Live from the Caribbean Princess: Panama Canal - Apr 26 to May 14 - SF to FTL

[Ken the cruiser]

7 minutes ago, sammyjoanne said:

Ken, Hollywood hiccups is one of my faves in the explorers lounge. Its such a fun show.

Cool! If they’re saving the best for last, I’m sure it’s going to be a hoot!!

[Ken the cruiser]

A couple of small tidbits most of you already know I’m sure.

 

We went to Guest Services and asked if we could get $25 in cash as we have $33 of refundable OBC. The answer was no. You have to have a maximum total of $25 or less in order to be able to “cash out” at the end of the cruise. 
 

Then we stopped by the Internet Desk. We had a feeling we knew the answer, but just wanted to confirm our suspicions. Quite often we’ll be using the internet and all of the sudden we just lose the connection. However, in most cases (not all) it comes back in about 5-10 minutes. The reason is because while we’re cruising, the ship has established a link to a satellite internet service provider. However, sometimes that connection can be temporarily lost due to ship movement or some other reason to knock it out of alignment. But once it reconnects, which is a built-in automatic function when the signal is lost, all is good and I can continue to post stuff to CC. Today, this has happened about 3-4 times so far.

 

However, we’re still waiting to see if the EZCheck fees ($25 each) will use our remaining OBC instead of just being charged to our credit card on file. We really don’t want to wait 6-8 weeks to get a $33 refund check. That would just be annoying.

 

Nothing earth shaking. I just thought I share some of the stuff we learned today.

Edited May 13, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[ktembwr]

1 minute ago, Ken the cruiser said:

A couple of small tidbits most of you already know I’m sure.

 

We went to Guest Services and asked if we could get $25 in cash as we have $33 of refundable OBC. The answer was no. You have to have a maximum total of $25 or less in order to be able to “cash out” at the end of the cruise. 
 

Then we stopped by the Internet Desk. We had a feeling we knew the answer, but just wanted to confirm our suspicions. Quite often we’ll be using the internet and all of the sudden we just lose the connection. However, in most case (not all) it comes back in about 5-10 minutes. The reason is because while we’re cruising, the ship has established a link to internet satellite service. However, sometimes that connection can be temporarily lost due to ship movement or some other reason to knock its out of alignment. But once it reconnects, which is a built in automatic function when the signal is lost, all is good and I can continue to post studs to CC. Today, this has happened about 3-4 times so far.

 

However, we’re still waiting to see if the EZCheck fees ($25 each) will use our remaining OBC instead of just being charged to our credit card on file. We really don’t want to wait 6-8 weeks to get a $33 refund check. That would just be annoying.

 

Nothing earth shaking. I just thought I share some of the stuff we learned today.

Ken, you cash load your balance into a slot machine, cash out at the casino desk

[Ken the cruiser]

2 minutes ago, ktembwr said:

Ken, you cash load your balance into a slot machine, cash out at the casino desk

Thanks! Do you have to play any rounds on the slot machine before you can cash out, or just load and go? Not that this is our case this time, but can someone “launder” their nonrefundable OBC using this strategy?

[ktembwr]

10 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! Do you have to play any rounds on the slot machine before you can cash out, or just load and go? Not that this is our case this time, but can someone “launder” their nonrefundable OBC using this strategy?

I beleive so....

[runner2013]

Just wanted to say a big Thank You to Ken and all the others aboard who've taken us along on this cruise. The pics,  tidbits of info, and patters has been very enjoyable to read each day. 

Enjoy your last night aboard everybody and safe travels when you reach land!!

[Ken the cruiser]

24 minutes ago, runner2013 said:

Just wanted to say a big Thank You to Ken and all the others aboard who've taken us along on this cruise. The pics,  tidbits of info, and patters has been very enjoyable to read each day. 

Enjoy your last night aboard everybody and safe travels when you reach land!!

Thanks! I have to say we have had a lot of fun on this cruise, and taking extra pictures to share with “all y’all” has made it even more rewarding. 😁

 

I will also say Princess has definitely elated us on this cruise as well. The theater shows for the most part have been fun to watch, the lectures very informative and, what more can I say, the Game Shows were great and way beyond our expectations.

 

As I mentioned early, we’ve pretty much been sailing with Celebrity since cruising started back up, a total of 72 days. But this 18 day Panama Canal cruise reinforced our belief that Princess is definitely our cruise line of choice when it comes to having a great time on longer itineraries! 😁

Edited May 13, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[PaulS]

Thanks so much for your review. I have followed it, and your previous Celebrity reviews. Your reviews are always informative and entertaining. 

