Crown Princess ABC islands Jan 12 to 20, 2018

[vickila]

Absolutely loved the early morning promenade deck walk. I felt I was there, hearing the ocean. It brought back many fond walk memories as also my favorite thing to do. Just thought you would like to know that others enjoy and appreciate your unusual videos of sounds and unusual things. Enjoying this review. Vicki

 

 

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[Bimmer09]

Dinner and a Show

Dinner and we are back to Da Vinci having made a reservation for 8 p.m. Table for two.

 

We both enjoy Rotelle pasta with Oxtail ragu

 

 

I have the surf and turf-a petite filet with prawns. Yummy.



 

Carol had a salad as an entree. I should mention (nudged by Carol's notes) that we had visited Trident Grill before the rains came and enjoyed their excellent knockwurst, sauerkraut and fries and followed that a couple of hours later with Afternoon Tea so we weren't super ravenous.

Which explains my Sambuca and double espresso (Coffee Card used) for dessert while Carol had the almond toffee ice cream.

 

Tonight's show was Sweet Soul Music- instantly recognizable hits from the 60's and 70's so think Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder ,Temptations. All singing all dancing and the usual high energy.

An expectant audience for the 10 p.m show

 

 

 

 

More...

[Bimmer09]

Live band on stage

 

 

Lots of color and costume changes



 

 



 

 



 

 

Mood change



 

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[Bimmer09]

The audience has got on its feet following an invitation from the stage to do just that

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

and it's over. The big guy at the front has a big voice.



 

As we sit near the back we are soon out of the theater without being trampled and Corey is already in the hallway thanking people for coming. Carol tells him we are going to the Stargazing. He says "Oops that's me! See you up there"

[Bimmer09]

STARGAZING

 

We take a crowded elevator up to deck 16 and exit by the Lotus Spa. This is my usual route to get to Tradewinds in the afternoon. Then we take the stairs up to deck 17 and stand around while the rest of the Stargazers arrive.

 

Corey is the MC and has a green laser pointer with maybe a 1,000 foot beam (my tape measure was in the cabin). He will tell us what we are seeing but is assisted (or hindered) by a recorded voice of some astrophysicist who will ramble on about the ancient Greeks and their myths. It's possible that a lot of Ouzo was consumed while pondering the stars way back then.

The deck lights are dimmed so we can see better

 

Occasional clouds pass over the ship but we do get to see many stars and recognizable groupings like the Big Dipper/ Plough aided by Corey's pointer. Did I photograph them? No, not with my small lenses and on a ship moving at 20 knots. Even a tripod wouldn't have helped.



 

 



 

We were enjoying the atmosphere up here, pondering the stars as those Greeks did only without the booze. It all ended suddenly as the gods decided it was time to rain on Corey's parade and now came the drizzle. I packed up the cameras and we got off deck 17 and down to shelter at Tradewinds and from there back into an elevator and back to our cabin.

This was something we enjoyed and if you are wondering if it is wheelchair accessible-yes it is as there is a small elevator on the port side of Tradewinds that only goes from 16 to 17. They use it to ferry towels and the Afternoon Tea up to the Sanctuary.



That's the end of Sunday night, January 14th our third night on the ship and I was excited for Monday as we would be in Curacao! One of my favorite islands.

[Bimmer09]

Absolutely loved the early morning promenade deck walk. I felt I was there, hearing the ocean. It brought back many fond walk memories as also my favorite thing to do. Just thought you would like to know that others enjoy and appreciate your unusual videos of sounds and unusual things. Enjoying this review. Vicki

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Vicki, thanks for the kind comments. Glad to have you along!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

MONDAY, MONDAY

We have an excursion this morning at 8.45 a.m and I am up around 6 and heading up to Tradewinds for coffee. Before 6 I take the aft elevator to Horizon Court buffet on 15, get my cup of joe (odd expression) and walk along Lido deck and up the stairs to Tradewinds.

6 a.m and I can take this long corridor to the forward elevators.





 

 

The red border on the carpet tells me I am on the port side of the ship (blue on starboard side)

Curacao Ahoy!

 

 

Pullmantur's Monarch is ahead of us



 

 

The first glimmers of sun



 

 



 

 

[CineGraphic]

Corey had two stargazing events on our cruise in December, one during a meteor shower, lots of oooohs, and ahhhhhs.

At the time he was only using a small LED flashlight, but he told us about the green laser he would be getting soon, but due to numerous safety concerns, they were having trouble shipping it.

The second night, we opted to forgo the headphones and just laid on the sun deck away from the crowd.

[WisCruiser2]

Don't let the sun go down on me

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4666/...ceaa90e8_b.jpg

 

Love your sunset photos, Sir Elton! But then I'm a sunset junkie, too. Sure hope the Stargazing is offered when we're on this itinerary in 8 days!

