Hi, I’m Julie McCoy, Your TR Director

[JKSWonder]

You had me at "wine bar".

 

[canyoncam]

I like the layout of the room.

I think a lot of ships are going to the pods verses buffet line. Like round abouts vs 4 way stops here in the U.S. it may take those used to the old system time to adjust but overall think it works better.

 

[jenseib]

The ship looks really nice and the cabin looks quite spacious. We love the inside sideways cabins on the Magic and the Wonder. I had to smile about all the little Disney touches.

Corinna

I was very impressed with our cabin. We actually had a ton of floor space and it flowed very well.

Great report so far! I'm very excited to read, as I have never done any other ships but Disney. I *NEED* to get certifications and take courses in other cruise lines - it's on my "winter projects list" for when I am holed up in the house for this winter.

Too bad about not getting all your Elite privileges. That stinks. And they didn't know where the survey was?!! Seems odd, doesn't it?

I have some winter projects too. I just need to find time to do them.
Like right now, I have work I should be doing, but I'm putting it off. Well in fairness my printer is printing right now.
I was supposed to answer questions about the ship to be turned in. I need to call and find the right person to be sure I am ok.

You had me at "wine bar".

I like the layout of the room.

I think a lot of ships are going to the pods verses buffet line. Like round abouts vs 4 way stops here in the U.S. it may take those used to the old system time to adjust but overall think it works better.

The room was really nice.
They have been installing round abouts all over around here lately. I am not sure I like those either.

 

[jenseib]

I try to take pictures of the food I eat on vacation. For one, many people like to look at food porn. Also it reminds me of what I ate and of what I liked and didn’t like.
Here is my first Princess food plate….that’s moms hand snatching a fried scallop off my plate.





Mom had carrots and said they were some of the best she ever had. But they were super sweet and sugary. I don’t like sweet cooked carrots so I never tried them.

When we sat down we had a server come and take drink orders. I decided on a lemonade (which actually is one of the free cruise beverages). Mom wanted coffee. My lemonade came and her coffee didn’t. This gal was super slow and she kept saying “I’ll get your coffee soon” but then would go take other orders. Finally another guy came around and he got mom her coffee right away and by that time I was done with the lemonade and got a diet coke. Later mom found where she could go and get her own coffee and refill it.

Of course no meal is complete on vacation without a little bit of dessert.



I think the one thing was actually coffee flavored and I don’t like coffee at all so I gave that to mom. The strawberry shortcake was REALLY good and I had several pieces of it throughout the cruise.



With our meals done, we headed out the back door to check out the back of the ship.

As we walked out there we saw the draw bridge opening so I had to get a shot of that.



I was surprised at all of the sun worshipers out already. I guess for me that is just not something that is most important…and I get too hot. But I do know for some that is what is nice about their vaction.



To the port side of the aft on this deck (15) is one of the smoking areas.



In the last year or so Princess has banned smoking on balconies. I heard a lot of people grumble about this. For me it’s no big deal either way, but I can see how it upsets smokers, many who have booked balconies in the past because of this feature. (Disney has recently done the same thing). And I can also see how this bothers nonsmokers. There really is a no win situation there.



This tunnel led up to Skywalkers, which was a club/lounge type place. They had some activities there too for the Elite guests. I am sad to say I never made it to those activities. I just did not have enough time.
I did go up one morning and take pictures there.



If you are wondering where Skywalkers is located on the ship…well our ship has a spoiler and it is located in there. I always like a car with a spoiler…on a ship it’s kind of odd looking in my opinion. Here is a shot from our Costa Maya day to show you the spoiler.



We have the flat rear. I don’t think the ship was ugly, but it wasn’t pretty either. I will say when it comes to looks, my personal favorites are the Disney Ships. I know not all agree and that’s fine. It’s just my personal preference in looks.

This is the bar near the back pool.



And then we moved along and I took pictures as we went.













A look out across the way.







Look! Someone is parasailing!





The other ship in port was the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas.

 

[JKSWonder]

Parasailing. That's always something I wanted to try, but Mike is four square against it. He claims if he goes up there, looks down and sees all the sharks swimming in the water that he will never go in the ocean again.

So...no parasailing for us.

 

[franandaj]

The cabin looks nice. Fairly good sized.

