Live Grand Jan 16 to Feb 13

[cruzzers]

We once again want to thank Vicki and Bernie and the others that took the time to post live and let us cruise along with all of you. It is so much fun reading your live posts everyday in anticipation to our cruise in March. The only thing better would be to meet you all in person someday.

 

Bon Voyage! Wishes for good weather and longlasting friendships.

[coiran]

Today is back to back turn around day. We were up early and it sure was nice to not have to get off! A quick breakfast in the HC and then off to do wash - not bad 3 loads.

 

At 9:45 we met all the other back to backers (20 in all were there) and we were escorted off the ship and then had to wait as the lines for customs were so long. After about 20 min we were directed to customs and then back on board, in all abour 25 minutes.

 

At noon we went to Davinchi dining room for lunch - as per the letter we received we could dine there on the turn around day. Of course we had to call the head waiter over to allow us in at first they said no.

Others joined in but and some new people came in and they were told it was only for the back to backers. However I know for a fact last sailing our friends did dine there on the first day.

 

We got off the ship just after that and picked up some wine and a few essentials. We had five bottles and when we came back we had no problem going thru security. We also bought some flowers and brought those on board.

 

It is cool here today and again our sailaway experienced some sprinkles but not as bad as the last sailing.

 

The CC group did meet but because of the weather they went to Skywalkers we said a quick hi and then headed out to the open deck to experience the whole atmosphere. Looks like another great group.

 

Looking forward to another great cruise.

Vickie

 

WOW!! It sure takes a long time for policy to get down to the ship level. This policy was released January 31, 2008.

 

I have a copy of the release and also a copy of a letter I recieved from Princess reinforcing the policy.

 

Ron

[vickie_bernie]

First sea day, and it is so nice to relax and just enjoy the ship again.

 

Today Bernie attended a lecture put on by Dr. Douglas Basil on The Caribbean in War and Peace which covered the history of the Caribbean from Columbus to the 21st Century - he really enjoyed it and it was well attended.

 

I went to the Pictionary game and our team won!! Our ship hands out paper tokens that you accumulate and redeem at the end of the cruise for prizes. 5 tokens for a ball cap, 1 for a luggage tag or cards, 7 for Princess tote bag.

 

There is also a book club get together, that is on cruises 14 days or longer.

 

We have a new Port Talk and Shopping person - it is a couple and they seem very informative.

 

Lots of new faces in the crew,.

 

Bernie noticed today that they brought on a large amount of new tvs and they are busy replacing the old ones with flat screens.. we still have the old one. They are also replacing carpets in the cabins too. and the glass in some of the balconies.

 

We checked out the Penthouse suites and all I can say is WOW we now strive for that, maybe when we win the lottery.

 

Seems to be a younger crowd on this sailing. And there are 900 canadians! And more kids, but still not a lot of kids.

 

They are gearing up for Superbowl and they have T shirts for sale and lots planned for tomorrow. They also have ball caps.

 

We'll chat later

[Toto2Kansas]

We checked out the Penthouse suites and all I can say is WOW we now strive for that, maybe when we win the lottery.

 

 

We'll chat later

 

vickie-Glad to hear all is going well. I will attest to the fact that the PH suites are lovely and we totally enjoyed ours for the 14 day cruise in January. Had to sell one of the kids to pay for it, but it was worth every penny. "joking"

Enjoy!

[cruz chic]

Thanks so much for this live from thread. I'm really enjoying it. Thank you for spending the time and $$ to let us cruisers who are in the que for the Grand informed.

[GSDsky]

vickie-Glad to hear all is going well. I will attest to the fact that the PH suites are lovely and we totally enjoyed ours for the 14 day cruise in January. Had to sell one of the kids to pay for it, but it was worth every penny. "joking"

Enjoy!

 

 

Hmmm like in St Kitts?

[Just Want to Cruise]

So far so good on this sailing! Emerald deck aft has the new flat screen televisions. I'm pleased to find that the internet access in the cabin is reasonably fast.

Karen

[PescadoAmarillo]

Vicki, I am enjoying reading your LIVE FROM thread...thanks for taking the time out of your cruises to post it. It was nice meeting you at the ferry pier at the Crown Bay Marina. I hope you continue to have a great time, and good weather.

[deniuh]

Vicky,

Is the Grand showing her age? October will be our 1st time on Princess. We've sailed Celebrity Century, Summitt and RCCL Voyager and Adventure. I am wondering if the Grand will seem outdated compared to these ships. Thanks!:confused:

[chamima]

[ATTACH]103141[/ATTACH]

Yesterdays sailaway from St. Vincent!

 

[ATTACH]103142[/ATTACH]

... and todays sunrise approaching St. Kitts!

 

It's beautiful out here!

 

Thanks for the great pictures and reminders of our wonderful cruise!

I loved the sunrise at St. Kitts and watching the sun come up and then disappear as the mountain got taller.

[vickie_bernie]

Second sea day --

 

it isn't costing us anything for the minutes as we get a free 250 minute package with Platinum. and as for the time, well it doesn't take me too long to post, and I am a fast typer (thanks Mom for making me take typing classes) usually it takes only about 10 minutes a day, but it does get difficult to post when all the ports start coming up.

 

The ship is definately 10 years old, and sure it shows in areas, but really not that bad - some things we have noticed are nicks in furniture, edges chipped, but truely she is a beautiful ship and the crew obviously make this ship as they seem like the best we have ever had.

 

Many of the crew were surprised to see us back on board yesterday and it is nice to get to know them even better.

 

We did have problems setting up our new internet package and couldn't do it on the first day but that was corrected on the second day; however we missed out on the extra 30 min. The staff member said he would add it yesterday but it hasn't happened, but i don't think I will really need it.