[Jasperdo]

This was something we enjoyed and if you are wondering if it is wheelchair accessible-yes it is as there is a small elevator on the port side of Tradewinds that only goes from 16 to 17. They use it to ferry towels and the Afternoon Tea up to the Sanctuary.

Here's a photo I took of that elevator of the Ruby Princess:

[Bimmer09]

Corey had two stargazing events on our cruise in December, one during a meteor shower, lots of oooohs, and ahhhhhs.

At the time he was only using a small LED flashlight, but he told us about the green laser he would be getting soon, but due to numerous safety concerns, they were having trouble shipping it.

The second night, we opted to forgo the headphones and just laid on the sun deck away from the crowd.

he

 

There were two Stargazing shows shows that Sunday night-one at 7 and ours at 11. No headphones just a PA system. It's an event we would do again- a nice shared experience with other people who are fascinated by the vastness of space. I was dazzled in the 1980's by seeing Carl Sagan's Cosmos TV show when I was living in London and stars were hard to see there. I recorded every episode.

Kudos to Princess on the Stargazing!

Norris

[perfect match]

It was an excellent show, and weird that I noticed the yacht. Hope you enjoyed it!

 

Trip

 

I enjoyed it enough that, acter seeing your post, I found that the show would be playing again. I recorded it for a second time on my DVR so I could go back and look for the yacht, which I will do as soon as I find the time.

 

Nortis, those sunset pictures are beautiful!

[PrincessDano]

Hi Norris, all caught up. Great review and pictures, look forward to more. We were on the Caribbean Princess January 13 for the 14 days so I just have caught up on your review!

 

Diane

[cruisehappy001]

Here's a photo I took of that elevator of the Ruby Princess:

 

Bimmer09, (Norris)

 

Thanks for another one of your great Cruise Reports with wonderful pictures, and thanks to Jasperdo for sharing his picture from his vast collection here. I have been following along quietly. This reply does not really pertain to the ship that Norris is on, but I thought I would share the following about the Handicapped Accessibility of Stargazing on Royal Class ships for people's information.

 

I wish that the Royal Princess had a similar Lift setup for the highest deck given that it is one of Princess's newer ships, but we were disappointed (Bummed is a less harsh word I guess!) to discover that this was not the case. On our recent cruise on the Royal Princess my Mom was really very interested in going to the Stargazing and several other events events that were held on the 19th Deck - Sky. We did try to make our way there for an event, and we did manage to find a Tiny (2 Person, that said holds 4 LOL!) Aft Handicap Lift (which most of the staff that we asked said did not exist!!!) from the 17th Deck - Sun to the the 18th Deck - Sports, but it did not continue up to the Lawn Court and Sun Deck up on 19. I am guessing that they did not do it because of financial reasons, but it was a bummer that disabled individuals who just can't do stairs are unable to attend some great events and programs up there on the 19th Deck.

 

Sorry to jump in on the thread, but I thought that it would be good for people to know this fact if they are considering Stargazing or other activities on the Royal Princess that are up on the top deck. I am not sure if this follows on the following Royal class ships or not.

 

Happy Cruising!!!!

 

Mark

Edited February 3, 2018 by cruisehappy001

[Bimmer09]

 

We are slowly approaching Curacao's capital Willemstad and I have enough time to pop into the buffet for a plate of food. We are off the ship and meeting a tour guide at 8.45 a.m. Carol plans to eat at the IC as she'll be waking at 7, around the time we tie up.

The buffet seems shockingly small and tight compared to the Regal but the food is good

and having a waiter quickly bring me coffee and OJ (Simpson but I had no time to talk to him) saved me some precious minutes. I needed to eat fast to (a) get it while it was hot and (b) get back outside with the camera incase there would be a good sunrise.

 

 

Clean plate and back on deck.

SUNRISE



 

 



 

 



 

More...

[Bimmer09]

 

 

My immediate plan was to go down to deck 7, Promenade deck and then walk up the forward stairs to deck 8 to the bow to watch us come to the dock and see the mooring operation.

The sun was rising but the color was dissipating as the sun got higher so now I could get closer to the water and focus on the land that was revealing itself.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

(3 pics stitched together in Lightroom)

 

 



 

 

Monarch (formerly Monarch of the Seas) is already moored downtown



 

 



 

 

The chimney stacks pinpoint the giant oil refinery



 

 

[Bimmer09]

The forward lines will be taken by a boat to that concrete structure in the center of the photo

 

 

 

 

 

...and we are moored. Video to follow!

[Bimmer09]

While we are waiting for the mooring video to upload to Youtube I'll tell you about our excursion today.

It was chosen by Carol, from the offerings in our Cruise Personalizer when we were back in Chicago a few weeks before sailing. She wanted to go to an Ostrich farm. I immediately was enthused imagining those noble big cats with their orange and white stripes crouching in the jungle, their claws flexing for the kill and their mighty fangs flashing as they eye their prey.

