Live from Discovery Princess for Oct 21-Nov 4

[HaveDogWillTravel]

18 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

Leo Rossi was on the crew for Fleetwood Mac but also worked for many other bands, such as The Beach Boys, and other singers.  

I’m glad you are not giving away Leo’s special messages in your reviews. Without giving away the details I would like to share what I’ve found so special in the dozens of times I’ve seen his talks (mostly with you lol). 
 

Leo inspires me. He talks about resilience ….about over coming challenges and tragedies….about being open to unfamiliar doors opening…..about accepting chance…. the part of life that is unexpected but leads to places you could never have planned. 
 

 

[lx200gps]

8 hours ago, Incognito1 said:

Where, oh where?  I have been looking for a quiet place all week.  No library and the Internet Cafe is off the piazza.

Are you on the Discovery right now? Take 5 has always been our usual go-to place for peace and quiet. During the day, it is usually so empty I wonder whether most of the passengers even know it's there. When we use it, there are rarely any other passengers in it, never more than two or three others and it's never used as a thoroughfare the way some other venues are (e.g. Crown Grill bar). It is very occasionally used as a venue for a lecture, or a game show involving a lot of shouting, but those rarely last more than an hour.  Sadly, on our cruise a few weeks ago it was shut down for installation of equipment for a gambling tournament so we never got a chance to use it. Hopefully it's open for us when we're back on board in Feb.  HIGHLY recommended as a place for peace and quiet, and those tables for two along the windows are great.

[Cruise Raider]

We never did end up going out in San Diego yesterday.  Instead, we enjoyed a day onboard with the activities and then were invited to a private dinner party with some dear friends out on the back deck behind the buffet.  Wow!  That was most incredible time with some great pasta dishes.  And the weather was absolutely perfect for the occasion.  

No shows after that for us last night.  
 

We are docked in Ensenada today for our last port stop on this first leg of our cruise.  Another sunny day but as those that have been here before, the air is rather smoggy.  Still, another beautiful port day.  
 

 

[Cruise Raider]

21 hours ago, Cruise Craig said:

I am thrilled to hear that the Crown Grill is excellent. We have it booked on embarkation day as it's our tradition to eat at the steakhouse to start the cruise right. It's our first time on Princess so the first time at crown grill.

 

Speaking of speciality dining I keep hearing rumbling of The Catch opening in November. If you get the opportunity can you ask somebody from Bistro Sur Le Mer if they know when the change over will happen. Please don't go out of your way I'm just curious if the Catch will be ready for our Nov 11th sailing.

 

We have Premier as well and I was wondering how early we have to arrive to take advantage of the reserved seating at the production shows.

 

Thanks again Cruise Raider and I hope your B2B transition goes super smooth.

I’ve been informed that the switch to The Catch will take place November 11th .. so it looks like you are in luck.  
 

As far as the premier seating, they release it about 10 minutes prior to the start of the production show.  I would say you could go 15 minutes early but even if you make it just in time, if there are any open seats, they do assist in finding you some.  Sometimes, they will ask people to move down one when they see two different empty seats within the row. 
 

[Cruise Raider]

13 hours ago, Incognito1 said:

Where, oh where?  I have been looking for a quiet place all week.  No library and the Internet Cafe is off the piazza.

 

Just go down past Princess Live or the Crown Grill Bar.  There is a whole row of quiet seats along the window and the Crown Grill Bar is not open during the day.  There are also little quiet seating areas outside behind GiGis pizza and Sur La Mer.  
there are lounges beyond the walking path on both sides .. one side is for smoking but we only saw one person out there.  The other side was completely empty.  
Up top, we were also able to find some nice areas are the forward pool area.  
Just walk around, there are loads of places that are so conducive to a nice relaxing reading spot.  

[Cruise Raider]

4 hours ago, lx200gps said:

Are you on the Discovery right now? Take 5 has always been our usual go-to place for peace and quiet. During the day, it is usually so empty I wonder whether most of the passengers even know it's there. When we use it, there are rarely any other passengers in it, never more than two or three others and it's never used as a thoroughfare the way some other venues are (e.g. Crown Grill bar). It is very occasionally used as a venue for a lecture, or a game show involving a lot of shouting, but those rarely last more than an hour.  Sadly, on our cruise a few weeks ago it was shut down for installation of equipment for a gambling tournament so we never got a chance to use it. Hopefully it's open for us when we're back on board in Feb.  HIGHLY recommended as a place for peace and quiet, and those tables for two along the windows are great.

