Live from Enchanted-Love Boat reunion 8/31-9/7- a Princess first timer!

[Crusin Karen]

4 hours ago, grimace95120 said:

 

Hey Scott ! Loving the blog, thanks for doing it. I'm on the 21st sailing, and that itinerary doesn't list Halifax as a tender port. Has something changed, or is it just your sailing?. I hope it isn't a tender. My wife hates tendering and I really want to get off at Halifax, to see where her father landed when he immigrated to Canada many years ago 

Update: looks like we are at Berth 22(Seaport) for our cruise. The Volendam will be tendering at P24TND1 that day instead. 

I’m on 9/14-9/21 cruise. Halifax is not a tender port. 

[arizonaperson]

On 9/3/2024 at 11:28 PM, eltigre said:

According to the Main Dining Info thread on here, I believe it is Amalfi for anytime dining. That is what I have reserved for some nights with our group.

Is this information for September 14, 2024 and after? This is what I show for that date & beyond for Enchanted. I may not have it correct?

Enchanted Princess-2024 & 2025

Santorini ( mid deck 5)-Traditional 5 pm ( shared & private tables) & 7:30 pm( private table,no shared)

Amalfi dining room(. Aft deck 6) -reservable every 20 minutes from 5 pm-8:20pm ( able to get private table)

Capri(mid deck 6)-walk in
 

@Scottdalfonso- I am enjoying reading along on your journey.

[Crusin Karen]

9 minutes ago, arizonaperson said:

Is this information for September 14, 2024 and after? This is what I show for that date & beyond for Enchanted. I may not have it correct?

 

Enchanted Princess-2024 & 2025

Santorini ( mid deck 5)-Traditional 5 pm ( shared & private tables) & 7:30 pm( private table,no shared)

Amalfi dining room(. Aft deck 6) -reservable every 20 minutes from 5 pm-8:20pm ( able to get private table)

Capri(mid deck 6)-walk in
 

@Scottdalfonso- I am enjoying reading along on your journey.

I hope Amalfi is anytime dining. I’m on 9/14-9/21.  Do I reserve on the app or can I just walk up and put my name in. TIA 

[arizonaperson]

8 minutes ago, Crusin Karen said:

I hope Amalfi is anytime dining. I’m on 9/14-9/21.  Do I reserve on the app or can I just walk up and put my name in. TIA 

You can try to make reservations for Amalfi dining room on app or web version. ( you have not tried already to make dinner reservations?)
or call dine line once onboard.

or

walk-in to Capri DR- no reservations there.

Anytime dining is not a term used per se after 9-14-24, subject to change of course.

 

The new dining terms are this:

Traditional dining seems to be 5 PM and 7:30 PM with a few variations.

The reservable (Flexible is Princesses new term) a.k.a. dine my way starts at 5 PM and there are slots available every 20 minutes.

 

Open seating (Princesses new term) AKA walk-in is just that. 
 

This is Scott’s thread…. So not going to comment further on DR. Lots of dining room threads out there,including one on new dining,ship to ship.

Edited September 5 by arizonaperson

[Crusin Karen]

1 hour ago, arizonaperson said:

You can try to make reservations for Amalfi dining room on app or web version. ( you have not tried already to make dinner reservations?)
or call dine line once onboard.

or

walk-in to Capri DR- no reservations there.

Anytime dining is not a term used per se after 9-14-24, subject to change of course.

 

The new dining terms are this:

Traditional dining seems to be 5 PM and 7:30 PM with a few variations.

The reservable (Flexible is Princesses new term) a.k.a. dine my way starts at 5 PM and there are slots available every 20 minutes.

 

Open seating (Princesses new term) AKA walk-in is just that. 
 

This is Scott’s thread…. So not going to comment further on DR. Lots of dining room threads out there,including one on new dining,ship to ship.

Yes I haven’t  cruised anything else except Carnival in about 18 years so I feel like a newbie! On CCL it’s anytime or your time dining. You can request table on app or just show up when you want and they’ll seat you when your table choice is available. I did not mean to highjack Scott’s post, just figured since he’s on the ship he’d know the answers lol! I like to check each nights menu before I decide if I’m going to MDR or eating elsewhere. 

[Scottdalfonso]

3 hours ago, Crusin Karen said:

I’m on 9/14-9/21 cruise. Halifax is not a tender port. 

Yeah I think it was a pretty rare occasion that we had to tender.

[beshears]

Scottalfonso, thank you for posting the picture of the "towel" cake. So unique, and I thought??? I had read that Princess did not do the towels anymore, as I was used to seeing them on Carnival ships, which I liked. 🙂  You also mentioned that you only wanted the table for two, but there was a table close by with another couple, and you chatted ever once in a while with them. I have seen that done as well.

