Hello frm the Grand Princess

[obendus]

Oh, and before I forget, having a wonderful time, and as long as they serve food, the sun shines and the seas are pleasent, that is all I ask for this trip. :) :)

 

What a great attitude! A pleasure reading your posts... not quite as good as being there though!

 

I hope I'm not being pushy, but could you shed some light on to which nights are the 'formals'.

Some of us are on the next sailing, and packing accordingly.

 

Have a wonderfull sea day!!

[Toto2Kansas]

Since the casino wasn't being very kind to me this afternoon, :(, I decided to read a few of the questions and respond. Did do well the other day, won on the same poker machine I did on our last cruise on the Grand.........could hardly believe that one. But I have to admit, after talking to many of the casino players, the tables seem to be much better odds than the slots. Although slots have been very kind to me in the past, this time, nope.

 

Formal nights-Still no actual word about a second formal night. The first one was the first sea day (day after boarding January 3rd) and we have had two schedules delivered so far as to suggested dress. One shows only one more formal night for the day we leave Trinidad, and the other only shows the one formal night we have already had. My guess, there will be a second one the evening we leave Trinidad, but I doubt there will be a third. Kind of confusing for those on future sailings who are trying to figure out their packing, especially since for a 14 day cruise Princess says there will be three. We have had them add one before, but never delete one. Sorry, wish I could be of more help, but the two confusing dinner schedules have made it difficult to calculate.

 

GOOD NEWS on the shows though. I am giving credit to Princess for this one as I am also going to guess they are getting more than a few complaints about no seats available for the shows (not from me, but other disappointed passengers as it would take a lot for me to file a formal complaint with the cruise line). Tonight the production show will be performed three different times. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM and again at 8:45. So, hopefully we will make it this time, even though the performance is 'Shake Rattle and Roll' and we have seen it probably 5 times already. But it's been awhile since we sailed the Caribbean so maybe we won't remember all of it? And with new singers and dancers, that also makes it a bit different. So, wish us luck, hopefully with three different opportunities to see this, there will be seats available.

 

MUTS is great, and most of the older passengers aren't around for it. Up until recently though about the only things shown on MUTS were football games. A few movies thrown in now and then when there wasn't a football game on. Mama Mia is on MUTS this evening, so might have to go up for that one. Some pretty good in-stateroom movies also. And we also ordered a few from the DVD library for late at night when we can't find anything on we want to watch before bedtime.

 

Another good thing. Since they deliver all of the menus to our suite in the AM, we have copies of each and every breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that we can take home with us. Hopefully I can get them all scanned and posted after I return home. Some are very good so far, only a couple that didn't really interest us too much. But good menus and bad menus can't be determined by just us, as we all have such different tastes in food. I will tell you though, you sure won't go hungry onboard this ship, lots of food, and it seems everywhere you look it shows up.

 

Activities onboard-Many of you don't know this, but I recently had surgery and wasn't even sure we would make this sailing, so this cruise is to chill out and recover. So, I am not running around joining in everything but more or less just what I call "vegging out" and relaxing most of the time. One reason for the suite, which was a surprise to my DH. It's been a very rough year for us with ice storms, tornados and ending with a surgery that also was not expected. So, as said before. As long as there is sunshine, smooth seas and food, that puts a big smile on my face. :) :)

[bhopal21]

Toto, have you taken advantage of the "Breakfast at Sabatini's" yet?

 

Glad you are having a great cruise.

 

Mike:)

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto, if you will be touring with Wayne is St Vincent I would love to hear all about it please. We booked with him on your recommendation and can't wait.

 

So glad to hear the food is good. That is right near the top of my list of cruise pleasures.

 

I will take lots of pictures on Wayne's Tour again and post the link when we return. We have two boats full for the tour this time, so it should be a real hoot.

 

And the food is still very good, so I know you will enjoy both the meals and the tour. ;)

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto, have you taken advantage of the "Breakfast at Sabatini's" yet?

 

Glad you are having a great cruise.

 

Mike:)

 

Mike, I don't think it is available on this ship yet. No mention of it and nothing when I walked by Sabatini's the other morning. :( So, looks like another ship it's going to take awhile before this new perk takes effect.

 

But we are sure taking advantage of ordering breakfast in our suite, especially on port days. No fighting the crowds and if it's not listed on the menu, we just write it in and they happily deliver it.

 

I have to admit, the service and extra TLC we are receiving in this PH suite have been great so far. ;)

[Toto2Kansas]

Hi Toto,

Glad to read you are having a great time. How is the suite? Remember to call the dining room the night before you depart to order your breakfast. They always brought a tablecloth for our balcony table for our meals. It's a nice treat. Enjoy and keep us posted.

Happy Belated New Year!!!

 

LOL, I was just mentioning this to the DH last night, to help me remember to call during dinner the night before we disembark in Florida. It put a huge smile on his face, the thought of not fighting the crowds that last morning. Now, If I can just remember to call. lol

[burm]

I am so excited that you will be posting the menus, Toto, so that I can have every meal for 2 weeks planned even before boarding. :D:D:D

 

I am also happy to hear that they have added an extra show. It is nice to know that Princess is responding to the wishes of the passengers.

