Kentchikan

The staff / crew on the ship were amongst the best -- but the ship itself is in some dire need of a complete refurbishment. I was just trying to look up when the next major dry dock for her is scheduled.

after just spending 25 days on board the Grand i agree the crew was among the best-

i do however think the word "dire need of complete refurbishment" is a little too strong a phrase…certainly could use some new furniture in horizon court, usual carpeting wear and tear around the ship and the occasional leaky pipe somewhere….but given her age, the overall shape of the ship exceeded my expectations based on what some folks described when i did our research.

I agree I've been on the Grand 5 times in the last three years and it surely grows on you. The public areas were refurbed a few years ago when Skywalker's was removed at least the ones on deck 5 when they added the pizzeria etc.

It is an amazing ship with a wonderful crew and a friend of mine whose sailed on almost all of the Princess ships including the newest ones says it is the favorite.

For those on the Grand the past ten days, here is some information about the medical evacuation that took place on Friday, December 18th.

 

http://www.d17.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2768726/

 

Good news that the patient is in stable condition at the time of the report.

Thanks I was wondering. Poor person. Someone was also offloaded at Puerto Vallarta and taken away by ambulance.

Important question for recent grand cruisers: how often do towel animals show up? My twins worship them like Gods in the room. I have seen some grumbling on here about them and hope they haven't been cut.

 

Thanks,

Twindaddy

In my experience almost never but with twin kids they should up the ante.

Mine was RCCL Song of Norway in 1975 to Eastern Caribbean hooked me for good...

I loved that ship sailed on it many times.

Cruise Raider, YEP! I got the cruise bug and we'll be on Grand for their Dec. 30th Mexican Cruise, which makes it the fifth for this year. Also booked the coming Mar. 4th cruise to Hawaii on Grand.

I've not tried any of all the above mentioned hamburger restaurants, but I get my burger fix up on Deck 14 at the Trident Grill. I order a double cheese burger with grilled onions. But before I order my burger, I get 4 strips of bacon and sometimes guacamole and add it to my burger:D. Also the Trident Grill had fish tacos, BBQ pulled pork sandwich and the best ribs, after 6 pm.

Great hot dogs at the Trident too.

TOG has shared with us his penchant for peanut butter cookies... I, to, have a cruise favorite... Each morning I must, stress MUST, have a bagel with DOUBLE lox and cream cheese. This is NOT negotiable! A quick wake up work out in the gym followed by BL&CC, even on port days, is a cruise necessity!

 

 

Quick thought for the newbies... I always take pictures of my suitcase and carry on with my phone cam... If either is misplaced in transit a picture is a big help in finding them.

 

Vaya con Locos!

Their lox and bagels are great. I love the slogan at Noah's Bagels: "Protect your bagels put lox on them"

Excellent idea Thom and your ideas aren't just for newbees but oldbees as well...OK oldbees doesn't sound right shall we say experienced cruisers. Anyway thanks.

We went to the Captain's Circle party last night. Captain Bilton got a long rousing standing ovation when he was introduced and again when he left. 1st time on over 20 of these events that we have seen this. It was well deserved. He has been informative, calm and professional throughout. He is also very funny. He did make a comment about Cruise Critic. He said he was interested in seeing what people were saying. When he checked out Cruise Critic he was amazed to find out that people were talking about hamburgers. Seems like the thread got hijacked. We also found out today that he worked hard with Corporate to get us the compensation package. Thank you Captain Bilton!

 

David Cole and his staff have done an amazing job keeping us entertained. He is certainly the best Cruise Director we have ever had. Minutes are ticking so need to end. Beautiful sunny and calm day here on the Grand.

Thanks for that information continue to enjoy your cruise.

What's a starboard charge?? School me.

I was once on a ship where the Captain said a passenger asked him since her cabin was on the starboard side why is it called a port hole.

i was under the impression some work will have to be done in San Francisco when they arrive on 12/10. if they leave the repairs for another time, possibly the 12/10 sailing may miss a (few) ports? or if they do the repairs first, maybe the departure may be delayed?

I was told when I called that some repairs were being done while they were sailing. I hope that's true.

Is this thread being hijacked by hamburgers?

The hamburglar lives :D

For a good "chain" burger, check out Gott's. It's in the ferry building just down the Embarcadero from the cruise ship terminal in San Francisco.

 

http://gotts.com/

I agree

Under the house that Dorothy and Toto used to live in.

Holy guacamole there are Smashburgers in California. Must try one.

I agree,

 

The year before last... and the year before that... Mazatlan was out so Ensenada was a port of call... I knew Ensenada from when I used to have a weekend place in South Rosarito... Nothing is better than brunch at El Rey Sol, a restaurant on the corner across (cross corner) from the Villa Marina Hotel, the only high rise in Ensenada... The restaurant is over 100 years old, has a French influence and the food is INCREDIBLE!!!

