Live from the Sea Princess!

[Knuklehead]

Greetings from sea . Like the boat . The pursers desk said that no alternative cabins were available as the ship was full . BALONEY I say . There looked to be plenty , maybe more than 50 empty the day before we left . The good stuff is likely gone though . No matter , I like what we have . Close to the buffet . So important . Shared a very nice window table ( for 6 ) last night with an older couple from NYC and another couple from somewhere in the UK . He was able to tell me a little about the pirate radio movement when it started in the UK years ago . Lots of laughs . Food was very good . Had the prime rib . What else is there ? It came out nicely medium rare . Ordered the ceaser ( with anchovies ).Porchinni Mushroom soup !!!! Had this creampuff thing for dessert . UMMM . Very nice service . Virgin Atlantic ( from SFO ) was pretty good . They have great entertainment centers in the seats . Plenty of recent movies and some TV shows . Including the Simpsons . Watched "The longest Yard " . Pretty funny . NO sleep for 10 hours .The seats are a bit crammed . Got a little concerned about customs at Heathrow . Was afraid to bring in more than the 2 litres of wine allowed (PP) so I left about six bottles behind . Brought the beer . Figured if I lost it I could still live . Turned out you can walk right by on the side that sezz " nothing to declare " . Who me ? Checked out the Tom Jones from Cardiff Wales last night on the MUTS .He really is a hoot . KILLER BAND . Horns , chick singers , red hot guitars and bass player . He's still got it .Did some great rock stuff . Ottis Redding's " Too Hard To Handle " comes up in the start of the show , so don't be late . I don't think there were fifty people out there to watch it. The sound system is first rate on the MUTS .Weather was good . Got a blanket . Got wet ass from the lounge pad though . Coming into Cork now . Gotta stay off the computer , FAT CHANCE .

[SF]

Glad to hear you're having a good time and thanks again for keeping us updated.

[susancruzs]

seems like Knuklehead and I were watching Tom Jones on the MUTS together!

It was a great show and there were not many people there at all!

 

This cruise is a way quieter crowd than last week, not many people out and about in the evenings!

 

The meals are still very good, our table always orders a variety and no one has been disappointed.

 

I really enjoyed Piano Man the other night, an excellent show, not to be missed!

 

I still have to check on the pursor, I'll do that, I promise. Knuklehead posted that I was quite useless on our roll call post but really don't want to spend my whole time at the computer!

 

Ciao for now! Susie

[Knuklehead]

I was just giving you guff .We hadn't heard from you in a while , that's all . ;) I can't blame you for not spending more time on line . Last night , ( Tues. ) we got north of Scotland and the seas started rolling pretty bad . Force 8 overnight . Didn't think all that much of the lobster thermidor . I had the torrniedoes of beef . The beef has been very good on al nights . Last night I got a side of this pasta with veal sauce that is one of the best things they do . Today at lunch , ( I finnally got to the sitdown lunch ) the Ossobucco ( veal shank ) was absolutely delicious .On Monday we tried Sterlings . Seems like there are plenty of tables . They close off one side of the buffet so you do not even hear the clatter and chatter from that . Many of the tables are on the windows so it was nice to cruise out of Dublin chowing on the 22 oz. Porterhouse .She had the fillet mingnon , comes in a 8 oz prinncess cut or a 10 oz Sterling cut . You can get the New York in a strip cut or bone in . And they serve a Rib Eye . Side dishes were all good Spinach and great mushrooms . Baked potatoes came out with the sour cream already on but that's nothing too major . Very well worth the money . Can't say a lot more about the entertainent but have heard good things . I'm getting more of a kick out of listening to the brits we keep getting at our tables . Last night we had a lady who sounded exactly like Dame Edna . Weather was sheer luck in both Cork and Dublin ,today it's cool and don't expect much warm weather until maybe New Foundland . Cheers

[Knuklehead]

Missed breakfast . Went to the sitdown lunch . Tried the production show tonight " Shake Rattle and Roll " went late , left quick . Didn't seem to thrilling . Small band and singers doing R&R oldies . Pharoe Islands were some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen . Did not take any tour , there was a free shutle into town . Walked around , talked to a very nice gentleman who was a resident . As the ship left some guy did a mini fireworks show from the shore . The charges were going of right in the sky in front of us . The sailaway was when I could se a lot of the amazing geology of the place . Seas are calmer than they were last night and away we go .

