Live From The Caribbean Princess Iceland & Norway Explorer September 5, 2016

[Woobstr112G]

Good news.. :)

 

 

Srpilo

 

Hello Sir. Long time no see. Hope all is well with you and your DW.....:):):)

 

Bob

[mellon1]

I'm not sure. I will ask our cabin steward and let you know.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

Thanks!

[TracieABD]

Hi Bob-

Sounds like a perfectly lovely sea day! I am so glad to hear you are moving.

 

:)

[pittbull1122]

For those of you that, like myself, like to know what you are sailing into, try this website.

 

http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display.cgi?a=natla_height

[soccergang]

That doesn't look good. Maybe I need to re-think this cruise we have booked for next year on the Crown....

[Murphey]

That doesn't look good. Maybe I need to re-think this cruise we have booked for next year on the Crown....

 

We did a crossing the end of last September and it was fine. You just don't know. Kinda like predicting the weather in Alaska! Go for it!!

[Woobstr112G]

A very late good evening from the Caribbean Princess. Current local time is 0110 hours (we get an hour back tonight). We are still enroute to Iceland. The seas, for most of the day were fairly rough. All of the pools were closed along with the promenade deck. The seas finally quieted down around 2200.

 

Tonight, Holli & I ate in the MDR. We both selected the “Surf & Turf” entre. Both of us thought the steak we had was better than the steak we had in the Crown Grill. While the the food we had was very good, the service left something to be desired. Both our waiter and assistant waiter have little personality. Their attentiveness was sorely lacking. We never saw them much during the entire time we were there. We also had to ask them for everything. I’m not trying to be negative, it is just what we experienced.

 

After dinner, DW and I tried our luck in the casino. We wanted to do some shopping, but all the shops closed at 2200 (local time). I had pretty good luck in the casino as I found one machine that was quite loose. I ended up our stay up a couple of hundred:).

 

Tomorrow we are in Akureyri. We originally had a whale watching ship based excursion planned, but I cancelled it because I thought it would be too rough for DW after her recent surgery. Haven’t figured out a game plan for tomorrow so we’ll probably play it by ear.

 

Couple of other things I’d like to mention are related to the patters. Yes, they are still being delivered to the state rooms. The other thing I noticed, concerns the prot guides. They are included as a pdf file on the Princess at Sea app but are not included in the patters as they were last year.

 

One more thing is related to the printout you get for your shipboard account. It is in a new format which is different from last year’s cruise. Last year, all of your credits, including pre-paid gratuities, etc were listed as credits. This year, the pre-paid stuff, such as gratuities, aren’t listed. I enquired at passenger services and was told that if you pre-paid, the charges would not show up at all on your folio printout.

 

Today’s entertainment is as follows.

 

The Piazza hosted Classical Favorites with the Elegy Duo at 1215, Piano Melodies with Krzysztof Jankowski at 1315, Body Balancing and Hula Hoop featuring Lisa Lottie at 1430 and 2000, Afternoon Melodies with Jonathan Carter at 1500, Guitar and Vocal Entertainer Alvaro Rios at 1700, and Evening String Melodies with the Elegy Duo at 1800,

 

Muts offered up the Cincinnati Bengals vs the New York Jets at 1800, and the New York Giants vs the Dallas Cowboys at 2130.

 

The Wheelhouse Bar hosted Piano and Cocktails with Krzyasztof Jankowski at 1845, Piano and Vocal Entertainer Jonathan Carter at 2115, and Guitar and Vocal Entertainer Alvaro Rios at 2215.

Explorers hosted the ships band Xcite doing music and dancing at 2015.

 

Crooners hosted Singer and Piano Entertainer Jonathan Randall from 2115 onwards.

 

Nothing was listed in the patters for the Princess Theater.

 

Bob

[SGilly]

 

Tonight, Holli & I ate in the MDR. We both selected the “Surf & Turf” entre. Both of us thought the steak we had was better than the steak we had in the Crown Grill. While the the food we had was very good, the service left something to be desired. Both our waiter and assistant waiter have little personality. Their attentiveness was sorely lacking. We never saw them much during the entire time we were there. We also had to ask them for everything. I’m not trying to be negative, it is just what we experienced.

