Hi, I’m Julie McCoy, Your TR Director

[AussieMumma]

Loving this TR of yours so far! Princess is a cruise line we've looked at as they sail out of Australia, so I am very interested to see how you think it compares to Disney
We recently sailed with Carnival on the Spirit, and weren't that impressed, but it is an older ship which is going in to dry dock next year for a refurb so that could be part of it.

 

[jenseib]

I had an amazing time and will definitely give you a heads up when I have started the trip report.

Corinna

Glad to hear you had a great time!

Loving this TR of yours so far! Princess is a cruise line we've looked at as they sail out of Australia, so I am very interested to see how you think it compares to Disney
We recently sailed with Carnival on the Spirit, and weren't that impressed, but it is an older ship which is going in to dry dock next year for a refurb so that could be part of it.

Thanks!
I really liked Princess, it was different than Disney, but I still had a great time.

 

[jenseib]

Trying to get artsy with the lifeboat shots.



Cuba off in the distance.



I believe Mom headed back to the room for a bit and I went up to get a drink.




I don’t remember what this was, but it was a mocktale and it was good. Not my favorite, but I enjoyed trying different things.



I then head back to the room to get Mom. Our stateroom host happened by and I told him about how hot the room had been. He said he would get someone in to look at it and he did and it worked so much better after that. Still not as cool as I like it at night, but 100 times better than it had been.

We headed off to the Circle Host desk to see about my questionnaire. We had to wait a few minutes till it was our turn.





She wasn’t any help either. She told me I should have a letter in my room stating my elite benefits and I told her yes I had that. She said the questionnaire would be with it and I told her no, I looked it over several times and there was nothing else. She said she would put in a call to the shore side of things and get back to me…..and she never did.

It was now getting to be lunch time so we headed to Horizons and picked up a few things. I didn’t take a picture, but I wasn’t really impressed with most of it. Just basic food. We ended up sitting back near Cafe Carib and noticed it was open and went for a 2nd plate there. They have more of a themed menu there and it was much better. Mom and I actually ate more from there than Horizons.
I only got this picture….the chicken was good…the cake was just ok…but it wasn’t what I thought it would be like, so that isn’t to say it was bad, it just wasn’t what I was thinking it was.



I believe Mom and I separated after lunch. She may have went to take a nap.





While sitting out on the back deck I was right next to the guy who I had seen the first day and thought looked like a farmer. I struck up a conversation with him and sure enough he was a farmer from Canada and actually didn’t live too far from us. A few hours away but in the scheme of things that was pretty close.



I moved on and took some more pictures.











I headed back to our room then too.







I am not sure if we rested then or not. I know we did at some point this day and watched some movies on TV. There was a channel that would play 1 movie all day long and we usually would get hooked on it and watch it off and on all day.

We did eventually go to the Casino and mom decided to play and I went for a walk to take some more pictures. I only had my point and shoot with me at that point and many are kind of blurry.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I am glad that the issue with the room temperature was sorted. I can't believe that people kept promising to get back to you and never did. I would have gotten quite annoyed with this.

Corinna

 

[pepe3penelope]

We are locals to Disneyland, but I came across that you have a TR for DCL. We LOVE DCL!!!! More than you'll know!

I'm definitely subbing along. I have a bit to go. I've only just finished your introductions.

DH and I grew up with Fantasy Island and Love Boat. Whenever I think of Princess Cruise Line, I think of Love Boat! Growing up, I wanted to be Julie McCoy!

 

[pepe3penelope]

I just finished and am all caught up! We have only cruised on DCL and have been amazed by it. I have been somewhat interested in Princess Cruises because it sails from the Port of Los Angeles (less than 10 minute drive! ). Not sure if we would.

Looks like you and your mother had a fantastic time! I really appreciate all your photos. I have to say that I also really prefer the look of the Disney ships.

Can't wait for more!

 

[jenseib]

I am glad that the issue with the room temperature was sorted. I can't believe that people kept promising to get back to you and never did. I would have gotten quite annoyed with this.

Corinna

It was so annoying. I think their Guest Services was very lacking. I am not sure if it was just this ship or a case fleet wide.

We are locals to Disneyland, but I came across that you have a TR for DCL. We LOVE DCL!!!! More than you'll know!

I'm definitely subbing along. I have a bit to go. I've only just finished your introductions.

DH and I grew up with Fantasy Island and Love Boat. Whenever I think of Princess Cruise Line, I think of Love Boat! Growing up, I wanted to be Julie McCoy!

I just went to DL last Feb...and I do have a TR on that too. It was so much fun and I hope to get back there in the next few years....if any luck this coming up year.
Fantasy Island and Love boat were my favorite shows for a long time. I asked for the Fantasy Island series on DVD for Xmas.

