Come sail with me on a virtual cruise to Hawaii on Ruby Princess

[ellie1145]

On 7/5/2021 at 11:21 PM, azbirdmom said:

 

Our little bird is fine.  And I guarantee that the Medallion app stuff will give you a giant headache.  My problems have all been resolved but it took sending lengthy emails including screen shots to the Medallion team.  I wouldn't have bothered had I not had a cruise upcoming in early August.  My phone is newer but they have told folks who either have older Smart devices or who have just plain given up on it that they will complete the rest of the check in information at the port for them.  Ironically we were all checked in prior to the migration of this function to the app.  But I have finally achieved "green" status and have completed all except the departure group step and the health info.  The former doesn't seem to be available yet and the latter should allow inputs 3 days prior to embarkation from what I've heard.  In any event your time is much better spent reliving a wonderful cruise rather than cursing at your Smart device - take it from me as I did plenty of the latter!

 

So glad the little bird is fit and well.

 

You are absolutely right about the Medallion App. It is a total nightmare. If Princess had at least added a note to those who are trying to check in to explain that it isn’t working then it would have saved a lot of time and energy! All it did was take me on an endless loop which started with the app, took me to the website which then suggested I download the app! 🙈

 

Last night I rang Princess, and was put through to America as our office was closed. A very nice man tried his best but said he really couldn’t help and that I should call Princess UK in the morning as they had a very good technical department who would sort things out. (Oh yeah????)

 

So first thing this morning I called Princess and waited and waited until at last a very young sounding lady answered. She just said it has a lot of bugs and they are working on it. But that she could email the technical department. Really? She said not to worry as nobody could check in and choose their meal times etc but that it would be ready before you sail (I won’t hold my breath!). She said that even the first UK Seacation cruise was still having, as yet, unresolved problems. 

 

So as azbirdmom said, it isn’t worth the time or the effort to try to sort out our check in. My time is better spent.

 

Crazy really as doing it the ‘old’ way online was really easy and everything was sorted weeks before we sailed. Now I can’t actually input the information they will require, nor can I make my choices for boarding times or dinner reservations. So instead of a contactless check in we will have to queue up and do it at the terminal. Not good with this darn Delta variant being rampant.

 

Six years ago we sailed on the maiden voyage of an NCL ship from Southampton and had a contactless check in. Yet six years later and with the much vaunted Ocean Medallion in place it just doesn’t work. 

 

So watch this space! 

[ellie1145]

On 7/5/2021 at 11:33 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

This is the best I can do....adding a link so you can "see" the glass.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254183158139?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=254183158139&targetid=1262779894929&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031067&poi=&campaignid=11755691265&mkgroupid=120142756977&rlsatarget=pla-1262779894929&abcId=9300462&merchantid=113548611&gclid=Cj0KCQjw24qHBhCnARIsAPbdtlKTgNsmwJGHFCLJRfcMFi-tpsoFWBASbdoRClC-i3c_eUWMN9V-NP4aAkfpEALw_wcB

 

 

 

Thank you, cr8tiv1. They look lovely.  Wish they still did them 

[azbirdmom]

Well it sounds like you tried to get the thing to work.  Did you call the UK Ocean number for help?  If not and if you're willing to give it another go the number is 0344 3388 663.  And the email address is: askoceanmedallion@carnival.com.  I was finally able to purchase specialty dining and select our arrival time as I mentioned.  So at least for the Alaska cruises sailing starting at the end of this month they are getting issues sorted out for folks.

 

 

[PurpleTraveller]

10 hours ago, margord said:

I am also reading it.  We are (hopefully) doing a Norwegian Fjord cruise next summer and throughly enjoying your review and the beautiful photos.  Thank you so much for sharing.

 

Thanks! I hope your cruise goes ahead and that you have as wonderful a cruise as we did. 😊

[PurpleTraveller]

1 hour ago, ellie1145 said:

 

I am so glad to hear that you will soon be able to have your first vaccination, Purple Traveller. You must obviously be extremely young to have to wait that long! 🤣

 

We hope the vaccine roll out will increase in speed so that more Australians will be protected. Australia has done very well so far, but that must have been at a cost. Isolation cannot continue forever, and unfortunately the only real way to protect the population is by vaccinating the majority. We have been lucky in the UK that, despite the terrible losses in the beginning of the pandemic, we have had an unbelievably positive response to the vaccinations,  and people have been more than willing (and actually really grateful) to receive their doses. 

