Live from the Sky Christmas/New Yrs

[h-sar]

10 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Great photos!  Thanks for taking the time to post them.

Are you kidding?! It was the least I could do. Your very detailed reports and pictures from the Sky in December kept me going through the last couple of weeks of school before the break, when all the kids and all the adults were more than a little bit cranky 👍🏼. Really helped build up my excitement and anticipation.

[h-sar]

Above Cabin S202 

 

 

Near as I can tell, your cabin will be kind of below this area. It’s is a corner of the Sanctuary where they seem to keep extra loungers at night and it then becomes a massage room and cabana in the daytime. I think there will be very little traffic above you.

Edited December 28, 2019 by h-sar

[h-sar]

Nine of us had dinner at the Crown Grill tonight. We go in there at 6:40 and left about 9:30. Good time was had by all. As we were a larger party, they gave us a separate little area/room off to the side where they keep all the wine bottles. It was nice to be Away from the main area of the restaurant.
 

For the first hour or so, we had the string quartet ladies playing some lovely soft music in the bar area and from where we were sitting, we could see and hear them through a fairly large opening between our section and the bar. It was lovely music to dine by. When they were done,Trevor Cole, the steel pan musician, came on. While most of his music was not overly loud, we did wonder a couple of times if placing him so close to people who are dining was the best idea. Was not a huge problem though. I’ve always enjoyed hearing him, but would prefer him in the piazza or even more so on the outer deck.

Service and food were fantastic. Last year, they brought us out three different sauces for our steaks: béarnaise, peppercorn, and gravy. This year, we actually had to ask for it. All the sides were served family style with one set for 1/2 of the table and another set for the other half of the table. The dessert menu was entirely new. There are a couple of really great additions to it. It is pretty heavy on the chocolate though.

 

Black and blue French onion soup

 

Crab cakes which most people had. 
 

 

Beet and spinach salad 

 

My sea bass. Delicious! Gave the prawns To my kids as I do not eat seafood.

 

Lamb chops. Hubby was not entirely thrilled with them. 

 

sterling steak. Those who had it said it was one of the better steaks they have had (and remember most of us come from Alberta beef country and we know our beef!). Came with mushrooms and onions on top.

Family sides of creamed spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, and garlic fries.

Apple rhubarb pie 

 

Key lime bar.So good 

 

Chocolate journeys mousse

 

chocolate of some kind 

Celebratory birthday cake for bro above 

Edited December 28, 2019 by h-sar

[h-sar]

Hows this for crazy? Young nephew lost his medallion and my brother went to passenger services for a new one. They instantly checked their system and told him it was in his cabin...under the right side bed. And that’s where he found it!!!

[h-sar]

Bro was given a $50 credit for the spa for his bday to use toward a treatment during the week. He didn’t end up using it. Believe it is non transferable. 
 

We used up all our obc last week on some services and purchases, eg. enclave, soda package, excursions. We owe Princess about $240 and I was told that it will roll over to this coming week,  so the obc which will be credited today will be used. 

Edited December 28, 2019 by h-sar

[kywildcatfanone]

2 hours ago, h-sar said:

Hows this for crazy? Young nephew lost his medallion and my brother went to passenger services for a new one. They instantly checked their system and told him it was in his cabin...under the right side bed. And that’s where he found it!!!

It's the purpose of the medallion,  to know where you (your medallion) is at all times.

 

Will probably get emails for princess bedding now.

[Heavy's wife]

Thanks for all the photos.  

Any chance anyone has a pic of the new specialty restaurant, Bistro Sur la Mer?  

...or any feedback from anyone who has eaten there?  We are trying to book our specialty dining before we get on the ship.

 

[h-sar]

4 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

It's the purpose of the medallion,  to know where you (your medallion) is at all times.

 

Will probably get emails for princess bedding now.

I just didn’t think it would be that precise — figured it would read in cabin, but never figured it would tell you exactly where in the room it was. When I compare the improved technology of the medallion to last year‘s medallion experience on the regal, there have been huge improvements 👍🏼

[h-sar]

3 hours ago, Heavy's wife said:

Thanks for all the photos.  

Any chance anyone has a pic of the new specialty restaurant, Bistro Sur la Mer?  

...or any feedback from anyone who has eaten there?  We are trying to book our specialty dining before we get on the ship.

 

Will grab some pictures today. Kids want to eat there sometime this week, so will provide a review if we do. Not the best location, because it is totally open to the piazza and so, during dinner time, would be when there is a lot of noise coming up from the piazza with music and activities.

[Heavy's wife]

Thank you.  Really appreciate it.

