ROYAL PRINCESS: PART FIVE

Capt. Dino Sagani on the Bridge (Photo: Cruising Squared)

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – Our last day at sea is here. By this time tomorrow we will be docked at Port Everglades. Hard to believe seven days can go by so fast. Outside our stateroom it’s gray and rainy, but there are prospects of better weather for the afternoon.

Just time for a few final thoughts and observations.

• BRIDGE TOUR. Today we were among a small group invited to tour the bridge. Our host is Captain Dino Sagani, who has commanded four ships in the Princess fleet. As you would expect, Royal Princess sports the latest state-of-the-art technology, and the ship’s control center resembles an airplane cockpit. And about that special “Love Boat” horn greeting – the Captain tells me it was specially built just for Princess.

• SHIP PHOTOS. One nice touch are the photos which line the stateroom corridors. They were all taken and donated by passengers from previous Princess cruises. Whets your appetite for more globe-trotting adventures.

• PRINCESS LIVE. This is a fully operational TV studio which hosts game shows, karaoke, lectures and other audience-participation programs. One event helped me learn about the “Top 10 Art Heists of All Time.”

• THINGS WE LIKED. There is much to like on this beautiful ship. Among them, the friendly staff and the food. From the Horizon Bistro on deck 16 to the main dining rooms, we found the food uniformly good. The specialty venues provide a lot of choice, from gelato to coffee to afternoon tea. Vines caters to wine lovers, and on our last day the Wheelhouse Bar became an English pub serving fish and chips. Not to mention The Pastry Shop in Horizon. Boy, you can gain weight just walking through that place.

• A FEW SUGGESTIONS. It may be just us, but we would like a few more dark and cozy venues to sip a cocktail and listen to jazz or Sinatra. Most of the bars are located along heavy traffic lanes, like Seaview, Vista Lounge and Wheelhouse. Club 6 could be good, but the hours are limited. And seriously, check the programming on those elevators.

• OVERALL: Princess invites passengers to “Escape Completely.” As first-timers, we spent an enjoyable seven days with an objective to do just that. Bottom line? When this “Love Boat” makes another run, we’ll be there. -- Pam and Gerry

ROYAL PRINCESS: PART FOUR

Docked in St. Thomas (Photos: Cruising Squared)

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – We reach our next port of call, St.Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to a mix of sun and rain, typical of life in the tropics. For some it’s a chance to pour into Charlotte Amalie for a shopping blitz; for others, a nice time to relax on board minus the crowds. Having been to this destination numerous times before, we choose the latter.

And what better way to relax than a beautifully prepared cup of cappuccino from the International Café in a cozy window booth by the Piazza. Are they brewing coffee here or works or art?

Speaking of art, they are holding the art auction later, something with which we are very familiar. Several years ago we attended one on a lark as part of another cruise. Several glasses of champagne later, and after a bitter bidding war with another passenger, we found ourselves the proud owners of five new works of art. The cost? Don’t go there.

About the service on board – excellent. Everyone we’ve encountered has been uniformly friendly, helpful and smiling. Quite an accomplishment for a job that demands hard work, long hours and making 3,000-plus customers happy on a 24/7 basis. We did have to chuckle when the woman at the service desk inquired, “Which of the formal nights is more formal?”

In our quest to seek out a nice deck chair to watch the waves go by, we discover the Promenade on Deck 7. We have read that one of the complaints about how the ship was designed is the Promenade deck doesn’t extend continuously around the ship. That is reportedly going to be corrected on Royal’s sister ship, Regal Princess, and retro-fitted on this one at her first dry dock.

But we did find our chairs, albeit without cushions. Not as comfy as they could be, but nonetheless a fine place to watch the world go by.

The Seaview Bar

For the sail-away from St. Thomas, we took a seat at the Seaview Bar on deck 16 – the one that extends 28 feet over the edge of the ship. As the captain played the “Love Boat” theme on the ship’s horn, suddenly the bar patrons burst into singing the song from the 70s TV show. “The Love Boat … will be making another run … the Love Boat ….” It was decidedly off-key but still fun.

The next morning found us dockside in St. Maarten. Beside us was Allure of the Seas, along with Holland America’s Noordam. It was pouring rain, and passengers from all three ships were scurrying like ants waiting for their tours to start. The precip would come and go during the morning hours, but most of the afternoon was sunny and moisture-free.

