Live feed from the Grand Princess 9/25 and 9/30 cruises

[AF-1]

2 hours ago, brisalta said:

 

Speed reductions in that area are due to regulations to protect migrating whales. It is a rule that went into effect in the past several years.

Does the speed restriction apply to all ships incoming and outgoing for this area?  Is that correct?

[dskenn]

@fabby50  Thank you for the information from your room steward about leaving the ship.

 

Anyone on the ship--Can you ask-  If staff could go to Walmart what they would want?

Edited September 27, 2021 by dskenn

[gmcwalker]

The Captain has just announced that we have 1,017 passengers and 1,100 crew. We will arrive in Cabo at 1:30 tomorrow perhaps earlier with an update tomorrow morning.

Tonight is Formal night with the crew in tuxes and about 40% of the people in the dining room dressed up when I checked it out earlier. 

The main entree's are Medallions of Beef, Roast Lamb, Roasted Red Snapper, Sautéed Shrimp in Coconut Sauce, Duck a l'Orange and a Spinach-Potato Flan! Sorry folks no Prime Rib or Lobster yet!

Horizon Court is featuring Medallions of Beef with a cheddar mashed potato. I did smell onions and peppers sizzling as I walked by so they might also be serving fajitas.

As for the Craft Beer update. I did find Sam Adams Lager and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Unknown beers to me were (rarely ever happens) Piraat Belguim Triple, Tiger Beer, Gulden Draak 9000 Quad. 

The Medallion app onboard has worked great every time I have used it today. No more waiting in line for food or drink while on deck, a great improvement as now I don't waste time and enjoy my cruise even more.

Time to get ready for dinner. Over and out!

[dskenn]

40 minutes ago, gmcwalker said:

The Captain has just announced that we have 1,017 passengers and 1,100 crew. We will arrive in Cabo at 1:30 tomorrow perhaps earlier with an update tomorrow morning.

Tonight is Formal night with the crew in tuxes and about 40% of the people in the dining room dressed up when I checked it out earlier. 

The main entree's are Medallions of Beef, Roast Lamb, Roasted Red Snapper, Sautéed Shrimp in Coconut Sauce, Duck a l'Orange and a Spinach-Potato Flan! Sorry folks no Prime Rib or Lobster yet!

Horizon Court is featuring Medallions of Beef with a cheddar mashed potato. I did smell onions and peppers sizzling as I walked by so they might also be serving fajitas.

As for the Craft Beer update. I did find Sam Adams Lager and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Unknown beers to me were (rarely ever happens) Piraat Belguim Triple, Tiger Beer, Gulden Draak 9000 Quad. 

The Medallion app onboard has worked great every time I have used it today. No more waiting in line for food or drink while on deck, a great improvement as now I don't waste time and enjoy my cruise even more.

Time to get ready for dinner. Over and out!

Thank you for this fabulous up date!  What is the Captain's name?

One passenger to one crew!

Edited September 27, 2021 by dskenn

[Cruise Raider]

4 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

So, just are masks just required when riding the elevators or everywhere inside, except when eating or drinking?

They are pretty much everywhere inside except when eating or drinking, although there has been music in the piazza and nobody has been wearing masks while dancing.  But, if you are in line at the IC or walking into a place that serves food, the masks come off once you are seated.  

[Cruise Raider]

3 hours ago, SwimCarrie said:

So did you get an upgrade? 😁

No, we did not.  I think they were going to give us a mini suite but they couldn’t tell us until tomorrow for sure since we are doing a B2B.  Plus, it was a mini on the Dolphin deck and we don’t care for those uncovered balconies.  We finally unpacked earlier today are so are now settled in.  
 

[Cruise Raider]

3 hours ago, SwimCarrie said:

And one more question for anyone in this forum...I read somewhere that they changed the lamps over and the new ones have USB ports. Is that the case for interior cabins, as well? Is there also an additional plug?

Thanks!

We are not in an inside cabin but we hadn’t even noticed the USB ports in the lamp until you just mentioned it.  😂 

[Ken the cruiser]

11 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

They are pretty much everywhere inside except when eating or drinking, although there has been music in the piazza and nobody has been wearing masks while dancing.  But, if you are in line at the IC or walking into a place that serves food, the masks come off once you are seated.  

@Daniel A posted this on another thread which supports what you’re seeing.

 

 

Per Princess' Health and Safety FAQs "ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate."