[LARGIN]

Glad you all are having a great time... My cousin and his wife are on the Sea now.. If you run into a Barbara and Bill and their family from the SF Bay Area say hello and tell them that Larry & Ginger say hello..

[wrkfire911]

My family and I are sailing the Sea this coming April...I know it's a ways out but I'm curious to find out any information about the casino...have or do you frequent it? if so, I'd like to know what kind of slot machines they have and I'm MOST interested to find out if they have any nickel or penny slots and which games (these are a video reel slot that have bonus games on them unlike the traditional quarter slots with 7's and fruit)

 

 

Thanks for any information you can help with!!!

 

 

Life Is Best When Your Address Floats

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Wrkfire911, can't tell you the slot details because I don't recall (we sailed on Sea Princess in May/June), but I can tell you the casino is a real disappointment! It's very small, with half the room no longer a casino, just tables and chairs parked there. I was told that because the British in general don't like to gamble, they took a lot of the equipment out. They indicated that once the ship moved to Fort Lauderdale this fall that that more things would be added, but someone I know that sailed on Sea Princess earlier this month said that's not the case. Supposedly even though the ship will be operating out of the U.S., advertising will still focus on the British market. Casino employees (which I guess are from a different company and are not ship's employees) are not happy because they depend on tips and with so little gaming, they're not getting much. I recall only one roulette wheel, no craps table and maybe only 2-3 blackjack tables. Wouldn't swear to the numbers, but there wasn't much.

 

BobK/Orlando

[Globaliser]

I was told that because the British in general don't like to gamble, they took a lot of the equipment out. They indicated that once the ship moved to Fort Lauderdale this fall that that more things would be added, but someone I know that sailed on Sea Princess earlier this month said that's not the case. Supposedly even though the ship will be operating out of the U.S., advertising will still focus on the British market.

I remember noticing this when I was on her as Adonia. The casino layout was very different from that depicted on deck plans for the Sun-class ships. This made sense, considering the relative lack of enthusiasm for casinos amongst Brits.

 

When she reverted to being Sea Princess, I expected that the old casino stuff would be put back, and was surprised to see that it hadn't been. If anything, there was even less casino equipment and tables than there had been as Adonia - but the layout had been changed so it was difficult to tell.

 

Considering that the aim seems to be to keep the ship roughly 2/3 UK pax and 1/3 US pax even after she goes to the Caribbean, it may well be that this will not be changed. But we will have to see.

[johnmik1]

Wrkfire911, can't tell you the slot details because I don't recall (we sailed on Sea Princess in May/June), but I can tell you the casino is a real disappointment! It's very small, with half the room no longer a casino, just tables and chairs parked there. I was told that because the British in general don't like to gamble, they took a lot of the equipment out. They indicated that once the ship moved to Fort Lauderdale this fall that that more things would be added, but someone I know that sailed on Sea Princess earlier this month said that's not the case. Supposedly even though the ship will be operating out of the U.S., advertising will still focus on the British market. Casino employees (which I guess are from a different company and are not ship's employees) are not happy because they depend on tips and with so little gaming, they're not getting much. I recall only one roulette wheel, no craps table and maybe only 2-3 blackjack tables. Wouldn't swear to the numbers, but there wasn't much.

 

BobK/Orlando

Bob,I don't know who told you that the British don't like to gamble as they are the most notorious gamblers in the world.You can get odds on any event in Great Britain. Also,think about Lloyds of London!

[susancruzs]

The casino is nothing to rave about that's for sure! Also, because they made a bigger internet room near the library (for classes) they put tables for cards and games on one half of the casino!

 

The machines are mostly old (no Dig the Pig, or Stampede video types), I don't recall seeing penny, they do have nickel, not many and some people seem like they are permanently glued there!!! :-) I have my favorite 25 cent ones that give you a free play BUT early in the cruise they were hitting 10 and 15 free plays, now no matter what it is always 5.

