Shogun Live From The Grand

[Michael Kays]

hey Shogun,

take a deep breath there buddy..lol..geez wonder if we will be table mates on the Emerald in January? I have to everything just like mum fixed it:cool:

 

Make sure you go to non smokers night in the casino, it is really a unique treat to be able to walk around the casino and actually breathe and see the others at the same table you are on while you donate some of that "free money".

 

Looking forward to your prestine clarity of facts forthcoming~

[cabana]

Hey earl jr. We are going to sail the southern caribbean on the Grand in 2009. Do you have any interest in that? It's on the leaving April 24 from FLL.

[GABY1]

shogun this is one of the reasons we always request a table for two! i know there are many lovely people out there, but there is always going to be some fussy people you just can,t please no matter how hard the staff try! please keep us updated and have a great cruise:)

[donscomp]

GREAT and entertaining updates. Please, if possible. Keepem up.

Most of all.

Have a ball!!!!!

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

Thanks for the updates- Sounds like your table mate is a pain in the ___ . Good luck, and have an awesome cruise.

[2theship]

Glad you're having a good time, Shogun. Don't give up on traditional dining. In umpteen cruises, we've only had difficult tablemates once. Last month on the Grand, our cruise was made even better by the great people we shared dinner with. One lady at our table had some specific dietary needs which I never quite understood but she was always very pleasant and very appreciative of the effort the staff made. Both couples seated with us were great company.

 

I wasn't very impressed with James Ibrahim as a cruise director so I hope Billy London is better. Ours was James' last cruise so he may have been distracted.

 

How's the social life on the ship this time? Most nights we were closing down the casino or the bar - and we are not night owls. Maybe it was the very active itinerary and/or the age of the passengers but ours was a quiet crowd.

[Christapie]

Can you not move to another table???? I could not take people like your table mates on my vacation.

 

Enjoy the Grand! What a wonderful vacation you are taking now.

 

Christapie

[dewats784]

Thanks Shogun for the updates. My sis and I will be on the Grand old lady in January for our 1st cruise. We always love to hear anything and everything about the ship and her cruises. Can't wait to see her in person! Have a great cruise and hope you dinner mate calms down a bit.

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

Well still no better at the table from hell, food returned, complaints, etc, however chef is doing a special order now every night just for our table, so full marks to Princess for doing this did know know they would do this just for one table.

 

Casino was good , smoke free, think they will be doing this more often we the turn out they had last night.

 

The card thing seems to be working apart from folk leaving them in the casino machines as such they are giving out free thats right a free be from Princess, a plastic key chain thing to attach to your card and yourself so you do not lose your card.

 

As to Burges, took the pony and cart tour, was nice way to see this great old city. Found Sweet Bruges a restraunt that only does sweets as in ice cream etc no main dishes etc very nice.

 

City was so quite at 9.30am then by 11.00 thousands of folk, nice to sit and watch all those folk going pass with the purple spot condition, makes you walk around for hours in groups under a baking sun wishing you could just stop and have an iced called beer.

 

The cabin steward goes that little bit extra that moves him into the elite group of cabin stewards, what makes this group different, well cabin needs to be neat and tidy, but to see papers nicly stacked shoes lined up shirts hang up for you other items folded, this guy is heading for a good tip.

 

As to the casino well lady luck returned last night, so may she will stay we me for few days.

 

Horizon court was busy at midnight last night,mix of food appears as good or better than past cruises as Princess a new bloke in charge of food ?

 

Ship is running well no problems of any type.

 

Weather is great for this time of year, will need to buy sun block.

 

To our lady from NZ are going there in Christmas 2008, any tips.

 

yours Shogun

[Chivalrygirl]

Hi Folks,

 

Well still no better at the table from hell, food returned, complaints, etc, however chef is doing a special order now every night just for our table, so full marks to Princess for doing this did know know they would do this just for one table.