Looks like they had a lot of nice things for lunch.

I do not like the look of the spoiler on the end of the boat. It just looks funny. I do agree, the Disney ships are the nicest looking around. Although the Queen Mary is docked in my town and I see that often. The Disney ships were modeled after those in the Classic era of shipbuilding, I definitely like that look!

 

[mickeystoontown]

You're onboard! The ship is beautiful and your room looks quite spacious.

Where were all of the people on deck? I remember on the Disney Dream, there were spots on deck that were shoulder to shoulder people.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I think the ship comes firmly in the category that Captain Henry described on our second cruise as "They took a box and checked if it would float". On the outside it is definitely not a pretty ship, but I love what I have seen on the inside so far. The food looks delicious, too.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

Parasailing. That's always something I wanted to try, but Mike is four square against it. He claims if he goes up there, looks down and sees all the sharks swimming in the water that he will never go in the ocean again.

So...no parasailing for us.

I have to agree with him on that one.

The cabin looks nice. Fairly good sized.

Looks like they had a lot of nice things for lunch.

I do not like the look of the spoiler on the end of the boat. It just looks funny. I do agree, the Disney ships are the nicest looking around. Although the Queen Mary is docked in my town and I see that often. The Disney ships were modeled after those in the Classic era of shipbuilding, I definitely like that look!

I agree I do like the classic look in ships too. There are some other lines that have that similar look and I just tend to like that look better.

You're onboard! The ship is beautiful and your room looks quite spacious.

Where were all of the people on deck? I remember on the Disney Dream, there were spots on deck that were shoulder to shoulder people.

It wasn't crowded at all, but this ship never sold out either.
At the end they were offering inside rooms for $199 plus tax and offering the 1st and 2nd passenger of each room $200 OBC each. There was a lady whose husband is military and they got more OBC as well and she was bascially sailing for free and still had extra credit after that.

I think the ship comes firmly in the category that Captain Henry described on our second cruise as "They took a box and checked if it would float". On the outside it is definitely not a pretty ship, but I love what I have seen on the inside so far. The food looks delicious, too.

Corinna

Yes, a lot of lines use that boxy look. It's not my personal taste at all.

 

[natebenma]

And somehow I am here and actually caught up! I'm usually playing catchup on your reports. You haven't even boarded yet (unless you are behind on links*)

* ETA- not as caught up as I thought...

Thanks for the background on your cruising history.

Too funny about the Love Boat- that was definitely must-see TV in our day.

I have been on 3 cruises (all Royal)- a 4 night Bahamas, a family reunion cruise to the Western Caribbean and just our family to Nassau, Labadee, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico.

Not my favorite style of vacation- I like to be ON the beach, but cruising does have a lot of great attributes. I get why people love it.

Your travel day seemed ok. Love he pictures from the window of the plane, especially in Fort Lauderdale.

Dinner looked good.

Love the pictures of the Fairfield Inn. We have one in our town and had to stay a couple of nights when we had a sewer breach at our house. Very comfortable and decent amenities.

Looking forward to setting sail!

 

[natebenma]

What a fun, but exhausting day in Ft. Lauderdale!

I'm an early riser, too, so I get that!

I would be happy with the breakfast there, especially the POG juice!

I have never been to the Everglades. I love the tour you did. So much interesting wild life. The scenery was so pretty. The iguanas were beautifully colored.

You always seem to get super bratty kids on your tours (the parents' fault, usually)

I haven't seen the show Gator Boys, but man is Chris ever cute!

I love the ocean! What a great looking beach, with just the right sized waves.

That stinks about your room not being made up. Not acceptable!

Glad you enjoyed your dinner, but too bad it was so busy you were late for OUaT.

Can't believe all the rude and scary drivers you encountered. I try not to drive on vacation and this is further reason.

Not caught up, but I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[jenseib]

And somehow I am here and actually caught up! I'm usually playing catchup on your reports. You haven't even boarded yet (unless you are behind on links*)

* ETA- not as caught up as I thought...

Yes I have been behind at putting up links. I need to do it again here.

Thanks for the background on your cruising history.

Too funny about the Love Boat- that was definitely must-see TV in our day.

Our day...was just a few years ago right?