 

[milolii]

Thanks for doing this.  Love your pictures!  Glad you are enjoying time with your family,   If you get time maybe during the turn around can you check out the Window suite On deck 17   S107.   Or 108?   There  is a video from an earlier 

sailing but I still have a question.  Is there a curtain between both entrances from the bedroom to the living room?  I can clearly see the one from the hallway into the bedroom and another facing the bow into the living room , but evidently there is a third entry and I can not tell there  is a curtain there.  Thanks no big deal if you can not get it.   No pics  Or diagrams on the Princess website for this particular cabin. Just pics of  window suites on other ships.  
 

Have great second week. 

[h-sar]

On 12/22/2019 at 9:25 PM, Daddysbaby said:

Hi H-Sar,

 

It's getting close for me now - just 6 more sleeps - and I will be joining you on the Sky.  I was wondering if you could please report on the Seragasum problem on the beaches of Roatan, Belize and Cozumel.  We were hoping to do a beach day on my 2nd week, but it does not look promising.  Also, would you be able to tell me the current price of my perfume, "Miracle" by Lancome?  I'm not sure if I should buy it at the airport or if I should wait and buy it on the ship.  I hope you will be at our M&G on the 30th as I look forward to finally meeting you!!

Warmest Regards,

Sheila

Cozumel was the only place we saw seaweed. We ended up at Paradise Beach bear Mr. Sanchos. It was the same condition last year. I don’t think it was too  bad though. Below are pics that might give you more information. 

Edited December 28, 2019 by h-sar

[Colo Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Heavy's wife said:

Thanks for all the photos.  

Any chance anyone has a pic of the new specialty restaurant, Bistro Sur la Mer?  

...or any feedback from anyone who has eaten there?  We are trying to book our specialty dining before we get on the ship.

 

 

[h-sar]

On 12/26/2019 at 4:45 PM, stjohncruisers said:

We will be on the Sky Princess in February. We just became Platinum level. Can you please tell us where the Platinum lounge is located on the Sky? Thanks.

Oops, missed this question. It is in Take Five, the new jazz lounge. Deck 6 next to casino. Same location as Club 6 on Regal. Very attractive venue. Will have to check it out this week. Last week was all about spending time with extended family, so didn’t get to all the venues. 

[h-sar]

Saw the parents into a taxi to the airport at 9:30. Terminal was pretty dead. Used the global entry line, so were out in a couple of minutes as they only had carryons. Brother and sister’s families were off to head to their next adventures.

 

We walked over to the Ross and Starbucks area. I got a nail polish change for $10 right next to the Starbucks. Best wifi was at Office Depot by Ross and Dollartree.That’s where I’m posting from (11:50 am). The wifi on board is horrendous for sending pics this yr. it’s been a painful, laborious task. Last year on Regal seemed much easier. Also, have a great deal of difficulty actually getting into cruise critic.Have to try various methods and paths before I can. Is Princess stopping access to some larger bandwidth sites? Read something on here about it. 
 

kids are off on the hunt for a good barbershop so that DS can get a haircut. He goes religiously every three weeks. Pretty sure it’s only been two since his last one 🙄🙄. 
 

Will head back shortly and hit Alfredo’s for our traditional embarkation day lunch. Second one this week 👌🏽

[h-sar]

Three days ago, we went to Mahogany Bay Beach in Roatan. Had wanted to go to West Bay, but everyone was too exhausted. It’s actually a pretty nice set up. Reminded me a bit of Grand Turk in terms of how it was laid out. Free chairs, lots of shade from palm trees and umbrellas, ship a few min away. The walk down was beautiful, through the foliage. Only took about 10 min from ship. Not sure why one would want to use the chairlift unless mobility issues or for the novelty. 
 

Later in the day, the building in pic 3 was offering massages at a reduced rate for $52 for an hour and 30$ for half an hr. Have never desired to get a massage on board as it is way too expensive, and my health coverage covers almost 100% of my massage costs back home (wouldn’t be able to use my health benefits for a ship massage). Any massage I have ever had on a cruise, I’ve always had at a beach. One person in our party paid $140 for a Swedish massage on the ship and was not at all impressed with either the service or the massage.

[MJSailors]

h-sar

     Glad for you that you will be enjoying another week on the Sky !

I am hoping that you do get to experience the Sanctuary. 

It is a very relaxing and quiet  area with very good service. Around threePM,afternoon tea is served without you having to leave your lounger.

       I have noted that the furniture/loungers have changed from those on the Grand  class ships and the Royal and Regal. Namely, the cushions on the loungers on the Sky do not seem to be as “cushy” and thick .I would be interested, if you do go to the Sanctuary,how comfortable those loungers actually are.

        I will continue to read your review with interest as our Sky cruise is months away.

Bon Voyage !

[h-sar]

7 hours ago, Heavy's wife said:

Thanks for all the photos.  

