Live from the island princess -sept 27 to oct 12

[sportsmum]

Thank you so much for the daily review! I love the Mutts list- super information.

 

Do you know, off hand, if you have had the twice baked goat cheese souffle on the menu yet? :)

[SeaMystique]

Hi,

How are you going about creating your blog -- from your own laptop or tablet, via an internet package? Or on the ship's computer by some other method?

We're booked on the Island Princess for 2/19/15 and wondering about internet use on board. I know you can buy a package up to 240 minutes, and that the package is usually a little cheaper if you buy on board. I'm assuming you may buy more than one package at a time, or do you just refill when your time is up?

Have you tried Skyping from the ship? I've read that it can be done.

Thanks! I live vicariously through you :)

[MTJSR]

To Sportsmum: I asked in the dining room tonight and the Twice Baked Goat Cheese Soufflé is served on the "Captains Dinner" menu later in this cruise. It has not been available as of yet.

 

 

Hi,

How are you going about creating your blog -- from your own laptop or tablet, via an internet package? Or on the ship's computer by some other method?

We're booked on the Island Princess for 2/19/15 and wondering about internet use on board. I know you can buy a package up to 240 minutes, and that the package is usually a little cheaper if you buy on board. I'm assuming you may buy more than one package at a time, or do you just refill when your time is up?

Have you tried Skyping from the ship? I've read that it can be done.

Thanks! I live vicariously through you :)

 

I/we are Platinum and Elite sharing a cabin. Each loyalty level comes with 250 free internet minutes. I am trying to write off line and then log on and post. So far very few questions so I am only on a short time. I have no idea just how much the internet minutes are but I have this one piece of advise. Go to the sites you may want to log onto while onboard, go as deep into the site as you need to get and then "Bookmark" that page. When you log on then, you can go right to that page without going thru the layers to get there. INTERNET IS SLOW, SLOWER AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

[Astro Flyer]

I know you can buy a package up to 240 minutes, and that the package is usually a little cheaper if you buy on board.

If you haven't viewed the internet packages available to pre-purchase you can see them here:

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/communications/index.jsp

 

I've never been charged for the "$3.95 One time activation fee" which I think is only for those who do not have an email account & establish one through the ship.

 

Here are the prices from my recent cruise:

100 minutes: $55

150: $75

250: $100

500: $175

 

The Patter for the 1st day advertised an "Embarkation Special" offering "up to 40 additional minutes free" but no mention about the type of package necessary to get that many minutes.

Edited October 4, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[SeaMystique]

Thanks for the tips! I've heard about the slow internet onboard, but we have to maintain some contact with home.

There's a long article in Forbes somewhere that I found on this site in some forum. I bookmarked it for future reference. The writer goes into every manner of ship-to-shore communication, and claims he was able to post to Facebook, send pictures home, receive emails with many attachments, etc., from his ship.

He also reported that a satellite phone was the cheapest way of making calls - this from a guy who was traveling with two unlocked cell phones!

Has anyone here ever used a satellite phone on a cruise? Was it purchased or rented? What was your experience like?

Thanks,

Sylvia

[sportsmum]

Thank You! I wrote down the Captains Dinner in my binder so I will NOT miss that one!

 

Also, thank you for the internet minute tips. I just realized we turned platinum on the last cruise and we'll get those too. If I hadn't been reading I wouldn't have clued in. :)

 

Love your review.

[RNGALNG]

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 agree! We saw it from upstairs. I think I would prefer to be on the main level and up front of possible. It was the best show we have ever seen on Princess and still talk about it years after our trip through the canal.

 

Your lecturer, Bill. Does he travel with his wife? I think he is the one who was on ours as well. (Coral) We loved his reports and never missed one of his lectures.

 

Enjoying reliving our trip through your eyes. Thanks for reporting.

 

Also, like your helpful hints for the computer. Trying to get online and stay on eats the minutes quickly! Easy to use up all your minutes before the end of a trip.

[Jasperdo]

Your lecturer, Bill. Does he travel with his wife? I think he is the one who was on ours as well. (Coral) We loved his reports and never missed one of his lectures.

Here's a photo of Bill Keene I took on the Coral Princess a few years ago. He was traveling with his wife then as well. I thought he was an excellent lecturer. He gave very detailed port talks with photos he took himself of useful things like taxi stands, bus stops, etc.

 

Coral Princess by Jasperdo, on Flickr

[Northender]

I am thoroughly enjoying this review. :):)

[MTJSR]

 

Hello Again!

 

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: TBD

 

Horizon Courts outdoors menu today: Port Day Nothing Planned

 

Dress Code is: Smart Casual

 

Today on Muts at 4:30pm: Concert “Mumford & Sons” at 6:00 & 9:00pm: Movie: “Transformers: Age of Extinction”

 

Today at approximately 6am, we pulled into San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. It all started out well, tenders were lowered and the shoreside landing spot setup. Shortly after that, the wind and waves started blowing and rolling at which point tender service was put on hold. All tour groups were waiting patiently in the Wheelhouse Bar for more information. Unfortunately, the rolling wave action never let up and boarding a tender would have been like boarding a ferris wheel while moving. The Captain announced that he made the toughest choice to cancel this port for safety reasons.

