****Live From the Golden Princess****

[T&J]

TL where did you buy the Jack London it is not available at the LCBO ? :mad:

 

They sell it onboard the ship...it was $38.00 prior to Sept of this year and now it's up to $45.00...but still worth it.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Man Tony, you're killing me. It's almost dinner time and I still have 2.5 hours of work left before going home. That dinner sounds amazing, the tiramisu is one of my fav. desserts. The Jack London is such a great Cab. Sauv. as well.

 

In terms of the FOD meeting, on the Caribbean Princess we had one that late as well. It had a great turn out, but I couldn't keep up, I'm an early to bed kinda guy as is my partner.

 

Benny I didn't end up going to the F.O.D get together as I was too pooped myself and didn't go to the "Office" either last night.

 

I love the "Jack London" Cab ...it's one of my fav's as well as the Carneros or the Caymus as well.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

I am enjoying these live reports from the Golden and REALLY looking forward to the comments on Egypt as I am booked on this cruise for next November. :)

 

Happy Sailing, olives and parmesan ~ yum!

 

Yes, Casshew I know there are a lot of people who are waiting to hear my commentary regarding the Overnight Tour to Cairo.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Thanks for checking with Natasha. I'll keep trying to pin down that rumor re Arcadia - and perhaps with all your "high level" Princess connections, you might hear something.

 

Michael

 

Michael, don't write me off just yet...I am still going to try and get that rumour either confirmed for you or dismissed hopefully before the en d of this cruise.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Hi Tony,

 

I've been lurking since the beginning reading all the posts on a daily basis. Since we travel on the Golden next June to Alaska, it's been a great primer for me! Thank you for being so dilligent in keeping us updated and answering everyone's questions.

 

And now for my question... Is Sabatini's still open on sea days for lunch? If so, do you know the cost?

 

Thank you again,

 

Todd, no unfortunately they stopped doing the "brunch" on sea days about 2 years ago on all Grand Class ships and never had it on the smaller ships that I can remember. I use to love doing that instead of the dinner as it was much more of a casual environment and also took less time to complete than the usual 2.5 to 3 hours at dinner. The cost before was $15.00 per person cover charge but included your wine during brunch.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Will you ship me a case ? lol

 

I'll bring you back a bottle from the ship.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Good morning from the Golden Princess....

If anyone is still awake on the East Coast and West Coast, we have a beautiful sunrise happening this morning now. Shades of pinks and mauves over the waters if you would like to view it on the ship's Cruise Cam.

 

I ended up going to the "Office" just to check it out and I did not end up playing at all. I eventually went to bed just after 11:30pm last and woke up this morning shortly after 6:30am.

 

The seas were very calm last night and I didn't feel a thing. I think people are starting to figure what I already knew about this Internet Cafe...get here at the crack of dawn. I pulled in here this morning and all of 5 computers are working and all were occupied except one....just a deplorable situation.

 

I can't belive that tomorrow my Overnight Tour begins in Egypt. It seemed so far off when I board the Golden Princess on Oct 29th in Venice, Italy.

 

My plan for this morning is to go and get some breakfast, pack an overnight bag and get it ready for our early morning departure tomorrow morning.

 

I have an Eye Treatment shceduled today at 12:45pm in the Lotus Spa and I am also having dinner with Adiamo! and her husband and Jeanna who was also on the first cruise that I still haven't met.

 

The weather forecast for today is sunny and a high of 74F at sea all day....perfect weather for this time of year.

 

More to follow later this morning from the Golden Princess enroute to Port Said, Egypt.

 

Tony

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[kruisey]

I honestly didnot know what' Friends of Bill 'meant until it was explained on this board.

Now I know what 'Friends of Dorothy' means.I thought it was to do with friends on board ship....because I have only heard this mentioned on Cruise Critic.

Anyway now I know.......I hope both groups enjoy their meetings on board:)

[T&J]

I just checked the weather for Cairo tomorrow; sunny and a high of 76F and also for Alexandria, Egypt; mostly sunny and 75F and for our arrival tomorrow in Port Said, theya re calling for a high of 75F and sunny.

 

The weather forecast for our arrival into Civitavecchia is looking ugly with showers for our arrival on November 22nd.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

I honestly didnot know what' Friends of Bill 'meant until it was explained on this board.

Now I know what 'Friends of Dorothy' means.I thought it was to do with friends on board ship....because I have only heard this mentioned on Cruise Critic.

Anyway now I know.......I hope both groups enjoy their meetings on board:)

 

Kruisey, two completely different types of meetings!

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Apparently the ship is having one hell of time trying to get pax's that have booked independant tours into Egypt to cooperate and come down to the Purser's Desk to inform them of there plans. People are not coming down to do so and they have until 12 noon today to register at the Purser's Desk.

 

If you are booked on a Princess tour the ship will take care of your Visa requirements for going ashore on a day tour or the Overnight Tour. However, if you are doing a private tour arranged on your own, you are solely responsable to coordinate your own Visa's which are fairly easy as most independant tour companies can provide the Landing Cards that are needed.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Oh the ugliness of it all!....people in the Internet Cafe were getting very impatient and starting to bully some people off machines just now. There was almost a physical altrercation over it until finally someone called the Purser's Desk to complain and said they "Demanded to see the Captain".....like they are goingt o wake him up?...duh!

 

If they would just simply man this room for more than 2 hours a day and give me techincal support for this room we wouldn't be having these kinds of situations.

 

I can see that they (the ship) will be getting on there passenger comment cards at the end of this cruise for the Internet Cafe.

 

Tony

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[kruisey]

Kruisey, two completely different types of meetings!

