Captiva

I’m Florida Princess on dis.  

LOL, we’re sailing on June 21 not July ( too many changes in our dates ) .  

We are celebrating one of my Friends Son’s HS graduation and thought mid July would be to close to his College start date .  I’m looking forward to the cruise but also being back up North (orginially from NJ ) for a visit.  We are planning 3 days prior to the cruise in NYC as our friends have never been .  

Small world , yes,  Sarasota is beautiful and I’m so happy we decided to live here.  It is growing quickly but still has charm about it.  It is becoming quite the vacation spot and many, many folks are relocating here .  As I type this , we are relaxing by the pool enjoying Summer temps with a bright blue cloudless sky !  

31 minutes ago, js said:

 

I sail MSC with my mom in the YC. I find the nightlife very lacking, especially for my family who enjoys going out in the evenings and my adult kids (21 and 25) are still in school so still home and we pay LOL Well, my dd just graduated from law school last Friday and has a job lined up for September so her days with vacationing with us are unfortunately numbered LOL

If the nightlife mirrored NCL or even RCCL, I would put my family in the YC, it is far superior to the Haven on the Away ships but thinking the Encore will be much more space than Away ships so we will see. The attention one receives in the YC is outstanding and the prices are a couple of thousand less than Haven.

 

We have owned DVC since 2009! I'm guessing you own OKW? We own SSR and make our way there about twice a year.  Our last trip was January at BLT and I have September booked at GFVs.  Are you on the disboards?

 

Happy planning!

 

 

 

Yes, we own at OKW and BLT .  Living in FL we are fortunate to be able to visit many times a year .  

I Am on Disboards  and love reading all the posts.  

I will start looking at MSC especially the YC .  

We sail on on the Encore , July 2020, so far away but love planning our cruises ! 

43 minutes ago, js said:

 

Chocolate Cowboy is very underutilized by NCL, IMO. He looks like a wonderful mentor to the young crew helping him behind his bar and watching him nightly I would think he would be a valuable tool for NCL to help the young staff starting out.  I said more on my comment card about him.

If we had Adrian as concierge in Haven and Chocolate Cowboy in the evenings, you will only find me in two places, Haven and wherever Chocolate Cowboy is located. He made our evenings.  The 5OClock Bar didn't server Corona Lights and he made sure every night the bar had them for when I arrived and asked.  My dh and I met about 15-20 of the same people every night at his bar. It was like a group of friends hanging out.  The bar also didn't have music, so the Chocolate Cowboy would bring his own tape player.  Can't wait to tell my dh after work there may be a chance we will see him.  I remember he was telling us he was going to Alaska.  On the Caribbean cruises, he was able to see his wife/kids in Jamaica but he still seemed very happy to explore other places, at least that is the face he put on.

 

Can't wait to see more of the Encore! So excited although my turn won't come until July 2020.  I have an MSC Seaside YC cruise in February to hold me over.

I totally agree about Chocolate Cowboy !  He is a wonderful motivator, person and truly cares about his Guests ❤️

We have never cruised MSC, interested in hearing about it . 

By the way, love your signature picture, we have been DVC members since 1992 !

On 5/7/2019 at 10:15 PM, js said:

 

Thank you. I saw in a picture on NCL website the H4 had a lounger on it. Do you think this may be the case. How do you know about the larger balconies on Deck 17?  I read though this entire thread today and didnt see any mention about larger balconies, but will be happy if that is the case. 

 

Thank you for the video. It looks a lot like the Escape Haven to me but I havent sailed on the Bliss.  Out of all the NCL ships, Escape is my favorite; however, we really just wanted to be able to drive to the port and not fly next summer so our choices were Encore or Oasis, with an awful itinerary (and we just sailed the Allure).

 

Will miss HATM but we spent a lot of time at 5 OClock with the Chocolate Cowboy. We ended every night there with the same group of people and he made the night. Is the Chocolate Cowboy still with NCL?  I thought he was going to Alaska but cant remember. 

We sailed a few weeks ago on The Bliss Coastal Pacific Cruise and The Chocolate Cowboy was at the Sugar Cane Bar ( alternates between inside and outside bar) . Will find out soon if he’s going to the Encore !

Thanks everyone for your responses. We are taking a different cruise line from LA to Vancouver then possibly taking Holland America down to Seattle. We have researched many different options but since we never did a one nighter we thought we would give it a try .

Has anyone sailed on the one night Vancouver to Seattle Cruise . Thinking of this option after our Coastal Cruise May 2019 .

do you need to use your key card to access the spa deck ??

 

 

On our recent Regatta cruise they had 2 of the balinese beds & maybe 8 lounger chairs

4 in the shaded area ..not much room upfront ;)

 

We spent many leisurely hours on the Spa Deck on our April 12-24 Regatta cruise( had Conceirge access). Never crowded , totally quiet and enjoyable ! There were 5 loungers and 2 Balinese beds.

Port sailaways were awesome from our private deck !

Who cares how old she is ! I spent a great deal of time with her at the Naming Ceremony and she was funny, gracious, energetic and plays a mean guitar. It was a pleasure getting to know her ---however old she is or isn't she rocks !!!

I spoke with Jack Jones and his wife yesterday and they said that they were sailing on the Nov. 6th, 3 day along with the Love Boat crew.

