Holiday Aloha Part 'ekolu on the Golden Princess to Hawaii 12/19/12 to 1/2/13

[Cruisin' Chick]

Thursday, December 20 Day at sea

At 8am PST, the navigation channel: we were at 31.32.48 N/122.54.72 W. Sunrise 7:35am, Sunset 5:30pm.

Air temperature 54.0F, barometer 30.1hg and steady, sea temp 64.4F, the pools were around 93.2, 87.8.

NE wind, force 4, breeze, slight sea conditions, partly cloudy.

 

Don’t forget to check your Patters to make sure you’re not missing out on an activity you want to do. Sometimes, I find I have to make a choice between a few different activities or else need some quiet time with my puzzle book or paperback novel. The cruise director and one of her assistants Marahscalth give a rundown on some of the happenings on the Wake Show on channel 21. Elua’s Dave and Leialoha will also have a segment and include a Hawaiian word or phrase of the day.

We got a letter saying we have been reassigned to second seating at 7:45pm in Candelettos. Yea. We also received our invite to the Captain’s Circle party at 4pm. I think hubby really wanted to blow it off because it’s usually just a sales pitch to continue to cruise on Princess. But he suggested I take the drawing and give it to the captain there.

The teen went off to check the Internet, but soon returned. She was told by a woman working at the Internet Café desk that she needed to buy another package and have the original one refunded. That sounded ridiculous so I offered to go down there with her. I waited for the guy behind the desk to become free and said that we’d signed her for the Internet package a few weeks before. He said, yes, it sounds crazy, but…then, he offered to take care of the transaction for us. After he finished, the girl sat at a computer, signed in with the temporary password, and created her own password.

The girl went off to start using her Internet minutes, but came back and said that she was told she needed to buy a package and then have the other one refunded. I went back with her and talked with the guy working there rather than the woman. He explained that was just the way they did things, but he will take care of it for us. And did. Then the girl started up the computer, typed in the startup password created her own password and spent some time.

When she was done, I went in and checked email. And to answer that age-old question, yes, the service was on the slow side, often immensely slow (harking me back to those days of dial-up). I often had problems checking my yahoo email (would often get an error message at the bottom of the screen so I don’t know what that meant).

I noticed at this time that a female crew member (maybe the one that my daughter had encountered) was standing by the Internet manager’s desk, working on a Sudoku puzzle. I don’t know if she was there to help out, but she didn’t seem all that approachable if you were having some difficulty (and you would think the first couple of days, some passengers may have some questions about going online).

 

During this time, hubby went off for his first official workout in the gym. I never quite made it in there, but I tried to do a lot of stair climbing. (Of course, back at home now, I’m going to be eating a lot of salads. Sigh.)

This morning was the first opportunity to sign up for the orchid flower lei-making classes. These tickets go fast as there’s a limited number of spaces in each session, so if you’re interested, look for the announcement in the Patters. I did this on our previous cruise and kept the lei in the fridge when not wearing it. Someone from the cruise director’s staff will help you get started on threading the orchids.

 

On most of the sea days, you can get the makings for heirloom leis in the Wheelhouse. These kits started off at $15 (I think) for “keiki size” and around $30 to 45 for adult size. Dave and Leialoha will help you during this time. You can also buy their CDs there.

[Cruisin' Chick]

The first ukulele class was this morning in the Wheelhouse Bar. If you wanted to participate in the progressive courses (which meant you would be ready for the show on the last day), this was the time to sign up. Sorry, but I couldn’t get a light enough shot in back, and I didn’t want to risk disrupting the class to get closer.

 

 

In walking around, I found this sign by one of the dining rooms (one of them not in use for everyone until later on in the day):

 

 

 

Don’t know how many were in this group, and really didn’t feel any impact on the cruise in general. I guess if there had been some sort of incident, those in this group would have handing out their business cards.

In the Horizon Court, I had chicken, pasta, matzo ball soup, roasted corn on the cob, salad, roll, with a meringue dessert.

