Finally LIVE from the Sapphire Princess 28 Day sailing

[kath00]

Can you please comment on the age range for the cruise? I would like to bring my "little sister" when I go. She's only 25 so she is concerned about being with "old fogeys" like me. :D

 

Katherine

[CruisingJs]

Toto:

 

CruisingJ's: Here is our link to the pictures of the Sapphire GS when we stayed in it. I doubt much has changed. So you don't have to wait for Toto to post pictures, you can take a look now!

 

http://family.webshots.com/album/549360351LFqUcp

 

Thanks for sharing that, Hulagirl. That really is something special, isn't it? We were lucky enough to have a Penthouse Suite on our last cruise and we were thrilled!! The GS makes the PS look like a broom closet! It's just so beautiful. How do you ever go back to the real world after a room like that?

[Hulagirl]

Janice: Glad you saw the pictures. Yes, the GS is a wonderful suite, but the PH suites aren't too shabby either. :D LOL! We have been lucky enough to have the GS several times, but just can't always do it. Also, so often anymore it is booked so quickly.

 

Susan

[4cats4me]

Thanks for sharing that, Hulagirl. That really is something special, isn't it? We were lucky enough to have a Penthouse Suite on our last cruise and we were thrilled!! The GS makes the PS look like a broom closet! It's just so beautiful. How do you ever go back to the real world after a room like that?

 

 

A slight exaggeration.;) We were perfectly happy in a PS/VS and we are also the type of people who are happy with an obstructed view, too. We've visited the Grand Suite on the Sapphire and it's beautiful.

 

It's easy to go back to the real world -- after the first day back at work, I feel as if I haven't even had a vacation:D

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you have time, please answer a few questions:

 

How many formal nights in the 14 day cruise? Do many men wear Tux's?

 

Any advice on tours? Is it possible to book on arrival? Particularly in Kauai. Rent a car for a day?

 

Thanks!

 

 

To answer your first question, there are three formal nights on the 14 day cruises.

 

As for rental cars, from what I understand, you should reserve any rentals ahead of time. On our two Hawaiian cruises, my hubby said that definitely he didn't intend to do any driving.

[JanetAlice]

Despite the size of the suite, there is only room for a king size bed (in it's own bedroom). 3rd and 4th have to sleep on a pretty uncomfy fold out couch! The only Royal stuite set up with actual beds for all 4 people I believe is on the Disney ships, where there is a separate room for 3/4th guests!

 

I know NCL has some very large suites too with separate bedrooms for extra people but I believe those rooms have 3-4 rooms connected by a hallway and they are super $$$$$$$$. Plus they are on the very top floor of their ships usually, where there is a LOT of motion.

 

Katherine

 

Those NCL suites on the 14th floor are amazing. Someone from our roll call last year had one. It included a baby grand and is double the size of my house.

[Toto2Kansas]

Just popping in early to say things are still going fantastic here. I have slept so much since we boarded, this morning I woke up before dawn (amazing how fast the internet is at this time of the morning).

As Donna reported yesterday, we had our second M&G yesterday afternoon. Must more civilized as they finally gave us a microphone (sure wish we would have had it at the first one). About half of the roll call showed up for this second meet (although I do wish everyone would have). As with so many private tours formed, there is information that needs to be shared.

At the first M&G I had asked those higher staff members if there was some way for me to get 75-100 of us off in Moorea and Bora Bora, for a private tour we have arranged. They were to get back to me, and I just received a call later yesterday afternoon that they will accomodate us. I have to get with everyone on these tours to get a head count to give to passengers services and they will assign us a tender to get ashore ASAP. Since everyone on the roll call did not provide their cabin numbers, this isn't any small deed, and the next few days might get very interesting trying to locate them, all as they want the head count after we leave Hawaii (before our next M&G). Bora Bora isn't as important as Moorea, as Moorea has a long tender ride to shore.

I can see myself making a lot of phone calls in the coming days to attempt to contact those I do have cabin numbers for.

 

Weather is still beautiful with calm seas. Hubby was looking forward to a little rockin and rollin the first couple of days, which he didn't get. But I keep reminding him there is still lots of time for that.

 

Tomorrow we tender into Maui, and play to just walk around and do a bit of 'look and see' as we usually do there. May be time to start stocking up on a few things (as we normally do in the Hawaiian ports).

