The REAL 7/9-23 Caribbean Princess TR...sort of...

[KKB]

So some of you followed my ATTEMPT at a Live TR during my cruise.

Crappy internet made posting futile...

I was doing a day by day but instead I think I will do overviews of various aspects of the cruise, one post at a time.

[KKB]

Flights/transfers.

We flew SWA from Omaha thru Midway on the way & Dallas Love on the way back. 

(Luckily I went thru the day BEFORE the crazy gun lady showed up!)

 

We flew in the day before, AM flight, long layover & several flights to FLL after ours JUST in case.

We had absolutely no issues either way.

Most flights were full but we managed to get the 1st class of SWA on our 1st flight--2 seats in the large exit row with no 3rd passenger. SCORE!

 

Arrived at FLL & was adamant to avoid the "fake" cabbies. 

DAMMIT.

I got sucked in again.

"You need a taxi, ma'am?"--he was wearing a lanyard so I thought he was legit.

Nope.

In March guy had a nice Cadillac Escalade so at least we felt got something for our $40.

This guy had a Lincoln; his door didn't seem to close well & A/C was barely there. 

I'm ordering a Lyft from now on JUST so I can say "I've got transport, thx"

Sheesh.

 

DH flew home 7/16 & I on 7/23 as I sailed solo the 2nd week.

We both had the same flight--10:40 on disembarkation day.

We both walked off & got there plenty early.

I checked in via ship internet right on time..got B29. Bleh.

I used one of my 4 free upgrades with my SWA premier credit car at the gate. 

A5--SCORE.

 

My throat had been dry the day before; lots of clearing of the throat. 

Since I was indoors most of the last 2 days (more on that later), I thought it was just A/C.

Exhausted but slept terribly Friday night...plus I'd played pretty hard for 2 weeks!

But I was precautionary & masked all the way home. 

Good thing.

Tested positive when I got home (Dad is elderly & battling cancer; I only did it to be SURE before I saw him). 

Seriously?

Luckily I have felt FINE. 

Rested Sunday.

Monday unpacked, did laundry, got groceries, paid bills. 

Guess I felt OK!

 

[KKB]

Caribbean Princess: the staff, the ship

 

The ship is a 20 year old ship with a recent refresh.

Overall looked good, a bit rough around the edges but nothing major.

 

We have cruised Star 2x, Grand 2x & CB 2x  and they are virtually identical ships so didn't take long to get our bearings.

 

My only complaint on ship design is women's bathrooms.

3K passengers & not ONE public restroom has more than THREE stalls??!!

And the one between Wheelhouse & Explorers has an extra counter installed that juts out that makes it impossible for a 2 way passing. Take that thing out!

 

Oh, and the casino is much too small for a ship this size.

And PLEASE make it non-smoking again! Yuk.

 

We had a balcony & it was fine for our needs.

But we realized AGAIN that we just are not in our room much & don't need a balcony.

But we will book it if the price is right (it was).

I did use it more the 2nd week, reading out there several times.

[KKB]

Casino

Adnan & Charles took good care of us at the bar!

That place was PACKED every open hour.

Could usually get a spot at VP at the bar (it was 10 coin max)

Could RARELY get a spot at the 4 machines with Ultimate X, Super Times play, etc.

There were people with A LOT more points than I--HOLY COW.

 

TX Hold Em table was a machine.

Poker was decent the 1st week (3 tourneys)--DH won once & I got 3rd 2x.

2nd week sucked. 0/6--we asked to play a 2nd tourney right after the 1st & they obliged.

On past cruises they usually have tourneys at 10, 1 & 4. NO idea why they didn't.

Table sits empty--why not make $??!!

Cash game went most nights. We didn't partake.

 

[KKB]

Activities

We played most trivia & game shows in late afternoon/evening. 

Kristoff, Rhys, Gareth, Bolgogi (SP?), Masa, Rio, Nicholas--OMG, they had the BEST camaraderie I have EVER seen in an activities staff! They had SO SO much fun together--and it was infectious!

