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

[socaljo]

Hi socaljo! It's a Tumi....or at least Tumi makes a cute one. Thanks for the heads up, TracieABD....looks like it might work for me on this itinerary in 2017!

 

Reading every post and committing all the pointers and details to memory as waiting until next year is so hard!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks so much! I will check out the Tumi! :D

[triviaplayer7425]

Hi Bob,

 

Thanks in advance for trying! Enjoy the rest of your cruise, sorry to miss you by one day.

 

Joyce

[triviaplayer7425]

Hi Murphey,

 

Are you staying on for the September 22nd cruise? I will be on for the back to back. Hope to see you again.

 

Joyce

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good morning from Bergen Norway. We just docked (0725 local time). The sail in to Bergen is amazing If you are in to taking pictures, this is a prime time spot to do it. Not much on tap for today. We were scheduled to do a ship based excursion, but DW is a little under the weather so I decided it was best she stay in bed and get some rest. We were here last year so that at least cushions the blow somewhat. I will probably hit Sabatini's a little later then the gym even later before we sailaway from this beautiful city.

 

We had our first formal night last night. It was great fun getting dressed up in my tux. We dined in the Palm dining room (late seating traditional). Food and general service were very good, but bar service was extremely slow. This was our first time in the MDR for the cruise and we got a tad bit if a surprise when we escorted to our seats. We were assigned a table for two despite the fact I had requested to be seated at a table for 10. The placement of tour table was nice as it was all the way at the back of the dining room next to a window. This is the first time in 17 cruises we have had a table for two. After dinner, we walked around the ship a bit then headed back to our cabin.

 

Anyway, that's all for now. I'll check in later.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited September 8, 2016 by Woobstr112G

[Lucky TGO]

Hi Bob,

First I like to say I hope your wife is feeling better!! I like to know did they give you a reason for seating you at a table for two and not ten that you requested?

Tony

[dickinson]

Sorry your wife wasn't feeling good but hopefully better today. How was your meet and greet?

[Woobstr112G]

[/left]0]Sorry your wife wasn't feeling good but hopefully better today. How was your meet and greet?

 

The Meet & Greet was very well attended. They had to move us from Skywalkers to the Palm dining room beecause of our size.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good evening from the Caribbean Princess. We are in the process of sailing away from Bergen Norway. We had a great day despite the fact we didn’t get off the ship. DW caught up on some much needed rest while I took a bunch of great pictures. I also went to the gym for the first time since the cruise began. Got a good cardio workout in. All in all, a good day.

 

Several things about the CB I wanted to mention. Service overall has been very good to excellent. The ship, as I experienced on last year’s cruise, is in great shape for being getting on in years. There is constant cleaning and sprucing going on all day. Sure there is some rust, but this old girl is in the water 24/7 365 days a year. As far as the internet goes, it has been surprisingly good. Right now I’m on my balcony, with our cbin door open, and I’m getting a fairly good signal.

 

DW and I decided to go to the Crown Grill for dinner tonight. We usually try and visit the specialty dining venues a couple of times during each cruise. We also are trying to decide on a day to do the Ultimate Balcony Dining experience that I pre-booked before sailing.

 

Today’s entertainment consisted of the following.

 

Evening string melodies by the Elegy Duo at 1600 & 1800 in the Piazza

 

Piano favorites with Krzysztof Jankowski at 1700 in the Piazza. He also hosted Piano & Cocktails at 1845 in the Wheelhouse bar. He did the same at Crooners at 2000.

 

The Elegy Duo performed an Evening of music in the Piazza at 1900.

 

Lisa Lottie performed balancing and hula hoop acts in the Piazza at 1945 & 2115.

 

Jonathan Carter performed Crooners Classics in the Wheelhouse bar at 1945 & 2115.

 

The ship’s band Xcite performed in Explorers at 2015.

 

Guitar & Vocal entertainer Alvaro Rios performed in the Wheelhouse bar at 2030.

 

There was a ballroom dance date in Explorers at 2115.

 

Singer & Piano man John Randall performed in Crooners from 2130 onwards.

 

The Princess Theater hosted an Evening of music with Instrumentalist E Sarah Carter. Show times are 1900, 2030, and 2200.

 

The movies today on MUTS were a concert by MUSE at 1730 and The Jungle Book (2016) at 1900 and 2100.

 

Well that’s all for now. I might pop back in later…..:):):)

 

Bob

[Shogun]

Hi Bob,

 

Have a great cruise, will drop in when I can picked up a load of new contracts at work today so I am going to be silly busy very next few weeks, so will not have time to read or post much,

 

yours Shogun

[Colo Cruiser]

[Murphey]

Hi Murphey,

 

Are you staying on for the September 22nd cruise? I will be on for the back to back. Hope to see you again.

 

Joyce

 

Alas, we are not on this cruise! Just following along :)

[satxdiver]

Hi Bob,

First I like to say I hope your wife is feeling better!! I like to know did they give you a reason for seating you at a table for two and not ten that you requested?

Tony

 

We were assigned TD over a year ago and had our assignment tied with another couple on the ship. When we got to the Palm MDR, they claimed we did not have TD and the room was full for early dining. A confrontation ensued needless to say and we held our ground. They finally relented and gave us a table for 4 for that night. Later we were notified that we had been assigned to a table in the Palm MDR early dining for a table for 4. They don't have their ducks in line on this cruise.