 

I guess I have a very selfish reason for wanting Australians to be vaccinated - of course I hope that everyone will be safe, but I also can’t wait for Australia to open up its borders to us, so we can return to one of our favourite places in the world. I am sure that many Australians are also desperate to travel again, and to welcome family from other parts of the world, after not being able to see them for so long. 

 

If only I was young! Unfortunately in the country there are not many vaccine doses available unlike in the city where there are major vaccine hubs. There are far more people wanting to be vaccinated than there are vaccines but the vaccine rollout is ramping up and at least I have an appointment.

 

We can't wait to reopen to the world not only so that we can travel (I have travel withdrawal symptoms - watching the Tour de France even though I don't follow cycling, looking through my travel photos and even rereading my reviews) but so that families and friends can reunite and also welcome you and other visitors back with open arms. 😊

 

Edited July 7, 2021 by PurpleTraveller

[cr8tiv1]

On 7/5/2021 at 2:07 PM, ellie1145 said:

We decide to go and get ready for dinner early as we want to join in with the 6.45 pm Broadway Trivia, which unfortunately clashes with tonight’s ‘Showtime: Duncan Tuck’ who is, apparently, a musical entertainer. I really enjoy Broadway Trivia, and we do well scoring 20/25, but we needed just one more point to win.

 

I have seen Duncan Tuck on several cruises.  He is a very good entertainer.  On this particular night (but I thought it was closer to the end of the cruise), I was at the early show.  The show had just gotten started.  He was still in his monologue.  

 

Above where I was sitting (near Deck 6), we all heard a loud crash.  He continued....after a few minutes, everything came to a halt.  It seems as though a woman in a motorized wheel chair entered from Deck 7.  House lights were off.  Instead of stopping at the top landing where there is room for handicapped passengers, she proceeded to go down the House right stairs.   Emergency personal were there very quickly.  We continued to sit, waiting on instructions from the staff.  They did empty out the theater (House left/deck 6).  The second show was cancelled.  

 

I did inquire with crew as i was disembarking when we returned to San Pedro.  I'm sure they would not have told me otherwise, but said she was okay.

 

I was very much surprised by this accident.  How could anyone not know there are lots of stairs in the Princess Theater.

[azbirdmom]

1 hour ago, PurpleTraveller said:

 

If only I was young! Unfortunately in the country there are not many vaccine doses available unlike in the city where there are major vaccine hubs. There are far more people wanting to be vaccinated than there are vaccines but the vaccine rollout is ramping up and at least I have an appointment.

 

We can't wait to reopen to the world not only so that we can travel (I have travel withdrawal symptoms - watching the Tour de France even though I don't follow cycling, looking through my travel photos and even rereading my reviews) but so that families and friends can reunite and also welcome you and other visitors back with open arms. 😊

 

 

We can't wait for you to open up too!  Our December cruise from Melbourne was just cancelled which wasn't a surprise.  I truly hope that Australia is able to soon get the vaccines needed so you all can return to normal.  And that your citizens who have been unable to return home can do so.

[PurpleTraveller]

1 hour ago, azbirdmom said:

 

We can't wait for you to open up too!  Our December cruise from Melbourne was just cancelled which wasn't a surprise.  I truly hope that Australia is able to soon get the vaccines needed so you all can return to normal.  And that your citizens who have been unable to return home can do so.

 

How disappointing for you! I don't think we'll have cruising here until well into next year. Our borders won't open until most of us are vaccinated which can not come soon enough.

[ellie1145]

On 7/7/2021 at 12:31 AM, azbirdmom said:

Well it sounds like you tried to get the thing to work.  Did you call the UK Ocean number for help?  If not and if you're willing to give it another go the number is 0344 3388 663.  And the email address is: askoceanmedallion@carnival.com.  I was finally able to purchase specialty dining and select our arrival time as I mentioned.  So at least for the Alaska cruises sailing starting at the end of this month they are getting issues sorted out for folks.

