Live from the Sapphire Princess 14 Day R/T to Hawaii March 9, 2011

[RNGALNG]

We sailed on the Sapphire for New Years this year. The captain said it was the roughest crossing he had ever made! We all still had a great time!

 

We too enjoyed the quartet every day and would wonder by and stop to have a snack or cup of coffee to listen. They are very good!

 

DH and I also used the gym when we could. He is 6'4" and couldn't use any of the treadmills or ellipticals as his head did indeed hit the ceiling. He has never had that problem on other Princess ships. I wonder why this one??

 

Using the free weights proved to be a task as well when the swells were anywhere from 10-15 feet!

 

The ship is wonderful, all the personnel go 'overboard' with the services they provide.

 

Enjoy your cruise and I will read all the temperatures and dealing with that part of the travels the most. Seeing as how it was cold, rainy, and windy so we really never even used our balcony for the full voyage!

 

I have a friend in Hawaii who wrote to me tonight telling me that the temps went down to the 60's last night and the sun has not shown itself for two days now. I hope that the winds blow that out so you can enjoy the warm weather and times onshore!

 

Have fun!!!

[Woobstr112G]

 

 

A very good morning from the Sapphire Princess. It’s just a tad after 0600 as we begin our fourth full sea day before arriving at Hilo. Sunrise isn’t scheduled until 0659 hrs. so it’s still dark. The seas are gently rocking us and the weather has become warmer and is just a tad on the humid side. Still enjoyable though with the slight breeze that is blowing. Last night was another great evening on the Sapphire Princess. People were out and about and all seemed to be having a good time. Dinner in the MDR was once again top notch as both the service and food quality was great. Our table had a special celebration as both Holli & I and SIL/BIL were presented with anniversary cakes and serenaded by the staff. This was a wonderful surprise. After dinner there was a very funny comedian/magician in the Princess Theater. We tried going to the 7:00pm show, but it was totally packed. Not sure about the second show, but the 10:15pm show was also very well attended.I surprised DW with a purchase from Facets that she was eyeing since we got on the Sapphire. Don’t mean to brag, but I think I did well:D She seems to like it a lot…..

 

As far as today’s activities, I plan to get my exercise in by walking at least three miles around the promenade deck. After that Holli and I are going to take advantage of the suite perk of ordering MDR lunch for our balcony. Before the cruise ends, the four of us also plan to the UBD on our balcony. We are looking at the day we sail from Maui.

 

Tonight’s entertainment offerings are as follows. My favorite movie of all time “Casablanca” will be on MUTTS at 10:00am. Next is a George Michael concert at 12:15pm. Maverick will be showing (MUTTS) at 3:00pm while a James Taylor concert will show at 5:00pm. The night movie will be The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel showing (MUTTS) at 7:15pm & 10:00pm. Musical entertainment includes Piano melodies with Kostiantyn in the Piazza 11:00am. Juggler David Aiken will also perform in the Piazza at 12:15pm. Afternoon Melodies in the Piazza will be performed by the resident musicians between 12:45pm and 2:30pm. There will also be afternoon jazz in the Piazza at 3:00pm. The evening melodies program will be between 5:00pm and 9:00pm. Another entertainment venue, the casino, might be a good choice as it’s a smoke free night.

 

Just a couple of observations before I close. As far as chair hogs go, I really haven noticed them since we sailed from Los Angeles. There are a lot of kids on the ship but I’ve not really seen any that I would consider out of control. The HC while always somewhat crowded seems to flow well. I’ve tried some of the food and it is good. The covered pool always seems to be a little more crowded than the Neptune pool. Bar service around both pools seems to be very good. Service at the Passenger Services desk seems to be very efficient. Internet service is predictable. I can laptop connect in my cabin but not on the balcony. I‘ve also connected in many areas throughout the ship with both my ultrabook and my IP5. One internet related problem is that many cruisers, including myself, are unable to access their personal email. While I can get to the roadrunner homepage, it will not connect to the webmail server. It also does not work via Outlook.

 

Well, that’s all for now. Hope all are well and have a great day….:):):).

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

we are also on board the Sapphire for this sailing, the Pub Lunch has been hosted in the Savoy Dining Room the last couple of years. Seems to be getting more and more popular, quite a line to get in and not as enjoyable the way they pack people in.

 

Forgot to mention the Pub Lunch. We did attend and enjoyed it very much. It was in the Savoy and was very well attended.....:):):)

Bob

[Astro Flyer]

Before the cruise ends, the four of us also plan to the UBD on our balcony. We are looking at the day we sail from Maui.

