LIVE from the Royal Princess - 30 days, Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale - 9/27 - 10/27

[bronxgirl25]

thanks for the update Pia. Sounds like you and Mike are having a good time. I have faith that he will make it to the sale also.

We have two new places for Tuesday nights. Will tell you about it when you come home. Hope it's still available then.

 

Can't wait for Wednesday when everyone else joins and we can hear what they have to say also.

[Pia1913]

And here goes another sea day. Every time we turn around it’s time for dinner. We did our wine tasting this morning; this one was better than usual. Entertaining and not boring. Then we had our MTL which as always was very good. Food, as well as company. We sat with the food and beverage director. And I drank too much wine. But that’s a whole other scenario. We then visited the casino; not worthwhile. Afterwards trivia; also not worthwhile. Now it’s time to get dressed for formal dinner; yum. It’s escargot and lobster night.

BTW, the sale was a fiasco. Too much new stuff; not a whole lot of sale stuff. Mike bought nothing. Boo hoo.

　

See you later, or tomorrow.

[Woobstr112G]

Hello Pia. Just wanted to let you and everyone else arriving in Venice that it's been raining on and off since we got here. The canal near the Rialto is already starting to come over the sides with the raised platforms already up. St. Marks Square is also flooded.

Bob

[nanlaur]

...Now it’s time to get dressed for formal dinner; yum. It’s escargot and lobster night.

 

Escargot :eek: ? We didn't get escargot last April on the Grand. They said it was not offered--on or off the menu. Hope it's back on for our Emerald cruise in Feb.!

Edited October 7, 2013 by nanlaur

[TorontoTL]

Hello Pia. Just wanted to let you and everyone else arriving in Venice that it's been raining on and off since we got here. The canal near the Rialto is already starting to come over the sides with the raised platforms already up. St. Marks Square is also flooded.

Bob

 

That is what it was like the day before our cruise last year around this time. The embarkation day was rainy but no longer flooded. Have a great time Bob.

[dedosr]

Good Morning. I’m going to tell you about Ye Olde Pub Night first, because so far this was the best entertainment yet. IMO and many others too. The Vista stage setting was decorated as an old English Pub and the cruise staff, singers, dancers, band and the CD and her Deputy were all involved. As were we, the audience. There was fun, there were corny jokes, there were games and there was singing and dancing. By us too. Very interactive and a good time had by all.

 

Is Ye Olde Pub Night just done on the cruise you are on, or will it be on Caribbean Sailings also. I have never seen it on any of my PRINCESS SAILINGS, but they have been all Caribbean Cruises.

[shootingstar07]

Maybe it is a revival, since someone posted earlier princess use to do it. They are premiering on Royal. We can only hope it goes to all the ships- kinda like the IC!!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[kruisey]

Pia what do you think about the actual ship?

Would you say she is an improvement over the others in the Princess fleet?

[Shogun]

Hi Pia,

 

Told you, you would enjoy ye olde pub night,

 

Hi Sunsetbeachgal.

 

Its held once on ever cruise.

 

yours Shogun

[Woobstr112G]

Rain has finally stopped:) The "Flood Waters" have also receded:) I didn't know this but the flooding, as I was told by an employee at our hotel, is a cyclical thing related to full moon, and other issues. I was also told that the flooding will return on Wednesday around 1300 hours local time.....

 

Bob

[Shogun]

Hi Bob,

 

Have they got the deck boards out for walking.

 

yours Shogun

[HRPro]

Hi Bob,

 

Have they got the deck boards out for walking.

 

yours Shogun

 

Shogun, not Bob, but yes they have the platforms up in St Mark's Square and also around the Rialto Bridge. We've had a lot of rain plus it was high tide around 12:30 today so hence the flooded square. Hopefully since the rain finally stopped it won't be as bad tomorrow, but there will still be the high tide to contend with.

 

Susan

[JimmyVWine]

Pia, thanks for checking on the MLB playoffs for me--games are on ESPN so that should work.

 

Unfortunately, that is NOT the case. Divisional Series games are all on TBS. Then, the NLCS is on TBS and the ALCS is on Fox. Finally, the World Series is on FOX. ESPN has completed its airing of MLB games for the year. See here: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp

Edited October 7, 2013 by JimmyVWine

[gracie65]

I don't recall the name of the Maitre'd on the Emerald but the Chef's Table experience there was certainly a cut or two above the Royals.

 

Tonight we did the wine tasting dinner (not sure if that's what it's called but let me tell you it was GREAT!!!). Better food than the CT, plenty of wine and just a very satisfying experience. We had two wines, one white and one red (infinite repours) and limoncello with dessert. The soup was exceptional, the gnocchi sublime, the filet done red, red, red, just the way we like it and the triple mousse for dessert was a delight. My advice: skip the Chef's Table but sign up EARLY for the wine dinner.

