MTJSR

Mark, sorry to see this come to an end. Since you left me behind :( I've enjoyed traveling along with you this way. I would love to do this cruise again, just say when and I'll go with you.

 

Aunt Judy

(Tell your mother she has mail)

Any and I mean any time!

Just in from walking around and taking the trolly in Aruba. The lady in Yellow "Again" is flat on her back doing suduko. I will tell her she has mail. Hot and I mean hot here. On too Florida and a ships tour there until our flight back to Oakland. See you soon!

Hello Again!

As we close in on the end of this cruise, this will be my all time favorite cruise, due to the awesome Ports of Call. I hope those cruising this season on the Island will have just as good of a time, as we did.

With very little thread activity, and this late into the cruise, I am going to discontinue my postings and go sit by the pool. :D

Happy Sailing!

Mark

P.S. Seafoam Green, any questions? please ask

Hello Again!

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: “Princess Dinner”

Horizon Courts “Outdoor” Theme Today: “Indian Buffet”

Dress Code is: Smart Casual

Today on Muts at 6:00m:Movie: “Teens Wii” 7:00pm and 9:30pm Movie: X-Men: Days of Future Past”

Today was Cartagena, Columbia. Wow!! what a fantastic port. I will want to do a land vacation here. There are some beautiful hotels on the beach and the historic sites would take a year to enjoy.

We decided to just grab a cab and negotiate our own port experience. First we asked for a round trip price to Old Town and back. The cab driver quoted $40.00 and he would wait for us while we explored Old Town. I then said $30.00 and you got a deal and he took it. The Information shack on the dock said the price was $15.00 if you negotiated. I was concerned the driver might drop us and leave, so I asked him to go to lunch with us. He agreed and as a result, we got a private tour of Old Town while we waited for the restaurant to open at noon. We saw every square inch and having him with us kept the peddlers from bothering us too much. As it turned out, most of the other Princess tour busses (we counted 48) on the dock were at Old Town at the same time, but because we had a cab we could escape quicker for heading back to the ship.

The drinking water issue seems to have passed. Water tastes just fine!

Did you know?

1. In Old Town, you will be offered Cigarettes and Cuban “Cohiba" cigars by the peddlers. WORD OF WARNING! hey are not real, the cigarettes are low quality brand replicas and the boxes of Cuban cigars are just junk tobacco.

2. The stores WILL rip you off on the dollar exchange. Use Pesos if you can.

3. There is a free shuttle bus from the ship to the Cruise Terminals main building.

4. Free Wi-Fi, outdoor shaded seating, cocktails, burgers, juice and duty free shops are at the Cruise Terminal building.

5. There are beautiful Macaw’s, parrots and other species of birds flying wild in the outdoor jungle that surrounds the Cruise Terminal

6. Drugs is not the number one export, it’s coffee! (Per our cab driver)

7. They use the gallon system for buying gasoline

8. Current price per gallon is $8.52 (even with Venezuela next door)

9. Approximate exchange rate is 1900 pesos to the dollar

10. Sales Tax is 6% in Columbia

Out for now

Hello Again!

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: “Princess Dinner”

Horizon Courts “Indoor” Theme Today: “Panama Canal Buffet”

Dress Code is: Smart Casual

Today on Muts at 5:00am:Bridge Cam as we transit the Panama Canal” 7:15pm and 9:30pm Movie: Transcendence”

Today we did a full transit of the Panama Canal. This was my very first time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the morning around 5am, I ran down to get a cup of real coffee at the La Patisserie, only to be reminded it opens at 6:30 am. I then ran up to the Horizon Court, only to be reminded that it opens at 5:30. Needless to say, on canal days, I think Princess needs to open the morning venues earlier.

I hung out on the deck 10’s front lookout area for the Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks. I was somewhat amused at the locals running and driving to the shore or coming out of their homes to snap pictures of this huge white cruise ship coming up the channel. I assumed this was very ordinary in this part of the world. Even the Mule drivers and lock workers were snapping pictures.

