Live from the Land of Princess

[Priszm]

On 8/1/2024 at 6:55 AM, Muckyduckway said:

Northern Ireland - unfortunately you didn't come to see us (this time!), but while there are some unique things here, we share many landscapes and ways of life with the rest of the British Isles.

My partner and I did a DIY land tour of the Republic in 2019 (or maybe it was 2018) and loved it so much we had to go back to the Emerald Isle. Last September we did a DIY of Northern Ireland. We still have not seen enough of the Isle; however we do need to branch out because there is so much more of our planet we want to see. If only I had unlimited funds and time.  

[Thrak]

7 hours ago, Priszm said:

there is so much more of our planet we want to see. If only I had unlimited funds and time.  

 

You hit that nail squarely on the head. So little time and money - so much to see and do.

[LauraAnneC]

On 7/29/2024 at 12:42 AM, YVRteacher said:

It happened.

 

I tried colcannon.

 

 

Tonight the theme in Horizon Court was Irish Dinner.

 

What would you choose?

 

 

Vegetarian section. The kidney bean curry was rich in wow! Soooooo yummy!

 

 

They featured Irish apple pie for dessert. It was hot and tart and very neatly sliced. My problem is that I don’t like pie.

 

 

 

Hate to say it but that isn’t Irish apple tart. It’s an American version. Nothing at all like my granny used to make. Much flatter with cloves added and sliced cooking apples.  Delicious with Irish cream! I’m Irish so I know the real thing! 😉

[LauraAnneC]

On 7/30/2024 at 7:52 PM, YVRteacher said:

Ireland is now top of my list of countries to visit for longer than a cruise allows. Thank you, Ireland, for your beauty, your spirit, your music, your resilience, your flowers, your blankets and your Irish soda bread with butter.

I’m so thrilled you loved my country! Powerscourt is a wonderful place. We go there often!

[YVRteacher]

I thought about you!!!

[JaneRetired]

On 7/18/2024 at 1:46 PM, YVRteacher said:

Do you know how much I love Reykjavik?  It is expansive! I have been here many times before and have done the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, the Viking museum and the Phallological Museum. I have shopped, done a historical walking tour, fed the ducks, photographed the Prime Minister’s house and enjoyed a waffle.
 

Shuttles were at the ready this morning and I didn’t have any wait at all. The free shuttle takes passengers from the cruise ship terminal to Harpa.

 

 

This is Harpa. It is the conference centre and the concert hall, contains a restaurant, a gift shop and an information station. Today it was also shelter from the raindrops.

 

 

Look up: the ceiling is gorgeous!

 

 

Late very late to this party, reading the "dad is on a cruise" blog today. And love your writing style, saw your previous live posts. I was in Iceland on a 7 day LAND trip in May this year - 2 nights before  and 1 night after in NYC aka Brookland, 4 nights in Iceland (Gate1 trip). My hotel had an photo exhibit, and one of the pieces was on loan from the Phallological Museum #IFKYK

[Thrak]

31 minutes ago, JaneRetired said:

Late very late to this party, reading the "dad is on a cruise" blog today. And love your writing style, saw your previous live posts. I was in Iceland on a 7 day LAND trip in May this year - 2 nights before  and 1 night after in NYC aka Brookland, 4 nights in Iceland (Gate1 trip). My hotel had an photo exhibit, and one of the pieces was on loan from the Phallological Museum #IFKYK

 

Okay. I had to look that up to believe it was real. 🤪

[JaneRetired]

Started reading this 81 page page-turner while reading your "dad on a cruise" live in mid August.  Oh my, what a lovely writer you are! I also share a love of books as a retired science educator, and in my 30's my then partner's hobby was writing British literary travel itineraries. I was lucky to have a month of vacation back then (in the 80's and 90's) and we spent whole months doing Thomas Hardy Society walks in southern England, Robert Burns, Dickens, Walter Scott, tours in our itineraries. From John O'Groats to Lands End.