 

Again thanks for keeping those of us "in waiting" informed. The infomation we receive via the internet just seems to extend the cruising experience.

[csss]

Thanks so much for the postings Toto, as we board on the 16th...

 

Do the cabins still have the older TV's, or have they been switched to LCD's? Have they begun the pub lunches on the Grand yet? Have they begun the fresh belgian waffles for breakfast (on the Emerald they were served at the ice cream counter, and we did not discover them until the last couple days)?

 

You say the seats have been filled for the shows, does that mean everything (all theaters and lounges or just the Princess theatre?)

 

And finally, who is the CD?

 

Thank you so much. I know these things do not matter, but we are taking friends along so I am curious about the above. We will have a great time no matter what.

 

Has the internet been better?

 

Regards,

 

Carole

[obendus]

Do the cabins still have the older TV's, or have they been switched to LCD's?

 

Post #65, from MGnat mentions the 'old' style TV in a minisuite.

I'd hazzard a guess that that category and less, has the old TV's.

Now, if one of these old sets 'fizzles', who knows?:confused: A new LCD set 'might' appear.

[vickie_bernie]

Thanks Toto for posting, I just love your attitude... and your story about the "older" passengers all passed out snoring made us laugh!

 

Happy Sailings.

[dot73]

75+ seniors on Princess? Did Holland America run out of ships? One crew member told me on a HAL ship that it is called "God's Waiting Room" and they carry coffins on board. Don't know if the coffin story is true. Personally, when it's my time to go, I hope it's on a lounge chair somewhere in the middle of the ocean.

 

Someone posted earlier today how their cruise was almost spoiled by a bunch of unruly kids on their Christmas cruise. I'd rather take the 75+ crowd than the unruly kids and their equally unruly parents any day.

 

One question for you: Can you book the Sancturary for the entire cruise and how much is it?

 

Enjoy your cruise, you definitely deserve it after everything you've been through.

[obendus]

"75+ seniors on Princess? Did Holland America run out of ships? One crew member told me on a HAL ship that it is called "God's Waiting Room" and they carry coffins on board. Don't know if the coffin story is true. "

 

Now THAT's too funny!:D

[WeBeGone]

Actually all cruise ships do have "temporary coffins" and a morgue.

[gertz]

Toto

I like this thread, entertaining, educational, and funny. Thank you.

The only place we have ever found seating or deck chair problems is in the Caribbean. You must have every third and forth birth filled.

Although we did the Grand two maybe three years ago out of Galveston and don't remember any seating problems then.

 

Go easy on the old folks, some of us are still pretty spry. There is a secret to it.

 

My favorite saying. There are no bad cruises, some better than others but no bad ones.

[ocnlvr3]

Thanks Toto for taking the time to allow us to live "thru" you:)

We look forward to the menus, Wayne's Tour pictures and all your info!

 

 

 

Andrea

[Toto2Kansas]

One little correction on my earlier post. We are expecting the next formal night to happen after La Romana, not Trinidad (which is tomorrow). I think I had Trinidad on the brain this AM. I will let you know for sure after we visit La Romana.

Instead of going into town, or the beach, we are planning a CC pool party for tomorrow afternoon. Decided that this is one port we could definitely skip and enjoy the ship being a little more empty than on a regular sea day (at least we hope).

 

Although this has been answered already, I will hit on it again. The old style TV's are in ALL the staterooms onboard, even in our PH suite. Haven't visited the Grand Suite so it might be upgraded, but the regular full suties and below still offer only the old style televisions. ;)

 

Great News, we found that offering three shows means lots more space. We arrived 30 minutes early tonight, and we would have still been able to find a seat right before it started. So, adding that extra show really made a HUGE difference. :) :) We made the 7:00 show, and it was quite good, although as I said previously, we had seen it many times before.

 

Hello Toto. Your live thread is brilliant. We board on 27 Feb and can't wait! Just a small request. Can you wish our son a Happy Birthday tomorrow, and tell him we'll see him in February? He's Chris, guitarist and singer in Junction 21 band. Thanks so much.

 

wishful thinking-

 

OK, I have to admit, I am popping in to apologize for not seeing your request sooner. I hadn't been online for two days so didn't actually see this until early this AM.

BUT, just to make it up to you, I looked in the Princess patter and found Chris was playing at the Wheelhouse this evening. Yes, I know, a day late for his birthday. :( Again, sorry. But I did find him this evening, told him I had a birthday wish from his mum to pass along (slightly belated) and planted a big old kiss on his forhead and told him his mum sent it to him. If you could have only heard the laughter afterwards, it would make your heart smile.

From one mum to another. No matter how old they get, they are still our little boys and didn't want to disappoint. ;)

[vickie_bernie]

From one mum to another. No matter how old they get, they are still our little boys and didn't want to disappoint. ;)

 

ahhh that was so nice and made my day

[mississauga]

Toto, always enjoy your postings but especially this one as it is a "live from". Thanks for taking us along with you.

