Live from the Sapphire: Nov 29-Dec 6th!

[fpsphil]

make sure to go see the comedian's intro tonight its hilarious

[DrivesLikeMario]

I'm amazed that Dland wasn't packed! Usually, when times are tough financially, it's even busier than normal because most people will forego the big vacation far from home and opt for a Dland trip instead. Lucky you!

 

Enjoy the cruise and keep us updated. Should be nice & warm in Mexico. :)

[uwbadger]

We just got home today from the Thanksgiving cruise. We really enjoyed our cruise. It was our third time on the Sapphire and the ship is still in great shape. We really enjoyed seeing Troy Thirdgill's shows, Steve Moris' first show and the hypnotist's show as well. We didn't care for the illusionist/comedians's show in Explorer's lounge (nor did most people we talked to). Steve Moris was very funny in the first show, however, his show on the final night was about 90 percent music and 10 percent comedy and his music was a little before our time. Don't get me wrong, he is still very talented. Weather in Mexico was wonderful and the crew onboard was fantastic.

 

Enjoy yourselves!

[Momma Mojito]

We just got home today from the Thanksgiving cruise. We really enjoyed our cruise. It was our third time on the Sapphire and the ship is still in great shape. We really enjoyed seeing Troy Thirdgill's shows, Steve Moris' first show and the hypnotist's show as well. We didn't care for the illusionist/comedians's show in Explorer's lounge (nor did most people we talked to). Steve Moris was very funny in the first show, however, his show on the final night was about 90 percent music and 10 percent comedy and his music was a little before our time. Don't get me wrong, he is still very talented. Weather in Mexico was wonderful and the crew onboard was fantastic.

 

Enjoy yourselves!

 

Did you happen to spend time in any of the lounges at night and if you did how were the bands?

[uwbadger]

Lady45 - we didn't spent much time in the lounges at all. But, what we did hear from the band back in Club Fusion, they were great (they were maybe called D'Version). We went to Princess Pop Star and they were playing before Pop Star. We didn't go and see the show Piano Man because we have seen it on a prior sailing.

 

We loved eating at Santa Fe. We requested a waiter named Vlad (we sat at table 357) and he was fantastic.

 

It's funny I'm having motion sickness now that I'm home. I keep finding myself swaying and having to right myself back onto the chair. I think the best remedy would be to just get back on the ship.

[NevadaHiRoller]

Love Club Fusion. One of my favorite places on the ship, in addition to the Wake View lounge below for a cigarette. :)

[TillThen]

We were on the Sapphire last week, and we went to Club Fusion every night. We also loved the band there - the band's name is Axis.

[gargoyle999]

Ok..it’s been awhile! We have to pay for our internet as we are not in a suite or anything so won’t be making a lot of posts every day! Though I did just find out we have internet in our cabin (C753), very nice.

They started boarding the preferred passengers around 11:15am. Boarding group number 1 was called around 11:30am. So it was about 11:50am when we stepped on board. There was a lot of staff there to welcome you and direct you to your cabin. We went directly to our cabin and met our cabin steward, Jonathan. He is very friendly.

Our cabin is C753, aft balcony. Boy the bathroom is small and the shower is TINY. But I’ve read that here and knew ahead of time. It’s funny actually when you see the shower. But it’s big enough to do the job. We brought weights for the shower curtain, but a lot of water still gets on the floor of the bathroom. There is too much of a gap there, the curtain should be longer.

The bed is very hard, which I love. DW not so much. We did request Jonathan bring us an egg crate and he put it on when he came in during the evening to do his thing.

The cabin is nice and while not huge I don’t feel cramped when here. The balcony is spacious with 4 chairs and small table. So I like the cabin. I like the aft location as well. Viewing the wake is neat and we left the door open last night to hear the water. I like that the balcony door slides open, I don’t like that the glass on the balcony is tinted blue, should be clear.

[gargoyle999]

Now back out our timeline…We dropped off our carry-on and went to explore the ship. I like the décor, there is a lot of dark wood and colors and low lighting. Lots of bars around and wait staff, they must make tons of money off all the drinkers. DW and I are not big drinkers so we’ll only have a few drinks during the cruise…sorry Princess! Our primary goal was to get DW a coffee card as I read they ran out recently on another sailing. Got that, went deck by deck to explore. Made a reservation for Sabatini’s for last night and Sterling’s for Friday night. Also signed up for the internet.

After exploring, we went to the buffet. As I’ve read here, it is small. The Old Country Buffet is larger than the Horizon court! So this is not a good design for so many people (2936 on our sailing btw..). But we’ll manage.

Next we just went back to the cabin to await sail-away. Found we only had 1 pillow case…btw…don’t look at the pillows if you don’t have to…eeewwww…asked Jonathan about that. They had a problem with one of the machines in the laundry so were short pillow cases. He brought ours about half an hour later.

Luggage arrived around 2:50pm. Muster was 3:15pm. We got to use the employee stairwell right by our cabin and headed to Club Fusion as our muster station. Then back on our balcony for sail-away!

[gargoyle999]

Went to Sabatini’s for dinner last night. DW LOVED it. Not really my thing, but I would go again if DW wanted to as I didn’t dislike it and it wasn’t as though I left hungry!

Went to the late show featuring Steve Morris. I didn’t think he was too funny, and a lot of people actually left during his performance. Probably is a good musician. Not sure if we’ll go to his other show. Maybe if he’d just play music…

Tonight is formal night (brought the tux) and Piano Man, so looking forward to seeing that. We are going to go on the tour of the public spaces just for the heck of it. This afternoon we are going to a cultural presentation “Puerto Vallarta and The Night of The Iguana”. Don’t really know what that will be about, but it’s something to do! May also go to the “Magic & Comedy” of Scott Alexander and the midnight adult comedy hypnosis with Steve Bayner.

