Hi, I’m Julie McCoy, Your TR Director

[jenseib]

I am heading out of town for 2 days so I probably won't get another update up till Sunday or Monday.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The dining rooms look nice and views as you were sailing away were quite diverse. I will have to catch up with this trip report when I am back from my own trip.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

The dining rooms look nice and views as you were sailing away were quite diverse. I will have to catch up with this trip report when I am back from my own trip.

Corinna

Holy cow...it's Nov isn't. Have fun on your trip!

 

[jenseib]

Lots of boats out at sea.



We walked out to see what was happening with the sail away party on deck. They had music playing.



It’s not quite the same fanfare that Disney does.



But I wouldn’t expect it to be like them either.

Mom headed back to the room and I was still getting signal on my phone as we sailed out and I messaged back and forth with Brook till it started going in and out and then I turned my phone on airplane mode.

I headed back to the room and unpacked and got things organized. I also once again took pictures of the room.













For an inside room I really thought it was spacious.



Mom was going to take a shower so I went back outside to just enjoy us sailing away.

There goes the Vision.



After a bit I roamed around a little bit and ran into a pirate.



Who knew Princess had a pirate night? Of course it is nothing like Disney’s and no one dresses up like pirates, but it was fun to see one none the less.

I headed back to the room and took my shower as well. We were trying to decide on whether to catch the show or go to dinner first. In the end I didn’t get ready quite fast enough to make the early show and we didn’t want to be a few minutes late for that, so we headed off to dinner around 7:15.

We found my pirate friend and his gal at the entrance of the Coral dining room and had our picture taken. Like I said before, my Mom hates her picture taken so I was surprised she agreed. I was even more surprised a few days later when she actually bought the picture.



We then proceeded to the dining room and told them we had two and we did not want to share. They always act like they are upset we don’t want to share, but we just don’t like eating with strangers for the most part.

We were seated at a table for 2, but there was another table for 2 almost right next to us. Basically about 4 inches separated the 2 tables, but at least you didn’t feel obligated to talk to others. Though I will admit a few nights we did talk to the tables next to us and they were all very nice.

We were served rolls. I love rolls…and I do think these were better than the ones on the Disney ships.



Many nights the butter was a little melty. They didn’t keep up with the ice in the holder and the dining rooms were a little warm. (I never once had to wear a sweater, even in short sleeves or sleeveless tops).



I wish I would’ve taken pictures of the menus every night as I no longer remember what I got each night. I think I only did it the first night.







The menu changed nightly but they had a few items that you could get every night and they were decent choices too. I do think DCL might have a few more options on their dinner menus, but I never had much of a problem deciding what I wanted each night.



I believe this was a spinach artichoke dip and it was very good.



And I believe this is the clam chowder…..also good.



Mom went for the spaghetti. She said it was some of the best spaghetti she has ever had. I thought this was one of the items that would be on the menu every night so I figured I would try it tomorrow. I was wrong and it never showed up on the menu again.



I think mine was prime rib. I really hate that I don’t have site to go and look up the menus.



It was very good but the corn was nasty. I don’t why any place bothers to serve corn on the cob unless it is freshly picked. It just also is so nasty.

 

[jenseib]

While we ate another young couple were seated at the table next to us. We did end up talking to them a little bit and they were very nice. This was the girl’s first cruise and she was so excited about everything.

Time for dessert.





I went for the Princess Love Boat Dream ….and it sure was! I loved this so much. I wish I would’ve ordered it more often but I wanted to try so many different things and my darn stomach kept getting full.





I think Mom got ice-cream. She got it most nights and it was really good ice-cream.

After dinner we headed out to see the late show.

We got seats towards the front but not too close as there was a comedian tonight and my mom feared we would get talked to.







It started with a little song and dance with the Caribbean dancers and singers.



I was so happy you could take pictures (no flash of course) during the shows on Princess.







