Camera PV 2007 » Camera Bag » Grand Princess – W Caribbean 11/18-11/25 – Part 2
Grand Princess – W Caribbean 11/18-11/25 – Part 2
Question:
Yes, 11/22 was Thanksgiving, yes they had the huge presentation in the Atrium & the pumpkin fiasco for dinner. But at Breakfast, we let Carlos & Dianele know that We HATE PUMPKIN! So dinner was pumpkin free, Beef Tenderloin, 2 shrimp cocktails (red & caribbean) and swans on chocolate lake & the Princess Dream both wonderful & pumpkin free. Great cuppuccino also! Then I also remarked that the dining room coffee was so good! I am told it is the same coffee at lunch & the buffet. I shook my head in disbelief since the buffet coffee was horrid! I learn that the china cups at dinner are heated, at lunch are not & the buffet is plastic mugs – thus makes for lousy coffee. So at lunch in the dining room we requested heated cups & wahla! Good coffee! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >11/21 This was Stingray Day & I was quite excited! We had breakfast on the >balcony & we very taken by the see-through waters below us. We saw a few Rays >swim & a team of 7 groupers (so we learned) tagged behind as we docked. Amazing >that any human can navigate this enormous shopping cart into postion, especially >backing in. We were down of 4 to board the tender which wasn’t the orange >lifeboats, since they we security, but a large 2 story board that held approx >100 folks. Then we walked to the Aqua Mall to meet Ruth from Capt Marvins. We >booked the 10AM 3 hour trip which was 45 mins with Stingrays which was so great >with they enorous bacl creatures, who a the females, rubbing up against you as a >hello. You feed them squid by the bucketful. Some navy blue fish about 2 feet >long also steal food from my hands in record speed. Then we glide over to the >coral reef for snorkeling which was being live on a National Geographic Show. >After 45 mins you are signalled to return to the ship (we had 40 total on the >trip on a 3 story cruiser). The we went to the Coral Gardens which was a feast >for the eyes. The crystal clear water, the colors of the coral, fish, and other >living manner which included a morey eel. This excursion booked online was well >worth $35. Princess’ excursion for $50 was a glass boat that you watch the >folks play with the Ray & see Hell & some turtle farm. They pointed it out with >150 folks crammed on it. Aqua Mall has sharks in a tank, turtles and other >interesting things to see besides shop. Back to the ship by 2PM, shower & relax >before dinner. Then another Vista Lounge show with a juggler. We lasted 15 >minutes here. Sorry to say the entertainment in the theatres wasn’t worth >sitting thru. So to the Atrium (which is much smaller than the Sun Class ships) >and the best pianist who really works his Mozart & Chopin playbooks. Again we >see Kim, who has some prices for Med, Russia, British Isles so we can use the >2nd cruise deposit purchased before we sail on Coral. She told us we were to be >receiving paperwork by Saturday in our stateroom (which we never did by >disembarkation). She also told us that Coral must like us already since we were >upgraded from BF to BD for the 12/14/02 cruise. This ship will have so many >balconies that the categories are BA-BM! >11/22 this is the day for the much mocked Costa Maya aka Majahual. The Spa had >Costa Maya specials good only on that day. A Mariachi band came aboard to play >in the Atrium, and as we went ashore to look around we noticed that the Grand >was the only ship there! Very pushy folks to make your visit irritating. A >mall with a show that plays twice in the 8 hours there. Prices were too high & >they do not bargain. Getting back on the ship was a breeze with no purchases & >they knew our camera bag so we were waved past the area onto the ship. Lunch at >DiVinci was fun. Chili Con Carne in a bread bowl was excellent! Had the >cinnamon ice cream with another scoop of mint chocolate chip with carmel over >it. Then as we went through the Atrium a string quartet (3 gals with a guy) >entertained. So we sat & enjoyed them. Then decided to do High Tea also in >Davinci. Excellent white gloved service, the pianist entertaining with more >Chopin, and some nice folks to chat with all agreeing why Princess stops here. >BORING! All loved PC Dining tho none of us had the need for reservations if you >dined by 7PM. After 7 it was a zoo! The Head Waiters had told us how pushy >folks were to get a table when all they needed was a reservation for late >dining. We asked if anyone was eating in Borcelli’s for traditional & yet, it >was full too! At dinner that night, a honeymooning couple who we had chatted >with earlier showed for dinner with about 200 other folks who decided to eat >early. We had our table & were seated & as we watched them waiters in line be >awarded their guests, who they took to the stated table number, our honeymooners >stepped up in line. We told Carlos to