Diamond - Hawaii Jan 6-22, 2023. Semi Live

[cruzin4us]

@HaveDogWillTravel

Well, I thought for sure I’d find the Officer pics on deck 5 near the midship elevators since that’s about the only place I don’t go.   If there was an IC, I’d probably have used those elevators, but I use the forward elevators or I order my coffee off the app.  

So to deck 5 I headed….nope, not there.   Went to guest services since it wasn’t on deck 6 either…..hmmm 

 

When I asked them where the Officer Board was they all looked at me like “I’ve been asked for everything under the sun from passengers but no one has ever asked that question before.”   The 3rd person said, it was on deck 7 starboard side near the Wheelhouse.   So, I braved another flight of stairs, 2 camera crews taking pictures and I found it!     Have no idea how up to date it is 😁

Usually I always stop and look at the board and wonder why they always take pictures of the with their heads on a slant like they did with 1940’s glamour women 😁

 

Since we are on the subject of Officers, I found this Captain pretty boring when it comes to his daily announcements.   He’s got a thick accent and very difficult to understand.    He announces the basic stuff such as how deep the ocean is, how far we’ve traveled in miles and nautical miles, how far we have to go and the current weather conditions.   Not that I expect a comedian or anything.    I know the Captain on the Ruby might add a small tidbit of nautical information like what a fathom is or what the difference is between a nautical mile and a standard mile.    
 

oh, all the Guest Services people are wearing masks which I haven’t seen all cruise.  

 

 

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by cruzin4us

[cruzin4us]

4 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Has the room next to you been COVID the entire cruise?  That's a bummer for you and them.

The have been in Isolation since about day 4.    It’s much more of a bummer for them.  They are an elderly couple and both have mobility scooters.   It’s only an inconvenience for me as I have to remember when I leave my room not to trip over the table (which looks like a balcony foot rest) because it’s always piled high with trays filled with dirty dishes or bags filled with laundry (towels, etc).   I come out my room and take a hard left and it’s there.  I’ve heard some coughing but far less from them than others on the ship that are wandering around.   

 

 

[cr8tiv1]

Princess photographers all have the same script.  I often have to tell them that - that pose doesn't work for me.  Rarely are there different options.  I am not a photographer, but am guessing they are trying to "soften" the look.  Thanks for searching out the board.  It "usually" is on deck 7 near the mid-forward stairs.  

[cruzin4us]

We are getting to leave Ensenada and the Captain just came on telling us there are quite a few Covid cases onboard and masks are recommended indoors….duh.  I’ve seen it picking up over the last few days.   He did not say required, just recommended.   All the crew is now wearing masks.  
 

 

[cr8tiv1]

Disclaimer:  just being ornery:  Passengers didn't pick up the virus from the islands.  "We" still wear masks and social distance.  Our case numbers are small.

 

It's got to be by mingling with other "tourist" or other passengers...Like your neighbors who passed it onto others before they were quarantined.  

 

With sincere respect, I hope you remain healthy today, tomorrow, plus 5 days.

 

Mahalo Nui Loa for taking us along on this journey.  Really enjoyed reading your thread.  

 

Malama Pono

Edited January 21, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[ddeprez]

I believe I've seen Lobster tails on the menus you've shared twice other than your chef's table experience. We haven't sailed Princess in awhile...are there generally Lobster Tails available at least once?  And thanks so much for all your info. We'll be on this ship one week from tomorrow, so I really appreciate all the info and food porn pics!! 😅

[cruzin4us]

2 hours ago, ddeprez said:

I believe I've seen Lobster tails on the menus you've shared twice other than your chef's table experience. We haven't sailed Princess in awhile...are there generally Lobster Tails available at least once?  And thanks so much for all your info. We'll be on this ship one week from tomorrow, so I really appreciate all the info and food porn pics!! 😅

yes, they serve lobster at least once.   This cruise being 16 days, they served them twice plus the additional time I did the Chef’s Dinner.   
 

I loved this cruise, and I hope you have as good of food as I did.  Wish I was tagging along with you!  I originally signed up for the 22nd and 29th cruises and switched last minute to the Hawaiian cruise instead.   
 

I’d love to hear your opinion of the food as well.  Safe travels!

