First New England Voyage of 2023 Observations/Caribbean Princess

[cr8tiv1]

Too late to edit Captain’s letter.  You don’t have to download this one.  Have not seen any “compensation” (not expecting any), but no report of port fees yet. 
 

[cr8tiv1]

Disclaimer:  I have never been noted for being sequential. In fact, being a math teacher forced this random person to be more organized.  Chaos is a sign of a brilliant mind.  lol. 
 

 

 

[Rick&Jeannie]

Hah! That customs form does not look very "simple"! I'll bet there will be a LOT of people confused in what to do or how to fill it out. 🙄

[Ombud]

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Disclaimer:  I have never been noted for being sequential. In fact, being a math teacher forced this random person to be more organized.  Chaos is a sign of a brilliant mind.  lol. 
 

 

 

Yes. Red Hook is a very short walk and you can buy tickets on an app. 

[Tyskie]

5 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Disclaimer:  I have never been noted for being sequential. In fact, being a math teacher forced this random person to be more organized.  Chaos is a sign of a brilliant mind.  lol. 

Love it !!!!

Great pictures - it's been the 3 H's (here) - Hazy, Hot, Humid

 

We've been on the CB at least 4 maybe 5 times (one loses count after a while 🤷‍♀️).  She was the ship that repo'd to the Caribbean each year in October from Red Hook to FLL.  One of my favorite ships🥰

 

Thank you for taking us along! 

[dickinson]

Just found this thread.  Thanks for taking us along!  Even though it was hot and a long day, did you like Williamsburg?  I thought of you today and, not exactly sure of the dates of your cruise, I wondered if you were going to have to go to Williamsburg in today or tomorrow's 95+ degree temps.  Maybe you had it a little cooler at 90!

 

Enjoy Boston.  It is a great city.

[cr8tiv1]

No issues with my toilet or air conditioner.  Refrigerator is still not cooling, but my ice bucket is filled twice a day.  Bound to happen…got this note tonight.

 

[cr8tiv1]

I think, this is for @Ombud  The chocolate cake of days of yore, is no longer. You know the one: devil food chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting.  Replaced with…

 

 

This is the room service image. I was hopeful. 
 

 

This is what arrived. 

 

[cr8tiv1]

Captain and navigator did a fantastic job of staying away from the storm. Headed far east before turning north. Very calm seas since leaving NYC. 

 

Absolutely nothing around the Boston Cruise Terminal. Uber is about $15 to Faneuil Hall. 
 

A couple of nights ago, the guest entertainer was Tom Franck, pianist/comedian.  I’ve seen him before. More showman than piano. Last night was Elvis tribute with Dan Middlesitch. I didn’t attend. 
 

CB is doing a good job of off Princess Theater entertainers with hypnotists, singers, comedians in Explorers Lounge. Not my cup of tea. 

[PacnGoNow]

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I think, this is for @Ombud  The chocolate cake of days of yore, is no longer. You know the one: devil food chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting.  Replaced with…

 

 

This is the room service image. I was hopeful. 
 

 

This is what arrived. 

 

Not the same.

[cr8tiv1]

You would think the General Hotel Manager would have all the correct information.  Not!  Our welcome suite letter told us that the Elite/Suite/Platinum lounge would be at Skywalkers.  The Patter says Club Fusion.  I have verified neither.

 

The letter says tender holding area for suites is Crown Grill.  Patter says Crooners with Elite in Crown Grill. Tickets will be issued.  Will update tomorrow.,

 

Boston had lovely weather.  Enjoyed the views of the airport runways from the Lido Deck.  Will catch Boston in October.  Snow? Rain? Hurricane?  

[Ombud]

9 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I think, this is for @Ombud  The chocolate cake of days of yore, is no longer. You know the one: devil food chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting.  Replaced with…

 

 

This is the room service image. I was hopeful. 
 

 

This is what arrived. 

 

 

7 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Not the same.

Not even close

[Anastas617]

8 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

You would think the General Hotel Manager would have all the correct information.  Not!  Our welcome suite letter told us that the Elite/Suite/Platinum lounge would be at Skywalkers.  The Patter says Club Fusion.  I have verified neither.

