Live from the Ocean Princess Land of the Midnight Sun June 7 - 25

[Francine]

Hi Donna,

It is so good to see your postings. Have a wonderful time on Ocean. We were on her first voyage as Tahitian.

 

"Hi" to Dennis, Tina and Ken.

 

Fran

[rdsqrl]

Wow, Stavenger sounds like a really interesting port with lots of cool stuff to see -- who knew?! This itinerary looks great (thanks, David!), especially Murmansk, which is so evocative of the North Atlantic convoys during WWII. I wonder if your enrichment lecturers will talk about that . . .

I enjoyed Heather Sullivan on a previous cruise; glad you are, too. If see her around, tell her Annie (her dinner table neighbour from the Crown in the summer of '07 -- how times flies!) said hello. Meanwhile, thanks for continuing with this great Live!

[Denmom]

Donna,

 

Please if you get a chance - please give the weather temps as you sail. Thanks

 

(I haven't started packing yet but will be joining you soon)

[DrivesLikeMario]

Thanks for the updates, information on menus, the gym (especially) and other tidbits you've written!

 

I agree with you about LHR - it's very efficient compared to other airports - same with their police/FBI equivalent over there. They put ours to shame.

 

Enjoy the cruise and keep posting! :)

[Kiwi Kruzer]

They have arrived in Norway and the port of Vagen in Stavanger .

 

 

 

[DonahCBrown]

Which penny machines are on Ocean Princess?I enjoy Cleopatra,Happy Camper ,Mr Lucky's Chinese takeout ,

 

Just curious

 

Sad to say - none of those - there's Fairy Fortune, the gold mining one with the kangaroo, the Neptune one (that's been kind to Dennis) a jungle one, and one or two others - I've been nailed by the Fairy Fortune and the kangaroo...:(

[DonahCBrown]

Weather is much better today - sunshine and warmer - still chilly for us, but I'd say probably high sixties? Will find out more and post later. Back from the gym, time to shower, breakfast and hit the streets in Stavanger. Will post after we return.

[ItalianGuest]

Day One – Land of the Midnight Sun Ocean Princess Cruise

 

Personnel – Captain is Stefano Ravera, Our Hotel Manager is Daniele Cafiso, , Chef is Antonio Costantino.

 

 

Good morning!

 

First of all thank you for your interesting thread.

 

I'm going to sail Ocean P. next August and would like to know if this staff will remain on board for the whole summer season. Any announcement during their introduction?

 

One more question: did you note if there is an abundant presence of Italian waiters aboard?

 

Thanks in advance. Have a wonderful cruise!

 

ItalianGuest

[JohnLauben]

It's a beautiful sunny day here in Stavanger. A bit chilly, but comfortable in the sun. It was overcast for much of yesterday, but cleared by early evening. The sun is out quite late now, and doesn't sleep for very long. Keeps peeping through the curtains of my cabin, even at 3:00AM!

 

As I understand (from the man in charge of the buffet area) ... there is a buffet in the evening on port days, followed by bistro dining. On sea days, it will be strictly bistro dining.

[Mimg Pao]

Day One – Land of the Midnight Sun Ocean Princess Cruise

 

After a very pleasant train journey from Victoria Station to Dover Priory, we boarded Ocean Princess at around 2:00 PM, by which time there were no crowds and we were on board within 10 minutes or so. Luggage was delivered within the following thirty minutes and by three we were unpacked and settled in.

 

Lunch was available in both the dining room from noon to 1:30 and at the buffet from noon until 4:00 – we grabbed a quick bite in the buffet just before the muster drill.

 

Dinner was the usual prime rib, chili, barramundi menu – I had the fish, everyone else did the prime rib and it looked good. The Panorama seems to be offering a nightly dinner buffet now (used to be a switch off between pizza and ‘bistro’)

 

Entertainment tonight is Bobby Dennis, an English comic, and the Welcome Aboard show in the Cabaret Lounge, and various dance options in the Tahitian, with a ‘mix and mingle with the Cruise Staff at 9:30 PM sandwiched between the Pete Nilson duo early, and Cinnamoon and a DJ late. Usual ship tours, spa tours, etc. earlier in the day.

 

Our first formal night and Captain’s Welcome party are tomorrow, and the second form is on June 14, and third is on June 19. Time change forward by an hour tonight, compounding the existing jet lag, so it is an early night for us, after DH won a little in the Casino and I …. didn’t….

 

Something new to us – there is an “activation” fee of 3.95 for “all users upon your first login only” - otherwise internet seems to be the usual and customary – bonus minutes for those purchasing plans today, printing cost of .50 per print job – which seems less – I seem to recall charges per page – of course, it may be – the internet person wasn’t there to answer questions when I was up there.

