LIVE from the Caribbean Princess 9-4 to 9-11

[dutchess43]

We were on the CB 8/14-8/21 & we were offered a 2.99 special on the last night during the theatre show. It definatley is not pushed.

[Colo Cruiser]

Just off the CB on 9/4/10. There were $2.99 drink specials after 8pm. You just have to ask for them because no one mentioned them otherwise. I got a pina colada and I know there was also Long Island iced tea, as well as others.

 

 

It is posted on the back of all the bar drink menus.

 

About the $2.99 drink specials after 8pm., are they offered in specific locations?

 

Anna:)

 

Available in all the bars.

[F5Loar]

$2.99 per drink? What that's close to a coke price. Heck that's better then the BOGO they have in Martini bar.

[Clutterlady]

Just got in the door from the same cruise and yes, look on the back of the special drink menu and you will find the $2.99 drinks. For beer they have Dos Equis, Becks, MGD and Miller Lite. For cocktails they have Pina Colada, Singapore Sling and Long Island Ice Tea and well drinks. Just be aware that the well drinks and the cocktails are made with "no name" alcohol! Two of the bartenders we got to know pretty well showed us what they use and the joke is it's from the still in the engine room....just a joke:D So, if you want a quality drink, spend a little more and enjoy:)

[goldesq]

Halifax

 

I had a lovely day in Halifax. I didnt leave the ship until about 11AM because I had a late tour at 230. When you leave the ship, there is a tent of about 20 vendors that sell crafts and typical souvenirs. I spent about 45 minutes going through the tent and then went outside to the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is half along the water and half not. It takes about 20-25 minutes to get to the end and there are some shopping vendors along the way (nothing to write home about). I will say that at the end of the Boardwalk there is a great crystal store where all the crystal is made in the warehouse (you can watch it). I didn't buy anything but the products are quite gorgeous. A medium size vase is about 180.00. A walked back and had a beer at Garrison Brewing (wheat and good) and headed to pick up my Princess Tour of Peggy's Cove and the Titanic Cemetery.

 

At first, I was a bit upset since two bus loads were going and each bus was a double length bus but it didnt much matter. the bus was quite relaxing and the tour guide was excellent. The tour was a bargain at $39. Peggys Cove, a typical Canadian fishing village, is a good stop and it was quite pretty. I had a bowl of chowder at the stop, visited the gift shop and took the typical touristy pictures of the lighthouse even though it was a foggy day.

 

After Peggy's Cove, we visited the Fairview Cemetery, one of the 3 cemeteries in Hailifax where some of the survivors are buried. Hearing the stories from the guide was quite moving. It was a great stop.

 

By the time we finished the tour, the ship was ready to set sail and we boarded.

 

After an exhausting day, I had a light dinner in the dining room. If I remember correctly, I even went to a late art auction that evening and headed to bed.

[goldesq]

Just got in the door from the same cruise and yes, look on the back of the special drink menu and you will find the $2.99 drinks. For beer they have Dos Equis, Becks, MGD and Miller Lite. For cocktails they have Pina Colada, Singapore Sling and Long Island Ice Tea and well drinks. Just be aware that the well drinks and the cocktails are made with "no name" alcohol! Two of the bartenders we got to know pretty well showed us what they use and the joke is it's from the still in the engine room....just a joke:D So, if you want a quality drink, spend a little more and enjoy:)

 

You are right! I asked about this special in the Explorers Lounge last night after playing Majority Rules. The server chuckled when I asked if they had 2.99 specials. He said yes but now I know why he laughed! I suppose if you like those beers it is a good deal but also I wouldnt order those drinks if its house brand.

[goldesq]

Last Day at Sea

 

Finally! A relaxing day where I wasnt rushing from shopping to a tour to shopping!

 

I headed for the 1015AM Cooking demonstration and Galley Tour. I have been to the Cooking Demo many times before but never got to see the galley. The cooking demo, even with a different Head Chef than my last trip 2 months ago , went through the same 4 recipes. It was still interesting and quite funny (even if the jokes were the same as well). The galley tour was interesting but you couldnt see much as there wasnt much food being prepared at that time. Still, its not something you should miss.

 

I head my first lunch in the dining room on this cruise. It was very good! I ordered a samosa just to try and see how their Indian food was and I have to say, it was DARN good. I have had some good Indian food in my years and this was one damn good samosa.

 

Moving on......I headed to the 2PM art auction and even though I would never buy anything at the auctions, I go for the comic relief. Today, was no different. Kelli, the auctioneer, brought back the same pieces of art that she claimed just the day before was our finally chance to bid on because she would not be bringing them back again! When she presented the sports memorabilia, she asked if Ted Williams was someone important and wasn't quite sure if the $7K piece she was presenting had William's actual signature or a copy/ autopen.

