Live From The Caribbean Princess - July 2 to 11

[Woobstr112G]

Since I've enjoyed so many live threads over the years from other Cruise Critic members, I thought I'd do a live thread this time for our cruise which starts tomorrow. Yes, a day early, but if tomorrow is anything like other first days of a cruise, we'll be way too busy to start the live thread.

 

I'll be traveling with a good friend, Joe, on this trip. This is my first cruise traveling without at least one family member. No one in the family was interested in this itinerary, so I recruited a friend to join me. This is Joe's first cruise, and my 5th cruise (4 with Princess, 1 with Celebrity). We're both single and in our late 40's.

 

We're in a balcony cabin C324 on the Caribe (Deck 10). I'm looking forward to the extra large balcony. On the other hand, this will be my first Princess cruise in anything less than a mini-suite! I'm already have "suite withdrawals". :eek:

 

Our driver to the port and mutual friend, Alex, is doing the Bon Voyage Experience. Therefore, we plan to board the ship around 10:30 to 11 AM tomorrow. Lunch in the Dining Room (with the included wine for Alex), then the included Ship Tour. We plan to sign-up for the cruise-long Sanctuary pass immediately upon boarding in addition to the Ultimate Ship Tour. (All these things should give me something to write about!) :)

 

Here's our day-by-day itinerary and our booked, Princess excursions:

Friday, July 2 – New York City (Brooklyn) – Embarkation 10:30 AM – Bon Voyage Experience

Saturday, July 3 – At Sea

Sunday, July 4 – Bermuda – 9 Beaches Cruise & Beach Break

Monday, July 5 – At Sea

Tuesday, July 6 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Old & New San Juan

Wednesday, July 7 – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands – Ultimate Island Experience (aka Blackbeard's Castle & Magens Bay)

Thursday, July 8 – Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos – Discover Grand Turk & Governor's Beach

Friday, July 9 – At Sea

Saturday, July 10 – At Sea

Sunday, July 11 – New York City (Brooklyn) – Disembarkation 8:30 AM – Transfer to Airport (we're being picked-up there instead of the ship).

 

We've pre-ordered the Champagne Balcony Breakfast and 310 Internet minutes. (Can you tell I'm a planner? :D ).

 

Any questions, I'll try to answer as time permits. Most likely will post in the mornings before the days get too busy, and while the internet wi-fi isn't too slow.

 

Have a fantastic cruise. Looking forward to reading your posts.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Jennygirl]

Obviously, it cannot be predicted, but some of us actually enjoy keeping stats on things like this.

 

Since the CB has been up in NY, sailaway has been delayed quite a few times, sometimes by a few minutes and sometimes by a few hours.

 

It's interesting to see if it's habitual or just a few isolated unexpected delays.

 

EXACTLY DONNAK. We all know that no one can predict these things but we have to be prepared and just want to know as much as we can about prior cruises. We have TD at 6PM on the 29th too. I would love to be on the deck during sailaway even though I live in NY and see the bridge all the time. I would be disappointed too if I was having dinner while we sailed away. My last sailaway (last summer during a hurricane) our captain held us overnight in Port (BROOKLYN - what a hoot that was) and we missed Newport RI because of that - anyway the sailaway took place at 5AM. I hope this cruise leaves on time thereby giving the passengers the full effect and they can get the party started. Guess we'll have to wait to hear from the OP.

:)

[swdke]

Are you able to share where the new early dining 5:30 PM is located? Which dining room? Thanks!

[KroozeKid]

Daughter and Son-in-Law are on the ship today as well, already got pics of their cabin via iPhone. 1st Anniversary cruise for them. My wife and I are on next Sunday's sailing celebrating 30 years. They get off :(and we get on:).

 

Beautiful day for sailaway in NY, Enjoy!!!

[musicgirl63]

I'm trying not to be jealous or petty here...YOU TOOK MY SHIP!!!! THEY MADE ME LEAVE THIS MORNING!! :mad: If you are in my room D716.......look for the chocolate ball in the fridge. I forgot it!!!:o

 

Awesome cruise, great weather and ports (except San Juan...ugh!)

 

If anyone has Alvin for traditional dining, tell him Lorie, Bill (his boxing coach...he'll understand) and Lisa and Erik all say hello and we don't understand why he isn't here to serve me dinner!!! He works his tail off!