"No, you're thinking of Tigers" said Carol and showed me a picture of an Ostrich. Really?

I tried to talk her out of it but her mind was set.

Our tour would take 3 hours but it wasn't all Ostrich time. We would also visit the studio of a famous sculptor out in the countryside. I liked the idea of being out in the countryside.

Once back at the ship we would stroll into town and have lunch at a place we booked on line which would be right by the berth place of the Monarch and afford us a view of the magnificent colored buildings that feature in every Curacao postcard. Then a visit to the oldest Synagogue in the Western hemisphere followed by my favorite pastime = sitting by the water with a beer and a cigarette watching the world go by. My evening plan was to pop ashore with the tripod and take some pics of the ship lit up in the dark.

I was looking forward to this day as I like the look of Curacao and of Willemstad in particular and we wouldn't be sailing until late which I believe was 9.30 p.m. Hooray for late sailings!

This would be my third cruise visit to Willemstad and Carol's second as we were here on the Crown back in January 2012.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

MOORING VIDEO

First thing you'll notice is that I got the docking time wrong-it was 8 a.m and not 7 as I had said earlier. I had been wondering why we didn't eat breakfast at Da Vinci after docking but now I know. We had to be on the pier at 8.45, ready to excurge.

37GW6mkfGik

 

 

Norris

[Deck Chair Queen]

Carol here. I am seeing Norris’s photos and videos for the first time and I am blown away. Especially the sunrises, sunsets (see I can do music cues too). I wanted to clarify a few things. First, the adult pool just below the Sanctuary is open to anybody not just Sanctuary customers. And no wave machine in this one and pretty lame hot tubs as in not very hot. I know the Sanctuary is a splurge but just having a quiet comfy spot where you don’t have to fight for a deck chair and 99% of the people are reading or listening to music through headphones (1% annoying chatterboxes) is so wonderful. In fact all the time I spend outdoors on the ship is either in the Sanctuary or on our balcony, with the promenade deck for sunsets. You’re just not conscious there are 3,000 people on the ship. Second, the reason I had a word with the CD after the “opera” show was to suggest either a handout or an announcement putting the music in context. It went from a seductive Spanish song (in French) from Carmen to a drinking song in Italian from La Traviata to a fiendishly difficult coloratura aria in German from The Magic Flute. Three different languages and three different composers. No identification or plot summary. This is one of the things that puts people off about trying opera—makes them feel excluded. I’d be happy to write something for him if he gets in touch. Third I’m dressed extra casually because I was trying to keep up my pitiful treadmill routine (half an hour at a very slow pace) on the sea days. The gym was always packed and I even had one strapping youth shove the old lady out of his way to get an open machine ahead of me! I don’t think Norris used the gym so there is some insight from me—be prepared to be aggressive!

 

 

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[Bimmer09]

As we are going to be off the ship for quite a few hours today and as you are not I will leave you with the Patter while we are gone. That's coming up later.

We met on shore, Carol coming from her breakfast in the International Cafe where she enjoyed a yogurt granola parfait, walnut banana bread and a fruit plate and me from the cabin having had my camcorder charging there via the USB on my computer. Including my phone I had 5 cameras with me. Only the GoPro stayed home.

Stepping onto the dock gave me my first look at the Crown who had just brought us 1300 miles.

 

 

I have gotten in line for our tour. Overcast but warm on the dock.

 

 



 

 

Maybe YOU are in one of these shots?



 

 

I visit Carol at her nearby bench leaving my camera bag holding my place







She is one long ship



 

 

Up ahead stand the ship's photographers

[Bimmer09]

We always stop with the ship's photographers as long as they have made the effort to dress up as pirates, lumberjacks or even ostriches. If they are not dressed in costume we walk on past.

 

 

It was warm and breezy on the dock hence my bad hair morning.

 

 



 

 



 

I was sorry to see one of the pirates had lost his right hand. I told him about the Medical Center on deck 4. I saw him on the ship a couple of days later and the hook was gone and replaced with a working appendage. I told him he could charge the surgery to my cruise card and now I am fighting with Princess over the bill as it seems a tad high. Lesson learned.

[Bimmer09]

CURACAO PATTER

 

 



 

 



 

 

[Bimmer09]

OUT OF WILLEMSTAD

As you saw from the dock photos we were the last in line of a small tour group and this we like when it comes to getting bus seats as the back ones are usually the last to be taken. That means we can hopefully get two seats each and I won't have to sit so close to the window and use a pocket Canon to take pics out the window. I can use my main camera and use a high shutter speed to take pics that don't show the blur of trees etc.

So I get to use the Canon 6D Mk II. Hoorah!

I also say Yippee! as we will be crossing the mighty, lofty, Queen Juliana Bridge high above the city. We have never been over it before but today we are so over it!

Our guide was Nell (Dutch) and the driver was Kenneth

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

Monarch looks pretty slick for a ship built in 1991