 

 

 

Soon, it was time for the noon announcement from the bridge. Every day, an officer on the watch will give the current conditions, and end with an explanation of a nautical phrase. Today’s info: we’ve sailed 355 nautical miles from Los Angeles, and currently sailing at a speed of 22 knots, with our current location at 31 4, 124 7. Current weather conditions are overcast skies, Easterly winds, 15kts, at 4 force, 58 degrees water temperature with slight seas.

Today’s phrase: Warming up bell. To be early. To act or arrive before the laid down time. Striking "bells" a little before the proper time at the end of a watch. More generally, doing something unjustifiably or unnecessarily early.

The phrase originate from the days when watches at sea were measured by a half-hour sand-glass; each time the glass was turned the bell was struck denoting the time. If the temperature was off, that would affect the speed in which the sand fell.

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

Just outside one entrance to the Horizon, in the Calypso pool area, there was an Oriental Soup Station buffet.

For Crown Grill fans, the British-Style pub lunch was served from 11:30am to 2:00pm. Didn’t say anything about a charge in the Patters so I’m guessing there wasn’t any.

That afternoon the steward stopped by with our robes (which incidentally didn’t get used by any of us). We also were given a flower arrangement, courtesy of the Princess PR department.

 

Just before 4, we made our way to the Princess Theater for the captains circle party for the gold level passengers. As I said, hubby thought it would be a good opportunity to hand the tube with the drawing to the captain when we get the chance to shake his hand at the entrance. So we went, but the captain wasn’t at the door as at the previous CC events. We decided to sit in the front row, hubby guessing that the captain would be entering on the left side. (why, I don’t know) The CD introduced the players, including the captain who entered from stage right. (of course) He stayed for just a short time (I think the CD said he was needed back on the bridge). As it turned out, the future cruise consultant was standing near us and we motioned her over and explained our dilemma. She seemed to know about the drawing and said she’ll get it to the captain.

As for the action on the stage, one of the invites was selected at random and that passenger was given “elite status” for the rest of the cruise. Also, we were told that each of us would be given a drink voucher that we can use at some point on the cruise, redeemable at any bar on board.

[Cruisin' Chick]

When we got to our new table in the Canaletto, we discovered it was a table for four. We usually prefer to be at a big table, but oh, well.

Dinner menu:

Pan-Fried Red Snapper with Chili, Cilantro and Lime Butter

A Bowl of San Francisco-Style Cioppino

Red Wine-Braised Lamb Shank with Three Bean Cassoulet

Island-Spiced Jerk Chicken with Rice and Beans

(V) Griddled Lentil Cakes with Fried Eggs

the “always available”:

Grilled Salmon with Herb & Lemon Compound Butter

Pan-Seared Corn-fed Chicken with Thyme Jus

Princess Half Pound Sirloin Burger

Grilled Spice Rubbed Tri Tip Roast

I had the lentil cakes. Not my cup of tea.

 

 

 

Entertainment round up:

The shows tonight: a comedian named Dan Riley plus a harmonica virtuoso Bernie Fields/

MUTS: 50 First Dates, The Devil Wears Prada, Total Recall

Other movies: The Intouchables in the Princess Theater at night

On the in-cabin TV

On the Art Channel -- About the Artist, bios on Michelangelo and Norman Rockwell, Goya’s Ghosts, Agony and the Ecstasy

On the Family Movie Channel -- Born to be Wild, Cars 2, Dolphin’s Tale

Princess Movie Channel -- Bel Ami, War Horse

Romance Movie Channel -- Life as We Know It, Sabrina (the one with Bogart, Holden and Hepburn)

Golden Channel -- How I Met Your Mother, Love Boat, Modern Family, The Office, Simpsons, Two and a Half Men,

Discovery Channel -- Alaska, American Choppers, Cake Boss, Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman

From the Log of the Cruise

Throughout the day the Golden Princess followed a steady west south-westerly course of 248° towards the Hawaiian Islands. Position: Latitude: 31° 04.1’ N; Longitude: 124°16.5’W

Course: 248°, Speed: 18.8 Knots; Wind: North-Easterly Force 4; Sea State: Slight seas with a short moderate Northerly swell; Sky: Overcast; Air temperature: 14°C/57°F; Barometric Pressure: 1022.8Mb

[BLS]

Aloha' date=' welcome to my official report of my most recent cruise!