Then our comedian came out. I believe his name was Miguel Jackson (I am not currently looking at my Princess Patter to double check, but I am pretty sure that was his name).





I thought he was pretty good. Not the best I have ever seen but I laughed and enjoyed the show and it was family friendly.

After the show we headed out towards the atrium. There was a little show starting there and a lady told mom she had been on the cruise before and so were these guys and they were amazing so we stood and watched.



This guy did most of the early stuff of the show and he was really good and funny.







They played music throughout the show and this guy made the funniest faces. Here is doing a Titanic impression and of course they changed the music to go with it.





He pretended he didn’t want to ride the unicycle but his partner convinced him to do it.

 

[dizneeat]

And another great update!

Your room looks very nice and you are right, it is a large room for an inside one.
Dinner looks very good too. The show looks nice, but the guys in the "atrium" (forgot what it was called) look amazing.

 

[franandaj]

That's a lot of uodates and we're still on the first day! I got begin while I was on my cruise, but I'm caught back up. Everything looks very nice. The draw of less kids in certainly appealing, plus I have a friend who works in IT on Princess and every time she hears I'm going on a Disney Cruise she reminds me of the "friends and family" discount that she has. I should look into it.

That was definitely Prime Rib on your plate and it looks wonderful!

So what exactly was the beverage package you purchased? Was it unlimited soft drinks? Can I ask what the price was? Sorry about all the questions, did they have Coke or Pepsi products and did you notice if they had more than one diet option?

We bring our own on Disney cause they don't have Diet Mtn Dew

Does Princess also have rotational dining or is it that "freestyle" like NCL?

Really enjoying all the detail of your trip report!

 

[jenseib]

And another great update!

Your room looks very nice and you are right, it is a large room for an inside one.
Dinner looks very good too. The show looks nice, but the guys in the "atrium" (forgot what it was called) look amazing.

Thanks
It was really an nice sized room for being inside. I really liked the layout.
Dinner was good and most of the meals were pretty good. I think I gained weight if that counts for anything.
The Piazza...I guess the 1st floor is called the Piazza and it's all the atrium...I know...confusing.

That's a lot of uodates and we're still on the first day! I got begin while I was on my cruise, but I'm caught back up. Everything looks very nice. The draw of less kids in certainly appealing, plus I have a friend who works in IT on Princess and every time she hears I'm going on a Disney Cruise she reminds me of the "friends and family" discount that she has. I should look into it.

That was definitely Prime Rib on your plate and it looks wonderful!

So what exactly was the beverage package you purchased? Was it unlimited soft drinks? Can I ask what the price was? Sorry about all the questions, did they have Coke or Pepsi products and did you notice if they had more than one diet option?

We bring our own on Disney cause they don't have Diet Mtn Dew

Does Princess also have rotational dining or is it that "freestyle" like NCL?

Really enjoying all the detail of your trip report!

I am going really slow at this...and my other one too. I just never seem to have time to really work on either of them lately. I keep planning on taking a day to write up more updates ahead of time and then those days turn into busy work days.

The package I got inlcuded soft drinks, smoothie, shakes, and mocktails. I forget the exact price off the top of my head, but it was a little more than $8 a day and that includes tips. I made out like a bandit on it. Totally worth it for me. They had coke products and I did not notice if they had other diet options or not.

They have assigned dining and any time dining. I am a huge fan of anytime dining so I chose that. Thats my only thing that I really don't like on Disney...but I can see how it wouldn't work as well. They have 3 restaurants. One is for assigned dining and the other 2 are for anytime, but one of them doews get the over flow from assigned dining for first seating.

 

[jenseib]

His buddy then came out to play.











They both had amazing strength.























This is where it got crazy.



That guy is going to have a lot of aches and pains when he gets older.



They interacted with the crowd and were so much fun. One of the best things I saw on the cruise. Their name is Duo Push. Super amazing and if you are on a cruise with them, be sure to catch at least one of their shows. We ended up seeing them several times.

