LIVE from Emerald Princess Panama Canal FLL-LA 1/2-1/17 2023

[sonomaphil]

1 hour ago, Raisinette said:

Thanks so much for all the info and food porn photos!

We're getting on in a couple of weeks and I have a Huatulco question if you don't mind...it looks like you can walk to the beach from the pier? Are there lounge chairs/umbrellas for rent? Should I bring water shoes for swimming there or is the bottom mostly sand?

This is my first crossing and your info has been really helpful, thanks!

Becky

Thanks!  The beach is to the left as you exit the pier.  It's kind of a restaurant row and they all do have umbrellas and chairs for rent.  Not sure of pricing.  We didn't go in the water but there is a dedicated swimming area.  Keep in mind the water in the Pacific is always cold.  

[Robbie555]

I trust you all had a great time. A few questions on your final full day:

 

1. Did you watch or participate in the Princess Pop Choir?

2. Was Baked Alaska served and did you see the waiter parade? 

3. Repeating the challenge I presented upon the start of your sailing - did you win at least one type of each award: a) champagne, b) coaster, c) notebook, d) bag, e) medal?

Edited January 16, 2023 by Robbie555

[sonomaphil]

34 minutes ago, Robbie555 said:

I trust you all had a great time. A few questions on your final full day:

 

1. Did you watch or participate in the Princess Pop Choir?

2. Was Baked Alaska served and did you see the waiter parade? 

3. Repeating the challenge I presented upon the start of your sailing - did you win at least one type of each award: a) champagne, b) coaster, c) notebook, d) bag, e) medal?

1)  I did not.

2)  On the menu for tonight!

3)  Nope. None at all.  

[sonomaphil]

Neptune pool is closed today. 

[sonomaphil]

Salty Dog Grill menu. 

[sonomaphil]

[sonomaphil]

Cake bar set up in the buffet. 

[gottagocit]

Have you seen or heard of many covid issues during your voyage? 

Final payment is due today for our next Emerald voyage which will essentially follow your route but with Aruba and Bonaire added and we’re finally close enough that it’s beginning to feel real. 
 

I don’t recall seeing much written about excursions you took. Perhaps I missed them. Any of them stand out?

 

thanks 

[sonomaphil]

8 minutes ago, gottagocit said:

Have you seen or heard of many covid issues during your voyage? 

Final payment is due today for our next Emerald voyage which will essentially follow your route but with Aruba and Bonaire added and we’re finally close enough that it’s beginning to feel real. 
 

I don’t recall seeing much written about excursions you took. Perhaps I missed them. Any of them stand out?

 

thanks 

No mention of Covid at all this cruise.  I'd say less than 2% of passengers are wearing a mask.  

 

Cartagena we took a local tour with Dora the Explorer, easy to search for her on Google.  Nice to have a smaller tour.  

 

Fuerte Amador we did the Panama Canal & Locks Transit By Boat.  Highly recommend this.  You go back into the canal on a small boat in the old locks.  

 

Puntarenas we did Eco-Jungle River Cruise.  Bring your camera and binoculars, so many birds and crocodiles!  

 

Nicaragua was cancelled and I'm sure that stop will be cancelled for you too.  

 

Huatulco we just wandered around on our own.

 

Puerto Vallarta we did A Walk Through Puerto Vallarta & Elizabeth Taylor's Gringo Gulch. We've been to PV before but have only done beachy things.  This was a great tour to see the old city.  

[gottagocit]

Thanks for the recap of the excursions and covid summary.
Good news all around!

 

Safe travels on your way home.

[sonomaphil]

Almost forgot today's Patter. 

[Robbie555]

9 minutes ago, sonomaphil said:

Almost forgot today's Patter. 

As a suggestion, how about taking a few pictures of the Hollywood Hiccups show at the Expolorer's Lounge. I really liked that show and it was a great way to end off the sailing. In posted pictures early on in this thread, you will see the cruise director and his assistants perform that show. So you can take similar pictures as well.

[gottagocit]

Any word on what the navigation chart sold for at the charity auction?

[sonomaphil]

29 minutes ago, gottagocit said:

Any word on what the navigation chart sold for at the charity auction?

$150

[sonomaphil]

We won $75 in OBC and we had 19 tickets into the drawing from Princess Prizes with the Premier package.  Alas, we did not win any of the big end of cruise prizes.  

[startedwithamouse]

1 hour ago, Robbie555 said:

As a suggestion, how about taking a few pictures of the Hollywood Hiccups show at the Expolorer's Lounge. I really liked that show and it was a great way to end off the sailing. In posted pictures early on in this thread, you will see the cruise director and his assistants perform that show. So you can take similar pictures as well.

I think Sonoma Phil and the rest of us are just chilling and enjoying our cruise. We are just going with the flow. 

[sonomaphil]

3 hours ago, Robbie555 said:

As a suggestion, how about taking a few pictures of the Hollywood Hiccups show at the Expolorer's Lounge. I really liked that show and it was a great way to end off the sailing. In posted pictures early on in this thread, you will see the cruise director and his assistants perform that show. So you can take similar pictures as well.

We might be asleep by then!

[sonomaphil]

Our farewell dinner. 

[LawDog61]

Thanks for posting a great on-board.  I have enjoyed your cruise 😄

[sonomaphil]

[sonomaphil]

[sonomaphil]

[sonomaphil]

[sonomaphil]

[sonomaphil]

The Baked Alaska parade was going on as we entered for dinner. Got a few pics but not my best.