 

Today is Superbowl and they have tshirts for 25 and hats too. they are even serving Labatts Blue a Canadian Beer! We have 900 Canadians on board.

 

Last night was formal and I had the shrimp Newburg! Yum, our table mates were very nice and we ended up closing the place.

 

Today we have to meet the matre d to sign the form for the Chef's Table.

 

We also have our Meet and Greet today at 1100.

 

Cheers for now.

[cruising lady]

Hi Vickie, Enjoy reading your posts. Will be on Feb13 I know some of the ports do not give american money for change,but accept it. Are prices given in there currency and what is it dollar to their currency, what ports,I am assuming it is listed in the patter, if not any help would be appreicated. Sorry if this has been asked before but I didn't want to go back and read all the posts. Enjoy your warm weather we are freezing here.

[hypernurse1]

Cruising Lady,

We'll be onboard with you. This thread is helping immensley.

[vickie_bernie]

Boy I am probably the worst person to ask with regards to currency... hubby is much better. I did post previously about La Romana 3 to 1

 

all ports gave change in their currency...

 

I must apologize if i don't answer all the questions as many have been asked earlier and were responded to and i don't want to use up minutes repeating (or I just can't remember the answer :() so hopefully someone else can answer or you can read previous pages.

 

We had our meet and greet and it was very well attended I can only guess that there were about 60 that attended. some of the crew attended and that was nice.

 

this sailing is definately a younger crowd than the previous one.

 

There are more kids but not too many. However something I saw today did disturb me... a parent left a dirty diaper near the kids pool (not in it) but beside it... a deck attendant quickly attended to the removal.

 

We hung out in the enclosed conservatory this afternoon as it was just too windy elsewhere.

 

We won at Scategories (our team was made up of a lot of b2b) and we went and saw Guisseppi to confirm our Chef's Table.

 

We do keep looking for our friends for the last sailing it feels weird without them here but the new group is nice too.

 

Looking forward to Aruba tomorrow - we are doing our helicopter tour and then the beach.

[55J5-5]

Vicki I sent you an email a few days ago with a couple questions if you get a chance to look at it before this cruise ends that would be great. If not no problems.

Thanks for all your help with everyone's questions and such.

Enjoy.

Sarah

[Stevesan]

Hi Vickie, Enjoy reading your posts. Will be on Feb13 I know some of the ports do not give american money for change,but accept it. Are prices given in there currency and what is it dollar to their currency, what ports,I am assuming it is listed in the patter, if not any help would be appreicated. Sorry if this has been asked before but I didn't want to go back and read all the posts. Enjoy your warm weather we are freezing here.

 

Here's a handy dandy currency converter:

 

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

[vickie_bernie]

Vicki I sent you an email a few days ago with a couple questions if you get a chance to look at it before this cruise ends that would be great. If not no problems.

Thanks for all your help with everyone's questions and such.

Enjoy.

Sarah

 

I did get it; however I know the Captain is changing so I am waiting. I did report at the begining of this thread with the current crew and titles also. You can also just address any letters to them using their titles only.

[vickie_bernie]

We are back in Aruba, and will try for the helicopter ride again. Then we will hit the beach. last night we had so much fun with our table mates that we were sat with that we carried it on into the Explorer's lounge and the Jeopardy game. Everything was rather quiet as the football was still going on.

 

Toto - wow the Penthouse suite, must of been nice... did you use the fireplace at all? How about the hot tub on the balcony? Maybe one day, unfortunately i don't have any kids to sell off.

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto - wow the Penthouse suite, must of been nice... did you use the fireplace at all? How about the hot tub on the balcony? Maybe one day, unfortunately i don't have any kids to sell off.

 

vicki-Nope, no hot tub or fireplace in the PH suites. The GS (Grand Suite) is the only one that offers that. I was tempted at one point, but the price to upgrade from PH to GS was even more outragious then the PH suite price. Maybe someday for us also. ;)

 

Glad your enjoying your second leg of your B2B, thanks for all the great reports!

[chamima]

Hi Vickie

Glad you're enjoying this cruise, also. We're reliving our cruise day by day with you so thanks for writing.

I sure hope Bernie got his helicopter ride this time!

[winesfine]

We are heading out on the Grand on Feb 13 Woo-Hoo!! I have a dumb questions as we have never cruised this class of ship, this will be the largest we've been on. Anyways, do the balcony separators open? My DS & I have cabins beside one another and usually ask the room steward to unlock the door separating the balcony.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

Continue enjoying your trip -- calm seas and sunny skies.

[obendus]

We are heading out on the Grand on Feb 13 Woo-Hoo!! I have a dumb questions as we have never cruised this class of ship, this will be the largest we've been on. Anyways, do the balcony separators open? My DS & I have cabins beside one another and usually ask the room steward to unlock the door separating the balcony.

 

Side-by-side balcony cabins! How nice!

Yes, you may request the balcony separators (small doors) to be unlocked.

Depending on which way it opens, it has a clasp to prevent it from swinging around once opened.

[obendus]

Looking forward to Aruba tomorrow - we are doing our helicopter tour and then the beach.

 

Let us know how Bernie's BD present (the ride) went!!!

 

Pete

[capeguy]

Hi Vicki,

 

Carol and I missed the meeting yesterday as we were given the wrong time at the Purser's desk.

 

Are there any tours being planned by the group as we would be interested?

 

Thanks.

 

Pete (Capeguy)

[vickie_bernie]

Hi Vicki,

 

Carol and I missed the meeting yesterday as we were given the wrong time at the Purser's desk.

 

Are there any tours being planned by the group as we would be interested?

 

Thanks.

 

Pete (Capeguy)

 

The only group tour that I know for sure is the St. Vincent one with Wayne. I also know that we are planning a few meets at beaches etc.