Another Lap Around the Pond- Live from the Caribbean Princess- May 28 to June 4, 2022

[KKB]

We are on CB in 6 weeks & living vicariously through you (as I have all the CB TR threads since they set sail in April). 

 

A month ago an email from Princess Casinos showed up out of the blue--we haven't sailed Princess in 10 years! (tho we did have Baltics & UK cruises booked for fall at the time...tho Baltics was cancelled & UK is being shifted to AK).

A HECK of a deal for this summer....OK...I'll book TWO weeks! (one w/ DH...one solo)

 

I am very impressed how you are handling the smell...I might have to ask for a new room in that case...but the Vicks idea was BRILLIANT--lucky you had it!

Love your positive attitude & informative, interesting posts.

When DH & I have heard complainers, we always say--Are we on the same cruise??

 

I do suppose as ships are more full & staffing may not be 100% we must all bring our patience--much as we are in all aspects of life with staffing shortages/supply chain issues.

 

Yes, our 1/3 full Edge last summer & even 2/3 full Apex this March were LUXURIOUS. No need to show up early for anything...NEVER had an issue getting a seat RIGHT BY THE POOL. Going to have to go back to old school of catching a lounger a deck up...

Edited May 29, 2022 by KKB

[TracieABD]

14 minutes ago, Paul from Maryland said:

 

Check all the floor drains in the bathroom. Sometimes the traps in the floor drains dry out and you'll smell sewer gas.  Especially if the room hasn't been used for a while.

 

There will be a drain in the shower, of course.  But look for other floor drains by the bathroom door, etc.  Pour a half gallon (or gallon)  of water down each and every drain.  Wait an hour...and hope the smell goes away.

 

Is there a floor drain on your balcony?  Check it too.

 

Longtime Cruise Critic member chengkp75, a retired ship chief engineer, mentions this subject from time to time.

 

Hey Paul. 

We are in an interior. It is actually emanating from the hallway and is affecting a number of cabins in our section. Those are excellent suggestions, and I totally wish that were the solution!

[Jadn13]

Agree about people being abrupt and a bit on the verge.

We found a few quiet places to relax.

I prefer 10 day cruises, a few less weekend warriors and more “professional” cruisers. 

 

[azbirdmom]

Writing this from Princess Cays. All is well. I slept like a brick but was awakened at 9:30 by the captain’s announcement from the hallway about the delay in departures to Princess Cays. Quick trip to the bathroom…no flush. I heard the steward in the hallway and he called a plumber. After 10 minutes it flushed on its own.  We are very careful about not putting anything extra in the toilet. Plumber was going to see if another cabin is creating the problem, fingers crossed that it was a one time event. Oh and the steward left these little friends for us. Back to enjoying the Bahamian breeze. 

[TracieABD]

37 minutes ago, KKB said:

We are on CB in 6 weeks & living vicariously through you (as I have all the CB TR threads since they set sail in April). 

 

A month ago an email from Princess Casinos showed up out of the blue--we haven't sailed Princess in 10 years! (tho we did have Baltics & UK cruises booked for fall at the time...tho Baltics was cancelled & UK is being shifted to AK).

A HECK of a deal for this summer....OK...I'll book TWO weeks! (one w/ DH...one solo)

 

I am very impressed how you are handling the smell...I might have to ask for a new room in that case...but the Vicks idea was BRILLIANT--lucky you had it!

Love your positive attitude & informative, interesting posts.

When DH & I have heard complainers, we always say--Are we on the same cruise??

 

I do suppose as ships are more full & staffing may not be 100% we must all bring our patience--much as we are in all aspects of life with staffing shortages/supply chain issues.

 

Yes, our 1/3 full Edge last summer & even 2/3 full Apex this March were LUXURIOUS. No need to show up early for anything...NEVER had an issue getting a seat RIGHT BY THE POOL. Going to have to go back to old school of catching a lounger a deck up...

There are no rooms. This cruise is sailing full. We are living it with it. You will find us in the Sanctuary. A lot….

 

We have been on those unpopulated cruises. They are magical. Our trip on the Regal was a total unicorn. It will never happen again, but I am so happy for that memory!

[TracieABD]

20 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

Agree about people being abrupt and a bit on the verge.

We found a few quiet places to relax.

I prefer 10 day cruises, a few less weekend warriors and more “professional” cruisers. 