 

With your positive attitude, I know you are having a fabulous cruise!:D:D:D

[MGnut]

 

Before I forget, the thrusters. From what I heard, they worked for about 10 minutes and then poof, gone again. We are assisted by a large tug boat in the larger ports but will end up tendering into the smaller one. This has upset those passengers we have visited with that only booked this cruise as there were no tender ports. Oh well, things happen, and you just have to roll with the flow.

 

Hey MG-Been looking for you. I brought along a little something for you but haven't run into you since the M&G. If nothing else, I will try to remember to bring it in St. Vincent, I know I will see you there. LOL

Darn, missed the show last night, we gave up since we hadn't been able to find a seat in any of them up until now. Let me guess, last night was the one night it wasn't crowded 45 minutes prior? My luck of coarse.

 

Toto, we attended the 'Navigation at Sea" lecture on Wed. and the thruster question was asked of the presenter at the end. We were told that all 6 thrusters are now funtionaing, and it appeared that way as we left Aruba on Tuesday. Apparently some technicians/mechanics met the ship at Curacao or Aruba and repaired them. Let's hope the repairs hold up. We are just now preparing to dock at Trinidad, so we'll know soon.

 

As for the shows, we have been getting there about 30 minutes early and have been able to get good seats. I hope you have better luck soon.

 

On another note I mentioned the coffee bar in the atrium Deck 5. That's true, but the one I have been using is in the Atrium on the Promenade deck 7. I'm getting two coffees by showing only one card (even though I have two).

 

I agree with You, the new carpets look great - especially the bright colored one in the buffet.

 

I'll look for you on board, but if I don't see you earlier, I'll see you St. Vincent.

[WitaMut]

Thanks Toto for taking the time,

 

It's a pleasure coming along with you 'Live' on your Grand cruise. :D

 

My Best,

Bill

[Toto2Kansas]

Hi All! We did the normal walk through the straw market and looked in the few shops on the pier, but didn't find much that we needed. They do have a local show now that we had not seen before right at the end of the pier. Quite entertaining with dancers and music. Also a rather huge green sparkly display inside the terminal which is really nice for those wanting a picture while visiting Trinidad.

HOT HOT HOT outside today, and I don't mean warm. Finally ran into MGnut coming up the elevator from shore (waving, hi Howard), and we chatted on our balcony for a few minutes until it just got too hot out to stand it any longer. Back into the AC for us. ;)

Today is supposed to be a pool party for those CC members not booked on tours. Nobody there yet so decided to come inside where it's cool and just keep checking. The sun worshipers are out in force, but not sure how they can stand it. The sun is really bright and there is little if any wind today, so as said, it's gonna be a hot one.

 

If I am remembering correctly, tonight there is a group of us that are supposed to go to Sterlings Steakhouse for dinner. I turn off my brain onboard so always wait for someone to yell "don't forget, tonight at such and such a time we are going for dinner". lol Thankfully others in the group keep their brain in tact so I don't have to.

 

Nothing really new to report, but I will check in and let you all know how Sterlings was in the next few days.

 

Tomorrow is Barbados and the Silver Moon, and the next day is St. Vincent and Wayne's tour. With 5 tours booked in the next 5 days, it might be awhile until I post back. Of coarse that all depends also on how kind the casino is being to me in the evening. ;)

 

Will check back in soon.....................Take care all!

[CaliJohn]

We made the 7:00 show, and it was quite good, although as I said previously, we had seen it many times before.

 

Glad you enjoyed the show as our daughter Lori is the F1 singer on the Grand until 5/09. I really enjoy your "live" postings as it keeps me updated on life on the ship between our contacts with her. Hope the rest of your cruise is as pleasant as it's been so far.

 

It's refreshing to hear from someone who can overlook minor inconveniences and enjoy the things that really matter...

[dot73]

Too hot??? No sympathy from me, Toto. I had to scrape ice off the windshield last night and this morning.:D I peeked at the bridge cam and the weather looks so beautiful with the blue sky.

 

How long did it take you to walk to the straw market? Any safety issues? Were the vendors very aggressive? One vendor in Jamaica almost broke my arm and I am leery of venturing into these things, but I would like to see it in Trinidad since I've never been there before. Thank you.

[55J5-5]

Hey toto - has your itinerary stayed the same as originally booked or did they switch a couple ports around??

 

Thanks.

Sarah

[caliber35]

One little correction on my earlier post. We are expecting the next formal night to happen after La Romana, not Trinidad (which is tomorrow). I think I had Trinidad on the brain this AM. I will let you know for sure after we visit La Romana.

Instead of going into town, or the beach, we are planning a CC pool party for tomorrow afternoon. Decided that this is one port we could definitely skip and enjoy the ship being a little more empty than on a regular sea day (at least we hope).

 

Although this has been answered already, I will hit on it again. The old style TV's are in ALL the staterooms onboard, even in our PH suite. Haven't visited the Grand Suite so it might be upgraded, but the regular full suties and below still offer only the old style televisions. ;)

 

Toto - Sorry to say, but you are mistaken. My Deck 8 Outside had a brand new 30" LCD Televsion, as did all the cabins I visited on that deck. Perhaps they are upgrading a deck at a time. A bigger issue for me was the bedding, which was clearly original and used hard!