The locks were just awesome and a wonder of century old engineering. The beauty of Gatun lake and jungle islands made for some fantastic pictures. As we proceeded thru the lake, it was raining pretty heavy, but I slapped on my swim suit and just got soaked on the balcony. I was not going to miss a minute. Over 300 pictures later I now have the task of picking the keepers.

So for those of you who have not yet sailed thru the Canal, I am saving the fun details, that I’d love to share, for your own eyes to enjoy.

Tomorrow is Cartagena, Columbia. We are only here till 1:30pm, so i’m not yet sure what shore explore we might try yet.

FYI: We are currently experiencing a diesel fuel odor in the ships drinking/shower water. Yes you heard that correct. I have a water bottle full of stinky diesel water that came out of my faucet in the bathroom. Now it comes and goes and it started right after our delay out of Puntarenas due to “Technical Difficulties” connected? not certain. I encourage those boarding in Ft Lauderdale to just be aware (not freaked out). I did bring a case of bottled water on board and for me, a none issue. However, if you can get bottled water before boarding and then slap a luggage tag on it, id probably do it.

Did you know?

You can send an E-card/email message for free to any email address in the world? Just stop by the Internet Cafe.

Out for now

Hello Again!

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: “Princess Dinner”

Horizon Courts “Indoor” Theme yesterday: “Octoberfest” Today: “None showing”

Dress Code is: Smart Casual

Today on Muts at 3:00pm:Movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” at 7:15 NFL Football: “Seattle vs Washington”

Another Pub Lunch scheduled for today and the Crab Shack seems to be quite popular, totally booked for today and almost full for the next sea day after Aruba.

“NO INTERNET YESTERDAY”

Yesterday we were in Puntarenas Costa Rica. We docked around 4am and by the time we ventured outside, the dock was lined with tour busses on the left and private tour companies on the right.

We booked the river rafting tour with lunch afterwards. The bus was indeed waiting for us and within 10 minutes of our meet time, we departed the pier. The guide/host on the bus was just fantastic. Young guy who has a great love and knowledge of his country. The rafting itself was level “one” difficulty. Never did I feel we had a chance of falling out. In fact, I am willing to bet, this river has been modified, cleaned out, rocks positioned etc, just for tourists use. At first it felt like the River Cruise at Disneyland, guides knew exactly what animal was just around the corner and where to find it. Turns out they said that the Iguana, crocodiles, bats and monkeys are very territorial and can usually be found in the same area each day. Anyway, those are the animals we saw however we also saw a snake hanging in the tree with a baby crocodile in its mouth.

Ok, word of warning time, the raft trip we took will get you hot, wet and sweaty. You will wear a tight fitting life vest. Your feet/shoes will get soaking wet. It is also possible you will get into a water splashing fight with the other rafts. (Once on the ship, you cannot dry your shoes in the dryers and mine are still wet on the balcony. Too damp to dry with the humidity.) So for those taking any tour where getting wet is a possibility. Bring water shoes or junky old ones. I suggest if you have expensive sunglasses, you get a strap to prevent loosing them in the river. Be advised you are going to help row on the raft, walk 50 yards partially on bolder rocks at the start of the trip and 200 yards up a slight hill at the end. Some in our group may have been under prepared for this level of activity, but they got plenty of assistance.

Did you know?

Costa Rica (Rich Coast) grows coffee in the north and bananas on the Caribbean coast. Its number one export is????? “Technology” . Intel and others are here and knock agriculture out of the running for top export. Costa Rica has approx 150 volcanos, 7 are active. You will see 3 large ones on the raft tour we took. Sugar cane, rice, cattle and hay are grown along this stretch of the Pan American Hwy, used on this tour.

You will notice that every shack/home has a fence around it and every window has bars on them. This is not due to crime, Costa Rican’s define their property lines this way and adorn their window openings with ornate displays of metal work. Some have better taste than others. Our guide claims these are also a sign of economic status.

Education is free and to counter crowded classrooms, school is held twice a day. Some kids go in the morning and others in the afternoon. Income tax is 3%. 1% of that is for education. Puntarenas’ economy is based on tourism.

Today we are at sea. Seas are calm and the skies are cloudy. Rain is off and on.