bring them over. They were so excited to >eat in our area, basically the same folks at the same table with the same >waiters. She loved being walked with her hand held high to the table & seated >so respectfully. They told us this didn’t happen in either DaVinci or >Michaelangelo on the previous night. Then Daniele shows with a large plate of >thin sliced veal with greens surrounding it, again beatiful presentation. Then >I freak at big hands on my shoulder & it is Josef, the Executive Chef, stopping >by. So I introduce him to our friends & he invites them to his cooking show >tomorrow at Noon. He makes sure we are coming & then leaves. Veal was the hit >tonite with mashed potatoes high on cream & butter, presented thru a pastry bag. >The roasted tomato was carved into a rose. BEAUTIFUL! After dinner we walked >around the shops that had what resembled a sidewalk sale along the atrium >railings on both floors. Gold-By-The-Inch was the hot place & I got a 18 kt >gold plated bracelet for $40. >11/23 as Cozumel Day. We were greeted again by crystal clear waters with many >rock formations in it. So the snorkel bag goes with us as we explore the area >with at least 5 miles of waterfront shops. Diamond Int’l have 6 shops down the >street. 2 in the opposite direct where Carnival, RCI & Celbrity are docked. >Grand has it own spot. So we hit the 4 stores getting 8 pairs of diamond stud >earring for FREE. A great lead to get golks in and very few knew anything about >it. Princess passed out the coupons for them, but if a couple, give 2 different >stateroom #’s. St Thomas has them also with the same offer. Right in front of >the stores is the beach, rocky but all sorts of folks snorkeling with >interesting fish in the beautiful bluish-green waters. >Then over to Carlos & Charlies & I just loved the bolts & nuts tables & chairs, >then very funny waiters who also perform jokes on folks (such as changing my >drink straw 5 times & I didn’t notice). NOW THIS IS A PINA COLADA! Jerry has a >Mahi Tahi & one was more than enough. Then the bill shows – $132 but that is >pesos $13.20 USD a bit steep but it included the entertainment, sing alongs, >etc. Then I asked for the restrooms & the waiter points to the bar & the sign >BATHROOMS with a down arrow. Under it is an enormous toilet! But the real ones >are on the wall across from it. We learn that they are in Cleveland as Senor >Frogs. >A very funny man in front of his store sees us walking returning to the ship, >filming the sculptures on the waterline. He states that his prices are almost >free! So we walk in & I see a bracelet that is very heavy, silver studs >adorning with black encrusting it. $150 USD he states as I put it back. He >gets it & is now at $110. He starts his sales pitch with the real silver, coded >950 top quality opposed to the 999 or 925. As we start for the door he goes to >$100, then $80, then $60. Jerry tells him $30 pulling out the $20 & $10. SOLD! >Then we got some T-Shirts that fill in in color when out in the sun. They have >nail polish that is one color inside & another in the sun. Great day there, so >much more personable & clean compared to the Puerto Valarta side of Mexico. But >they then tell us they are a private island, not mainland. That is why they are >so great! Then the man has tableclothes even long dining room table types. I >saw a Mayan Calendar style that was so eye catching & we got it for $20. Then >back to the ship & again waved past the long line at check in. A long soak in >my personal hot tub in our bathroom & Jerry is out cold across the bed. Dressy >night #2 with Captain Circle party before. We are to be at the Captain’s table >in Borcelli at 8PM dinner. But as we enter dressed in black, me a lace gown & >Jerry suit & short, a long line is before us for what we thought was the photo >with the Captain, nope! Just handshakes & Jerry hears before the 2 guys in front >of us the Captains states "No more handshakes, taking too much time". He just >says Hello with no smile & Jerry goes to shake his hand & gets 3 finger across >his first 3 fingers which really changed our taste for dinner. We told his >assitant that we won’t be a dinner to learn that they have a list who want to >dine & only 10 are chosen. So we may not have been dining with him afterall? >Then we finally get to see & experience the Cruise Director Graham Seymour. >Very funny gent, was the best entertainment on the ship’s 5 days! Then we learn >that he has a TV Show on channel 21, tho the only TV was ESPN for scores & a >college game ending or CNN where we again heard about the Princess RCI merger >days later from Kim’s email that we read. Then free booze & canapes & 4 folks >awarded champagne from a drawing & a couple with 475 cruise days got a free >cruise (didn’t say where). So blasted we head to dinner which was lobster >tails, carb cocktail & Carlos brought us more 2 shrimp cocktails each (one red & >the other Caribbean) as we are seated by Daniele. Pretty empty room at 7:45PM. >A bus