I just finished and am all caught up! We have only cruised on DCL and have been amazed by it. I have been somewhat interested in Princess Cruises because it sails from the Port of Los Angeles (less than 10 minute drive! ). Not sure if we would.

Looks like you and your mother had a fantastic time! I really appreciate all your photos. I have to say that I also really prefer the look of the Disney ships.

Can't wait for more!

If you find a cheap rate you should go for it. I have heard of many people out in CA who take several Princess cruises with a last minute discounted rate.

 

[jenseib]

This is the area the pictures were displayed at different times of the day.







I believe Bingo was going on in Club Fusion so I quietly walked through so as to not disturb anyone.





But I was spotted and the guy waved to me. I don’t remember this guys name but he did a lot of things around the ship and was always super friendly.





A selfie…sort of. LOL!


I decided I needed a snack.

Today I got a vanilla milkshake.



And it was tasty!!!!!

I decided to try the pizza as my friend had told me that Princess has good pizza.



It is MUCH better than Disney’s pizza, that’s for sure.

Mom had gone back to the room to start to get ready for the evening. It was formal night so we were going to get dolled up….well sort of. I don’t really have any fancy formal outfits and I wasn’t about to buy one for a 1 time use.
When I arrived back at the room Mom told me the canapés had been delivered. This was another perk for being elite.





We were supposed to get 6, 2 of each, so I am not sure what happened to the missing one, but that was fine. I had just eaten pizza and really didn’t need anything more….but of course I tried them all.

I believe after I got ready I ran up top and planned to meet mom in a few in the piazza.

Look how calm this sea is. It was the calmest, smoothest cruise I have ever been on.





Back to the room I went and finished up with any other beautifying preparations I had to make and we headed off to watch the champagne fountain.





Yes, another picture of the fly eye light fixture.





I really thought the staircases were pretty.



Downstairs there were several spots to have a formal picture done.



There were servers walking around with complimentary glasses of champagne…and I believe something else….maybe wine? I didn’t pay attention as I like champagne and grabbed 2 so we each could have one. What I didn’t know is that Mom isn’t a fan of champagne and she only took a couple sips and then handed it off to me.



Soon it was time for the fountain to start and some big wig guy, whose name I didn’t catch, came out to get it started.



The started pouring…except the guy wouldn’t let people hold it which I though was strange.
I took video of it but it’s sideways and for the life of me I can’t figure out how to turn it and believe me, I have tried.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jenseib/15888617655/

 

[JKSWonder]

Such a beautiful sky and water shot. Looks like you were sailing on glass.

I love champagne too, except it always give me a headache, so apparently champagne does not love me back!

 

[dizneeat]

And more great pics, Jen!

The Champagne fountain looks amazing. And I love your selfie!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Now I want a vanilla milkshake. The pizza looks very yummy. I prefer my pizza with a thin crust. The champagne fountain looks amazing. That is were a laptop is useful. I could just turn it on its side to see the video the right way round.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

Such a beautiful sky and water shot. Looks like you were sailing on glass.

I love champagne too, except it always give me a headache, so apparently champagne does not love me back!

It was like sailing on glass. Such a smooth cruise it was.
I can't drink much either or I get a headache and I did take ibuprophen that day to help avoid that.

And more great pics, Jen!

The Champagne fountain looks amazing. And I love your selfie!

I guess I am still a kid...I also took a selfie while I waited on my mom!

Now I want a vanilla milkshake. The pizza looks very yummy. I prefer my pizza with a thin crust. The champagne fountain looks amazing. That is were a laptop is useful. I could just turn it on its side to see the video the right way round.

Corinna

They had amazing shakes. I could drink them all day long...of course then I would've gained 20 more pounds.
LOL, good idea about turning the laptop sideways.

 

[jenseib]

After a few people went through, some people started just grabbing on to the bottle, whether the guy liked it or not. LOL!











We watched them pour for a while then mingled around. It was fairly crowded though. We enjoyed checking out all the ladies dresses and outfits. Some really had some pretty dresses on, and some were just basic…I was more basic myself. If I was 50 lbs lighter I would’ve worn something a little nicer.
We spotted a photographer and I suggested to Mom that we should get our picture taken. Surprisingly she agreed so we got in line which was very short.



A couple days later we went in search of our pictures and we actually liked one of them so I bought it. There were actually a couple that looked nice, but this was our favorite.



We then headed to dinner. Tonight I believe we went to the Island dining room. (though I could be wrong)



We decided on drinks and I asked for Mango smoothie. The gal wasn’t sure if there was such a thing and went off to find out. Now she was super sweet but she took forever and was gone for quite some time. Of course, Mom wasn’t getting her drink either since she disappeared…. and we were getting a bit annoyed. I could easily have had something else if I had known it was such an ordeal to find out.
Finally she did come back with one and it was really good, but I knew not to ask for one in the dining room again.

