LIVE Caribbean Princess 9/24/24 - 10/8/24

[KarmaCruisers]

*NOTE*: My trip report style is to write about the EXPERIENCES I have on the cruise, and my OPINIONS of things on the cruise. If you want pure facts, this report won’t be for you.

 

[KarmaCruisers]

Now; with the disclaimer out of the way…on with the show.

So, for anyone not following the saga of my life this year…I earned a free suite (with princess plus for two) via a casino comp, on a sailing back in February, where I lost $11,000. (Earned ~55,000 casino points).

When I earned that; I basically looked for the most expensive cruise I could find. (And also a crazy bucket list itinerary)…Rack rate for a penthouse suite for this run was $12,000.

Originally I had hoped my (wife), would have came back by now and went along with me..but alas, that didn’t happen. 
So, my aunt/uncle just retired this year, at 65, so I invited them along. (My retirement gift to them)

(For anyone following along from my Alaska trip report; this is Nic’s parents)

This will be my first time sailing on anything other than a Royal Class ship; and my 10th Princess cruise. For my aunt/uncle, it’ll be their first princess cruise. (But not their first cruise, they’ve been on a couple before..Carribean, Mexico, Alaska)

[KarmaCruisers]

We’re flying out of SFO, on Saturday the 22nd, with a non-stop on British Airways, to LHR. (Riding on the giant! Airbus A380!)

I originally had purchased premium seats for (wife) and I; while my uncle/aunt purchased Economy Plus, in the first row behind Premium. (We’re on the top deck of the big bird!)

This is our first time flying in the A380 (not many of them left!).

Not our first time flying into LHR (my third, their second)

[KarmaCruisers]

We’re going to spend a day up front (and behind) in London, because of the flight time (nearly 11 hours) and also we want to see some things in London.

We’re staying at Staybridge Suites at LHR (Uncle/Aunt stayed there last time and liked it; I usually stay in Covent Garden area)

Were traveling down to Southampton via National Express.

(Wife) and I used that last year on our British isle cruise; when we found out that’s the exact bus that princess contracts through..except booking it yourself only costs $15 per person, round-trip

[cr8tiv1]

Love your lives.  Which ship and where are you heading?  Cozy, all in the same suite?

 

Happy cruising !

Edited Friday at 05:44 PM by cr8tiv1

[KarmaCruisers]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Love your lives.  Which ship and where are you heading?  Cozy, all in the same suite?

 

Happy cruising !

Caribbean Princess; and will get to where in my next post. (Was writing the other posts this morning from the the train)

[KarmaCruisers]

This trip will be having us sail out of Southampton; to Norway, to "Search For The Northern Lights".

Leaving Southampton on the 24th of September; with the schedule as follows:

25th - Sea Day

26th - Sea Day

27th - Trondheim (12pm - 8pm)

28th - Sea Day

29th - Tromso (9am - Midnight)

30th - Alta (11am - 

October 1st - Alta (Leaving at 11pm; overnight stay)

2nd - Sea Day

3rd - Lofoten Islands {Gravdal} (8am - 11pm)

4th - Sea Day

5th - Alesund (8am - 5pm)

6th - Sea Day

7th - Sea Day

8th - Back to Southampton

[KarmaCruisers]

The plans for each port are:

Trondheim: TripAdvisor City Bus Tour (Excursion) + exploring the city on our own.

Tromso: Viator Artic Fjord Cruise (Excursion) + visiting Fjellheisen, Artic Cathedral, Polarium; on our own.

Alta: Glod Explorer Hunt the Northern Lights (Excursion) + exploring the city on our own.

Lofoten Islands: Exploring on our own

Alesund: Viator Trollstigen Sightseeing Tour (Excursion) {It's just me doing this, my Aunt/Uncle didn't want to sit in a bus that long) + exploring on our own.

[KarmaCruisers]

I just realized that literally half of the cruise, is sea days..I think it'll be a good pace to have (pretty much) a sea day between each port stop...however, like I said; I've never been on anything smaller than the Royal class..so those words may come back to bite me.

[Crown Cruiser]

So glad you are doing another Live!!!  Following along....👏  and good luck in the casino!

[DavidsNana]

@KarmaCruisersI am also so glad that you are using this "free" suite cruise and doing a live from.  I will be following your adventures.  Have a fabulous time.

[KarmaCruisers]

1 hour ago, Crown Cruiser said:

So glad you are doing another Live!!!  Following along....👏  and good luck in the casino!

No gambling anymore; I’d rather not tempt God. (With the luck I have OUTSIDE the casino; I’d be a damn fool)

[KarmaCruisers]

49 minutes ago, DavidsNana said:

@KarmaCruisersI am also so glad that you are using this "free" suite cruise and doing a live from.  I will be following your adventures.  Have a fabulous time.