 

Barcelona based "Shadow of the Wind" author Carlos Luiz Zafrón has a walking tour at the end of the book, and I went there after a cruise with 3 friends who had read the book.That was so much fun, tho I'm also an introvert. Went to Iceland this year on a solo land trip (with a group) and my theme was Icelandic saga locations. Been reading Icelandic sagas and old Scot and Old English poetry for over 50 years. Reading and visiting placenames is rewarding! Travel based on literature is a wonderful. The Thomas Hardy Society had walking tour pamphlets based on all the books, and you can find that plus Icelandic Saga based tours in the internet.  Maybe here on CC too but I haven't looked. Now back to the dad trip. Thank you for such a wonderful live report!

Edited August 25 by JaneRetired
typos

[YVRteacher]

Remember that gorgeous Icelandic watercolour I bought in Seydisfjördur? She landed a prime location on my new “I survived 59 weeks of flood repair” shelf

 

[YVRteacher]

I was wrong. I said I wasn’t going to write another trip report this summer.

 

As embarkation day drew close, I found myself craving words. 
 

This may be the worst trip report I have ever written! Gosh, that was a bad cruise. Alaska=wonderful. The ship? Ugh.

 

[YVRteacher]

Who did it better, Princess or NCL?

 

Embarkation: Princess

 

Food (quality, taste, presentation, variety) by far Princess and it 

puts NCL to shame

 

Vegetarian food/ease of eating a vegetarian diet/availability of protein for vegetarians: Princess

 

Snack availability and selection: Princess

 

Pizza: Princess

 

Desserts: Princess

 

Drinks: Princess

 

Variety of drinks at different bars: Princess shines here

 

Willingness of bartenders to make a drink that is not on the menu: Princess

 

Buffet hours: Princess

 

Cookies: Princess

 

Soft ice cream: a win for NCL

 

Hashbrowns: Princess

 

Coffee: Princess

 

Comfort of beds: Princess

 

Modern decor in cabins: NCL

 

Showers: NCL

 

Soap and shower products: Princess

 

Cleanliness: Princess

 

Production Shows: Princess

 

Other theatre evening entertainment: both cruise lines need improvement

 

Evening entertainment that is not in the theatre: Princess

 

Volume of shows and music around the ship: too loud on both cruise lines. I’ve heard Holland America may be quieter!

 

Daytime activities: NCL has more to offer but that doesn’t mean I enjoy what is offered 

 

Public spaces, places to sit: by far Princess

 

Lounges with an ocean view: NCL

 

Library: Princess.

Princess libraries are open all the time and usage is on an honour system. NCL locks up their books and has staffed sign out two hours a day. Some ships no longer have libraries.

 

Medallion or key card: does not make a difference to me

 

Communication while onboard: Princess

 

Shore excursion write ups: Princess

 

Variety of shore excursions: Princess

 

Value of shore excursions: Princess

 

Allowing passengers and crew to take food off the ship and bring food and drinks back onto the ship: Princess

 

Freestyle Daily or Princess Patter: NCL’s Freestyle Daily

 

Problem solving/making it right: Princess but it depends on the ship

 

Overall experience on board: Princess 

 

Disembarkation information and experience: Princess

 

Loyalty program and tier benefits for what you get as an individual: NCL

 

Loyalty program once onboard and what is offered onboard to people with status (parties, events, lounges): Princess

 

Special touches: Princess

 

App: NCL but both need improvement

 

Pre-cruise communication: NCL

 

 

Atmosphere on board: I like both but so strongly dislike the formal nights on Princess that this one goes to NCL

 

Visibility of officers and management: varies by ship

 

Sailaway party: they are both fun

 

Selection of movies on the tv: 100% Princess

 

Internet: 100% Princess  

 

Ease of website: NCL

 

Prices for solo cruisers: NCL

 

Tender operations: by far NCL

 

Most importantly, who has the softest toilet paper?

Princess

 

51 categories.

Tie: 2

Inconsequential: 1

NCL: 15

Princess:33

 

We have a clear winner.

Edited Sunday at 01:03 AM by YVRteacher

[Perfectlife]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do an overall review . It looks like you might be trying Princess again in the future.

[BamaVol]

Good job finding 51 categories to rate. That’s a scary tp observation. That would keep me from booking NCL again because that’s hardly Charmin on Princess. 

[azbirdmom]

After reading your update I went to read your live from on the Jewel.  Startling to say the least.  As much as we hate the cutbacks on Princess if we experienced anything close to what you did on your NCL cruise we wouldn't return either.  Thanks again for sharing all of this with us!

