Before, during and after Island Princess Panama Canal 1st May

[windsor26]

We had a good journey to Vancouver with CA and it only took 13 hours as we had a tail wind. Waited some 35 minutes for the shuttle bus but all was well when we got to the hotel. Went for a walk around while our room was being prepared and when we returned we got to our room 2 hours early which was

nice.

We had a quick wash and 4 hours sleep before waking to go out on the sky train railway into Vancouver downtown where we visited the local food hall and had some sustenance.

Back to the hotel being surprised when we bought the next ticket as everyone travels in all 3 zones for the same price after 6.30 Good to know.

Unpacked as much as we wanted and had showers and a good night’s sleep.

The following morning woke almost too late for breakfast but just got there in time for a reasonable choice of food. Then out to the Sky train to the city. We bought a 2 day HoHo bus ticket for $40 each but

unfortunately as the season had not yet commenced we waited 45 minutes each time between buses instead of the usual 15. The driver and his tester (as it was his last day as a learner) were great

fun and we enjoyed the route immensely. We went all over the down and left the bus in Chinatown which is really no longer the right place as most Chinese have moved out to Richmond

Colin found a couple of caches and we went around Gas Town before arriving

at The Spaghetti Factory for a huge inexpensive meal 4 courses for $11

Back to the hotel and lazed about catching up with some TV before sleep The next day we had breakfast and took some fruit for lunch to go back into town and found that as it was weekend the train fare was again only $1.75 for everywhere for 90 minutes.

 

We visited several of the gardens which were superb with tulips and all the daffodils and waiting for the roses to bloom. Over to the Granville island where we went around the market and then enjoyed a coffee

watching the very clever buskers there. Back on the HoHo bus into the cruise terminal area so we could

see where we would return in 24 days time. Colin found another cache so was happy. We picked the best 2 days for the HoHo as on the next day it would not start until 1pm as there was a fun run through the town.

Because of this we went on the sky train to the other direction to a flea market which was really a waste for time all electronics and household stuff. Then on to the town centre again for more sightseeing The

train ticket included a ferry ride across tot the other side of Vancouver so we took this and watched the sea planes landing and taking off for a while in the sunshine We visited the casino which was opposite our hotel but were not impressed with the place (I lost $5)

We had a burger in Happy Jacks and an early night watching TV. Back the next day to town to enjoy more of the sights and were in gas town when there was a fire alarm in one of the high rise schools there so excitement as 2 fire engines appeared and the roadway was full of students. Did a very little bit of shopping and back to Spaghetti Factory for another good meal.

I needed to sort out the luggage for the next flight and to check our plane times (which had changed and made our flight another 3 hours longer) but I managed to check in on line and we booked a 3.30am call

for the taxi to take us to the airport.

The flight was good and we did get drinks for free which we did not expect and we landed early. Our luggage had been sent on the previous flight so was waiting for us when we arrived and this meant we were early to p[hone for our free shuttle to the hotel. Nice ride and welcome from then hotel folk and a comfortable room where we had a quick wash and went out for a snack. Then having unpacked a little we had a good sleep. Breakfast the next morning was not as good as our last visit and we noticed that the

hotel now calls it self a hostel but still good value. We went shopping for some booze and toiletries we needed and enjoyed a walk around and then a swim in the lovely pool. We went out for a meal and had an early night. Breakfast again was the same and we got an early shuttle to the ship,. A short queue to book in and then we waited for the embarkation to commence as we were expedited customers. We were able to have some refreshments while we waited but were on board by 11.30 We found our room

and tried to sort out our way around the ship which is a new layout to us.

An unusual one but a nice ship. Unfortunately we found our room was very noisy but more of this later.

We did the treasure hunt and gave in our papers and then after a drink in our cabin went down to play cards waiting for the dinner hour which was early for late sitting at 7.30 (usually 8.15) We had a table for 8 and they were very nice people and we clicked with all immediately. The evening show was quite good except for a 'comedian’ who was useless but only had a sort act. He was promised to us later so we arranged to miss the show.

There are two pools on this ship one under cover in case of rain and cold so everything is good. A broken night of noise and the next morning we went to the meet and greet I had organised and lots of the senior staff came which was great. While there I made a point to the Head of Housekeeping about my noisy room and they promised to sort it out. It was still noisy that night so we phone down and asked that something be done about the machinery which was in operation in the galley above us.