[cruzin4us]

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Disclaimer:  just being ornery:  Passengers didn't pick up the virus from the islands.  "We" still wear masks and social distance.  Our case numbers are small.

 

It's got to be by mingling with other "tourist" or other passengers...Like your neighbors who passed it onto others before they were quarantined.  

 

With sincere respect, I hope you remain healthy today, tomorrow, plus 5 days.

 

Mahalo Nui Loa for taking us along on this journey.  Really enjoyed reading your thread.  

 

Malama Pono

I agree with you, this was brought on by passengers and not picked up in Hawaii. For the first 10 days or so, I didn’t hear or see anyone that looked sick (other than the couple next door to me).   They haven’t left their room for 12 days now.  My assumption is one of them got it and the other got it a few days later (my assumption only).   
 

I’m not a mask wearer but I’m a people avoider.  I don’t go to shows or go where there are many people.  Even my dinner table is kind of off my itself.   Tomorrow I’ll wear one while getting off the ship and in Club Fusion where I’m supposed to wait til they call my group.  
 

Time will tell if I was exposed, but so far so good.  
 

I’ve seen quite a few people carrying around tissues and coughing.   All of which is a big red flag to me.   I wasn’t surprised in the least when the Captain made the announcement.  
 

 

 

[howiefrommd]

Heard several passengers were medically disembarked via ambulance in Ensenada.  

[cruzin4us]

Had lunch with Brian and Rowena in Ensenada.   Yes, Brian ate that whole fish burrito!  
 

It turned out to be a beautiful day.  We wandered the streets doing some shopping, hitting the Pharmacy and buying some Tequila.   It was a fun day and then it’s home tomorrow.  
 

Did my packing and my home away from home looks empty 😢

 

 

Edited January 22, 2023 by cruzin4us

[cruzin4us]

2 hours ago, howiefrommd said:

Heard several passengers were medically disembarked via ambulance in Ensenada.  

I saw one ambulance when we got off the ship but don’t know who or what the cause was of the ambulance.   

[cruzin4us]

The Last Dinner before I go home and detox from all the food.   Wasn’t particularly hungry after our big lunch in Ensenada but I wanted to give my waiters a little something before I leave.     Even ordered dessert, like I needed it
 

Kind of a no themed menu 

tonight.  Asian, Moroccan and American Food.  
 

Crispy Hand Rolled Vegetables Spring Rolls - They were basic, not bad, not great.   Could have been hotter 

 

Moroccan Carrot-Chickpea Salad - This was an interesting salad and a good choice.   Had some little red currants ) kind of tasted like a pomegranate cranberry combined.   It was a nice touch to a salad, it made it fancy when budget cuts are everywhere.   Came with choice of dressing.  I chose blue cheese but it would be good with oil & vinegar dressing so it would show off the currants.  I really enjoyed this salad 

 

Herbed Turkey Breast, Thyme Jus - This was a good choice.  Super large portion with roasted potatoes and green beans which were buried under the turkey.  Arrived hot and the turkey was moist.   Comes with cranberry sauce on the side.   Really good dinner. 

Baked Alaska  - It doesn’t taste like the days of old, but it’s still baked Alaska so I ordered it.  Much smaller than I remember but that’s ok.   I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it either and I definitely didn’t need it. 

 

[cr8tiv1]

Did you get your tea and splenda?

[cruzin4us]

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Did you get your tea and splenda?

Funny you should ask…

 

I got to the table and my server if I wanted anything to drink.   I about lost it laughing.  So, I did get the iced tea followed by Splenda 15 min later 😁

[HaveDogWillTravel]

4 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

For the first 10 days or so, I didn’t hear or see anyone that looked sick

 

4 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

I’ve seen quite a few people carrying around tissues and coughing.   All of which is a big red flag to me.   I wasn’t surprised in the least when the Captain made the announcement.  
 

This is exactly how it went on my Nov sailing to Hawaii. 

 

6 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

Captain just came on telling us there are quite a few Covid cases onboard and masks are recommended indoors….duh.  I’ve seen it picking up over the last few days.   He did not say required, just recommended.

Only the crew weren’t required to mask though many did. 
 

Thank you so much for the officer board and all the trouble you took to get it!  I really appreciate it. I hope you stay healthy and safe. 