 

 

 

Thank you so much for that, azbirdmom. That’s a great help. I’ll call them tomorrow morning. 

 

I keep getting emails telling me to do things on the app and when I try it still doesn’t work so fingers crossed. I’ll let you know if I get anywhere.

 

Many thanks! 👍

[ellie1145]

On 7/7/2021 at 1:29 AM, PurpleTraveller said:

 

If only I was young! Unfortunately in the country there are not many vaccine doses available unlike in the city where there are major vaccine hubs. There are far more people wanting to be vaccinated than there are vaccines but the vaccine rollout is ramping up and at least I have an appointment.

 

We can't wait to reopen to the world not only so that we can travel (I have travel withdrawal symptoms - watching the Tour de France even though I don't follow cycling, looking through my travel photos and even rereading my reviews) but so that families and friends can reunite and also welcome you and other visitors back with open arms. 😊

 

 

Well,  Purple Traveller, you are only as old as you feel, or according to Groucho Marx, you are only as old as the man you feel.

 

It must be getting increasingly hard for you in Australia, after doing so well at the beginning, but it does seem that vaccination is the only way forward. 

 

We certainly can’t wait to return to ‘The Land Down Under.’ 🤞

[ellie1145]

On 7/7/2021 at 1:58 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I have seen Duncan Tuck on several cruises.  He is a very good entertainer.  On this particular night (but I thought it was closer to the end of the cruise), I was at the early show.  The show had just gotten started.  He was still in his monologue.  

 

Above where I was sitting (near Deck 6), we all heard a loud crash.  He continued....after a few minutes, everything came to a halt.  It seems as though a woman in a motorized wheel chair entered from Deck 7.  House lights were off.  Instead of stopping at the top landing where there is room for handicapped passengers, she proceeded to go down the House right stairs.   Emergency personal were there very quickly.  We continued to sit, waiting on instructions from the staff.  They did empty out the theater (House left/deck 6).  The second show was cancelled.  

 

I did inquire with crew as i was disembarking when we returned to San Pedro.  I'm sure they would not have told me otherwise, but said she was okay.

 

I was very much surprised by this accident.  How could anyone not know there are lots of stairs in the Princess Theater.

 

We heard about that, cr8tiv1, but I’d completely forgotten it was at the Duncan Tuck show.

 

Can you imagine anyone going down those stairs without stopping? How horrendous. But what on earth must she have been thinking of, it’s clear that like most theatres, it is not on one level, and she must have been there before. What an awful mistake to make. I just hope she was ok. 

🙈

 

[ellie1145]

On 7/7/2021 at 3:52 AM, PurpleTraveller said:

 

How disappointing for you! I don't think we'll have cruising here until well into next year. Our borders won't open until most of us are vaccinated which can not come soon enough.

 

Looks like we are in for a long wait then, Purple Traveller. 😥

[ellie1145]

Saturday, April 20th.   At Sea

 

We have two more sea days until we reach our final port, Ensenada, Mexico.

 

We are still sailing in a north-easterly direction, and today it is partly cloudy, with a northerly wind of 20 knots. The temperature is 20C/68F.

 

The weather has definitely changed. After leaving Lahaina, the sea was really calm and it was warm, but since yesterday it has really chilled down. They have shut off access to the outer decks as the wind is so strong. However, the ship remains very stable and you wouldn’t know it is quite choppy out there.

 

Trivia is at 10.00 am this morning so we are up sharpish and make our way to the dining room for breakfast. We prefer breakfast in the dining room on sea days as it’s more civilised than going to the buffet. And we probably eat less too!

 

There is a lot to do this morning, with a free Stretch and Release Class at 9.30 am in the Aerobics Studio, Zumba Express at 9.15 am in Club Fusion, and a Goofy Golf Putting Challenge in the Piazza at 9.30 pm.

 

One of the most popular events is the Culinary Demonstration and Galley Tour which starts off in the Princess Theatre at 9.45 pm.

 

There is the iconic Onboard Outlet Sale in the Michaelangelo Dining Room at 10.00 am, where Princess digs into the bowels of the ship and finds hundreds of items that they haven’t been able to flog on the previous cruises. It is difficult to resisit and I know that I was once tempted to buy an Alaska magnet despite the fact that I had never cruised there! But it was too good a bargain to miss!

