***LIVE*** FROM THE GOLDEN PRINCESS with Arlene & Tony

[cactusrose]

ok, thanks...but the cactusrose post suggests that they are moving out permanently.....I guess that that is not the case, but only for the summer season.

 

I don't know that they aren't leaving permanently. It's not just the Caribbean Princess, there are no Princess ships scheduled to sail out of Fort Lauderdale after April 2008. This sounds like something bigger than just a summer change. That's why I asked the question.

[Colo Cruiser]

Hope it is not too rough. :rolleyes:

[mississauga]

I don't know that they aren't leaving permanently. It's not just the Caribbean Princess, there are no Princess ships scheduled to sail out of Fort Lauderdale after April 2008. This sounds like something bigger than just a summer change. That's why I asked the question.

 

According to Suzy Cruisy's previews of the European cruises, the Crown, the Emerald and the Grand are returning to FLL via transatlantic sailings. Crown - 9/17/08 - Copenhagen to FLL, Emerald - 10/03/08 - Venice to FLL and the Grand - 11/22/08 - Rome to FLL. Surely one or more of these ships will stay to sail out of FLL after they return from Europe. Suzy Cruisy did say that the announcements for the Oct.'08 -Apr. '09 Caribbean schedule will not come out until later. It looks like the Caribbean Princess will take over for the Crown after the summer also as she repositions to SJ from NYC - 10/26/08. Maybe the Crown and CB are switching itineraries for the Caribbean cruises. ( Just a guess );)

 

Mary

[ladysail2]

Yes to satisfy the Jones Act requirements:D :D

 

 

Thank you, once again! :D :D

 

Don't forget to set your clocks one hour ahead tonight...for those affected by that 'Spring Ahead' event!

 

Joyce

[joyride]

Isn't it funny how we are all chatting away here and Tony and Arlene must be enjoying their cruise or something... I love following these "live from" posts, but I also like to see that these folks are too busy to log in! I hope that means they are having better weather and it is going well...

[cactusrose]

According to Suzy Cruisy's previews of the European cruises, the Crown, the Emerald and the Grand are returning to FLL via transatlantic sailings. Crown - 9/17/08 - Copenhagen to FLL, Emerald - 10/03/08 - Venice to FLL and the Grand - 11/22/08 - Rome to FLL. Surely one or more of these ships will stay to sail out of FLL after they return from Europe. Suzy Cruisy did say that the announcements for the Oct.'08 -Apr. '09 Caribbean schedule will not come out until later. It looks like the Caribbean Princess will take over for the Crown after the summer also as she repositions to SJ from NYC - 10/26/08. Maybe the Crown and CB are switching itineraries for the Caribbean cruises. ( Just a guess );)

 

 

 

Mary

 

Thanks mississauga. . . that was just the type of info I was looking for. This is the first time I have heard of Princess not sailing out of FLL for and length of time and it just seems odd considering they usually have several sailing out of that port at any given time.

[Crown Prince]

ARLENE: I see that you are about to turn over 3,000 posts. Congratulations!!

Now, if I were King, that would contribute to your achieving Super Elite. ;)

 

Wot does the Captains Circle Maven have to say about Super-Elite status. Has she even heard of it???

 

All of us really appreciate your very interesting & diverse posts, that includes Tony. :cool:

 

Thanks for taking us on a fun ride with you. :D

[arlenemilt]

Arlene, will your time be the same for a while? We will be going one hour ahead tonight so those of us in the east will only be 2 hours behind yours then.

 

Hope Milt feels better so he can enjoy the cruise and help your team win in trivia.;)

 

Mary

 

Hi Mary

 

Our clocks went back last night so we are now only one hour apart from EST. Extra hour of sleep was good.

Arlene

[arlenemilt]

What is happening onboard, you have all disappeared:rolleyes:

 

How is Milt feeling??

 

Office must be good, Trivia must have been good, and hopefully the seas are calm.

 

Milt is fine; ate the entire buffet this AM. :) Seas are much better than yesterday, though today did start with rain.

Arlene

[Shogun]

Hi Arlene,

 

 

 

Golden was my first Princess cruise,

 

how is the ship, any signs of wear, what are the crew like when we were onboard I think there must have been a crew member from every country in the world.

 

How is the casino, do they have any $25 dollar slots , what is the jackpot.

 

 

have a great cruise.