Bob

I don't know what your plans are for your evening in Honolulu but we did the UBD at sunset which worked out really good for us. We were on the portside which is where the sunset is viewable & on the starboard side you have a nice view of Waikiki.

 

My past experiences when leaving Maui heading back to the Mainland have been very windy that evening. Routinely strong afternoon tradewinds are even worse when sailing between Molokai & the North Shore of Maui due to the Venturi effect. On our last Hawaiian cruise we had the Champagne Breakfast the morning after leaving Lahaina and it was very windy.

 

With your optimism I'm sure you will have a great cruise! :D

[sassyredhat]

Bob, thank you so much for the live from~~

Our friends booked this cruise at the last minute. They are veteran cruisers, usually with Celebrity. We told them how much we enjoyed our Hawaii cruise, so I was hoping they had the same experience. :)

Pat

[TLC535]

I surprised DW with a purchase from Facets that she was eyeing since we got on the Sapphire. Don’t mean to brag, but I think I did well:D She seems to like it a lot…..

 

 

Bob

 

 

GOOD MAN :D and Happy Anniversary to you all !!!

[goinsoon]

Don't have to tell you to enjoy as I know you are! We did the UBD on our first TA sailing away from Bermuda! Wonderful wonderful...........especially since Mollye does not drink champagne but I do!

 

Looking forward to your continued posts!

[Woobstr112G]

Don't have to tell you to enjoy as I know you are! We did the UBD on our first TA sailing away from Bermuda! Wonderful wonderful...........especially since Mollye does not drink champagne but I do!

 

Looking forward to your continued posts!

 

Will Do Joe.....:):):)

 

Bob

[caribill]

 

 

One internet related problem is that many cruisers, including myself, are unable to access their personal email. While I can get to the roadrunner homepage, it will not connect to the webmail server. It also does not work via Outlook.

 

 

Try www.mail2web.com

 

This is a free service.

 

Log in with your RR address and password. It should then download all the RR messages since you last accessed via RR and will leave them there (unless you do deletes) until you can use RR again. You can respond or send new messages and they will have your RR address as where they came from.

 

Only downside is that you must stay Internet connected to read the messages as they do not download to your computer as they would with outlook.

 

(For those not on a cruise right now, this will work with most major providers such as comcast and roadrunner. You can check it out and become familiar with it on your home computer if you wish.)

[san diego sue]

Bob,

Why don't you try this website mail2web.com

We were advised on one of our Princess cruises to use this. Once on plug in your email address where indicated. Once I did this I easily accessed

my road runner email. Trying to go direct to road runner on the web doesn't seem to work on the Princess ships even using my own computer.Or if it does, takes forever to get through.

Gloria:D

[Woobstr112G]

Good evening from the Sapphire Princess. I’m just getting ready to turn in (yeah:D, we get an extra hour tonight) after another great sea day aboard the Sapphire. I kept myself fairly busy today. I started off with a four mile fast walk around the promenade deck. After that, got a little to eat then watched my all-time favorite movie “Casablanca” on MUTS. After the movie, DW & I ordered lunch off the MDR menu and had a nice lunch on our balcony. The view was fantastic. I’m really getting to like this aft view thing. After some additional shopping we once again had a great dinner in the MDR. So far all the food has been very good to excellent. The service has been outstanding.

 

Tomorrow we are scheduled to dock at Hilo at 0900. I’m really looking forward to our helicopter excursion over the volcanos. Hopefully, if I get a good picture or two, I can post it tomorrow night.

 

Hope all are well…..:):):)

 

Bob

 

[Woobstr112G]

Try www.mail2web.com

 

This is a free service.

 

Log in with your RR address and password. It should then download all the RR messages since you last accessed via RR and will leave them there (unless you do deletes) until you can use RR again. You can respond or send new messages and they will have your RR address as where they came from.

 

Only downside is that you must stay Internet connected to read the messages as they do not download to your computer as they would with outlook.

 

(For those not on a cruise right now, this will work with most major providers such as comcast and roadrunner. You can check it out and become familiar with it on your home computer if you wish.)

 

Bob,

Why don't you try this website mail2web.com

We were advised on one of our Princess cruises to use this. Once on plug in your email address where indicated. Once I did this I easily accessed

my road runner email. Trying to go direct to road runner on the web doesn't seem to work on the Princess ships even using my own computer.Or if it does, takes forever to get through.

