westendgirl

After 50 cruises (26 with Princess), you might be interested in some of the reasons we've missed a port:

 

• Weather - winds, seas, fog
  
• Dock repairs
  
• Tsunami aftermath
  
• Hurricane in the North Atlantic
  
• Political (Ushuaia, Argentina because we'd called on the Falkland Islands)
  
• Ship mechanical problems (A/C once and engine once - both in Hawaii)
  

And it always seems to be the one port you were most looking forward to visiting - but that's all part of cruising. It was very unsettling in the early years but it doesn't faze us today. We know what's ahead when the captain comes on the PA system ship-wide and says, 'Ladies and gentlemen I hate to interrupt but there's something you should know...'. The CD's usually scramble to add additional activities and movies and you have yet another Relaxing Day at Sea.

 

The best part is: you have an excuse to schedule another cruise with the missed port(s) in your itinerary!

I applied for renewal the first week of July and received it within 3 weeks, no expediting fees paid. The old, cancelled passport was received a few days after that. I agree with Laughing Husky - it's fun to look at the old passports (but not so much the younger photos!). Was able to go into Princess Personalizer and change my old passport data to the new without difficulty.

 

Smooth sailing!

I hope they're also onboard for Princess' 50th Anniversary Cruise December 3, 2015! :D

We've been on several cruises during Halloween and the decorations and participation varied greatly. They all decorated the atrium with pumpkins, and an orange and black color scheme. However, on the Diamond last fall they went all out. All of the bars and Club Fusion were quite decorated and most of the crew wore costumes. The waiters and headwaiters in the main dining rooms were a hoot and one of the bartenders dressed as a priest and said he was hearing confessions (but bartenders do that on a daily basis). The extent of my 'costume' is to sometimes dress as a witch with a collapsible witch's hat and wear orange and black. Some would say that's not a far stretch for me. Have a great time on your Halloween cruise! Whether you choose to wear or not wear a costume, you will not be alone.

We had no problem with storage on the Royal mini and brought a significant amount of clothes (Transatlantic + Baltics). We enjoyed the curtain separation which we heretofore had experienced only in full suites, and the bathroom design. (Others had complaints about the position of the toilet paper holder but I think it would only be an issue if you had range of motion problems with your left arm.) Our only complaint was the miniscule size of the balcony. We thought we were prepared for this by reading all the negative reviews, and the size didn't stop us from enjoying ours, but it was a huge miscalculation IMO. We are booked on the Regal's maiden transatlantic this fall and expect to enjoy our mini just as much as we did on the Royal.

Enjoying your journey tremendously! We visited these ports in May and I am really enjoying re-living all the wonderful experiences. Hope you stay in CPH post-cruise because I hate to see it end. Please use those FCC's quickly! :)

The first time we visited Tallinn, we had never experienced so many and uneven cobbles. We decided they should change the country's name to Es-STONE-ia! :D

So Tessy didn't see Nessie? :D

 

Really enjoying your review btw! Thanks for the time & effort.

Absolutely loved your thread! We were on these cruises with you and it was great to re-live it, day-to-day. Very thorough and accurate reporting.

 

One tiny correction (not because I'm a nit-picker but because you value accuracy): The party band, Spectrum, is from the North of England. The lead singer Jen has a very thick accent, but it's not Russian. We enjoyed them tremendously and spoke to them out on deck on several occasions. She has a nice alto voice and doesn't do the screeching diva routine. But next to food, musical entertainment is probably the most subjective thing on a cruise ship and I could understand that they're not everyone's cuppa tea.:D

 

Looking forward to your future reports!

I think more people should order this, as there is so much whining

here that drinks are not strong enough.

 

Agreed! I think of the Chairman when anyone whines about 'watered down drinks'. It's our martini of choice for Friday evenings at home. :D

Janets know how to have fun! Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thank you! And yes, we certainly do. :)

The first and second pictures are from our stateroom E438. You can see straight out (no obstruction) but looking down you see a smaller lifeboat.

 

 

Thanks for sharing your photos Janet. Looks like you had a great time! We board her on Sunday and are really looking forward to it.

 

(Another) Janet :D

Wow. We just sailed the Diamond for 3 weeks last Fall in SE Asia and hardly recognize her! :eek:

Unfortunately, on the Emerald Princess you are limited.

