mostly cloudy and it looks like it could rain. The sun is still shining so I might attempt some time by the pool afterall.

 

Oh, and they replaced the carpet around the upper Riviera pool yesterday. That's our favorite place to sit and now it looks brand new.

 

I guess that's it for now!

[gvre]

Crusin'Chris,

How's the food in the dining room?:D

Debbie

[pmat]

Thanks for taking the time to walk us through your cruise. We sail 2/27. Just wondering what time you arrived for embarkation? Also, was the main dining room open for lunch when you got on the ship. We ate there last year when we got on, even though we were met at the door and reminded that the HC was open. Met some nice people there whose company we enjoyed. Sat with them at dinner a few times also.

Enjoy! P&W

[iluvcruzin]

Welcome back to all that just returned. I'm glad to see you had a wonderful time.

 

I was wondering if any of you could answer a few questions. Are you able to order Liquor from Room Service? Also, can you have lobster delivered from room service on the night Lobster is served? If you've been on another Princess cruise and experienced this please chime in. I'm asking for someone going on the Coral. Thanks

[dbmiller1956]

Just wanted let you know how much I have been enjoying the posting from the ships the last several weeks. Dh and I are heading out on the Caribbean Princess in October and since it is such a loooooong time from now, this seems to be making the time go by faster. :)

 

I almost feel like I am sitting on the deck, with the sun on my face, watching the clouds go by...instead of sitting at work listening to the phone ring :(

 

So, keep the posts coming and "take me away" from the hustle and bustle of life!

[mkk]

CruisinChris..good to hear from you..glad your embarkation went (relatively) smoothly...Ours last year was the best we've had with any line in any port...

I hope you weather improves. Our friends that were on the Sun last week said that the seas were pretty rough most of their cruise..but they had a good time nonetheless...

Also glad you're not starting a new thread...I like to compare posts and refer to them. :)

I think your itinerary is different from the prior sailing...tell us about St Vincent's when you go there...

Do you have internet service in your stateroom or are you having to go to the internet cafe?

MK

[Northender]

There's a new band in the Wheelhouse, Phoenix Rising, that is really really good. They play a lot of 50-70's stuff. Just loved it. Can't wait to see them again tonight."

 

You are right, they are very, very good. Was wondering where they were.

 

Shoot - I was hoping they would be on the Star on our April cruise. Last year they were on the Grand and we enjoyed them very much. Ask the lead singer if they could get a transfer to the Star for the April 3rd sailing on the Star (LOL)

[nieciez]

WOW, I just found this thread! GREAT Stuff, thanks CFL for a job well done. Anne, I look forward to your review as well. CruisinChris, I look forward to your post as I'll be sailing the Sun with a large group on 2/27. Sounds like a GREAT ship and I am looking forward to my first Princess experience on our 12th cruise. I'll be keeping up with this thread till we sail!

[ravenk]

thanks for updating us about your cruise. My wife and I leave on the 17th and your reports help. I have a few questions. What movies are they showing on your cruise? Are cokes/pepsi free? Can you see a menu outside the dinning room before you go in, so we can decide if we want to eat in there that night or just do the buffet. If you get room service, what do you tip them, or is that included in your bill, like they do for the dinning room and maid service? Thank you and have fun.

ryan

[ravenk]

can you get anything for breakfast sent to your room with room service or is it just continental stuff?

[nieciez]

ravenk, There is always a charge for soft drinks on a cruise unless you get a "soda" card.

[cruzzers]

thanks for updating us about your cruise. My wife and I leave on the 17th and your reports help. I have a few questions. What movies are they showing on your cruise? Are cokes/pepsi free? Can you see a menu outside the dinning room before you go in, so we can decide if we want to eat in there that night or just do the buffet. If you get room service, what do you tip them, or is that included in your bill, like they do for the dinning room and maid service? Thank you and have fun.

ryan

Ryan,

We are going on the Sun on the 17th as well. You might want to check out the thread that was started there to get in touch with some of the people sailing on that cruise with you. So far we are planning to meet at sail-away by the Lotus Spa Pool Bar right after the muster drill. We have agreed to be wearing red so that we know who is from Cruise Critics. We would love for you to join us if at all possible.

 

9 days and counting!!!!!!

[cruzzers]

thanks for updating us about your cruise. My wife and I leave on the 17th and your reports help. Ravenk<

You can see the current postings on the Sun 2-17-05 by going to the following site:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=54168&highlight=feb+sun

 

See you there! PS. If you only want to see the most current postings, you can click on the last page in the upper right hand corner of the page. Enjoy, and we will see you in a few days.

[mkk]

We always tip room service a couple dollars upon each order....

Soft drinks are always extra..juices and ice tea are free...