[/font']

Be aware that this won’t be a quickie one. My Virgo ascendant/Gemini moon rules my mind, and between hubby and me, we’ve got tons of photos. So pour yourself a Mai Tai, settle into a comfy computer chair and (hopefully) enjoy!

A quick description: we’re a couple in our 50s with a 15-year old daughter. This was hubby’s 12th cruise, my 11th, and the girl’s 8th. Our fifth on Princess. We were on the Hawaiian RT on the Island Princess back when it was still 15 days, December 22, 2005 to January 6, 2006. This is a great itinerary for us as we are an hour’s drive (if the traffic gods are with us) and we found that we liked going on cruises longer than seven days. So after a five year period with hubby out on workers comp and then his mother’s diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, we were more than ready to go on another vacation. And that was on the Golden Princess, December 22, 2005 to January 5, 2010.

Unfortunately Kona had been dropped as a port by Princess (even more unfortunate for those on that 2005/06 cruise as the Captain had determined the high waves made it unsafe to tender to that port). If we ever return for a land trip, Kona would definitely have to be one of our destinations.

 

 

 

Hubby and I were raring for another Hawaiian sailing, but the girl complained about being bored the last time. She was at that age that found the teen activities (probably planned by adults as far as teens are concerned) LAME. On a positive note, she, a picky eater, did enjoy the food, even though she avoided the main dining rooms. But after an extremely busy 9th grade and an even busier summer preparing to join a type-A marching band program, as well as a transfer to an ultra take-no-prisoners high school, she said she didn’t mind going on another cruise during winter break.

Hubby and I looked at the schedules for the two ships on the Hawaiian itinerary that depart from San Pedro. The Sapphire’s Hawaiian cruise was leaving on December 29 and wouldn’t be over until days into the new semester for the girl. The Golden’s dates worked for us. Plus, they have Elua, a musical duo who works to ensue the aloha spirit is on board. I took the hula classes and learned how to make leis then.

No cabins were available at that point (August), except for Window Suites, which were too pricey for us, but also in a smoky area (too close to Churchills, the cigar lounge…and yes, we had checked the hallway on our last cruise). I asked to be placed on waitlists for all inside and ocean view cabins). Within a couple of weeks, we got some ”matches.”

But each time, we checked the deck plans and decided to pass on those cabins. All of them were far forward (not good for someone like with me with motion issues). Some were below or above the Princess Theater, so we were concerned about noise if it’s cleaned late at night (on my first cruise, we were below a dining room and the vacuuming late at night kept me up). We were keeping our fingers crossed that a cabin like our last one would become available as it was completely midship lengthwise and up and down. The girl expressed her preference for a cabin up high, especially near the pools and Horizon Court. Unfortunately, if you turn down a cabin this way, your name is removed from the whole category (some categories did have some cabins we could live with, too).

 

WOW. A cruise from Dec 22 2005- Jan 5 2010--thats quite a voyage:)

[simbasmom]

Thanks so much or the review of that cruise! Our son was playing music for you in the ship's orchestra. Although we didn't get to share Christmas with him, reading your detailed review makes me feel as if he was here with us. Do you have any photos of Santa's arrival? Our son called us on Christmas eve and had to cut the conversation short because he said they were escorting Santa on a boat around the ship, while they played "Here comes Santa Claus". I'd love to see a picture of that!

[greenie082756]

Thanks so much for the effort of reporting your cruise! Looks wonderful! Can't wait ..

[Alison12]

going to ask what may appear a stupid question. Just reading the patter shown it states no smoking in the stateroom or balconies. Does that mean you can smoke in the inside cabins ( hope not as I am such an anti smoker !)

[swedish weave]

going to ask what may appear a stupid question. Just reading the patter shown it states no smoking in the stateroom or balconies. Does that mean you can smoke in the inside cabins ( hope not as I am such an anti smoker !)

 

Princess has banned smoking in all cabins. It is only allowed in designated places on the ship.

[clueless2]

Thanks for posting the day one Patters. Hope you can post the remainder.

