Live from the island princess -sept 27 to oct 12

[MTJSR]

We have friends on board who are new to Princess. I can't wait to hear what they have to say about that unusual sail away. Sounds like you are having a great time so far.

 

I am guessing, unless they were aware of the commotion up front with the tug boats, they may not even know what was happening.

[MTJSR]

 

 

To: CruznELM, (my aunt) we have heard nothing regarding lines during SF boarding, but I will make a point of finding out. FYI, we met a couple CC group members from Birkenhead, England. Also, mom said to tell you she has her traditional cruising uniform on. We will send a picture via email, but I think you know what that means. Also (try not to laugh) mom and the Sommelier got into a misunderstanding (RO, Spat, disagreement, etc) last night over a bad bottle of wine, they still charged her anyway but now she’s boycotting buying anymore wine while onboard. (Not a smart move Princess, mom is elite and loves good wine!)

 

Hello Again!

 

Tonights Dinner menu “Report next time”

 

Dress Code is Smart Casual.

 

Today on Muts at 10am: “Seven Year Itch, 3pm: Top Gun” at 6:15 NFL Football Kansas City vs New England 10pm: “Maleficent”

 

Today was just perfect, warm but not that hot, seas are calm with a slight roll. There is no coast in site, but still the birds are out here diving into the water feeding. For those of you experienced with the smaller ships, I just cant get over the more relaxed feel onboard here. When was the last time you walked past the Trident grill and Pizzeria at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and the crew is watching the movie on MUTS?

 

For fun, I did a little exploring today and I decided to check out the Princess Links mini golf course on deck 15. My timing thru the side door was apparently a little too perfect, as a young couple was doing a little exploring on their own. Remind me to ring a bell next time!

 

Also today was our first of four port lectures on the Panama Canal. Some interesting facts reported are that Princess pays $35,000.00 dollars just to make a reservation for the Island to enter the canal. Then they pay another $30,000.00 to enter during daylight hours. Then the tariff of $392,691.00 (based on berths and tonnage) is charged and after all the other misc fees are added up, it’s a grand total of $482,764.00 to transit the Panama Canal.

 

This afternoon our Meet and Greet group had a wine tasting in Erik’s (SFO08) suite on Caribe. This turned out to be a lot of fun and was well attended by at least 25 CCmembers. Great job Erik

 

 

Out for now

[Crystabel]

 

 

Some interesting facts reported are that Princess pays $35,000.00 dollars just to make a reservation for the Island to enter the canal. Then they pay another $30,000.00 to enter during daylight hours. Then the tariff of $392,691.00 (based on berths and tonnage) is charged and after all the other misc fees are added up, it’s a grand total of $482,764.00 to transit the Panama Canal.

 

 

With those fees, Princess is REALLY going to be sorry your mom won't be ordering more wine! Looking forward for your daily report.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Crystabel

[Cruzn ELM]

Tell your Mom to check her emails, I sent her info on our Birkenhead relatives (for those of you who don't know that's England).

 

Don't worry, she will stop whining about the wine soon enough and resume ordering. The rest of you folks don't need to be concerned about the future of your Panama Canal cruises :D

[kenmerloo]

Great report. Are you using the ships Internet, or do you have a package with your cell provider ? Do you know the price for Internet on board ? I am trying to decide what to do.

 

Many thanks

[MTJSR]

Great report. Are you using the ships Internet, or do you have a package with your cell provider ? Do you know the price for Internet on board ? I am trying to decide what to do.

 

Many thanks

 

CruznELM: mom made nice with the head waiter or was it the other way around? all is well for now, claws retracted. We will check the emails.

 

Kenmerloo: Thank you, I am using the free minutes that come with elite/platinum program. I will check the prices, I need to be on the log in page to see what they are. But I will check it out!

 

Just in from outside. IT IS GETTING VERY MUGGY/HUMID, we have cleared the tip of Baja and are now heading south east towards Manzanillo. Dinner tonight was another "Princess Dinner" this time with Surf&Turf, last PD had the Lamb.

