fairsky1984

Spent 14 days in 8001, a little farther forward than you. But LOVED the ship and the quiet location! By far, our favorite ship and experience. Of course, part of that was probably due to it being "thee" 50th Anniversary Sailing on December 3, 2015, with all the special festivities, "Love Boat" cast, etc.

In our experience, the earlier you go to Haleakala the better, as clouds tend to build as the day progresses and the chance of a better view should be in the morning. Obviously, if it is very overcast or raining you may not have a view at all. You really have to play it by ear and see what it looks like when you get here.

 

Whether you start or end at Haleakala, consider these scenic shortcuts: From Keanae to Haleakala - backtrack from Keanae to Paia and take a left on Baldwin Avenue up to Makawao. Turn right on Makawao Avenue and continue to Haleakala Highway. Make a left on Haleakala Highway and you are on your way to Kula and Haleakala. Do the reverse from Kula/Haleakala to Keanae.

 

Do remember that lavender is pretty seasonal, and looks best in summer (around August comes to mind, but you can look it up). If you show up in December or something it may not be as pretty as what you were expecting.

 

Late note: You posted while we were writing, and it looks like you have everything in hand. July should be pretty good for the lavender, but you might want to email them to make sure. As to your route through Haiku/Makawao, that will certainly work as long as you know where you are going - which it sounds like you do.

Agreed on going as early as possible to avoid the clouds coming in. But also, you'll be ahead of all the tour busses heading up. We have been up Haleakala (and all over the surrounding upcountry area) at least 25 times and always leave early to arrive at the lower Visitors Center by 8:00-8:30. Seldom are we clouded in and always pass the tour busses when we're heading back down.

Me too. Great review, re-living our Mexico cruises.

Have I missed the continuation somehow? :(

Since the Ocean is sold, I guess it won't be a problem much longer. I am one of the "love" small ships crowd, and if they sell the PP, I will be very upset.

Us, too. We absolutely loved the Pacific Princess, the 50th anniversary sailing on Dec 3rd, which I know you sailed as well. It was our first experience on one of Princess' small ships. It was wonderful and we are spoiled now. I would not, however, want to sail her TA or TP. Just too small and potentially rocky for our enjoyment.

Yep, ship will leave without you if you are delayed and have made your own flight arrangements. Been there done that :(. Something to consider with winter travel, that's for sure. Price certainly is a determining factor, but so is getting yourself to the first port if the ship has left.

Saw the hands off sign, too. Tempting to shake it up :)

Where is your review? Why can't I find it? Help! Thanks :)

Found it! Very well written and I agree that this was a very special experience, one that we are very happy to have had. Nice job on the review.

They tell me the review has been posted.

Where is your review? Why can't I find it? Help! Thanks :)

On the Pacific Princess Review page. I guess it takes a couple of days to appear. (BTW, we really enjoyed meeting the two of you. :))

Would you post a link to it when it appears, please? thanks.

If you go to any Trivia games, look for Jan and Tom and tell them their Tahoe friends, Pat and Carol, are following their travels on this thread. Thanks for posting it so we can sail along with you!

Can anyone tell us for sure if there is much noise from above in a Pacific Princess mini-suite (deck 8) with either the gym and some deck space.....or.....the entrance to the buffet and some deck space on deck 9? Thanks! We'd be paying extra, not a comp upgrade. :)

Agree with above poster. Did a B2B recently with changed cabins midway through. Cabin stewards will assist in the transfer. You can pack up everything in your luggage, or leave everything loose and they will use a bellhop-type of cart to transport. That was the easiest. Check with Passenger Services Desk during your first segment to ask any questions or seek assistance. Everyone made it very smooth. All we did was take our valuables with us and they did the rest. But DO NOT put your luggage out the night before the end of your first segment or, like the other above poster said, it will be with the all of the luggage of disembarking pax on the dock! :eek:!

Especially when hubby and I earned them separately.

I'll 2nd that. :D

Ditto!!! They were earned individually and should be awarded individually. In our case, we earned them at different times when we traveled separately.

Wiw, different on our b2b last month. Had four bottles and boarding passes, and they said fine, go on board. So we had our four bottles with us from our first day.

Just finished a b2b on the Crown. Although we did not change cabins (but have in the past, and yes a supervisor does the transfer of belongings), we were not allowed to carry over any unused internet minutes. Our shipboard account was closed as well as though we were disembarking at the end of the first cruise, and a new account was established as though we were boarding. We assembled with other "In Transit" pax, were escorted off the ship and through customs, and then reboarded before the rest of the arriving pax. Very smooth and seamless. But no roll-over of anything unused. Except, of course, our coffee card :)

We were on this cruise and the one following (Feb 28-March 7). Agreed on the food in the MDR. We had a so-so dinner in the Crown Grill on the first segment, but an outstanding one on the second....and ordered nearly the same thing. Steak was okay the first time, but was one of the best ever the second time.

Pizza was bad on the first week, but we gave it a try on week two and it was better. Pizza has always been a Princess "specialty" and our go-to, but it really wasn't that great.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the Crown. Interior lighting makes the ship seem dark and somewhat dreary, compared to other ships. Ship is alsoa a bit big for our liking.

But overall, we enjoyed both weeks; accomplished what we wanted...a winter get-away.

Weather on both weeks was about the same, except on the second week day one heading from LA was cold, windy, showery. But the sixth day heading home was awesome, and it usually cools down by then.

I guess we were lucky in the past. Each b2b, we've boarded with four bottles of wine or champagne. Once they saw we were on the next sailing, they let the second two bottles go through, no questions, no problem. Every time. Again, maybe we were lucky. But we're sailing this weekend on a b2b with four bottles, so we'll see :)

Knew there would be the extra charge, but wasn't sure if the Crown Grill was simply the Sterling Steakhouse but renamed Crown Grill instead on the Crown. You confirmed it for me, Pam in CA. Thanks.

Despite sailing over 30 Princess cruises, we've yet to sail the Crown. We're on the Feb 21 and 28 sailings. What is Crown Grill? Is it the same as Sterling Steakhouse with a cover charge? I've seen Crown Grill mentioned on these boards over the years, but now am finally going on the Crown and don't remember. Thanks.

Opps. Should have clarified. Just a $3 for a full pizza delivery. :(

Thanks everyone. Basically, no change then; the usual long-established pizza delivery room service charge and not any other, as well as no cover in Alfredo's. Appreciate the updates.

The only room service charge is $3 for delivery service. Alfredo's continues to be free.

 

The reason why these charges were quickly withdrawn was not so much because of outrage but because very few or no one then used room service or went to Alfredo's.

 

Follow the money.

So there is a $3 room service charge now, not just our usual tip?

I remember the flurry of posts expressing extreme upset regarding both the $3 room service charge and $10 Alfredo's cover charge on the Regal back in May and June. A huge flurry of CC posts! :eek: Especially because it was implemented without knowledge of existing pax and a surprise when they boarded.

I thought I read that both changes were withdrawn by Princess because of the uproar, but what is the latest? Has there been any hint of fleet-wide implementation? Need an update please.

I'm not trying to cause another uproar, but just want to find out what's what. thanks

Thank you, thank you, thank you,,,,

 

Coffee - check!

Food - check!

Booked on Pacific Princess - check!

 

Now just one month until sail away.

We also will be sailing on the Pacific Princess next year and will have a small-ship experience for the first time, after 30+ Princess cruises. Please post your thoughts, or photos, a review, whatever you can, as we'll be eager to hear the differences and your opinions. Thanks and have a wonderful time! :)