 

Skywalkers....look for Ariel (male). He was great and a lot of fun. Again, tell him that we said hi. He will actually know us.....he even knew our room numbers......;) or if you can't remember our names....the kamakazie group.

 

Have fun and eat all the food and drink all the alcohol before the next group gets on....we tried!!!!

 

Now quit posting and go have fun!

[lynn247]

I'm trying not to be jealous or petty here...YOU TOOK MY SHIP!!!! THEY MADE ME LEAVE THIS MORNING!! :mad: If you are in my room D716.......look for the chocolate ball in the fridge. I forgot it!!!:o

 

Awesome cruise, great weather and ports (except San Juan...ugh!)

 

 

Now quit posting and go have fun!

 

I used to feel the same way about San Juan until we decided to walk around instead of just heading to Walgreens and the duty free. I walked with my eyes opened, and saw so much beauty. My photos from San Juan are my favorites.

[musicgirl63]

I used to feel the same way about San Juan until we decided to walk around instead of just heading to Walgreens and the duty free. I walked with my eyes opened, and saw so much beauty. My photos from San Juan are my favorites.

 

 

We do walk around....and trust me, my husband has the thousand or so pics to prove it. It's just so darn hot!!!!! We saw boxing in the square this time. Very interesting!!!

 

Cruise away!!!! I hope you all have as great a time as our CC group did!

[lynn247]

We do walk around....and trust me, my husband has the thousand or so pics to prove it. It's just so darn hot!!!!! We saw boxing in the square this time. Very interesting!!!

 

Cruise away!!!! I hope you all have as great a time as our CC group did!

 

 

You're right, it is way too hot!!! The first few times we were there, we missed so much because we let the heat chase us back to the ship before we got a chance to see the beauty.:(

 

Boxing......????? You must have been suprised to see that!!! :eek:

 

We've done this route 4 times with Princess because it's a great itinerary on a great ship(s). I'm sure everyone will have a great time.:D

[Donna_In_India]

Looking forward to your reports. We're on the CB in November. Bon Voyage! Have a great time!

[AlaskaGolden]

Good morning from the Caribbean Princess at Sea somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!

It is a little before 9 AM. We lost an hour sleep last night in preparation for our arrival in Bermuda tomorrow, Sunday, July 4th.

Yesterday, we arrived at the Brooklyn Pier around 10:45 AM. After dropping off the luggage and parking the car, we checked-in quickly in the Elite line since we were part of the Bon Voyage Experience. We waited about 10 minutes in a special section of the Main Waiting Area before we were escorted on the ship as the first group to board. We waved the Elites and Platinums in their special waiting area as we passed them!

We got our pictures taken by the ship’s photographers and then boarded the ship. We waited again once we boarded the ship, and then were offered to have an escorted tour of the ship as part of the Bon Voyage Experience. It was now about 11:30 AM, and since we had 5 carry-on pieces of luggage, we opted-out of the tour. Why would you want to tour the ship shlepping your carry-ons with you?

Anyway, we went to our room, dropped off our luggage and headed up to the Sanctuary to sign-up for the cruise-length pass. We picked two loungers in the shade right at the front of the ship. Let’s hope they’re not too windy; there is some protection.

We then did our own tour of the ship with me leading the way before heading to Coral Dining Room for lunch. Lunch for the three of us was a cold shrimp appetizer, garden salad, a delicious spinach/pasta dish, perfectly prepared baked salmon, apple tart tatin and fresh fruit. Alex had a glass of the house white wine—complimentary as part of the Bon Voyage Experience.

After lunch, which took over an hour, we headed back to the room to change for the pool. Alex and Joe wanted to see the FIFA World Cup Soccer (Uruguay vs. Ghana) starting at 2:30 on MUTS. I tried to go in the pool, but it was very cold! Went in the hot tub instead which wasn’t very hot, but at least it was warmer than the pool!

Since Alex had to be off the ship by 4 PM, we headed back to the room to change. Just as Alex was ready to leave we remembered the boarding picture which was included in his package. We got to the photo area just as they were closing in preparation for the Muster Drill, but they gave us three copies of the boarding picture with the three of us. I thought this was very nice, and the price of the three pictures would have been more than the cost of the entire Bon Voyage Experience!