 

I think that is going to be the secret to this cruise…finding quiet places to escape the crowd.

 

We are also having to employ some flexibility. Which is great… flexibility can lead to some really happy surprises!

[KKB]

1 minute ago, TracieABD said:

I think that is going to be the secret to this cruise…finding quiet places to escape the crowd.

 

We are also having to employ some flexibility. Which is great… flexibility can lead to some really happy surprises!

Making me very glad we decided to bite the bullet & upgrade to a balcony...it was still cheap.

Interior was DIRT CHEAP...

[TracieABD]

12 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

Writing this from Princess Cays. All is well. I slept like a brick but was awakened at 9:30 by the captain’s announcement from the hallway about the delay in departures to Princess Cays. Quick trip to the bathroom…no flush. I heard the steward in the hallway and he called a plumber. After 10 minutes it flushed on its own.  We are very careful about not putting anything extra in the toilet. Plumber was going to see if another cabin is creating the problem, fingers crossed that it was a one time event. Oh and the steward left these little friends for us. Back to enjoying the Bahamian breeze. 

Oh Julie… I will keep my fingers crossed that your flushing issue are a “one off” and in no way pervasive.  I truly wish that all people could realize how delicate the plumbing situation is on a cruise ship….

 

In the meantime… I hope you are enjoying your time on the little cay. Hopefully, we will bump into and Henry soon. Have a wonderful night!!!

[TracieABD]

1 minute ago, KKB said:

Making me very glad we decided to bite the bullet & upgrade to a balcony...it was still cheap.

Interior was DIRT CHEAP...

Honestly, getting a balcony was super smart. If I had my druthers….

[KKB]

6 minutes ago, TracieABD said:

Honestly, getting a balcony was super smart. If I had my druthers….

We normally have no issues with interior (EXCEPT NCL--130 sq. ft. was TOO small for me...that being said, that is what we have booked for family cruise in Med next summer.)

We are rarely in the room!

 

But if we are getting a deal, we figure we will take the balcony.

I have 2 solo cruises this summer & figured by myself I might appreciate it more than when with DH. Again, tremendous deals, so balcony it is.

Edited May 29, 2022 by KKB

[PescadoAmarillo]

Tracie-Lynn, so happy you’re taking us along with you. It doesn’t sound like you need any additional bodies, but we vicarious cruisers take up very little space!  And you know me, if I was on board I’d be hiding on my balcony or in my closet anyway (shades of our previous conversations 😆). Have a great time, dear friend, and you know I’ll be watching for your every update. Stay positive - test negative! (That’s not an original, but it’s so darn perfect it can stand to be repeated these days.)

[BabsinTX]

48 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

Writing this from Princess Cays. All is well. I slept like a brick but was awakened at 9:30 by the captain’s announcement from the hallway about the delay in departures to Princess Cays. Quick trip to the bathroom…no flush. I heard the steward in the hallway and he called a plumber. After 10 minutes it flushed on its own.  We are very careful about not putting anything extra in the toilet. Plumber was going to see if another cabin is creating the problem, fingers crossed that it was a one time event. Oh and the steward left these little friends for us. Back to enjoying the Bahamian breeze. 

 

We were on Majestic in March and had the same "delayed" toilet flush happen several times.  Never got an explanation.

[TracieABD]

48 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Tracie-Lynn, so happy you’re taking us along with you. It doesn’t sound like you need any additional bodies, but we vicarious cruisers take up very little space!  And you know me, if I was on board I’d be hiding on my balcony or in my closet anyway (shades of our previous conversations 😆). Have a great time, dear friend, and you know I’ll be watching for your every update. Stay positive - test negative! (That’s not an original, but it’s so darn perfect it can stand to be repeated these days.)

Thank you so much, my friend!  I am so happy to have you along for the ride!  Miss you and stay warm!!!!

I am masking like it is my job… 

 

PS.  Love, love, love the slogan.  I am adopting it as my personal mantra!

[TracieABD]

27 minutes ago, BabsinTX said:

We were on Majestic in March and had the same "delayed" toilet flush happen several times.  Never got an explanation.

I have had it happen too.  It always stops my heart just a little.  Hopefully, there will be no plumbing issues!!!

[TracieABD]

Quick update: 

The smelly smell has receded!  WooHoo!
Fingers crossed it gets gone and stays gone!