Whatever mechanical problem we had in Costa Rica, was announced as repaired today by the Captain.

Today we were given a hour by hour schedule for our transit thru the Canal tomorrow. We will be going under the bridge towards the first lock at about 5:30-6am in the morning.

TO: SilverBird. The dining rooms are chilly.

TO: IBsaved. DITTO

Out for now

Short note, we had no internet all day yesterday and also the Island had "Technical Difficulties" and we were 7 hours late leaving Costa Rica yesterday. Everything seems fine today, however we are sailing into dark clouds at the moment. Might be a wild day. More later!

Hello Again!

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: TBD

Horizon Courts outdoors menu today: Port Day Nothing Planned

Dress Code is: Smart Casual

Today on Muts at 4:30pm: Concert “Mumford & Sons” at 6:00 & 9:00pm: Movie: “Transformers: Age of Extinction”

Today at approximately 6am, we pulled into San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. It all started out well, tenders were lowered and the shoreside landing spot setup. Shortly after that, the wind and waves started blowing and rolling at which point tender service was put on hold. All tour groups were waiting patiently in the Wheelhouse Bar for more information. Unfortunately, the rolling wave action never let up and boarding a tender would have been like boarding a ferris wheel while moving. The Captain announced that he made the toughest choice to cancel this port for safety reasons.

Just had a knock on the door, my room steward (anthony) handed me a “Revised Patter Activities” sheet. No changes to the MUTS schedule, but they added several port talks, dance classes and lotus spa sales opportunities. Im good thanks!

Yesterday was an interesting wildlife sighting day at sea. Many many reports of turtles in the water. We watched the flying fish and the birds dive bombing them next to the ship. Several groups of bottle nosed dolphins swam by and one whale was spotted.

Currently we are slowly moving along the coast towards Costa Rica.

Earlier I walked thru the Casino and a couple other poker players spotted me and requested that we get a poker game started. Why not, so we played about an hour before the game broke up. I tell this story as a I learned Princess has stopped offering Poker Tournaments onboard, at least on the Island Princess. The cocktail guy also said that they were very popular, not sure why that decision was made.

I have a question for seasoned Princess cruisers, we are signing up for “EZCheck” baggage transfer in Ft Lauderdale. We are flying Southwest and have paid for the “Early Bird” boarding pass option. Part of the EZCheck program is that Princess prints out your boarding passes for you. My question is; Is and does the boarding pass printed by Princess know we are on the Southwest early bird boarding program?

A question about our port lecturer Bill Keene was asked. This bill is one of two “BILLS” that give port talks on this itinerary The other Bill actually looks kinda like this bill and yes, this bill travels with his wife. He is a retired Architect, hobby historian and model train enthusiast. He does a great job!

Out for now

To Sportsmum: I asked in the dining room tonight and the Twice Baked Goat Cheese Soufflé is served on the "Captains Dinner" menu later in this cruise. It has not been available as of yet.

Hi,

How are you going about creating your blog -- from your own laptop or tablet, via an internet package? Or on the ship's computer by some other method?

We're booked on the Island Princess for 2/19/15 and wondering about internet use on board. I know you can buy a package up to 240 minutes, and that the package is usually a little cheaper if you buy on board. I'm assuming you may buy more than one package at a time, or do you just refill when your time is up?

Have you tried Skyping from the ship? I've read that it can be done.

Thanks! I live vicariously through you :)

I/we are Platinum and Elite sharing a cabin. Each loyalty level comes with 250 free internet minutes. I am trying to write off line and then log on and post. So far very few questions so I am only on a short time. I have no idea just how much the internet minutes are but I have this one piece of advise. Go to the sites you may want to log onto while onboard, go as deep into the site as you need to get and then "Bookmark" that page. When you log on then, you can go right to that page without going thru the layers to get there. INTERNET IS SLOW, SLOWER AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

Hello Again!

Tonights MDR Dinner menu: I just found out, on the island princess they don’t always identify each meal with a theme as found on the grand class ships. It turns out every night the menu says “Princess Dinner”

Horizon Courts outdoors menu today: Fruit Buffett

Dress Code is: the 2nd Formal.