We don't usually order breakfast room service but have never been denied any breakfast request...

Dinner menus are posted after lunch outside the main dining rooms..

[Host Anne]

Before I forget...I think it was pmat that asked me to say hello to Dan Gibbons, the CD. I did that and told Dan you'd be sailing on Feb. 27. Unfortunately, that's the day Dan disembarks for vacation so you will miss him. I actually thought the cruise staff did a great job. No, there wasn't anything special for sailaway but I honestly can't recall any line recently doing anything special for sailaway (Royal Caribbean or Celebrity anyway -- those are the other two lines we frequent). With everything that's going on right around sailaway, it would be tough to get anything else in. The muster drill is at 4:30 and sailaway was at 5:00. We had planned a Cruise Critic gathering at 5:00 PM at the Riviera Pool Bar so we created our own party. I'm very happy to say that all of those who participated in our pre-cruise Roll Call here on the boards showed up for sailaway. It was great to finally meet everyone.

 

I won't go into great detail here (I'll save it for the review) but I think the split dining (personal choice versus traditional) has made it rather difficult for the cruise staff to do a stellar job with evening plans. Too many people are doing things at different times and it's tough to try and plan things so the timing appeals to everyone. More on that in my review.

 

Menus are posted outside of all dining locations so you can always check to see what is available before entering -- that includes the dining room, the Horizon Court, the pizzeria and the pool grille.

 

The room service breakfast menu is very limited. We didn't ask to order anything hot but they may do it if you ask. Other lines will and the most they can say is no. Don't know if they will deliver lobster to your cabin -- didn't try that and don't know of anyone who did. By the way, the lobster was truly outstanding. I was very surprised with just how good it was. We always tip the person delivering room service because there is not an automatic tip added to anything. You don't sign anything when you get room service, so we give them a couple of dollars.

 

OK...I've got to get writing my review while I'm thinking of all this stuff!

 

Cruisin Chris - hope you are having a great time! Don't forget to tell Tomas we said hello -- he makes great coffee drinks and wonderful martinis. And if he is stressed (like the first time we met him) tell him I said to "relax." ;)

[Ya Ya Cruiser]

Hi Host Anne or CFL - how was the coffee on board? I have been reading another thread that says the coffee is abysmal on virtually all the Princess ships - is this true - the other posts are talking about taking a small coffee maker on board - what is your opinion?

 

Thanks,

Deb

[patti o]

Patti: I personally think it's better to keep all of this together rather than create multiple threads. Are you aware you can click a link and go right to the last page? Even cooler, if you just open the thread, on the upper right in the blue bar will be a link that say "First unread" click that and it will take you right to the first post in the thread you haven't read. That will save you all that fishing around! Promise

 

Thanks, Cruzzers, for the tip on the threads. I had just discovered that....duh....and appreciate your reasons for keeping this thread going. We're looking forward to your posts, and CruzinChris also. Hope you have better seas than our b2b and the subsequent ones. Sounds like everyone has had rough conditions. Have a great time! We'll be waiting for your posts.

 

 

[Host Anne]

Deb ~ I think we must be too easygoing. I would NEVER think about bringing a coffee pot on board. The last thing I want to do is lug more stuff on a cruise ship. :)

 

I thought the coffee was fine and in the Atrium Lounge where Tomas made us our coffee drinks, I thought the coffee was very good. That being said, we're not fans of extra heavy duty coffee like Starbucks. We don't like weak coffee either. For us, the coffee on board was acceptable.

 

Go see Tomas in the Atrium -- good stuff!

[Ya Ya Cruiser]

Thanks HostAnne - I had no desire to pack a coffee maker - and I will certainly give Tomas your regards - it may sound like sacriledge being a west coaster, but Starbucks is bitter to my palate - many thanks for the tip.

 

Deb

[Grego]

Thanks for taking the time to walk us through your cruise. We sail 2/27. Just wondering what time you arrived for embarkation? Also, was the main dining room open for lunch when you got on the ship. We ate there last year when we got on, even though we were met at the door and reminded that the HC was open. Met some nice people there whose company we enjoyed. Sat with them at dinner a few times also.

Enjoy! P&W

 

Just noticed your posting on this thread and wanted to let you know that Carolyn and I plan on dropping off our luggage around 10:30 or so and after parking the car in the deck I'll join her in line about 11:00. That's what we did last year and even though we waited in line, we were in our cabin before 12.

 

Greg

[Grego]

I thought I read somewhere on this thread that there wasn't a Balcony Dinner on the Sun. Now maybe it was the way it was worded and they meant to say that they didn't do that event, but it was my impression that it is indeed offered on most all the ships but only on Sea Days only and a limited number at that.

 

If anyone can confirm whether or not it is offered I would be thankful.

 

Greg