I completely forgot about mentioning Take 5.  You are so right about it being a nice quiet spot.  
It is open once again and I noticed the slot machines I saw there earlier in the week are gone.  

 

[Cruise Raider]

A photo of Take 5 .. so nice and quiet.  

[Cruise Raider]

I’ve meant to mention a couple of other things that have made this sailing so very enjoyable.  
Our cabin is in wonderful condition.  I especially love that the Royal class ships I’ve been on don’t have those nasty blue mats on the balcony.  I call them filth catchers.  We got a note they’d be working on the balconies today.  
They do seem to be low on bathroom tissues but our room steward was able to find us an extra box.  
 

As noted, the B2B meeting was very informative and answered a lot of questions that first time B2B passengers might have.  For example, your medallion and folio will automatically roll over to your next sailing.  The only thing that won’t roll over is your casino account so you have to cash out tonight if you have any money left on your account.  
They suggested that you make reservations for the specialty restaurants and the sanctuary today for next week.  There will be 116 in transit passengers (B2B) but only about a dozen people attended the meeting, which is fine as it is a port day and they did explain most of what they mentioned in a letter sent to your room.  We have to move cabins so, we were told to pack up all of our belongings not on hangers and the room stewards would move our luggage and hanging clothes to our new room for us.  We need to meet at the Princess theater at 9:00 AM and will be escorted down to the terminal and allowed to reboard around 10:45 AM.  Everything seemed pretty cut and dried.  
They also mentioned there would be about new 3400 passengers boarding tomorrow (if someone was there and I heard the numbers incorrectly, please don’t hesitate to correct me .. I will not take any offense).  So, along with the 116 in transit passengers, it seems like we will have about 200-300 more passengers than on this sailing.  No place has ever seemed overly crowded so, hopefully the extra capacity won’t really impact the overall experience.  

If I were to have just one complaint, it’s the smoke from the casino.  You can’t smell even a waft of it in Take 5.  However, you can really smell it on sea days when the casino is open while in Crooners.  We were just on the Majestic and they had glass doors leading into the casino.  It really kept the smoke out of the other public areas.  Smokers also have paid for their cruises so, I won’t belittle them but would prefer the casino were completely nonsmoking, as it is on Celebrity.  

 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by Cruise Raider

[lx200gps]

58 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

A photo of Take 5 .. so nice and quiet.  

Yup, that's the Take 5 we know and love.  I'm VERY glad to hear that they have removed the slot machines. Can't wait to get back on her in Feb for yet another trip to PV and Cabo.  And thanks also for the news about The Catch. While we love La Mer, a new restaurant experience is never a bad thing.  Keep up the great reports 🥰

[KLM3164]

3 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I’ve been informed that the switch to The Catch will take place November 11th .. so it looks like you are in luck.

I just found your trip report today and thank you for sharing! We will be on Discovery 11/18-11/29. I’d like to try this new restaurant but it’s not available to book so we will try and book it onboard. Our 2 cruises both still list Bistro Sur La Mer. 

 

I’m looking forward to the mattresses on the Discovery as we love a firm mattress. The ones on the Majestic, Royal and Sky were too soft for us so we should be happy with the Discovery. 

 

I look forward to continuing to read your report and I hope you enjoy the second half of your cruise as much as the first.

 

 

[Cruise Raider]

Just now, lx200gps said:

Yup, that's the Take 5 we know and love.  I'm VERY glad to hear that they have removed the slot machines. Can't wait to get back on her in Feb for yet another trip to PV and Cabo.  And thanks also for the news about The Catch. While we love La Mer, a new restaurant experience is never a bad thing.  Keep up the great reports 🥰

The menu for the Catch just works so perfectly for us.  Everything was just perfect.  I posted photos back on another thread last month.  While I rarely take pictures of food, I want 
We were on the Discovery for the naming ceremony celebration and again last April.  
I have to say, the Crown Grill is worlds better than back then.  Those were very busy cruises, so I understand, but such an improvement over that first sailing we were on in 2022.  The one earlier this year, the crown grill had already improved immensely and they kept being so good through this sailing.  
 

 

[toofewcruises]

17 hours ago, Incognito1 said:

Where, oh where?  I have been looking for a quiet place all week.  No library and the Internet Cafe is off the piazza.

Vista Lounge, Crown Grill during the day. Always some good spots outside as well. 