 

After a yummy Lemon Drop Martini and a 20 minute wait for a table for two, I headed to the MDR. Tonight was the Landfall theme and for the third time on the cruise, I had fettuccine alfredo. I was all fetucinni'ed out by the end of the cruise but thanks to all the CC Members for recommending this! I never ever would have thought I would like this dish so much. I had the mussels as an app and it was VERY good. I also was a bit of a piggy and tried the poached seafood with avocado and lime vinaigrette dressing app. OMG! It was EXCELLENT! I skipped dessert, watched part of a movie in the room, packed and headed to the Staff Talent Show for the first time since I started sailing with Princess.

 

Don't miss the Staff Talent Show. The drummer sang and he was better than many Broadway singers I have heard! The drummer got a standing ovation to him singing Music of the Night! Side note...when I walked into the princess Theater for the Talent Show, there had to be 200 hundred balloons being pushed around by the audience. It looked like a 5 year olds party. Not quite sure if this was something new but it was bizarre (slightly annoying even after the guy next to me knocked his entire drink over me while hitting one of the balloons).

 

After watching some people scream at the crap's table and still not understanding the game, I dropped my request for a Future Cruise Credit in the slot and headed to bed after quite a relaxing day!

[Love2Roam]

Is the cooking demonstration and galley tour something you have to sign up for ahead of time? Is there a fee? Thanks!

[goldesq]

Pam mentioned this on her Not So Live thread so I thought I might bring this up as well...dress in the MDR. I noticed from my Caribbean cruise to this cruise only 2 months later, a downgrade in dressing style. The style seems much more relaxed and casual on this cruise. Last night, about 25% of the people, men and women, in the MDR were dressed in blue jeans. The same occurred on the first night. Last night, I was sitting right near the front door in the Island Dining Room so I know no one was stopped when they walked in with jeans. Many women even had on capris with sneakers.

[goldesq]

Is the cooking demonstration and galley tour something you have to sign up for ahead of time? Is there a fee? Thanks!

No and No. It's usually on the last day in the morning and held in the Princess Theater but check the Patter.

[Love2Roam]

Thank you! I will keep an eye out for it :)

[missymac222]

hope you enjoyed Halifax! :) I saw your ship when I was taking the ferry across to school! Love seeing the princess boat when its in!

[jrzebird]

Thank you so much for your 'live' thread! Having been on the same cruise only 2 weeks before, I am interested to hear others thoughts. Two things in your last post that sort of surprised me was the comment about the Explorers Lounge not being full. It was so packed every night on our cruise, you couldn't even walk past it most nights from the overflow. Same with the piano bar. Of course, Explorers was a lot less populated after the comedien left. As much as I enjoyed the house group, they didn't get a huge draw.

 

Also, the lobster tails were done to perfection. Tender and flavorful. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

I didn't go to the art auction, but my roomy did, and she also said it was awful.

 

I hope that you filled out a comment card on the tour and auctioneer. Princess will never know if you're unhappy with something unless you tell them.

 

How was Halifax? My favorite stop.

[goldesq]

The Explorers Lounge was not full. I was shocked. One night when the comedian was performing, you could get seats during the show. It was shocking in comparison to my Caribbean cruise where i had to be there a half hour before to get a seat.

 

The piano player/singer did pack it in all nights he played. he has a huge overflow spilling out to the elevator area and the hallway near the Explorer's Lounge. I couldnt listen to Sweet Caroline one more time though. I still had it in my head from the last cruise and it also plays in the Explorers Lounge while waiting for a show to begin.

 

I did fill out a Let Us Know form twice for the art auctioneer as well as making some comments on email questionaire. I made comments about the photo tour as well on my email questionaire.

 

I completed many Blue Cards for our exceptional waiters and one Maire D, Andrei in the Island Dining Room. He works so hard (and he is so cute).

 

I just posted Halifax and my last Sea Day. I will post my Disembarkation Day tomorrow.

 

Thank you so much for your 'live' thread! Having been on the same cruise only 2 weeks before, I am interested to hear others thoughts. Two things in your last post that sort of surprised me was the comment about the Explorers Lounge not being full. It was so packed every night on our cruise, you couldn't even walk past it most nights from the overflow. Same with the piano bar. Of course, Explorers was a lot less populated after the comedian left. As much as I enjoyed the house group, they didn't get a huge draw.

 

Also, the lobster tails were done to perfection. Tender and flavorful. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

I didn't go to the art auction, but my roomy did, and she also said it was awful.