 

Came back to the cabin only to find a lotus spa appointment card in my name for a "Couples Massage" tomorrow at 10:30. Funny thing is I never booked one or planned to book one, I on this trip with my mother :eek:

[Woobstr112G]

 

 

Hello again, The weather is very warm in the sun and comfortable in the shade. We just came back from visiting the forward Caribe (secret door) lookout area. While enjoying the view and conversation with fellow CC members from Canada, whales were spotted on both side of the ship. Not sure the species, but they are here.

 

Interesting note, according to our Patter, Princess thinks we are in the “American North West” With lots of glaciers and wildlife. And thats with us off the coast of California/Baja. Additionally the “Welcome Back” Captains Circle card in our cabin, has the collector stamp for Alaska. I suppose I will have to sail again, to get the Panama Canal stamp.

 

Our Meet and Greet was today at 1pm. Tom and Eric did a great job. Love the T-Shirts! Tom had invited numerous staff members, but only the Cruise Director Bob Leininger made an appearance.

 

The demographics are interesting on this cruise. We keep running into folks from either

Australia or Canada and in fact our table mates are auzzies. The age range is more 50/60 than it is 60/80. Only a couple small children and maybe four teens. The scooter count is three so far. This adventurous itinerary, must naturally limit the number of people with disabilities from trying it?

 

Tonights Dinner menu “Captains Welcome Dinner”

 

Dress Code was Formal.

 

Today on Muts at 10am: “NFL Football-Packers VS “Bears, 2pm: San Francisco vs Philadelphia ” at 6:15 New Orleans vs Dallas and at 10pm: “Draftday”

 

The ship still feels very empty, or we have a lot of cabin dwellers. You can walk the halls by the Bayou Cafe or Wheelhouse Bar and no body is there, chairs by the windows are empty. It just feels odd having always sailed the Grand class ships and people use those areas to read and relax.

 

The seas are smooth as glass right now, its starting to feel warmer/muggy already. Ships staff are very friendly as usual. There are two birds traveling with us in the covered pool area. I wonder if the crew if feeding them as they seem like seasoned travelers and very healthy

 

Out for now

 

Sounds like you had a great day onboard.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Vinolady1]

Very excited to do this trip with you, thank you :)

[MTJSR]

 

 

 

Hello Again!

 

Tonights MDR Dinner menu “Another Princess Dinner”

Horizon Courts outdoors menu: Mexican Buffet

 

Dress Code is Smart Casual.

 

Today on Muts at 3pm: “Mary Poppins” at 7 & 9:30 “Saving Mr Banks”

 

Today is just plain HOT & HUMID The air feels swampy and gross! We are just putting along out here as we get closer to Manzanillo Mexico.

 

I did two lectures today, first was Called Scratch & Sniff, no what you are thinking but had to do with cat and dogs. Did you know that all calico cats are female? Did you know that all kittens are born with blue eyes? did you know that all Dalmatian puppies are born without spots? Or that a cats tongue was designed to comb and remove all smells of food from the fur, so they don’t get attacked themselves? Ok so now we all know!

 

For you poker players, I tried something today in an attempt to get a poker game started. (first live game that I know of this cruise) I sat at the empty table and asked the Casino host to announce that a game was about to start. Thats all it took here they came. within 5 minutes we had a game started. Bottom line if you want a game you almost have to start it yourself.

 

Tomorrow is our first port stop. Should have plenty to share after this unusual (for Princess) stop.

 

Out for now

[Cruzn ELM]

Thanks for the update. Have a wonderful day in Manzanillo today. I'm anxious to hear how it has changed since I was there 41 years ago (that's for your mother to determine since she was also there about that time).

[MTJSR]

Thanks for the update. Have a wonderful day in Manzanillo today. I'm anxious to hear how it has changed since I was there 41 years ago (that's for your mother to determine since she was also there about that time).