Weather has been nice and the seas generally calm. Just had room service deliver our breakfast…so time to eat!

[NevadaHiRoller]

Yes, I feel the balcony rooms on some of Princess ships are very small. Besides the shower being extra tiny, it seems that other balcony rooms on other lines always have couches in them and the rooms just seem larger.

[mii]

I think that is the first time I have heard someone say that the Horizon Ct. is small?? It really is very huge as it goes around toward the back of the ship. it also has two sides, Port and Starboard sides. It is much larger than our local Country Buffet.

 

Marilyn

[Momma Mojito]

Went to Sabatini’s for dinner last night. DW LOVED it. Not really my thing, but I would go again if DW wanted to as I didn’t dislike it and it wasn’t as though I left hungry!

Went to the late show featuring Steve Morris. I didn’t think he was too funny, and a lot of people actually left during his performance. Probably is a good musician. Not sure if we’ll go to his other show. Maybe if he’d just play music…

Tonight is formal night (brought the tux) and Piano Man, so looking forward to seeing that. We are going to go on the tour of the public spaces just for the heck of it. This afternoon we are going to a cultural presentation “Puerto Vallarta and The Night of The Iguana”. Don’t really know what that will be about, but it’s something to do! May also go to the “Magic & Comedy” of Scott Alexander and the midnight adult comedy hypnosis with Steve Bayner.

Weather has been nice and the seas generally calm. Just had room service deliver our breakfast…so time to eat!

 

Thanks for keeping us posted on the ship and all that's happening. Will you do me a favor if you could. please stop some evening in the Wheelhouse Lounge and say

Hi to Joey, the bandleader and keyboard player of "Phoenix Rising from Gene and JoAnn. Thanks, they are a great band!!!

[NevadaHiRoller]

I think that is the first time I have heard someone say that the Horizon Ct. is small?? It really is very huge as it goes around toward the back of the ship. it also has two sides, Port and Starboard sides. It is much larger than our local Country Buffet.

 

Marilyn

 

I'm quite positive they are talking about the actual food area where you get your food. It IS small and the smallest I've ever seen on any cruise line.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

I'm quite positive they are talking about the actual food area where you get your food. It IS small and the smallest I've ever seen on any cruise line.

 

I agree...........the area where you get your food is small.......and traffic doesn't "flow" very well. The seating area is quite large and you can usually get a seat quite easily.

[gargoyle999]

Yes..the actual area where you get your food is small. Same guy who designed my shower must have been in charge of that layout too! :D

I'm not talking about the seating area around it.

 

DW is at the Lotus Spa. Once she is done it's time to tackle the buffet!

 

Weather is still very nice and seas calm. Took quick nap while I wait for DW... :)

 

Did the ship tour, pretty basic but something to do. Was told there were 250 kids on board. Sound like a lot to me, but guess that is not too many! Over 500 on board last week! :eek:

 

I'm down $2.00 in the casino...those slots are not hot today...:(

[Elcruzer]

Thanks for keeping us informed. Do you or anyone else reading this know if any of the restaurants are open for lunch on embarkation? It was on the CB when we were on in Sept. and it was much nicer than fighting the crowds at the buffet.

Hoping you have sunny skys and smooth sailing for the rest of the cruise and hoping you keep posting:cool:

[NevadaHiRoller]

I think the slots on the Diamond and Sapphire are very tight. Play wheel of fortune, those still seem to be the best.

[gargoyle999]

I think the slots on the Diamond and Sapphire are very tight. Play wheel of fortune, those still seem to be the best.

 

Thanks for the tip! I have a $100 to loose...I mean play with. So I'll be going back... :)

[gargoyle999]

Still sunny skies and calm seas..very smooth trip so far. Going to have a quick snooze before we have to get all fancied up for tonight. :)

[NevadaHiRoller]

Still sunny skies and calm seas..very smooth trip so far. Going to have a quick snooze before we have to get all fancied up for tonight. :)

 

Are you typing from a phone or a lap top and from your room or the area where they have the computers?

[amoore]

Hi there! Thanks so much for your fun posts! My husband and I will be on the ship right after you, leaving next Saturday. Are there Christmas decorations? Any holiday-themed cocktails?

 

Have a wonderful time. Hope those slots heat up for you!

[marcoigna]

hey there gargoyle999,

 

its great watching ur day by day postings.

 

if i could ask 1 favour,

 

next year we have the entire aft of the ship - 1 deck above on baja

(grand suite / ps suite / owner suite)

do u think the doors between the cabins on the balconies can be unlocked? i u can look up or perhaps ask the cabin steward i would be forever grateful

 

can they open on your deck?

 

thanx for the info.

[SeansMommy]

Hi there! Thanks so much for your fun posts! My husband and I will be on the ship right after you, leaving next Saturday. Are there Christmas decorations? Any holiday-themed cocktails?

 

Have a wonderful time. Hope those slots heat up for you!

 

yes, there was Xmas decorations up this past 11/22 cruise, not sure about the drinks..

[iamirish]

We missed you at our meet and greet this morning - 30 showed-up. Nice group!!

 

One of our group members paid for coffee and danish - nice touch. The staff kept the strangers out of our area and away from the coffee and danish -- a plus!!

 

No sit-down lunch in the dinning room the day of embarkation. Buffet had long lines - they kept running out of the large plates and silverware - food was good - but had a long wait. Not well organized!!

 

Bought the coffee card - deck 5 - no problems - great brewed coffee.

 

Christmas decorations are everywhere.

 

Tom