Oceanwench---The "shots" were delicious but what about those chocolate lollipops--OMG !!

Just returned from Ft.Lauderdale and the Naming Festivities ! Princess sure knows how to throw a Party. They were approx. 1800 passengers on board, crew was awesome and of course the food and shows were terrific. Yesterday was action packed--Gold carpet event proceeded the Naming Ceremony, Master of Ceremonies was Florence Henderson, numerous interviews with invited celebs that appeared on the Love Boat TV series on Center Stage, showed interesting video of Princess Cruises 50 year history, Jack Jones sang the Love Boat Theme song center stage, then remarks by Arnold Donal and Jan Swartz, then a video from Princess Founder Stanley MacDonald, Charo performed Center Stage, then a Blessing of the Ship followed by the Naming Ceremony and the Champagne toast ! The Guest Stars were gracious and posed for many pics and reminisced with us all !

It was an Event to remember , and the Regal is Beautiful !

Thanks for the awesome pics of the Regal Princess. I will be boarding that gorgeous ship tomorrow for the 2 day Naming Celebration festivities! Can't wait to step aboard !

Ft. Lauderdale---look out--we're on our way !!!!

Awesome Celebration for the Regal !

The Fort Lauderdale naming ceremony for Princess Cruises' newest ship, the Regal Princess, will be a celebrity-studded affair.

Princess President Jan Swartz says it promises to be one of the largest Love Boat reunions ever. Look at the guest list — it’s a who’s who of classic TV sitcoms.

Princess announced Thursday that Tori Spelling, actress and daughter of the late Aaron Spelling who produced the iconic television show "The Love Boat," will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.

The christening ceremony also will feature a reunion of the original cast of the Love Boat.

The Nov. 5 naming ceremony for Regal Princess at Port Everglades will feature a reunion of the original cast of the iconic television show "The Love Boat", who will serve as the cruise ship's godparents. (Princess Cruises)

The cast members performing the naming honors will be Gavin MacLeod (Captain Stubing), Fred Grandy (Gopher, the chief purser), Ted Lange (Isaac, the bartender), Bernie Kopell (Doc, the ship's doctor), Lauren Tewes (Julie, cruise director) and Jill Whelan (Vicki, the Captain's daughter).

"The Love Boat is one of my favorite shows," Tori Spelling said in the statement. "And the fact that I get the chance to be part of the cast and guest star reunion is thrilling."

The actress also will host Regal's gold carpet, interviewing celebrities who made a guest appearance on the show. Those personalities include Loni Anderson, Jamie Farr, Pam Grier, Florence Henderson, Jack Jones, Lorenzo Lamas, Rich Little, Kristy McNichol, Mackenzie Phillips, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Charlene Tilton, Joan Van Ark and Dick Van Patten.

Additionally Charo — the guest star with the most number of appearances on the show — will give a classical guitar performance that evening, Princess said.

The ship's naming ceremony kicks off celebrations to mark Princess' 50th anniversary in 2015.

Hi,

 

I recently became Elite based on number of cruises (and the fact that Princess provides a double credit for solo cruisers). I am looking forward to the additional benefits during my next Princess cruise. I wouldn't be surprised if Princess adds a new higher lever above Elite. This is fine with me provided they don't take away any of the current Elite benefits.

 

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

Greetings from Jean and Walter --we cruised with you on Crystal many years ago !

Perhaps we'll see you on a Princess cruise 1

I'm Scott Wyler the comedian and I performed on the Coral Princess last cruise and this cruise. Although Pia didn't attend my shows I know that a lot of people read her blog. I just want to thank the passengers aboard the Coral Princess.

I'm traveling right now with my 90 year old father Harry. He doesn't get many opportunities to see me perform so this is special to me. I performed two nights last cruise on the Coral Princess and I performed the Welcome Aboard show and again last night on this cruise. The audiences were excellent all four nights that I performed and countless people complimented me in front of my dad. My father told me he has never been more proud of me. When I saw people who don't walk very well trying to run across the ship to see my show last night while the ship was rocking I was beyond touched.

I've been working on ships for 17 years and this past twelve days with my dad here are ones I'll remember my whole life. I truly love the passengers of Princess Cruise Line and particularly the passengers of the Coral Princess and Island Princess. They are some of the best people I've ever met. Thanks.

Thanks Scott for so many laughs over the years ! As frequent Cruisers, we enjoy all the amenities on board as well as the shows ! How awesome that your Father was able to see you perform--he must be extremely PROUD of his Son as well as spending time with you aboard. As they say, "Laughter is the best Medicine" and everyone needs a daily dose !

Thanks for advising us that Princess CAN and WILL upgrade even if you have specified No Upgrade. Glad that everything has worked out for you and you can now enjoy your Cruise !

The Carla C was my FIRST cruise back in October 1983. I sailed with SEVEN Friends ---we had INSIDE cabins (boy ---were those bathrooms small!) but thought we had the penthouses! Didn't know any different !!!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't use our hair dryers cause we kept blowing fuses!

Still remember the dining room and that GREAT Italian food---.

In fact, due to the U.S. invasion of Grenada we missed that port.

Well that cruise started it all----Have been hooked ever since---19 cruises later and still counting!

Captiva

Going to pull out the pictures now and take another look !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!