Greetings from the Pacific Princess

[CruzinNoony]

Annie: I will wait for your critique, but still need to say I'm sorry. Sorry for the fact that you ended up with the very worst CD out there. Someone told me he had been fired. Guess not. Why they would ever consider placing someone who has gotten so many complaints on a ship that attracts more experienced cruisers is something I don't understand.

 

Have a wonderful cruise. I know the CD will not ruin it for you.

 

Well, this is really bad news for me because we will be embarking the Pacific on Jan. 6. We had Frank before and I will say also that he is the worst CD ever. Annie, if you ever see him wandering around the ship, please ask him if he will be on for the Amazon cruises. :o

[Cruisin Sal]

Annie,

In all my times as a solo cruiser I have always had a table assignment. Some good - some bad.

Enjoy!

[rdsqrl]

Yes, embarkation day, luncheon was available in the dining room (I noticed specifically; you're all welcome.)

 

I brought wine onboard today -- my first time ever. We did the tasting excursion in Marsala; I felt obligated to buy a bottle because the guide was so informative and friendly and I enjoyed the tour so much. Details to follow in what I promise will be a comprehensive review; no rush since we're the last Princess ship out of Europe (we'll turn off the lights when we leave Madeira) until next season. I've even noted which sides of the bus are best for viewing.

 

So, I have a new dining assignment. Unless I annoyed these new people tonight and they in turn disappear tomorrow, I think we have a winner for the rest of the cruise. It turned out that last night, when Chatty Cathy was joined by the friend plus the others at the table, it was even worse. The maitre d' was very accommodating. I'm happy. And I like my table in the elevated center of the dining room -- very appropriate to see and be seen.

 

This morning, for the first time ever, I watched the Wake Show. Um, I don't get it. Why are they wasting their time and mine reading the Patter to us? Is there some huge percentage of illiterates sailing on Princess that I'm unaware of? How old is Frank Zabaglione, 130? Nobody talks about Studio 54 anymore or even uses the word "teeny-boppers."

 

I saw comedian Al Katz last night, who was very funny. More comedians; fewer "novelty" acts, please.

 

Trivia today was apparently a total repeat of the first day's trivia on the last cruise. This meant it was a memory contest between teams with b2bers. Ms. B2B on my team simply wrote down the answers [that she remembered] without waiting for any input from the other 4 of us. And complained bitterly when the winning team turned out to have a better memory for the answers than she did. However, if she had listened to me about which group the dead musician in the question had belonged to, instead of stubbornly insisting on the wrong answer, we might have won. Ah, the sweet sweet joy of an unsaid "I told you so." [Really, unsaid. No, really.]

 

I did laundry today: $2 to wash; $2 to dry [and I just realized I forgot to get my stuff out of the dryer. I have total ADD when it comes to housekeeping tasks. Luckily denim doesn't wrinkle.], and $1.25 for detergent. The laundry room on this ship doesn't open until 8am, which is way too late for those of us who don't iron what we're wearing until the morning -- I had to get a supervisor to come unlock the door so I could iron my shirt before my excursion left yesterday am. Yes, I am a total diva; thank you for asking..

 

We're bouncing around a little now as we head off for an exciting day at sea. I am so looking forward to sleeping in!

 

Is it anyone else who feels vaguely guilty every time a staffer asks "How was your day?" I mean, MY day was great but while I'm saying so, all I can think of is how THEIR day probably consisted of scrubbing sinks and setting tables and so forth.

 

Oh, food: the food has been excellent so far. Last night's key lime pie was awesome. The salad bar is much smaller than on the big girls, but still very good. I love the outdoor aft seating.

 

Pool water: still warm.

Shower curtain: still friendlier than normal, but today I noticed a slight standoffishness. I may have hurt its feelings by publicly shaming it.

Closet: still lacking hangers. I have taken to draping my unhung stuff around the cabin in hopes that out of sheer inconvenience, Stewart will get on it.

 

Okay, wine is calling my name. Or maybe that's the cute bartender in the Pacific Lounge . . .

 

[TracieABD]

On my last cruise, we found out we were travelling with the Famous "C"s (or should it be infamous:cool:?). This is the couple that does multiple back to backs and plays Trivia all day. Of course their team won several many times, but we did beat them a couple of times.

 

I mean really, how many lanyards and magnetic chip clips does one person need????

 

And- it is NEVER APPROPRIATE to tip your room steward and dining staff with these trinkets!:eek:

 

Annie, it is time to find a new trivia team! (Wish I was there).:) Not that I am all that useful, but at least I am fun!

[windsor26]

Perhaps you could put a snap to the shower curtain's friendliness with some clothes pegs on its bottom??:):):D:D

[Pia1913]

On my last cruise, we found out we were travelling with the Famous "C"s (or should it be infamous:cool:?). This is the couple that does multiple back to backs and plays Trivia all day. Of course their team won several many times, but we did beat them a couple of times.