[Cruise Craig]

28 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

The menu for the Catch just works so perfectly for us.  Everything was just perfect.  I posted photos back on another thread last month.  While I rarely take pictures of food, I want 
We were on the Discovery for the naming ceremony celebration and again last April.  
I have to say, the Crown Grill is worlds better than back then.  Those were very busy cruises, so I understand, but such an improvement over that first sailing we were on in 2022.  The one earlier this year, the crown grill had already improved immensely and they kept being so good through this sailing.  
 

 

That is my wife's concern with the catch as it will be the first sailing with the new concept there will likely be kinks. I want to go but we may just do crab shack lunch instead.

[Cruise Raider]

6 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

I just found your trip report today and thank you for sharing! We will be on Discovery 11/18-11/29. I’d like to try this new restaurant but it’s not available to book so we will try and book it onboard. Our 2 cruises both still list Bistro Sur La Mer. 

 

I’m looking forward to the mattresses on the Discovery as we love a firm mattress. The ones on the Majestic, Royal and Sky were too soft for us so we should be happy with the Discovery. 

 

I look forward to continuing to read your report and I hope you enjoy the second half of your cruise as much as the first.

 

 

Awe, thank you and it’s my pleasure.  
After a little more digging, Sudesh from the Bistro, just told me that Nov 11th is the soft opening for The Catch and November 18th, they will be accepting reservations for full capacity.  Either way, the Bistro was great but the Catch is spectacular.  We are also on the Discovery next April so I really look forward to the new restaurant.  
BTW, I’ve heard that they will be moving the Catch where Sabatini’s is and move Sabatini’s to go upstairs where the Bistro is.  Now, I’ve heard that is probably not happening.  Maybe it will, maybe it won’t!  I would not care either way.  
 

I also failed to mention, the entertainment onboard is fabulous.  There is a duo of violin players that are phenomenal and I absolutely adore the guitar player, Jan Jan Repeso.  of course, the production cast is incredibly talented and hard working!  They are one of the best we’ve seen!  Our cruise director, Duvaul is also fantastic.  
 

We also learned that the cut off for the most travelers passenger luncheon was around 600 days if any one was interested in that tidbit of info.  
Im am not counting on or even disappointed if we don’t get an invite to the MTP but will be most appreciative if I ever get one again.  I don’t ever want to get to the point where I just expect something extra just because we’ve been lucky enough to be able to cruise as often as we do.  
I always say, we cruise because we love the crew so much .. it’s neve about the ports of call for us.  It really is all about the wonderful people that work so hard onboard, the ship and the fabulous entertainment .. and nights like last night where we had such a great experience at the party!  


 

 

[Cruise Craig]

2 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

Awe, thank you and it’s my pleasure.  
After a little more digging, Sudesh from the Bistro, just told me that Nov 11th is the soft opening for The Catch and November 18th, they will be accepting reservations for full capacity.  Either way, the Bistro was great but the Catch is spectacular.  We are also on the Discovery next April so I really look forward to the new restaurant.  
BTW, I’ve heard that they will be moving the Catch where Sabatini’s is and move Sabatini’s to go upstairs where the Bistro is.  Now, I’ve heard that is probably not happening.  Maybe it will, maybe it won’t!  I would not care either way.  
 

I also failed to mention, the entertainment onboard is fabulous.  There is a duo of violin players that are phenomenal and I absolutely adore the guitar player, Jan Jan Repeso.  of course, the production cast is incredibly talented and hard working!  They are one of the best we’ve seen!  Our cruise director, Duvaul is also fantastic.  
 

We also learned that the cut off for the most travelers passenger luncheon was around 600 days if any one was interested in that tidbit of info.  
Im am not counting on or even disappointed if we don’t get an invite to the MTP but will be most appreciative if I ever get one again.  I don’t ever want to get to the point where I just expect something extra just because we’ve been lucky enough to be able to cruise as often as we do.  
I always say, we cruise because we love the crew so much .. it’s neve about the ports of call for us.  It really is all about the wonderful people that work so hard onboard, the ship and the fabulous entertainment .. and nights like last night where we had such a great experience at the party!  


 

 

Thank you Cruise Raider, you are getting me so excited for my first time on Princess with your amazing insights.

[Cruise Raider]

Of course, I keep thinking of things to mention ..

there was actually lunch in the MDR today even though we are in port.  They really have stepped up to provide food in many different venues even while in port.  The other day, I noticed the Ocean Terrace was open beyond their normal hours for serving sushi.  
 