Gloria:D

 

David & Gloria;

Thanks for the information.....:):):)

Bob

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Enjoying your live from and sounds like you are having a great cruise :)

 

Nick Carlton was the Captain on our Transpacific and is really nice, he had his wife and son with him onboard as well as his in laws and we met every evening at the pool for the boys to swim with him as there were only 8 kids onboard so Adam spent time with his son James.

We got to go play on the bridge and tour there personal suite which was pretty cool:D:D

 

Have an awesome trip and looking forward to all the info from the Islands :)

[san diego sue]

Bob I hope the mail2web worked for you. I only use that for my home roadrunner emails. For travel I set up a yahoo account, It goes direct into outlook on my travel netbook. I compose off line, go on line hit send and receive and it sends it and all the new emails come on. Then I go off line to read and compose answers. All our friends and family will use the Yahoo account when they know we are on a ship.Hardly use any minutes that way.

My husband still uses the Road Runner account for his work while traveling so important that the above website works so well. This has removed a lot of frustration with road runner.

Glad you are enjoying your cruise. Say hi from me to Tom and Joyce(on your roll call) if you see them .She is CruzGal53.

Regards,

Gloria and Lew:D:D

 

PS wish we were cruising with you. Tried to get on this cruise but it was sold out for some time. Reading along is very enjoyable. Thanks for posting

[Woobstr112G]

Good morning from the Sapphire Princess. We are about an hour and a half out from Hilo. I’m getting ready to head to Sabatini’s for breakfast. Our helicopter excursion doesn’t start till just before noon so we won’t be rushed today.

 

I spent the earlier part of the morning wandering around the ship taking pictures for my flickr page. I wanted t post a beautiful sunrise picture I took but the flickr upload page doesn't seem to be working and I don't like those thumbnail attachments as they are too small for my likng.

 

The Sapphire Princes continues to impress me in that the crew is always cleaning making her always sparkle.

 

After the excursion, I’ll post again listing all the activities listed in today’s patters.

 

Hope all are well…..:):):)

 

Bob

[poncho1965]

Seemed like it took forever to get here! Enjoyed the sea days though! Sure enjoy this ship though!

 

 

Mike

[Grandpaul]

Sounds like a great cruise Bob. Glad Holli is feeling better. I love those Hawaii cruises. Very relaxing. 1038 hours till we leave for our next cruise. Have a great time in Hawaii.

[Lin336]

We are enjoying your review. Sounds wonderful.

[FritzG]

What is the time difference from the west coast to Hawaii? I know they don't switch to Daylight Saving Time in Hawaii.

[CruisinLow]

What is the time difference from the west coast to Hawaii? I know they don't switch to Daylight Saving Time in Hawaii.

 

From CA. to Hawaii, you gain 1 hour for 3 dfferent nights. Then coming back, it is the opposite; you lose 1 hour for 3 different nights. That way you are on Hawaiian time during the cruise around the islands.

[CruisinLow]

Bob,

Enjoying your daily postings. Happy to hear that you and Holli and in-laws are having a wonderful time. hope you had clear, beautiful weather for the helicopter ride.

[Cobraman]

Time here is three hours behind, and your correct - no DST in Hawaii. Nice bonus sailing to the Islands, kick in the butt sailing home when you give the hours back........

[DoulaAnn]

Bob, I hope your helicopter over the volcano was as good as ours was a few years ago. For us, that was a fantastic experience. Will be interested to know if the lava is still flowing. Did you see waterfalls on the north end, as well? That island is gorgeous.

 

Ann

[Cruisin' Chick]

What is the time difference from the west coast to Hawaii? I know they don't switch to Daylight Saving Time in Hawaii.

 

As stated a couple of posts above, right now it's a three hour difference. When LA is on ST, it's a two hour difference.

[2 to cruise]

We were on this cruise November 24 - December 8, 2012. We had your Vista Suite also - D738 - a great place on the ship, we loved it. We also had Fernando as our Room Steward, he was great!

 

We had a Renewal of Vows Ceremony officiated by Captain Carlton followed by an Ultimate Balcony Dinner later in the evening - was wondeerful.

 

 

 

We love sea days and this itinerary is wonderful, as you can see, we have done it three times.

 

Glad your wife is better and enjoy "our" suite!;)

 

Cheryl

 

 

If you think of it, please tell Alice in Sabatini's that Mr. and Mrs. Tyra say hello. She was absolutely the greatest. We will probably never see her again, and surely will miss her on future cruises.

 

Thank You!