 

Still enjoying this marvelous suite, I can't see how we could ever go back to anything else. Spoiled forever now. ;)

[Working 2 Cruise]

Weather is still beautiful with calm seas. Hubby was looking forward to a little rockin and rollin the first couple of days, which he didn't get. But I keep reminding him there is still lots of time for that.

 

;)

 

Toto, good luck with getting your roll call together! I would also be disappointed with the calm seas! Hopefully, the Pacific will be kicking it up a bit in about 4 weeks!

 

I have been waiting for this review and now am enjoying it every day. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this!

[Kmkub]

I can't see how we could ever go back to anything else. Spoiled forever now. ;)

HAHA! I'm enjoying your posts... so nice.

 

Coming home from a cruise is hard enough... but after 28 days in those accommodations? :eek:

 

No need to worry about that for awhile. Enjoy! :)

[avalong]

Hi Toto-

 

I'm enjoying your posts!

 

I recall you were concerned about those in suites not being able to order room service from the MDR menu anymore. Have you found this to be the case?

[compozer]

Hi Toto-

 

I'm enjoying your posts!

 

I recall you were concerned about those in suites not being able to order room service from the MDR menu anymore. Have you found this to be the case?

 

Yes, I also would like to know. And then what about room service lunch on port days?

 

thanks Toto

[GweninTX]

This looks like a cruise we might enjoy in the future - I am looking forward to your posts1

[imacruizer]

Hi Sue,

Thanks so much for your live updates from this cruise. Unfortunately, we had to cancel this cruise but we hope to rebook in the future. We are enjoying your posts so much.

[coconutmonkey]

Hi Sue. Thanks so much for the live post. We are sailing the same itinerary next Oct. I don't know what to expect for weather on the crossing. What have the temperatures been like since leaving LA? Have you experienced any shorts weather?

I appreicate your insights. Regards.

[ukbecky]

Thanks so much for the updates. I'm happy to know we'll be able to use the Sanctuary on our Christmas cruise. I thought that wouldn't be available until after drydock.

A bit jealous about the GS - it became available a few weeks ago for Christmas and, while I was debating about it, someone else snatched it up. Really kicking myself now :rolleyes:.

[Toto2Kansas]

Hi Toto-

 

I'm enjoying your posts!

 

I recall you were concerned about those in suites not being able to order room service from the MDR menu anymore. Have you found this to be the case?

We are actually getting all of the menus in our suite the night before. John-Paul (the Maitre d' actually called to check and make sure we were getting them), so, all is well in suite-ville when it comes to ordering meals of the MDR menu (at least here on the Sapphire). ;)

 

Hi Sue. Thanks so much for the live post. We are sailing the same itinerary next Oct. I don't know what to expect for weather on the crossing. What have the temperatures been like since leaving LA? Have you experienced any shorts weather?

I appreicate your insights. Regards.

It's been kind of iffy. Many of us have changed several times each day. Long pants or capris early in the morning, shorts later, and today there are many around the pool in swimsuits. It honestly changes from hour to hour. Now, this doesn't mean you might have better or worse next October. Sure wish I could second guess what Mother Nature is going to do next, but it's just impossible. But since tomorrow we arrive in Maui, I expect the warm temps we experienced today to continue on now for the next few weeks.

 

Thanks so much for the updates. I'm happy to know we'll be able to use the Sanctuary on our Christmas cruise. I thought that wouldn't be available until after drydock.

A bit jealous about the GS - it became available a few weeks ago for Christmas and, while I was debating about it, someone else snatched it up. Really kicking myself now :rolleyes:.

Oh, you did miss that one didn't you? I can so recommend this GS suite, of all the suites we have ever had, this is definitely the BEST of the BEST. Beyond description it is so wonderful. Keep watching, maybe that GS will appear for your cruise again, you just never know. ;)

[Cruisin' Chick]

Those NCL suites on the 14th floor are amazing. Someone from our roll call last year had one. It included a baby grand and is double the size of my house.

 

About six years ago, I was on a tour of the Celebrity Summit while it was in LA, and we were taken to various categories of cabins. One was the owner's suite (I think that was what it was called). It was massive (compared to cabins my family has booked) with a piano, computers, etc. I'm guessing that most ships of a certain size have cabins like this.