 

Just had a knock on the door, my room steward (anthony) handed me a “Revised Patter Activities” sheet. No changes to the MUTS schedule, but they added several port talks, dance classes and lotus spa sales opportunities. Im good thanks!

 

Yesterday was an interesting wildlife sighting day at sea. Many many reports of turtles in the water. We watched the flying fish and the birds dive bombing them next to the ship. Several groups of bottle nosed dolphins swam by and one whale was spotted.

 

Currently we are slowly moving along the coast towards Costa Rica.

 

Earlier I walked thru the Casino and a couple other poker players spotted me and requested that we get a poker game started. Why not, so we played about an hour before the game broke up. I tell this story as a I learned Princess has stopped offering Poker Tournaments onboard, at least on the Island Princess. The cocktail guy also said that they were very popular, not sure why that decision was made.

 

I have a question for seasoned Princess cruisers, we are signing up for “EZCheck” baggage transfer in Ft Lauderdale. We are flying Southwest and have paid for the “Early Bird” boarding pass option. Part of the EZCheck program is that Princess prints out your boarding passes for you. My question is; Is and does the boarding pass printed by Princess know we are on the Southwest early bird boarding program?

 

A question about our port lecturer Bill Keene was asked. This bill is one of two “BILLS” that give port talks on this itinerary The other Bill actually looks kinda like this bill and yes, this bill travels with his wife. He is a retired Architect, hobby historian and model train enthusiast. He does a great job!

 

Out for now

[jeeper2]

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.

 

Ditto! Do not miss this show! We agree that this is the best production Princess has done! I most recently saw it in May, and I do not remember the length of the performance. I've been to some half hour productions that lasted 15 minutes too long for me, but I would have been happy with more time "On the Bayou!"

[kenmerloo]

What kind of show is On The Bayou ?

[RNGALNG]

On the Bayou is a song and dance fest of wonderful music from the south. The costumes and set are the best. Very well done.

 

For the Op, when we did EZ check, we filled out a form that helped them with all of that so they should know your flight time (need to know that to get you your boarding passes.) Take the paper down to customer service and tell them about the early pass as well. I do not remember a place on the form for that. But, with the information you give them, they will get you off the ship early to get you to the airport on time. We have used this many times and have never been disappointed. Most of the time we arrive at the airport too early and then sit for hours before our flight. It is so nice to just be dropped off at the airport with documents in hand and just go through security! Makes coming back to reality a little easier!

[Carnevale]

Just booked today to be on the Oct 12 sailing...last minute as the HAL ship we were supposed to sail has a problem and is off to dry dock. So we are just starting to get to know more about the sailing and your comments on the ship are very helpful - Thx for all of the great info!

 

A couple of questions:

 

1. What brand of soaps & lotion is provided ( not sure if they vary by room type or not)?

 

2. We love to do ballroom dancing but not the ship's lessons. Have you seen much dancing?

 

3. Is the live music good?

 

Thx again!

[Seafoam Green]

Just booked today to be on the Oct 12 sailing...last minute as the HAL ship we were supposed to sail has a problem and is off to dry dock. So we are just starting to get to know more about the sailing and your comments on the ship are very helpful - Thx for all of the great info!

 

Nice save! Did HAL assist you in finding something in your timeframe or did you just book on your own?

 

Have fun and give us a review because we're loving reading about everyone's canal experiences while anticipating our own!

 

:D

[silverbird]

We are boarding the Island Princess on October 27 for a full transit of the Canal. Did you find the dining rooms to be a bit on the cool side? If so, I will pack long-sleeved items for the dinner hour.

 

Thanks in advance. I am so looking forward to this cruise!!

 

SilverBird

[Nancyquilts]

We are boarding the Island Princess on October 27 for a full transit of the Canal. Did you find the dining rooms to be a bit on the cool side? If so, I will pack long-sleeved items for the dinner hour.

 

Thanks in advance. I am so looking forward to this cruise!!

 

SilverBird

 

It's always good to have some cover-up available.

[preschool teacher]

they do a short cruise in-between that I will be on... I will keep it save for you!!!

[IBsaved]

Just booked today to be on the Oct 12 sailing...last minute as the HAL ship we were supposed to sail has a problem and is off to dry dock. So we are just starting to get to know more about the sailing and your comments on the ship are very helpful - Thx for all of the great info!

 

A couple of questions:

 

1. What brand of soaps & lotion is provided ( not sure if they vary by room type or not)?

 

2. We love to do ballroom dancing but not the ship's lessons. Have you seen much dancing?

 

3. Is the live music good?

 

Thx again!

 

We just got off the Island a week ago and they did not provide any lotion, one small bar of soap for the sink and the shower. They have bath gel and a shampoo and conditioner in one in pump bottles in the shower. I found the shampoo/conditioner to be terrible.