I have been on 3 cruises (all Royal)- a 4 night Bahamas, a family reunion cruise to the Western Caribbean and just our family to Nassau, Labadee, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico.


I do want to try RCCL someday too.

Not my favorite style of vacation- I like to be ON the beach, but cruising does have a lot of great attributes. I get why people love it.

I am not very beachy. Mostly because I hate being hot. And the sand in your rear.


Your travel day seemed ok. Love he pictures from the window of the plane, especially in Fort Lauderdale.

Dinner looked good.

Love the pictures of the Fairfield Inn. We have one in our town and had to stay a couple of nights when we had a sewer breach at our house. Very comfortable and decent amenities.

Looking forward to setting sail!

It was a decent hotel and for the price I got it for it was perfect.

What a fun, but exhausting day in Ft. Lauderdale!

I'm an early riser, too, so I get that!

I would be happy with the breakfast there, especially the POG juice!

The juice was highlight!

I have never been to the Everglades. I love the tour you did. So much interesting wild life. The scenery was so pretty. The iguanas were beautifully colored.

I was really happy we decided to do this. it was very interesting and fun.

You always seem to get super bratty kids on your tours (the parents' fault, usually)

I do,.... probably because my kids are such angels! NOT!!!!! My son had lots of brattiness to him. I mean he was the worst! He was so ADHD. ...back before it was common. He literally bounced off walls. It's a wonder I never started drinking when he was young! Ok, I did drink, but not an addict.


I haven't seen the show Gator Boys, but man is Chris ever cute!

Isn't he?

I love the ocean! What a great looking beach, with just the right sized waves.

That stinks about your room not being made up. Not acceptable!

Glad you enjoyed your dinner, but too bad it was so busy you were late for OUaT.

Can't believe all the rude and scary drivers you encountered. I try not to drive on vacation and this is further reason.

Not caught up, but I'll try again tomorrow.

My mom flips out over things easier than I do, though she thinks I am impatient. Really she is too we just are impatient about different things. She was about to grab the slurping kid and throw him overboard. And wring the housekeeper by the neck.
The scary drivers....we both did not like that.

 

[jenseib]

We walked around exploring a bit of the ship.





The Sanctuary is an adult area and I believe you can pay to reserve seating in there to hang out and sun. It’s not my cup of tea, but I did go in and look around.





Mom didn’t go in with me, but I just ran in and took several pictures.







I believe any adult can go to the pool, that is not locked off with the actual Sanctuary.



This looked refreshing.













I think I only came by here one other morning so I am not sure how crowded this area ever got.









And then I caught back up with mom. We took a look over at the docked side of the ship.





I loved these little decorations on the walls.

 

[mickeystoontown]

How cool that there was Disney art on the ship. They probably knew that Disney makes people smile and that's the reason it was there.

I'm enjoying your tour of the ship pictures and look forward to seeing more.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The pool looks great and I was thinking I would be tempted to pay to have access to this. However, if this is available to all adults, then the Sanctuary does not really do it for me.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

I'm not sure why, but your pictures of the Sanctuary just looked surreal to me. The coloring looked like they could have been pictures in a brochure. Nice shots. It looks like a nice area, but it's not my cup of tea either to sit in the sun.

So was that area open to all adults to go in and relax or was it only "pay to play"?

I would probably enjoy sitting in the hot tubs they had there, those looked inviting.

 

[mom2rtk]

You started when I was crazy busy, but thankfully I now have time to catch up!

I'm jealous you got to start your trip with a stop at EoS. That would make our trip right there before even leaving.

The restaurant for dinner looked fabulous. And the food looked great. Too funny that Siri told you to pull up and park alongside the road! Are you sure she wasn't just jacking with you?

The Fairfield Inn looks great too. Bummer they couldn't get it cleaned sooner. That wouldn't fly in my book either.

The gator pictures are outstanding! The iguanas are pretty cool too. Did they talk about whether the iguanas were indigenous to the area? I know when we saw one out on Tarpon Bay in Sanibel, they seemed almost worried that it was there and I never quite understood.

I have no officially added an Everglades tour to our next Florida visit. I did one by myself when I was in Miami for business once, but the kids would love it. We are always looking for gators in Florida but in recent years we have just come up dry.