 

And we were limited on the Crown to the drink of the night as well. First time that ever happened (last Oct./Nov.) and it was fine, but it limited our drinking participation to Chairman and Cosmo nights. When we cruised the Emerald Jan. 18 with you they were still allowing any drink, any night, but I believe I read in your blog that they changed that the next cruise or so. Sigh. :( Certainly not anything to ruin a cruise but it would seem that the change would reduce their revenues in the lounge.

The only ship we truly hated was the Sky Princess. But that was a Sitmar leftover; Fairsky. Otherwise, we love them all. And we have missed two; Dawn and Sea. But I think Sea was with Sitmar too, and if that's so, we did sail on her. And the Island. Haven't sailed her either. But so many times on her sister the Coral.

 

Favorites? Not really. We like the little ones and the big ones. Actually, Coral is not one of our favorites. We adored the new Royal and perhaps Diamond and Sapphire would be next in line. Grand at this point would be least favorite because it's an old bucket and needs to be tossed.

 

Appreciate your input very much Pia. We can't wait to board the Royal on the 27th. Your comments and Dave's were the most comprehensive and I can't think of any of the 'negatives' that others have reported which will be deal killers for us.

 

Other than the upcoming Royal, we've managed to miss the Dawn, Coral, Pacific & Ruby (how did that happen??) And like you, we pretty much love them all! :)

Greatly enjoyed your Live From as usual! We'll be at sea when you depart for Africa but it will certainly be something to look forward to when we arrive back home in the land of fast & free internet.

 

I should know this, because I've been following you for years, but in your 75 cruises, are there any Princess ships you haven't sailed on? And do you have a favorite - or least favorite? Inquiring minds want to know:D

Have been away for several days so I'm Janet-come-lately congratulating you on your milestone 75th cruise! It's nice to know that Princess appreciates you and has recognized your achievement accordingly. Sorry to hear that Mike is having a bit of a mobility challenge but am so happy that he's recuperated sufficiently from his accident to take this cruise.

 

I agree with your comment on Cartagena. You and I are FL girls and are used to heat and humidity, but it's always stifling in Cartagena.

 

Sounds like you're having a great cruise (as usual). Thanks so much for another terrific 'Live From'!

Sign me up for a copy as well! I've read every one of your blogs from Day 1. Not only is the journey with you & G a very enjoyable one, but I just knew you were the kind of person I would like to meet - and I was right! We met in Skywalker's in January and you were just as much fun and engaging in person. Keep on cruising and taking us all along with you!

[quote name='Pia1913']Thank you for asking. Mike had retina surgery on Monday, saw doctor Tuesday and doc said he was very pleased with what he saw. Surgeon said that he had less damage than anticipated and Mike did in fact see the two fingers shown to him when they put a lens up near his eye. We therefore know there will be vision; amount yet to be determined. Healing process takes time and his eye is covered. Dr. Pia has a new job; changing eye bandages together with applying eye drops. We see the doctor again on the 19th.

What this man needs is a cruise and he will tell you as much. :)[/quote]

[SIZE=3]Thanks for the good news Pia! Please keep us updated. Continued prayers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="2"]All our prayers are with Dr. Mike, Pia. My husband has had 5 eye surgeries and it's amazing what wonderful things the physician can perform. I know you will take excellent care of him during recovery.[/SIZE]

The commercials don't bother me - glad to see Princess doing some TV ads. However, the new slogan does: 'Come Back New' :eek:. We just got back Tuesday from the Caribbean on Emerald and I feel happy, satisfied, energized, relaxed, pampered, appreciated, entertained and a lot of other things - but not 'new'. I like the old me just fine. Must be a new ad agency; 'Where You Belong' and 'Escape Completely' were far superior slogans IMO.

You are starting 2014 with bang in your PH suite. You will absolutely be spoiled. Enjoy your BTB's. Maybe we will cross paths next week when we're on the Emerald. Bon Voyage! PS Wasn't the person stuck out on their balcony one of your trivia buddies? Was amazed at the support from the CC family.

I actually do remember that announcement, but it was The Retreat that was going to turn into the adult-Only 'Chill Lounge' at night. Not sure why it never materialized, but it would have been nice especially in the Caribbean.

 

I guess that went the way of the dueling glass pianos! ;)

Welcome back LittleMissMagic! We've missed your cute, smiling faces. More please!

Annie, you do not disappoint! Thanks for your memories.:)