[Carnevale]

We just got off the Island a week ago and they did not provide any lotion, one small bar of soap for the sink and the shower. They have bath gel and a shampoo and conditioner in one in pump bottles in the shower. I found the shampoo/conditioner to be terrible.

 

Good to know....I will pack my own brands. Thx!

[MTJSR]

Short note, we had no internet all day yesterday and also the Island had "Technical Difficulties" and we were 7 hours late leaving Costa Rica yesterday. Everything seems fine today, however we are sailing into dark clouds at the moment. Might be a wild day. More later!

[MTJSR]

Hello Again!

 

 

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: “Princess Dinner”

 

Horizon Courts “Indoor” Theme yesterday: “Octoberfest” Today: “None showing”

 

Dress Code is: Smart Casual

 

Today on Muts at 3:00pm:Movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” at 7:15 NFL Football: “Seattle vs Washington”

 

Another Pub Lunch scheduled for today and the Crab Shack seems to be quite popular, totally booked for today and almost full for the next sea day after Aruba.

 

“NO INTERNET YESTERDAY”

 

Yesterday we were in Puntarenas Costa Rica. We docked around 4am and by the time we ventured outside, the dock was lined with tour busses on the left and private tour companies on the right.

 

We booked the river rafting tour with lunch afterwards. The bus was indeed waiting for us and within 10 minutes of our meet time, we departed the pier. The guide/host on the bus was just fantastic. Young guy who has a great love and knowledge of his country. The rafting itself was level “one” difficulty. Never did I feel we had a chance of falling out. In fact, I am willing to bet, this river has been modified, cleaned out, rocks positioned etc, just for tourists use. At first it felt like the River Cruise at Disneyland, guides knew exactly what animal was just around the corner and where to find it. Turns out they said that the Iguana, crocodiles, bats and monkeys are very territorial and can usually be found in the same area each day. Anyway, those are the animals we saw however we also saw a snake hanging in the tree with a baby crocodile in its mouth.

 

Ok, word of warning time, the raft trip we took will get you hot, wet and sweaty. You will wear a tight fitting life vest. Your feet/shoes will get soaking wet. It is also possible you will get into a water splashing fight with the other rafts. (Once on the ship, you cannot dry your shoes in the dryers and mine are still wet on the balcony. Too damp to dry with the humidity.) So for those taking any tour where getting wet is a possibility. Bring water shoes or junky old ones. I suggest if you have expensive sunglasses, you get a strap to prevent loosing them in the river. Be advised you are going to help row on the raft, walk 50 yards partially on bolder rocks at the start of the trip and 200 yards up a slight hill at the end. Some in our group may have been under prepared for this level of activity, but they got plenty of assistance.

 

Did you know?

 

Costa Rica (Rich Coast) grows coffee in the north and bananas on the Caribbean coast. Its number one export is????? “Technology” . Intel and others are here and knock agriculture out of the running for top export. Costa Rica has approx 150 volcanos, 7 are active. You will see 3 large ones on the raft tour we took. Sugar cane, rice, cattle and hay are grown along this stretch of the Pan American Hwy, used on this tour.

 

You will notice that every shack/home has a fence around it and every window has bars on them. This is not due to crime, Costa Rican’s define their property lines this way and adorn their window openings with ornate displays of metal work. Some have better taste than others. Our guide claims these are also a sign of economic status.

 

Education is free and to counter crowded classrooms, school is held twice a day. Some kids go in the morning and others in the afternoon. Income tax is 3%. 1% of that is for education. Puntarenas’ economy is based on tourism.

 

 

Today we are at sea. Seas are calm and the skies are cloudy. Rain is off and on.

 

Whatever mechanical problem we had in Costa Rica, was announced as repaired today by the Captain.

 

Today we were given a hour by hour schedule for our transit thru the Canal tomorrow. We will be going under the bridge towards the first lock at about 5:30-6am in the morning.

 

TO: SilverBird. The dining rooms are chilly.

 

TO: IBsaved. DITTO

 

 

Out for now

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks & we always have a great experience from Puntarenas CR...friendly people in a beautiful & safe country although like here is subject to a "quaky shaky" experience. We bought Espritu Santo peaberry coffee in Naranjo & our only regret is we didn't purchase more because they do not sell it in the US. :( We previously went to Café Britt which is available in the US & enjoyed both as much as 100% Kona coffee.

 

So you sailed on what they refer to as "cocktail water"! :p Thanks for the reminder about getting wet during water fights. ;)

[Kybabe]

What is the Crab Shack? I don't remember seeing that on the ship's information.

[Cruzn ELM]

MTJSR

 

How big was the snake that caught the alligator? Hope you got some pictures.

 

No "upgraded" toiletries because of your mothers elite status?

 

Have a great canal day tomorrow. Remember to move all around the ship, including to the atrium while going through the locks and to the aft while the locks are closing. Anxious to hear all about it.