Their Hollywood Hiccups show was one of the funniest things I've ever seen on a cruise.

The team acted out famous movies & we had to guess what it was. 

They embraced this & totally went for the laugh!

 

Xtasea was GREAT. We were there for most of their sets. 

Wasn't really into the other musicians.

And can someone tell the female singer in Duo Diva to not sing so affected?

I heard moments that showed she has a lovely voice but she was CONSTANTLY channeling Britney Spears. 

It's too bad. I don't think it was necessary.

 

1st night went to see a comedian. 

That's what the Patters said.

Nope.

Magician.

Said he has been in Vegas 25 years.

Huh.

I've been to Vegas well over 100 times in 30 years & I've never heard of the guy.

Saw him make a mistake in a trick in the 1st 10 min so we left.

Yeah, maybe THAT'S why I've never heard of him...

 

Did see a comedian the 2nd week & he was pretty good.

 

Didn't see the 2 big production shows--ballroom dancing & opera aren't our things.

 

Did go see Born to Be Wild the 1st week--figured this was our kind of music.

It was.

BUT it is the worst production show I have seen on a ship in recent years.

(NCL, RCCL & Celebrity are putting on big production shows with many singers of near Broadway talent)

I don't fault the performers--although the female leads were MUCH stronger than the male.

(although I noticed that on Celebrity too)

But it was a very cheesy production with pretty bad choreography (I danced & sang when I was younger; DD has been involved with dance over 20 years & works for a Fort Worth studio today).

It was akin to a high school production.

And the cherry on top was a finale song that few people recognized..uh, wouldn't you finish with Born to be Wild??!!

[KKB]

Pool area

I spent one day on the upper deck above the pool.

Ordered a drink from the app.

Never came. (well, DH brought me one😊)

 

I also spent a couple hours there on the St. Kitt's day.

I woke with a migraine & missed my beach excursion.😪

But I do love a ship on a port day.

 

I booked Sanctuary 4-1/2 days the 2nd week.

The 1st afternoon (sea day) it was CRAZY windy. 

Exhausting windy. (yeah, seas were much rockier 2nd week).

I wasn't sure it was worth it!

 

Funny story--I ordered salmon, tuna & shrimp dishes from the menu thinking they were little salads like International cafe.

Uh, NOPE.

HUGE.

Shrimp was great (although cannellini beans are an odd accompaniment)

Salmon/avocado/grapefruit were perfect foils for each other (but it was about double the portion necessary).

Tuna was listed as Ahi tuna.

NOPE--that baby came from a can. 

Pass.

But boy did I look like a pig with 3 jumbo Bento boxes at my chair.😆

 

I booked St. Thomas day--that was dumb. I know better. Pool deck would have been fine.

I did spend some time at the spa pool that day--which of course is FREE.

 

Then I discovered a hazard of solo travel.

NO way to know if you got sunscreen well applied to your back.

I DID NOT.

So had to cancel my last 2 afternoons at Sanctuary--thus why I was inside most of the last 2 days.

Too bad, the last sea day was very very pleasant out during the day, not hot & humid until dinner time.

 

I ordered a thing to help apply sunscreen to my back from Amazon. We shall see.

I also booked the Vibe on NCL next month (kinda like Sanctuary). 

I've booked it 2 weeks. I may change my mind for week 2, we shall see.

[KKB]

Food.

I am gluten sensitive & normally just choose wisely on a ship. 

A bit of gluten in a sauce doesn't bother me--I just avoid things that are primarily made of wheat.

This is the 1st time I have put in my gluten form.

WORTH IT.

 

Why?

Because I was made to feel like a rock star because of it.

The head waiter (Sergio) at Palms KNEW me--especially after 2 weeks.

I would order the day ahead of time. 

And nearly ALWAYS they made things gluten free for me.

The 1st week they said they couldn't do souffle.

By week 2--THEY MADE ME SOUFFLE.

