LIVE - Royal Princess Transatlantic & Baltic day by day

[pascalburns]

looking forward to your post in the am on the first port.

any problems with soot that you know of.:)

[dchip]

Enjoying your posts so much. We did the Winemakers Dinner twice last fall. We thought both menus were fabulous.

 

Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your cruise.

 

Cheers, Denise

[CharTX]

What an elegant Winemaker dinner you had and the food sounded so good. I am sure it was more fun with 12 people. I think the line dancing sounds like a fun way to get your exercise.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[GweninTX]

looking forward to your post in the am on the first port.

any problems with soot that you know of.:)

No soot issues so far. We are very close to the aft balconies - we are in E701. The couple we know who have an Aft suite have not complained of soot so far - they are only disappointed in the small size of the suite. Their suite is the Tahiti suite - C739 and I agree - it is much smaller than the Crown suites. Balcony is much smaller too!

[GweninTX]

Thanks for all the kind comments, I am glad you all are following along!

 

The alarm went off very early this morning at 6:45 - I know we will be napping this afternoon! We met our CC friends at 7:45 for a really nice tour of the Azores with Eduardo of Greenzone tours. We walked right off together with no line and he met us with a sign. He had a comfy jeep for the 6 of us and a good price for 4 hours of 40 euro PP.

 

It was very overcast and foggy when we started out, but he did a great job of taking us above and below the fog all morning. By 1:00 it had all burnt off any way and was sunny!

 

It was Sunday morning and we got to see the processional of bringing the Holy Ghost to the sanctuary in one of the small towns. Complete with a parade and marching band. A local family in the church keeps the crown and vestments each year and then has a parade on Sunday morning to bring them to the church. They are also responsible for preparing the food for the noon meal on the celebration day.

 

We also got to see lots of Local birds. Eduardo loved that Jerry and I are birdwatchers and delighted in pointing them out to us. He photographs birds and has a sharp eye. Eduardo spoke very good English and he admitted he was self taught. He started waiting tables at 14 and picked it up there. He is very proud of his homeland and gives a great personal tour.

 

We got back to center of town about 11:45 and went to a supermarket for wine. What a variety and almost all labels in Portugese. With a nice clerks help, I picked out two and decided to gamble if we would be charged or not. We put them in The back pack and they went thru the scanner - not a word was said and no questions asked or answered - SCORE! We are now stocked again for a while and no charges or stamps! I am thinking it will be this way in all the ports from now on.

 

The Royal is a celebrity today as she is the largest ship to ever dock in Ponta Delgado! A press conference was being held with the captain today and much to do for the Royal! It is now 4:51 and they have not started calling passengers names and we have made no effort to leave. Sail away was set for 4:30 PM, but not happening. Found out traffic held up a tour and they waited on them to return.

 

Lots of small fishing boats cruising by on our side and taking pictures of her. Lots of jet skis too racing around. No sign of the pilot boat and the ship has not started yet to make her get away. The church bells all rang loudly in town at 4:30, not sure if for us or evening service. Sailboats are out in full force for this beautiful day too! I have seen 3 small planes land nearby at the airport.

 

At 5:15 the residents and local dignitaries came out and gave us a proper send off. Their only request was to play the "Love boat horn" for them as we sailed out of the harbor. We granted their wish and were out to see very quickly!

 

We went to the main dining room for dinner and was surprised by Lobster tails and crab cakes - and NOT on formal night. We really enjoyed them and they were tender and not rubbery. Wonderful asparagus again with roasted potatoes. They also had chateaubriand and our table mate said it was very good as was the Kingclip fish. For dessert we all had soufflé with caramel sauce - yum!

 

New comedian/ magician - John Lenehan - ok, but not the greatest. There was dancing all over the ship. 2 game shows in the Princess Live. We went to the casino. I played craps and lost. Jerry played the slots and he survived he said. Went to bed and watched the Marriage Match game we missed last night while we were at the Winemakers dinner. It was funny as usual and so nice to catch it on our wonderful big screen tv.

 

 

I have found the best place for speedy internet is in the Horizon court in the very rear near the bistro area. I went there yesterday and today and it seems to be the fastest. My stateroom will not work unless I sit in the doorway, which brings stares from people walking by. The router is in the hall and does not penetrate well.

 

Tomorrow morning I am teaching an iPad class to our roll call in the vista lounge at 10:00. We also have to go to the Club 6 for an immigration check at 9 - so an early morning. Stay tuned!