Today on Muts at 2:30pm: Movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at 6:15pm: “NFL Football Green Bay vs Minnesota” and at 9:45pm: Movie “Non Stop”

Quick note for those in 2nd seating, traditional dining. There are late show times that are designed for you. Like tonight, at 8:00 and 9:45pm The production show “Motor City” is presented. We had heard a rumor that 2nd seating diners got cut out of the major onboard production shows. Not true!

Satellite reception in this part of the world seems to be sketchy at night, at least the last two nights. Some of the TV shows just plain freeze up. Internet is very slow between 2 and 5 as usual.

We sailed south east today and had the Mexican coastline in sight all day. At 10:00 am we attended a port lecture on Costa Rica. The onboard port lecturer is Bill Keene and he is quite good. Part history lesson and lots of good pointers and details on what and where to do it. The dock there is over 2,000 feet long. All the tour busses park on the left side and the independent operators park on the right side and yes they come to the ship. Additionally there is a tram that travels back and forth between the ship and shore all day. Costa Rica’s main exports are bananas and Arabica coffee. San Jose is the capital and it is in the mountains north east of the pier. Yes, day trips are offered by Princess Shorex to San Jose.

This afternoon, we could here a small boat outside the balcony, it turned out to be a long boat with 4 guys in it making loud rodeo noises and they did a circle around the Island as we were moving along. Keep in mind the coast is about 20 plus miles away (my guess). I went down the hall to the Caribe secret back door onto the rear observation deck and security was there watching what they were doing. The guy said the radio alert was out to keep eyes on these guys before they call the Coast Guard if needed.

To Prouddad9: To be honest, I have attended zero shows so far. However, I do hear lots of comments and they are good. The production show “Motor City” seems to have positive reviews across the board. There is a comedian ventriloquist onboard named “Jerry Godspeed” who I hear is just hilarious. There are also a couple fantastic piano players as well. One young guy in the atrium plays a wide range of classics, but I seem to hear him playing elton john and billy joel songs. “Jason Neistadt” is a vocal impressionist, “Brandi Chapman” Entertainer (type unknown) and the production show “Do you wanna dance” in the Princess theater also gets positive reviews. I wish I had more details for you but were about half way into this cruise. Hope that helps!

To augies: We are actually having a great time relaxing on this cruise, thank you! It sounds like you are sailing over new years? You are in for a real treat then. That is usually one of the more popular times to be on a cruise. By choice I am staying away from the dancing, Zumba, pool parties, line dancing, trivia games, bingo, motown name that tune, art & crafts and other popular gatherings. But something is always going on. I just walked by the universe lounge (aft) and all sorts of people were ballroom dancing in there. You should have a great great time!

For CruznELM: In honor of you, no yellow today.

Out for now

OP, was Manzanillo a substitute stop for Cabo which recently was devastated by Hurricane Odile, or was it always on the itinerary?

Manzanillo was a substitute stop for Cabo. As you say, the damage was the reason. After visiting Cabo twice in recent years, I think Princess should make Manzanillo a legit stop on all Panama Trips. Even extending the hours of the stop so people can go deep sea fishing or spend more time at the beach would be nice. This is the sailfish capital of the world, they say!

Eric, you are welcome. If you have a specific question, just ask! Personally, I am liking this ship alot. It has a small ship feel and has never felt crowded at all. Enjoy your trip.

Hello Again!

Tonights MDR Dinner menu “ will report next time”

Horizon Courts outdoors menu: None scheduled

Dress Code is Smart Casual.

Today on Muts at 6pm: “Family Wii Challenge” at 7 & 9:30 “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”

Today was our first port stop at Manzanillo Mexico. I really liked this port. It’s multicolored houses/shacks give this port a Caribbean feel. I was prepared earlier to say that nobody panhandled here but later a polite 8 yr old boy with the most adorable smile asked if I had any money to share with him. I hate helping the panhandling problem, but he won me over on just being so demur and polite.