 

Tony

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I remember in 2004 while on the Sun princess in the Panama Canal I passed a room with a board outside saying friends of Bill.......I thought it was a group of friends on a cruise together.......until I read on this board what it meant.

Now I know about a different group 'Friends of Dorothy'......a society that have group meetings.

I know you must think me rather naive:o

[T&J]

I know you must think me rather naive:o

 

Not at all Kruisey!

 

Tony

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[T&J]

Alright going to be going to breakfast now...I am getting a little hungry!

 

I can't believe on a sea day that they ahve no one in the Internet Cafe until 1:00pm to help reboot these computers that keep on dying!

 

More to follow later today from the Golden Princess enroute to Port Said, Egypt.

 

Tony

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[cactusrose]

I forgot to also mention that this cruise to Egypt is a Connaisseur Cruise for Art Lovers (Stacey you hear this). There are 3 artist that are actually onboard exhibiting there paintings and also giving lectures.

 

There seems to be a lot of interest around these 3 artist and two of them are playing in the Casino sometimes with me.

 

More to follow later today from Athens, Greece.

 

Tony

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Now Tony you have wet my curiosity. Who are the artists and why do you think I would be interested? Has someone been talking?:D :rolleyes:

[T&J]

Now Tony you have wet my curiosity. Who are the artists and why do you think I would be interested? Has someone been talking?:D :rolleyes:

 

One artist that I recognize is Pinot and the other two I don't know but will find out for you...All I know is that this is a Connaisseur Cruise part of the Art Program and also that sales a very weak on this cruise for Art Sales because I heard Chris the Art Auctioneer moaning and groaning about it in his LOUD New Jersey or New Yorker accent last night in the Library while I was on a computer.

 

I've heard thru the grapewine that you guys buy some pretty good art pieces while onboard sometimes...

 

Tony

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[T&J]

I just came back from a late breakfast and the Dinning Room was packed to the rafters as ww would say. I had the usual two poached eggs and OJ and coffee with some hash browns this time.

 

The Atrium is full of activity as today between 10:00am and 5:00pm we must pick up our passports before arriving into Egypt....surely will be a zoo down here this morning as they are already lined up from my view here in the Library.

 

Going to go back to my cabin and pack taht overnight bag for tomorrow and get ready for the Most Travelled Luncheon at 12 noon in the Bernini Dinning Room.

 

The weather is warm today and a light breeze...you could actually lie out by the pool and get a tan that's how warm it is today.

 

More to follow later today from the Golden Princess enroute to Port Said, Egypt.

 

Tony

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[T&J]

I just got back from the Most Travelled Luncheon and had the following of a specially prepared menu;

 

Loster Salad, lobster meat on a bed of lettuce wuth cerlery and tomato Julienne served with delicate olive oil and lemon dressing.

 

I then had the Veal Escalope Oscar; Pan rosted and topped with crab meat, asparagus and hollandais sauce gratin accompanied with bouquetiere of vegetables and potatoes pariesiennes.

 

For dessert, I had the chocolate truffle; Belgian chocolate and vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate sauce and whipped cream witha double espresso.

 

The meal was fantastic and there were some great people seated along with me at the Captains Table.

 

The weather today is absolutely perfecta nd very warm outside...almost feels like the Caribbean believe it or not.

 

I had to have my eye treatment pushed back to 4:45pm today due to the luncheon.

 

More to follow later today from the Golden Princess enroute to Port Said, Egypt.

 

Tony

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[Casshew]

The Atrium is full of activity as today between 10:00am and 5:00pm we must pick up our passports before arriving into Egypt....

 

They are holding everyone's passports? What is the reason for doing this?

[T&J]

While being seated next to the Captain today at the Most Travelled Luncheon I took this opportunity to discuss in detail what was being performed during the drycock in Marseille, France next week.

 

Here's what Captain David Calabrese explained;

 

Firstly the only main reason for a change from WetDock to DryDock is to fully inspect the ships hull due to a discussion between Calabrese and Peter Radcliff, President/CEO of Princess because of the intense scrutiny and media coverage and negative press about a Grand Class ship going into Antartic waters for the first time. After all teh negative press the Company has been receiving up to know for this sailing on Jan 22/07, Calabrese and the Company want to make sure there is nothing wrong with the ship, thus preventing an incident in those waters.

 

Also, the trusters and propellers will be fully inspected at the sametime.

 

General refurbishment will happen such as the carpets being replaced in common areas, pax cabins. The new linens have yet to arrive at the ships terminal in Civitavecchia and he doubts it will be performed during this DRYDOCK. He did say there was a good chance that it could happen when the ship returns to New Orleans in mid December prior to the South America season begining on Jan 6th out of New Orleans.

 

Michael, he has heard nothing about the Arcardia being trasnferred out as I asked him that quesation as well.

 

Tony

[envy4u]

I'll bring you back a bottle from the ship.

 

Tony

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You;re a sweetie.

 

Enjoy your overnight .Ciao for now .

[T&J]

They are holding everyone's passports? What is the reason for doing this?

 

This is STANDARD proceedure for any calling into Greece or Turkey for immigration purposes and pre-clearence inspection prior to the ship arriving into port.

 

Tony

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[Casshew]

I have been on cruises in the Caribbean where they hold the passports of all non-US passengers (like me). Then at 5am we would have to present ourselves (everyone including kids) to some offcial in a lounge somewhere. It was a huge PITA.

[T&J]

I have been on cruises in the Caribbean where they hold the passports of all non-US passengers (like me). Then at 5am we would have to present ourselves (everyone including kids) to some offcial in a lounge somewhere. It was a huge PITA.

 

On embarkation day, the ship will collect your passports when you check-in and that applies to EVERYONE!

 

Tony

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