Thanks Thiom we'll try it nest time we're there.

I've seen them in Las Vegas and Phoenix. Haven't looked anywhere else.

Thanks...I wish they were in CA sounds deliciou

Do you recall the name of the store?

 

For years we wouldn't even get off the ship in Ensenada but last year we did several B2B getaway cruises where we got off an found things outside of the normal tourist things and found that Ensenada did have a lot to offer.

I do it's Casa Bazaar Ramirez. It's an amazing store with unique items.

Don't know. It's a pretty long stretch from Ensenada to San Francisco. Wonder if they'll need to cut it short. When we were there, two of our table mates said the ship stayed until 8 PM, because one of the ship's tours broke down.

 

Wonder how long they must stay there to count it as a port of call.

I don't think long during the flu attacks in Mexico they ships didn't even disembark and they called it a service call or some such. Used to be that way from Hawaii too.

I have to say (although this is an unpopular stance) we love Ensenada. There is a store there that has things from all over Mexico and is run by a wonderful lady. It has unusual things. We like Hussong's too as well as places along the main drag we had insane Guacamole at one restaurant and the bartender made the Margaritas from fresh limes to order.

Any word / rumors / speculation how this will affect future sailings?

I talked with a Princess rep and she said that future sailings were unaffected but she seemed like not the swiftest arrow and also said she was quite sure the Titanic would arrive in New York on time.

Have any of you burger lovers tried Smash Burger? Yet another interesting casual burger chain to add to your list. I love their Smash Fries. Thin cut fries drizzled with olive oil, and rosemary and garlic. Yummy!

Sounds good now my mouth is watering. Where is Smash Burger?

i failed to mention earlier the entire compensation Princess is providing us…i was so excited about the refund for this 15 day FREE cruise!…besides the full refund…we all get 50% off our NEXT cruise (up to what we spent on this one)…plus 200 PP shipboard credit on this cruise and amazingly its refundable shipboard credit…all this is above and beyond by princess….

as with most of the passengers, we are staying on the ship for the rest of this adventure…and then the next one on 12/10 on her to mexico…

when we leave honolulu at 6 tonight i will lose my free verizon wi-fi and have to rely on the satellite which has been ok but still iffy…

 

if any of the folks sailing on 12/10 can post here ANY updates they may get from princess on our departure from san francisco on 12/10 i would appreciate that very much…hope it doesn't impact my run to IN and OUT Burger that turnaround day.

i feel sad for the folks who missed these incredible ports, it was easier for us as we have seen them before….but other than that it has really been a good cruise with minimal problems given the fire itself and what it could have been…we feel blessed.

By the way, i got the opportunity to apologize to one of those folks i mentioned earlier inquiring about our current location….

as i turns out, now i really dont feel to bad or guilty...because when i saw him...he was in the buffet line…with 16 people standing patiently behind him…while for 30 seconds he was pawing through the bacon looking for that one PERFECT piece of hog. he wasn't from florida...

Your writing about In 'n' Out hit home I had one today for lunch in your honor.

It was interesting watching three tugs help us into out docking position. Had a great morning touring Oahu.

 

The rumor is they have made the repairs, but have not heard anything official.

 

Turned in our FCC form.

 

There will always be complainers. I just chose not to join them. Your reaction is always a choice.

Good news about the repairs have fun on the next island.

I'm convinced that some people aren't happy unless they're complaining. I feel sad for them.

A possible difference in compensation could be because one was caused by nature and this is a problem with the ship.

We were on a cruise where a crew member jumped overboard we missed Hilo too and there was compensation. It was very sad we raised a good deal of money for the gentleman's family.

We were in D737, on the trip before you. Sabintini's for breakfast was wonderful, I thought the service there was better than any dinner dining room.

It is certainly a great perk the food is good and the service superb.

Ccc..ccc...carla c...la la la la la la.

I loved that ship I sailed on it when it was the Princess Carla

Thanks. We had, originally planned a christmas cruise, but the doctor advised us against it. She passed away 2 months later. It was an experience and I would never forget it. It meant a lot to us. She did enjoy the cruise.

It's tough to lose a parent.

I, too, collect ship models. I am missing the "Golden Princess". It was a special cruise because my mother accompanied us. She had pancreatic cancer and passed away 2 months later. It was a special trip to Hawaii, 2011, and we took it to check off one of her bucket lists items. I did not have the time or energy to purchase it then. I am sorry that I couldn´t get one afterwards.

If anyone would like to sell one please contact me at 6eanie@gmail.com

Thanks

p.s. anybody know if there is a ship model from the S.S. Independence? I traveled on her when I was a kid twice! Transatlantic - Rome to New York, in the 60´s

I wish I had one for you that's a very touching story.

I remember Lucy and Desi used the Independence for their Europe episodes.