We ended up just walked around the main boulevard area and a few of the side streets, looking at what locals have available. This is not your traditional Mexican shopping stop. A grocery store and hardware store were highlights on this walking tour. Another high moment of sorts was a

Mexican police officer asked me if I wanted to sit on his Harley police bike and have my picture taken. (he saw me looking at his bike) Having never been asked that before, I took full advantage of the opportunity. He and most locals we spoke with, were just as nice as can be.

Sad fact, a large number of the homes in the area are just shacks on hilly cliffs. One whole area (the size of a football field) was devastated by a mud slide. The homes look like they are connected to each other as if to hang on.

Unlike other cruises I have taken, the main dining rooms second seating is mostly underused. It feels only 1/3rd full each night. We love it thou, it gives us plenty of time to have fun with our waiters. Our busboy has the most infectious giggle and with table mates from Australia dinner is pure comedy

For CruznELM: She’s wearing yellow again!!!!

Out for now

Thanks for the update. Have a wonderful day in Manzanillo today. I'm anxious to hear how it has changed since I was there 41 years ago (that's for your mother to determine since she was also there about that time).

This is a great little port. Very picturesque, the people are real nice but in the shops the english is not so good. Tried to buy a camera case and the girl just would not sell it for USD and I was probably overpaying anyway. Mexican armed guards on the dock makes it feel 3rd world. Aside from that I could live here. Things are cheap. Five dollar seafood lunches, three nice t shirts for ten dollars etc. One noticeable difference here is the ship is in and no one cares. Locals just walking by carefree and no panhandlers.

I will have mom report on her feel for 41 years of difference. All is well, we haven't drove each other nuts yet. MDR Food is quite good on this ship!!!!

Hello Again!

Tonights MDR Dinner menu “Another Princess Dinner”

Horizon Courts outdoors menu: Mexican Buffet

Dress Code is Smart Casual.

Today on Muts at 3pm: “Mary Poppins” at 7 & 9:30 “Saving Mr Banks”

Today is just plain HOT & HUMID The air feels swampy and gross! We are just putting along out here as we get closer to Manzanillo Mexico.

I did two lectures today, first was Called Scratch & Sniff, no what you are thinking but had to do with cat and dogs. Did you know that all calico cats are female? Did you know that all kittens are born with blue eyes? did you know that all Dalmatian puppies are born without spots? Or that a cats tongue was designed to comb and remove all smells of food from the fur, so they don’t get attacked themselves? Ok so now we all know!

For you poker players, I tried something today in an attempt to get a poker game started. (first live game that I know of this cruise) I sat at the empty table and asked the Casino host to announce that a game was about to start. Thats all it took here they came. within 5 minutes we had a game started. Bottom line if you want a game you almost have to start it yourself.

Tomorrow is our first port stop. Should have plenty to share after this unusual (for Princess) stop.

Out for now

Yes, I just brought 32 diet cokes and 18 waters, just tape a luggage tag to the item. Limit I am unsure, but Id probably use good judgement on that.

Great report. Are you using the ships Internet, or do you have a package with your cell provider ? Do you know the price for Internet on board ? I am trying to decide what to do.

 

Many thanks

CruznELM: mom made nice with the head waiter or was it the other way around? all is well for now, claws retracted. We will check the emails.

Kenmerloo: Thank you, I am using the free minutes that come with elite/platinum program. I will check the prices, I need to be on the log in page to see what they are. But I will check it out!

Just in from outside. IT IS GETTING VERY MUGGY/HUMID, we have cleared the tip of Baja and are now heading south east towards Manzanillo. Dinner tonight was another "Princess Dinner" this time with Surf&Turf, last PD had the Lamb.

Came back to the cabin only to find a lotus spa appointment card in my name for a "Couples Massage" tomorrow at 10:30. Funny thing is I never booked one or planned to book one, I on this trip with my mother :eek:

To: CruznELM, (my aunt) we have heard nothing regarding lines during SF boarding, but I will make a point of finding out. FYI, we met a couple CC group members from Birkenhead, England. Also, mom said to tell you she has her traditional cruising uniform on. We will send a picture via email, but I think you know what that means. Also (try not to laugh) mom and the Sommelier got into a misunderstanding (RO, Spat, disagreement, etc) last night over a bad bottle of wine, they still charged her anyway but now she’s boycotting buying anymore wine while onboard. (Not a smart move Princess, mom is elite and loves good wine!)

