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Good Morning from the PACIFIC PRINCESS

Toto2Kansas

By Toto2Kansas,
in Princess Cruises

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Toto2Kansas

Toto2Kansas

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First chance I have had to post live from our cruise (been busy with port days since we boarded). We are sailing south from Hilo towards Tahiti and Christmas Island.

The ship is wonderful, and our OS suite (6088) is breathtaking. The added features, such as cocktails in the evening and Sabatinis breakfast each morning really add to this experience.

I am currently sitting on our balcony, and although the internet connection is 'low' I still can post (although I always have to copy the post first as many times it disappears and I have to attempt it again several times).

We have had wonderful weather (except for Hilo) with beautiful blue skys and warm temps). Although in Hilo we had rain almost all day long. No problem for us as we had rented a car and drove to Volcanoes National Park for the day so we were able to jump in and out as it began to rain and then cleared occasionally.

I am going to see if this will post before going any further, and if it does, I will post a link to some of the pictures I have already downloaded (but I warn you, they are not edited yet so there are very few descriptions on them. I will take care of that later on though, I promise).

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paul929207

paul929207

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Toto,

 

Welcome aboard. We did this part of your trip in reverse (Papeete to Honolulu) three years ago on the Tahitian and loved it. Make sure you get rested up. You will have a long exciting day on Christmas Island. :)

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Clutterlady

Clutterlady

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First chance I have had to post live from our cruise (been busy with port days since we boarded). We are sailing south from Hilo towards Tahiti and Christmas Island.

The ship is wonderful, and our OS suite (6088) is breathtaking. The added features, such as cocktails in the evening and Sabatinis breakfast each morning really add to this experience.

I am currently sitting on our balcony, and although the internet connection is 'low' I still can post (although I always have to copy the post first as many times it disappears and I have to attempt it again several times).

We have had wonderful weather (except for Hilo) with beautiful blue skys and warm temps). Although in Hilo we had rain almost all day long. No problem for us as we had rented a car and drove to Volcanoes National Park for the day so we were able to jump in and out as it began to rain and then cleared occasionally.

I am going to see if this will post before going any further, and if it does, I will post a link to some of the pictures I have already downloaded (but I warn you, they are not edited yet so there are very few descriptions on them. I will take care of that later on though, I promise).

 

Toto, thanks for posting! I was wondering why we haven't heard from you yet:) Would love to see the pictures, enjoy the rest of your cruise!!

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GSDsky

GSDsky

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Thanks for posting the link to pics and taking time to post.

Much appreciated.

Looking at the pic of the Sun Princess brought back lots of Sea and dawn memories.

Looking forward to more once you hit Tahiti

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Toto2Kansas

Toto2Kansas

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Since I am four days behind. This first report will be a bit long, but I will try to keep up after this with smaller reports every day or two.

Let me start as we arrived in Honolulu for this cruise. Princess reps were ready and waiting for us at the airport and our transfer was quick and painless as we boarded a small shuttle bus and didn’t have to wait. We were checked into the ship within 10 minutes and in our suite. 6088 on the Pacific Princess is lovely, with more storage then we (even as very heavy packers) could need. I actually have a few cupboards and closets that are still empty after putting away four large suitcases full and two carry ons.

Our luggage arrived within a few hours, so instead of going to dinner, we stuck around and unpacked so everything had a place to call home.

The first night we were a bit tired, so we just grabbed a quick dinner at the buffet (small but adequate) and then went back to relax on the huge balcony and enjoy the tropical breezes. Of course, going to bed early meant waking up at about 5:30 (the time change always seems to get the best of us the first few days with 5 hours difference between our home and Hawaii).

Seas were pretty rough that first couple of nights and we watched as many passengers were running down the halls with their hands over their mouths and a slight green tint to their faces. I think many didn’t realize that the smaller the ship, the more movement there might be in rough seas. In other words, passengers were dropping like flies all over the place, poor babies, I did feel very sorry for some of them and hopefully they have gotten their sea legs by now.

Our first port of Nawiliiwili we have visited many times in the past, so we spent the day shopping for those special gifts for those back home and stocking ourselves up on essentials for the next 21 days onboard. I think we hit every shuttle there was to every store offered and it was HOT HOT HOT.

Before going ashore we headed up to Sabatinis for a wonderful quiet breakfast. For us, this is one of the greatest perks of a full suite, and since it has been added since our last cruise, we just couldn’t wait to try it out. A beautiful way to start the day, quiet and never crowded with beautiful views and service beyond compare, and after the first day, you are greeted like an old friend as you enter by Marco. (Marco’s first contract with Princess was on a sailing we did many years ago from Sydney to Singapore on the Star Princess).

Back to the ship and early to bed again, in fact, I was so tired, I even skipped dinner completely. (what a shock that was).