[Cruisin' Chick]

WOW. A cruise from Dec 22 2005- Jan 5 2010--thats quite a voyage:)

 

One of my friends did catch that so I issued a correction, but that probably got buried somewhere. The first two Hawaiian cruises we were on were exactly to the day five years apart! December 22, 2005 to January 6, 2006 and then December 22, 2010 to January 5, 2011. Even proofreaders need someone else to proofread them!:o

 

Thanks so much or the review of that cruise! Our son was playing music for you in the ship's orchestra. Although we didn't get to share Christmas with him, reading your detailed review makes me feel as if he was here with us. Do you have any photos of Santa's arrival? Our son called us on Christmas eve and had to cut the conversation short because he said they were escorting Santa on a boat around the ship, while they played "Here comes Santa Claus". I'd love to see a picture of that!

 

I did see the musicians playing. So glad Princess still has live music as we always enjoy the performers, including the Princess musicians.

 

I didn't see "Santa" arrive, but when we were checking out the whales while still anchored in Maui, hubby did see "Santa" leaving on a tender. We got a photo that I'll post when I get that far.

 

Hopefully, I'll be able to post the third day tonight -- got to run soon and get my daughter off to a doctor's appointment and I have something going on this evening, too.

[Cruisin' Chick]

going to ask what may appear a stupid question. Just reading the patter shown it states no smoking in the stateroom or balconies. Does that mean you can smoke in the inside cabins ( hope not as I am such an anti smoker !)

 

Princess changed their policy a year ago. It's stated on their website and you can find more info on a sticky on the first page of the Princess forum here. The inside cabins are considered "staterooms."

Thanks for posting the day one Patters. Hope you can post the remainder.

 

I will certainly try. I know that people (including me) love checking them out. Usually someone posts a link, but I wanted to see if I can post the actual ones here and, unless told otherwise by a mod, will scan and post directly here.

[sallybrown2012]

I am really enjoying your report - thanks so much for posting! We've never been on a Princess cruise but are looking forward to our first next summer.

[simbasmom]

I'll look forward to more pictures, especially of Santa. It's funny that you mentioned whales. I remember that our son called us from the deck of the ship, and as we were talking he suddenly interrupted, "Hey, there's a whale!" He said it was a humpback whale. When he called today, he asked if you got to see the guest entertainer, Nicole. She played the trumpet, and he really liked her performances (especially since he's a trumpet player, he noticed).

[Cruisin' Chick]

I'll look forward to more pictures, especially of Santa. It's funny that you mentioned whales. I remember that our son called us from the deck of the ship, and as we were talking he suddenly interrupted, "Hey, there's a whale!" He said it was a humpback whale. When he called today, he asked if you got to see the guest entertainer, Nicole. She played the trumpet, and he really liked her performances (especially since he's a trumpet player, he noticed).

 

Was Nicole a singular performer? If so, I didn't. There were so many options for entertainment, but sometimes we just felt like heading back to the cabin and relaxing there. If your son saw the bald passenger who played the guitar in Skywalkers every once in a while, that was my hubby.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Second day of Patters, first page

[Cruisin' Chick]

Second day, second page

[Cruisin' Chick]

Second day, third page

[Cruisin' Chick]

Second day, fourth page

[Cruisin' Chick]

Friday December 21-- Day at Sea

At 8:10 am PST, per the navigation channel: we were at 28.35.87 N/131, 16.66 W, traveling at speed19.3 kts

Sunrise 7:03am, sunset 6:10pm

Air temp 63.7 F, barometer 29.9hg and falling, sea temp 69.8F, the pools were around 87 to 93

SW wind, force 6, strong, moderate sea conditions, partly cloudy

The noon bridge announcement:

We had sailed 821 nautical miles so far. The weather: 69 degrees F air temp, scattered showers with slight seas and NW swell. We are travelling at 15 knots.

The phrase for the day is “loose cannon,” when someone puts a friend or colleague in jeopardy through their behavior.