Eventually this was done and we got a half nights sleep. The next day I followed this through and the 2nd in command agreed it was bad and she would try to get us moved but needed to move someone else and get permission from Head office. On the 5th Day we were moved to an outside cabin on deck 8 very convenient for lots of things including the library the computer room and the card and games rooms.

Trivia was played and we had a good team mates from Nevada and had so much fun with them. We have an open invitation to stay at their homes in Las Vegas when we travel there and one of the ladies is a geocache addict as well.

Colin managed to find several caches while we are travelling and this makes him happy.

The first stop in Cartegena was a hoot We did the segway trip and it was such fun There were only 4 of us (2 from another ship which was anchored that day) and we went all around the town taking precedence of the other traffic as this was the accepted norm for Segways It was a great 90 minute tour of the city managing all the side roads where cars and coaches cannot go.

The trivia games have been fun and we are often just missing winning by 1 or 2 points but the whole thing gives us chances to make friends and learn something even if you forget it immediately.

The stop in Aruba was a good day also I had arranged a 4 hour taxi tour with another couple and a very interesting time was had Again we went to the same places as the large buses before they did and then to other places where they could not go. Back to then ship for a well earned swim and some cookies and milk (every afternoon this is offered) The Cruise Director has pointed out that if you work things correctly you can have 17 meals a day!!!!

A couple of entertaining sea days with evening cocktail parties or champagne waterfalls gave us lots of 'free' drinks and we so far have only bought 3 bottles of wine. We won a bottle of champagne and shared this with our table of very good companions and then another day one of those couples also

shared a winning bottle of champagne with us. We lost one couple at Vancouver but changed the table to a 6 seating which is easier to chat and we have lots of laughs as Colin is reading Readers Digest and then enthralling the table with jokes and the other are excellent raconteurs.

We have been offered $250 compensation for the noisy room and happily accepted it. We later found someone else had been offered $400 for a similar problem but they were originally in an outside room anyway so this seemed to be fair.

On each stop DH has managed to find caches so is quite happy.

The Sailing day in San Juan del Sol was a great day and enjoyed by the 8 we had organised for this. The captain has e mailed us 160 photographs so will not look at these until we get home We also participated in a message in a bottle ceremony and will see if it is ever found.

The final 5 day segment of this cruise appears to be unfilled so there is a special price for this at $189 plus port Taxes and therefore lots of locals have booked including young families which will change the ambience of

the cruise completely and this sometimes is a good thing.

Cabo san Lucas was good We went off as a table group and took a glass bottom boat trip One of our table group was fluent in Spanish and that ,made the whole booking at the docks easy We paid $8 each and of

course rounded it to $10 to tip them It was an excellent 1.5 hour time and then we all went our separate ways to don other things. We could not find Colin’s medication anywhere so will try again in Vietnam next cruise.

We then bumped into other friends from the trivia team and they treated us to a Dairy Cream ice cream Peanut butter which was lovely. I am hooked and will hunt for Dairy Cream franchises as we travel

Two sea days then with evening cocktail party with the captain and crew as we were some of the most cruised passengers. Masses of superb food at 7pm when we were due to eat dinner at 7.40??? However I did partake of some of the hand made chocolates (I just wished I had a doggy bag)

We have a lovely captain Justin Lawes. He is British and often seen around the ship and will stop and chat to everyone He now sees me and calls me Yvonne A nice feeling.

The Helicopter ride in San Francisco was everything I wanted We flew under and lover the Golden Gate Bridge and Colin sat in the front seat so was happy. It was a long trip to the airport and we landed somewhere else and had a different tour coming back.

The new people came aboard and yes lots of Asian families USA from LAX as we expected A few more young children but well behaved in the most time.

Getting too cold now for the swim pool but lots of things to do all day and played games with some other contacts and enjoyed this time with them They live in las Vegas and have invited us back to stay with them any time

Victoria next stop and it was nice weather and we met another couple who were geocaching so joined them and then DH stayed out for more walking and I returned to start packing. I found a few more books in the library from those who were also packing and shedding weight so I have enough to read for the journey home.