[Toto2Kansas]

Yes, I also would like to know. And then what about room service lunch on port days?

 

thanks Toto

 

I wasn't ignoring your question earlier, I just had to wait until this evening when the first port day menus were delivered to answer. So, here is what we have found. Tomorrow is our first port, and the menus for tomorrow have just been left in our stateroom, there is the MDR menu for breakfast and dinner only. There is no expanded lunch menu in our stateroom (since the MDR will be closed tomorrow). So, it looks like we have only the regular room service menu to order from. Sorry, I was hoping there would be something expanded, but nothing at all. :(

[Toto2Kansas]

Another lazy sea day here, just eating, laying around on the balcony, watching the rainbows come and go (as we had passing showers off and on for most of the day), mixed in with a little sunshine here and there. But definitely shorts weather towards the afternoon.

 

Today they offered the normal hula lessons, elevator roulette (haven't quite figured out what that was to tell you the truth), Scholarship@sea arts and crafts with box making (?), Music by the pool and basic get togethers for groups like the Masons, and of course upcoming port talks.

And lots of chatting with other CC members you run into hear and there.

 

This evening the show is 'Stardust', which sounds very familiar, but I think it's one of tholse oldies revisted (if memory serves me correctly).

 

The casino has not been kind, so I have tried to stay away as much as possible during these sea days.

Service is still outstanding, and the food hasn't changed a bit IMHO. No cut backs in quality, from what we have seen at all.

 

I can not believe how quickly these first 4 sea days have passed. Tomorrow we tender into Maui where we plan to do just a bit of shopping and enjoying this lovely island.

[kath00]

You are going to Maui tomorrow and I am going to work...... hmmmm. Something is wrong here!

 

Keep posting. I have to live vicariously through you for at least another year.

 

Could you tell me the general age range for the cruisers on the ship please? My sister is interested in this cruise but she's only 25 and is concerned that most people on board are elderly/retired and she would not have fun or fit in. I'd appreciate any insights.

 

Thanks! Katherine

[compozer]

I wasn't ignoring your question earlier, I just had to wait until this evening when the first port day menus were delivered to answer. So, here is what we have found. Tomorrow is our first port, and the menus for tomorrow have just been left in our stateroom, there is the MDR menu for breakfast and dinner only. There is no expanded lunch menu in our stateroom (since the MDR will be closed tomorrow). So, it looks like we have only the regular room service menu to order from. Sorry, I was hoping there would be something expanded, but nothing at all. :(

 

I knew that but figured I'd ask early.

 

That's too bad. Lots of times we book a cruise just to relax and don't care about the itinerary so we just take a walk into town and then enjoy sitting on our balcony people watching or enjoying our suite the rest of the day. It really isn't that big of a deal - there's really too much food on the cruises (and we really should be eating a light lunch anyway) but it's suppose to be one of the perks of a suite.

 

Glad dinner hasn't changed.

 

Have fun today.

[robtulipe]

elevator roulette (haven't quite figured out what that was to tell you the truth.

You guess which elevator will be the first to come or open it's door on its own at the elevator location the game is being played at. Players can't press the elevator buttons themselves so it is dependent on where other passengers are going.

[littlesteelo]

Since the Sapphire is getting the new sports court above skywalkers due to the sanctuary replacing the original, does this mean that the Diamond will have a new sports court built? I know they added the sanctuary, but left the ship without any sports court.

 

Also, if you are able to get some pictures from the new deck above skywalkers that would be great - I can imagine the view from up there is fantastic.

[IECalCruiser]

Since the Sapphire is getting the new sports court above skywalkers due to the sanctuary replacing the original, does this mean that the Diamond will have a new sports court built? I know they added the sanctuary, but left the ship without any sports court.

 

Also, if you are able to get some pictures from the new deck above skywalkers that would be great - I can imagine the view from up there is fantastic.

On our 09/24 cruise on the Sapphire I talked to a supervisor working on the Sports Court. He indicated that the Diamond would be next but I forgot to ask him when.

[ibfern]

Thanks Toto for taking me along on your cruise and allowing me to extend my cruise, sounds like you are in an incredible suite and your 28 days will be heavenly. I am so glad you are getting the royal treatment, you certainly deserve it.:)