… read more »
Response:
11/21 This was Stingray Day & I was quite excited! We had breakfast on the balcony & we very taken by the see-through waters below us. We saw a few Rays swim & a team of 7 groupers (so we learned) tagged behind as we docked. Amazing that any human can navigate this enormous shopping cart into postion, especially backing in. We were down of 4 to board the tender which wasn’t the orange lifeboats, since they we security, but a large 2 story board that held approx 100 folks. Then we walked to the Aqua Mall to meet Ruth from Capt Marvins. We booked the 10AM 3 hour trip which was 45 mins with Stingrays which was so great with they enorous bacl creatures, who a the females, rubbing up against you as a hello. You feed them squid by the bucketful. Some navy blue fish about 2 feet long also steal food from my hands in record speed. Then we glide over to the coral reef for snorkeling which was being live on a National Geographic Show. After 45 mins you are signalled to return to the ship (we had 40 total on the trip on a 3 story cruiser). The we went to the Coral Gardens which was a feast for the eyes. The crystal clear water, the colors of the coral, fish, and other living manner which included a morey eel. This excursion booked online was well worth $35. Princess’ excursion for $50 was a glass boat that you watch the folks play with the Ray & see Hell & some turtle farm. They pointed it out with 150 folks crammed on it. Aqua Mall has sharks in a tank, turtles and other interesting things to see besides shop. Back to the ship by 2PM, shower & relax before dinner. Then another Vista Lounge show with a juggler. We lasted 15 minutes here. Sorry to say the entertainment in the theatres wasn’t worth sitting thru. So to the Atrium (which is much smaller than the Sun Class ships) and the best pianist who really works his Mozart & Chopin playbooks. Again we see Kim, who has some prices for Med, Russia, British Isles so we can use the 2nd cruise deposit purchased before we sail on Coral. She told us we were to be receiving paperwork by Saturday in our stateroom (which we never did by disembarkation). She also told us that Coral must like us already since we were upgraded from BF to BD for the 12/14/02 cruise. This ship will have so many balconies that the categories are BA-BM! 11/22 this is the day for the much mocked Costa Maya aka Majahual. The Spa had Costa Maya specials good only on that day. A Mariachi band came aboard to play in the Atrium, and as we went ashore to look around we noticed that the Grand was the only ship there! Very pushy folks to make your visit irritating. A mall with a show that plays twice in the 8 hours there. Prices were too high & they do not bargain. Getting back on the ship was a breeze with no purchases & they knew our camera bag so we were waved past the area onto the ship. Lunch at DiVinci was fun. Chili Con Carne in a bread bowl was excellent! Had the cinnamon ice cream with another scoop of mint chocolate chip with carmel over it. Then as we went through the Atrium a string quartet (3 gals with a guy) entertained. So we sat & enjoyed them. Then decided to do High Tea also in Davinci. Excellent white gloved service, the pianist entertaining with more Chopin, and some nice folks to chat with all agreeing why Princess stops here. BORING! All loved PC Dining tho none of us had the need for reservations if you dined by 7PM. After 7 it was a zoo! The Head Waiters had told us how pushy folks were to get a table when all they needed was a reservation for late dining. We asked if anyone was eating in Borcelli’s for traditional & yet, it was full too! At dinner that night, a honeymooning couple who we had chatted with earlier showed for dinner with about 200 other folks who decided to eat early. We had our table & were seated & as we watched them waiters in line be awarded their guests, who they took to the stated table number, our honeymooners stepped up in line. We told Carlos to bring them over. They were so excited to eat in our area, basically the same folks at the same table with the same waiters. She loved being walked with her hand held high to the table & seated so respectfully. They told us this didn’t happen in either DaVinci or Michaelangelo on the previous night. Then Daniele shows with a large plate of thin sliced veal with greens surrounding it, again beatiful presentation. Then I freak at big hands on my shoulder & it is Josef, the Executive Chef, stopping by. So I introduce him to our friends & he invites them to his cooking show tomorrow at Noon. He makes sure we are coming & then leaves. Veal was the hit tonite with mashed potatoes high on cream & butter, presented thru a pastry bag. The roasted tomato was carved into a rose. BEAUTIFUL! After dinner we walked around the shops that had what resembled a sidewalk sale along the atrium railings on both floors. Gold-By-The-Inch was the hot place & I got a 18 kt gold plated bracelet for $40. 