 

The letter says tender holding area for suites is Crown Grill.  Patter says Crooners with Elite in Crown Grill. Tickets will be issued.  Will update tomorrow.,

 

Boston had lovely weather.  Enjoyed the views of the airport runways from the Lido Deck.  Will catch Boston in October.  Snow? Rain? Hurricane?  

Snow is highly unlikely in October in Boston, although we did have a freak snowstorm in late October 2020. We also rarely get directly hit with hurricanes (last was in 1990s, I believe) but we do often get residual effects of wind and rain. October is one of the rainiest months of the year in Boston, but also one of my favorite months here.

[Jadn13]

Hi All!
On this cruise as well, just a note about The Hop On Hop Off Trolley. If you come to this port in the summer make sure you pre purchase tickets as they Sold Out yesterday. It picks up right outside the port area but drops you back at the ship.

Having a good cruise thus far with some exciting tours yet to come. 🚢

Edited July 29, 2023 by Jadn13

[Rick&Jeannie]

20 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Boston had lovely weather.  Enjoyed the views of the airport runways from the Lido Deck. 

 

[cr8tiv1]

Missed ports:

 

Still waiting for port fees to be returned for missing Newport Rhode Island.

 

Captain came on while I was off the ship.  Came over the speakers in the room.  You know he is going to be serious.  They were suspending water shuttles to Bar Harbor around 1:30 due to “technical” difficulties.  Sent over empty boats to pick up passengers.  All afternoon shore excursions were cancelled.

 

Announcement again in the evening that a letter would be forth coming.

 

 

This is how tendering happened for Bar Harbor.  I chose to walk out of my Window Suite to the Crown Grill (meeting place for Elites) rather than meet at Crooners (for Suites) and have to hoof it down to deck 3.

 

NO tickets.  Waited to be called.  Small groups were escorted to the tenders first.  Then the rest of the passengers were call.  Asked a seat mate.  She told me that they were given tickets with numbers.  She waited in a dining room on deck 5 for about 30 minutes before being called.  I was told there were still people waiting to go ashore around noon, before the stoppage.  
 

Long lines to return to the ship.  Maybe not quite as bad as Lahaina.  Some had shade.  

[Ken the cruiser]

When you have an extra moment and if you are up for a scavenger hunt, would it be possible for you to ask Guest Relations if you can purchase the Princess Plus package (for $60 pp/day) on embarkation day and use OBC to pay for it? I would have asked when we were on the Diamond last week but didn't think of it then. Thanks!

[Jadn13]

Bar Harbor was the port where it paid to be Elite.
We entered the Crown Grill at 10am and where at Bar Harbor @10:45.

We were blissfully unaware of the issues other passengers faced until later in the day.

3 hour waits even if you were in a Princess tour. Some passengers never made it over as they suspended service.

They were using the lifeboats to tender so that doesn’t provide me with much comfort. 
We didn’t have issues returning so it seems they figured out the issues…eventually.

For those visiting Bar Harbor, ME Oli’s trolley to Acadia was a great tour. Lovely sights and 3 photo stops. 

[cr8tiv1]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

When you have an extra moment and if you are up for a scavenger hunt, would it be possible for you to ask Guest Relations if you can purchase the Princess Plus package (for $60 pp/day) on embarkation day and use OBC to pay for it? I would have asked when we were on the Diamond last week but didn't think of it then. Thanks!

Purchasing the beverage package can be done on embarkation day and the day after.  It will be charged to your OBC folio.  As of today….it is $60 and $80.

[cr8tiv1]

12 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

Bar Harbor was the port where it paid to be Elite.
We entered the Crown Grill at 10am and where at Bar Harbor @10:45.

We were blissfully unaware of the issues other passengers faced until later in the day.

3 hour waits even if you were in a Princess tour. Some passengers never made it over as they suspended service.

They were using the lifeboats to tender so that doesn’t provide me with much comfort. 
We didn’t have issues returning so it seems they figured out the issues…eventually.