 

I mean really, how many lanyards and magnetic chip clips does one person need????

 

And- it is NEVER APPROPRIATE to tip your room steward and dining staff with these trinkets!:eek:

 

Annie, it is time to find a new trivia team! (Wish I was there).:) Not that I am all that useful, but at least I am fun!

 

The C's don't acknowledge me anymore. Boo Hoo. I beat them. Nobody is ever allowed to beat them. :rolleyes:

[caribill]

On my last cruise, we found out we were travelling with the Famous "C"s (or should it be infamous:cool:?). This is the couple that does multiple back to backs and plays Trivia all day. Of course their team won several many times, but we did beat them a couple of times.

 

The C's don't acknowledge me anymore. Boo Hoo. I beat them. Nobody is ever allowed to beat them. :rolleyes:

 

More fun than being on a team that beats them is to get there early and occupy the seats they like to use. When one of our team members did this, the C's left in a huff.

[TracieABD]

Pia and Caribill-

If we ever get to cruise together and the C's are on-board, we will be on the same team. We won't even care if we beat them, because we will be having the most fun.

 

When I did my "live from" on that cruise, I called them the Smarty Pants. It was only at the Captain's reception, when they were introduced at the most traveled passengers on board, did I put it all together.

 

We beat them once and tied them once. But most importantly, we had fun. They always looked so painfully serious... like they were taking the Bar Exam for the third time or something.:confused:

[regnig]

This morning, for the first time ever, I watched the Wake Show. Um, I don't get it. Why are they wasting their time and mine reading the Patter to us? Is there some huge percentage of illiterates sailing on Princess that I'm unaware of?

 

Oh dear Annie do you know how difficult it is to not destroy my laptop while drinking my morning tea and reading your posts? :eek: Let me tell you, it's almost impossible! Keep this up gal and you will owe me big time. ;)

 

Keep it up DOCTOR you have soooo earned this cruise! Barb

[JimmyVWine]

A big thumbs up on the hard-earned degree and the well-deserved cruise. Loving your report.

[Wehwalt]

Just a quick check-in from embarkation day. Boarding began at noon with not many people gathered in the waiting room, so it was very quick. I am blown away by this ship -- she's gorgeous. I'm in love.

 

Notes from the Weird: in my closet for once, there's a robe. However, there are virtually no hangars, just three or four nasty wire ones. Did the previous occupants steal them all?? Stewart is rounding me up more, although he was horrified by how many I need. Wait til he sees how many shoes I have . . .

 

 

I cannot believe they are short of hangers. When they returned my laundry, even my sweatshorts were on hangers. Odd.

 

Envy you. I had booked that sailing at one time (I did it in 2012) but will do it next year. And only a month and odd days until I rejoin the noble lady, the Pacific Princess.

 

Regarding the lack of a table assignment. I don't eat in the MDR, preferring upstairs, so my table assignment is purely hypothetical. But on my Black Sea cruise in October-November, the second night there was a note in my mailbox from the Maitre d', assigning me to a different table. So it seems that solo cruisers may well get short shrift, it seems a bit much to move me on the basis I didn't show up the first night.

Edited December 8, 2013 by Wehwalt

[Wehwalt]

Yes, embarkation day, luncheon was available in the dining room (I noticed specifically; you're all welcome.)

 

I brought wine onboard today -- my first time ever. We did the tasting excursion in Marsala; I felt obligated to buy a bottle because the guide was so informative and friendly and I enjoyed the tour so much. Details to follow in what I promise will be a comprehensive review; no rush since we're the last Princess ship out of Europe (we'll turn off the lights when we leave Madeira) until next season. I've even noted which sides of the bus are best for viewing.

 

(cut)

 

I did laundry today: $2 to wash; $2 to dry [and I just realized I forgot to get my stuff out of the dryer. I have total ADD when it comes to housekeeping tasks. Luckily denim doesn't wrinkle.], and $1.25 for detergent. The laundry room on this ship doesn't open until 8am, which is way too late for those of us who don't iron what we're wearing until the morning -- I had to get a supervisor to come unlock the door so I could iron my shirt before my excursion left yesterday am. Yes, I am a total diva; thank you for asking..

 

 

I have found that short of an actual liquor bottle, there is no real restriction on what you bring on the Pacific and Ocean Princesses. When I toured Corfu last November, the proprietress of a vineyard my taxi driver took me too gave me two bottles of wine. I brought them aboard fairly openly. I also brought beer aboard. The only time I saw someone stopped, it was for a wine bottle that apparently resembled a liquor bottle.