[antsp]

We have just done a transatlantic on the emerald, we changed the clocks at midday, losing an hour. I thought it worked better, did not notice it as much. Where you doing the time change at night.

[caribill]

We have just done a transatlantic on the emerald, we changed the clocks at midday, losing an hour. I thought it worked better, did not notice it as much. Where you doing the time change at night.

 

We also did it at mid-day on RCCL last year, noon suddenly becoming 1 PM. We found it much better than losing an hour of sleep, but many passengers were upset about doing it during a waking hour.

[caribill]

I have found the best place for speedy internet is in the Horizon court in the very rear near the bistro area. I went there yesterday and today and it seems to be the fastest. My stateroom will not work unless I sit in the doorway, which brings stares from people walking by. The router is in the hall and does not penetrate well.

 

 

Have you tried just propping the door open a little?

 

We have found in the past on other Princess ships this would allow the WIFI to work at the cabin desk.

[Mom33]

 

I have found the best place for speedy internet is in the Horizon court in the very rear near the bistro area. I went there yesterday and today and it seems to be the fastest. My stateroom will not work unless I sit in the doorway, which brings stares from people walking by. The router is in the hall and does not penetrate well.

 

Tomorrow morning I am teaching an iPad class to our roll call in the vista lounge at 10:00. We also have to go to the Club 6 for an immigration check at 9 - so an early morning. Stay tuned!

 

Gwenn.... Maybe you should report your problem because it should work better than it is. We were able to use our ipad without difficulty in our room. I even used Facetime to talk with my son. If they know about it, they may be able to correct it.:)

[Baatman]

Enjoying your report...thanks.

[Papermaker]

GweninTX,

 

Our friend Kathie is on board with you and just e-mailed us to say you were doing a Live From the Royal! We will be joining you in Copenhagen. Thanks for all the info.

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for all the kind comments, I am glad you all are following along!

 

The alarm went off very early this morning at 6:45 - I know we will be napping this afternoon! We met our CC friends at 7:45 for a really nice tour of the Azores with Eduardo of Greenzone tours. We walked right off together with no line and he met us with a sign. He had a comfy jeep for the 6 of us and a good price for 4 hours of 40 euro PP.

 

It was very overcast and foggy when we started out, but he did a great job of taking us above and below the fog all morning. By 1:00 it had all burnt off any way and was sunny!

 

It was Sunday morning and we got to see the processional of bringing the Holy Ghost to the sanctuary in one of the small towns. Complete with a parade and marching band. A local family in the church keeps the crown and vestments each year and then has a parade on Sunday morning to bring them to the church. They are also responsible for preparing the food for the noon meal on the celebration day.

 

We also got to see lots of Local birds. Eduardo loved that Jerry and I are birdwatchers and delighted in pointing them out to us. He photographs birds and has a sharp eye. Eduardo spoke very good English and he admitted he was self taught. He started waiting tables at 14 and picked it up there. He is very proud of his homeland and gives a great personal tour.

 

We got back to center of town about 11:45 and went to a supermarket for wine. What a variety and almost all labels in Portugese. With a nice clerks help, I picked out two and decided to gamble if we would be charged or not. We put them in The back pack and they went thru the scanner - not a word was said and no questions asked or answered - SCORE! We are now stocked again for a while and no charges or stamps! I am thinking it will be this way in all the ports from now on.

 

The Royal is a celebrity today as she is the largest ship to ever dock in Ponta Delgado! A press conference was being held with the captain today and much to do for the Royal! It is now 4:51 and they have not started calling passengers names and we have made no effort to leave. Sail away was set for 4:30 PM, but not happening. Found out traffic held up a tour and they waited on them to return.

 

Lots of small fishing boats cruising by on our side and taking pictures of her. Lots of jet skis too racing around. No sign of the pilot boat and the ship has not started yet to make her get away. The church bells all rang loudly in town at 4:30, not sure if for us or evening service. Sailboats are out in full force for this beautiful day too! I have seen 3 small planes land nearby at the airport.

 

At 5:15 the residents and local dignitaries came out and gave us a proper send off. Their only request was to play the "Love boat horn" for them as we sailed out of the harbor. We granted their wish and were out to see very quickly!

 

We went to the main dining room for dinner and was surprised by Lobster tails and crab cakes - and NOT on formal night. We really enjoyed them and they were tender and not rubbery. Wonderful asparagus again with roasted potatoes. They also had chateaubriand and our table mate said it was very good as was the Kingclip fish. For dessert we all had soufflé with caramel sauce - yum!