The Water Taxi at St. Maarten

St. Maarten is actually one of our favorite ports in the Caribbean. A divided island – half Dutch and half French – we are on the Dutch side, at Philipsburg. We recommend catching the Water Taxi at the port. It’s a short ride to the heart of town and a ticket for an unlimited day pass is only $7. There’s even Christmas music to get you in the shopping mood.

A short walk from the pier and you’ll find everything right there: Shopping, restaurants, the beach, water sports. We make a stop for some coffee and free Wi-Fi, and a chance to enjoy the view of the amazing aquamarine waters.

Not to mention, it’s Thanksgiving. While in one sense we miss the traditional family get-together, this is pretty nice. And at dinner later, they have prepared a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings. The big plus is they are taking care of the dirty dishes.

This is our last port on this cruise, and we have two days at sea ahead. We’ll have one final dispatch and wrap-up before we reach Port Everglades. -- Pam and Gerry

CRUISING THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN

While Pam and I were cruising the Eastern Caribbean, Royal's new video puts the focus on the Western part of that island paradise. East or West, it's all good. Take a look:

ROYAL PRINCESS: PART THREE

The Sanctuary  (Photo: Cruising Squared)

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – Today is a sea day. The skies have turned sunny and the seas bright blue. The only constant is the wind, which continues to rock us along even as the captain has plotted a course to shelter us as much as possible.

This morning we opted to choose room service for breakfast. It’s great to dine on your balcony. Our only suggestion would be expand the menu. Apart from the usual continental fare, the main event is an egg muffin sandwich. Still, 24/7 room service is nice.

On sea days, you expect the pools to be busy, and this day was no different. There is a regular pool, a kid pool and a splashy “Bellagio-style” fountain on Lido Deck 16. But we especially appreciate the adult-only pool area on Deck 17, which includes The Sanctuary, where you can rent a cabana or a pool chair for half or full days. The cabanas go for $80 for a half day, and include food and beverage service. But you have to act fast. 

The adults-only pool

Reservations are only taken the day before, starting at 8 a.m., and we were told the line is already 25-30 deep when they open. You can also rent deluxe pool chairs by the adult-only pool, as well as smaller cabanas. Also note there are free loungers by the adult pool as well.

If you want an alternative, try the Outrigger Bar at the back of the ship on Deck 16. You can grab one of the tables by the railing and enjoy scenic vistas and an umbrella-infused cocktail at the same time. You forego the pampering, but for $80 you can afford to pamper yourself.

For lunch we try Alfredo’s Pizzeria by the atrium. Here you have lots of choices for a hand-tossed pizza. Add a mixed green salad and finish it off with an apple tart and you are good to go. Delicious.

Bellini's Bar

Mid-afternoon finds us in Bellini's Bar, also by the atrium. A good bellini can rank right up there with a martini, and these were both good and in generous proportions (unlike the birthplace of the bellini – Harry’s Bar in Venice, where the portion is small and price large). Taking place below us was a cha-cha dance class. Pam tells me the cha-cha is so easy even I can learn to do it. One more bellini and I think she might be right.

The Lotus Spa on Deck 5 seemed to be doing a brisk business. While we typically forego spa treatments on cruises, if you are looking to be rejuvenated, reconditioned or revived, this is the place to do it.

For evening entertainment, the Princess Theater hosts a different show every night. This cruise featured a tribute to The Beatles, illusionist David Cats and the ship’s singers and dancers. Over in the Vista Lounge, it was rock and roll from the 50s and 60s. Then there’s “Movies Under the Stars” on the big screen poolside, featuring “World War Z” and “Man of Steel.”

We decide to pay a visit to the Princess Casino. Wish us luck. -- Pam and Gerry

ROYAL PRINCESS: PART TWO

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – We are anchored off Princess Cays and the weather gods aren’t smiling on us. The view from our balcony is gray and rainy, and the forecast is more of the same. The wind isn’t helping matters, and our captain has cautioned we may have to abort this port.

After some deliberation, he decides to let the tenders go ashore, but advises everyone to be extra mindful. Having seen firsthand the hazards of boarding a bobbing tender, we know to take heed.