 

Laundry on the Pacific Princess made me glad to turn Elite. Sometimes they open the laundry room early and I'd breeze in at 7:58 to find all washers occupied. And the space is so small, and sometimes you can have eight or ten people in there, counting the two using the ironing boards …

On my last cruise, we found out we were travelling with the Famous "C"s (or should it be infamous:cool:?). This is the couple that does multiple back to backs and plays Trivia all day. Of course their team won several many times, but we did beat them a couple of times.

 

I mean really, how many lanyards and magnetic chip clips does one person need????

 

And- it is NEVER APPROPRIATE to tip your room steward and dining staff with these trinkets!:eek:

 

Annie, it is time to find a new trivia team! (Wish I was there).:) Not that I am all that useful, but at least I am fun!

 

I played with them (I was invited because I'm good at trivia). They do not keep the prizes but give them away to the crew or anyone else. If you ask them, they will probably give you one, if you ask nicely.

 

We won about two thirds of the matches on last year's transatlantic. I was very careful going down stairs, as when we won, there was a faint scattering of applause, but when anyone else did, you'd think Placido Domingo had just sung.

 

I recall once after a match, we were sitting there and Captain Austin came in and immediately made a beeline for them. I was sitting at the same table, and he never even looked at me. I was more amused than anything else, it makes a good story.

Edited December 8, 2013 by Wehwalt

[rdsqrl]

Just a quick check-in from our first day at sea. My poor feet needed it!! I was one tired puppy; I'd tell you how late I slept but it embarrasses even me. And I'm pretty embarrassment-proof.

 

Lovely weather today: sunny, a slight movement of the ship [always a good thing], and about 60 or so.

 

Question of the day: why, in a laundry room the size of a phone booth, do couples come in to do laundry together? And then sigh loudly and bump into one passively-aggressively because there's no room. Excuse me, remove your superfluous husband and you could squeeze by me while I'm trying to iron my t-shirts. Or better yet, HE can iron them and I'll go back to the pool.

 

Pool water: still warm

Shower curtain: is now keeping a distance from me the size of the security zone around the ship

Hangars: have been promised to arrive this evening when Stewart's helper comes on duty

 

Off to enjoy trivia ["enjoy" being used in the loosest sense of the word] and then it's Mocha Time! The mochas at the Panorama Bar are better than the ones at the Club Bar. FYI. Tomorrow, Barcelona and a visit to STARBUCKS!! I'm almost more excited about that than I was about seeing Pompeii. . .

 

Tonight is formal night; I brought my fave killer cocktail dress however forget my fave drop-dead matching evening strappy sandals. . . and so it goes.

 

Arrividerci, amigos!

[TracieABD]

For Pete's sake, Annie- Now we are going to have a thread (from one of your cruise mates) about killer cocktail dresses and flip flops (or sneakers or hiking boots...) in the MDR on formal night!

 

Enjoy the day!:)

[Wehwalt]

Question of the day: why, in a laundry room the size of a phone booth, do couples come in to do laundry together? And then sigh loudly and bump into one passively-aggressively because there's no room. Excuse me, remove your superfluous husband and you could squeeze by me while I'm trying to iron my t-shirts. Or better yet, HE can iron them and I'll go back to the pool.

 

He's needed to hold the quarters.

[regnig]

For Pete's sake, Annie- Now we are going to have a thread (from one of your cruise mates) about killer cocktail dresses and flip flops (or sneakers or hiking boots...) in the MDR on formal night!

 

Enjoy the day!:)

 

Oh trust me no one will say anything negative about Annie... just look at how killer good looking she is regardless of what she has on her feet. And don't anybody tell me that's not her as she had us post this exact picture of her back in May of '09 for Bill's World Cruise Thread Gala and no way, no how would she have passed someone else's photo off as her own. ;):D;)

 

Edited December 8, 2013 by larsen

[TracieABD]

Oh trust me no one will say anything negative about Annie... just look at how killer good looking she is regardless of what she has on her feet. And don't anybody tell me that's not her as she had us post this exact picture of her back in May of '09 for Bill's World Cruise Thread Gala and no way, no how would she have passed someone else's photo off as her own. ;):D;)

 

 

I must say, the resemblance is quite striking!:)

[MMDown Under]

Catching up with your travels, from the Opera House, Annie.

 

Great itinerary and great little ship.

 

Hope you are now on a good table of interesting cruisers.

 

So what did you wear on your feet at the Formal?

[rdsqrl]

On our way to Gibraltar . . . Yesterday was Barcelona and today was another lovely sea day.

 

I spent my day in Barcelona at El Corte Ingles, shoe shopping (I had a pair of black pumps for formal night, for those of you concerned that I went to dinner in flipflops!). And hitting Starbucks. I also took a stroll through the Gothic quarter and down Las Ramblas. So what started out to be a relaxing day in port turned into another walking marathon.