 

Casino was good , smoke free, think they will be doing this more often we the turn out they had last night.

 

The card thing seems to be working apart from folk leaving them in the casino machines as such they are giving out free thats right a free be from Princess, a plastic key chain thing to attach to your card and yourself so you do not lose your card.

 

As to Burges, took the pony and cart tour, was nice way to see this great old city. Found Sweet Bruges a restraunt that only does sweets as in ice cream etc no main dishes etc very nice.

 

City was so quite at 9.30am then by 11.00 thousands of folk, nice to sit and watch all those folk going pass with the purple spot condition, makes you walk around for hours in groups under a baking sun wishing you could just stop and have an iced called beer.

 

The cabin steward goes that little bit extra that moves him into the elite group of cabin stewards, what makes this group different, well cabin needs to be neat and tidy, but to see papers nicly stacked shoes lined up shirts hang up for you other items folded, this guy is heading for a good tip.

 

As to the casino well lady luck returned last night, so may she will stay we me for few days.

 

Horizon court was busy at midnight last night,mix of food appears as good or better than past cruises as Princess a new bloke in charge of food ?

 

Ship is running well no problems of any type.

 

Weather is great for this time of year, will need to buy sun block.

 

To our lady from NZ are going there in Christmas 2008, any tips.

 

yours Shogun

 

Sure Shogun, Let me know what your plans are. Are you on a cruise? What ship ?

Can you just make sure that steward gets to look after D724 on the 18 Sept sailing please :D

Val

 

chivalrygirl@gmail.com

Val

[haggis]

For keeping us posted. I'm really hoping you post your observations when, at South Queensferry, the tenders will be running till your departure at 1am. This will really liven up the Firth of Forth I would imagine. All the years we have cruised, I've never encountered this.

Has anyone ever done this?

Jimmy

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

Nice to see so many names from my Sun days,

 

Evening was very nice not quite a Shogun evening but not bad for the North Sea,

 

 

The weather you plan for dull and wet after all its not the med, so what happens calm seas, and a heat wave, had to go and buy swim wear sun block and a hat, at least I was not the only one caught out by this out standing day at sea.

 

 

The steak house is booked out for days, tried there new menu and I understand why, excellant food, well presented and a good plate full as well, dinner there took 2 hours, bottle of winw $24 plus cover charge of $15 each.

 

Ship has been having some minor problems with the lifts at our end but expected these will be fixed within hours.

 

Ship appears to have a good feel to it, some kids but no teen gangs about,

 

As to NZ I hope to be there on Diamond Princess but we Brits can not book yet, they even gave us booking forms in our cabins today for this cruise and when I went along with it the nice girl said sorry need to wait a few weeks more.

 

Film today big screen Happy Feet on TV Mr and Mrs Smith

 

yours Shogun

[Nymue]

Shogun,

 

What's on the new Steakhouse menu?

 

Anne

[Chivalrygirl]

Hi Folks,

 

Nice to see so many names from my Sun days,

 

Evening was very nice not quite a Shogun evening but not bad for the North Sea,

 

 

The weather you plan for dull and wet after all its not the med, so what happens calm seas, and a heat wave, had to go and buy swim wear sun block and a hat, at least I was not the only one caught out by this out standing day at sea.

 

 

The steak house is booked out for days, tried there new menu and I understand why, excellant food, well presented and a good plate full as well, dinner there took 2 hours, bottle of winw $24 plus cover charge of $15 each.

 

Ship has been having some minor problems with the lifts at our end but expected these will be fixed within hours.

 

Ship appears to have a good feel to it, some kids but no teen gangs about,

 

As to NZ I hope to be there on Diamond Princess but we Brits can not book yet, they even gave us booking forms in our cabins today for this cruise and when I went along with it the nice girl said sorry need to wait a few weeks more.