After the show we took a walk through the Casino and I think Mom might have played then a little bit.



We then browsed the shops and I bought a really cute sailing themed top (that I have yet to wear since it is short sleeve and it is getting cold here). The price was pretty affordable too.

I found Mom in one of the jewelry shops. This was her favorite spot during the cruise and she spent lots of time and money in there. She found earrings that she thought I must have. They were cute! And they were on sale too! She ended up buying them for me. She became friends with the sales girl and in a couple of days there were on a first name basis.

 

[dizneeat]

Those two guys look amazing! But I get backpain, just watching them.

Oh, and your mum sounds a lot like myself when it comes to making friends in the shops. Set your heart on something, visit often until you know the sales person really well.

 

[jenseib]

Those two guys look amazing! But I get backpain, just watching them.

Oh, and your mum sounds a lot like myself when it comes to making friends in the shops. Set your heart on something, visit often until you know the sales person really well.

My neck would hurt watching the last part. That guy is going to snap his neck one of these days...I just know it.

LOL> Yes Mom was so funny....Rosemary can you help me find this or that?

 

[jenseib]

We then headed outside to enjoy the night air.





There was a window into Sabatini’s (I believe) so I looked in and took a picture.









Back inside and I took this picture, which I think is near the theatre.





We then decided to head back to the room.



Best part of a cruise…chocolates on your bed. Why doesn’t that happen at home?



We each had a Princess tote bag on our bed as well. That was really nice. Princess gave them to everyone. They are like the kind you use for grocery shopping and I am now using it when I go to the store….when I remember to bring it in that is.



Mom was ready for bed but I wasn’t, so I headed back out.





I sat down for a bit and saw “M” again (the one who wasn’t happy with being on the ship) and she was talking to people and she started talking to me as well. Her son “JJ” was there and I believe her daughter “A” was there as well….both adults.
We talked for quite a long time and did a lot of laughing. Being that they live in FL they were very familiar with Disney and I always love a good Disney conversation. I really had a nice time just chatting away, but it was getting late and eventually we all said good night and headed to our cabins.

So far I was really enjoying the cruise. My biggest issue was that it was so hot….inside and out. Our room was still hot and I had a hard time sleeping that night because of the heat. The mattress was very comfortable though and I was happy about that as I heard they are hit and miss with Princess. I mainly slept with my feet out of the covers to try and keep cool.

The staff was friendly but many at this point were not on the same level as Disney friendliness. It did seem over the next few days though the staff seemed to get friendlier and warm up more to people.
The show was nice, again not a Disney level show, but not many are on cruise ships. We enjoyed it though and the comedian was funny.
The food had been good and plenty. And I really did take it much slower on this ship than I do on Disney.
I was having no regrets sailing this ship.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks to my trying to get caught up with your report yesterday evening, I dreamed that I went on another cruise. This time it was non-Disney and seemed to look a bit like the ship you were on.

It seems that even though it's not a Disney cruise, you and your mother were still enjoying the ship so far.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks to my trying to get caught up with your report yesterday evening, I dreamed that I went on another cruise. This time it was non-Disney and seemed to look a bit like the ship you were on.

It seems that even though it's not a Disney cruise, you and your mother were still enjoying the ship so far.

That is so funny because I read about your fear of heights the other day and then last night I dreamed I had to walk up these super scary stairs to a ride and I looked down and it was even scarier.

 

[jenseib]

Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014
A Day at Sea

I always wake up early on vacation. I just don’t want to miss anything and my body won’t let me rest too long.
I was so hot during the night, so I got up and threw on some basic shorts and a tee shirt and went for a stroll. I also planned to stop at Guest Services to see about my missing questionnaire that I was to fill out along with inquiring about getting a fan in the room.

It was already shaping up to be a beautiful…and hot day.



I was kind of shocked that this area wasn’t cleaned up better from the night before. The ship wasn’t dirty, but I felt this area lacked care a lot of the time and again, I compare things to Disney and it would be rare to find it looking like this on one of their ships.