Hello Again!

Tonights Dinner menu “Report next time”

Dress Code is Smart Casual.

Today on Muts at 10am: “Seven Year Itch, 3pm: Top Gun” at 6:15 NFL Football Kansas City vs New England 10pm: “Maleficent”

Today was just perfect, warm but not that hot, seas are calm with a slight roll. There is no coast in site, but still the birds are out here diving into the water feeding. For those of you experienced with the smaller ships, I just cant get over the more relaxed feel onboard here. When was the last time you walked past the Trident grill and Pizzeria at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and the crew is watching the movie on MUTS?

For fun, I did a little exploring today and I decided to check out the Princess Links mini golf course on deck 15. My timing thru the side door was apparently a little too perfect, as a young couple was doing a little exploring on their own. Remind me to ring a bell next time!

Also today was our first of four port lectures on the Panama Canal. Some interesting facts reported are that Princess pays $35,000.00 dollars just to make a reservation for the Island to enter the canal. Then they pay another $30,000.00 to enter during daylight hours. Then the tariff of $392,691.00 (based on berths and tonnage) is charged and after all the other misc fees are added up, it’s a grand total of $482,764.00 to transit the Panama Canal.

This afternoon our Meet and Greet group had a wine tasting in Erik’s (SFO08) suite on Caribe. This turned out to be a lot of fun and was well attended by at least 25 CCmembers. Great job Erik

Out for now

We have friends on board who are new to Princess. I can't wait to hear what they have to say about that unusual sail away. Sounds like you are having a great time so far.

I am guessing, unless they were aware of the commotion up front with the tug boats, they may not even know what was happening.

Hello again, The weather is very warm in the sun and comfortable in the shade. We just came back from visiting the forward Caribe (secret door) lookout area. While enjoying the view and conversation with fellow CC members from Canada, whales were spotted on both side of the ship. Not sure the species, but they are here.

Interesting note, according to our Patter, Princess thinks we are in the “American North West” With lots of glaciers and wildlife. And thats with us off the coast of California/Baja. Additionally the “Welcome Back” Captains Circle card in our cabin, has the collector stamp for Alaska. I suppose I will have to sail again, to get the Panama Canal stamp.

Our Meet and Greet was today at 1pm. Tom and Eric did a great job. Love the T-Shirts! Tom had invited numerous staff members, but only the Cruise Director Bob Leininger made an appearance.

The demographics are interesting on this cruise. We keep running into folks from either

Australia or Canada and in fact our table mates are auzzies. The age range is more 50/60 than it is 60/80. Only a couple small children and maybe four teens. The scooter count is three so far. This adventurous itinerary, must naturally limit the number of people with disabilities from trying it?

Tonights Dinner menu “Captains Welcome Dinner”

Dress Code was Formal.

Today on Muts at 10am: “NFL Football-Packers VS “Bears, 2pm: San Francisco vs Philadelphia ” at 6:15 New Orleans vs Dallas and at 10pm: “Draftday”

The ship still feels very empty, or we have a lot of cabin dwellers. You can walk the halls by the Bayou Cafe or Wheelhouse Bar and no body is there, chairs by the windows are empty. It just feels odd having always sailed the Grand class ships and people use those areas to read and relax.

The seas are smooth as glass right now, its starting to feel warmer/muggy already. Ships staff are very friendly as usual. There are two birds traveling with us in the covered pool area. I wonder if the crew if feeding them as they seem like seasoned travelers and very healthy

Out for now

Hello all, today was embarkation day. This is my first time on the Island Princess. First impression? I’d say very clean but it can use a dry dock and the upcoming in February 2015 will be critical and in time. I do like the layout and love the view from the Horizon Court. Additionally this was the new San Francisco cruise terminals second or third (not sure) opportunity to process passengers for disembarkation and embarkation. I suspect that overall things went well as I’ve heard no complaints. We arrived at 10:30 as we were joining BVE guests to see us off. The staff at the new terminal were very ready to process BVE guests and in fact we were whisked right in at eleven. Once inside and processed, it was just a few minutes wait and off we went. All other passengers were told that doors would open at 1pm. As a result, we seemed to have the whole ship to ourselves for quite awhile before seeing anyone else onboard. If that was the case, then I think making all those people wait till one o'clock was senseless, as staff inside the ship were just waiting.