We had our usual crowd for our usual time dinner although it was open sitting due to the late sail away and we enjoyed the company once again.

Invitations to visit people in Florida when we go there and in Seattle so that is nice and we hope to meet with them in Sydney if they come by.

Not too late to bed as we had to put the luggage outside and just keep the carry on stuff. The next and last morning we had our usual breakfast in the Horizon buffet and gave tips to the waiters who have done well for us during the cruise. Then collect the last bits from the cabin so our steward can reconfigure the beds to a queen and off to the elite and sapphire lounge for refreshments and wait until we want to disembark. We were the last off the ship and then saw we were 3 ships disembarking at the same time. The line for the taxi was about 900 people so we went straight out to the roadway and walked about 10 metres, crossed the road and got a taxi which was just dropping someone off. He was delighted not to have to join his line and so were we. We arrived at the Quality Inn in about 15 minutes or less – the driver went around the traffic which was quite heavy. Only $8.50 so we were all pleased.

The registration desk welcomed us with jokes and we were given a room immediately and were having a coffee shoes off and relaxing by 9.45am As we should not have been checked in until about 2pm we were over the moon.

We went out for the day doing some more caches and visiting Granville Island again to buy some maple syrup using the Captain Pugwash type ferry and then walked around Gastown enjoying the buskers and the sights. We had a very late lunch (4pm) in the Spaghetti Factory and then walked back ton the hotel - a long way but good to walk off all that food.

A few brandies in the room watching very stupid TV - worse than ours – and then to bed. Such a comfortable one with squishy pillows I loved.

I got up, at 7am so I could use the business centre and check us in for our midnight flight and change the seats which I did and printed the boarding passes. Colin had showered and made coffee when I returned ton the room so we finished packing and then at 10.30 dropped the luggage for storing and went out around town. More of the same visits as before but nice weather no coat required and we had lunch in Granville Island which was delicious.

Snooze in the sun on one of the numerous park benches around and then back to the hotel to wait for5 the taxi for the airport. This was very quick as the evening r5ush had not started and was under $30. We found the airport almost deserted at that time of night so had a coffee and then went straight through immigration to the gate for the flight.

The plane was not full and we were lucky to have a spare seat between us so spread out and enjoyed the flight and meals offered.

We arrived back in Sydney half an hour early but had to wait around on the tarmac for a gate to disembark and also they sprayed the interior of the luggage compartments for Aquis. This is the first time we have seem this in over 18 years! Eventually got off the plane, picked up our pre ordered duty free and lined up for immigration which was moving quite quickly. As we had checked our luggage in early for the flight it was of course one of the last off the plane but by then the long line for customs had decreased and we walked straight through with no problems.

We had just missed a train to Macarthur and when we eventually arrived there we had also missed the connection to home so had an almost 2 hour wait for this one.

We were collected at our home station by great neighbours and were home by 2.30.

I looked at the suitcases and DH made a coffee – then we decided, as we had been awake for some 44 hours with only a couple of cat naps Bed was the place to be so we went.

After 10 hours solid I awoke in the middle of the night and here I am threading this. So please ignore any mistakes I have made:D:D;)

[dyank]

Welcome home! One question: what was the deck and number of the noisy room? Just booked the PC full transit on the Island Princess. Hoping for a quiet cabin...

Thanks.

[Susie51]

Thank you for your review.

[windsor26]

Welcome home! One question: what was the deck and number of the noisy room? Just booked the PC full transit on the Island Princess. Hoping for a quiet cabin...

Thanks.

 

It was B244 and speaking with others the cabin next door to us and the same cabins below us were also noisy but not as bad.

The problem is that the galley is working all night and the trolleys and lifts make a noise as does the machine which chops up all the wasted food to be bulk packaged until they dock. For the days while we had to stay in the cabin it was arranged that they would not use this machine during the night but of course someone 'forgot' and we had to phone to the pursers desk to send someone up to remind them again But for us all ended well:D:D

[dyank]

Thanks. Never want to be under the galley again! We had a room under the galley on our first Alaska trip. There was no sleeping through the noise that started about 2 a.m. and lasted for hours. After complaining it was worse! There were no extra rooms :( I napped on the deck during the day--missing some of the spectacular scenery...