 

Personnel – Captain is Stefano Ravera, Cruise Director is Susan Rawlings. (Sammi Baker just left today, on her way back to Juneau) Our Hotel Manager is Daniele Cafiso, Maitre d’ is Francisco Patricio, Chef is Antonio Costantino. Captain’s Circle hostess/future cruise consultant is Gloria Mallard. Happy to give greetings to any old friends if anyone wants.

 

Tomorrow’s show is Cinematastic, and in the Casino Lounge, pianist Heather Sullivan. Did hear that an old favorite of ours, Phillipa Healey is on board as well, so we’ll be looking forward to her performance. Tomorrow’s TV movie is Nine, the roll call got a listing in the Patter, which is nice. It is in direct conflict with morning Trivia which isn’t. Oh well…

 

We will have a port talk by Deborah Fraioli on Stavanger & Flaam and an enrichment lecture by Janis Seal in the Maritime History @Sea called A Profie of Norway. Will likely try and do both.

 

Annoyingly slow and drop prone internet – will keep making notes and post when I can. Connection is impossible tonight and the jet lag has hit.

 

Okay - the time to do this is EARLY am - Connection pretty good, and I'm off to join DH, Tina & Ken in the gym. It is 07:00, cool, overcast.

 

Thank you Donah for starting another live thread from one of our favorite Princess ships, the other one of course is the Pacific Princess - WE LOVE THE SMALL SHIPS:D

 

In your paragraph on Personnel, the name of the chef is shown as Antonio Costantino. Does this mean that our all time fave chef from Australia (I keep forgetting his name) is no longer on board? Also, who is the assistant CD?

 

We will be sailing from Capetown to Bangkok Nov.21 and would love to know if the Australian chef with his extremely innovative menus is returning:confused:

 

Thanks again for all the time and effort you are putting into this thread.

 

Lynne

[Raamo]

Thank you for this live - I really hope to do this cruise sometime and I hope princess keeps it for a while.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the ongoing live. :)

[jotabecu]

Good morning!

 

First of all thank you for your interesting thread.

 

I'm going to sail Ocean P. next August and would like to know if this staff will remain on board for the whole summer season. Any announcement during their introduction?

 

One more question: did you note if there is an abundant presence of Italian waiters aboard?

 

Thanks in advance. Have a wonderful cruise!

 

ItalianGuest

 

 

I just got off the Ocean Princess in Dover; Captain Ravera indicated he will be there this year and next year; there are several other italian offiocers on board. As far as waiters are concerned they are mostly from Philipines.

[Lynda90]

Thanks for taking us along with you. I'll be enjoying the ride through your eyes. Have a wonderful cruise! :p

[ItalianGuest]

I just got off the Ocean Princess in Dover; Captain Ravera indicated he will be there this year and next year; there are several other italian offiocers on board. As far as waiters are concerned they are mostly from Philipines.

 

Many thanks jotabecu! Ciao ItalianGuest

[DonahCBrown]

First and foremost - don't be alarmed if we disappear for a few days - have heard that internet may be very spotty as we go further north - will keep notes on a daily basis and post it all when we have a good signal.

 

Second in response to questions:

 

The Cruise Director just got back from her vacation, so should be here for the rest of the season.

 

I understand that the Captain will be leaving in New York for his time off. Will try and find out who will be the relief capt.

 

Assistant Cruise Director is a nice guy from Australia who attended our CC roll call meeting, and whose name has totally left my mind for the moment. Will find out and post.

 

Many/most of the head waiters are Italian, the waiters are a mix - some Italian, some Thai, some Eastern European, many other nationalities.

 

Stavanger is lovely - had a good time walking around the town then taking the tour boat to Pulpit Rock and back. Be sure and ask about the senior fares for that, quite a good savings if you qualify (67 and up)

 

Tomorrow we will be doing the train from Flaam to Myrdal and back and then a RIB (rigid, inflatable boat - sort of a zodiac around a 'real' boat) to some of the fjords that are World Heritage sites. Hoping for continued sunny weather, but we've already been told that the high will be around 54 so we from the tropics will be well wrapped up! Today we were in jeans and long sleeve and jackets while the local folks were in sleeveless shirts and shorts ... brrr..

 

Tonight was the French menu - escargot, frogs legs, duck a l'orange, jambalya, veal. Duck was good, jambalya not spicy enough, veal was good according to our tablemates.

 

Entertainment of the evening was the lovely and talented Phillipa Healey. We really enjoy her and will be eagerly awaiting her next show day after tomorrow.

 

Movie of the evening is Valentine's Day, in room 'first run' movie is Up in the Air.

 

That's it for now. We'll do our best with the connections over the next few days as we move north. Evidently the satellite coverage around the Arctic isn't that great.

[ItalianGuest]

I understand that the Captain will be leaving in New York for his time off. Will try and find out who will be the relief capt.

 

Many/most of the head waiters are Italian, the waiters are a mix - some Italian, some Thai, some Eastern European, many other nationalities.

 

 

Good evening Donna,

 

one more time thank you very much for your very intriguing thread and for keep It up to date.

