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Live From Caribbean Princess 9/14 to 9/21/2008

lnew1gd1

By lnew1gd1,
in Princess Cruises

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Mon Ami

Mon Ami

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Thank you for your "live" critique of the Caribbean Princess. We sailed the Crown 2 years ago and it's nice to hear they still have the seafood buffet (which we would NOT bring to our room). It was a wonderful treat! We are leaving in a few weeks on the ship and look forward to hearing about the rest of your days at sea!

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lnew1gd1

lnew1gd1

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Sept. 18, 2008 and it’s Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada and boy it is ever cold. We docked at approx. 7 AM and were off the ship by 8:15 AM for our 8:30 AM tour with a private, independent tour operator.

 

Temps in the low 60s and cloudy with light sprinkles of rain every now and then. I had on a long sleeve shirt and a fall jacket and was shivering!

 

We started our tour at The Reversing River Rapids. What a sight……wild rapids rushing out to sea. Our tour guide, Peter from Freedom Tours, was a Scotsman and very knowledgeable about the history of Saint John and it’s natural phenomenon, the Reversing River. When high tide comes in it causes the river to reverse it’s direction and flow very forcefully upstream. He promised us that he would bring us back to see the effects of the reversing when high tide arrives.

 

There were vendors selling crafts and all kind of wares out of their vehicles and from tents. Good thing they were there. I bought a knitted scarf to help keep me warm. If anyone would have had era muffs and mittens I would have bought them too.

 

Then we were off for a tour of the area with our next stop being Bay of Fundy and the sea caves. The Bay of Fundy area has a very rocky beach and an awesome coastline with the sea caves being the number one attraction here. During low tide you see the caves very well and can walk down into the caves. At high tide the caves are mostly to totally under water. Then it was a stop at the Market Place (a very interesting, crowded market with everything from fish to nuts and crafts).

 

A couple more stops at areas of interest and history and it was time to head back to Reversing River Rapids. Boy, we sure were not disappointed. The river was rushing upstream and the boats on the river were working very hard to sail downstream. The force of the river was pushing them backwards inland. These tour boats have jet engines to be able to fight the current and move forward but, for the most part, the river was winning. We had a great surprise, there in the water trying to swim downstream, to the ocean, were seals, some adults and some young ones. They were working pretty hard to move forward but the force of the river just kept pushing them (and according to our guide, the fish they were trying to catch) backwards. It was almost comical to watch them.

People that took the ship tors did not go back to see the reversing so they really missed what this is all about. (PS, they paid triple what we paid for our tour and we had a longer, more informative tour!)

 

Later today the sun did come out and warm it up a bit but not a whole heck of a lot. Seas have been pretty calm for this sailing which we all appreciate.

 

Prior to dinner tonight we headed to the Explorers Lounge to catch the comedian Steven Scott. He was great, we laughed ourselves silly. Then it was time for another culinary delight! We had dinner at the Sterling Steak House tonight. $15.00 per person up-charge for this specialty restaurant. Dennis had a Caesar Salad and New England Clam Chowder in a bread bowl and I had the Shrimp Cocktail. The shrimp were jumbo size and delicious. We both had Filet Minion and it was done to perfection. Dennis finished off his meal with a Raspberry Crème Brule but I had to skip desert, ate just to much for any room for more.

 

After dinner it was time for the show in the Princess Theater. Tonight it was a musical comedy called Kimika, an English husband and wife duo, Nick and Tina Salts, who provided a show mixed with great music and laughs. It’s one not to miss if they are on any sailing you are on. We even bought their CD and that is rarely something that we would do.

Other entertainment tonight was Burt Stratton at the Piano Bar, don’t miss this guy, he is great!

 

The Wheelhouse Bar had Mr. and Mrs. Smith for easy dancing and listening (they really are not that good) and the Geraldo Sa Quartet. Can’t tell you about them ‘cause we haven’t gone to any of their performances.

 

The New Deal is playing tonight again in the Explores Lounge for a late performance and Skywalkers had 80’s Retro Disco Hour and then a DJ, Frantz Michael, for non-stop dance mix.