 

New comedian/ magician - John Lenehan - ok, but not the greatest. There was dancing all over the ship. 2 game shows in the Princess Live. We went to the casino. I played craps and lost. Jerry played the slots and he survived he said. Went to bed and watched the Marriage Match game we missed last night while we were at the Winemakers dinner. It was funny as usual and so nice to catch it on our wonderful big screen tv.

 

 

I have found the best place for speedy internet is in the Horizon court in the very rear near the bistro area. I went there yesterday and today and it seems to be the fastest. My stateroom will not work unless I sit in the doorway, which brings stares from people walking by. The router is in the hall and does not penetrate well.

 

Tomorrow morning I am teaching an iPad class to our roll call in the vista lounge at 10:00. We also have to go to the Club 6 for an immigration check at 9 - so an early morning. Stay tuned!

 

Sounds like another great day aboard ship. Thanks for checking in.....:):):)

 

Bob

[GweninTX]

Have you tried just propping the door open a little?

 

We have found in the past on other Princess ships this would allow the WIFI to work at the cabin desk.

 

No, I tried that - easier to got the HC - it is so fast there and the coffee is so good, I just cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it is

[GweninTX]

Good morning! We ate in the Horizon Court for breakfast, it is really so good, we do not bother with the formal dining room. We had to go thru immigrations this morning for Southampton. We got a letter that we had to bring with our passport and room key and go to Club 6. They scanned our room Keys and then we stood in line to talk to the immigration agent and she stamped our passports. I think they did this for 2 days so we did not have to stand in line when we docked. Very efficient.

 

At 10:00 I gave my iPad class in the Vista lounge to my Cruise Critic friends. It was well attended and I had a lot of compliments on the class. It is fun to share tips and tricks with other users! Several who came at 11:00 for bingo wished they had heard the entire lecture.

 

Other choices for this morning were Bible study, Zumba, trivia, classical history lecture, win lose or draw, wine tasting (still do not understand having it in the morning?) and a destination lecture on Rotterdam.

 

Pub Lunch in the wheelhouse bar - prawns, fish, or chicken curry. Yummy!

 

Jerry played in the Blackjack tournament after lunch. He was on the winner board for a while, but dropped off before the finals. I watched a movie in the room - World War Z - very good! I normally do not pick zombie movies, but this was an exception!

 

My friend Sheila and I met for afternoon tea in the dining room. It was done very nicely! We did the free one, but a lot pay the $10 for the more formal one. The tables are very pretty, food looks pretty much the same.

 

Our dinner in the formal dining room was very good. Tiger prawns and beef short ribs. We really have an excellent waiter and enjoy it. After dinner we enjoyed Spencer Robson, a great vocal impressionist. He will be doing a follow up in a couple if days in the Vista lounge of all Tom Jones. It was one of his better impressions, so we will be sure and go back! We then went down to the Vista Lounge for Country Western night. I got to line dance and we also slow danced a number too. Fun evening! They also had majority Rules #2, but it was packed. Princess Live is not a good venue for the game shows other than they can tape them. There is always a huge group standing in The doorway and it just is not big enough! Today is Cinco de Mayo and not one bit of Mexican food anywhere! Go figure! They did have a party in the Piazza at 11:15, but we headed to bed. I watched another movie, Dallas Buyers Club - very good! LOVE this TV!

 

We turn our clocks ahead again tonight. Glad we have nowhere to go tomorrow morning! Formal night tomorrow night! Stay tuned!

[Camelia-]

vicariously through your wonderful reports... thank you so much for all the details. Because of you I'm beginning to think that I made the wrong choice when we decided on our next cruise..lol!! It was a toss up between the Caribbean and the Royal for next year's spring TA but the Caribbean won..only because we liked the itinerary better..now I'm thinking that the Royal sounds so wonderful..I'm starting to have my doubts!! Something to think about..meanwhile..I will anxiously wait for your next report!

 

Camelia

[Fletch1]

Just stumbled across this. Great reports and you have a good following.

[SusieKay]

Really enjoying your blog. We recently booked for the Royal's 2015 spring TA . This will be our first TA and it is fun to follow along and imagine ourselves there!

 

Sent from my YP-G70 using Forums mobile app

[farla]

Does the Winemaker's dinner have the same menu each night. If not, which one did you have? Sounds wonderful!