 

I really hope to be able to meet several Italians on board... so I will have a wonderful cruise despite my poor English, especially in case emergency!

 

Good night and enjoy your cruise!:)

 

ItalianGuest

 

PS

- What about receptionists? Are they English-speaking only or multilingual? Any Italian ?

- May you post some pics of the ship?

Thank you

[coo359a2]

Hi Pia and Fran

 

Just got to the thread and as Donna said so far everything has been great and so lucky with the weather. Hoping it will be nice tomorrow for our train ride and zodiak boat tour in Flaam.

 

If anyone is going to be staying a few days in Dover before a cruise, would like to give an A+ rating for the East Lee Guest House. Stayed there 2 nights and it was a treat. The owners were so friendly and breakfast was the best ever.

It's 11pm right now and the sun is still out.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the detailed live posts.

 

Donna,

Say Hi to CD Susan for me if you get the chance, and to her hubby John.

[UK Cruiser]

Hello Cruisers!

 

I am so glad you are doing this "Live From...." You may remember I was on the roll call but had to cancel due to ongoing medical issues. I am enjoying the cruise vicariously and will watch this thread with interest.

 

Enjoy yourselves!!!!!!

[Pia1913]

Hi Tina, Donna, Dee, et al.

Connection spotty here too, but then again, we are in Jamaica. ;)

[Colo Cruiser]

I understand that the Captain will be leaving in New York for his time off. Will try and find out who will be the relief capt.

 

Capt Servillo.

[Minoushka]

Could you please tell me about the hairdryers Are they Ok or should I bring my own?My hair is quite long I'm wondering if it will be powerful enough

Enjoy Norway!!!

[bjcanady]

Day One – Land of the Midnight Sun Ocean Princess Cruise

 

After a very pleasant train journey from Victoria Station to Dover Priory, we boarded Ocean Princess at around 2:00 PM, by which time there were no crowds and we were on board within 10 minutes or so. Luggage was delivered within the following thirty minutes and by three we were unpacked and settled in.

 

Lunch was available in both the dining room from noon to 1:30 and at the buffet from noon until 4:00 – we grabbed a quick bite in the buffet just before the muster drill.

 

Dinner was the usual prime rib, chili, barramundi menu – I had the fish, everyone else did the prime rib and it looked good. The Panorama seems to be offering a nightly dinner buffet now (used to be a switch off between pizza and ‘bistro’)

 

Entertainment tonight is Bobby Dennis, an English comic, and the Welcome Aboard show in the Cabaret Lounge, and various dance options in the Tahitian, with a ‘mix and mingle with the Cruise Staff at 9:30 PM sandwiched between the Pete Nilson duo early, and Cinnamoon and a DJ late. Usual ship tours, spa tours, etc. earlier in the day.

 

Our first formal night and Captain’s Welcome party are tomorrow, and the second form is on June 14, and third is on June 19. Time change forward by an hour tonight, compounding the existing jet lag, so it is an early night for us, after DH won a little in the Casino and I …. didn’t….

 

Something new to us – there is an “activation” fee of 3.95 for “all users upon your first login only” - otherwise internet seems to be the usual and customary – bonus minutes for those purchasing plans today, printing cost of .50 per print job – which seems less – I seem to recall charges per page – of course, it may be – the internet person wasn’t there to answer questions when I was up there.

 

Personnel – Captain is Stefano Ravera, Cruise Director is Susan Rawlings. (Sammi Baker just left today, on her way back to Juneau) Our Hotel Manager is Daniele Cafiso, Maitre d’ is Francisco Patricio, Chef is Antonio Costantino. Captain’s Circle hostess/future cruise consultant is Gloria Mallard. Happy to give greetings to any old friends if anyone wants.

 

Tomorrow’s show is Cinematastic, and in the Casino Lounge, pianist Heather Sullivan. Did hear that an old favorite of ours, Phillipa Healey is on board as well, so we’ll be looking forward to her performance. Tomorrow’s TV movie is Nine, the roll call got a listing in the Patter, which is nice. It is in direct conflict with morning Trivia which isn’t. Oh well…

 

We will have a port talk by Deborah Fraioli on Stavanger & Flaam and an enrichment lecture by Janis Seal in the Maritime History @Sea called A Profie of Norway. Will likely try and do both.

 

Annoyingly slow and drop prone internet – will keep making notes and post when I can. Connection is impossible tonight and the jet lag has hit.

 

Okay - the time to do this is EARLY am - Connection pretty good, and I'm off to join DH, Tina & Ken in the gym. It is 07:00, cool, overcast.

 

 

If you are dancers you will never have a better duo than Pete and Trevor of the Pete Nilson duo.........we love them both dearly.........Barbara and Kelvin

[Kiwi Kruzer]

On the way to Flam

 

 

 

Looks like its a fair way inland

 

 

A cam shot of the train at Flam from last night...

 

 

Found Myrdal on the map.

Looks like its at the end of a long valley..