Any chance anyone has a pic of the new specialty restaurant, Bistro Sur la Mer?  

...or any feedback from anyone who has eaten there?  We are trying to book our specialty dining before we get on the ship.

 

Please do read Colo Cruiser’s thread from the Sky earlier this month. Lots of great pictures and a fantastic amount of information.
 

Here are a few pictures I snapped a few min ago of the French restaurant while heading out of Alfredo’s which is on the opposite side of the piazza on 7. As you can see, it immediately borders the Piazza and no part of it is enclosed. It is entirely open. See picture 4 to gauge how close it is to the piazza. Have to say, last week, did not see anybody eating at the outdoor seating in either Alfredo’s or Sur le Mer. Used to be some of my favourite outdoor seating when I was looking for a quiet place to get away from it all and I’m pretty disappointed that they have taken that away for restaurant seating and it’s not even being used. 

[1emerald1]

2 hours ago, h-sar said:

Saw the parents into a taxi to the airport at 9:30. Terminal was pretty dead. Used the global entry line, so were out in a couple of minutes as they only had carryons. Brother and sister’s families were off to head to their next adventures.

 

We walked over to the Ross and Starbucks area. I got a nail polish change for $10 right next to the Starbucks. Best wifi was at Office Depot by Ross and Dollartree.That’s where I’m posting from (11:50 am). The wifi on board is horrendous for sending pics this yr. it’s been a painful, laborious task. Last year on Regal seemed much easier. Also, have a great deal of difficulty actually getting into cruise critic.Have to try various methods and paths before I can. Is Princess stopping access to some larger bandwidth sites? Read something on here about it. 
 

kids are off on the hunt for a good barbershop so that DS can get a haircut. He goes religiously every three weeks. Pretty sure it’s only been two since his last one 🙄🙄. 
 

Will head back shortly and hit Alfredo’s for our traditional embarkation day lunch. Second one this week 👌🏽

Do you remember the name of the nail salon?  I'd like to get a mani when I'm in Lauderdale for my upcoming cruise on the Sky, thanks.

[h-sar]

4 hours ago, 1emerald1 said:

Do you remember the name of the nail salon?  I'd like to get a mani when I'm in Lauderdale for my upcoming cruise on the Sky, thanks.

Harbor Nails and Hair 

It’s right on 17 st. For us, was a 10 -12 min leisurely walk from the Sky terminal which was the closest to the shopping area. Pretty big place with lots of employees. Right next to Starbucks and Chipotle. 

[h-sar]

5 hours ago, 1emerald1 said:

Do you remember the name of the nail salon?  I'd like to get a mani when I'm in Lauderdale for my upcoming cruise on the Sky, thanks.

Harbor Nails and Hair 

It’s right on 17 st. For us, was a 10 -12 min leisurely walk from the Sky terminal which was the closest to the shopping area. Pretty big place with lots of employees. Right next to Starbucks and Chipotle. 

[Redwing55]

On 12/27/2019 at 8:33 AM, kywildcatfanone said:

They are still painting the logos on the ship.  And not using a level either or spacer, lol.

 

I thought that space looked too blank.  Glad they're finisher her off a bit.

[1emerald1]

15 minutes ago, h-sar said:

Harbor Nails and Hair 

It’s right on 17 st. For us, was a 10 -12 min leisurely walk from the Sky terminal which was the closest to the shopping area. Pretty big place with lots of employees. Right next to Starbucks and Chipotle. 

Thanks, I know where that is at.  I'll be staying at the Hilton Marina on 17th so should be an easy walk.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[Crown Cruiser]

Colo Cruiser,

 

The sea witch and logo must have been originally painted at the sanctuary pool as soon as the ship came to Fort Lauderdale.  We were on Dec. 4-14.  It was there on the 4th and I saw the champagne bottle  break on that wall when they were filming for the naming ceremony.   The bottle exploded on impact (as it was meant to).  I thought maybe the wall got scratched up, so they repainted it.  Maybe?  🙂

[h-sar]

Walked through Take Five which was open, but had nothing going on in it. There were about three people enjoying the peace and quiet. Beautiful venue. It would be a great place to go to spend some time quietly reading during the day. Lots of great water views, sofa seating, comfy chairs.
 

If you are looking for a place to play board games with the family or to read and cannot find seating at the larger tables alongside the pools, some places to consider might be Take Five during the day; the orange sofa style seating on deck 16 at the back, behind the buffet; the French restaurant during the day, and maybe even the Vista lounge Which has a lot of great seating with tables. There are no shortages of places to find some solitude, or spend time with family, away from it all. Some of those places still have excellent views of the water. 
 

Pics of Take Five; last two are Vista Lounge