[Woobstr112G]

 

Keith, did you see me waving?.....:D:D:D

 

Bob

[Elcruzer]

The Meet & Greet was very well attended. They had to move us from Skywalkers to the Palm dining room beecause of our size.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

Glad to hear. Anyone take group pics that they could post here?

[StLouisCruisers]

We haven't had the proper size table our first night on Princess for many years. It makes for a bad start to the cruise. We have to move around for a day or so till we get settled. The maitre 'd actually showed DH his computer screen where it said "any" where the table request was. Not only does our TA put table for 6 on our booking, but we make sure it says that on our cruise personalizer, too. The requests never make it to the maitre 'd!!

 

We always get our preferred table size on Holland America. Not sure why Princess can't get their act together.

[phxbne]

Enjoying this - cruised Norway for the first time in July and already dreaming of returning!

[SGilly]

Earlier this morning, I enjoyed the suite perk of Sabatini's breakfast. The service was great and the mimosas and eggs benedict were both very tasty. An added bonus was that two of the waiters from last year's cruise are once again working in Sabatini's for breakfast.

 

Bob[/size][/i]

 

The staff in Sabatini's are wonderful, aren't they? Please give Olisa a hug from Terri & Steve?

Terri

[Woobstr112G]

Good evening from the Caribbean Princess. The ship’s internet was down all day while we were docked in Flaam. We spent a great day in doing the Flaam Railroad and Voss tour. It was a full day tour so we were kinda beat when we got back so we took advantage of the suite perk and enjoyed dinner in our cabin.

 

The Flaam Railroad and Voss tour was great. It was really cool to ride two different trains. The scenary was simply amazing. If anyone is considering this itinerary or ever has the chance to visit Flaam, I highly recommend the Flaam Railroad and Voss tour.

 

Tomorrow we will tender in Lerwick. DW and I will be foing a private escursion organized by another roll call member.

 

Short post tonight as I’m beat. I’ll list the entertainment again starting tomorrow.

 

Ake Care All…..

 

Bob

[socaljo]

Thank you SOOO much for the wake view from your balcony! We just booked our first suite, a Vista on the Star (an aft), to repeat the Hawaii cruise spring '18! That view is the whole reason!! Don't think I could get tired of that.... can't wait to find out! :p

 

Really enjoying the LIVE!! Happy Sailing!

[pamandcookie]

Any of you on this cruise, if you see Viktoria from the Ukraine in one of the dining rooms, give her a hug from Ralph and Pam. She is a sweetheart!

[Woobstr112G]

 

Good morning all from the Caribbean Princess. It is 0635 local time as we near Lerwick Scotland. The seas right are a bit rough at the moment. I'm looking forward to getting off the ship in Lerwick as we didn't get off the ship last year. Hopefully there will be a lot to see and plenty of picture taking moments. Ships internet seems to be doing fine at the moment.

 

Hope All Are Well.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

Thank you SOOO much for the wake view from your balcony! We just booked our first suite, a Vista on the Star (an aft), to repeat the Hawaii cruise spring '18! That view is the whole reason!! Don't think I could get tired of that.... can't wait to find out! :p

 

Really enjoying the LIVE!! Happy Sailing!

 

We booked our first wake view Vista, which was our first aft view cabin, for our Hawaii cruise in 2013. We are definitely hooked. I will do everything I can never to book anything else.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited September 10, 2016 by Woobstr112G

[satxdiver]

The CB is in the Shetland Islands today. Due to bad sea conditions and wind we arrived about 2 hours late. Unfortunately again due to gale and sea conditions we were not able to take the tenders to shore. The Captain kept making announcements that we were waiting for better conditions to take the tenders but at 1:00 he announced that we would be picking up the anchor and moving to the leeward side of the island. We are having some propulsion problems which contributed to our arriving late so he is moving the ship to the leeward side, dropping anchor and checking the propulsion problem. Hopefully it will not seriously impact our further voyage to NYC. The waves were 3-6 meters and 30-40 knot wind. Tomorrow is a sea day followed by 3 ports in Iceland including one tender port.

Edited September 10, 2016 by satxdiver

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

Sorry to say shipping forecast not good,

 

Fair Isle

Gale warning - Issued: 0334 UTC on Saturday 10 September 2016

Southwesterly severe gale force 9 decreasing gale force 8 soon

Wind

Southwest 5 to 7, occasionally gale 8 at first.

Sea state

Very rough or high becoming rough or very rough.

Weather

Thundery showers.

Visibility

Good, occasionally moderate.

 

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/marine-shipping-forecast#fairisle

 

yours Shogun

[Woobstr112G]

The CB is in the Shetland Islands today. Due to bad sea conditions and wind we arrived about 2 hours late. Unfortunately again due to gale and sea conditions we were not able to take the tenders to shore. The Captain kept making announcements that we were waiting for better conditions to take the tenders but at 1:00 he announced that we would be picking up the anchor and moving to the leeward side of the island. We are having some propulsion problems which contributed to our arriving late so he is moving the ship to the leeward side, dropping anchor and checking the propulsion problem. Hopefully it will not seriously impact our further voyage to NYC. The waves were 3-6 meters and 30-40 knot wind. Tomorrow is a sea day followed by 3 ports in Iceland including one tender port.

 

It was very disappointing to miss on on Lerwick today. I for one am very curious on what exactly the engine problems are and how serious they are. I would also think that they would not send the CB across the North Atlantic for 5 days if the engines weren't 100%. Brings up some interesting possibilities on what might happen should the engine issues not be resolved.....

 

Bob

Edited September 10, 2016 by Woobstr112G