 

CruiseHealth™ FAQ: Sailings from the United States - Princess Cruises
 

[Cruise Raider]

3 hours ago, mellon1 said:

Thank you for posting.  This is my fear.  We are doing 6 b2bs starting 1/16/22.  I do not want to have to pack up all those times.  Final payment is due in a few weeks.  I don't feel comfortable having to do that and feel we would not be able to enjoy our trip.  I wonder if they will still be doing it in 2022? UGHHHH

When speaking to one of the supervisors at guest services desk, she hadn’t heard about in transit passengers having to be tested in between each sailing.  I’m hoping that she does get a chance to follow through on my question to her.  I asked if we needed to pack up between the legs of the B2B.  She was going to check into it for us.  
I understand the crew is being tested at least every two weeks.  
in a answer to your question, you only have to pack up if you think you might test positive.  My advice is to get some of the testing kits, they wouldn’t necessarily  have to be monitored but would give you an idea if you have contracted CoVid.  

[fabby50]

Ate a Sabatini's tonight.  What a wonderfully prepared meal.  It was a 2 and a 1/2 hours, but what else were we doing anyway!  I will even dare to say I preferred it to the Crown Grill.

 

Also, the biggest shame of this whole thing?  NO FOOTBALL!  Turned on the sports channel and it was that game that isn't even a sport, GOLF.  A bartender did say they may have some in the cigar bar, but my nose won't let me walk by that place, much less venture in. 

 

On to Cabo!

[Cruise Raider]

3 hours ago, flwinejunkie said:

Could you please post any information and details about "cruise next certificates" if it's offered?  I have my eye on a specific cruise next year so wondering if I should go ahead and book it now or wait until my December cruise to take advantage of a cruise next certificate offer.

 

I'm also concerned about trying to use the medallion for the first time, so I appreciate the info you've provided thus far.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!! 

Mary Jon

If you are referring to a Future Cruise Deposit, they sell them for $100 each, which will serve as your full deposit for most all sailings that Princess offers.  you can purchase them directly through the app or go to the future cruise consultant onboard.  These will be charged to the credit card you have on file and you cannot use OBC to purchase them.  
You can earn up to $150 per sailing depending upon your stateroom type.  

[srpilo]

Is the cigar bar on deck 6 open ?

[dskenn]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

When speaking to one of the supervisors at guest services desk, she hadn’t heard about in transit passengers having to be tested in between each sailing.  I’m hoping that she does get a chance to follow through on my question to her.  I asked if we needed to pack up between the legs of the B2B.  She was going to check into it for us.  
I understand the crew is being tested at least every two weeks.  
in a answer to your question, you only have to pack up if you think you might test positive.  My advice is to get some of the testing kits, they wouldn’t necessarily  have to be monitored but would give you an idea if you have contracted CoVid.  

I have to pack  I am in two different rooms.  Thank you for letting us if we need to test again

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by dskenn

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

@Daniel A posted this on another thread which supports what you’re seeing.

 

 

 

Per Princess' Health and Safety FAQs "ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate."

 

CruiseHealth™ FAQ: Sailings from the United States - Princess Cruises
 

I am sure that every group of passengers is quite different.  This group just seems to be very compliant with the mask mandates.  
We did ask our room steward if we needed to wear masks while in the hallways on the passenger decks.  He said yes we do.  I have no reason to doubt him, we’ve not seen anyone walking down the hallways without a mask.  The Grand was one of the Princess ships that was affected by a CoVid outbreak back in early 2020.  Maybe they are just more apprehensive and thus, stricter with their policies.  As mentioned, everywhere we go indoors where we live requires a mask.  We’ve just got to do it … might as well be on a cruise.  

[Cruise Raider]

22 minutes ago, srpilo said:

Is the cigar bar on deck 6 open ?

Yes it is! 

[gmcwalker]

2 hours ago, dskenn said:

Thank you for this fabulous up date!  What is the Captain's name?

One passenger to one crew!

Captain Andrea Spinardi.

[Cruise Raider]

6 minutes ago, dskenn said:

I have to pack  I am in two different rooms.  Thank you for letting us if we need to test again

 

The official policy on the Princess website does say it’s required .. that’s all we know at this point.  In a few days, we will have a better understanding of what’s actually required and how they are going to handle it.  I will be sure to post want our experience is.  

[gmcwalker]

Here is the Princess press release link:

Grand Princess First Ship to Set Sail from the Port of Los Angeles - Princess Cruises

 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

4 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Does the speed restriction apply to all ships incoming and outgoing for this area?  Is that correct?

Yes, I think this is correct. The whales are headed down to Cabo to have their babies.