We tendered the next morning into Lahaina, and again, we had been there many times previously. So I went on a quest to find a special gift for myself. J After several stores, I found exactly what I was looking for (jewelry of course). We walked around Lahaina and just enjoyed the day. Telling ourselves we would stay up later that evening to attempt to re-set our internal clocks. Sorry to say it didn’t work, and again we were in bed before 9:00 PM. But, we did decide to check at Sterling Steakhouse when it opened to see if there was any availability that evening. LOL They had almost no reservations so we were seated immediately. We must not have ordered enough so they kept bringing out ‘surprises’ for us in between the course’s we had ordered.

We are now into our 4th day onboard and I think we have gotten caught up on our sleep and distressed to the point we might make it to the dining room this evening. Yes, finally, we made it to our table for two at the entrance. Great table, very quiet, and we finally met our dining room waiter, Maître d and assistant waiter who had thought we might have jumped ship since Honolulu. ;) Great dinner, and within about an hour, we were gone. Not that we are anti social in any way, but we love our tables for two.

We ordered breakfast to be delivered while approaching Hilo as we had an early time to pick up our pre-reserved car rental. Just as breakfast was delivered…………a downpour. So it was quickly moved inside to the dining area in our living room.

Off we went to drive around Hilo and a trip to Volcanoes National Park. Heavy rains had us glad we had rented a car and not taken a tour as we would jump in and out to view the lava flows and terrain without getting soaked. With the weather so bad, we decided to return early to the ship and hopefully we could re-board between downpours.

We sailed from Hilo on schedule which also meant we were leaving Hawaiian waters and the casino would be open………to my DH’s dread. Lol

He went to the production show Shake Rattle and Roll (even though I know he has seen it many times before), and I went to make my donation at the casino. Yes, the first of many (I am sure) donations I will make to keep everyone’s cruise cost down. Hopefully, the casino will be kinder to me as the day’s move on.

So, here we are, our first of five days at sea. Up at the normal time of about 7:30, breakfast at Sabatinis with Mimosa’s or Bloody Mary’s complimentary, and I am not enjoying the beautiful balcony and sea breezes with moderate seas letting me know we are onboard and aft.

I have posted a few pictures on our webshots album of the cruise so far, and will attempt to download others of the suite (if the internet connection god’s are willing) later today. So, check back for new pictures occasional for those that are interested.

Wish you were all onboard with us, but hopefully, since you can’t be, I can continue to post from the balcony as time allows.

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California Native

California Native

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Aloha Toto!

As you know my mom and I wish we were there with you!

Our B2B Tahiti/Hawaii cruise is truly one of our favorites!

However, her new carpet is quite stunning and I tell her to imagine its actually a sandy beach! hahhhahahaahaha!

How was your mattress? Did you pack your pillow topper?

We always have a table for 2 and love it, in fact the one we always request is one of the "fake ones" that aren't part of the deck plan by the railing straight ahead when you enter...just perfect for people watching!

The ship is small enough that there are plenty of opportunities to be a social besides dinner time!

For those of you that are wondering about the Suite Breakfast menu located in Sabatinis..I have a picture of that in my Pacific Princess Picture Album here...

http://ourpassportstamps.com/Pacific_Princess_Alaska.html

A hui hou Toto....

have a wonderful time counting how many shades of blue in the water you can see!

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jfv379

jfv379

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Toto,

 

So glad that you are doing the live from. Not having seen you on the boards lately is a bummer. The suite sounds wonderful. I know your having a good time, not only because of the itinerary, but just because it's a cruise. Looking forward to more posts.

 

One day we will do this cruise if it's not discontinued.

 

John

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Toto2Kansas

Toto2Kansas

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Aloha Toto!

 

 

How was your mattress? Did you pack your pillow topper?

 

 

http://ourpassportstamps.com/Pacific_Princess_Alaska.html

 

 

A hui hou Toto....

 

have a wonderful time counting how many shades of blue in the water you can see!

 

Back again as there was no room in my tummy for lunch after that big breakfast, and I would prefer they didn't have to roll me off the ship in another three weeks.lol

 

No room to pack the mattress topper, but it was our first purchase after trying out the beds for one night. Our purchase of the memory foam topper for the bed so far ranks right above those earrings I shopped all day long for in Maui. :)

Even with the topper provided by Princess, the bed just wasn't going to cut it for three weeks, so we took care of the problem ourselves. Of coarse our room steward thought we were insane. lol Hopefully, since we will probably have to leave it behind, another cc member can benefit from it down the road.

OK, back to the balcony and a little sunshine for me.

Just wanted to post the online link to the next album I started today with shots of the OS suite (for those that might like to see it). They are in no particular order and I didn't want to take the time to re-arrange them, but I did quickly label these. http://community.webshots.com/album/574912782dcdsYu?vhost=community

Bye for now and hopefully I will check in sometime in the next couple of days.

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kruisey

kruisey

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Glad you are enjoying Pacific Princess .Does'nt she have that nice cosy feeling?:)

Love your posts .Look forward to more .Hope you took a four leafed clover with you to take to the Casino:D

Enjoy............Kruisey:)

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