 

This is a great little port. Very picturesque, the people are real nice but in the shops the english is not so good. Tried to buy a camera case and the girl just would not sell it for USD and I was probably overpaying anyway. Mexican armed guards on the dock makes it feel 3rd world. Aside from that I could live here. Things are cheap. Five dollar seafood lunches, three nice t shirts for ten dollars etc. One noticeable difference here is the ship is in and no one cares. Locals just walking by carefree and no panhandlers.

 

I will have mom report on her feel for 41 years of difference. All is well, we haven't drove each other nuts yet. MDR Food is quite good on this ship!!!!

[MTJSR]

 

Hello Again!

 

Tonights MDR Dinner menu “ will report next time”

Horizon Courts outdoors menu: None scheduled

 

Dress Code is Smart Casual.

 

Today on Muts at 6pm: “Family Wii Challenge” at 7 & 9:30 “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”

 

Today was our first port stop at Manzanillo Mexico. I really liked this port. It’s multicolored houses/shacks give this port a Caribbean feel. I was prepared earlier to say that nobody panhandled here but later a polite 8 yr old boy with the most adorable smile asked if I had any money to share with him. I hate helping the panhandling problem, but he won me over on just being so demur and polite.

 

We ended up just walked around the main boulevard area and a few of the side streets, looking at what locals have available. This is not your traditional Mexican shopping stop. A grocery store and hardware store were highlights on this walking tour. Another high moment of sorts was a

Mexican police officer asked me if I wanted to sit on his Harley police bike and have my picture taken. (he saw me looking at his bike) Having never been asked that before, I took full advantage of the opportunity. He and most locals we spoke with, were just as nice as can be.

 

Sad fact, a large number of the homes in the area are just shacks on hilly cliffs. One whole area (the size of a football field) was devastated by a mud slide. The homes look like they are connected to each other as if to hang on.

 

Unlike other cruises I have taken, the main dining rooms second seating is mostly underused. It feels only 1/3rd full each night. We love it thou, it gives us plenty of time to have fun with our waiters. Our busboy has the most infectious giggle and with table mates from Australia dinner is pure comedy

 

For CruznELM: She’s wearing yellow again!!!!

 

Out for now

[partybarbie]

Sounds like a fun stop in Manzanillo. Did the ship offer tours as well? We are supposed to stop in Cabo in mid-November, but I'm hoping we stop here instead.

[nimiq]

Hello,

First thanks for sharing these moments and love reading about the Island as this will be the first time on her Oct 23rd cant wait.

 

Sea Ya

Eric

[sawtooth]

OP, was Manzanillo a substitute stop for Cabo which recently was devastated by Hurricane Odile, or was it always on the itinerary?

[MTJSR]

OP, was Manzanillo a substitute stop for Cabo which recently was devastated by Hurricane Odile, or was it always on the itinerary?

 

Manzanillo was a substitute stop for Cabo. As you say, the damage was the reason. After visiting Cabo twice in recent years, I think Princess should make Manzanillo a legit stop on all Panama Trips. Even extending the hours of the stop so people can go deep sea fishing or spend more time at the beach would be nice. This is the sailfish capital of the world, they say!

 

 

Eric, you are welcome. If you have a specific question, just ask! Personally, I am liking this ship alot. It has a small ship feel and has never felt crowded at all. Enjoy your trip.

[prouddad9]

First - THANKS for all the great info. and updates. I have a general question for you. Any reviews/comments about the on ship entertainment? We will be sailing Oct 12 and am curious about the quality and variety of of shows, singers, comedians, etc.

[augies]

Manzanillo was a substitute stop for Cabo. As you say, the damage was the reason. After visiting Cabo twice in recent years, I think Princess should make Manzanillo a legit stop on all Panama Trips. Even extending the hours of the stop so people can go deep sea fishing or spend more time at the beach would be nice. This is the sailfish capital of the world, they say!

 

 

Eric, you are welcome. If you have a specific question, just ask! Personally, I am liking this ship alot. It has a small ship feel and has never felt crowded at all. Enjoy your trip.