 

There is my little grandson’s favourite movie, Moana! on Morning Movies at 10.00 am, whilst there is a Line Dancing Class at 10.15 am, and Spanish at Sea for Beginners at 10.45 am.

 

But we must make our way pronto to Explorers to join our lovely trivia team for our first trivia of the day. It’s a famous people trivia and we get 16 right, missing Judge Judy, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman and JK Rowling. The winning team scores a very creditable 18 and wins the rather paltry prize. Two of our team have to leave promptly so that they can get to the Progressive Ukulele Class in Adagio at 11.15 pm.

 

I was rather hoping that the Trivia would end on time so that I could dash up to Hearts and Minds to listen to Dr Isabel explaining how to eliminate all signs of ageing, but it over runs and I miss it again. I decide not to do the ‘Detox for Health and Weight Loss’ Seminar in the Wheelhouse Bar at 11.00 am as I want to send some emails before lunch.

 

Today is the very popular British-Style Pub Lunch in the Crown Grill, and we decide to give it a try. There is always a queue so we get there early and, thankfully, there are only a few people waiting.

 

It is a good meal, and we especially enjoy the bread and butter pudding, a British Classic, which until now has proved to be very disappointing on other ships.  

 

 

It is very good, a creamy custard, slightly crispy bread with a soft underbelly, plus sultanas. Delicious. I have to admit that it’s as good a pudding as we could make at home.

 

I’m almost tempted to ask for a second helping, but guilt at missing the Detox for Health and Weight Loss Seminar stops me in my tracks, thank goodness

[ellie1145]

Voice of the Ocean

 

How Will You Spend Your Afternoon?

 

 

Movies Under the Stars features Sting: Live in Berlin at 12.15 pm, which clashes with the Quest Game Show in the Piazza. Now we have experienced some pretty riotous and hilarious (and rather naughty!) Quest Game Shows onboard another cruise line, but we’ve never seen it on a Princess ship before. However, we must meet up with our team for Progressive Trivia so we make our way to Club Fusion.

 

On a long cruise like this, with plenty of sea days, Trivia is very popular, and there is a full house in Club Fusion again today. We do our best, but it’s tricky. And we still don’t know how we, or the other teams, are doing. It’s increasingly frustrating.

 

I wonder if any of you know which country won the second most gold medals in the 2004 Olympics?

 

Or which actress played James Bond’s love interest in the 2006 film Casino Royale?

 

We didn’t, unfortunately. 😢

 

I’m actually quite pleased that we have had the distraction of the trivia as, at 12.45 pm, there is the Mr Sexy Legs Competition, weather permitting, in Neptune’s Reef and Pool, as had DH realised it was taking place he would have been first in line….☺️🙈

 

After trivia, we grab a quick cup of tea in Horizon Court before making our way down to the theatre for the Voice of the Ocean - Finale at 2.30 pm.

 

 

We hand over our sea passes in return for a voting machine, and find a good seat in the theatre.

 

 

There are some great singers here today and the judges are very amusing. Their witty comments as they vie to become the coach of a potential winner are quite hilarious. We are pleased when the winner emerges as the singer we liked the best.

 

Then, of course, it’s time for afternoon tea!

 

Edited July 12, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

While we have been enjoying the Voice of the Ocean, there has been a Trivia called ‘I’ll Take Trivia for $100.’ There is also a Concert at Sea with Cheryl Crow: C’mon America 2003.

 

After we have finished our tea we take a walk along the deck, which is now open, as the wind has moderated a little.  As we walk round we can see a little blue sky but the sea is still choppy. 

 

 

As we continue our circuit there are dark clouds rolling in.

 

 

 

Our afternoon constitutional completed, it’s back to Club Fusion to join our team for Afternoon Trivia. We think we do really well as we score 18/20 but sadly, it’s not enough.

 

We fall down on these two questions:

 

What is the hardest bone in the body? It’s the jaw bone, apparently, although the strongest bone is the femur. According to one medical site, bone is stronger than some steel, and pound for pound it is 4 times stronger than concrete. Isn’t that amazing?

