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Finally LIVE from the Sapphire Princess 28 Day sailing

Toto2Kansas

By Toto2Kansas,
in Princess Cruises

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Toto2Kansas

Toto2Kansas

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Aloha from the Sapphire Princess enroute to our first port in Hawaii.

 

It's taken me a few days to get myself together here, which it normally does on every cruise.

 

We found out at embarkation there are over 1700 platinum and elite members sailing on the cruise. Which made embarkation a bit of a madhouse (to put it mildly). But since we arrive early at the pier (around 10 AM) we were checked in and onboard just after 11:30 on Saturday.

The luggage loaded was undescribeable since many drove to the port. Our first bags didn't arrive until abuot 7 hours after boarding, and the 4th bag had to be searched for and was delivered just before dinner.

 

The sailaway was overcast and soon we ran into a lot of fog that first night. The fog horn was blowing every couple of minute throughout the entire night and into the next morning. The weather turned cooler into the first sea day, but today the sun is shinnning, seas have been fairly calm since the start, and the temps are slowly rising.

 

We have had dinner each evening in the Pacific Moon, at a table for four next to a window in a quiet area of the dining room, arranged by our favorite Maitre 'd Hotel, Jean-Paul (so great to see him again).

 

We gave our bed a shot the first night, and although not as bad as the concrete ones we have had in the past, we still added our memory foam topper for the second night, and that really made a difference as we slept like newborn babies for the first time last night since we had left our home.

 

Our Grand Suite-How do I describe perfection? It is beyond belief. HUGE, and although I really pack heavy for a cruise of this length, I have tons of empty cupboards and drawers. Thankfully there is a HUGE walk in closet, and the garments fit perfectly (after I finally got organized). This GS is a dream.....................and I can highly recommend it for that perfect accomodation.

 

A few changes we have seen onboard. The Horizon Court is now split so there are two sections on each side of the ship, each of the sections offering the same foods. So, it has cut down on the chaos of the buffet set up, but also cut down on the number of different foods offered.

 

They are advertising in the Princess Patter 20% off on coffee cards, so those that usually pre-purchase might want to wait until you board to see if you might be offered the same discount.

 

Another change is the casino. We always send ourselves casino credits which made it easy to cash in the vouchers at the casino cage. No more! Now the casino credits are just credited to your shipboard account and you download what you wish, as you need it. This will make getting cash for those credits a little more complicated then it has been in the past.

 

Our first CC meet and greet was yesterday in Skywalkers and although there was not a head count, I would guess close to 200 of the 250 plus on our roll call attended. It was a bit of a madhouse as it was the first time many of us had ever met, so hopefully it will calm a bit as the meetings progress (we have three more official M&G's scheduled during this voyage).

 

I am going to sign off for now and see what is going on onboard. I know I noticed Hula lessons today listed in the Princess Patter last night, might have to go have a look and a few good laughs at those attempting to become Hula dancers. lol

 

I will try to check in again with a bit more information on what is being offered onboard, but figured I had better check in before you all thought we got lost on our way to the ship. :)

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whitearrow

whitearrow

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Quick question about the Sanctuary! Is it open yet? And do you think it's possible to get two spots next to each other where one person has sun and other has shade -- are umbrellas used, or are you just in the open or under cover? Thanks, and have a great trip!

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Who Knew

Who Knew

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I was SOOOO upset I missed the meet and greet yesterday!!! I totally got messed up on the times, lol. I was thinking the first one was 3 and the second 11:00! I sure hope to meet you and as many others from the roll call as possible at one of the others!! :)

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77Network

77Network

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Aloha from the Sapphire Princess enroute to our first port in Hawaii.

 

It's taken me a few days to get myself together here, which it normally does on every cruise.

 

We found out at embarkation there are over 1700 platinum and elite members sailing on the cruise. Which made embarkation a bit of a madhouse (to put it mildly). But since we arrive early at the pier (around 10 AM) we were checked in and onboard just after 11:30 on Saturday.

The luggage loaded was undescribeable since many drove to the port. Our first bags didn't arrive until abuot 7 hours after boarding, and the 4th bag had to be searched for and was delivered just before dinner.

 

The sailaway was overcast and soon we ran into a lot of fog that first night. The fog horn was blowing every couple of minute throughout the entire night and into the next morning. The weather turned cooler into the first sea day, but today the sun is shinnning, seas have been fairly calm since the start, and the temps are slowly rising.

 

We have had dinner each evening in the Pacific Moon, at a table for four next to a window in a quiet area of the dining room, arranged by our favorite Maitre 'd Hotel, Jean-Paul (so great to see him again).

 

We gave our bed a shot the first night, and although not as bad as the concrete ones we have had in the past, we still added our memory foam topper for the second night, and that really made a difference as we slept like newborn babies for the first time last night since we had left our home.

 

Our Grand Suite-How do I describe perfection? It is beyond belief. HUGE, and although I really pack heavy for a cruise of this length, I have tons of empty cupboards and drawers. Thankfully there is a HUGE walk in closet, and the garments fit perfectly (after I finally got organized). This GS is a dream.....................and I can highly recommend it for that perfect accomodation.

 

A few changes we have seen onboard. The Horizon Court is now split so there are two sections on each side of the ship, each of the sections offering the same foods. So, it has cut down on the chaos of the buffet set up, but also cut down on the number of different foods offered.

 

They are advertising in the Princess Patter 20% off on coffee cards, so those that usually pre-purchase might want to wait until you board to see if you might be offered the same discount.

 

Another change is the casino. We always send ourselves casino credits which made it easy to cash in the vouchers at the casino cage. No more! Now the casino credits are just credited to your shipboard account and you download what you wish, as you need it. This will make getting cash for those credits a little more complicated then it has been in the past.

 

Our first CC meet and greet was yesterday in Skywalkers and although there was not a head count, I would guess close to 200 of the 250 plus on our roll call attended. It was a bit of a madhouse as it was the first time many of us had ever met, so hopefully it will calm a bit as the meetings progress (we have three more official M&G's scheduled during this voyage).

 

I am going to sign off for now and see what is going on onboard. I know I noticed Hula lessons today listed in the Princess Patter last night, might have to go have a look and a few good laughs at those attempting to become Hula dancers. lol

 

I will try to check in again with a bit more information on what is being offered onboard, but figured I had better check in before you all thought we got lost on our way to the ship. :)

 

 

Nice, we had that same room back in May. Have you figured out how to use the subwoofer on the tv yet? I spent all week and never once could I get any sound out of it.

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kath00

kath00

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Nice, we had that same room back in May. Have you figured out how to use the subwoofer on the tv yet? I spent all week and never once could I get any sound out of it.

 

We were there in May too. Subwoofer didn't work for us either! LOL. Had the guys there trying to fix it for almost 2h, then I just told them not to worry about it! :)

 

Can't wait to hear more... Katherine

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77Network

77Network

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We were there in May too. Subwoofer didn't work for us either! LOL. Had the guys there trying to fix it for almost 2h, then I just told them not to worry about it! :)

 

Can't wait to hear more... Katherine

 

Ah cool. I was there May 22-29 I think. Alaska.

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