 

Bob

 

Bob, we sat at table 337 in the Coral Dining room. Our server was Petty, along with her brother. They are wonderful-see if you can sit with them?

Terri

[pittbull1122]

I hope you are kidding, please don't cancel on what you see on the internet, it isn't always true:) See the following post, the seas can not be predicted.

 

That doesn't look good. Maybe I need to re-think this cruise we have booked for next year on the Crown....

[dickinson]

Is it becoming normal now for no entertainment at night in the Princess theater? I'm used to some live act every night.

[2theship]

Bob,

 

On last year's CB TA, we rented a car from an agency that's right at the end of the pier in Akureyri. We had a reservation but I'm not certain that's necessary. The agent told us how to get to the waterfall and some other areas and it was really simple - make two lefts then go in a big circle. Traffic is on the right side of the road and extremely light. We had a very relaxing day at our own pace.

 

Pam

[satxdiver]

Every port day an insert comes in the patter that is the port information. The beds in our balcony cabin I don't think have been changed but we always slept well on the old beds. We were on the CB last October for 10 days and last March for 14 days. I did the UST yesterday and really enjoyed seeing behind the scenes. I did ask the chief engineer in the engine control room if the propulsion problem had been fixed, he said that the expert they were waiting for in the Shetland Islands never arrived. He would not say though if the propulsion problem had been fixed. The ship was doing 18 knot all day yesterday. The expert may join us at one of the 3 Iceland ports. Today we have our last ship tour to the falls, museum and garden. The sea was rough yesterday with 12 meter waves and 30 knot winds but laid down a bit later last evening.

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good morning from the Caribbean Princess. It is 0805 local time. We will be docking in Akureyri around 0945 hours. The Captain just came over the PA system and said the late arrival was due to the strong headwinds and seas we've encountered over the last 24 hours. He did also say he was extending our departure an additional hour to make up for the late arrival. The weather outside is very overcast and rather chilly at the moment. Just the way I like it. The current weather conditions are probably why the satellite signal for the television stations keeps going in and out. more later.....:):):)

 

Hope All Are Well

 

Bob

Edited September 12, 2016 by Woobstr112G

[Woobstr112G]

Bob,

 

On last year's CB TA, we rented a car from an agency that's right at the end of the pier in Akureyri. We had a reservation but I'm not certain that's necessary. The agent told us how to get to the waterfall and some other areas and it was really simple - make two lefts then go in a big circle. Traffic is on the right side of the road and extremely light. We had a very relaxing day at our own pace.

 

Pam

 

Pam;

 

Thanks for the information. I'll ask Holli if she is interested.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good morning from the Caribbean Princess. We are anchored at Isafjordur Iceland. Weather is chilly with overcast skies. Best thing is there is no rain at the moment. I was unable to post last night because the connections were very spotty due to the extremely rough seas we encountered while sailing from Akureyri to Isafjordur. The rough seas we encountered were the worst I've experienced in over 200+ days cruising. Seas were at 5 meters or more. We lost a couple of glasses from our wet bar area. Our dining table which is very heave actually moved about a foot from where it was originally placed. Needless to say, I am very pleased on how calm the seas are today.

 

Yesterday in Akureyri I got off the ship and walked around taking a number of pictures. I didn't take as many as I wanted due to the fact it rained for the entire time I was off the ship.

 

Today DW and I are scheduled to take a ship based excursion to Hesteyri. I did the same excursion last year but DW did not. We are doing it again because she wanted to se in person the pictures I took from last year. We are lucky in that we d not have to get off the ship until 1100.

 

Hope all are well and having a great day.....:):):)

 

Bob

[4x4bob]

Hello Bob

 

I read a post a year ago about rough water on an Iceland cruise. That person walked out on balcony to take a photo and the camera bounced up and hit his glasses. Do be careful out there.

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good Evening all. We sailed from Isafjordur several hours ago. I took the above picture as we began our sailaway. DW and I had a great time on our excursion. WE did a cruise to an abandoned village of Hesteyri. We had a very nice time there. Unfortunately, the Arctic Fox did not make an appearance as he did last year. When we finished the excursion, we took the short tender ride back to the Caribbean Princess. Once we got onboard, we were both glad to be back in “our cabin."