 

MTJSR...thanks for all the information. DH and I are on the Island Panama Canal partial transit on 12/29. There are still lots of cabins available and I'm a little nervous it might be too quiet with no one out on the decks like you reported. Are you still having fun? Are there people dancing in Explorers, etc.? I still have time to make a change.

Thanks for your comments. I hope you and your mom are having a wonderful cruise.

[Grand Laker]

Manzanillo was a substitute stop for Cabo. As you say, the damage was the reason. After visiting Cabo twice in recent years, I think Princess should make Manzanillo a legit stop on all Panama Trips. Even extending the hours of the stop so people can go deep sea fishing or spend more time at the beach would be nice. This is the sailfish capital of the world, they say!

 

 

Eric, you are welcome. If you have a specific question, just ask! Personally, I am liking this ship alot. It has a small ship feel and has never felt crowded at all. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the info. We have family from S. San Francisco on your cruise and we will be doing the same in Nov. Your posts have been very interesting. I'm kind of hoping we can go to Manzanillo, also. Enjoy and again, thanks!

[Kybabe]

MTJSR, will be on the Island in 10 days. Who is giving the lectures on the Panama Canal?

[MTJSR]

 

 

Hello Again!

 

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: I just found out, on the island princess they don’t always identify each meal with a theme as found on the grand class ships. It turns out every night the menu says “Princess Dinner”

 

Horizon Courts outdoors menu today: Fruit Buffett

 

Dress Code is: the 2nd Formal.

 

Today on Muts at 2:30pm: Movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at 6:15pm: “NFL Football Green Bay vs Minnesota” and at 9:45pm: Movie “Non Stop”

 

Quick note for those in 2nd seating, traditional dining. There are late show times that are designed for you. Like tonight, at 8:00 and 9:45pm The production show “Motor City” is presented. We had heard a rumor that 2nd seating diners got cut out of the major onboard production shows. Not true!

 

Satellite reception in this part of the world seems to be sketchy at night, at least the last two nights. Some of the TV shows just plain freeze up. Internet is very slow between 2 and 5 as usual.

 

We sailed south east today and had the Mexican coastline in sight all day. At 10:00 am we attended a port lecture on Costa Rica. The onboard port lecturer is Bill Keene and he is quite good. Part history lesson and lots of good pointers and details on what and where to do it. The dock there is over 2,000 feet long. All the tour busses park on the left side and the independent operators park on the right side and yes they come to the ship. Additionally there is a tram that travels back and forth between the ship and shore all day. Costa Rica’s main exports are bananas and Arabica coffee. San Jose is the capital and it is in the mountains north east of the pier. Yes, day trips are offered by Princess Shorex to San Jose.

 

This afternoon, we could here a small boat outside the balcony, it turned out to be a long boat with 4 guys in it making loud rodeo noises and they did a circle around the Island as we were moving along. Keep in mind the coast is about 20 plus miles away (my guess). I went down the hall to the Caribe secret back door onto the rear observation deck and security was there watching what they were doing. The guy said the radio alert was out to keep eyes on these guys before they call the Coast Guard if needed.

 

 

To Prouddad9: To be honest, I have attended zero shows so far. However, I do hear lots of comments and they are good. The production show “Motor City” seems to have positive reviews across the board. There is a comedian ventriloquist onboard named “Jerry Godspeed” who I hear is just hilarious. There are also a couple fantastic piano players as well. One young guy in the atrium plays a wide range of classics, but I seem to hear him playing elton john and billy joel songs. “Jason Neistadt” is a vocal impressionist, “Brandi Chapman” Entertainer (type unknown) and the production show “Do you wanna dance” in the Princess theater also gets positive reviews. I wish I had more details for you but were about half way into this cruise. Hope that helps!

 

To augies: We are actually having a great time relaxing on this cruise, thank you! It sounds like you are sailing over new years? You are in for a real treat then. That is usually one of the more popular times to be on a cruise. By choice I am staying away from the dancing, Zumba, pool parties, line dancing, trivia games, bingo, motown name that tune, art & crafts and other popular gatherings. But something is always going on. I just walked by the universe lounge (aft) and all sorts of people were ballroom dancing in there. You should have a great great time!

