Live From The Caribbean!

[Robroy]

It's Sunday en route to St. Thomas - thought I'd post a quick note on the cruise to date.

This is a gorgeous ship - very clean and although supposedly sold out, we haven't noted that crowding was any worse than on the Golden or Sapphire. Tried the Palm Dining Room around 7:00 and were seated right away (anytime dining) - had a choice of tables and tried a table of eight which was fun - met some very nice people. Nice meal and very accomodating wait team.

Didn't attend the entertainment and chose to just wander around and enjoy the ship. MUTS is amazing - we'll try it sometime this week for sure.

All the staff we've met thus far have been extremely friendly and pleasant. Just what we've come to expect and appreciate from Princess over the years. (Whoops.....gotta watch that - slipping into Cheerleader mode again!!!)First time with a full aft suite and I'm afraid we're spoiled rotten already. Previously have thoroughly enjoyed mini's but this will likely spell the end of minis for us. Terrific cabin steward who's attended to everything we've asked for and anticipated everything else. Needless to say it was a nice surprise for my wife who had no idea we were trying a suite.

I'll try and post periodically on random observations but must say this is a wonderful ship and we're looking forward to the week!

 

Rob

[joanne1]

Thanks for the info!! We are in the middle of planning for March so any feedback on ports, excursions and your experiences on the ship will be helpful.

[PhoneGoddess]

What ship are you on? :confused:

[sueandkent]

What ship are you on? :confused:

 

That should be the Caribbean Princess!

[PhoneGoddess]

Thanks!

[mortysmama]

Thanks for posting. We'll be on CB this March in an aft suite. What deck are you on? Just curious. We were in a full aft suite a couple of years ago on the Grand and it was wonderful. I felt spoiled from the minute we got to the cabin. Back then we had no idea of all we were entitiled to and I guess I missed a lot. Not this time! I've done my homework and intend to take full advantage of all the perks. Are you on the Eastern or Western itinerary? I would love to get your impression of tendering (if you do need the tenders) as a suite passenger. I understand that you get priority tickets for the tenders. Also...are you getting the 'daily menus' for lunch and dinner in the dining room? and have you ordered dinner to be sent to your room? One more thing. I do remember we had afternoon tea brought to us one afternoon. What a wonderful experience. If you haven't considered it...please do. It was fantastic! I'm sure I will think of a thousand questions when I finish this post...but I'll wait for your review. I'm so excited about our cruise and each review I read just makes it more exciting.

Thanks so much for posting while on your vacation. I will be looking forward to any other posts while you're on the ship...and...for your review when you get home.

Have a wonderful cruise.....

[wingit]

We too will be, for the first time, in an aft full suite October 29 on the CB. We're really excited about it. It's nice of you to share your experiences with us here on CC. Look forward to hearing from you throughout the week. Have a great cruise!

[CrusinAgain]

Are you on the Eastern or Western itinerary? I would love to get your impression of tendering (if you do need the tenders) as a suite passenger. I understand that you get priority tickets for the tenders.

 

They are on the Eastern that stops at St. Thomas, St. Martin and Princess Cayes and no tenders are used except at the private island where they use the lifeboats.

 

We go again on this ship this Saturday and its the last Western route for the year and the last time it leaves on a Saturday.

[rld513]

Thanks for posting! We were supposed to be on this sailing, but changed due to the overbooking. We got some nice perks for changing to the 11/26 sailing. Enjoy!!!

[wingit]

One question in particular, Robroy - How is the room service coffee? - If you've ordered any that is. I've read some bad reviews of the coffee on this board - coffee syrup concoctions and such. I'm not a coffee snob or anything, just like a decent cup of coffee in the morning. Thanks!

[Robroy]

Ahh....a momentary lull in all the action and a chance to check back in. I'll try and answer a few questions:

Wingit - room service coffee was great! Dining room coffee is still "not great". Actually I'd sooner drink tea. Last night we went to the little bar near the Purser's desk and had brewed coffee - $1.00 per cup but worth every cent. Understand that on deck 15 brewed is free though. Otherwise, beware!

Mortysmama: We're on Aloha and I agree - we've been spoiled since we entered the cabin! Lovely floral arrangement - received priority tender tickets to show - daily menus including lunch/dinner and desssert! - we don't plan on dinner in the cabin but breakfast was great. The menu you complete the evening before has more offerings than the normal one but we still wrote in "fresh berries" and got a real treat. The liquor setup was changed from courvoisier/gin/vodka/whisky to beer at my request with no hesitation whatsoever. Our steward took note of our requests and looked after absolutely everything for us. It may sound like we're high maintenance but really aren't. He also took a full load of laundry and dry cleaning out for us last night and we'll have it back tonite (two days pre-cruise in Lauderdale worth!). Oh yes....rented a tux rather than lugging it down and the pants looked like pedalpushers. Called the steward - no problem - got them back with the right fit this afternoon.