 

Where did Chess originate? The answer is India, in around the 6th century AD. It was then introduced to Persia, and was popular in the Persian court. By the 15th century it had reached Europe and had evolved into more or less its current form. 

 

So here are a few questions to give your brains a workout:

 

1.  What is the name of the largest sapphire in the world?

 

2.  What is the most common name in Nursery Rhymes? 

 

3.  What does an ichthyologist study?

 

Fastest finger first, of course!   

 

Here are the answers to my previous questions:

 

 

Which country won the second most gold medals in the 2004 Olympics?   The answer is China, with 32, the USA was first with 36, and Russia third with 28. Australia came a very creditable fourth with 17.

 

Which actress played James Bond’s love interest in the 2006 film Casino Royale?   The answer is Eva Green who played Vesper Lynd, who sadly meets a rather unfortunate end when she is imprisoned in an elevator plunging into the rising water of the Grand Canal, after 007 shoots the building’s flotation devices, causing it to sink into the canal.  

Edited July 12, 2021 by ellie1145

[Redwing55]

Ok, I'll bite. (pun intended)

 

3.  What does an ichthyologist study?

Fish!

 

Man, that really cleared some cobwebs from my old biology class.

[cr8tiv1]

5 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

 

2.  What is the most common name in Nursery Rhymes? 

 

 

Taking a stab at this.  "Jack"

 

 

Edited July 13, 2021 by cr8tiv1

[ellie1145]

On 7/11/2021 at 9:21 PM, ellie1145 said:

 

Thank you so much for that, azbirdmom. That’s a great help. I’ll call them tomorrow morning. 

 

I keep getting emails telling me to do things on the app and when I try it still doesn’t work so fingers crossed. I’ll let you know if I get anywhere.

 

Many thanks! 👍

Unfortunately this is the main Princess number which I realise is the one I’ve been calling. Another long wait to be answered and the same old story, the app doesn’t work. The lady has sent an email but I’m not holding my breath as they are obviously having thousands of people complaining.

 

The best they can say is that there will be people in the terminal to help but we don’t want to hang about in the terminal while they do the process.

 

Really frustrated. 😡

[ellie1145]

On 7/13/2021 at 3:56 AM, Redwing55 said:

Ok, I'll bite. (pun intended)

 

3.  What does an ichthyologist study?

Fish!

 

Man, that really cleared some cobwebs from my old biology class.

 

Absolutely right, Redwing55. It is, of course, fish! 

 

It’s amazing how much information is stored in the old grey matter, isn’t it? Mind you, I think our kids rely so much on google and the internet that I wonder if they will have as much stored away as we do.

 

I still have a few of my updated mini Tardises should you wish to relive a previous cruise! 

Edited July 15, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

On 7/13/2021 at 4:20 AM, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Taking a stab at this.  "Jack"

 

 

 

Well, cr8tiv1, that was a very good ‘stab.’ 

 

You are correct that Jack is the answer, and John is another derivative which appears frequently (Little Jack Horner, Jack be Nimble, Jack Sprat, Jack and Jill, etc).

 

The name also appears frequently in fairy stories such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack the Giant Killer, the House that Jack Built etc. 

 

Apparently, Jack was a common name that English speakers once used to refer to any male, a kind of shorthand for ‘guy,’ hence it appears frequently in fiction and nursery rhymes.

 

Well done!

[ellie1145]

On 7/12/2021 at 11:18 PM, ellie1145 said:

 

1.  What is the name of the largest sapphire in the world?

 

The largest sapphire in the world was discovered in Sri Lanka in 2016 and is called the Star of Adam. It weighs 1,404.49 carats. 

 

Our quizmaster decrees that it is the Star of India, but that only weighs (only????) 563.35 carats. It was, apparently donated to the American Museum of Natural history, as I guess it is too big for any lady to wear. 

 

The Imperial State Crown used by our present queen has a sapphire weighing 104 carats, the Stuart Sapphire, and can be seen at the back of the crown. 

 

Sadly, I don’t think DH can afford such a beautiful gem for me…..

[ellie1145]

UPDATE ON THE MEDALLION APP

 

Actually there is no update, apart from another fruitless call in which we were told, yet again, that it isn’t working for some people. So we are no further ahead and still can’t do any of the things we need to do. 