[Astro Flyer]

Tonight is formal night and we met in Vines at 6:45 for our Winemakers dinner. There was 12 of us, all from the CC roll call. We were met promptly and taken to the special Winemakers table. It is very elegant and the table is gorgeous with a huge fresh flower arrangement. The high back ivory leather seats make the table very comfy too. We laughed, drank lots of wine and at amazing food! I highly commend it! We all and so much fun, we are doing it again on the Baltic cruise and are going to request the French winemakers dinner next. We had a huge prawn wrapped in prosciutto and cheese then wrapped in phyllo pastry for the appetizer! YUM! Our soup was a velouté of white beans, garlic and cheese, with shrimp and apples as toppings. It also was very good! The maitre'd then cooked a portobello mushroom and crab filled gnocchi table side for us and it was Devine! Our main course was a 3" thick filet mignon served with veggies. The meat had a Demi glacé sauce that was Rich and the meat was very tender. As if this was not enough, for dessert we had a stack of 3 Madeline type shortcakes that each had a different cream filling. And with our coffee he brought out a tray of beautiful chocolate dipped strawberries and other small pastries. We are NOT wine connoisseurs by any means, but everyone loved both the red and the white wines. I loved the white the most and had at least 3 glasses of it. They were VERY generous with all the wine and kept pouring till people said NO! This meal was worth every penny of $40 PP!

 

Does the Winemaker's dinner have the same menu each night. If not, which one did you have? Sounds wonderful!

Here's Gwen's description of her Winemakers Dinner which was the same meal we had on the Royal during our w/b crossing in October. We requested it as soon as we boarded the ship & didn't get a call back until later in the cruise. We ate nightly at the AT Symphony dining room & rarely saw the Winemakers Dinner in the "cellar". They said it's only done a couple of times so it's very limited participation. :( As I recall, there are 3 different menus but not certain who decides which one for each dinner.

 

Here's a link to a PDF file with the menu information from our menu: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=292057&d=1383703495

 

Wine Maker’s Dinner

Aboard Royal Princess

 

A Pairing of food & wine in collaboration with Wine Maker Michael Mondavi Family Wines and Princess Cruises Master Chef Alfredo Marzi

“I am always telling consumers instead of relying totally on critics, drink what you like and like what you drink. Enjoy your dinner on the Magnificent Royal Princess”

Michael Mondavi, Wine Maker

 

Donnafugata Anthilia, Sicilia, Italy

Ansonica & Caternutto grapes craftfully blended to create elegant fruit sensations with notes of peaches and plums

Petite Sirah Spellbound, California

Intense colors & aromatics of black fruits, vanilla bean & roasted coffee

 

Menu

Chef’s Prelude

Amuse guile

White Bean Veloute & Chorizo with Langoustine Flambe & Calvados

In French, “Veloute” literally means “velvety”. Seemingly it was introduced into the English language in the early 19th century. The history of soup is probably as old as the history of cooking. The modern restaurant industry is said to be based on soup. Restoratifs – meaning soup, consommé, bouillon, or broth (whereon the word “restaurant” comes) were the 1st items served in public restaurants in 18th century Paris. Classic French cuisine generated many of the soups we know today.

 

Asiago Cheese Stuffed Gnocchi with Portobello Mushroom Cream Sauce

Gnocchi has been a traditional Italian pasta type since Roman times & is probably Middle Eastern in origin. It was introduced to Italy by Roman legions during the empire’s conquest of the European continent. The use of potato is a relatively recent innovations occurring after its introduction to Europe in the 16th century.

 

Tournedos ‘Rossini’ with Today’s Market Vegetables, Roast Chateau Potatoes

Created for the famed composer Gioachino Rossini by French Master Chef Marie-Antoine Careme. The dish comprises of a filet mignon of beef served on a crouton topped with a slice of foie gras terrine & finhished with truffled Madeira demi-glace sauce.

 

Napoleon of Three Mousses Chocolate, Coffee & Cointreau

The “Napoleon” is thought to originate in Naples, southern Italy. Its spelling is a mis-translation of Napolitain. The idea of the dessert was altered with the rise of Emperor Napoleon of France. Despite his name being used in translation to describe the confection, there is no evidence that connects the emperor himself. The dessert may be a descendant or variation of filo, the pastry dough known to ancient Middle Eastern & Greek cooks.

Edited May 7, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[Fletch1]

Here's Gwen's description of her Winemakers Dinner which was the same meal we had on the Royal during our w/b crossing in October. We requested it as soon as we boarded the ship & didn't get a call back until later in the cruise. We ate nightly at the AT Symphony dining room & rarely saw the Winemakers Dinner in the "cellar". They said it's only done a couple of times so it's very limited participation. :( As I recall, there are 3 different menus but not certain who decides which one for each dinner.