 

Not much went on onboard. The Great Gatsby was shown in the Carousel Lounge midafternoon, and there were some board game get-togethers. Dinner last night was open seating (since we were in Barcelona until 10), so I ended up a different table and with a different wait team. This waiter apparently didn't approve, as he didn't crack a smile the entire meal. I saw him in the buffet today at lunchtime and smiled and said hello to him and he totally ignored me. Next time I see him, I'm going to suggest to him that perhaps he's in the wrong line of work.

 

The weather continues to be very good. I actually laid out in the sun this afternoon. Also, I've noticed that the the sun set noticeably later today than it had in Italy. Ah, science . . .

 

Lots of fun things going on around ship today. There was pop choir, several port talks, some gambling things [i understand none of them -- the language in the Patter might as well be Sanskrit. Runic phrases like "50 suits will get you a hog" . . . or something like that.]. Today's buffet theme was Mexican. And there was pub lunch in the steakhouse.

 

 

The Crooners -- no, wait, not Crooners. Casino Bar. -- pianist is Sammy Goldsomething. He's quite good. We had music trivia last night; I did fairly well, but ran out of time on the last song. Tomorrow, he's doing a kind of Sherlock Holmes murder mystery music trivia (really, the mind boggles . . . Cole Porter in the Crown Grill with a violin bow?), which unfortunately begins at 9, so apparently they don't wish anyone in Second Seating to participate. I've noticed that about nearly every activity on this ship with the exception of the main production shows. Hm, could this be part of what the problem is with Frank Zamboni?

 

Oh, and zero announcements. Seriously. This afternoon, the assessment team was called to the crew mess -- it was exciting to hear the ding-dong chimes for once! No, actually, there is the usual noon announcement, but other than that, it's a very quiet ship. Maybe they don't want to wake up all the 140-year-olds snoozing on every couch in every public place.

 

Pool water update: still warm

Shower curtain update: things remain chilly between us. I think it is contemplating moving out

Hangar update: extras finally arrived, so everything is now hung up properly. I'm not sure who's more relieved, me or Stewart

 

I finally got the Elite/Platinum cocktail party list thingy today. I forgot all about it and so haven't even been aware it was missing. Sadly, I didn't get it in time to make it to smoked salmon and Chairman of the Board night. Luckily, that will be repeated later on.

 

You know when it's been too long between cruises? When on the first couple of nights aboard, the ship moves and you jolt awake, thinking someone just sat down on your bed. The cure is obvious: drink more so you fall asleep quicker. No, no, no. Cruise more. That's it. Or both . . .

 

Speaking of drink, wine package is available, although not advertised or suggested. You have to be in the know; whisper the secret password; show your secret Lafite decoder ring . . .

[chamima]

We've cruised with Sammy Goldstein several times.

 

The first time we heard him we thought "Hokey". Then we started going back every night. He's really addictive. Try it - the more you listen to him the more you'll enjoy.

Maybe they'll move him to the Royal for February! ;)

 

I just looked up his schedule

http://www.sammygoldstein.com/schedule.htm

It looks like he's in Tahiti for the winter. Lucky him.

Edited December 10, 2013 by chamima

[Wehwalt]

Thanks for giving us an update! Barcelona is fun, the last time I was there I walked all the way down Las Ramblas. Did the ship dock close in at the World Trade Centre or did you have to take shuttle buses to the Columbus statue?

[Mapu]

 

Speaking of drink, wine package is available, although not advertised or suggested. You have to be in the know; whisper the secret password; show your secret Lafite decoder ring . . .

 

Hopefully the wine package will be available on our Amazon cruise in less than two weeks. How did you find out about it? If you get a chance and can check it will be offered on the next cruise, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Mapu

[caribill]

We've cruised with Sammy Goldstein several times.

 

The first time we heard him we thought "Hokey". Then we started going back every night. He's really addictive. Try it - the more you listen to him the more you'll enjoy.

Maybe they'll move him to the Royal for February! ;)

 

I just looked up his schedule

http://www.sammygoldstein.com/schedule.htm

It looks like he's in Tahiti for the winter. Lucky him.

 

We agree, he is very entertaining.

If he has not done it yet, ask him for his parody of "New York, New York."

[5326jan]

Hopefully the wine package will be available on our Amazon cruise in less than two weeks. How did you find out about it? If you get a chance and can check it will be offered on the next cruise, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

 

Please do a "live" of your Amazon cruise! :) We're waiting for it to come up on a schedule we can do. Hopefully, winter 2014/15.

 

 

Very happy to know there is a wine package available, now to figure out where to find the secret decoder ring! ;)

Edited December 11, 2013 by 5326jan

[TracieABD]

Did you find any cute shoes?:)