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    VIDEO Log - Crown Tahiti 2015 - And Other Stuff

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    What work you put into such a fantastic log. Can't believe we were on the same cruise.

    Nice to see the tours you took but we did't. Also some of the actitivies on the ship.

    Yes,we were in the cruise terminal together on embarkation day. They were nut necklace your wife had made,and I referred to it as a bead necklace, shame on me.

    Again how great and so time involved to do this video,glad to look and understand some of the postings.

    Happy cruising days to you.

     

    I just have to remember to NOT take those lei's to Australia. The nuts, no matter how old, are still nuts and tossed in the garbage can...

    VIDEO Log - Crown Tahiti 2015 - And Other Stuff

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Charles, a true Masterpiece! Thanks so much for putting such a detailed and entertaining video together as a remembrance of such a delightful cruise...so much so we will likely sign up again should they repeat this cruise in October 2017! Regards Deb and "the other" Bill

     

    All of the lines have this cruise or one similar. I wish Princess would do an Itin similar to Holland America's. Many more smaller islands at the expense of HI.

     

    I think we would probably do a Pacific Princess locally in Tahiti before this cruise again. We really enjoyed the islands a lot and would like to see more of them.

    VIDEO Log - Crown Tahiti 2015 - And Other Stuff

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Hi All.

     

    I have completed the video travelog of the Crown Tahiti 2015 cruise. It’s not really a review, but a 45 minute overview of the places we went, or hoped to go, or have been, and the things we did along the way, the food we ate, the shows we saw, the people we met and the fun we had. It’s my first attempt at a public video, so keep in mind, I’m just an amateur at this…

     

    I’m hoping the mapping aspect gives anyone planning this cruise in the future a better perspective on where things are in the various ports – how far to walk, or how far to ride. The activities and shows are just a small sampling of what we did and saw, but hopefully hits the highlights.

     

    The video and animation is a bit crude as I found out that my ‘powerful’ I7 desktop, just 2 years old, can’t handle 1080P video very well and forget 4k. (So now I need a new computer!)

     

    So, there are two travelog video files in the Google Drive. A standard file which runs on small screen devices. The map labels are a bit harder to read, but the file is only 2GB. The file is at:

     

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U_Mo-ITYDES2l0TW5PTWdoWHM/view?usp=sharing

     

    This file is a 5GB monster in HD. The map labels are much easier to read on fullscreen. This file is at:

     

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U_Mo-ITYDEcDA1SGQ1Y21VOXc/view?usp=sharing

     

    In addition to the two video files above, I have a complete video of Jamie Clarke’s cabaret show. The travelog videos only have one particular cut, and once you see it, you will understand why the one cut:

     

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U_Mo-ITYDES05WYXBpQ0N0cGM/view?usp=sharing

     

    In addition to the video files above, I have three additional pdf files. One file is a 24MB pdf of all the patters scanned, in B&W, from the cruise. It’s at:

     

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U_Mo-ITYDETEl0T2Nfd0czVUU/view?usp=sharing

     

    I also have two files, parts 1 and 2, of my print review, in pdf, at:

     

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U_Mo-ITYDEM1p4eXlZQXBKWk0/view?usp=sharing

     

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U_Mo-ITYDEUW9NSEVkWU16MUU/view?usp=sharing

     

    And on top of all of this, here are a few links that might help you as well. The first is the Shutterfly page created by Mike that organized all of these great tours and people using Shutterfly:

     

    https://oct2015crownprincesshawaiitahiti.shutterfly.com/

     

    Here is the link to the “Live From” thread for the cruise so you can read day by day, what we all did:

     

    http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2269901

     

    And here is the link to the Part 2, roll call thread:

     

    http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2238087

     

    For those technically inclined, the video is produced using PowerDirector 14 and SmartSound, where all the music comes from. The world map animation is Google Earth, the itinerary and patter animation is PowerPoint.

     

    Please Enjoy and feedback is welcome.

     

    Let me know if there are any issues with the links and I will try and fix...