11/23 as Cozumel Day. We were greeted again by crystal clear waters with many rock formations in it. So the snorkel bag goes with us as we explore the area with at least 5 miles of waterfront shops. Diamond Int’l have 6 shops down the street. 2 in the opposite direct where Carnival, RCI & Celbrity are docked. Grand has it own spot. So we hit the 4 stores getting 8 pairs of diamond stud earring for FREE. A great lead to get golks in and very few knew anything about it. Princess passed out the coupons for them, but if a couple, give 2 different stateroom #’s. St Thomas has them also with the same offer. Right in front of the stores is the beach, rocky but all sorts of folks snorkeling with interesting fish in the beautiful bluish-green waters. Then over to Carlos & Charlies & I just loved the bolts & nuts tables & chairs, then very funny waiters who also perform jokes on folks (such as changing my drink straw 5 times & I didn’t notice). NOW THIS IS A PINA COLADA! Jerry has a Mahi Tahi & one was more than enough. Then the bill shows – $132 but that is pesos $13.20 USD a bit steep but it included the entertainment, sing alongs, etc. Then I asked for the restrooms & the waiter points to the bar & the sign BATHROOMS with a down arrow. Under it is an enormous toilet! But the real ones are on the wall across from it. We learn that they are in Cleveland as Senor Frogs. A very funny man in front of his store sees us walking returning to the ship, filming the sculptures on the waterline. He states that his prices are almost free! So we walk in & I see a bracelet that is very heavy, silver studs adorning with black encrusting it. $150 USD he states as I put it back. He gets it & is now at $110. He starts his sales pitch with the real silver, coded 950 top quality opposed to the 999 or 925. As we start for the door he goes to $100, then $80, then $60. Jerry tells him $30 pulling out the $20 & $10. SOLD! Then we got some T-Shirts that fill in in color when out in the sun. They have nail polish that is one color inside & another in the sun. Great day there, so much more personable & clean compared to the Puerto Valarta side of Mexico. But they then tell us they are a private island, not mainland. That is why they are so great! Then the man has tableclothes even long dining room table types. I saw a Mayan Calendar style that was so eye catching & we got it for $20. Then back to the ship & again waved past the long line at check in. A long soak in my personal hot tub in our bathroom & Jerry is out cold across the bed. Dressy night #2 with Captain Circle party before. We are to be at the Captain’s table in Borcelli at 8PM dinner. But as we enter dressed in black, me a lace gown & Jerry suit & short, a long line is before us for what we thought was the photo with the Captain, nope! Just handshakes & Jerry hears before the 2 guys in front of us the Captains states "No more handshakes, taking too much time". He just says Hello with no smile & Jerry goes to shake his hand & gets 3 finger across his first 3 fingers which really changed our taste for dinner. We told his assitant that we won’t be a dinner to learn that they have a list who want to dine & only 10 are chosen. So we may not have been dining with him afterall? Then we finally get to see & experience the Cruise Director Graham Seymour. Very funny gent, was the best entertainment on the ship’s 5 days! Then we learn that he has a TV Show on channel 21, tho the only TV was ESPN for scores & a college game ending or CNN where we again heard about the Princess RCI merger days later from Kim’s email that we read. Then free booze & canapes & 4 folks awarded champagne from a drawing & a couple with 475 cruise days got a free cruise (didn’t say where). So blasted we head to dinner which was lobster tails, carb cocktail & Carlos brought us more 2 shrimp cocktails each (one red & the other Caribbean) as we are seated by Daniele. Pretty empty room at 7:45PM. A bus of tourists is stuck broken down so we are not leaving port til after 10PM so many are still ashore. After dinner back for a soak & cocktails on the balcony, which the others behind us up 3 floors seemed to never be used. In the morning a few outside but at night it is pretty vacant which was nice, relaxing & peaceful. Then we remember that Marty Allen is at the Princess Theatre, so we make the 10PM show! After Westward Ho & Gold Coast in Las Vegas, he has found his nitch with Princess. He & Kate do 2 shows a week, they are ashore with the tourists, they ate lunch the same times as us daily, and we are guessing they don’t not have bunk beds in their staterooms as we learned from the waiters on how they live (4 to a room). She is typical torch singer but Marty at his age & very balding head with the frizz combed in circles around it, can get a showroom rolling in the aisles. She does a good straight man to him with very nice gown changes. … read more »