 

yours Shogun

[arlenemilt]

from the very quiet Golden Princess. Not a whole lot of activity this AM. Skies are trying to get sunny; a bit of a drizzle out there, but not cold and certainly not as windy as yesterday.

Up early as usual and in the gym by 7:15 to treadmill away those extra calories. Milt OK. He did his 2 miles too. Then off to the buffet for breakfast; our usual routine. Of course I brewed my coffee in the cabin and took my mug with me to the gym. Others carry water; I carry coffee.

We went to dinner last night in the Bernini diningroom; table for 10. Same group as preceding night and we had a great wait staff so will continue this every night at approx. 6:30. There were tiger shrimp/prawns on the menu; yummy. Had 2 orders; just shrimp, no accoutrements. Broccoli turned up; waiter already knows me. :) No appetizer or dessert for me. A small salad and shrimp.

Since Milt wasn't really up to par, he returend to the cabin after dinner and I meandered into the casino. The "BIG" gambler (moi) managed to lose 3 whole dollars in the blackjack slot machine. LOL I then attended the newlywed game; not a good one. They barely managed to get 3 couples to participate.

I notice Tony didn't sign in last night; don't know where he was. You can anticipate hearing from me in the morning and perhaps some time in the afternoon; probably not after dinner at all. Will try to answer as many questions as I can, so shoot em' at me. :D

Today's activities for me will be trivia at 11:15, perhaps listening to the 2008 Europe presentation at 2:00, wine tasting (Elites get free invites) at 3:00 and trivia at 4:30. In between I'll manage to squeeze in some food and some reading. Yeh........I know......booooooooooooorrrrrrrrrring!!

The main show tonight in the Princess Theatre is The Den West Show. We've cruised with Den and Bobby West many times; will stop in to say hi. They are very entertaining instrumentalists. Movie tonight in the Vista Lounge is March of the Penguins. I loved that movie; saw it twice last year. For those who haven't, don't miss it.

Sorry, didn't mention the Art Auction. Not our cup of tea, though we sometimes poke our noses in there. We have bought a few inexpensive pieces in the past. but not interested in adding anything at the present time.

CD JJ not around. As Tony previously mentioned, you hear him, not see him.

Enough for now. I'm running out of thoughts. Fingers are willing; brain isn't.

Later.

Arlene

[Julia’s Journey’s]

I don't know that they aren't leaving permanently. It's not just the Caribbean Princess, there are no Princess ships scheduled to sail out of Fort Lauderdale after April 2008. This sounds like something bigger than just a summer change. That's why I asked the question.

 

Hmm, I wonder why they would be doing that, hasn't FL been there 'big' hub on the east coast for years??

Maybe they are rebuilding or something there - wonder if Tony can find out anything?:rolleyes:

[arlenemilt]

We board the Golden in SF in April. I'm delighted to here that the new linens are also on the Carib balony cabins. I do ahve a question though. Are there new mattresses? Do we need to order an egg crate foam pad?

 

.

 

Our mattress already had an eggcrate on it, but I think they may have changed them. The height of the beds seems higher. I'll specifically look later and see if I know the difference. Whatever it is, it's comfortable for us.

Arlene

[arlenemilt]

 

Arlene, that is absolutely, positively the best and most accurate description of GRAPPA that I have ever heard!!!!! Can I quote you? ;)

 

Vicki

 

Absolutely Vicki! Good to see you.

I was talking about you last night; Egypt discussion with tablemates who are taking the Royal cruise in October. Told them to do a search on you and read about it. We'll probably contact your tour company and follow in your footsteps too.

Arlene

[arlenemilt]

Hmm, I wonder why they would be doing that, hasn't FL been there 'big' hub on the east coast for years??

Maybe they are rebuilding or something there - wonder if Tony can find out anything?:rolleyes:

 

I wouldn't worry about Princess pulling out of FLL. They always do that when they bring out a new schedule; list only up through April. Then around June, they add the rest of the year.

Arlene

[Julia’s Journey’s]

I wouldn't worry about Princess pulling out of FLL. They always do that when they bring out a new schedule; list only up through April. Then around June, they add the rest of the year.

 

Arlene

 

That's what I thought, couldn't imagine them not having a Caribbean cruise from FLL and it's been a while since we've done that on Princess and close to home for us so I will have to see what is on the cards for 2008 although I booked the Dawn from San Diego:rolleyes:

 

Boy I wish I could cruise more....just broke the news to my manager this week that I'm going for a month in September and of course my project due date is now September:eek: :eek: the joys of having a job!!