 

Film today big screen Happy Feet on TV Mr and Mrs Smith

 

yours Shogun

 

Blimey mate that rather stinks, does that mean other ppl get first pick of best cabins. Its a bit like we are all second class citizens sailing on a ship that is not even registered in the states :confused:

[ncruiser]

How are the beds? Others said they were not good. Hope you are having a wonderful time.

[qsuzi]

Shogun - looking forward to your next post.:)

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

Outstanding day in Denmark today, locals tell us it was the best summers day they have had this year, cannal boat trip was very nice and the gardens with all there rides is great fun just allow enough time, but do not go shopping beer $10 a glass.

 

Ship heading for Norway at top speed, so smooth you would think we were still in port.

 

Beds are fine if you get one thats is not just have another glass of wine with your evening meal and you will nt notice any problems.

 

Steak house is now fish and steak house, so far better range of fish on offer, all normal cuts of meat are still there, but no showing you the cuts before hand.

 

The catain is very good, first I have seen out and about meeting folk talking to them and getting photos taken.

 

For his speech he introduced the heads from the ships departments as well as employee of the month, we have folk from 36 places from around the world with crew from 38.

 

Table mate still no better, but atleast says soryy a few times a night.

 

Casino going down hill still having no to little luck if no improvement tonight will not be back.

 

As to US folk getting first bite at all cruises we are told that Princess blocks out some cabins to the rest of the world gets a chance.

 

Ship still getting maintained to high standard today white lines on the tennis court got replaced, and one of the bars got repainted.

 

yours Shogun

[Colo Cruiser]

Enjoy!! :)

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

Olso today, what a nice port of call, docked down town right next to old fort, ok not a cheap place, but would love to come back, very nice weather in morning but rain in afternoon.

 

Captain has said that we are sailing into a storm, so might get a bit rough may need to batten things down but will tell us more later, should sort out the land lovers, hope theres a good stock of sick bags for them.

 

Ship made top speed last night to reach Oslo so everything still wotking fine.

 

Went to Horizon court for a snack this morning 12 different fish things as well as many other things on offer which was nice to see.

 

Movies The queen and Shirk 3 being shown.

 

 

yours Shogun

[GABY1]

shogun please let us know how the grand handles the storm, ive read in previous threads that the grand class dont fare to well in stormy seas. also who is the current captain? i know it was nic bommarco in june but i just read a review and it stated the captain was changed midway between a cruise in july but did not state who new captain was. thankyou so much for taking the time to keep us cruisers in waiting:D updated.

[Chivalrygirl]

Oh goodie Shogun you going to get a bit of rough. I always get brassed off with no rough, I come back feeling like I aint been to sea :D

 

If you can maybe find out who will be the skipper and the CD for our Sept 18 sailing that would be cool.

 

Keep having a great time

 

Val

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

Sea day today, need to que to get into internet room, ship has a nice ship at sea feel to it, great for getting to sleep, some bits of the deck closed off, winds 50 miles across deck, out side near gale force, fair bit of spray over the decks, US folk seem to think it is cold, just wait until they get to Scotland.

 

Doc was busy other half needed some stuff to much sun.

 

Casino has started to kind to me doubling money on ever trip OK I know its only $10 or $20 a time.

 

Good rock band on board called liquid blue from the US.

 

yours Shogun

[Chivalrygirl]

Hi Shogun, Glad to hear you are getting a bit of sea, oh to be at sea when the ship is rocking and rolling, my trouble is, I sleep like a baby and have no idea its been rough till others tell me :D

 

I just wondered, can you chat up the skipper and if he will be on board when we join the ship see if you can arrange to have dinner with a couple of Kiwis :D Thats a bloody good way to get some free booze :D

 

Keep enjoying

 

Val

[qsuzi]

Shogun.... Sure hope you are going to Edinburgh when you get to Scotland. It's one of my favorite places.:D

[Chivalrygirl]

Shogun,

A thought, what is the electrical current on the Grand, do they have facilities for using 220 v on board?

 

Val