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    I love to report live from onboard, so those following my cruise can have information they'd like prior to sailing. But boy do you knock it out of the park. I really enjoy your format and content. Your summary review was just so well written and a pleasure to read. Ever think of being a travel blogger? Mark

     

    ...that's the plan anyway...

     

    First attempt at video is uploading to Google Drive now...

    SHARE: Are you ready for a $49 cover charge?

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Since Princess does read these boards, this gives them another data point in their evaluation. Basically, if Princess advertises on this website, and they do, they believe their advertisement can influence - and its logical to assume that posts can also influence, so whether they like the answer or not, they will take these comments into consideration.

     

    I was not aware that Celebrity charges so much for specialty restaurants. (I guess I have to get out more.) What really concerns me is the price point and its affect on other prices on the ship's specialty events. For example, Stone is redoing the Chef's Table menu. How likely is that price to stay at $95 PP? The Gastropub concept costs $19 PP, but the portion size was pretty small and we did not care for the food. On the other hand Crab Shack is great at $20 and a lot of fun. The Sushi menu on the Diamond is not exactly bargain rate either, but then not as much as high end Sushi restaurants in the states.

     

    I think people are willing to pay more for a different menu, great atmosphere and excellent service - that really is different from the MDR. That's why we liked Chef's table at the $75 price point, the UBD at $50 PP, Crown at $25 PP and Crab Shack at $20. But it has to shine in some form or fashion and be unique and/or over the top. A simple rebranding of Sabatini's with a celebrity chef's name, menu and decore just isn't exciting to me.

     

    Now a Singapore style Hawker Center or a Moroccan style sit down or an Indian street food scene or a Mongolian BBQ or a Szechuan Chinese buffet - now that would be different and exciting.

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    It is coming along. I have the basics and animation, now have to import all into the editor and start really creating.

     

    It will be more of a travel log, not a review. Sort of hit the highlights, but even that will be about 30 minutes long. Just trying to squeeze the animation in is 15 minutes.

     

    So hopefully next week if I get to work on it all weekend...

    SHARE: Are you ready for a $49 cover charge?

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    $49 PP does not bode well. And that's probably with drinks extra.

     

     

    That's the same price, or at least it was, of a UBD, which is a FAR more intimate, romantic meal with fantastic service. And you get one drink with it...

     

    We tried the $19 Gastropub, and were disappointed. Unfortunately it sounds like Princess is paying a lot for the name and charging appropriately.

     

    Also, unfortunately, this is way too much for a specialty restaurant - no matter who's name is on it. Sorry Curtis.

     

    But I can't see them keeping Crown Grill at $25PP with a $49PP restaurant on the same ship.

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Fabulous detailed review and photos as usual.

     

    You mention 2016 and beyond, but I don't see this itinerary anywhere... just a 21 day from Auckland to L.A. on the Pacific Princess...

     

    How far in advance did you book? What does the per-day expense break down to on a trip of this length?

     

    Thanks again for sharing your experience, it's a wonderful way for those of us who can't do these long cruises to travel vicariously through your eyes and your words!!!

     

    We booked in May 2014.

     

    I keep a detailed Cruise Evaluation Spreadsheet, a symptom of my OCPD, to trade off costs of cruises. This one was on the high side of my typical cruise selection, but since it was a one off unique cruise, cost wasn't that big a driver.

     

    My bottom line, because of our dogs and heavy tipping, plus photos and the bar bill, came out to about $14k for the whole cruise. (I used FF miles for the airfare and HH points for the hotel.) That's about $250 per day per person. That also includes a $50 elite OBC, a $200 FCC deposit, a $300 FCC OBC and a $250 Stock OBC. This does include all of our excursions - Wings Over Kauai, Patrick's, Hiro's, Manano Island and various lunches and dinners. We also had a Caribe balcony.

     

    If I take away all the voluntary stuff and just make it bare minimum for the cruise, its about $11k or $180 per day per person.

     

    For an inside cabin, you could be as low as $8k or $130 per day per person.