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Arlene, how was trivia yesterday - win anything exciting??

 

Did you have fun loosing your $ in the machine, I am a BJ player but stick to the tables I also play the 'old' rules which is not easy with others doing anything and not knowing the game:D :D :D Maybe I need to 'change' and maybe I will do better:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[T&J]

Hi Tony, any idea how many cruises/days it will take to qualify for the "SDL?" If not, what would be your best guess?:cool:

 

Hello Lynda...no word as of yet but my guess would be a minimum of 30 cruises or theerabouts and 300+ days.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Have a great trip Arlene' date=' Milt, Tony et al. Tony, any chance you will be able to post your report on the Antartica cruise? I was looking foreward to reading it.

 

Thanks

 

Lola[/quote']

 

Lola when we have some ****t* weather again I will devote and entire morning to posting on such things as the Antartica previous cruise on the Golden Princess and other misconceptions that are floating around on this board about frigid weather etc....stay tuned!

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

I have been looking at the Navy's Meteorology and Oceanography site to see what kind of Wave activity you might have going around the Horn. When is it that you are actually going to go around the Horn? There is some significant activity coming up in the next few days. Forewarned is forearmed.

 

It will be a while before Wally and I hit the magic number for Super Duper Elite, no matter where it's set. I'm sure it will be in the 3 hundreds and I'm still in the high 1 hundreds. Although, if we cruise as much as some of our friends we should be there in no time:) .

 

Tony. . . any idea why Princess will not be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale after April 2008?

 

Stacey I cannot imagine Princess giving up on FLL completely...just inconceivable IMHO.

 

Tony

[T&J]

We board the Golden in SF in April. I'm delighted to here that the new linens are also on the Carib balony cabins. I do ahve a question though. Are there new mattresses? Do we need to order an egg crate foam pad?

 

Thanks for info. Hope you all continue ot enjoy the Golden.

 

Now you are pushing it!...same concrete slabs for matresses' onboard....

 

I would order and egg crate matresss and also request a full wood board place underneath your matress as well which helps with firmness.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Tony, Arlene, Bill,

It's awful quiet from you three on a Sea day, it's 8:30 PM there now.:(

We are all waiting for the Show to begin, this is Our Weekend & you are at Sea for 2 days.

How much Trivia, wine tasting, & reading & office, can you do?:D :eek: :D

(I know it is Formal nite, but that doesn't take up the whole day)

Are you guys having Satellite problems?:confused:

Bill(MTA)

 

Nope...just took the day off from posting on here....Formal Night was OK last night...

 

Tony

[T&J]

Princess out of NYC would mean no flights (thumbs up)!! I would like that.

 

Thank you all for answering my question regarding doing muster twice for a B2B...now I'll know for when I do one...on the same ship....

 

Another question...technical stop....is that the same sort of stop as when the ships stop in Ensenada, Mexico for an hour on their way back to San Diego from Hawaii?

 

Thanks again.

 

Enjoy formal night....was there lobster on the menu?

 

Joyce :D

 

Yes that would be the same as a technical stop such as Ensenada etc...

 

Menu last night was OK....nothing to get horny about or anything quite honestly and no lobster on the menu last night. That is always reserved for the last Formal Night on this 12 day cruise...

 

Tonight we have ordered extra thick Bahhh Grilled Chops!...yummy Yum!

 

Tony

[T&J]

What is happening onboard, you have all disappeared:rolleyes:

 

How is Milt feeling??

 

Office must be good, Trivia must have been good, and hopefully the seas are calm.

 

Actually the "Office" was horrible last night...I gave back all I won teh night previous!...:mad:

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[T&J]

Hi Arlene,

 

 

 

Golden was my first Princess cruise,

 

how is the ship, any signs of wear, what are the crew like when we were onboard I think there must have been a crew member from every country in the world.

 

How is the casino, do they have any $25 dollar slots , what is the jackpot.

 

 

have a great cruise.

 

yours Shogun

 

Normal wear and tear ...nothing out of teh ordinary since I have been onboard Oct 29, 2006.....

 

Yes they do haev $25.00 slots but not many...jackpot on them I can't remember but I think it's that progessive jackpot that is polled with all ships in the Carnival Fleet.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool: