LIVE-The Grand Southern Carib Holiday Cruise with Sungirl 12/21/09

[1 HappyCruiser]

It was annoying that there was no staircase in the middle of the ship. We use the stairs as much as possible and we would find ourselves at the middle elevators always looking for stairs. It was funny that we never trained ourselves to quit looking for stairs. We finally trained ourselves to use the forward area, as stairs were available. We were in cabin D317 which is halfway between the forward and middle elevators.

 

 

Feel free to ask any questions and thanks for being a part of my cruise.

 

Party On! Sungirl

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks as though the floor plans show a stair case in the middle of the ship right along side of the Panoramic lifts. They show a stair case by all of the other elevators also.

[KCSungirl]

1 happy cruiser, the stair case in the middle of the ship only goes to deck 7. no stairs beyond deck seven. If I am wrong, I must be having the worst blonde moment ever!

[Colo Cruiser]

You are correct about the atrium stairs.

The rest of the stairwells (forward/aft) go all the way up or down.

[KCSungirl]

my DH is telling me there are stairs in the middle, but not for public use. The doors were closed and there was no access. This is only for deck 8 through 14 in the middle. I hope I am not having a serious blonde moment.

[Adventures ahead]

THANKS for sharing, providing laughs and great information! Very entertaining as I've read the entire post in one sitting.

 

(Cancun, yup, Royal Resorts, awesome.)

 

Didn't realize that Grand had a Conservatory pool, same as Island Princess.

 

Who runs the 'school bus' shuttle? Didn't see it in Aruba last February on 10-day Emerald and going again this Feb on 14-day Grand.

 

Cheers!

[KCSungirl]

Adventures Ahead, when you exit the port terminal, you can't miss the yellow school bus beach shuttle. It goes back and forth from the terminal to Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. $3/pp each way. It sits in the main parking lot with the taxi's, etc. There are plenty of beach shuttle options.

 

Come back and give us your Grand Review!

 

I read two somewhat negative reviews from my cruise in the "Review" section. I worry about the people that read these reviews as gospel. Personalities and attitude are big factors. Since food and entertainment are subjective, I rarely recommend anything, I just report my experience.

 

I also forgot to tell you that I did NOT donate one penny to the casino in 14 days. That is a miracle. I guess I was feeling a little poor aftering splurging on the mini-suite. I am at least $20 richer today.

 

Still working on the photos.........Had to call AAA to tow us out of the snow bank on the driveway. What a mess. The DH missed the driveway, ended up in the grass and could not get any traction. I need a realtor in Florida ASAP. I am thinking the west coast between Venice and Naples.

 

Cheers, Sungirl

[Nylsor]

Hi Sungirl

You gave yourself the right name. Here in London, the weather is so bad that it is difficult to leave the house and I am going stir crazy. Last Thursday evening, a very dear friend, who has battled cancer for more than six years, died. I felt sad and depressed - not a usual state for me. Then I read your review and I laughed out loud for the first time in many days. I also booked a cruise on the Grand for Feb 2011. Just wanted to say thanks.

Ros

[jnc411]

Hi, thanks so much for all the great posts regarding your cruise. We will be on the Grand Feb. 26th , really really, really , looking forward to it. One thing is our cruise on the personalizer still says Santo Domingo DR. So not sure if it is going to be changed like the other cruises or not. Your posts were great, and fun to read. Thanks again.

Cori

[Lake Huron Sunsets]

Hi Sungirl- Have really enjoyed reading your posts, this will be our first Princess cruise. I have been a teeny bit concerned reading the reviews on the Grand, but am trying not to take them seriously. We chose this cruise because of the ports- five are new for us. I am not excited about Santa Domingo, hope that changes. Can't wait to see your pictures. About the snow, we are getting lots as well. Today the sun is out & I can see the the beautiful blue waters of Lake Huron as I write this. Only 47 days till we board!!!

[jtagphillycruiser]

Hey there Sungirl,

Anxiously awaiting your pics....all in good time. I already can't wait for pitchers & catchers to report to spring training. My November cruise is such a faded memory. Just stuck in the house all weekend with football playoff games, the fireplace and lots of eating....Good luck with that snow bank. Oh, did I forget to mention that you & your cruise live thread rocked!!! Take care...Joanne

[CruisenLexie]

Thanks for an EXCELLENT live thread. I throughly enjoyed it. When you talked about the sole of the shoes coming off I laughed so hard I cried. I could just see it all happening before my eyes. What an excellent room steward to have the shoes fixed for your husband.

 

I too am waiting to see those pictures :D

 

Thanks again....

[KCSungirl]

This cold weather is killin' me! I am downloading photos tonight to webshots, I will post the link when I finish. It takes a long time to download. I'm probably doing something wrong. I think my photos will be a little boring because looking at other (sometimes stupid) people is not too exciting.

 

I wrote Princess a letter today regarding our excursion in LaRomana. I attached photos of the rain and deserted beach. I thought that would help. In my letter I did state the excursion desk manager was unwilling to refund our money, but had she been on the excursion she would have requested a refund also. I will report back as soon as I hear something. I hope Princess gives me the great customer service I have become accustomed to. I had another issue last year regarding a transfer, and they responded and refunded my money within 24 hours. I did start the letter by saying the cruise was fabulous. I try to start with the compliments before I get into the complaints. I need to write a letter to Mattress Firm tomorrow to rip them for selling me the worst, most expensive mattress ever. Mattresses, that's another thread.

 

Thank you to everyone for posting on this thread. I hope there was some helpful info on this thread mixed in my daily shipboard antics.