The new and improved muster drill procedures were in effect for this cruise. Its nice not having to lug that big orange sofa cushion of a life vest down to your muster and back. Shortly after the drill, they threw the ropes and off we sailed……about 50 feet and bam. Stuck in the mud! Yep, you heard me right. For some crazy weird reason (maybe the local union demanding it) we were pushed away from the dock by tug boats. The island was pulled straight away from the dock, apparently far enough out of the terminals dredged zone that we ended up in the mud. At that point we didn’t move for about 20 minutes. One tug was pushing the bow port to starboard and another tug was pulling starboard to starboard plus the aft port thrusters were at full power? and boy did that kick up the muddy water. Finally we moved enough that were able to head out towards open water. The sailing out and under the Golden Gate bridge was spectacular as usual.

We are now off the coast of California heading south. Water conditions are mild. Rolling a bit but I think everyones meals will stay down tonight!

Captain is Mariano Manfuso

Cruise Director is Bob Leininger

Executive Chef is Guido Horst Jendrytzki

Tonights Dinner menu “Princess Dinner”

Dress Code was smart casual. Several passengers however did not get the memo as shorts and poor fitting T-shirts made an appearance.

Movies on Muts tonight at 6pm: “Tom Jones Live From Cardiff Castle” and at 8pm: “Divergent”

The ship tonight feels empty. Casino is quiet and the dinning room was only half full.

To answer a question placed on this thread by punKiC. I asked our room steward, what happens when a passenger takes off the auto tip and then tips directly instead, does he/she get to keep all the money? The answer was yes!

I will check my folio for NR, and we were already onboard at 11 so not sure if they let anyone into the building, but I will ask around.

Out for now

Would you please check with your steward and see whether or not they are allowed to keep individual tips from passengers who remove their Auto-tip?

 

I would really appreciate hearing what they say.

I will ask, I am curious too. Mark

KENMERLOO: Manzanillo was substituted for Cabo San Lucas. Since the hurricane did so much damage, we would of had only cleanup help as our shore excursion. (which might have been rewarding)

Hi Dave and Leialoha, so happy you are both back doing what you do so well.

Question, is David Cole on any of these sailings? Unless you guys just get tired of him:D, I think you three together are as good as it gets.

Mark

What time are you arriving? :D

Hi, (long time since dinner on the Sapphire) at the terminal? We are meeting family that's doing the BVE, at the terminal around 10:30. I confirmed that they let us in at 11am, How about you? Anyone in your group doing the same?

One day to go and we all board the Island Princess in San Francisco. First stop is Manzanillo, Mexico. I will report on anything and everything of interest. Questions? just ask!

.

JJ2sail

 

With union workers just standing around. I did ask the"porter" about being a union long shoreman, and he said no he was not he was just a porter.

 

He is TOTALLY lying to you, yes they are ILWU members and they are paid in excess of $45.00 an hour and on Sunday and holidays they make double time. They will say or do anything to get more tips out of passengers.

lol I was talking to one of the truckers waiting with his truck on the dock and he was saying these "Porters" are pulling down well over 150,000.00 a year total.

It is a bit early to call it poor planning.

True, but the entire terminal, from concept, pre-planning, design, construction, training, staffing/operational needs and finally opening day, was years in the making.

I have to assume, many other operating cruise terminals were analyzed and probably copied for what works. Yesterday looked like it didn't work well. Widespread grumbling comments were heard from those in line as port staff walked by, lots of questions just no answers. I did see an officer from the ship out front taking pictures of the lines. Perhaps they too were concerned.

I am leaving this Saturday and between now and then, several more ships will be in port. I hope the practice will make things perfect by then :D