 

I hope that you filled out a comment card on the tour and auctioneer. Princess will never know if you're unhappy with something unless you tell them.

 

How was Halifax? My favorite stop.

[caribill]

Don't miss the Staff Talent Show. Side note...when I walked into the princess Theater for the Talent Show, there had to be 200 hundred balloons being pushed around by the audience. It looked like a 5 year olds party. Not quite sure if this was something new.

 

Not new, they have been doing it on some of the ships for a couple of years.

[goldesq]

Not new, they have been doing it on some of the ships for a couple of years.

 

I meant the balloon extravaganza at the Talent Show.....is that new?

[jrzebird]

Not new, they have been doing it on some of the ships for a couple of years.

 

I enjoyed this show, too .. but it was in Club Fusion on the second formal night on our cruise. Which drummer sang? We didn't have that for our 'talent' show. The drummer from Daredophins was my seat-mate on the Coastal Fundy tour. Nice man.

 

By the way, don't know if you noticed your typo in your Halifax post, Gold .. but they normally don't bury survivors. LOL (You and I must be related - sounds like something I'd say!)

[goldesq]

I enjoyed this show, too .. but it was in Club Fusion on the second formal night on our cruise. Which drummer sang? We didn't have that for our 'talent' show. The drummer from Daredophins was my seat-mate on the Coastal Fundy tour. Nice man.

 

By the way, don't know if you noticed your typo in your Halifax post, Gold .. but they normally don't bury survivors. LOL (You and I must be related - sounds like something I'd say!)

 

Oh lordy...sorry about that typo.....was typing and not thinking.

 

As for the drummer, it was the drummer for the House band that they have in the Princess Theater for the shows. I think it was his first time performing (or so Dan Styne claimed but wasn't sure if Dan said that on every cruise).

 

I did want to add that they had the typical services on Sunday and for the Sabbath as well as a service for the Jewish New Year. They also had 2 separate moments of silence for each tower during Breakfast/ Disembarkation to commemorate 9/11.

[caribill]

I meant the balloon extravaganza at the Talent Show.....is that new?

 

That is what I was talking about. Been going on for a couple of years.

[jrzebird]

That is what I was talking about. Been going on for a couple of years.

 

No balloons at our talent show. :(

[jkocpa]

I found your comment about the piano bar entertainer interesting. I love the piano bar on Princess ships, but have found that I too did not like Martin Kaye. I love a good singer/pianist but do not care for his "show" at all. The whole "sitting on peoples' laps, walking around putting on a show" schtick turned me right off. First time that I can remember walking out on a performer at Crooners was when Martin Kaye was the performer. Have not gone back to see him again. Just not my style at all.

[Liz]

To answer the questions posted:

 

There have not been 2.99 drink specials on CB for well over 2 months. They did not have them on my cruise in June.

 

So far, all taxis have been metered so the prices were for the whole cab.

 

They offered the $2.99 drink specials at least one night in the casino. I think it was for house brands, pina coladas, long island iced tea, another frozen drink and three or four beers. The option are listed on a card at the bar.

 

Liz

[goldesq]

I found your comment about the piano bar entertainer interesting. I love the piano bar on Princess ships, but have found that I too did not like Martin Kaye. I love a good singer/pianist but do not care for his "show" at all. The whole "sitting on peoples' laps, walking around putting on a show" schtick turned me right off. First time that I can remember walking out on a performer at Crooners was when Martin Kaye was the performer. Have not gone back to see him again. Just not my style at all.

 

Martin Kaye reminded me of that other piano player/singer in Crooners who has a huge following...forgot his name since I dont like him either. He was on my CB cruise about 2 cruises ago in October/Nov '09. Oh wait...it's Bert Stratton. Either you love that guy or you cannot stand him....I am for the latter.

[Dachsie5]

Martin Kaye reminded me of that other piano player/singer in Crooners who has a huge following...forgot his name since I dont like him either. He was on my CB cruise about 2 cruises ago in October/Nov '09. Oh wait...it's Bert Stratton. Either you love that guy or you cannot stand him....I am for the latter.

One show from Bert Stratton is enough for me each cruise. Actually once is enough for all of the shows. If you go to see the Comedian, there are always repeats of jokes after the first show. I usually find something else to do because I figure that I am just taking up the space from someone who has never seen the show before.

[Dachsie5]

You are right! I asked about this special in the Explorers Lounge last night after playing Majority Rules. The server chuckled when I asked if they had 2.99 specials. He said yes but now I know why he laughed! I suppose if you like those beers it is a good deal but also I wouldnt order those drinks if its house brand.

You don't need top shelf in a Pina Colada! There is hardly any booze in it!