Crusin Karen, I'm sorry you lost our husband, but are cruising solo. I'm sure I am much older than you, but I have never cruised alone, and am wondering if??? I would ever cruise alone (LOVE to cruise), how do you go about meeting people to talk with, or are you more of a loner?

[beshears]

Scottdalfonso, you mentioned about the "local" vendors, and I love checking them out, as I never know what I am going to find. 🙂 

[Crusin Karen]

1 hour ago, beshears said:

Scottalfonso, thank you for posting the picture of the "towel" cake. So unique, and I thought??? I had read that Princess did not do the towels anymore, as I was used to seeing them on Carnival ships, which I liked. 🙂  You also mentioned that you only wanted the table for two, but there was a table close by with another couple, and you chatted ever once in a while with them. I have seen that done as well.

Crusin Karen, I'm sorry you lost our husband, but are cruising solo. I'm sure I am much older than you, but I have never cruised alone, and am wondering if??? I would ever cruise alone (LOVE to cruise), how do you go about meeting people to talk with, or are you more of a loner?

I had the magic booked for 9/2022 when he passed before then. His sister was going to go in his place. 2 days before the cruise she got a bad case of the flu, so couldn’t go. Big gulp! You can see all the cruises Jim and I have been on in my signature. It was ALL I could do to go into that terminal and get on that ship! But after that cruise I realized I could do it. And I also realized if I couldn’t cruise with my Jim I’d much rather cruise alone. It’s not and never will be the same, but I love to cruise (can’t be bothered about ports of call lol) and I’m fortunate to be able to, so I’m going to do it! I’m not a loner and enjoy meeting people but I’m pretty much alone most of the time and I prefer to dine alone. I LOVE to “people watch” and read t shirts lol! And I love to dress up! I live in NE NJ so I cruise from this area (Manhattan, RedHook or Bayonne) because I’m just not comfortable flying or driving to a port alone. Thank you for your thoughts! Very kind of you. 

[Crusin Karen]

Lol that’s actually why I’ve become kind of a pest on this forum. I’ve cruised on CCL and almost exclusively from Manhattan for about 18 years and going on Princess alone is out of my comfort zone!!! But I’m sure I’ll survive since I have all of you to guide me on my way lol! 🤗👍

[Scottdalfonso]

Sitting here at breakfast in the buffet with Ted Lange (Isaac) a table away. These guys have been great, they've been ALL over the ship and super approachable.  

Back to my last day or so... I ended day 5, after the juggling guy,  realizing we never ate. So we took advantage of some free room service and had a burger and turkey sandwich delivered. The turkey was really good, love when a turkey sandwich is actual turkey and not the lunch meat stuff. Yesterday was Halifax...won't get into it much, but had a beatiful day. Walked the waterfront then wandered up into the streets a bit, found a few blocks of shops and bars. Stopped in a little bar for an NA beer and a wine..Basically to rest after climbing the hills to get around that city. Finally got my beavertail on the waterfront. We also stumbled upon a fundraiser BBQ for charity, so grabbed a HUGE hot dog,drink and chips for 5 bucks.  We grabbed a tshirt for the kid and got back on.  We decided even though it was Formal/steak night...that we'd finally try O'Malleys. Had a burger and the stew. Both very good but I think the stew was a little better. 

Ended the night watching Rock Opera...WOW. That was an amazing show, we even thought about seeing it the 2nd time..they were all so good and the music was great. I did hit the casino and wiped out anything i had won, but still only lost a few bucks total since the same two 20 bills lasted me all week..I call that an ok week,lol.  

Last day today...I never did take advantage of Elite laundry so now trying to decide if I want to just do it myself or just save it for home at this point. 

Ooh...I just took a break from writing this because Ted Lange walked by and I finally got my picture. Currently in the piazza watching the farewell parade from the staff. Only real plan today besides packing, is bundling up and watching the Eagles-Packers game on the MUTS screen tonight at 830. I know my blogging style is a bit clunky, and I forget some stuff here and there..but I do it all on my phone, and don't take notes or anything so I go strictly off my very spotty memory,lol. I'll be back for a final recap..but here are some Halifax and final morning pics.

 

[Scottdalfonso]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Honolulu Blue]

5 minutes ago, Scottdalfonso said:

Sitting here at breakfast in the buffet with Ted Lange (Isaac) a table away. These guys have been great, they've been ALL over the ship and super approachable.  

To me it's amusing, humbling, and reassuring (yes, all at the same time 🙃) to imagine Mr. Lange at the trough of some random Princess ship, surrounded by fans and no-so-fans.  Congratulations on getting a picture with him!  I'm sure you'll treasure it forever.

