Second to Last Sea Day - Crossing the Atlantic

As we wake and get ready the weather is not cooperating. It is overcast, raining and does not look like it will clear.  The weather this year is not as great as last year's crossing. And last year was three weeks later.

While getting breakfast in Horizon Court it is crowded and people are grumpy. A bit of cabin fever I guess. Not to mention the thought of the trip ending has people down.

We attend the Wake Show filming. So fun to see Leanne (Captain Street's wife) being interviewed.

Because of the weather we are forced inside. Most public spaces are crowded and noisy. But I manage to find a quite spot in Vines.

I relax and read, write and chat with other passengers. But what I really need is a quiet afternoon in the cabin. And that is where we go. Nap, a movie and relaxation! Perfect!

We have not attended the Elite Lounge often so we meet up there. It is formal night and lots is happening. We sit with Norma and Allen a lovely couple we met and continue to seek out.

At the Captain's Welcome Aboard speech we run into Ana (Cruise Staff) who is now off for a few hours so we all head to dinner in the dining room. 

It was a wonderful meal. Tonight is lobster night! 

After dinner we are sitting in Vines when we think "hey we heard great things about the performer tonight, lets go". So we head to the Princess Theater and get a seat in the second row.

Tony Tillman - Who was Princess Entertainer of the Year, does not disappoint. He even came to me and sang to me and pulled me up to dance. We loved the show. Tons of energy you just couldn't stay still.

After the show we head out to the Atrium for the balloon drop. We dance and dance some more.  Logged a bunch of steps today!

The Crossing - Six Sea Days - First Post

I am not sure how many posts this will take up but I am pretty sure it won't be six posts for six days. The days will blend I am sure. So I will only write when I think there is something worth writing. But stay tuned!

One thing I can comment is the ship feels busy the first few days as the weather is not really conducive to being outside and the demographics (seasoned cruisers and older) of this voyage also means they (like us) enjoy the ship. This forces everyone in. Lounges, bars and International Cafe are busy all day with people relaxing in comfortable seats reading, writing, using tablets to pass the time. If you move from your seat there is someone usually right behind you to claim it if it is a prime spot.

The evenings are filled with activities but I have found that around 8 pm it is quiet. People are either at dinner or at a show. The 8:15 show is still the busiest. By 10 pm the ship is very quiet.

For the first day at sea the weather is overcast with showers. But by 11 am the sun is out an it is warm. A light sweater (not needed if in direct sun) is needed on deck.

Bernie went to his first trivia of the voyage. He reported how serious everyone is. But Ana (cruise staff) kept it light hearted. You can tell she has experience in how to handle these tough crowds.

So much is happening on board this first sea day. But all I want is some fresh air and to read.

I did do the Sudoku challenge which was hosted by Gary from South Africa. Have to say he is such a sweet man. I love how he makes everyone feel so very special. He acknowledges everyone who comes by and this trait is a real asset to Princess. He makes everyone feel special and important.

Other events are: zumba, church, Alice Through the Looking Glass on Muts, Arts and Crafts - Paper Flowers, Bingo, Jazz Dance Class, Slot Tournament, Movie The Dark Horse in the Princess Theater, Line Dance Class, Croquet Competition, Pool Games, Spanish Class, Steel Pan Class and more.

Today's buffet theme in the Horizon Court is Asian Theme so we go there for lunch. I am impressed the head waiter came around asking everyone how everything is.

The sun has really come out and lots of suntanners are out around the pool. The pool deck is busy.

I attend Ana's Spanish Class which starts with a test. But I did quite well. Now if only I could get the woman beside me to stop complaining about everything just to make conversation. I did respond "oh I am sorry you are not enjoying the class" that did stop her for a bit. 

It is our second Formal tonight. Bernie wants to watch Star Trek Beyond up at Muts tonight so I say lets skip formal and have a casual night. He attends the movie and I watch a movie in the cabin - Letters to Eleanor.  Dinner was the buffet because I want to respect the dress code in the dining room.

We also gained another hour tonight. Love sailing in this direction.

Seas are a little rougher tonight. The Captain did warn us. The Hurricane Matthew that affected the East Coast of North America is North of us and we have no worries from that but we are experiencing more swells from it.

Third Sea Day - Crown Grill Here We Come

I am just too lazy to get up early and head out for breakfast.  Bernie does bring me a latte so it is safe for me to venture out and talk to people as I have had my caffeine.

But when I do get up and moving we wander around and sit outside Princess Live for a bit.  Ron Goodman the Cruise Director stops by and sits with us and we catch up. After sailing with him a few times it is great to get to know him better this voyage. He certainly has a great team.