 

EVERYTHING I ate in the MDR was very good to excellent. 

And I am not a dessert person--but Princess does dessert better than any other lines.

I swore I was going to eat more salads & fruit week 2 & that sneaky Sergio starting bringing me TWO desserts!

Luckily I have a rule--stairs ALWAYS (unless I'm in heels).

It works.

I maybe gained 2 lbs.

 

We ate breakfast & lunch in MDR once each & really enjoyed each one. 

I think I could have eaten breakfast easily; but I looked at lunch menus & not so great for gluten free.

 

Ate at International Cafe most days for breakfast--FANTASTIC gluten free options. 

And the best coffee. (OMG that buffet coffee was THICK--undrinkable)

Unfortunately their gluten free offerings later in the day were seriously lacking--I usually could have cheese, veggies, fruit salad & OCCASIONALLY a chicken or shrimp salad.

 

Lunch was sometimes burger or hot dog (no bun), pizza or buffet.

Gluten free pizza takes about 10 min. so I only ordered on port days when they weren't too busy.

Week 1 it was FANTASTIC

Week 2 SUCKED--I don't know if he needed to cook it longer or it was a different crust but blech.

Buffet was decent. Omelets weren't the fluffy ones I've gotten used to on Celebrity.

Though buffet design is VERY tight for such a large ship, imo.

[candy4040]

What kind of thing did you order?   I need something to help me apply lotion.

 

[KKB]

Cannot say enough about Ronaldo & Allen at Explorers lounge & Rakesh at Wheelhouse.

They rarely needed our Medallions after the first couple days....

 

Met SO SO SO many wonderful people on these cruises.

How? 

1--I sat with others at dinner. Would then hang with some of them if we ran into each other.

2--I was often invited to sit with people for trivia/game shows. 

 

Week 1 we met Robin & Ben from California at the Hilton Marina where we stayed the night before.

Hit it off & hung out all week. We played pretty hard together!

 

On turnaround day I found a quiet corner in Explorers & took advantage of data to try to knock out some posts. Determined it wasn't just internet, but CC on my phone was being very annoying when I would try to post pics. 

 

The next day I went to grab breakfast & realized I was OVER crowds & noise.

(I have experienced this when I have traveled solo to Vegas where quiet is VERY difficult to find).

So I hibernated in my room---watched a movie, grabbed a burger, read on the deck, grabbed a snack & watched another movie. 

It was just what I needed to recharge for the rest of the week.

 

 

[KKB]

1 minute ago, candy4040 said:

What kind of thing did you order?   I need something to help me apply lotion.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lotion-Applicators-Applicator-Tanning-Absorbent/dp/B07MZSPCDL/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=3DM9VWUENQXTS&keywords=sunscreen+applicator+for+back&qid=1659054432&sprefix=sunscreen+appl%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSkdBQTEwMFozMFVCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDc2NDU1Uk5YOUVWNjExSk9UJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5NzM0MTYxQlNSR1RBQkw5VDA5JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

It gets pretty good reviews...we shall see!

(Oh, when I told the guys at the Sanctuary why I needed to cancel, they let me know that they could have easily sprayed my back!...Oh, well...)

Edited July 29, 2022 by KKB

[wineforhealth]

Thank you for your review

[PacnGoNow]

41 minutes ago, KKB said:

Food.

I am gluten sensitive & normally just choose wisely on a ship. 

A bit of gluten in a sauce doesn't bother me--I just avoid things that are primarily made of wheat.

This is the 1st time I have put in my gluten form.

WORTH IT.

 

Why?

Because I was made to feel like a rock star because of it.

The head waiter (Sergio) at Palms KNEW me--especially after 2 weeks.

I would order the day ahead of time. 

And nearly ALWAYS they made things gluten free for me.

The 1st week they said they couldn't do souffle.

By week 2--THEY MADE ME SOUFFLE.

 

EVERYTHING I ate in the MDR was very good to excellent. 

And I am not a dessert person--but Princess does dessert better than any other lines.