 

We went to Club Fusion to see what was happening there but the place was empty, it is a shame cause I like that club better than Skywalkers. They had Ballroom dance class, a country and western party and Hoe Down and late night disco in Club Fusion today. The game show Princess POP Star was held there tonight.

 

Movies were Water Horse, Legend of the Deep and 21.

Casino has been very tight for us and all we have been doing is donating to the slots and Black Jack tables.

 

That’s it for today. It’s now 1 AM and I don’t know when this will get posted. I will try to answer any questions you have on Saturday, our sea day. There really hasn’t been time to do much more than type this up and save it till I can get a wireless connection.

 

This cruise is so port intensive that there really hasn’t been all that much down time and we are actually getting worn out and looking forward to our sea day on Saturday.

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lnew1gd1

lnew1gd1

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September 19, 2008 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Docked about 9 AM and were to be back onboard by 5:30 PM today. High temp today is predicted to be on only 59 so we dressed in layers. No freezing again like our day in Saint John. Clear blue skies and a crisp early fall day made for a good day for sightseeing.

 

We had a tour that we booked independently with Nova Scotia Tours and we, along with another couple from our cruise critic roll call, were to meet Greg, the tour guide, at 10:30 AM. So, up to the Horizon Court for breakfast and off to become one of Halifax’s temporary population.

 

 

Greg was right on time and off we went. Our first stop was the Citadel and a history lesson there. He gave us a great tour of Halifax on our way out to the cemetery to visit the Titanic victims. If you get a chance make sure you stop here. The gravestones are all numbered according to the order in which the bodies were recovered. They are also arranged in the shape of a ships hull. This cemetery is one of three that you will find the victims buried at. This one is a Protestant cemetery and there are bodies buried in the Catholic and Jewish cemeteries but this one has most of those that lost their lives that day.

 

Next it was a stop at The Swiss Air crash site and memorial then on to Peggy’s Cove where we spent about 2 hours taking pictures, walking thru the small town, learning the history and having lunch at the restaurant there. Great Seafood Chowder, Crab Cakes and fish sandwiches were had. It was a beautiful day and Greg made sure thast we didn’t miss any part of Halifax.

 

We then drove past the area of the Great Fire of Halifax and learned all bout it. This fire was not something that I ever remember being taught about and it was very interesting.

 

We came back to the ship about 4:30 very tired but happy. In fact, there was so much more to do that Dennis and I plan to ride the motorcycles back to Halifax next Spring and Greg was good enough to find us a tour book specifically for motorcycle routes and sights.

 

Our 2nd formal night was tonight and the two of the three scheduled past passenger parties. Lobster and jumbo prawns and Beef Wellington were the recommended choices. The lobster wasn’t much bigger than the prawns served with it but, I do have to say, the prawns were big.

 

The Beef Wellington was a hit but not the dried out, rock hard potato served with it. Desserts have been Ok but nothing memorable or anything to write home about…………..really a disapoinment to everyone at our table. The Horizon Court Buffet was serving a “Taste of the Island” dinner tonight.

 

During the day were a paddle tennis play, morning team trivia challenge, longest drive competition, board games get together, bridge, game of Outburst, music for sail away by Neptune’s Pool by Robert Smith, folklore show, afternoon tea, afternoon trivia, 30 minute scavenger hunt, Jewish Sabbath services, and a solo travelers get together.

 

Movies today : 10 AM, Speed Racer, 1 PM, Charlie Wilson’s War. MUTS is 11 AM, Tom Jones concert, 12:15 PM Phanton of the Opera, 3 PM The Holiday, 6PM Forgetting Sarah Marshall, 8:15PM and 10:15 PM Mad Money.

 

 

Entertainment: Princess Theather, 2 shows for Piano Man done by the singers and dancers of the Caribbean Princess. Crooners Bar, Bert Stratton, In the Grand Atrium at 11:15PM is the champagne and bubbles waterfall party with music from 10:15 to 11:15 by Passion. The Explorer’s Lounge music by the New Deal, Comedy Show by Jason Neistadt and Steven Scott. At 9:30 was the Marriage Game show. Club Fusion was Disco Hour at 8:30 PM, Ballroom Blitz, Final at 9:30 and the game show, the Weakest One. Wheelhouse Bar was Mr. and Mrs. Smith all week and the Geraldo Sa Quartet. In Skywalkers was Dancing throught the Decades and then Non-stop dance mix by DJ Frantz Michael.