LOL on giving that driver BOTH fingers! You go girl!

The beach.... the color of the water..... the clouds..........

The ship looks great, but I can see that after sailing Disney you would be concerned about whether it would measure up. Can't wait to hear what you thought when the trip was over.

 

[jenseib]

How cool that there was Disney art on the ship. They probably knew that Disney makes people smile and that's the reason it was there.

I'm enjoying your tour of the ship pictures and look forward to seeing more.

I was impressed with the Disney touches.

I did enjoy the ship. Yes I like Disney better, but I am always open to other lines and trying them out too. The ocean still looks the same on all ships!

The pool looks great and I was thinking I would be tempted to pay to have access to this. However, if this is available to all adults, then the Sanctuary does not really do it for me.

Corinna

I would have to look it up, but I am pretty sure you pay to have an area in the Sanctuary, which mostly is shaded, and the pool is for all adults. I do think the pool doesn't get a lot of use though. If you don't have a spot in the Sanctuary there really doesn't appear to be much space to set up camp near the pool.

I'm not sure why, but your pictures of the Sanctuary just looked surreal to me. The coloring looked like they could have been pictures in a brochure. Nice shots. It looks like a nice area, but it's not my cup of tea either to sit in the sun.

thanks. It was fun to look around and see it, but I am just not a lay on a chair type of person.

So was that area open to all adults to go in and relax or was it only "pay to play"?

I think the pool is open to adults, but to relax in the gated off area it is a paid spot. I don't think it's too much per day, but I just didn't have a need for it.

I would probably enjoy sitting in the hot tubs they had there, those looked inviting.

I had planned to eventually get in a hot tub somewhere, but never did.

You started when I was crazy busy, but thankfully I now have time to catch up!

I knew you were busy...so thats why I did it. Just kidding of course. Don't worry I have a lot on my plate here so it will take months to get this finished.

I'm jealous you got to start your trip with a stop at EoS. That would make our trip right there before even leaving.

I knew it was at the airport but I just never went to look for it and since we had time I decided that would be the best choice. In March we flew out of the Delta terminal so it wasn't a choice and in Feb it was too early to even think about looking for it.

The restaurant for dinner looked fabulous. And the food looked great. Too funny that Siri told you to pull up and park alongside the road! Are you sure she wasn't just jacking with you?

I really think she thinks she is funny and messes with me a lot!

The Fairfield Inn looks great too. Bummer they couldn't get it cleaned sooner. That wouldn't fly in my book either.

it was good for what we needed. Nice rooms and nice breakfast. It was a shame they couldn't clean faster though.

The gator pictures are outstanding! The iguanas are pretty cool too. Did they talk about whether the iguanas were indigenous to the area? I know when we saw one out on Tarpon Bay in Sanibel, they seemed almost worried that it was there and I never quite understood.

I think Iguanas are actually a pest in the area from what I have read and heard from other people on other forums. They are always neat for me to see, but I sure wouldn't want one in my back yard. I heard it started where people would just release them as they couldn't take care of their pets and I guess they multiply quite easily?

I have now officially added an Everglades tour to our next Florida visit. I did one by myself when I was in Miami for business once, but the kids would love it. We are always looking for gators in Florida but in recent years we have just come up dry.

I am so happy we did this. It really hadn't been strong on my radar before but when someone on a forum mentioned it to me I thought this sounded like something fun to try. I really am trying to branch out and do new things, though I still like old faithful (Disney).

LOL on giving that driver BOTH fingers! You go girl!

My Mom isn't a fan of that jesture, but I think she was thinking the same thing as me.

The beach.... the color of the water..... the clouds..........

It was gorgeous....and we had a dusting of snow last night so it looks even prettier to me today.

The ship looks great, but I can see that after sailing Disney you would be concerned about whether it would measure up. Can't wait to hear what you thought when the trip was over.

I knew I would be fine, but I still had worries. A few weeks before the trip I really tried to find as many pictures of the ship as I could so I would feel more comfortable.

 

[dizneeat]

Princess looks pretty inviting! Your pics are awesome, thanks for sharing, Jen.

 

[jenseib]

Princess looks pretty inviting! Your pics are awesome, thanks for sharing, Jen.

Thanks Karin!