Live from the Ocean Princess - West Africa May 7

[caribill]

What no luggage tags? On a 25 day cruise last year we won several sets!

 

No more luggage tags as prizes on any ship in recent cruises. You must have won the entire supply.

[GottoCruise]

Sorry we haven't been keeping up (we were away) but must advise those doing this itinerary in the future to plan and do your homework in advance, from home, or you will miss memorable sites.

From Luderitz - a 'don't miss' is touring the 'restricted' Diamond mines, (you must arrange & leave passport info. 48 hrs. in advance for admittance), & Kolmanskopf, the old mining town buried in the sand (amazing site!), the original home/Castle of the Town Founder, Pelican Point etc. etc. From Walvis Bay you can arrange a tour of Namib Desert Park, see miles of amazing sand dunes & ride a dune buggy (astronaughts (sp?) train here for the Mars mission), hear an explanation of the ecology and plant life of the desert, see Welwitschia plants that are 2500 years old - we enjoyed a wonderful picnic under a rock outcrop - and then visited Swakepmund town center & so much more - How can anyone say there was little to see in these 2 ports??? :confused:

Up the West African coastline, we were met by a/c car and local private driver/guides in each port and traveled in comfort and at our own pace with another couple. We experienced all the unbelieveable sights, sounds and smells in both Benin & Togo (as described in previous posts); our day in Accra/Ghanna was memorable as our 'guide' was the head of security for a large aluminum company and knew many important locals so we were able to visit the home of the President, the local cabinet housings in addition to the local street market, University & Stadium and even met his 'wives' (yes - plural) and were welcomed into his home. All our tours and arrangements were made by Internet/fax from home - each Port was thoroughly researched beforehand and made this fascinating itinerary a most memorable cruise experience.

At sea days, food, shows, trivia, etc. pale in comparison to the sites on this fascinating, different itinerary - do the work and enjoy the Ports.....JMHO.....;)

[nancycoop1]

Thanks so much for your continued reports. As we are doing this cruise in October I am trying to plan ahead now. Could you share more information on the guides you used for your wonderful tours? Thanks so much.

 

Nancy

[Zebra Cruiser]

Many thanks for the port reports. Any contact information on tours would be much appreciated! Also still interested in knowing if the Ocean Princess has changed/upgraded the gym/spa area if anyone can share....

[GottoCruise]

Our West African cruise (CPT/ROME) was the 1st time Princess did this itinerary - 1998 (original Pacific Princess) - I did the research on the Internet - utilizing both tour agencies and private message boards for the countries and ports. In some ports - our guides were private citizens, not professional tour guides (ie. Accra). We e-mailed extensively back and forth and were very pleased with how everything turned out - maybe just lucky? Good Luck - happy planning!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

They are just about to arrive in Banjul, in The Gambia.

Have a great day Paul.

[Minoushka]

Would you be so kind as to post a picture of an OV obstructed cabin .Just how blocked IS the view

I hope to join OP in July Fire and Ice cruise any info would be appreciated

 

Enjoy yours

 

Michele

[paul929207]

Thanks so much for your continued reports. As we are doing this cruise in October I am trying to plan ahead now. Could you share more information on the guides you used for your wonderful tours? Thanks so much.

 

Nancy

We used Turnstone Tours in Walvis Bay Namibia. That is the only one I planned. Today's tour was with Tilly's Tours.

[paul929207]

We had a very interesting day in Banjul, Gambia. Banjul, the capital, has a population of about 50,000 and Gambia has about 1.6 million. We went on a private tour with four other couples which was arranged online early this year.

 

We started out at an arch that was built by the president to honor himself, but there was a nice view from the top. We then went on a long walk thru the city to the market. One part of the market is aimed at tourists, while the rest of it was for locals. The tourist part sold mostly textiles and wood products. The part for locals sold fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and spices. Most homes do not have refrigerators, so they shop every day for food. We then got back on the bus and enjoyed a much needed drink of water. From there we went to the crocodile pool. There were about 100 crocks with some about 10 feet long. We were told they had been fed this morning, so they were just lying in the sun.

 

Next we went to a batik factory where they showed us how they make these colorful textiles. When we came out, we decided it was time for lunch so we all ate while we drove to the next stop. However, after eating, we all agreed we could not take another market, so we had the driver take us to a hotel on the Atlantic Ocean and had a cold drink while watching the waves wash up on the shore.

[caribill]

Would you be so kind as to post a picture of an OV obstructed cabin .Just how blocked IS the view

I hope to join OP in July Fire and Ice cruise any info would be appreciated

 

 

Not all obstructed views are equal. Below is a picture of one of the better obstructed views.

 

The view from the cabin next to this one was totally obstructed by a lifeboat except when the lifeboat was used for tendering.

[paul929207]

Today, we are in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Our group gathered about 10 minutes to 8 and were heading to the bus by 8am. We drove to downtown where we stopped to take pictures of Independence Square and the Presidential Palace.

 

Then we drove back to the port area and boarded a ferry for Goree Island. This was the sight where many of the 15 to 20 million slaves were shipped to America. Many of these slaves were warriors captured in battles. They were sold by their captors to raise money and make sure they could not make war again. The slaves were kept in cells until a slave ship arrived to take them to the Americas.

 

After riding the ferry back to the mainland, we re-boarded our bus and drove up the coast to a restaurant for lunch. Then, we rode back to the ship, making several photo stops along the way. Again, today, there were vendors setup on the pier, so most of the women got an extra shopping opportunity.

 

Also, an update on some monor complaints from a few days ago.

 

They have had someone with the beverage cart going around the Panorama Buffet during breakfast.

 

They have put other crackers out, not just saltines.

[TracieABD]

Sounds like a blast!