[YVRteacher]

Trying out Princess was the biggest gift I gave myself. All my upcoming cruises are now booked on Princess, although I do have a free cruise on NCL that needs to be booked and taken before May 2025.

[DUCHESSRN]

35 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Trying out Princess was the biggest gift I gave myself. All my upcoming cruises are now booked on Princess, although I do have a free cruise on NCL that needs to be booked and taken before May 2025.

Hope to see you on Board sometime . We enjoy Princess but we are in the older age range . Just feels like going home boarding the ship.

12 more days to Majestic Princess .

[YVRteacher]

@DUCHESSRN best wishes for a wonderful cruise on the Majestic!

[cruiseny4life]

14 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Trying out Princess was the biggest gift I gave myself. All my upcoming cruises are now booked on Princess, although I do have a free cruise on NCL that needs to be booked and taken before May 2025.

February 2 - 9, 2025 New Orleans to the Western Caribbean!!! I know, it probably doesn't align with a school break, but we'd all love to have you join us!

[BamaVol]

20 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Trying out Princess was the biggest gift I gave myself. All my upcoming cruises are now booked on Princess, although I do have a free cruise on NCL that needs to be booked and taken before May 2025.

Don’t forget to pack toilet paper.

[JGmf]

On 9/7/2024 at 9:02 PM, YVRteacher said:

51 categories.

Tie: 2

Inconsequential: 1

NCL: 15

Princess:33

 

@YVRteacher Thank you for the excellent summary analysis.  I agree on virtually every point.

 

The only notable change I would make (in my opinion of course) is rather than a tie, Princess wins, hands down, on the medallion over the key card.  The medallion unlocks doors, yes, but is a locator for friends and family and allows delivery of food and beverages.  At least in my sailings, I've found it very useful.

 

Also, while you didn't evaluate it, Princess kicks the pants off NCL with regard to casino player comps: there's no fee to charge casino funds to your room (NCL charges 3%) and sailing discounts on Princess are more generous.

 

Thanks again for your analysis.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

3 minutes ago, JGmf said:

Princess wins, hands down, on the medallion over the key card.  The medallion unlocks doors, yes, but is a locator for friends and family and allows delivery of food and beverages.  At least in my sailings, I've found it very useful.

 

I agree with this. When sailing with my elderly parents, the medallion was useful in locating them when they went off on their own while on the ship. We were also sailing with a group of equally elderly relatives, and I, being the youngest member of the group, became the carrier pigeon in place of texting.

 

[YVRteacher]

On 9/9/2024 at 3:46 AM, BamaVol said:

Good job finding 51 categories to rate. That’s a scary tp observation. That would keep me from booking NCL again because that’s hardly Charmin on Princess. 

This is my abbreviated list!

[YVRteacher]

5 hours ago, JGmf said:

 

@YVRteacher Thank you for the excellent summary analysis.  I agree on virtually every point.

 

The only notable change I would make (in my opinion of course) is rather than a tie, Princess wins, hands down, on the medallion over the key card.  The medallion unlocks doors, yes, but is a locator for friends and family and allows delivery of food and beverages.  At least in my sailings, I've found it very useful.

 

Also, while you didn't evaluate it, Princess kicks the pants off NCL with regard to casino player comps: there's no fee to charge casino funds to your room (NCL charges 3%) and sailing discounts on Princess are more generous.

 

Thanks again for your analysis.

 

Unfortunately the app didn’t work for me on the Island or the Regal so I know I did not get to fully utilize what the medallion and app has to offer. I couldn’t order food or beverages for delivery, but I am already dreaming of a delivery of cheese fries in a few short months!

[phabric]

36 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Unfortunately the app didn’t work for me on the Island or the Regal so I know I did not get to fully utilize what the medallion and app has to offer. I couldn’t order food or beverages for delivery, but I am already dreaming of a delivery of cheese fries in a few short months!

While in the cabin you can order from the tv

[WisCruiser2]

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said:

Unfortunately the app didn’t work for me on the Island or the Regal so I know I did not get to fully utilize what the medallion and app has to offer. I couldn’t order food or beverages for delivery, but I am already dreaming of a delivery of cheese fries in a few short months!

Did you ever find out why the Medallion didn't work for you? I know people have had to get the battery swapped out but it sounds like that wasn't the problem for you.