SunLakesBob

Alberta Quilter - what is PPM? "larger bouquets at PPM for $10!!!!"

Would you mind posting the link where you found the info?

It is post #58 of this thread. Three above this post. Travel with the Jones blog.

If you can't find it, let me know and I will post the URL that will take you directly there. They have other topics that may be worthwhile for some cruisers to read.

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Looking forward to "traveling" with you through Alaska.

 

 

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I went to your blog and read about the SBC. It is the best explanation of the program that I have ever seen. I recommend others who have the Explore4 SBC to check it out.

Alberta Quilter - excellent reports. Can't wait for your next update

Alberta Quilter,

Thanks for the great reviews and info. Looking forward to the info on the rest of the cruise.

One request, please. We are bringing our 12 year old and 14 year old grandsons on the 14 day June 22, 14 cruise and any info on the kids programs would be a big help if it not to much of a bother (Don't let gathering that info interfere with the SBP).

Thanks in advance.

Sightcrr

We brought our granddaughters on this cruise a couple of years ago. We were also concerned. They had a great time. They keep asking when they could come again!

I look forward to how the SBP works. We have the same special.

Alberta Quilter thank you for thinking about us future cruisers with your posts. Have a safe wonderful voyage.

We are onboard! Things must have changed as there were several immigration agents checking passports. Must not be many new passengers today because the Lido was functioning normally. No Code Orange.

 

We change rooms tomorrow. Unfortunately, we will have to stay onboard until we get our new room cards. I hope that doesn't delay us for our tour of Pike Place Market!

It appears the internet is working!

Thank you for considering doing a "live from" post. We all hope the wifi is working! Have a safe and enjoyable cruise.

PunkiC -- thank you for your posts. It is so wonderful that you took the time everyday to write the posts, when you could have been enjoying the ship. How was the response time on the systems?

You have a right to be a proud parent. What an accomplishment! We should all be proud of our children.

Did anyone try the Crab Shack?

PunkiC

Thank you for your posts. In you last post you mentioned that they are kicking you off in 8 days. I'm sorry but I can't feel sad for you. That means in 8 days they are letting us on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're in beautiful Honolulu. It's been a simply beautiful warm and sunny day. I have an aft balcony and it was great to sit out there and enjoy the warm weather.

 

Two nights ago I saw David Klinkenberg. I'm not a show person, but I wanted to see him because a friend knew of him. He's a classically trained violinist, but does a folk fiddle show. He does about 100 days in Branson a year. I don't know what future cruises he'll be on, but I highly recommend him. Charming and talented.

 

Last night, I went to see Words and Music and was reminded why I don't go to production shows. It's just not my thing. Many people seemed to enjoy it, though. Music of West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, etc.

 

Today is the Hawaiian folkloric show with the hula dancers. I've seen this before and it is entertaining. They also scheduled two movies in the Vista lounge today. Lone Ranger in the afternoon and something else (?) tonight. I can't remember.

 

Yesterday was Mediterranean theme in the buffet for lunch. Today is Wurst Night in the buffet for dinner. They call it Bierfest.

 

Speaking of food, they don't have our favorite chicken salad in the International Cafe every day. I asked about it and the worker said they alternate salads now. The day they had the chicken salad it was not at all like it was on other ships I've been on. Mostly cubed chicken and apples with a couple cashews on top. Not horrible, but not what I recall.

 

That's it. Just have to say I'm so impressed with the staff. I've only had one single encounter with someone who wasn't smiling and helpful. He was probably having a bad day.

 

 

Enjoy the Islands

I hope that there will be a priest for the Holiday Cruise. A couple of years ago there wasn't. The CD did a non-denominational service. It was nice. HAL appears to always have a priest.

I'm not sure whether you are commenting on what our drinking habits may be, or just for your own - whatever. Apparently, it wouldn't be a good fit for you. It could be for us, as we apparently have different drinking habits than yourself; for instance, we don't drink coffee, but we do down 2-3 liters of water a day, so our water bill would be significantly different. Nor do we drink wine, but do have a pre-dinner cocktail, drink with dinner, drink at the show if we go, maybe drink by the pool on a sea day, and we both drink liquor that is higher end/expensive such as Grand Marnier, Campari, etc. - with so many sea days on this trip, I can see where it would come in handy, especially with water, soda, etc included. Hence, trying to find out more info. It's not a problem either way - we'll be on-board in less than 2 weeks, and can find out for ourselves then.

Sorry if I offended anyone. I was just talking my own drinking habits and that it would not be a fit for me. Again, sorry to all.