 

Now we're off to Venice. See you all there.

 

Harry and Joyce

 

 

This sounds better then the initial reports, it was Filet as in beef? First few times I saw anyone post it was veal or lamb. Not crazy about either. Did they mention anything about a menu is it set or can be different?

[Carolyn R]

All my friends coming in on the Royal, do not take the Princess shuttle to St. Mark's. It is SO crowded you literally cannot move. The use of umbrellas and the acqua alta made it even worse. If you must visit, go in the evening. Several people I know were unable to use their reservations for the basilica and the tower because they couldn't get through the crowds and deep water.

[shepp]

Hello Pia. Just wanted to let you and everyone else arriving in Venice that it's been raining on and off since we got here. The canal near the Rialto is already starting to come over the sides with the raised platforms already up. St. Marks Square is also flooded.

Bob

 

Not that surprising; we've been in Florence the last few days and there have been occasional heavy rains here too. Still, spending time at the Uffizi and Bargello isn't the worst way to wait out the weather. It's supposed to be getting nicer in Venice by Wednesday, though. Fingers crossed.

Edited October 7, 2013 by shepp

[eddragon]

Wow...they did not do Pub night when we were on the Royal in July. Must be either something new or something the current CD has started. Either way, sounds like great fun!!

 

We had pub nite.. on the 3rd sailing 7/5 - 7/17. I agree, this show was fun, as was the many in Princess Live with Deputy Dan (is he still there?)

[freetocruise]

Pia,

Quick question- does the Royal have the wine packages? Thanks.

[hubofhockey]

Unfortunately, that is NOT the case. Divisional Series games are all on TBS. Then, the NLCS is on TBS and the ALCS is on Fox. Finally, the World Series is on FOX. ESPN has completed its airing of MLB games for the year. See here: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp

 

I believe ESPN International has international rights to the games (only outside of North America). They have in the past, at least.

 

Edit: Confirmed that it is ESPN Europe that has post season MLB rights. Not sure about Latin America rights.

Edited October 8, 2013 by hubofhockey

[strummer]

Pia,

Quick question- does the Royal have the wine packages? Thanks.

 

Not Pia but I can tell you we bought the wine package when we were on the royal in August.

[Astro Flyer]

I believe ESPN International has international rights to the games (only outside of North America). They have in the past, at least.

 

Edit: Confirmed that it is ESPN Europe that has post season MLB rights. Not sure about Latin America rights.

On Thanksgiving Day the network games were shown on ESPN International as was the Super Bowl in February so MLB playoff games may be shown on ESPN International,

Edited October 8, 2013 by Astro Flyer

[Pia1913]

Good morning as we head towards Venice, where we are scheduled to arrive at 1:00 PM. We’re supposed to sail past St. Marks Square at approx. noon, with a musical salute beginning at 11:30. We love this sail in. Have done it at least 6 times. If I recall correctly, the best sail in balcony would be starboard. We’re on port. But then again, we get the good spot when we leave on Thursday.

　

As of now, it’s only drizzling, but heavy rain is expected all day. We had no plans to go over to St. Marks and in fact returned the water shuttle tickets that were automatically charged to our account.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, we intend to take the train to Verona. In the past we have experienced “walking the plank” in Venice. Not a great experience when locals are running in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, on board today is:

Nothing in the AM other than lots of sales. Gotta’ grab those who will be disembarking. :rolleyes: In the afternoon, “The Internship” in Vista and that’s about it. Tonight at 7:00 we can see “The Great Gatsby” in Vista or, at the same time, “Now you See Me” on MUTS. At 7:15 and again at 9:00 there will be Camerata Strumentale Italiana: the Venice Chamber Orchestra performing classical works from Vivaldi, Mozart and others. Might do us a little good to partake in some culture.

　

Later in the evening there are two more movies scheduled; “Iron Man 3” in Vista and “Rust & Bone” in Princess Live.

Heather: I love the ship. It’s really beautiful, and once you get used to it, it’s really easy to get around. I had to adjust to the fact that the gym is in the back and there’s no Explorer’s. Otherwise, it never feels crowded and there is always seating available up in HC.

Wine package: I haven't seen it, but that doesn't mean it's not available.

Gotta go. Slept a little later today

[kruisey]

I am off to bed 11.41 PM here.....Heather

[Astro Flyer]

Buongiorno Pia...weather sites are predicting fog & hopefully it will burn off before your arrival. The only rain/thunderstorms on Doppler radar are north of Rome so hopefully you'll have pleasant weather. They appear to be heading towards us in Tuscany & it's forecasted to arrive late afternoon/early evening in Venice.

 

Forecasts are better for Wednesday & Thursday and Verona tomorrow for no rain & mid-60s to 70. :)

[aaerobear]

Pia,

 

Just caught up with you Live from, sounds like you are having fun, when do Bob and Meridith get aboard?

 

Ed