[voljeep]

19 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

To me it's amusing, humbling, and reassuring (yes, all at the same time 🙃) to imagine Mr. Lange at the trough of some random Princess ship, surrounded by fans and no-so-fans.  Congratulations on getting a picture with him!  I'm sure you'll treasure it forever.

where's the 'trough'? - don't see it on the deck plans ...

[Scottdalfonso]

58 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

To me it's amusing, humbling, and reassuring (yes, all at the same time 🙃) to imagine Mr. Lange at the trough of some random Princess ship, surrounded by fans and no-so-fans.  Congratulations on getting a picture with him!  I'm sure you'll treasure it forever.

I saw the cast eating dinner at Gigis, the MDR, the steakhouse and now the buffet. They've been everywhere and super nice to everyone.  His wife actually told me they were sitting with an older couple at the buffet who had no idea who he was

[Honolulu Blue]

48 minutes ago, voljeep said:

where's the 'trough'? - don't see it on the deck plans ...

The trough is what I call the World Fresh Marketplace up on Lido deck, aka the buffet.

[Honolulu Blue]

12 minutes ago, Scottdalfonso said:

I saw the cast eating dinner at Gigis, the MDR, the steakhouse and now the buffet. They've been everywhere and super nice to everyone.  His wife actually told me they were sitting with an older couple at the buffet who had no idea who he was

I rarely sit with anyone at the buffet, preferring to find an isolated table as far away from others as I can get.  I find it interesting that the Langes would dine with someone there who wasn't a fan.  Did they choose to sit there or did the others choose to sit there?  We'll never get the answer to that, but I still find it interesting.

 

I've done some music cruises and had a few, limited encounters with famous people.  I could probably have more, but they're generally experiences I don't encourage and most of these guys I don't recognize off the stage anyway.  I had breakfast with this guy, who you may or may not know.  This was a VIP experience I paid for and not a random encounter.

 

 

Later that day I did have a random encounter at the trough (not on a Princess ship) with one of his musicians, who I happened to recognize because he wore the same outfit he did onstage.  We greeted each other, bumped fists, and I got to compliment his ability.  He thanked me and I let him eat and greet others.  BTW, he was walking into the buffet as I was walking out.

 

Sorry for the distraction.  I'm looking forward to the rest of your adventures!

 

[Scottdalfonso]

Mid day update.  I've been flying solo today, wife hasn't been feeling great so she's been in the pitch dark cabin while I just walked around a lot. Had a few slices of the "princess pizza"-sausage with some pepper flakes, tried one rib,  and a turkey with cranberry sandwich from the buffet.  Ran into another cast member in there-Bernie Koppell (Doc)  but he was with,I assume his wife, and she was carrying food so I wasn't going to bother him. Did a load of laundry and watched some love boat  and then live music on the deck in between washing and drying.  There was also an ice carving demo. I finally caved and got one of the premium dessert sundaes, the Davinci...vanilla with some oreos and hazelnut sauce. Sitting in the piazza about to watch the mass marriage vow renewal.

I tried to do some shopping,  but the one thing I noticed compared to Royal is that the logo store here has almost nothing. I ended up buying a Keychain of the ship because we usually get ornaments and they have none here.. so I'll turn the Keychain into one,instead 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Scottdalfonso]

Relaxing in the elite lounge for my final night...trying to schedule an Uber for tomorrow,  sticker shock for sure. Should've just driven to the port!  Anyway, this will probably be my final post until I'm home tomorrow.  Here's a few more pics from right before the vow renewal with the Captain, cruise director and Jill from the Love boat in a few of the pics...Might do late night comedy,but definitely watching the NFL Game on the deck. Final dinner plans will be to use our last casual dining credit at Gigis later on. 

 

 

 

 

[Scottdalfonso]

Got Doc too... 

 

[Honolulu Blue]

29 minutes ago, Scottdalfonso said:

Got Doc too... 

 

 

What's up Doc?!?!

 

(sorry, had to do it 😁)

[Crusin Karen]

Wow!!! Safe trip home. Thanks for taking us along with you. I’ll be boarding a week from tomorrow. Have only cruised from RH once so I’m anxious to hear about the terminal. I have no clue about pick up! 

[Scottdalfonso]

They advertised the football game for the outdoor screen tonight...but they can't get it on the satellite feed. So a bunch of us were all watching on our phones and tablets for a little bit, but it cleared out around halftime. So we are gonna watch the last of it on my laptop while we finish packing. 

[canadarocks]

That's too bad. I know you were really looking forward to it.

[Scottdalfonso]

Last morning...I got up way too early because I set my alarm for 7, but my phone clock was never set back the hour, so I actually got up at 6 not realizing it until I was already at the buffet. All packed, got the 830 walk off time so just about an hour. Thank you all for following along, I'll give a quick recap and what I thought about my first Princess cruise when I'm back home and settled in. Looking forward to seeing our kid..and even the cat!