     

    This is why we like cruising. Its actually very economical and very convenient for the places you can see, and far, far less nerve racking than a similar itinerary via land and air. Can you imagine just the travel time, airport headaches and packing time wasted on a non-cruise itinerary similar to this one?

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    The scheduling is the CD's responsibility.

    I know everyone talks about their personalities and whether they're out and about or not but this is how I judge just how good a CD is.

     

    That's why I don't mind CDs who are not as 'public' as others. If they schedule stuff in a way that we can see and do a lot, then I am happy. In fact some of the less 'public' CDs are some pretty good schedulers.

     

    Scheduling was completely up to the CD and Deputy CD on this Crown cruise. We've sailed with Kelvin twice before and never had this kind of scheduling issues, including an 8 day transpacific at sea. Not sure what the deal was, or if it was a double whammy FIGMO issue - both Kelvin and Matais were leaving the Crown within 2 weeks.

     

    However, now the Crown is trying out the new organization. Samantha Bockar (Hawker-Thomas) is on board as the Entertainment Director (ED) and I think Dan Appleby is the CD.

     

    The ED will basically eliminate the role of Deputy CD and handle all scheduling, booking and paperwork, leaving the CD to host and participate and be the 'public face'.

     

    We'll see how this works...

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Glad you saw what we saw with the scheduling and the number of people that interest in the shows.

    Are you and your wife the ones that sat next to us the day we checked in and I asked about your beads?? So many at the CC meeting never got to see the people that posted a lot.

     

    We weren't wearing beads. The CC meeting was a bit crazy. There were a lot of people there. We probably could have done it in the theater!

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Charles,

    Thank you for the kind words you wrote about me in your review. Organizing Patrick's tour was truly a "labor of love" and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I just wish the weather was a tad better for the day.

     

    Your review was excellent and really captured the essence of the cruise. Great writing and great pictures!

    Bonni

     

    You all did such a great job organizing, planning, cajoling, herding, etc., I really started to feel like a freeloader! (But I seriously did not know we would get to go until we actually got on the plane.) Especially after we got to experience some of the ports, and that fantastic BBQ at Patrick's Motu.

     

    But now I have you guys' example to live up to after I retire and help plan some cruise in the future! Gonna be a lot of work!

     

    Yeah, the weather could have been better, but it was still very special, AND we just got to do one of our favorite things - watching Island Hunters on DIY channel about picking a resort in Bora Bora - and Judy and I got to look across the room at each other and say:

     

    BEEN THERE!

     

    Thanks Again.

     

    Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Safe Travels!

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Was only able to view the patters and the video of Jamie. That was good,someone just did not set things up very well with the number of people. That Explores lounge was not the place for some of the entertainment. Could hardly ever get in there,why oh why did thy not use fusion or the theater.

     

    Explorers is always used as a secondary venue, but seats much less than the Vista on the Grands. But they typically use Explorer's for a comedy venue for a second show of a comedian who has already had a main show in the theater. Both Jamie's show and Pub Night were packed to the gills. In fact most first run/ only run shows in Explorer's is packed to the rafters.

     

    I think it was simply a scheduling issue. We had plenty of nights on the 8 night return, and on the sea days between LA and Hilo/Kauai and Apia, that things could have been a little more spread out. Especially between MUTS, theater and theme nights.

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Thanks Charles. I could never come close to the kind of "work" you do. :D

     

    As people on this cruise will tell you, it was more keeping a regular coffee schedule in the IC in the morning.

     

    After 5 or 6 days we got to be like neighbors - 'hey, where's Herb'! Or 'gee, your late'!

     

    A regular coffee klatch in which the only thing faster than the speed of light is the latest news about someone, something or somewhere on the ship!

    REVIEW 10-17-2015 Crown Hawai, Samoa, Tahiti

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    Thanks Charles,

     

    I enjoyed reading your great review.

     

    It is always wonderful to read others experiences from the same cruise.

     

    It was nice meeting you and wish you many more great cruises.

     

    Cheers

     

    Bill

     

    We really enjoyed the catamaran trip on Apia. Thanks for setting that up. They were really great people and we thought the breadfruit was a nice touch as well. Yummy!

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