Response:
11/21 This was Stingray Day & I was quite excited! We had breakfast on the balcony & we very taken by the see-through waters below us. We saw a few Rays swim & a team of 7 groupers (so we learned) tagged behind as we docked. Amazing that any human can navigate this enormous shopping cart into postion, especially backing in. We were down of 4 to board the tender which wasn’t the orange lifeboats, since they we security, but a large 2 story board that held approx 100 folks. Then we walked to the Aqua Mall to meet Ruth from Capt Marvins. We booked the 10AM 3 hour trip which was 45 mins with Stingrays which was so great with they enorous bacl creatures, who a the females, rubbing up against you as a hello. You feed them squid by the bucketful. Some navy blue fish about 2 feet long also steal food from my hands in record speed. Then we glide over to the coral reef for snorkeling which was being live on a National Geographic Show. After 45 mins you are signalled to return to the ship (we had 40 total on the trip on a 3 story cruiser). The we went to the Coral Gardens which was a feast for the eyes. The crystal clear water, the colors of the coral, fish, and other living manner which included a morey eel. This excursion booked online was well worth $35. Princess’ excursion for $50 was a glass boat that you watch the folks play with the Ray & see Hell & some turtle farm. They pointed it out with 150 folks crammed on it. Aqua Mall has sharks in a tank, turtles and other interesting things to see besides shop. Back to the ship by 2PM, shower & relax before dinner. Then another Vista Lounge show with a juggler. We lasted 15 minutes here. Sorry to say the entertainment in the theatres wasn’t worth sitting thru. So to the Atrium (which is much smaller than the Sun Class ships) and the best pianist who really works his Mozart & Chopin playbooks. Again we see Kim, who has some prices for Med, Russia, British Isles so we can use the 2nd cruise deposit purchased before we sail on Coral. She told us we were to be receiving paperwork by Saturday in our stateroom (which we never did by disembarkation). She also told us that Coral must like us already since we were upgraded from BF to BD for the 12/14/02 cruise. This ship will have so many balconies that the categories are BA-BM! 11/22 this is the day for the much mocked Costa Maya aka Majahual. The Spa had Costa Maya specials good only on that day. A Mariachi band came aboard to play in the Atrium, and as we went ashore to look around we noticed that the Grand was the only ship there! Very pushy folks to make your visit irritating. A mall with a show that plays twice in the 8 hours there. Prices were too high & they do not bargain. Getting back on the ship was a breeze with no purchases & they knew our camera bag so we were waved past the area onto the ship. Lunch at DiVinci was fun. Chili Con Carne in a bread bowl was excellent! Had the cinnamon ice cream with another scoop of mint chocolate chip with carmel over it. Then as we went through the Atrium a string quartet (3 gals with a guy) entertained. So we sat & enjoyed them. Then decided to do High Tea also in Davinci. Excellent white gloved service, the pianist entertaining with more Chopin, and some nice folks to chat with all agreeing why Princess stops here. BORING! All loved PC Dining tho none of us had the need for reservations if you dined by 7PM. After 7 it was a zoo! The Head Waiters had told us how pushy folks were to get a table when all they needed was a reservation for late dining. We asked if anyone was eating in Borcelli’s for traditional & yet, it was full too! At dinner that night, a honeymooning couple who we had chatted with earlier showed for dinner with about 200 other folks who decided to eat early. We had our table & were seated & as we watched them waiters in line be awarded their guests, who they took to the stated table number, our honeymooners stepped up in line. We told Carlos to bring them over. They were so excited to eat in our area, basically the same folks at the same table with the same waiters. She loved being walked with her hand held high to the table & seated so respectfully. They told us this didn’t happen in either DaVinci or Michaelangelo on the previous night. Then Daniele shows with a large plate of thin sliced veal with greens surrounding it, again beatiful presentation. Then I freak at big hands on my shoulder & it is Josef, the Executive Chef, stopping by. So I introduce him to our friends & he invites them to his cooking show tomorrow at Noon. He makes sure we are coming & then leaves. Veal was the hit tonite with mashed potatoes high on cream & butter, presented thru a pastry bag. The roasted tomato was carved into a rose. BEAUTIFUL! After dinner we walked around the shops that had what resembled a sidewalk sale along the atrium railings on both floors. Gold-By-The-Inch was the hot place & I got a 18 kt gold plated bracelet for $40. 