Any details you can offer about this, more in depth? Your post about it on the Princess boards, while informative, left a lot of questions being asked - was wondering if you had a chance to clear any of them up, i.e: does everyone in the cabin have to purchase? For duration of the cruise? Does it basically include everything under $10 (sodas, bottled water, mocktails, milkshakes, cocktails, any type liquor under 10, etc). And is the 15% added to the $49 day cost?

We sail next, and have always liked the packages on Celebrity and RCI, would probably be good for us if the Star package was similar. Especially with all the sea days.

 

Per KruzPrincess on another thread:

"All Inclusive Beverage Package - says first time offered.

 

$49 per person, per day.

Package includes any individual beverage below $10.

A 15% gratuity will be added.

Bottled wines under $100 available at 40% discount.

Select beverages only available in certain locations.

 

Doesn't include mini-bar items, in-room service, beverages over $10 and a couple other stipulations.

ONLY AVAILABLE ON DAYS 1 AND 2.

It says only available on the Star Princess, so it may be a test event."

That is some significant drinking my normal

bottle water 3.50

2 coffees 10.00

1 drink 7.00

1 glass wine 7.00

That is 27.50 per day

If I add 2 more drinks per day another 14.00 put me ta 41.40 WOW! I won't know my name!:cool:

Having an excellent time on the Star Princess.

 

This morning I went to my first breakfast at Sabatini's. Had a lovely egg white omelet. Service was superb. It really is a nice perk. I'm not much of a morning eater, so I don't know if I'll go again, but I had to try it.

 

Today is the $10 sale in the Portofino dining room. I didn't expect to buy anything, but I ended up getting some nice scarves that I'll give as thank you gifts to some people I do business with. I think they ladies will like them.

 

They have the Crab Shack on the Star Princess and they will be having it on the 8th and 9th. $20 per person and it's located in an area of the Horizon Court. I think I'm going to make a reservation.

 

Today is pub lunch as well as an Asian theme buffet in the HC buffet. Now tha I ate a late breakfast I probably won't do either.

 

Dave Cole and the the deputy CD he does the Wake Show with are very funny together. I'm sorry that I can't think the the DCD's name right now. Hate that. It's funny, though, but I love Dave Cole.

 

Yesterday, I forgot to mention our Cruise Critic M&G. Met lots of nice folks. I want to thank Anthony and Ken for doing such a great job at organizing and doing the gift exchange. I didn't participate in the gift exchange, but it looked like people had fun with it.

 

Oh, wanted to mention dinner in the Horizon Court. I went for salad last night and noticed something new. They have had "no salt" selections. They had two items, fish and carrots, which I tasted and they were good. Also, they had 5 vegetarian items all grouped together. Virginia ham was on the carving block.

 

Tomorrow, I'll try to make notes about all the things I'm forgetting to tell you. Everything is really good on the Star, though. Staff has been super.

Thank you for such great information. It will help us in planning our cruise.

PunkiC - it is so nice to see folks who are so thankful for such great experiences. We are all blessed to be able to do great cruises as this. We can't wait for our holiday cruise, when you get back so keep the ship in good shape. Thank you for your "live updates"

Lease keep your posts coming. They are so informative. Thank you. Safe and enjoyable journey

At our M&G's I try to start with a huge thank you to everyone in attendance, from the Officers, wait staff and CC members.

 

Then I ask all of the attending Roll Call members to introduce themselves and telling a bit about themselves, as little or as much as they wish.

 

Then I ask the Officers in attendance to tell us a bit of themselves, their duties and whatever they wish.

 

At times I will then ask them (the Officers) to tell us who we should contact in case of... and how we should contact them.

 

After one of our M&G's on Westerdam, I believe it was, the Hotel Manager, Ron Botenfels said that it was the first M&G he'd attended in quite a while and that he was happy he had. He said that he had stopped attending previously due to the complaints he was bombarded with at them. After our M&G was over officially, he sat and talked to us for well over 1/2 hour and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all:)

 

It is up to the host or hostess of the M&G to keep things on track. Sometimes though this can be difficult, but you have to try.

 

Joanie

Joanie - you it hit the target. many people who host the M&G do not know how to hold/manage a meeting. The host is the one that has the responsibility to keep it focused, to "shut down" people who go on the attack, to ask folks to discuss their private tours privately. If they can't or won't manage the meeting they should ask someone else to host the meeting. The last M&G i attended was hosted by an individual who was "afraid" to speak in public and did not tell anyone that she had no plans for discussions. It was a disaster.