I got the shrimp cocktail tonight, which was good!





There’s the smoothie that caused so much anguish.



I also got the appetizer sized Fettuccini Alfredo, which was heavenly.





I didn’t take a picture of Moms selections and I don’t remember what she got either.

For dinner I got a surf and turf I believe. It really was delicious as well.







Mom got the full sized fettuccini for her main course.

For dessert I got something that I believe was listed as 3 types of chocolate samplers.





Again that was good too, though I think I wasn’t a big fan of the middle thing.

Mom most likely got ice-cream again as she had it most nights.

After dinner we headed back to the room for a few minutes.

The beds were turned down for the evening and our chocolates were waiting. It’s amazing how we could both stuff those babies in our mouths even when we were already about to burst from being so full.



Mom went to freshen up and I realized that this mirror was here. Yes I am sure I had seen it the whole time, but this was the first time I really took notice of it…..so I did what any normal person would do….I took a few selfies.



Unfortunately when taking selfies like this I couldn’t see what the camera was focusing on and it decided the focus on the TV in the background.



Once we were ready we headed out to catch the late show tonight.

 

[dizneeat]

And another update ....... STOP!!!!! No, don't stop I love to read about your adventures.

What a lovely photo of you and your mom! That definitely is a keeper!

Dinner looks very nice. Love the look of the shrimp cocktail and the surf and turf. And chocolate for dessert!

And more selfies as well!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I love the formal night photo. Your dress is really cute. Dinner looked lovely again, but what a shame about the hold up with the smoothie.

Corinna

 

[rndmr2]

Beautiful pic of the 2 of you, I like that set up how it looks like you are outside on deck.

Looks like you had a nice dinner. Is that scallops along with the shrimp in your surf and turf? I am not a beef fan but I do love shrimp and scallops.

 

[mickeystoontown]

It's been so hectic at the house and at the office that I've been reading along but forgetting to post. As always, your pictures are great especially the ones of such calm water. Oh and the pictures of the food.

 

[JKSWonder]

That's a great picture of you and your Mom! Love it.

 

[jenseib]

And another update ....... STOP!!!!! No, don't stop I love to read about your adventures.

Don't worry...I have been so busy lately that I am only at the computer for the minimum amount of time it takes to get work done lately.

What a lovely photo of you and your mom! That definitely is a keeper!

thanks. I liked it too.

Dinner looks very nice. Love the look of the shrimp cocktail and the surf and turf. And chocolate for dessert!

It was very good.

And more selfies as well!

I love the formal night photo. Your dress is really cute. Dinner looked lovely again, but what a shame about the hold up with the smoothie.

Corinna

I was very impressed with most of the dinners on the ship.

Beautiful pic of the 2 of you, I like that set up how it looks like you are outside on deck.

Looks like you had a nice dinner. Is that scallops along with the shrimp in your surf and turf? I am not a beef fan but I do love shrimp and scallops.

I was happy with how the picture turned out as well.
Yes it is shrimp and scallops. I do love scallops too!

It's been so hectic at the house and at the office that I've been reading along but forgetting to post. As always, your pictures are great especially the ones of such calm water. Oh and the pictures of the food.

Totally understand. I am so busy with holiday stuff that all my TR's are slacking off and I am just doing enough work to get me by. I really need a few more hours a day.

That's a great picture of you and your Mom! Love it.

Thanks

 

[jenseib]

We headed towards the theatre and found seats a few rows back off to the side. We were early, but we just sat and talked. We noticed they were playing a lot of Elton John songs and I mentioned to Mom that I bet the show was going to be themed towards Elton John. That would only make sense as to why they played so many of his songs.

Sure enough when it started the songs were Elton John songs.





Now the costumes were good, the dancing was good, but the singing…UGH! The one guy was just down right awful, the other guy was hit and miss. Some songs he was pretty good and others he was really off. There were also 2 girl singers and the one was just awful. The other girl was pretty good but her voice was just not right for the songs she sang. She was one of those singers who really should only sing a certain type of song. Her voice was very deep and strong and it just didn’t seem to go with the songs. After talking with several other people onboard throughout the cruise we found that this opinion was pretty much the majority and some only went to one show (with many people doing a back to back cruise) and did not return because they just couldn’t handle the bad singing.







These were the 4 singers.



The gal on the left was the best of the 4. We also wondered if she was pregnant. Some of her outfits looked like she may have a little baby belly going…..but it could’ve just been unflattering outfits that she was wearing.











She doesn’t really look pregnant here but you will see some pictures where her belly does look a little bigger.















Those dancers were constantly moving.