11/23 as Cozumel Day. We were greeted again by crystal clear waters with many rock formations in it. So the snorkel bag goes with us as we explore the area with at least 5 miles of waterfront shops. Diamond Int’l have 6 shops down the street. 2 in the opposite direct where Carnival, RCI & Celbrity are docked. Grand has it own spot. So we hit the 4 stores getting 8 pairs of diamond stud earring for FREE. A great lead to get golks in and very few knew anything about it. Princess passed out the coupons for them, but if a couple, give 2 different stateroom #’s. St Thomas has them also with the same offer. Right in front of the stores is the beach, rocky but all sorts of folks snorkeling with interesting fish in the beautiful bluish-green waters. Then over to Carlos & Charlies & I just loved the bolts & nuts tables & chairs, then very funny waiters who also perform jokes on folks (such as changing my drink straw 5 times & I didn’t notice). NOW THIS IS A PINA COLADA! Jerry has a Mahi Tahi & one was more than enough. Then the bill shows – $132 but that is pesos $13.20 USD a bit steep but it included the entertainment, sing alongs, etc. Then I asked for the restrooms & the waiter points to the bar & the sign BATHROOMS with a down arrow. Under it is an enormous toilet! But the real ones are on the wall across from it. We learn that they are in Cleveland as Senor Frogs. A very funny man in front of his store sees us walking returning to the ship, filming the sculptures on the waterline. He states that his prices are almost free! So we walk in & I see a bracelet that is very heavy, silver studs adorning with black encrusting it. $150 USD he states as I put it back. He gets it & is now at $110. He starts his sales pitch with the real silver, coded 950 top quality opposed to the 999 or 925. As we start for the door he goes to $100, then $80, then $60. Jerry tells him $30 pulling out the $20 & $10. SOLD! Then we got some T-Shirts that fill in in color when out in the sun. They have nail polish that is one color inside & another in the sun. Great day there, so much more personable & clean compared to the Puerto Valarta side of Mexico. But they then tell us they are a private island, not mainland. That is why they are so great! Then the man has tableclothes even long dining room table types. I saw a Mayan Calendar style that was so eye catching & we got it for $20. Then back to the ship & again waved past the long line at check in. A long soak in my personal hot tub in our bathroom & Jerry is out cold across the bed. Dressy night #2 with Captain Circle party before. We are to be at the Captain’s table in Borcelli at 8PM dinner. But as we enter dressed in black, me a lace gown & Jerry suit & short, a long line is before us for what we thought was the photo with the Captain, nope! Just handshakes & Jerry hears before the 2 guys in front of us the Captains states "No more handshakes, taking too much time". He just says Hello with no smile & Jerry goes to shake his hand & gets 3 finger across his first 3 fingers which really changed our taste for dinner. We told his assitant that we won’t be a dinner to learn that they have a list who want to dine & only 10 are chosen. So we may not have been dining with him afterall? Then we finally get to see & experience the Cruise Director Graham Seymour. Very funny gent, was the best entertainment on the ship’s 5 days! Then we learn that he has a TV Show on channel 21, tho the only TV was ESPN for scores & a college game ending or CNN where we again heard about the Princess RCI merger days later from Kim’s email that we read. Then free booze & canapes & 4 folks awarded champagne from a drawing & a couple with 475 cruise days got a free cruise (didn’t say where). So blasted we head to dinner which was lobster tails, carb cocktail & Carlos brought us more 2 shrimp cocktails each (one red & the other Caribbean) as we are seated by Daniele. Pretty empty room at 7:45PM. A bus of tourists is stuck broken down so we are not leaving port til after 10PM so many are still ashore. After dinner back for a soak & cocktails on the balcony, which the others behind us up 3 floors seemed to never be used. In the morning a few outside but at night it is pretty vacant which was nice, relaxing & peaceful. Then we remember that Marty Allen is at the Princess Theatre, so we make the 10PM show! After Westward Ho & Gold Coast in Las Vegas, he has found his nitch with Princess. He & Kate do 2 shows a week, they are ashore with the tourists, they ate lunch the same times as us daily, and we are guessing they don’t not have bunk beds in their staterooms as we learned from the waiters on how they live (4 to a room). She is typical torch singer but Marty at his age & very balding head with the frizz combed in circles around it, can get a showroom rolling in the aisles. She does a good straight man to him with very nice gown changes. … read more »