I swore I was going to eat more salads & fruit week 2 & that sneaky Sergio starting bringing me TWO desserts!

Luckily I have a rule--stairs ALWAYS (unless I'm in heels).

It works.

I maybe gained 2 lbs.

 

We ate breakfast & lunch in MDR once each & really enjoyed each one. 

I think I could have eaten breakfast easily; but I looked at lunch menus & not so great for gluten free.

 

Ate at International Cafe most days for breakfast--FANTASTIC gluten free options. 

And the best coffee. (OMG that buffet coffee was THICK--undrinkable)

Unfortunately their gluten free offerings later in the day were seriously lacking--I usually could have cheese, veggies, fruit salad & OCCASIONALLY a chicken or shrimp salad.

 

Lunch was sometimes burger or hot dog (no bun), pizza or buffet.

Gluten free pizza takes about 10 min. so I only ordered on port days when they weren't too busy.

Week 1 it was FANTASTIC

Week 2 SUCKED--I don't know if he needed to cook it longer or it was a different crust but blech.

Buffet was decent. Omelets weren't the fluffy ones I've gotten used to on Celebrity.

Though buffet design is VERY tight for such a large ship, imo.

Sergio is great!  He worked so hard to get to know the guests and make them all feel special. What an asset for Princess.

[KKB]

Ports

Week 1

Grand Cayman--did a ship excursion with about 6 stops around the island. About $90 each.

It was pretty good. Ben & Robin joined us so it was a lot of fun.

Roatan--we went to Mahogany Bay. WOW. The Disneyland of Caribbean beaches--new, pristine, gorgeous!

Belize--45 min tender each way? Meh, we've been there so we stayed onboard

Cozumel--We booked Nachi Cochum AI--$59 each. We have done it several times & love it.

 

Week 2

Princess Cays--it took HOURS to get everyone over on tenders so I gave up!

St. Thomas--I've been many times & going twice next month so opted out

St. Kitts--had intended to do the Cockleshell Beach excursion but missed the bus due to a migraine.

SO I NEVER GOT OFF THE SHIP--and I was OK with it!

 

[KKB]

3 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Sergio is great!  He worked so hard to get to know the guests and make them all feel special. What an asset for Princess.

TRULY--it really made my cruise!

[prmssk]

I'm really glad Sergiu was helpful to you.  We had him on the Emerald in February and he wasn't all that helpful.  I have a dairy allergy and I kept trying to get him to help me pick dishes that were easy to accommodate and he would always say they can do anything except the chef clearly didn't couldn't do anything so dishes were hit or miss.  I have to admit I wasn't super thrilled to see him show up at our table on the Caribbean Princess in June.  He remembered me and seemed a bit better on the Caribbean.  I never got a good dairy free dessert after 29 days total between the two ships.  I had a lot of the same stuff over and over again.  

 

I didn't starve either trip so I can't really complain but I have had so many better experiences with food on other cruises.

 

Maybe gluten free was easier for their menus or maybe there was a change over in chefs.

[PacnGoNow]

15 minutes ago, prmssk said:

I'm really glad Sergiu was helpful to you.  We had him on the Emerald in February and he wasn't all that helpful.  I have a dairy allergy and I kept trying to get him to help me pick dishes that were easy to accommodate and he would always say they can do anything except the chef clearly didn't couldn't do anything so dishes were hit or miss.  I have to admit I wasn't super thrilled to see him show up at our table on the Caribbean Princess in June.  He remembered me and seemed a bit better on the Caribbean.  I never got a good dairy free dessert after 29 days total between the two ships.  I had a lot of the same stuff over and over again.  

 

I didn't starve either trip so I can't really complain but I have had so many better experiences with food on other cruises.

 

Maybe gluten free was easier for their menus or maybe there was a change over in chefs.

It might be a different Sergio?  The Sergio on the CB was there from Feb 6

until March 19th, that I know of.  He’s from Mexico and worked the Coral Dr snd then the Palm Dr.  He was staying on until the  dry dock.
 