Origin: in the olden days when wooden warships carried cannon as their primary offensive weapons, they were secured with rope to keep them from causing damage from their enormous recoil when fired. A loose cannon was one that had become free of its restraints and was rolling dangerously about the deck.

 

 

While eating lunch at the far end of the Horizon, I can see the rain coming down.

 

 

 

 

The first of the hula classes was held today. Leialoha showed us the ancient form of hula known as Hula Kahiko. Originally hula was performed by warriors going off to war. We were shown some of the implements used in this version of hula, including ‘ulī ullī (gourd rattles) and kaka’au (sticks).

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

Finally made it to afternoon trivia. Hubby and I came up with 20 out of 25 correct answers (one question had six parts, each worth a point…on that question I had five of the answers and hubby came up with the sixth). Three teams tied for first place with 23 correct answers so there was a tie breaker question.

 

Then we went outside and enjoyed the ocean.

 

 

A fruit basket was delivered to the cabin. Don’t know if it was the fruit ordered through the cruise personalizer (I usually select fruit, but have never received any in the cabin before), accidentally delivered to us (that was hubby’s theory), or another gift from Princess.

 

Tonight was the first of three formal dinners. But first was the Captain’s Welcome Champagne waterfall. We didn’t watch the stacking -- have done that before. I was surprised that complimentary mimosas were being served. Much better than trying to gulp down the champagne that was being served.

 

 

 

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

Formal dinner tonight:

Pan-Seared Barramundi with Chive & Mustard Seed Butter Sauce

Shrimp “Daniele”

Roasted Cornish Game Hen with Pan Jus

Rosemary Rubbed Roast Leg of Lamb with Mint Jelly

Grilled Medallions of Beef Tenderloin with Madeira-Truffle Demi-Glace

(V) Crustless Spinach & Potato Flan with Spicy Tomato Sauce

 

 

 

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

I think hubby got the fish. I had the Cornish Game Hen.

 

 

 

A banana dessert for him.

Can't remember the name of my desert.

 

The MUTS movies were Blue Hawaii, Back to the Future, U2 concert film, The Amazing Spider-Man. Also playing was Total Recall in the Princess Theater in the afternoon.

We went to see Stardust, which we did see on the Golden two years before. The Patters didn’t mention the shorter times, but it did seem to help that there were three times listed (less seat saving to my eyes). But one thing really irked me: a family sat a couple of rows in back of us and some 20-somethings a couple of rows in front of us. And both groups spent much of the performance gabbing (it sounded like Spanish, but even English would have bothered me). One parent seem to want to entertain his small boy—to me, if you have to do that, why not take him outside and let everyone else enjoy the show.

{If you want to introduce your child to music (which is a great idea), take him first to a kid-oriented concert (our girl’s first concert was Blue’s Clues Live…a month later, she was on her first cruise at 23 months and behaved wonderfully at her first show on board, but we sat in the back, ready to skedaddle if she started fussing).}

The other talking passengers had no excuse for their rude behavior. Maybe they should skip the shows too.

 

 

On the TV: Art Channel -- About the Artist series, How to Steal a Million,

Family Movies -- Big Miracle, Brave, Puss in Boots

Princess Movie -- Man on a Ledge, Five Year Engagement

Romance Movie Channel -- Beastly, To Rome with Love

Golden TV -- How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, Love Boat, The Office, Whitney

Since hubby hadn’t seen Brave yet, we put that on after returning to the cabin for the night and mentally prepared for the clocks being set back an hour overnight.

From the Log of the Cruise

Throughout the day, Golden Princess continued her west south-westerly course towards Hawaii. The maximum depth of water crossed was 3500 metres (10,668 feet).

Position: Latitude: 28° 08.5’ N; Longitude: 132° 34.4’ W; Course: 248°

Speed: 19.5 Knots; Wind: South-westerly force 4/5

Sea state: Slight seas with an average moderate North-Westerly swell

Sky: Overcast; Air temperature: 16.0°C/60.8°F; Barometric Pressure: 1018.8 Mb

[Cruisin' Chick]

Patters for Third Day of Cruise, 12/21/12 (that was fun to type) pg 1

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

3rd day, 12/21/12 pg 2 (even more fun to type):)