 

Saturady is our sea day and last full day aboard the Caribbean Princess and we plan on doing nothing but relaxing.

 

On Saturday, James Deering, the Passenger's Service officer has arranged to have a formal Cruise Critic Meet and Greet in Skywakers at 2 PM. Yeah!

 

OK, quick short summies since this is now Saturday and I am just getting to post the last two days. This is a port intensive cruise and tiring. Not much free time. Up early most days and still up late at night!

 

Food is OK, again not the best I have had but not the worst. Nothing stands out as fabulous as there has been during past cruise. Buffet breakfast, cold pancakes and French Toast. Fresh eggs, hot if you have them made to order. Just warm sausage and bacon. But, all is editable and I still overate and enjoyed it. Tons of breads/rolls, fruit, cereals, and mostly anything else you'd want. Lunch is about the same. Mostly cold but hey, it's a buffet and over 3,000 people. I couldn't do it or 10!:o

 

Dining room is OK but at least all the food is hot when served. Best meals we have had were in the speciality restaurants. Service could be better, our wait staff seems more interested in the other tables and we have had to call him over many times for drink refills and or other matters. He doesn't come back often to see if the food is OK or if we need abnything. Spends most of the night flirting and kissing up to the 2 tables behind us. Not the best wait staff we have ever had.

 

Cabin steward is good, room is clean and neat and he is fast. We leave, come back an hour later it's been all taken care of. Bar staff in lounges have been great.

 

Ship is spotless, at least where I have been but is ready for drydock. That is scheduled for sometime soon, sorry, I forgot exactly when, I will ask again today.

 

Lobster was only on the menu for the second formal night.

 

No, Wavelength is not onboard. No there are no naturalists on board for the ports.

 

I will do my best to find out who the captain and CD will be for the end of October.

 

That's it for now, off to get ready for our end of cruise meet and greet.

 

Cruise has been great ! Would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

 

 

 

 

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lnew1gd1

lnew1gd1

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From what I have read on previous posts the CB is going in dry dock Dec 24th for 5 weeks. Its 1st sailing after is Jan 25/09. They will have 1400 people working 24/7 to get this baby up to snuff.

 

 

James Deering was at our roll call meet & greet this afternoon and dry dock will be on Jan 4, 2009. The dry dock will be for 3 weeks and there Will be 1800 people living on board to complete the renovations in that time frame. There will be major renovations including replacing one of the engines that is not working. The casino will be moved to where the Sterling Steak House is now located. Other changes but I just can't remember them. Some, not all, of the mattresses will be updated to new softer ones. Flat screen TVs will be put into all staterooms.

 

The present Commodore is leaving this ship after the next sailing and an Italian Captain will take his place for 2 weeks then another Italian Captain will come aboard for the long term. Sorry, but the names were actually to Italian for me to remember. The CD is leaving this ship in 2 weeks and will be replaced by someone with the last name of Joy.

 

James Deering spent about 1 hour with our roll call group today and answered many questions for us and listened to our complaints (not many) and our suggestions. Just a hint for you all. If you are complaining about the air conditioning not working in your cabin correctly this is why. The ship is divided into seven zones. If someone leaves a balcony door open anywhere in your zone it will cause the air to not work properly. So please keep your balcony doors closed and we will all have a more comfortable sailing. The ship is designed so that the pressure in the cabin is greater than the outside pressure. You leave a balcony door open and it sucks out all the pressure causing a drop in the temp of the air in all rooms and public areas in that zone.

 

Putting a magnet on the door to fool the air into thinking that the room is closed only causes the air to be pulled out of the room and make the unit work that much harder to re-cool your cabin and those cabins around you.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful day and I probably won't be back to post anymore until after we are home.

 

Having a wonderful time. For those of you that are boarding as we get off tomorrow, have a safe and pleasant journey. I will do a review on the main board with most of this same info and possibly more.