For those visiting Bar Harbor, ME Oli’s trolley to Acadia was a great tour. Lovely sights and 3 photo stops. 

We were in the Crown Grill an hour before you.  They took all that were waiting in the lounge.  The tender took a really long time….going so very slowly 20 minutes. 
 

I booked independently with Acadia National Park Tour.  We had an air conditioned van and a wonderful tour guide/driver.  3.5 hours and 4 stops.  Disappointed in no pop over ice cream sundaes at Jordan’s Pond.  Machine broke  and they could not keep up with the demand for pop overs.  45 minute wait in the restaurant.  

[Jadn13]

4 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

We were in the Crown Grill an hour before you.  They took all that were waiting in the lounge.  The tender took a really long time….going so very slowly 20 minutes. 
 

I booked independently with Acadia National Park Tour.  We had an air conditioned van and a wonderful tour guide/driver.  3.5 hours and 4 stops.  Disappointed in no pop over ice cream sundaes at Jordan’s Pond.  Machine broke  and they could not keep up with the demand for pop overs.  45 minute wait in the restaurant.  

I could have sat at Jordans Pond with a glass of wine all day but we only had a short stop 

Glad you weren’t caught up in the hoopla of the day

[cr8tiv1]

Quest accomplished.  Been on the hunt for a lobster roll.  Bar Harbor started at $30.  Waited for St John’s stop.  Volunteers in the terminal suggested Billy’s.  They have a restaurant up the hill, but fortunately, opened an express in the container area.  The restaurant was not open on Sunday.  The express container restaurant was.  Didn’t have to pay for ambiance.  Fresh as can be…made on the spot. $25 plus those good old Canadian takes.  If you paid with US $, change would be in Canadian.  I had Canadian dollars.  Scored…...$20 total!
 

 

Sorry about the half sandwich, I was hungry.  

 

 

Notice ship clock. We advanced an hour, but even the minutes were not close. 
 

 

It really does not take much to entertain me.  Sat on the promenade deck and watch the sea birds.  They would land on the water and be carried out to sea (25 feet or so) as the tide receded.  Up in the air…back to original spot…repeat.  Tide was moving quickly.
 

Edited July 30, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[vickie_bernie]

glad you got a lobster roll sandwich and that is a very good price even in the Maritimes.

 

I am glad you enjoyed your stop in Saint John.  I am guessing you did not go to St. John's as it is in Newfoundland.  A common mistake that even many Canadians make.  

 

Enjoy.

[dickinson]

Glad you enjoyed your lobster roll.  In Boston it is traditionally served in a New England style hot dog bun that has butter on it and then grilled.  When I took the New England cruise back in 2013 I got a lobster roll in Faneuil Hall Market place and was disappointed because they didn't use the traditional roll.  The lobster was good though!

[cr8tiv1]

Well, Covid is still around.  I thought I was having an asthma flare up.  Several days of coughing and I gave in and went to the medical center.  Tested for flu and Covid.  Covid won.

First experience with the medical center.  All were so nice.  An hour later, I came back to my room to wait for the doctor to look at the paxlovid I brought from home and to swab cabin mate,  I asked to be quarantined.  So I am up on Aloha Deck far forward.  I’m really not sad at all.  Only have to stay for the night since my coughing started days ago.  I had tested negative before 7/23 Virginia 4 days ago.  They marked my “start” date on 7/26 at 6 pm.  So I am cleared to return to my cabin tomorrow evening. CDC guidelines I’d 5 days.  There are 4 tabled rooms that I could see.  

 

In the meantime, I got a tour of the behind the scenes without paying for it.  Attendant 2 followed me and wiped down everything I touched.  Assistant Manager for Club Class called me to see if I needed anything.  Not quite the same, but had lamb chops for dinner.  
 

i was a little more laxed than my normal.  I am one of the few that still wore a mask.  This time, NOT all the time.  

 

Don’t have the answers to what Princess will cover.  Not concerned, yet.  I don’t feel bad.  Just the coughing and shortness of breath.