 

Iceland was great, did a rental with 6 others and we managed to do the Blue Lagoon (wonderful), geyser and waterfall! The ship tours were expensive and not one (even the one over 150) did not include all 3 things. Blue Lagoon is bigger than I expected, and just super. Geyser spouted for us as we got there and the waterfalls were gorgeous, huge! Did this in rain, which was off and on all day long.

 

Now I have 7 days left out of 21 and the biggest decision I have to make is whether to eat in the buffet or dining room, I like it! :-) Not sure if I will tour in St. John's Newfoundland, maybe, maybe not! Isn't life grand! :-)

 

More later if the connection holds up!

 

Susie

[DougH]

Glad to hear that the fun continues Susie. I've always wanted to visit Greenland and Iceland, maybe someday.

 

Doug

[Knuklehead]

The Casino has only two blackjack tables . They have one for three card poker , whatever that is . Blackjack dealt from 8 decks in a shoe . No crap table . No indoor pool . Hot tubs on all princess ships are not kept really hot . Self serve laundry on Sea Princess is pretty crappy . One set of machines ( 1 washer 1 dryer ) on each deck . Almost impossible to find them clear on sea days . Food is seeing some cost cutting going on . Most of my bitching has to do with the breakfast in the Horizon court . The sausage has been lousy . They are using some sort of filler in it that just doesn't seem very good . I tried most of them including the English , American and other various types . All were tasteless and some slightly mealy . They do serve the lox style smoked salmon most days . Had a lemon tart today for dessert at lunch . It was served with a merange ( spelling ? ) , it was frozen . BLAHHH .They did a comedy show last night . I thought there was a pro comediene . It was J J the cruise director and some of the crew doing some hokey audience participation bits . One thing called the baloon game was pretty funny . The whole thing went downhill after that . One of the guys who came on stage slipped a joke in on JJ which , to JJ's credit he let him do the punchline . The guy asked JJ , " why does the ocean roar ? " JJ say's , " OK , I can hardly wait , why ? " . " If you had that many crabs , you'ld roar too " . The whole thing seemed pretty chintsy . I think they could get a few more pro performers . Ther is a guitar player tonight that looks to be pretty good .Wheather is not great but may be clear tommorow for the Sund in Greenland . Looks like the hurricane is going right up through Newfounland about the time we get there . This could be trouble . The Island was a bit bigger ship and still my favorite . There is a lot of water out here .

[Nova Scotia]

Hey folks, sorry to butt in on your thread, but thought those on board may like to hear an update.

 

It has certainly lost a lot of punch since hitting the Carolina's. We are waiting for Ophelia to come on shore in Nova Scotia today/this evening, and track over us and then head on to Newfoundland. As it travels over us today and tonight it is espected to loose more power and be graded to a post tropical storm. It looks like central and west coast of Newfoundland will get the most rain and wind.

 

We are supposed to get between 50-100 ml of rain and winds up to 90 km gusts, but so far we aren't seeing much except the rain right now.

 

When are you in Newfoundland? It should be over by Monday night and the forecast looks good after that.

 

Hope this helps a bit.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

johnmik1 stated: Bob,I don't know who told you that the British don't like to gamble as they are the most notorious gamblers in the world.You can get odds on any event in Great Britain. Also,think about Lloyds of London!

 

I don't disagree. That's just what a crewmember on the ship told me. It's just a stereotype that the British are quiet and conservative! All the Brits I know are wild and crazy and fun!! But perhaps when it comes to casino gambling, they're too smart to drop a lot of cash.

 

Here's the latest track on Ophelia.

http://hurricane.terrapin.com/ATL-16A/ctrack.html

 

BobK/Orlando

[skybuffalo]

Nova Scotia,
Thanks for the update. We will be coming up next month and were wondering how the storm was doing.

It is appreciated. Ron

[Nova Scotia]

Skybuffalo, when are you heading to Nova Scotia, and where abouts? If you need any info let us know. Fall is a great time here and lots to do.

Well Tropical Storm Ophelia pretty much broke up before it hit us. We got a lot of rain but not much wind. They are saying the storm fragmented, so hopefully nothing for the folks on the Sea now to worry about.

Is the Sea stopping in Halifax on this trip? I do have the schedule and it's stopping on the 29th, is that you folks?