He fills me in on the reason there are so few big production shows. Apparently one of the lead singers (there are four - two males and two females) became very ill and was taken off the first day to head to Rome for medical treatment. There are no understudies for the main singers. They tried to get someone to join the ship before the crossing but it just couldn't find someone. They are working hard to put something together for the passengers. 

There is the big On Board Outlet Sale going on - but I pass on even entering.

We meet up with Ana from the Cruise staff for lunch in Alfredos. It is busy today (as it is a sea day) but the meal is excellent and the company even better.  

Like I mentioned yesterday there are still a lot of external workers on board. It is beginning to be a bit annoying. You can certainly tell they are not Princess employees.  

While in the cabin this morning someone banged at the door. Since I was alone in the cabin I looked thru the peep hole and wasn't sure who it was as they are not wearing uniforms and if they have some kind of ID I certainly did not see it. I ask thru the door "what do you want" and he is seeing if our tv is working. I open the door to him reluctantly and I tell him yes it is working now.  He closes the door and bangs on the cabin next to us.  

Tonight dinner is in the Crown Grill at 8 pm.  We relax at the Wheelhouse Bar for a drink prior to dinner where Sanja and Marty join us. 

We are sat in Pedro's section at a nice table for four.

This was a special dish of Halibut

I had my usual - Beet and Goat Cheese salad, Black and Blue Onion Soup, and then the Filet Mignon! 

Service was excellent. Again this ship has figured it out. The specialty restaurants are well staffed with assistants to clear plates, fill wine/water glass, get condiments and clean tables. I wish all ships did this.

After dinner we sit at the Wheelhouse Bar where we enjoy the Prestige Quartet Players who are amazing!

It was a wonderful day and amazing evening.

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Livorno - Port Stop for Florence and Pisa

We sleep in.  Oh it feels so nice to know we are settled for a few weeks.  As much as I love to travel the living out of a suitcase and figuring out each destination is exhausting. One reason we love cruising we can unpack once, stop in various places, tour and then come back to a beautiful resort.

We sleep well.  But.... there is this emergency light that keeps flashing. I don't remember them before so not sure if this is new since the drydock or not.

They emit a strobe of three flashes of light then nothing for about a minute then three flashes of light. Needless to say at night when the room is totally dark this light lightens up the entire room and is alarming. We have to wear our sleep masks (thankfully we brought them). We report it tour our steward first thing in the morning.

this is a standard setup

We try to call room service to trade in our mini bar - but we can't get thru. We tried yesterday and for quite a few hours this morning but we have no success. This is an area I feel Princess could improve on. 

As Elites you get a mini bar setup which we love.  You are able to trade off items in the bar for other items or even trade off entire bar for a bottle of wine or two coffee cards. But to do this you have to contact room service which on the first day is impossible and often difficult the second day too. 

My thought is that when you are filling out your cruise personalizer for the voyage you should be prompted to change up your mini bar. This way when they are preparing the mini bars they can customize it the way you want. Sure it may take a bit longer initially but it would save in time with them having to answer the phone, take note of change and then deliver change. Not to mention the frustration we all get trying to get thru to the Room Service Line.

When we finally do get thru to them we find out there is limited supply of some things and we make due with what they have.  This is not surprising since this is the final voyage from the Med. and they will probably be restocking the main things in Florida.

Today breakfast is up in the Horizon Court (HC). We love the HC on the Royal. So many options, spread out, with lots of food stations and lots of places to sit. Plus the food on board is usually very good. Sure there are some items that may be a miss or not hot hot but we certainly did not go hungry.

I head down to Wheelhouse Bar to play Speed Sudoku and win (well there was only two of us). I am given a lanyard as the prize but give it to the gentleman who played with me as I am happy just playing.

We both decided before we went to sleep last night that today we would stay on board. Initially our plan was to catch the train and go to Lucca -- I have always wanted to visit there.

But after a week of touring Italy and then a busy day of travel and boarding the Royal yesterday we agree we need a restful day today.

Sure we are here in Italy and I know we should take advantage of it but I think it is important to do what your body and mind tell you and today for both our sanity we need a day to relax and enjoy the ship.

Lunch is back up in the HC where we run into Michael who is with Captain Craig Street and his wife Leanne.

It is great to see Craig again and this is the first time we meet Leanne. They are also good friends of Bruce and Sharon! 

Michael comments that tomorrow is Thanksgiving and would like to invite us for dinner to celebrate in his cabin.  We are all looking forward to it.  

 

The ship is quiet, many are off exploring Florence, Pisa and Livorno.  