 

Hey ho! We just have to keep trying apparently….🙈

[ellie1145]

Back in the cabin, we get ready for dinner, and I notice a lovely sunset out of the window. 

 

 

 

 

I can’t resist taking a few photos but that darn lifeboat gets in the way so I dash upstairs to take a few more photos before the sun disappears. 

 

 

 

 

Can there be anything more beautiful than watching a sunset from the deck of a ship, with the dying rays of the sun spreading a golden glow over the ocean? It’s magic, and one of the things which defines my love of cruising.

 

But I cannot tarry as we need to get down to the theatre for the Mike Wilson Showtime. 

 

 

Mike Wilson is an impressionist and comedian, and tonight there are two shows, at 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm. 

 

We really enjoy his show which is extremely funny. He does an amazing impression of a certain Mr D Trump. 

 

We leave the theatre, still chuckling, and make our way down to dinner.

[ellie1145]

‘Red velvet, vanilla,

Chocolate in my life

I keep hoping

We’ll eat cake by the ocean.’

 

Anyone recognise this little ditty?

 

We have just 3 dinners to enjoy before we return to Los Angeles. The last few days have been so relaxing that it’s hard to believe we must soon return to normality. 

 

Dinner, as usual, is delightful.

 

Princess bakers seem to be able to create some wonderful bread, and each night has been different. Tonight it is Moroccan Spiced Bread and Kaiser Rolls, but our lovely waiter brings me a couple of plain rolls as usual. DH enjoys the tastier rolls though. I prefer plain.

 

 

 

DH chooses the Twice Baked Goat Cheese Soufflé which he enjoys. I choose a fruit plate. The fruit onboard has been delicious. 

 

 

 

 

For our entree, DH chooses the Chilli Rubbed Pork Chop, and asks for some broccoli.

 

 

I order the Beef Tenderloin with no Romesco sauce, and as a special treat I decide that I fancy fries and onions rings. It is very tender and cooked to perfection as I like it pretty rare.

 

 

 

We decide to give dessert a miss, and make our way up to Explorers to catch Jenene Caramielo in Showtime.

 

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

There is, as always, plenty of live entertainment around the ship tonight, so I won’t bore you with too many details, but Souvenir Duo offer ‘Cocktails Melodies’ in the Wheelhouse Bar, whilst Tommy McPhee is in Crooners as usual. The Walker Black Duo can be found in the Wheelhouse Bar, as well as Richard Sulek with ‘Piano and Cocktails.’

 

Our favourite, Mary Simon, performs in Explorers at 8.30 pm and 10.30 pm, whilst karaoke fans can indulge in their own musical offerings at 8.15 pm in Club Fusion.

 

As well as Mike Wilson in the Princess Theatre, Jenene Caramielo is performing in Explorers at 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm.

 

Those of you who enjoy Ballroom Dancing can show off your moves in Club Fusion at 5.30 pm, with Pre-Recorded Ballroom Music. One of my great regrets is that I never attended Finishing School where I might have learned to shake my booty. Sadly, I can only stand and watch….

 

Over in Club Fusion there is a 70’s Dance Party at 7.30 pm with the Cruise Director’s Team, who are later on hand for what is advertised as a ‘hilarious dancing competition’ in the Piazza at 9.30 pm.

 

The ship is really busy tonight, and we are sorry to miss ‘Crepe Suzette Night’ at 8.15 pm in the Piazza, where the Maitre d’hotel, Georgia and his dining room team present ‘an all time favourite and culinary classic.’ This is the first time we’ve ever seen this and we are sorry that it takes place right in the middle of dinner, as would have liked to have taken part.

 

The younger member are not forgotten, with Club 18-20s Get Together in Skywalkers, and Crowd DJ is in Club Fusion and DJ11 is in Skywalkers. Mind you, I don’t think there are many under 20s onboard, as the average age seems to be closer to 65!

 

But for us, it’s a Little Night Music, (Send in the Clowns…) followed by a cup of tea and then it’s ‘up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire,’ or rather down the stairs to our comfy cabin ready for some shut eye.

 

We have just one more sea day and it’s going to be a busy one, so we will need our beauty sleep.