 

[prmssk]

8 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

It might be a different Sergio?  The Sergio on the CB was there from Feb 6

until March 19th, that I know of.  He’s from Mexico and worked the Coral Dr snd then the Palm Dr.  He was staying on until the  dry dock.
 

 

I was on the Emerald Feb 12-27 and then on the Caribbean June 18-July 2.  It was the same guy on both ships.  The Sergiu that I worked with was in the Palm DR on the Caribbean but he was not from Mexico.  He was from Romania.  I wonder which one @KKB worked with in July.

[PacnGoNow]

9 hours ago, prmssk said:

I was on the Emerald Feb 12-27 and then on the Caribbean June 18-July 2.  It was the same guy on both ships.  The Sergiu that I worked with was in the Palm DR on the Caribbean but he was not from Mexico.  He was from Romania.  I wonder which one @KKB worked with in July.

It had to be Sergio (head waiter) from Mexico, he was excellent.  We had 3 similiar names on the CB, but none would have been your waiter on the Emerald. It’s such a common name. 

[prmssk]

36 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

It had to be Sergio (head waiter) from Mexico, he was excellent.  We had 3 similiar names on the CB, but none would have been your waiter on the Emerald. It’s such a common name. 

You very well might be right but I'm confused how you can be so sure it had to be the Sergio you describe that KKB had and not the on Sergiu I had.  Or did you travel with KKB in July?

[loriva]

@KKBAny chance you snapped a photo of the board with the ship's senior officers or have a copy of the Patter that lists them and could post, please?  I volunteered to write the invitations for our M&G on our CB sailing departing on 15 August for a Canada-Greenland itinerary and trying to get a head start.  (There is a photo of the officers posted on the Princess sticky, but it is a little hard to read the titles and names of the officers beyond the four senior-most ones.  I'll wait to fill in the names until I'm on board and can confirm the latest information but wanted to fill in the titles beforehand.)

 

Thank you for your thread on your experiences on the CB.  Princess postponed our cruise twice from its original sailing date in 2020, so very much looking forward to our trip.

[PacnGoNow]

56 minutes ago, prmssk said:

You very well might be right but I'm confused how you can be so sure it had to be the Sergio you describe that KKB had and not the on Sergiu I had.  Or did you travel with KKB in July?

I’m not positive, but would not be your waiter, in Feb on the Emerald. This is off topic now.  

[prmssk]

1 minute ago, PacnGoNow said:

I’m not positive, but would not be your waiter, in Feb on the Emerald. This is off topic now.  

The head waiter I had on the Emerald in February switched ships and was on the Caribbean in the Palm dining room as recently as July 2 (this month) when I got off the Caribbean. I realize it is not the same one from Mexico that you are talking about but I think it is very possible it is the same one KKB is talking about. 

[KKB]

1 hour ago, prmssk said:

You very well might be right but I'm confused how you can be so sure it had to be the Sergio you describe that KKB had and not the on Sergiu I had.  Or did you travel with KKB in July?

It was spelled Sergio...I'm blank on where he was from! (need more coffee)

I'll ask our friends & DH & get back to you.

Edited July 29, 2022 by KKB

[KKB]

42 minutes ago, loriva said:

@KKBAny chance you snapped a photo of the board with the ship's senior officers or have a copy of the Patter that lists them and could post, please?  I volunteered to write the invitations for our M&G on our CB sailing departing on 15 August for a Canada-Greenland itinerary and trying to get a head start.  (There is a photo of the officers posted on the Princess sticky, but it is a little hard to read the titles and names of the officers beyond the four senior-most ones.  I'll wait to fill in the names until I'm on board and can confirm the latest information but wanted to fill in the titles beforehand.)

 

Thank you for your thread on your experiences on the CB.  Princess postponed our cruise twice from its original sailing date in 2020, so very much looking forward to our trip.

I'm so sorry I did not--I do remember seeing others snap pics of it tho! Never occurred to me!