I noticed land off in the distance. There was a CM standing along the railing and I asked if that was Cuba and he said yes he was pretty sure it was.



We sailed along Cuba most of the day. It sure is a big country.

I continued to walk around the decks to check things out.



A little too early for beer.



I need to eat pretty early or I get a headache so I stopped off in Horizons and got a few items.



The sausage was not real pork sausage and was kind of gross. As I found a seat I realized the Caribe Café was also open in the back and they served real sausage back there.

I took a few pictures of their offerings, many were the same or close to the same, but it all looked better back there.











After I ate, I headed out to the back of the ship. I just love seeing the wake of the ship.



I kept thinking after I got home that I never saw a sunrise or sunset, but I lied…..I did see one and it was very pretty.



A few people were out and about this morning.







This little pool was up on deck 17 I believe. I don’t know if anyone ever went in it. It was in an odd spot and I never saw many people in this area when I walked through, though I didn’t come through here too often.









Cuba off in the distance.



And a ship.



What a glorious day.

 

[mickeystoontown]

That is so funny because I read about your fear of heights the other day and then last night I dreamed I had to walk up these super scary stairs to a ride and I looked down and it was even scarier.

That's too funny!

More gorgeous pictures from the ship! The water looks so blue.

 

[franandaj]

That looks like a great start to the day! I only saw one sunrise on my cruise as well. I suppose getting up and out of the cabin would have helped. I'm a big fan of tasty sausage and when it doesn't have a lot of flavor it can be pretty gross.

The buffet offerings look pretty standard, but a standard buffet on a cruise is better than breakfast on a hurried day at home.

 

[Beth D]

Great updates! I bet now you wish you had some of that heat back! I'm really enjoying your comparisons. That show down in the atrium looks like a blast!

 

[littlenellbell]

Loving your report so far. Considering it was hurricane season, it looks like you had beautiful weather. Brandon and I went on a Sept cruise once (Carnival) and it was extended for 2 days because it couldn't get back to port due to a hurricane. It was fine because they sailed to where the weather was nicer, but they did get low on some food. And I felt bad for the people on the next sailing whose cruise was cut short.

I always enjoy your early morning pictures. That's something I need to remember to do on our cruise coming up!!

 

[jenseib]

That's too funny!

More gorgeous pictures from the ship! The water looks so blue.

The water was just so beautiful!

That looks like a great start to the day! I only saw one sunrise on my cruise as well. I suppose getting up and out of the cabin would have helped. I'm a big fan of tasty sausage and when it doesn't have a lot of flavor it can be pretty gross.

The buffet offerings look pretty standard, but a standard buffet on a cruise is better than breakfast on a hurried day at home.

I was up and out of the room, but on most days I just sat and talked to people and didn't pay attention. LOL! Yes, I rather be on a ship for a standard breakfast than at home.

Great updates! I bet now you wish you had some of that heat back! I'm really enjoying your comparisons. That show down in the atrium looks like a blast!

I hate this weather? Why the heck do we have snow in Nov??? And why is it so dang cold?

Loving your report so far. Considering it was hurricane season, it looks like you had beautiful weather. Brandon and I went on a Sept cruise once (Carnival) and it was extended for 2 days because it couldn't get back to port due to a hurricane. It was fine because they sailed to where the weather was nicer, but they did get low on some food. And I felt bad for the people on the next sailing whose cruise was cut short.

I always enjoy your early morning pictures. That's something I need to remember to do on our cruise coming up!!

This was the smoothest cruise I have EVER been on. I only felt real movement probably twice during the whole cruise. it's funny because the next smoothest cruise I have ever taken was on the Magic out of Galveston...in Sept as well.
This past March on the Magic it was actually rougher than I thought it would be. I never felt really sick, but there were times it bothered me a bit. But I did take bonine every day.