 

I will be back after I get these 300 photos uploaded. Can anyone verify that it takes a long time to upload on webshots? Is there a better photo sharing site? Do you have to pay for Kodak or Shutterfly?

 

See you soon, Sungirl

[KCSungirl]

Before I go puttin' myself out there in these crazy photos, I need to let you know that Becky and I have a dream of our own reality show. Something like the fat and goofy version of Patsy and Edina. If you don't know who Patsy and Edina are, you will have to find them on Absolutely Fabulous DVD's. Most of the photos will bore you, but they do follow my LIVE thread closely. Even if you don't view the photos, catch the last photo, because that is true reality and it sucks. Enjoy!

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/576284575hXbwuG

 

If you have any interest in Dubai, I also have a Dubai/Egypt and some other cruise albums on my link including the Med.

[Roger The Mainer]

Great photos ! It looks like you guys had a great time. Boy, I'm glad I wasn't your luggage Elf !!

 

Happy New Year

 

Roger The Mainer (UMKC Alumni)

[12Cruise]

Fantastic photos!!! This time next year we will be arriving in St. Thomas. Thank you for the photos and the Live Trip Report. It has been very enjoyable to follow along with you all. You and your friend could be sisters! ;)

[BoardwalkBabe]

Thanks for a great trip report! It sounds and looks like you had a wonderful time. Loved the photos, too!

[Arlened236]

The photo's were fun to watch...sorry you wont be on our cruise in 1 month. I am so ready for the Grand, and also so tired of snow and cold. Thanks for bringing us all along with you and for the time it took for your posts and photo's.

Hope you have good luck with your refund.

Have a good 2010

[CruisenLexie]

So was that 600 lbs of luggage for all 4 of you?

 

You sure make the idea of a holiday cruise a fun one. I have wondered what it would be like. I imagine one of these years I will give it a whirl and a 2 week cruise sounds like the one to do.

 

Thanks for all the pictures.

[Katiekakes]

We took a holiday cruise in 1988 with 14 family members. It was a blast. None of us put up trees or bought Christmas presents. Our cruise was our Christmas. I have many fond memories of that time. My parents are gone now, but I think of that trip and how they enjoyed it.

[jtagphillycruiser]

Sungirl,

I am speechless!!! Those pics are wonderful. Where to begin....the Christmas decorations; tree; clothing; hats; ties, t-shirts....love, love, love them.

 

The boas were awesome!!!

 

All the ports looked like fun, some better than others I'm sure.

 

You guys had a blast and what memories with your girlfriend. You are so blessed. Thank you once again for sharing. Yeah, that snow was a bummer...Take care...Joanne

[KCSungirl]

Booked a Princess cruise, that is. I took a deep breath and booked a spring break cruise with one of my teacher girlfriends. The Western Carib on the Crown. Airfare is ridiculous, more than the cruise. The Oasis of the Seas is wrecking havoc on the flight situation. It actually helps keep cruise prices down on Saturdays, but the airfare is the opposite. I hope I survive a spring break cruise. My friend Jan is pretty mellow, so I don't see any costumes in my cruise future. However, if the Minnesota Vikings win the game against Dallas on Sunday, Becky and I have great costumes for the NFC Championship game (with boas!) for Cancun. Becky and I both grew up in Minneapolis.

 

aks368 - Yes, 600 lbs together. 300 lbs of luggage each. Is that not insane?

 

I will report in again on March 13. A spring break cruise will probably test my patience, but hopefully I will have lots of good things about the Crown to report.

 

Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya..........Sungirl ;-)

[Cruisin' Chick]

Before I go puttin' myself out there in these crazy photos, I need to let you know that Becky and I have a dream of our own reality show. Something like the fat and goofy version of Patsy and Edina. If you don't know who Patsy and Edina are, you will have to find them on Absolutely Fabulous DVD's. Most of the photos will bore you, but they do follow my LIVE thread closely. Even if you don't view the photos, catch the last photo, because that is true reality and it sucks. Enjoy!

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/576284575hXbwuG

 

If you have any interest in Dubai, I also have a Dubai/Egypt and some other cruise albums on my link including the Med.

 

Just started looking at the photos. Now I can see what you were talking about (the costumes).

[Colo Cruiser]

Looks like you guys had a blast!!

Thanks for sharing your photos. :)

[sunsetbeachgal]

HI KCSungirl,

 

I am doing a "girls vacation" too, and we just jumped on the flash promo special offered for the March 13 sailing of the Crown. It is my friend's first cruise...;) I do hope there aren;t too many spring breakers-we just want good weather and alot of laughs!

 

Carole in NC

[KCSungirl]

A land vacation was a welcome change, but the weather is NOT cooperating, AGAIN! We ferried to Isla Mujeres yesterday. Love that place. Today we went to Market 28 and Walmart. Ate at "EL Cejas", a wonderful seafood restaurant in the middle of Market 28. Pericos is closed.;-( We had fabulous Minnesota Vikings cheerleader costumes on Sunday for the game. It's a lot of fun to be a fat, middled aged cheerleader. I will post a photo.

 

PRINCESS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GREAT! I had emailed Princess customer service regarding our washed out shore excursion in La Romana. I kindly asked for the refund that the shore excursion manager on board refused to give us. It took them ten days to respond to let me know they were going to refund our costs to our credit card. Princess did the right thing and I am sure my loyalty helped. Just wanted to report a good ending as so many people only post when the outcome is not what they wanted.

 

Hasta La Vista, Sungirl