So far all I can say is that you and Wingit have got something really special to look forward to.

Gotta scoot now - think there's another meal to get ready for......!!!

 

Rob

[Robroy]

Thought I'd check in again. Still having a marvellous time and enjoying all this ship has to offer. Saw a great show last night featuring a duo named "Kimka" - a British couple who were previous winners of their version of "Star Search". They were the most refreshing act we've seen on a ship in years! Great humour - excellent voices - Nick was fabulous on the guitar. They had the whole audience eating out of the palm of their hands. They're back on Friday evening and no doubt there'll be a full house again. Be sure to see them if you have a chance. And yes....the theatre was jammed to the rafters. We got there about ten minutes before showtime though and got front row seats but soon thereafter there was nothing left so be sure to go early.

Evidently Bert Stratton returns on Saturday for devotees - bartender mentioned he had a land gig which he couldn't refuse but will be back after only a week away.

One thing I don't understand is the ventilation in the casino: we're non-smokers and found it incredibly smoky even walking through the place. I would have thought this ship would have had a better system as none of the other Grand class ships we've been on were nearly this bad. Not a big deal though.....I'll choose off hours to gamble and if it's still too smoky I'll save my money for the shops! (not a bad idea I guess???!!!)

Dining room service has been very good and we've had no problem walking up at 7:00pm getting a table for two in the Palm. Food has also been excellent. Ah yes....don't miss the afternoon tea either!

All in all, this continues to be a lovely ship - only problem seems to be that time flies by so quickly........

 

Rob

[seagarsmoker]

Thanks for the updates!

 

We are leaving on Thursday for our Caribbean Princess on Saturday. Please leave some shrimp, XX beer and filets for the next group of passengers! :) :) :)

[wingit]

Did you have the in-suite afternoon tea service or have tea at another location? Sounds as though you're having a fabulous time.

[CruisinFinsUp]

Wingit - room service coffee was great! Dining room coffee is still "not great". Actually I'd sooner drink tea. Last night we went to the little bar near the Purser's desk and had brewed coffee - $1.00 per cup but worth every cent. Understand that on deck 15 brewed is free though. Otherwise, beware!

 

Rob

 

Thanks much for all the info!!

 

Quick question if you get a chance please!! Where on deck 15 (what named deck?) is brewed coffee free? Is there a particular place?

Also, someone mentioned on another thread that there is one bar on the Crown that makes fresh squeezed orange juice -- have you by any chance found any on the CB? (I have two kids that are milk and juice drinkers -- too young for pop so I'm checking out my options!!)

 

Thanks much !! We can't wait to be on her Oct 29/06 !!!

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!!!

[RickSt]

For those who are on the CB for sailing on 10/29/06 ....Drop by our Roll Call at

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=246710

Hugs To Ya!

Claudia

Mrs. RickSt

[Robroy]

Hi Guys,

First of all: Seagarsmoker: We'll be sure to leave a few shrimp and crab claws for you....I've never seen such large shrimp on a regular buffet - enjoy and have a great cruise!

Wingit: We had the traditional tea in Coral Dining room - very nice! Thought we better keep on moving and get out of the cabin for exercise to be able to generate an appetite.....that's important for us!!!

Cruisintoddler: I'll see if i can find out about the brewed coffee and fresh squeezed oj. Didn't catch what he said at the time. The dining room stuff is from concentrate although the room service oj was really good.

 

Last night caught two shows - hypnotist named Fernandez - he was great along with a comedian named Carl Best I think. He was one of the funniest guys we've ever seen and had us laughing for over an hour. So far, the acts have been some of the best we've seen on ships in years. Tonight's a production number so we'll try that as well.

Gotta run and get into town before the shops are all sold out - my wife's ready to spring into high gear.......

 

Rob

[lgt]

Rob,

 

Thanks for the updates, will be on her in Feb. in a full suite. Do they have the new mattresses and linens in the suites? That would be really great. Have a wonderful time. Linda

[keukamom2]

We are looking at cruising on the CP in February - my mother loves the spa on Princess. I understand this spa is run by Princess not private....can you tell me what line of products they carry?

 

Thanks

Sarah

[Robroy]

Hi Guys!