[Franknca]

We will be on the Sea Princess for two of 3 upcoming cruises. The first is a repositioning from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale from Oct 24-Nov 5. The second will be a 14 day Caribbean cruise embarking on March 11th. I sure hope they have a decent casino as we like to spend a few evenings there but that's not the reason we cruise. I've seen both good and bad comments about the food but I trust we'll be pleased. We'll have some cool evenings on the first cruise but I expect the Caribbean will be better for seeing MUTS.

I'm looking forward to some feedback from the New England cruises that are now taking place.
Frank-in-CA

[skybuffalo]

Ken and Pat,
On the Sea Princess, the wife and I will be arriving in Halifax Oct 19. We are pretty excited about this port since I am a Titanic history buff. In the morning we will do the Halifax by Trolley (to make the wife happy) and that afternoon the Treasures of RMS Titanic (to make me happy).

Thank you for the update. Ron

[Nova Scotia]

Have a great time in Halifax. On my drive to work every morning I drive along the Dartmouth side of the harbour and look over at the cruise ship dock in Halifax dreaming of our next cruise. Seeing the Sea Princess will be exciting since we will be doing the 14 day Caribbean in April aboard her. Wave to Dartmouth around 7:45 I will wave back.

Any feedback will be appreciated. Have a great cruise!

[ajl111]

Did anyone say who the purser/passenger services director was? Did I miss it? Thanks!

[skybuffalo]

Ken & Pat,
You have a deal. I will be the one with the big grin :)

Ron

[Knuklehead]

Weather has varied .The day spent on the Prince William Sund was maybe the best day I'll ever have on a ship . We had a very , very , rare crystal clear day with pond flat water . The ship stopped and sent out one of the tender boats to take some photos . They are for sale on the ship here and I think I will take the 3 for $19.99 deal . They are done with a panoramic lense and are really choice . Our own shots came out very well also . Some rain and high wind but both days in Ireland were sunny and warm . The stop in Quackotoch , Greenland saw some sun as well . And I got some tasty Tuborg pilsner at the local store .The ship leaves a bit to be desired but all in all it's OK . We have had little or no satelite TV for 3 days straight .Internet has been down a lot but that's just the way it is at sea . Last night they had to cut short our stop in Newfoundland by two hours so as to beat a quick getaway from an approaching storm . The entertainers that were to board the ship had flight problems and missed the boat . So we had no scheduled comedy for wed. night . The cruise directer , J.J. King had to come up with something fast so he bills himself as the star . I thought I'd go see it ,just for the trainwreck . Well, he actually pulled it off quite well for at least the late show . He did 7 or 8 songs , backed up by the Sea Princess Orchestra ( these guys are great ) and and handeld some minor heckling to save the day . The guy CAN sing .In Newfoundland , you can walk from the port to I think,the oldest church in north America . They also have completed a brand new museum . $5.00 Canadian . I would not have found this had it not been for the advice of one of the very helpful natives . Food has been very good every day . No all day pizza by the pool like every other Princess ship I have been on .Today at lunch in the buffet , lamb shanks and tempura fried shrimp . Damn good . Last night , Rack of Lamb and a side of King Crab legs . I look like a beached whale laying on the bed at night . We are on the Aloha deck which makes it easy to serve the lady breakfast in bed . And yes ,this has helped promote the "heat between the sheets " . Can't add a lot more right now . It's lobster tails again tonight !!!! Maybe do one more post on this ship when I get home . :) :)

[Franknca]

I'm at a loss. Are you on a repositioning cruise that ends up in New York on Saturday the 24th? That's when Princess shows the Sea Princess sailing from NY to Quebec City.
Frank-in-CA

[Ibrasu]

On our first cruise, the old Pacific in ?1988, JJ King actually was the star entertainer ... and very good too. Bill Allison was the cruise director (anyone remember him? Once seen, never forgotten!) with Keith Cox as assistant and his wife as the female singer. One of the dancers was the boy who had done the Hershey Bar Kid advertisements. During really terrible weather (does JJ attract it?) this dancer injured his leg really badly and spent the rest of his evenings learning to deal in the "casino" (a total of only two tables if I remember rightly) amid a great deal of laughter and fun. Can't see that happening now ........
Ibrasu