We have done 3 cruises on Celebrity in suites since the restart and will be in a suite on the Caribbean Princess for a Canada/New England cruise, so this will be a chance to experience what Princess has to offer.

 

I also want to say how refreshing it has been to read a review that has not been all about COVID.

[rheathslc]

2 hours ago, ktembwr said:

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks! Do you have to play any rounds on the slot machine before you can cash out, or just load and go? Not that this is our case this time, but can someone “launder” their nonrefundable OBC using this strategy?

I beleive so....

You can but if you do it more than once they will catch on to you and not let you do that anymore. At least that's what I've read on some of the other "live from" threads. I've never spent time in the on board casino so this as all second hand info. 🙂

[Ken the cruiser]

 

Tonight was the last show in the theater performed by Darren Dowler, a musician, comedian and impressionist and he provided a great final show for us!!

 

 

Then afterwards we headed over to the Explorers Lounge and watched the hilarious Hollywood Hiccups Game Show. I took a picture at the end of the show with the Cruise Director, Gary, and all of his assistants who really made this cruise a lot of fun!!
 

But, the video provide earlier by @sammyjoannegives a much better presentation of the type of skits performed in the show than any of the still shots I took. Thanks!
 

 

But also at the end Kerry asked if any one is staying on for the next leg and a few people raised their hands. After the show I went over to ask them if they had to pass an antigen test today, and their answer was they hadn’t heard anything from Princess regarding having to take one.
 

So from that my assumption is an antigen test was not required if you are on a B2B cruise. Of course, as with all things lately, it’s all subject to change. But it sure looks like we’re headed towards not having to take an in-between antigen test if your on a B2B. Yay!!

Edited May 14, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Canadaclyde]

Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about your cruise. I'm glad you had such a good time. I was fortunate to sail when Gary was our cruise director. He really added to our enjoyment. I'll be sailing on the Caribbean Princess in August. I sure wish he will still be on the ship; but I imagine that would be beyond his current contract. Wishing you safe travels on your way home. I look forward to hearing about your future adventures.

[pspman92]

thank you

[Essiesmom]

Welcome to Port Everglades

 

 

Are you ready to get off?

[sammyjoanne]

I joined cruise critic recently after being on my first cruise last month on the Ruby, and had booked LA to Fort lauderdale, going through the panama canal for next year on the Emerald. I saw your blog, and noticed that some of your stops along the way were the same as our future cruise. It was a lot of fun and informative to follow, so thank you Ken for sharing your cruise and the photos. Safe trip home.

 

 

[Justprettynpink]

I enjoyed sailing with you from the comfort of my home 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to answer questions. I am even more excited to be on the Caribbean Princess next month!!

[Ken the cruiser]

We have arrived in Ft Lauderdale! 
 

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

Welcome to Port Everglades

 

 

Are you ready to get off?

We’ve had a great time, but it’s time to go home and get ready for our next cruise! 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

I almost forgot, Gary the CD said there was going to be around 3,000 passengers on the next leg! We had 1,650 on this cruise. Big difference!

[srice]

 @Ken the cruiser, thanks for your sharing your cruise with us.  I am on the 28 May sailing and followed the thread with great interest. 

 

Fair winds and following seas.

[PacnGoNow]

16 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I almost forgot, Gary the CD said there was going to be around 3,000 passengers on the next leg! We had 1,650 on this cruise. Big difference!

Did they test passengers during this long cruise?  Some test 2-3 days into the longer ones.  Don’t remember reading if they did on this one.

Thank you.  Have a safe trip home.

[runner2013]

55 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I almost forgot, Gary the CD said there was going to be around 3,000 passengers on the next leg! We had 1,650 on this cruise. Big difference!

Yikes. 

Sounds like that's full capacity

[Ken the cruiser]

46 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Did they test passengers during this long cruise?  Some test 2-3 days into the longer ones.  Don’t remember reading if they did on this one.

Thank you.  Have a safe trip home.

Nope. We just had to show our negative test when we initially boarded the ship and that was it. 

[venicecruiser]

Thanks for your "live from".  Photos were great!

[azbirdmom]

Will add my thanks to you for so generously spending the time to take us along on your cruise.  Can't wait to board in two weeks.  Safe travels home!

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Thanks Ken for your postings.  We are 2 of those 3000 people getting on Caribbean Princess today.  We started back sailing post Covid in September on Edge with 487 passengers.  This will be our 15th cruise post Covid and each time there have been increasing numbers.  Sounds like we are on a full one today!  Glad that cruising is surviving so well but we Really enjoyed those smaller numbers.  Safe travels....