 

Here's a link to a PDF file with the menu information from our menu: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=292057&d=1383703495

 

Wine Maker’s Dinner

Aboard Royal Princess

 

A Pairing of food & wine in collaboration with Wine Maker Michael Mondavi Family Wines and Princess Cruises Master Chef Alfredo Marzi

“I am always telling consumers instead of relying totally on critics, drink what you like and like what you drink. Enjoy your dinner on the Magnificent Royal Princess”

Michael Mondavi, Wine Maker

 

Donnafugata Anthilia, Sicilia, Italy

Ansonica & Caternutto grapes craftfully blended to create elegant fruit sensations with notes of peaches and plums

Petite Sirah Spellbound, California

Intense colors & aromatics of black fruits, vanilla bean & roasted coffee

 

Menu

Chef’s Prelude

Amuse guile

White Bean Veloute & Chorizo with Langoustine Flambe & Calvados

In French, “Veloute” literally means “velvety”. Seemingly it was introduced into the English language in the early 19th century. The history of soup is probably as old as the history of cooking. The modern restaurant industry is said to be based on soup. Restoratifs – meaning soup, consommé, bouillon, or broth (whereon the word “restaurant” comes) were the 1st items served in public restaurants in 18th century Paris. Classic French cuisine generated many of the soups we know today.

 

Asiago Cheese Stuffed Gnocchi with Portobello Mushroom Cream Sauce

Gnocchi has been a traditional Italian pasta type since Roman times & is probably Middle Eastern in origin. It was introduced to Italy by Roman legions during the empire’s conquest of the European continent. The use of potato is a relatively recent innovations occurring after its introduction to Europe in the 16th century.

 

Tournedos ‘Rossini’ with Today’s Market Vegetables, Roast Chateau Potatoes

Created for the famed composer Gioachino Rossini by French Master Chef Marie-Antoine Careme. The dish comprises of a filet mignon of beef served on a crouton topped with a slice of foie gras terrine & finhished with truffled Madeira demi-glace sauce.

 

Napoleon of Three Mousses Chocolate, Coffee & Cointreau

The “Napoleon” is thought to originate in Naples, southern Italy. Its spelling is a mis-translation of Napolitain. The idea of the dessert was altered with the rise of Emperor Napoleon of France. Despite his name being used in translation to describe the confection, there is no evidence that connects the emperor himself. The dessert may be a descendant or variation of filo, the pastry dough known to ancient Middle Eastern & Greek cooks.

 

 

I'm salivating just reading this!!!

[Astro Flyer]

I'm salivating just reading this!!!

We hope to do this again on the Royal in October...10 days from NYC to FLL via the Caribbean. :D

Edited May 7, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[caribill]

They also had majority Rules #2, but it was packed. Princess Live is not a good venue for the game shows other than they can tape them.

 

Games like Majority rules require a rep from each team to quickly bring the team's answer to the staff running the game.

 

How is that accomplished with the fixed rows of seating in that venue?

[dmwnc1959]

I saw the new $10 high tea at 3:30. It looked very nice and I am going to get a friend to go with me. Very fancy table settings and looked like nicer food than the free one.

 

 

My friend Sheila and I met for afternoon tea in the dining room. It was done very nicely! We did the free one, but a lot pay the $10 for the more formal one. The tables are very pretty, food looks pretty much the same.

 

 

 

Hi Gwen,

 

THANKS again for this wonderful Live report!

 

Just wanted to add that the finger sandwiches and teas served at the Royal Afternoon Tea are definitely not the same as the standard afternoon tea served in the MDR. Although both events are nice, the Royal Afternoon Tea sandwiches are much larger and of higher quality, and there are several different specialty teas served. The MDR event is a much larger social gathering, whereas the more upscale event is much more intimate.

 

:D

[GweninTX]

Games like Majority rules require a rep from each team to quickly bring the team's answer to the staff running the game.

 

How is that accomplished with the fixed rows of seating in that venue?

 

Very carefully and you try not to step on too many toes when you go down to take the answer sheets! Whoever designed the Princess Live was no too bright!

[GweninTX]

We hope to do this again on the Royal in October...10 days from NYC to FLL via the Caribbean. :D

 

Thanks for the help! Right now they have 3 menus - Silverdao, Mondavi and a French one I cannot pronounce or spell! We have signed up as the same group for the French one for the Baltic. We are confirmed, but do not know what night we will go- stay tuned for another blow by blow