[vivian02]

I was surprised the covid subject did not come up until now. We cruised Hawaii on Princess in November and covid was on the ship. The couple we went with she came down with covid on day eight. She was isolated for the rest of the trip. Her husband never came down with the virus. We took precautions before the cruise and had the second booster a month before the cruise. We did not fly into LA but traveled by car with our friends, so we knew her covid was not because of a airline flight. The wife and I noticed in the theater if you heard someone coughing it was wise to find a new sitting location. I sure would hate to be isolated for a whole Hawaiian cruise. Unfortunately, the virus is still lurking on most cruises. Really enjoyed this trip report on the Diamond. Tim 

[cruzin4us]

On our Galley Tour the other night we saw how those hard, round crusty rolls are made.  
 

So in the first picture you see the man holding the red tray with dough that looks like pizza dough.   Then he sticks it in the white machine and then he closed the door of the Fortuna Machine.    He then turns it on for about 5 seconds and then pulls out the rolls.  It was crazy fast.   I mean really fast.    Fascinating.   And all this time I thought they had about 10 people just making rolls 
 

[cruzin4us]

I was also on a cruise to Hawaii in November (Ruby) and many, many people were coughing….me included.   
 

I tested negative 5x for Covid as did most of the others that had the same cough.  I believe we all had RSV but I didn’t have a doctor confirm this.   It was. 30 day dry cough that was horrible to hear.   That’s why I’m doing this cruise.  It’s a makeup cruise to myself.   
 

 

 

[cr8tiv1]

Me too..thanks for the board photos.  Hope Liz Pentz (loyalty officer) will still be on board.   I should have said something sooner.  If you see her tomorrow in the disembarkation lounge, will you ask her if she is continuing on to Japan?  Then tell her MacNut lady says hi.  

[AZjohn]

Thanks again for sharing this thread with us @cruzin4us!

Had many laughs and really enjoyed your writing style and comments.

Safe travels home and Cheers,

John 

 

PS: what was you final opinion on the bidet? 🤣 

Edited January 22, 2023 by AZjohn

[arctickitty]

Thank you @cruzin4us for all of the wonderful food photos and descriptions. You sampled a a wide variety of food & I enjoyed it.

[cruzin4us]

2 hours ago, arctickitty said:

Thank you @cruzin4us for all of the wonderful food photos and descriptions. You sampled a a wide variety of food & I enjoyed it.

Ha, and all my clothes are tight.  😵‍💫😁😵‍💫

[L11]

12 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

I was also on a cruise to Hawaii in November (Ruby) and many, many people were coughing….me included.   
 

I tested negative 5x for Covid as did most of the others that had the same cough.  I believe we all had RSV but I didn’t have a doctor confirm this.   It was. 30 day dry cough that was horrible to hear.   That’s why I’m doing this cruise.  It’s a makeup cruise to myself.   
 

 

 

I remember, in the days before Covid, regularly coming home with a nasty long lasting cough after cruising. It was regularly mentioned on these Boards. My husband and I just called it "cruise cough". Whatever it was, the conditions that caused it are still there after Covid so I am not really surprised to hear you came home with it (though I am really sorry to hear it--whatever you call it, it is miserable).

 

Anyway, thanks for your wonderful reporting. I have been following avidly. I can relate to the tight clothes. We are getting ready to leave for a long cruise and I am searching for the loosest stuff in my closet, knowing it won't be loose when I get back!

 

Linda

[cruiselvr101]

Can you share where you got off the ship and enjoyed lunch in Ensenada? Looked wonderful. I have really been enjoying your review. My husband and I will be sailing with Princess on Feb 10th on the Royal for a 15-day out of Frisco to Hawaii. I hope our cruise is as delightful as yours sounds. 

Edited January 22, 2023 by cruiselvr101

[jwattle]

13 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

On our Galley Tour the other night we saw how those hard, round crusty rolls are made.  
 

So in the first picture you see the man holding the red tray with dough that looks like pizza dough.   Then he sticks it in the white machine and then he closed the door of the Fortuna Machine.    He then turns it on for about 5 seconds and then pulls out the rolls.  It was crazy fast.   I mean really fast.    Fascinating.   And all this time I thought they had about 10 people just making rolls 
 

That same machine also does breadsticks and many other shapes; it amazed me!

Edited January 22, 2023 by jwattle