Response:
Yes, 11/22 was Thanksgiving, yes they had the huge presentation in the Atrium & the pumpkin fiasco for dinner. But at Breakfast, we let Carlos & Dianele know that We HATE PUMPKIN! So dinner was pumpkin free, Beef Tenderloin, 2 shrimp cocktails (red & caribbean) and swans on chocolate lake & the Princess Dream both wonderful & pumpkin free. Great cuppuccino also! Then I also remarked that the dining room coffee was so good! I am told it is the same coffee at lunch & the buffet. I shook my head in disbelief since the buffet coffee was horrid! I learn that the china cups at dinner are heated, at lunch are not & the buffet is plastic mugs – thus makes for lousy coffee. So at lunch in the dining room we requested heated cups & wahla! Good coffee! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >11/21 This was Stingray Day & I was quite excited! We had breakfast on the >balcony & we very taken by the see-through waters below us. We saw a few Rays >swim & a team of 7 groupers (so we learned) tagged behind as we docked. Amazing >that any human can navigate this enormous shopping cart into postion, especially >backing in. We were down of 4 to board the tender which wasn’t the orange >lifeboats, since they we security, but a large 2 story board that held approx >100 folks. Then we walked to the Aqua Mall to meet Ruth from Capt Marvins. We >booked the 10AM 3 hour trip which was 45 mins with Stingrays which was so great >with they enorous bacl creatures, who a the females, rubbing up against you as a >hello. You feed them squid by the bucketful. Some navy blue fish about 2 feet >long also steal food from my hands in record speed. Then we glide over to the >coral reef for snorkeling which was being live on a National Geographic Show. >After 45 mins you are signalled to return to the ship (we had 40 total on the >trip on a 3 story cruiser). The we went to the Coral Gardens which was a feast >for the eyes. The crystal clear water, the colors of the coral, fish, and other >living manner which included a morey eel. This excursion booked online was well >worth $35. Princess’ excursion for $50 was a glass boat that you watch the >folks play with the Ray & see Hell & some turtle farm. They pointed it out with >150 folks crammed on it. Aqua Mall has sharks in a tank, turtles and other >interesting things to see besides shop. Back to the ship by 2PM, shower & relax >before dinner. Then another Vista Lounge show with a juggler. We lasted 15 >minutes here. Sorry to say the entertainment in the theatres wasn’t worth >sitting thru. So to the Atrium (which is much smaller than the Sun Class ships) >and the best pianist who really works his Mozart & Chopin playbooks. Again we >see Kim, who has some prices for Med, Russia, British Isles so we can use the >2nd cruise deposit purchased before we sail on Coral. She told us we were to be >receiving paperwork by Saturday in our stateroom (which we never did by >disembarkation). She also told us that Coral must like us already since we were >upgraded from BF to BD for the 12/14/02 cruise. This ship will have so many >balconies that the categories are BA-BM! >11/22 this is the day for the much mocked Costa Maya aka Majahual. The Spa had >Costa Maya specials good only on that day. A Mariachi band came aboard to play >in the Atrium, and as we went ashore to look around we noticed that the Grand >was the only ship there! Very pushy folks to make your visit irritating. A >mall with a show that plays twice in the 8 hours there. Prices were too high & >they do not bargain. Getting back on the ship was a breeze with no purchases & >they knew our camera bag so we were waved past the area onto the ship. Lunch at >DiVinci was fun. Chili Con Carne in a bread bowl was excellent! Had the >cinnamon ice cream with another scoop of mint chocolate chip with carmel over >it. Then as we went through the Atrium a string quartet (3 gals with a guy) >entertained. So we sat & enjoyed them. Then decided to do High Tea also in >Davinci. Excellent white gloved service, the pianist entertaining with more >Chopin, and some nice folks to chat with all agreeing why Princess stops here. >BORING! All loved PC Dining tho none of us had the need for reservations if you >dined by 7PM. After 7 it was a zoo! The Head Waiters had told us how pushy >folks were to get a table when all they needed was a reservation for late >dining. We asked if anyone was eating in Borcelli’s for traditional & yet, it >was full too! At dinner that night, a honeymooning couple who we had chatted >with earlier showed for dinner with about 200 other folks who decided to eat >early. We had our table & were seated & as we watched them waiters in line be >awarded their guests, who they took to the stated table number, our honeymooners >stepped up in line. We told Carlos to bring them over. They were so excited to >eat in our area, basically the same folks at the same table with the