There is an indepdendent shuttle service being offered here in Livorno -- 5E each for roundtrip service to downtown Livorno and 12E each for roundtrip to the train station. To read more about the Port of Livorno and travelling to Pisa or Florence read my past blogs about the port here.

It is overcast and a little cool.  A sweater or light jacket is required.

We are here until 7 pm so people are slow to return.

I seek out the Platinum Elite Lounge but it isn't in Club 6 (I know we received the invitation and menu but I really didn't look at it clearly to see where exactly it is being held.)  My next thought is Vista Lounge and I am right.  Makes sense, with so many Platinum and Elites on board Club 6 would be just way too small.  But Vista Lounge is huge and certainly can accommodate us but it is much more impersonal and not much mingling goes on.

I forgot to mention a lovely lady -- Mary, approached us in the International Cafe.  Mary follows my facebook page (Cruising Princess Cruiseline with Vickie) and blog came to introduce herself. So nice to meet her. It is always great to meet my followers and even better to hear her cruise stories. 

We are meeting Marty and Sanja tonight in Vines but boy it is busy in the Atrium. We head to the Symphony Dining Room and are sat at a table for 4. Tonight's menu is the Mediterranean Dinner.

I get a green salad, fettucini (but no parmesan basket anymore) and then the surf and turf entree.  Everything was excellent.

We get champagne and wine and because of the drink package it is 40% off and a great deal.

After dinner we are back in Vines and enjoying Sicilian Kiss drinks. We end up in Club 6 to dance to Anna who is Dj tonight. She is beautiful, and we give her big hugs. We all dance the night away until 1 am!

But so much is going on.  Kory Simons @ Piano bar in Crooners; John Evans comedian @ 8:15 and 10:15; Yes No Game Show, 70's Night; Tribond Trivia and so much more.

Flight - Embarkation in Los Angeles

We once again booked a pre hotel at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport with points as our flight the next morning is very early.

We are assigned a room on the 7th floor with a view of the mountains and the gates with planes arriving and leaving.

We head downstairs to the main terminal for dinner at the White Spot.

Back in the room I take advantage of the amazing tub and soak the day's stresses away.

The room is so comfortable and this bed is divine.

Our flight is at 6:35 am.  But with no checked bags we can just head to the security and then customs.

The line for security is very long.  I believe this is because the security just recently opened up.  Thankfully we have Nexus and we are able to bypass the long line and head to a dedicated line.  Two people ahead of us is much better than 100 ahead of us.  Best $50 we ever spent on Nexus (Global Entry).

Flight was easy and smooth.  Seemed like everyone around us was getting on the ship with us.  I sat next to two nice men who were sailing for the first time.  It was great to chat with them and enjoy their excitement.

We arrived in LA and I used Uber for the first time ever.  My friend Monika said it was easy, cost effective and so we decided to try it.  She was so right.  

We requested a car and we met our driver at the Ride Share pick up spot on the Arrival's area.  The final cost came in at $29 US.  Much cheaper than Primetime shuttle ($17 per person) and not having to deal with waiting for a van to fill and deal with others.  A taxi is usually around $70 US!  We will definately use Uber again.  

If you are interested in Uber click here to get a $15 credit on your first ride.  

We had the driver drop us off in San Pedro at the drug store to pick up some essentials and then we walked to the pier (about 20 min.).

We arrived at the pier around 11:30.  Probably one of the worst times to arrive but we knew we just had to go with the flow and enjoy the experience.

Of course we arrived and filled out the necessary health forms.  Up the escalator and a short queue for priority boarding (maybe 20 people).  This time the regular queue for non priority boarders was very very long (at least a 100).

After getting our cruise cards we went thru security -- no issues with us.  But if you do have liqour in your bag they will confuscate it, unless it is wine.  To learn more about bringing wine on board click here.  

They had already started boarding and we were directed to board the ship right away.  

In all it was about 20 minutes from sidewalk to ship.  Not bad considering we arrived at a very busy time.

After dropping our suitcase (we just brought carry on bags) in the cabin we headed to the dining room for lunch.  Boy it has been a long time since we have had lunch in the dining room on embarkation day but boy how nice it is too.

We confirmed a table for Daniel's section for 7:45 in Da Vinci Dining room.  He is the whole reason we booked this voyage -- to surprise him.

We had be discussing getting the drink package for a while and we decided to go with it.  On a shorter voyage like this we can justify it, but on a more port intensive longer voyage we just can't manage to continually drink that much.

After Muster Drill we head up for the sailaway.  Great weather, excellent music by the and Nexus and a chance to see Anna again.

At 5 pm we head to the elite lounge in Skywalkers.  We meet a lovely couple -- Arlene and Tim and we chat over a few drinks.