Oh, and I’m really starting to love the firmer mattress and even the pillows are now ok for me.  
 

 

[gvre]

Thanks for all the time to post it been great!

We get on the ship tomorrow by any chance do you know what dinning room will have embarkation lunch.

Thanks

[New2cruise2022]

52 minutes ago, Cruise Craig said:

Thank you Cruise Raider, you are getting me so excited for my first time on Princess with your amazing insights.

We will be on the Discover in 119-ish (exactly, but who is counting) days and the reports and pictures from @Cruise Raider and @BlerkOne and everyone else on board that is commenting is the most I’ve seen. Very excited to sail on the Discovery. Thanks for bringing us along.  

[HBCcruiser]

1 hour ago, Cruise Raider said:

Either way, the Bistro was great but the Catch is spectacular.  We are also on the Discovery next April so I really look forward to the new restaurant.  
BTW, I’ve heard that they will be moving the Catch where Sabatini’s is and move Sabatini’s to go upstairs where the Bistro is.  Now, I’ve heard that is probably not happening.  Maybe it will, maybe it won’t!  I would not care either way.  

Interesting. If we already made reservations for Bistro (February cruise) will they automatically move them to the Catch? Also, if they move Sabatini's will they also move the suite breakfast dining room? 🤔

[Luv2escape]

We were getting pretty excited about our upcoming Coastal on Discovery.

After reading the comments about the beds & pillows, I am getting concerned about my back. We have been cruising with Princess since 2001. We had some VERY BAD beds 😒

before The Princess BED was rolled out. Even came back from several cruises & required chiropractic care. (doesn't seem right after spending so much for a cruise).

Furthermore where is the choice of pillows? Do we have to settle for cheap, crummy pillows? We cannot bring our own because we are flying.

Thanks for letting me rant.😮

We haven't cruised since before the pandemic (2019) and this cruise is to test the waters to see if we will return to Princess or jump ship to another cruiseline.

 

[Cruise Raider]

1 hour ago, gvre said:

Thanks for all the time to post it been great!

We get on the ship tomorrow by any chance do you know what dinning room will have embarkation lunch.

Thanks

We had ours in the Skagway last week.  
it was excellent, btw!  

[Cruise Raider]

59 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

Interesting. If we already made reservations for Bistro (February cruise) will they automatically move them to the Catch? Also, if they move Sabatini's will they also move the suite breakfast dining room? 🤔

 
It’s too early to say what changes they will make for February.  I can only assume they will change you from the Bistro to the Catch but keep an eye out on your app and email as you may be notified of the Bistro cancellation.  
And someone from corporate mentioned they would change the location of Sabatini’s to deck 7.  Someone from the Bistro said they would not be doing that.  So, you may just have to wait for how it will all work out,  

 

[Cruise Raider]

39 minutes ago, Luv2escape said:

We were getting pretty excited about our upcoming Coastal on Discovery.

After reading the comments about the beds & pillows, I am getting concerned about my back. We have been cruising with Princess since 2001. We had some VERY BAD beds 😒

before The Princess BED was rolled out. Even came back from several cruises & required chiropractic care. (doesn't seem right after spending so much for a cruise).

Furthermore where is the choice of pillows? Do we have to settle for cheap, crummy pillows? We cannot bring our own because we are flying.

Thanks for letting me rant.😮

We haven't cruised since before the pandemic (2019) and this cruise is to test the waters to see if we will return to Princess or jump ship to another cruiseline.

 

I wouldn’t worry too much about the beds and pillows.  Everyone is different and to be honest, I really have been liking the mattress.  Maybe give it a chance.  
even the pillows are fine now I’ve slept on them for nearly a week.  
The mattress and pillows are still worlds better than those that we had while on Royal Caribbean.  
 

 

[Cruise Raider]

Our lunch at the Ocean Terrace .. our waiter, Percio, now knows exactly what we love.  Spicy California vegetable rolls and and spicy California rolls with edamame.  
He even knows to bring a fork as I seem to be so uncoordinated.  I swear .. this is so good, I won’t be changing my order. 

[Host CJSKIDS]

11 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

Our lunch at the Ocean Terrace .. our waiter, Percio, now knows exactly what we love.  Spicy California vegetable rolls and and spicy California rolls with edamame.  
He even knows to bring a fork as I seem to be so uncoordinated.  I swear .. this is so good, I won’t be changing my order. 

 

Oh the spicy California veggie roll sounds right up my alley.

 

Looks like you are having another amazing cruise!