 

 

For CruznELM: In honor of you, no yellow today.

 

Out for now

Edited October 3, 2014 by MTJSR

[Nancyquilts]

Be sure not to miss the show" On the Bayou". We think it is the best production show Princess has done, and it's only on Coral and Island. I do hope it hasn't been abbreviated to half an hour.

[augies]

 

 

Hello Again!

 

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: I just found out, on the island princess they don’t always identify each meal with a theme as found on the grand class ships. It turns out every night the menu says “Princess Dinner”

 

Horizon Courts outdoors menu today: Fruit Buffett

 

Dress Code is: the 2nd Formal.

 

Today on Muts at 2:30pm: Movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at 6:15pm: “NFL Football Green Bay vs Minnesota” and at 9:45pm: Movie “Non Stop”

 

Quick note for those in 2nd seating, traditional dining. There are late show times that are designed for you. Like tonight, at 8:00 and 9:45pm The production show “Motor City” is presented. We had heard a rumor that 2nd seating diners got cut out of the major onboard production shows. Not true!

 

Satellite reception in this part of the world seems to be sketchy at night, at least the last two nights. Some of the TV shows just plain freeze up. Internet is very slow between 2 and 5 as usual.

 

We sailed south east today and had the Mexican coastline in sight all day. At 10:00 am we attended a port lecture on Costa Rica. The onboard port lecturer is Bill Keene and he is quite good. Part history lesson and lots of good pointers and details on what and where to do it. The dock there is over 2,000 feet long. All the tour busses park on the left side and the independent operators park on the right side and yes they come to the ship. Additionally there is a tram that travels back and forth between the ship and shore all day. Costa Rica’s main exports are bananas and Arabica coffee. San Jose is the capital and it is in the mountains north east of the pier. Yes, day trips are offered by Princess Shorex to San Jose.

 

This afternoon, we could here a small boat outside the balcony, it turned out to be a long boat with 4 guys in it making loud rodeo noises and they did a circle around the Island as we were moving along. Keep in mind the coast is about 20 plus miles away (my guess). I went down the hall to the Caribe secret back door onto the rear observation deck and security was there watching what they were doing. The guy said the radio alert was out to keep eyes on these guys before they call the Coast Guard if needed.

 

 

To Prouddad9: To be honest, I have attended zero shows so far. However, I do hear lots of comments and they are good. The production show “Motor City” seems to have positive reviews across the board. There is a comedian ventriloquist onboard named “Jerry Godspeed” who I hear is just hilarious. There are also a couple fantastic piano players as well. One young guy in the atrium plays a wide range of classics, but I seem to hear him playing elton john and billy joel songs. “Jason Neistadt” is a vocal impressionist, “Brandi Chapman” Entertainer (type unknown) and the production show “Do you wanna dance” in the Princess theater also gets positive reviews. I wish I had more details for you but were about half way into this cruise. Hope that helps!

 

To augies: We are actually having a great time relaxing on this cruise, thank you! It sounds like you are sailing over new years? You are in for a real treat then. That is usually one of the more popular times to be on a cruise. By choice I am staying away from the dancing, Zumba, pool parties, line dancing, trivia games, bingo, motown name that tune, art & crafts and other popular gatherings. But something is always going on. I just walked by the universe lounge (aft) and all sorts of people were ballroom dancing in there. You should have a great great time!

 

 

For CruznELM: In honor of you, no yellow today.

 

Out for now

 

Many thanks for your reply. Glad you're enjoying your cruise.

[Astro Flyer]

Be sure not to miss the show" On the Bayou". We think it is the best production show Princess has done, and it's only on Coral and Island. I do hope it hasn't been abbreviated to half an hour.

Definitely don't miss this show performed in the Universe Lounge. :)

[partybarbie]

Be sure not to miss the show" On the Bayou". We think it is the best production show Princess has done, and it's only on Coral and Island. I do hope it hasn't been abbreviated to half an hour.

 

I was on the Island last week and it's about 45 minutes.