Thanks! I still have one more penthouse suite from that February offer (Thanksgiving cruise)

[Tomcruise92]

Have a great cruise. I feel like the CP doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, I cruised on her back in April and had a fantastic cruise, first time in the Caribbean and loved the whole thing. Looking forward to reading your posts!

[KarmaCruisers]

24 minutes ago, Tomcruise92 said:

Have a great cruise. I feel like the CP doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, I cruised on her back in April and had a fantastic cruise, first time in the Caribbean and loved the whole thing. Looking forward to reading your posts!

Yeah; it’s the largest of the Grand Class (class below Royal); so I hope it’ll be ok.

I told my Uncle/Aunt, that next year, we may go on the Regal around British isle’s; so they’ll get to experience the Royal class.

[KarmaCruisers]

Ohh also; for anyone not following along from before..I’m on a health journey, starting when my wife left me at the end of January (ok well, maybe I didn’t seriously start until end of February after that cruise) but I started at 250; and this morning I weighed in at exactly 207.0! So I’m hoping I don’t gain TOO much weight on this cruise..if I can keep it below 210; I’ll be happy with that.

My aunt is really big into Fitness; so she’ll help me stay on track with walking every morning as well as eating healthier items. (It’s tough to pass up the waffles in the suite breakfast; as well as those giant dessert items at the gelato place!)

[cr8tiv1]

My travels on the Caribbean this past summer was one of my very best cruises.  Service was above and beyond even the best of the best.  

 

Please give my "aloha" to:

Ivan, Ben and Edsel (Sabatini's breakfast)/and the rest

Andrii, MA Christa, and Paco in Reserve Collection

And a special shout out to Nicolas (Lido Manager) if you should run into him.

 

Ivan went out of his way to get us healthy choices for breakfast.  

 

You will love the Caribbean.  Have a great cruise.

 

Guess you need my name:  Renee

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 12:11 AM by cr8tiv1

[KarmaCruisers]

5 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

My travels on the Caribbean this past summer was one of my very best cruises.  Service was above and beyond even the best of the best.  

 

Please give my "aloha" to:

Ivan, Ben and Edsel (Sabatini's breakfast)/and the rest

Andrii, MA Christa, and Paco in Reserve Collection

And a special shout out to Nicolas (Lido Manager) if you should run into him.

 

Ivan went out of his way to get us healthy choices for breakfast.  

 

You will love the Caribbean.  Have a great cruise.

 

Guess you need my name:  Renee

 

 

 

Thanks!

what “healthy” breakfast did y’all get in Sabatini’s?

[cr8tiv1]

The usual suspects: 

 

Poached Eggs (with out the hollandaise) and roasted potatoes

Fruit

Toast/bagels with orange or apricot marmalade

Black expresso shots or Americano coffee

 

But it is the other stuff:

Granola (Edsel will pick it up from outside the restaurant) for your oatmeal and/orApple Compote for your oatmeal

Ask Ivan if he could make you Renee's watermelon salsa for your scrambled eggs.

Prunes/Figs/Peaches and cottage cheese

Avocado toast with tomatoes

 

I'm sure if it is on the ship, you can have it for breakfast.  Be creative.  Ask politely.

 

[KarmaCruisers]

I think I’m pretty much packed now..just need to check and make sure I’ve got everything; then weigh it and make sure it’s 50.7lbs or less. (If it’s more; I told my Aunt and Uncle that I’ll have to move stuff into their bags, if they have room)

I’m really not packing heavy..just six sets of clothes, a hoodie, a rain jacket, and a sherpa-lined flannel. 
Also got my toiletries, fan, trainers, binoculars, and Euro/US power adapter block.

I’m also taking my backpack; which only has my laptop, iPad and medication in it right now. (I might put my hoodie in it)

[Crown Cruiser]

Have a safe flight.

[KarmaCruisers]

1 hour ago, Crown Cruiser said:

Have a safe flight.

Thanks! Gotta check in at 3:30

[cr8tiv1]

Nice way to turn the page into a new chapter.  Hard not to gain the weight (I gained 5 pounds over 16 days).  

 

You are going to have a lovely time.  Hope the Caribbean Princess carries on all the suite perks they gave to us this summer.  Loved having our own afternoon lounge.  Lots of other things, but I won't spoil it for you.

 

Malama Pono...take care.

[CannonG]

Safe travels. We are on the same cruise in a lower suite, although I think we put in a bid for the your penthouse suite in the bid program. Lol. Let’s hope for smooth seas and a fun trip. I think we may also be sharing an excursion or two. See you on the ship. 

[KarmaCruisers]

1 hour ago, CannonG said:

Safe travels. We are on the same cruise in a lower suite, although I think we put in a bid for the your penthouse suite in the bid program. Lol. Let’s hope for smooth seas and a fun trip. I think we may also be sharing an excursion or two. See you on the ship. 

Well; if you see me around the ship, say Hi!

Penthouse suites are so choice…but wasted on me, as it’s just me in to room (and there’s no suite lounge right next door).