After we said good bye to Alex, we did the Sail Away from our balcony after the 4:30 PM Muster Drill. We left the pier exactly at 5 PM. I was pleasantly surprised since people were still getting on in droves at 4 PM. It was great going under the Veranzano Narrows Bridge. It really looked like the top of the ship was going to hit the bottom of the bridge!

We checked-out the Sailaway Buffet at the Horizon (Café Caribe was closed for dinner). For Seafood: shrimp cocktail, seafood turnovers, hot tiger shrimp, and crab cakes. I also tried the chili which was more like a beef stew with a few beans and chili seasoning. Everything was good; but for us, this was just an appetizer since we planned to eat a late dinner in the Main Dining Room.

After our appetizers at the Horizon, we split a piece of pizza. It was delicious as always!

We then headed to the Princess Theater to get seats for the 8:15 Welcome Aboard Show. We arrived about 7:55, got great seats, and the show started right on time. The highlight of the show was brief with the Caribbean Princess Singers and Dancers opening the show. Neil Roberts, the CD, hosted the show and introduced the Entertainment Staff. Darrel Joyce, the comedian, then tried to make us laugh. He was somewhat successful. I’d give him a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. Just not our type of comedy.

We then headed to the Coral Dining Room for dinner. It was about 9:15 when we arrived after a very short Welcome Aboard Show. The Coral was packed so we headed down to the Island on Deck 5 which, as I expected, had no line. Our late, “light dinner” of Pina Colada soup, chicken appetizer, fettuccini alfredo, pork, sugar-free chocolate cake, almond bread/cheeses, and bananas foster. The fettuccini and the bananas foster were excellent. Everything else was good to very good. The dining room was quite busy at 9:30 PM, and only got a bit quiet as we were leaving around 10 PM. I thought it was interesting that dinner took 45 minutes, but lunch took over an hour.

We planned to check-out the clubs last night, but were just too tired. We were in bed and sleeping by 11 PM, which was really Midnight Bermuda time.

Today we plan to relax in the Sanctuary, watch a couple of FIFA games, and attend the Formal activities later this evening.

More tomorrow!

[TracieABD]

Sounds like you had a wonderful first day on your cruise! Thanks for the post, and keep 'em coming!!!:)

[BosoxI]

5 carry on bags for a 9 day trip? Wow. :p I'm sorry you missed the regular tour as the future cruise director was excellent on our recent trip. But do you have any idea of how many Bob Voyage guests there were including their sponsors?

[KrazyKs]

Thanks for the update, today and for the rest of your cruise. I will be diligently watching this line for your next post. Enjoy.

[Colo Cruiser]

Sounds like a wonderful day, looking forward to more. :)

[Cuizer2]

Please post as much info as you can. We are on the ship in just over two weeks - the July 20th sailing.

 

Michael

 

Really? I'll be on the July 11 sailing. :)

[Colo Cruiser]

[AlaskaGolden]

Have a few minutes before getting ready for our first formal dinner, so thought I'd answer a couple of questions and fill you in on our day.

 

First, the new 5:30 PM Traditional Dining is in both of the Anytime Dining Rooms. I asked the head waiter last night at dinner and he said a portion of both dining rooms are reserved for the 5:30 PM dining option.

 

Second, the A/C. It has been comfortable so far in our cabin and in the common areas. The only time I felt a bit cool was last night a dinner. I'd rather be cool than warm...so far, so good.

 

Update on today...We RELAXED! Breakfast was a combination of granola and egg/cheese muffins from the International Café & plain yogurt, fruit and cold rice pudding from the Buffet. Didn't like the granola, the egg/cheese muffin was delicious! The rest of the food was good and typical Princess buffet.

 

After breakfast it was up to the Sanctuary for relaxing. In our opinion, it was worth the $135 per person for this cruise, especially on busy sea days. Hopped down to the gym for a quick work-out, then the AM FIFA Soccer Game, then lunch at the Horizon Buffet, then more relaxing at the Sanctuary followed by the PM FIFA game.