Well - we tried MUTS last night for the first time - saw part of American Grafitti for about the 30th time - what a great experience! The loungers are really comfortable and the waiters brought around complimentary popcorn - weather was beautiful - sound a bit low due to the competition with the tropical deck party next door but a lot of fun!

The production show last night was ElCaliente - ok but I think we've seen better choreography in the past. Really energetic dancers though and the singers were good also.

Tried Sterling Steakhouse for the first time. What a meal! They roll out a trolley with all of the different steak cuts available - we chose an 8 and 10 ounce filet which were perfect. It boggles my mind though how anyone could ever eat a 22 ounce porterhouse but evidently there's a call for it! Must say the service was outstanding and the maitre'd was also very gracious and friendly - overall a really good experience and we'd recommend it to anyone if you enjoy a good steak and nice quiet setting. We've also found a table for two in the Palm with excellent waiters and have booked it for tonite and tomorrow night. Overall dining room service has been quite good but these guys were exceptional as was the location.

Had some fun last night on returning to the room - they had (with our permission) replaced the carpet in the room earlier in the morning. We asked them to leave both balcony doors open to alleviate any glue smell (which turned out to be minimal). When we got back we had a visitor....a small cowbird like bird (no idea what he was but looked similar to photos somebody posted a couple of weeks ago of "birds in transit"!). At any rate, he was swooping around the room scared out of his wits - divebombed my head a few times and banged into the walls. Finally I was able to catch him and took him out to the balcony - gently released him and he quickly flew up and took up a roost on the sprinkler system running along the top of the balcony and started singing away madly. We normally leave the doors open but didn't want a rerun of his little visit so just kept it open a crack. When we arrived in St. Maarten this morning, he had gone - likely to visit his buddies on this island. Thank goodness it was only an overnight trip but I guess this happens all the time...

Questions:

Linda: The bedding and linens are new (at least in our suite) - lovely duvet and comgfy mattress with what I think are down filled pillows. Pretty comfortable but if you're over 6' you sort of run out of room for your feet. We have a king at home so it's a bit of an adjustment but overall, it's very comfortable.

Sarah: I understand that this is a Princess Spa and not Steiners - we popped up there on Saturday to have a look at the Thermal Spa (which is comped with suites) and got a quick tour but no traditional Steiner hard sell by the rep. Unfortunately, I'm "spa product challenged" when it comes to what they're stocking - we've received tons of literature about this and that special but it really didn't interest us - sorry! If I can find out anything I'll try and post later.

Still having a great time - fabulous breakfast room service steward again. We've had the same guy all week and he's found everything we've asked for from mixed berries to sliced pineapple - very accomodating. If there's something you want and it isn't on the menu, don't hesitate to write it in and see what happens!

Gotta go hit the stores now.....I can smell plastic starting to warm up!!!!!

[Kerry&LuAnn]

Saw a great show last night featuring a duo named "Kimka" - a British couple who were previous winners of their version of "Star Search". They were the most refreshing act we've seen on a ship in years! Great humour - excellent voices - Nick was fabulous on the guitar. They had the whole audience eating out of the palm of their hands. They're back on Friday evening and no doubt there'll be a full house again.

 

Kimika performed on the Caribbean Princess when we sailed last March. Hilarious! Be careful if you sit in the front row, because she likes to pick out a guy in the audience to flirt with (and embarrass) during the show!

[cruzky]

Hi. We'll be on the same ship on 12-17. I was wondering if someone could answer a question for me? I heard one night they have a great seafood buffet. If so what dining venue and when?

[Robroy]

Cruzky - The seafood buffet was in Cafe Caribe right behind the Horizon buffet and was held the first and second nights. First night cold - second night hot. Great stuff and lots to go around.

 

Kerry & LuAnn - I agree. We were right in the front row and she "selected" a guy right behind us to flirt with. He was a great sport and it was really funny. Her Tina Turner impression was absolutely hilarious as well....although I don't think Tina would fully approve of some of the strutting from time to time. I won't spoil it - you've got to see it to appreciate it though!

 

Back to the sunshine!

 

Rob

[sasa]

Hi Rob! Which Aloha suite are you in? We're in A751 which is between the owner's suite and the grand suite this Saturday 10/21!!!!

 

Thanks for the great information and keep it coming!

[fgd3]

Hi Sasa,

We were recently in A751 on the 9/23 Western cruise. It is a fabulous cabin. The balcony is huge, I'd estimate 10' deep and 20' long and very private from both of your neighbors.