same >waiters. She loved being walked with her hand held high to the table & seated >so respectfully. They told us this didn’t happen in either DaVinci or >Michaelangelo on the previous night. Then Daniele shows with a large plate of >thin sliced veal with greens surrounding it, again beatiful presentation. Then >I freak at big hands on my shoulder & it is Josef, the Executive Chef, stopping >by. So I introduce him to our friends & he invites them to his cooking show >tomorrow at Noon. He makes sure we are coming & then leaves. Veal was the hit >tonite with mashed potatoes high on cream & butter, presented thru a pastry bag. >The roasted tomato was carved into a rose. BEAUTIFUL! After dinner we walked >around the shops that had what resembled a sidewalk sale along the atrium >railings on both floors. Gold-By-The-Inch was the hot place & I got a 18 kt >gold plated bracelet for $40. >11/23 as Cozumel Day. We were greeted again by crystal clear waters with many >rock formations in it. So the snorkel bag goes with us as we explore the area >with at least 5 miles of waterfront shops. Diamond Int’l have 6 shops down the >street. 2 in the opposite direct where Carnival, RCI & Celbrity are docked. >Grand has it own spot. So we hit the 4 stores getting 8 pairs of diamond stud >earring for FREE. A great lead to get golks in and very few knew anything about >it. Princess passed out the coupons for them, but if a couple, give 2 different >stateroom #’s. St Thomas has them also with the same offer. Right in front of >the stores is the beach, rocky but all sorts of folks snorkeling with >interesting fish in the beautiful bluish-green waters. >Then over to Carlos & Charlies & I just loved the bolts & nuts tables & chairs, >then very funny waiters who also perform jokes on folks (such as changing my >drink straw 5 times & I didn’t notice). NOW THIS IS A PINA COLADA! Jerry has a >Mahi Tahi & one was more than enough. Then the bill shows – $132 but that is >pesos $13.20 USD a bit steep but it included the entertainment, sing alongs, >etc. Then I asked for the restrooms & the waiter points to the bar & the sign >BATHROOMS with a down arrow. Under it is an enormous toilet! But the real ones >are on the wall across from it. We learn that they are in Cleveland as Senor >Frogs. >A very funny man in front of his store sees us walking returning to the ship, >filming the sculptures on the waterline. He states that his prices are almost >free! So we walk in & I see a bracelet that is very heavy, silver studs >adorning with black encrusting it. $150 USD he states as I put it back. He >gets it & is now at $110. He starts his sales pitch with the real silver, coded >950 top quality opposed to the 999 or 925. As we start for the door he goes to >$100, then $80, then $60. Jerry tells him $30 pulling out the $20 & $10. SOLD! >Then we got some T-Shirts that fill in in color when out in the sun. They have >nail polish that is one color inside & another in the sun. Great day there, so >much more personable & clean compared to the Puerto Valarta side of Mexico. But >they then tell us they are a private island, not mainland. That is why they are >so great! Then the man has tableclothes even long dining room table types. I >saw a Mayan Calendar style that was so eye catching & we got it for $20. Then >back to the ship & again waved past the long line at check in. A long soak in >my personal hot tub in our bathroom & Jerry is out cold across the bed. Dressy >night #2 with Captain Circle party before. We are to be at the Captain’s table >in Borcelli at 8PM dinner. But as we enter dressed in black, me a lace gown & >Jerry suit & short, a long line is before us for what we thought was the photo >with the Captain, nope! Just handshakes & Jerry hears before the 2 guys in front >of us the Captains states "No more handshakes, taking too much time". He just >says Hello with no smile & Jerry goes to shake his hand & gets 3 finger across >his first 3 fingers which really changed our taste for dinner. We told his >assitant that we won’t be a dinner to learn that they have a list who want to >dine & only 10 are chosen. So we may not have been dining with him afterall? >Then we finally get to see & experience the Cruise Director Graham Seymour. >Very funny gent, was the best entertainment on the ship’s 5 days! Then we learn >that he has a TV Show on channel 21, tho the only TV was ESPN for scores & a >college game ending or CNN where we again heard about the Princess RCI merger >days later from Kim’s email that we read. Then free booze & canapes & 4 folks >awarded champagne from a drawing & a couple with 475 cruise days got a free >cruise (didn’t say where). So blasted we head to dinner which was lobster >tails, carb cocktail & Carlos brought us more 2 shrimp cocktails each (one red & >the other Caribbean) as we are seated by Daniele. Pretty empty room at 7:45PM. >A bus
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