 

The only thing I don't understand in Café Caribe. It seems like they advertise the place, but it is never open! For example, today there was supposed to be an All American Buffet lunch in Café Caribe from Noon to 2 PM. I checked, and didn't see either side open. Oh well, the Horizon Buffet has good food so we're not starving!:rolleyes:

 

Tomorrow is Bermuda and we have a relatively early excursion. It's not exactly the one listed above. Princess changed it due to one of the beach areas being closed. More about that tomorrow.

 

Until then...

[BratDet]

I was at the beach yesterday for the CB sailaway...

 

was awesome to see her go by...

 

Bernadette

[rdsqrl]

[quote name=AlaskaGolden;25053091.. . . After breakfast it was up to the Sanctuary for relaxing. In our opinion' date=' it was worth the $135 per person for this cruise, especially on busy sea days. Hopped down to the gym for a quick work-out, then the AM FIFA Soccer Game, then lunch at the Horizon Buffet, then more relaxing at the Sanctuary followed by the PM FIFA game.

...[/quote]

 

Sounds exhausting; poor you!

Has the pool water warmed up yet?

Hope you have a wonderful time in Bermuda tomorrow -- I love Bermuda.

[Jennygirl]

Did you say $135 per person for the Sanctuary??? for the whole 9 days???? Thats PERFECT!!! You just convinced me to book for the entire cruise in a few weeks. I thought it was $180 - but YAY!!! Sounds like youre doing really well so far. My friend had told me about the sailaway fish buffet and she loved it too. Mmmmmmm - I can almost taste those shrimp.

 

 

See you soon.

:)

[Captain Canuck]

will follow with interest

[Woobstr112G]

Have a few minutes before getting ready for our first formal dinner, so thought I'd answer a couple of questions and fill you in on our day.

 

First, the new 5:30 PM Traditional Dining is in both of the Anytime Dining Rooms. I asked the head waiter last night at dinner and he said a portion of both dining rooms are reserved for the 5:30 PM dining option.

 

Second, the A/C. It has been comfortable so far in our cabin and in the common areas. The only time I felt a bit cool was last night a dinner. I'd rather be cool than warm...so far, so good.

 

Update on today...We RELAXED! Breakfast was a combination of granola and egg/cheese muffins from the International Café & plain yogurt, fruit and cold rice pudding from the Buffet. Didn't like the granola, the egg/cheese muffin was delicious! The rest of the food was good and typical Princess buffet.

 

After breakfast it was up to the Sanctuary for relaxing. In our opinion, it was worth the $135 per person for this cruise, especially on busy sea days. Hopped down to the gym for a quick work-out, then the AM FIFA Soccer Game, then lunch at the Horizon Buffet, then more relaxing at the Sanctuary followed by the PM FIFA game.

 

The only thing I don't understand in Café Caribe. It seems like they advertise the place, but it is never open! For example, today there was supposed to be an All American Buffet lunch in Café Caribe from Noon to 2 PM. I checked, and didn't see either side open. Oh well, the Horizon Buffet has good food so we're not starving!:rolleyes:

 

Tomorrow is Bermuda and we have a relatively early excursion. It's not exactly the one listed above. Princess changed it due to one of the beach areas being closed. More about that tomorrow.

 

Until then...

 

Thanks for your continued reports. Sounds like you are enjoying yourself. One Sancturay question. I hear they have a menu of "Healthy Items". Have you see it? If so, what are some of the offerings.....

 

Bob

[Feelin' Nauti']

 

We checked-out the Sailaway Buffet at the Horizon (Café Caribe was closed for dinner). For Seafood: shrimp cocktail, seafood turnovers, hot tiger shrimp, and crab cakes.

!

:(:(

Oh this is sad....No Lobster! No Crab legs! No mounds of peeled shrimp!

I was sooooo looking forward to it on my 7/11 cruise.

[Feelin' Nauti']

 

Second, the A/C. It has been comfortable so far in our cabin and in the common areas. The only time I felt a bit cool was last night a dinner. I'd rather be cool than warm...so far, so good.

...

:cool: Guess I'll be packing a sweater.

[Chesneygirl]

Glad to hear you are enjoying your cruise.

We just got off the CB on Friday. I am having big time cruise withdrawals.

We had an amazing time on our sailing and met some wonderful people from our roll call.