[azbirdmom]

3 minutes ago, TracieABD said:

Quick update: 

The smelly smell has receded!  WooHoo!
Fingers crossed it gets gone and stays gone!

Great news!  Unfortunately our toilet issue persists although it’s not awful. I used it when we got back to the ship and nothing happened when I flushed it. Henry said wait a few minutes and sure enough it flushed itself. Still going to report it after we are showered. 
 

We thankfully have not run into any surly people and everything else has been wonderful. Dinner last night was excellent. We had a reservation for 6:30 and got right in. Tonight  is Crown Grill so we have been pacing our food intake. And room steward is fantastic. There were even no lines coming back on the tender. Nothing to complain about. 
 

Hoping to see you and Jon again!

[TracieABD]

3 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

Great news!  Unfortunately our toilet issue persists although it’s not awful. I used it when we got back to the ship and nothing happened when I flushed it. Henry said wait a few minutes and sure enough it flushed itself. Still going to report it after we are showered. 
 

We thankfully have not run into any surly people and everything else has been wonderful. Dinner last night was excellent. We had a reservation for 6:30 and got right in. Tonight  is Crown Grill so we have been pacing our food intake. And room steward is fantastic. There were even no lines coming back on the tender. Nothing to complain about. 
 

Hoping to see you and Jon again!

Yes!!!  Such good stuff there!  Enjoy the Crown tonight!! If it is amazing, we may follow you… 

 

Have a great night!!

[CineGraphic]

1 hour ago, TracieABD said:

I think that is going to be the secret to this cruise…finding quiet places to escape the crowd.

 

We are also having to employ some flexibility. Which is great… flexibility can lead to some really happy surprises!

 

We love to head one way, while everyone else is going the other way.

It's amazing how empty the ship can feel, even when full, if you just don't follow the crowds.

[arizonaperson]

TracieABD- So the flourless chocolate cake is still on the 1st night dessert menu? I know it’s different looking  now then in years past,but I thought it went away. It’s one of my favorites.

 Thanks.

[Ken the cruiser]

7 hours ago, TracieABD said:

 

We decided to spend the afternoon in our hard-won seats in the Sanctuary. They have revamped this area so that the cabanas (at approx $200 a day vs $ 40 a day for a lounger) have the front row, as do the massage cabanas. This is different. They also have the new loungers. They are not quite as padded, but super comfy all the same.

If I might ask what are the Sanctuary perks for $40 per person per day. My DW and I stopped by and checked it out when it was closed on our PC cruise a few weeks ago. Are there perks other than having a lounge reserved for you in a shaded area and access to a few hot tubs?

[Astro Flyer]

Aloha Tracie-Lynn…have a great cruise & hopefully your smelly cabin issue is soon fixed. Looking forward to another fun thread…always a great way to vicariously cruise. 😃

 

We’re booked on the Caribbean for 24 days this Fall & looking forward to reading about your experiences. 

[TracieABD]

4 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 

We love to head one way, while everyone else is going the other way.

It's amazing how empty the ship can feel, even when full, if you just don't follow the crowds.

Such sound advice!  

[TracieABD]

4 hours ago, arizonaperson said:

TracieABD- So the flourless chocolate cake is still on the 1st night dessert menu? I know it’s different looking  now then in years past,but I thought it went away. It’s one of my favorites.

 Thanks.

There was the flourless chocolate cake!  I might have gobbled up my piece and some of Jon’s too!  

[TracieABD]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

If I might ask what are the Sanctuary perks for $40 per person per day. My DW and I stopped by and checked it out when it was closed on our PC cruise a few weeks ago. Are there perks other than having a lounge reserved for you in a shaded area and access to a few hot tubs?

Pretty much the lounger is the deal. If you book the whole cruise, it is $30 a day.  The real advantage is that it is outbid the fray. It is quieter (most times). The stewards bring food and drink ($3 delivery in some cases). But my most favorite part is afternoon tea! It is such a treat!

[TracieABD]

1 hour ago, Astro Flyer said:

Aloha Tracie-Lynn…have a great cruise & hopefully your smelly cabin issue is soon fixed. Looking forward to another fun thread…always a great way to vicariously cruise. 😃

 

We’re booked on the Caribbean for 24 days this Fall & looking forward to reading about your experiences. 

Hello Frank!!!

So happy to see you around these parts!!!