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lianakcc

lianakcc

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lnew1gd1 - Thanks for the great reviews. We will be doing this cruise on Oct 5.

 

I was excited to see that you took the Nova Scotia Tour with Greg. We have also booked this tour and have been a little nervous because we haven't seen any reviews. Is it safe to say you were happy with this tour? What are the "not to be missed" highlights?

 

Thanks for your help and welcome home!

 

lianakcc

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pokey's mom

pokey's mom

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[quote name='mumsiesof2'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]So happy to read your posts-----PLEASE go and see Bert and tell him that Linda & Arie from Chicago send their LOVE. We have seen Bert before and always have the best time with him-he is such a Sweetheart. When we parted last year I cried-We bought his video and always sing along :o .[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4]Continue to enjoy your trip !!!![/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]
Just came off the Caribbean Princess, was on with Lynn. For those people who enjoy Crooner's for a good martini and a relaxing pianist. DO NOT go to see Bert Stratton. He is by far the worst excuse for an entertainer there is. He has to be the
WORST
thing I have ever seen on a Princess ship. He belongs in the kiddy section with his sing a longs. He is also insulting, he yells at the passsengers going by. If he would play the piano and keep his mouth shout , he would be passable.
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pokey's mom

pokey's mom

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As Lynn has covered most of the trip quite well, I do have a few differences. We also had late seating traditional dining and we thought that the food was quite good. This menu gave quite a nice selection .If you do not see something that you have had before or that you would like, ask your captin and chances are you will get it the next day if available. We thought the shows in the Princess Theatre were also quite good and we enjoyed them alot. I have already voiced my view of Bert Stratton, so I will not again.
James Deering will lurk on your roll call and appear at your meet and greet. These are completely done by the passengers . If you ask James will allow you to use a room for your meet and greet ,but Princess will not plan one for you you must set it up . I worked with James who is a wonderfully informative man who is quite easy to work with. James is the (hotel manager) Director of Passenger services. He will also make sure that there is a bar tender and serverer available for your meet and greet.
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lnew1gd1

lnew1gd1

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Hi everyone, we are home. Safe and Sound and had a great time until this morning. We had a sea day yesterday and enjoyed it. This morning at breakfast on board my cell phone rang. It was Dennis' ex-wife's husband, he was crying and asked to speak to Dennis.

Last night at 7:30 pm my dear Dennis lost his beloved 16 year old son, Billy, to what the Docs think was a ruptured brain aneurysm. The autopsy is being done tomorrow morning.

Billy was born with Spina Bifida and was wheel chair confined. Billy was a great kid, always a smile on his face, and loved people. Dennis has lost his best buddy.

Funeral arrangements will not be made until tomorrow morning at 10am when Dennis can join his ex wife in Quakertown, about 2 hours away.

I don't know when or how much over the next week I will be back here. Talk to you all when I can and answer questions then. If things settle down here tonight I will try to find some time to get back to you all.

I will get some pics posted her too, just don't know when at this point.
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resstation

resstation

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[quote name='lnew1gd1']Hi everyone, we are home. Safe and Sound and had a great time until this morning. We had a sea day yesterday and enjoyed it. This morning at breakfast on board my cell phone rang. It was Dennis' ex-wife's husband, he was crying and asked to speak to Dennis.

Last night at 7:30 pm my dear Dennis lost his beloved 16 year old son, Billy, to what the Docs think was a ruptured brain aneurysm. The autopsy is being done tomorrow morning.

Billy was born with Spina Bifida and was wheel chair confined. Billy was a great kid, always a smile on his face, and loved people. Dennis has lost his best buddy.

Funeral arrangements will not be made until tomorrow morning at 10am when Dennis can join his ex wife in Quakertown, about 2 hours away.

I don't know when or how much over the next week I will be back here. Talk to you all when I can and answer questions then. If things settle down here tonight I will try to find some time to get back to you all.

I will get some pics posted her too, just don't know when at this point.[/QUOTE]

Oh no. How tragic. I am at a loss for what to say. You will all be in my prayers.
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