[Pam in CA]

When I was in Dakar, I "enjoyed" it although it's hard to say you enjoy seeing such poverty and sad history. I remember thinking that the women were gorgeous with their brightly-colored dresses and they walked with such dignity. Did you see the block-upon-block of furniture on the street, i.e., the outdoor furniture store? Never saw anything like that before. The whole street was like a giant outdoor furniture warehouse.

[kruisey]

Today, we are in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Our group gathered about 10 minutes to 8 and were heading to the bus by 8am. We drove to downtown where we stopped to take pictures of Independence Square and the Presidential Palace.

 

Then we drove back to the port area and boarded a ferry for Goree Island. This was the sight where many of the 15 to 20 million slaves were shipped to America. Many of these slaves were warriors captured in battles. They were sold by their captors to raise money and make sure they could not make war again. The slaves were kept in cells until a slave ship arrived to take them to the Americas.

 

After riding the ferry back to the mainland, we re-boarded our bus and drove up the coast to a restaurant for lunch. Then, we rode back to the ship, making several photo stops along the way. Again, today, there were vendors setup on the pier, so most of the women got an extra shopping opportunity.

 

Also, an update on some monor complaints from a few days ago.

 

They have had someone with the beverage cart going around the Panorama Buffet during breakfast.

 

They have put other crackers out, not just saltines.

 

Re beverage cart and crackers.They must be reading this thread...:D

I am enjoying your adventures.........Kruisey:)

[sunsetbeachgal]

Paul,

 

What is on the dinner menu at the Bistro Dining? Does the menu change or is it the same every night?

[latpj76]

Paul,

 

What is on the dinner menu at the Bistro Dining? Does the menu change or is it the same every night?

Just returned from Pacific Princess 107 days World Cruise, the menu is the same every night at the Bistro Dining. It's a nice break once in a while from the gourmet food in the MDR.

 

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

What type of things are on the dinner menu at Bistro? Is it like the Always Available menu in the main dining room?

[travelots]

Hi Paul

Great information you are passing on...thanks! We are doing similar cruise in October.

 

Some friends of ours are on board with you...Barb & Ed Canavan from Oshawa, Ontario. If you see them, say "hi" from Jim and Kim.

 

Look forward to your next adventures...

 

Kim

[Minoushka]

Could you tell us about the feel of a small ship???Are you under the impression you meet more people or does it really feel small.....

Is service better? Does it feel cosy or TEENIE TINY

Does the Casino have fun penny machines?

How is the food

Can you sit out at the back of the ship ...always my favorite spot

Staff Nice ?

Booked fron NYC to Dover visiting Iceland and Greenland Canada ,Norway etc FIRE AND ICE ...WOW

Does Ocean handle rough seas well/

 

Thanks .I hope you continue to have a great voyage .Please post all your pictures soon

 

Michele

 

ENJOY!!!

[shellbeachjim]

When I was in Dakar, I "enjoyed" it although it's hard to say you enjoy seeing such poverty and sad history. I remember thinking that the women were gorgeous with their brightly-colored dresses and they walked with such dignity. Did you see the block-upon-block of furniture on the street, i.e., the outdoor furniture store? Never saw anything like that before. The whole street was like a giant outdoor furniture warehouse.

Pam, yes it's an interesting city. We didn't go to Goree, but we did see the furniture stores and the women.

[caribill]

Could you tell us about the feel of a small ship??? see pictures of the Ocean (when it was the Tahitian at http://fp.caribill.com/

 

Does the Casino have fun penny machines? Yes, just not as many as on a lerger ship

 

How is the food Same menu and quality as on other Princess ships

 

Can you sit out at the back of the ship ...always my favorite spot Yes, aft of the buffet area.

 

 

See above in red

[paul929207]

When I was in Dakar, I "enjoyed" it although it's hard to say you enjoy seeing such poverty and sad history. I remember thinking that the women were gorgeous with their brightly-colored dresses and they walked with such dignity. Did you see the block-upon-block of furniture on the street, i.e., the outdoor furniture store? Never saw anything like that before. The whole street was like a giant outdoor furniture warehouse.

Yes, we saw the furniture. There were even things like queen size bed frames.

[paul929207]

Paul,

 

What is on the dinner menu at the Bistro Dining? Does the menu change or is it the same every night?

It looks like there is just one menu for the bistro. There are about 3 appetizers and one salad, four or five main courses.

 

I haven't figured the schedule for dinner at the bistro/buffet. It is in the Patter each day. Sometimes, just a buffet, sometimes only bistro and others, buffet till 9 and then bistro. Pizzeria is open to 11pm (I think) each evening.

[paul929207]

Could you tell us about the feel of a small ship???Are you under the impression you meet more people or does it really feel small.....

Is service better? Does it feel cosy or TEENIE TINY

Does the Casino have fun penny machines?

How is the food

Can you sit out at the back of the ship ...always my favorite spot

Staff Nice ?

Booked fron NYC to Dover visiting Iceland and Greenland Canada ,Norway etc FIRE AND ICE ...WOW

Does Ocean handle rough seas well/

 

Thanks .I hope you continue to have a great voyage .Please post all your pictures soon

 

Michele

 

ENJOY!!!

I love the small ships. This is our 5th time on the Ocean/Tahitian and we have one cruise on the Royal and two on the Pacific. Prior to this one, we had 150 days on the three little ships.

 

You do run into people often and of course with 31 days, you have plenty of opportunity to meet both the passengers and the crew.

 

I have never felt the ship is tiny.

 

Yes, on the back of the ship off the buffet there is an area with tables and chairs.

[Susie51]

Thank you for your detailed report and taking the time to answer questions. It is obvious you spent a lot of time preparing for this cruise. Your thoughtfulness in sharing this marvelous adventure is appreciated.