[KruzPrincess]

I saw that Darren Dowler will be performing on the Grand.  He did a live post on that other social media site. It sounded like he’ll be on a few cruises. He’s a good singer. 

[Cruise Raider]

Just a bit more about life on the Grand today…

We love to go to the International Cafe Coffee Bar for a nice cappuccino to start our day .. not one in a to go cup but in a real ceramic cup.  
Everyone helps out in this area.  And they tell you to get a seat and find you with your coffee order.  Ashley is a beverage manager and always looks to be willing to lend a hand to the staff.  Amel , who normal can be found in Vines also can be seen helping out where’s the need is the greatest!  Both these men will brighten your day with their energy and lighthearted spirit…always with a smile.  
After our cappuccino ritual, we went to the MDR for breakfast.  We had a wonderful server and an excellent breakfast.  
We ate a small lunch of street tacos at the Salty Dog.  ‘Street Tacos’ was a misnomer .. they were more like street burritos.  When we saw the size, we decided to split one order.  They were excellent!  
The weather has been great so we decided to eat outside.  There was some pool game happening which you could play on your app.  It was a bit loud in my opinion but, People seemed to enjoy it so who am I to say.  
We went to the spa to request a barber for a haircut for my DH the day after tomorrow.  She seems to really give him the confidence he needed to go for the cut!  I did check over their menu of services and the prices are way better if you pre-purchase them before the cruise.  The same message that I booked before the cruise was now nearly $50 more when onboard.  Gone are all the flyers that come in your daily mail onboard so, I am not sure if they offer any daily specials.  However, it does seem like depending on how busy they are, you may be able to make a deal with them.   
As before, our room steward did a wonderful job .. we just don’t see him but that’s probably because we don’t have people occupying the cabins next to us.  
The Captain held a toast in lieu of the Champagne  waterfall event and it was broadcast throughout he ship on the PA system.  Everyone raised  a glass to toast, whether they were in the dining room or the piazza.  It was a fun way to toast being back onboard.  He also announced that we should arrive in Cabo by approx 1:30 PM tomorrow.  I can tell you, he really sped up last night and being in an aft cabin, we really felt it.  
We spent a bit of time on our balcony and it’s so nice to see that blue matting on the balconies has been replaced.  the balcony furniture seems a bit, shall I say, rustic.  
I had forgotten to mention that the little gold goodie bags for elite passengers were not given out … there was a tube of lotion, a shower cap and a nail file placed in the bathroom instead.  It’s not a huge deal to me either way.  
The bedding and pillows are absolutely wonderful.  The flat screen TVs is also very nice with many on demand options.  Getting rid of the box type TVs now gives you another shelf over by the mini fridge. 
as many of you might already know, the closets on teh Grand are a bit small but still have the open design.  The in room safes are also very small.  An iPad will only fit if finagle it in there.  
The desk has lots of drawer space and there is also a sufficient amount of shelf space in the closet area as well as in the small but functional, bathroom.  No complaints about the cabin other than experiencing a lot of vibration.  We knew about this before this sailing but if you are bothered by rattles and bumpiness, I’d go more midship.  
The Grand got a bit of a facelift since we’ve last sailed on her prior to CoVid.  She got all new furniture and carpeting in most of the public spaces,  it looks good!  There are still some areas that can use a little attention (such as the public bathrooms and the balcony furniture) but for the most part, she looks good with all the improvements made.  
There are now Purell dispensers nearly everywhere … you don’t have to search very hard to find them. 
that’s all for now … 

 

[Cruise Raider]

2 minutes ago, KruzPrincess said:

I saw that Darren Dowler will be performing on the Grand.  He did a live post on that other social media site. It sounded like he’ll be on a few cruises. He’s a good singer. 

He is not listed in Journeyview lineup that I could find.  Sorry we will miss him. 

[brisalta]

4 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Does the speed restriction apply to all ships incoming and outgoing for this area?  Is that correct?

 

Yes, it applies to all vessels in the area.

[gmcwalker]

56 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

Yes, I think this is correct. The whales are headed down to Cabo to have their babies.

Actually, there is no mandated speed reduction off the Mexican coast as the cruise ships now cruise further out to sea to avoid the known whale migration paths.

Edited September 27, 2021 by gmcwalker

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, srpilo said:

Is the cigar bar on deck 6 open ?

 

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

Yes it is! 

And with pax in there smoking and no masks, I'd like to know what's the problem with walking around in open areas with no mask?  Some of the rules just don't make sense.