 

We are currently enroute to Reykjavik. Tomorrow we will be on a private Golden Circle excursion that I organized for a number of fellow roll call members. I’m sure it will be a great time for all involved.

 

Couple of things about the Princess at Sea App I’d like to mention for those that may not have heard. There is a tab for the itinerary. On each day, there is link for the port guide in pdf format. Regarding the internet, if you go to log on and are still connected on another device, the app will remind you to log off of that device. One thing about the internet on the CB for the most part, when a signal was available, has been surprisingly good. All I have to do is open the front door of my cabin and I’m good to go.

 

Here’s today’s entertainment offerings.

 

Muts offered the Pittsburgh Steelers vs the Washington Redskins (recorded) at 1000. Next up was a recorded game between the San Francisco 49’ers and the Los Angeles Rams at 1315. At 1730, the Killers Live at Royal Albert Hall was shown. The movie was X-Men Apocalypse at 1900 and 2145.

 

The Piazza offered Pianist Krzysztof Janowski at 1700, Evening Melodies with the Elegy Duo at 1800, Body Balancing and Hula Hoop Sensation Lisa Lottie at 1845 and 2115, Piano Favorites with Jonathan Carter at 1900, and Guitar melodies with Alvaro Rios at 1945.

 

The Princess Theater offered Dynamic Entertainer Nathan Foley at 1900, 2030, and 2200.

 

The Wheelhouse Bar hosted Piano and Cocktails with Krzystof jankowski at 1815, Evening String Melodies with the Elegy Duo at 2000, Piano and Vocal Entertainer Jonathan Carter AT 2115 & 2215, and Guitar and Vocal Entertainer Alvaro Rios at 2300 till closing.

 

Crooners hosted Piano and Cocktails with Krzystof jankowski at 2030, Piano Entertainer John Randall at 2130 onwards.

 

The ship's band Xcite preformed in Explorers from 2200 onwards.

 

That’s all for now. Take Care…..

 

Bob

Edited September 13, 2016 by Woobstr112G

[jefa]

Following along with you Bob, thanks for the live from.....

 

A question about the ships band Xcite. Do they play covers, do you know how long they are going to be on board, and do you know where they are from?

Edited September 13, 2016 by jefa

[Woobstr112G]

Following along with you Bob, thanks for the live from.....

 

A question about the ships band Xcite. Do they play covers, do you know how long they are going to be on board, and do you know where they are from?

 

On one of the sea days heading to Boston, I'll try and ask them and advise.....:):):)

 

Bob

[satxdiver]

It is 1:57 AM Wednesday morning. We just saw the northern lights but no color yet. Monday night the ship experienced up to 50 knot winds and 27 foot waves causing a very uncomfortable ride. Tuesday morning in the IC we were told they were short workers because of the ride last night and that many pax had come down to the lower public decks (7 and 5) and were sleeping in the chairs etc. Tonight so far it has been a lot milder with lower waves and wind. Let us hope it remains. So far we are experiencing 9 knot winds and 12 foot waves so the ride is not bad.

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good morning all. We are just docking in Reykjavik Iceland. We had a very restful night's sleep. Seas last night were 110% better than the night before. Last night DW and I were a little lazy and decided to just order some Piazza from room service for dinner. I must say Princess continues to make the best pizza at sea.

 

As stated earlier, today we will be doing a Golden Circle tour that I rivately arranged. We did the same tour last year and thought it was so wonderful we decided to do it again.

 

This afternoon when we set sail from Reykjavik we will be starting our five days at sea while sailing to Boston. I must say that I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. Sea days are my favoirte and I can never get enough of them.

 

That's all for now.

 

Hope all are well.....:):):)

 

Bob

[jefa]

On one of the sea days heading to Boston, I'll try and ask them and advise.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

Thanks Bob :)

[westendgirl]

Stunning Reykjavik sunrise!! Enjoy your Golden Circle adventure (I know you will).

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good evening everyone from the Caribbean Princess. We just got back onboard after a great private excursion I arranged for 16 other roll call members. I'll post a little later but I just wanted to share this real cool picture I took of the Gullfoss Waterfall. This is amazing to see in person.

 

Hope all are well.....:):):)

 

Bob

[FlorenceItaly]

Bob, I am really enjoying your LIVE report. Thank you!

 

 

 

Marie