In the meantime, more time to explore and get to know this crown jewel in the Princess fleet.

Sabitini's, a specialty restaurant (Photo: Gerry)

Uppermost on the minds of every cruiser is food. And as you might expect, Royal Princess has plenty of options, including specialty venues like the Italian-inspired Sabatini’s and the Crown Grill, a steak and chophouse. Passengers have the option of choosing a set dining time, early or late, or anytime dining, which is nice. We opted for late dining in the Allegro.

There are two formal nights on this voyage – Tuesday and Friday. Time to dust off the old tux. It’s an option of course, but it’s nice to “put on the dog” and recapture some of the splendor of old school cruising.

Finding a dark corner for an after-dinner nightcap is something of a challenge. There are a number of bars aboard, but many are located in the brightly-lit areas. The Vista Lounge fits the bill, and also features different music theme nights. There’s also the Seaview Bar on deck 16, but the blow-me-down winds have waved us off so far.

Looks like we have a break in the weather, so we decide to take the tender over and see what the island is about. Unfortunately, by the time the tender arrives, the skies have gotten dark and the rains return. We all wait patiently for a departure, but 20 minutes later, we are still holding.

Well, maybe next time to see Princess Cays. Hopefully we’ll get a break as we make way to our next port, St. Thomas. Wish us luck. -- Gerry and Pam

CRUISE REVIEW: ROYAL PRINCESS

The atrium on Royal Princess (Photo: Gerry)

NOTE: Pam and I just returned from a cruise on the newest ship in the Princess fleet, Royal Princess. We blogged live on All Things Cruise, and now will share that coverage and more here.

ABOARD ROYAL PRINCESS – This cruise marks several firsts for us: Our first cruise on a Princess ship, and our first holiday voyage. We opted for a seven-day Eastern Caribbean excursion in lieu of the traditional Thanksgiving celebration. For once, we’ll relax and let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. Plus, a chance to experience the newest ship in the Princess fleet -- Royal Princess made her debut in June.

We boarded from Port Everglades at Fort Lauderdale, and over the course of the next seven days we will visit Princess Cays, a private beach area on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

Some first impressions from Day One:

The Boarding Process. Smooth, thanks in part because we didn’t arrive until our designated time slot. Why fight the crowds to be first in line for lunch? A nice plus was the helpful crew who pointed us in the right direction all along the way. We also enjoyed the captain’s sounding a few bars from the “Love Boat” theme (remember the 70s TV show that put the Princess brand on the map?) on the ship’s horn as we made our departure.

Our stateroom. We have a balcony room almost all the way to the front of the ship on Deck 9 – designation Dolphin. It’s roomy enough, thanks to a nice layout that separates the bathroom/closet from the bed area. There’s a 37-inch flat screen TV hugging one wall. The color scheme is soothing neutral tones with the occasional splash of color. Very cozy-comfy.

The lights are activated by inserting your stateroom keycard in a slot by the door. It’s an energy-saving measure that takes a little getting used to and might up the chances of leaving your room without your card. And as with just about every ship we’ve been on, there’s a maddening lack of power outlets. Tip: Always pack an extension cord and if you have a lot of electronics, a six-power strip.

The standard balcony is fairly compact; there’s just enough room for two chairs and a small table. There’s a refrigerator, and the safe to hold your valuables is quite roomy.
Around the Ship: The ship is beautiful, with that still-new sparkle and “new car” fragrance. A lot of the on-board activity is centered on the piazza-style atrium, which exudes elegance, starting with the double spiral staircases. In the first 24 hours we’ve seen everything from rock and roll dancing to exercise classes to piano instrumentals. You can eat, drink and be merry without leaving the area.

We still haven’t figured out the elevators. Judging by the comments, a number of other passengers haven’t, either. The bank closest to us has four elevators and two sets of buttons, so you have to make it point to press both if you are trying to catch one. And more often than not, the ones going in your direction don’t stop but zip right past. Doubtless some start-up bugs still to be worked out.

The SeaWalk feature on Deck 16 is a cool addition, if only for the “wow” factor. It’s a glass-bottom walkway that extends 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship on either side (one side hosts a bar).

If you are reading this, it means they fixed the Internet. The long line at the Internet Café were passengers seeking refunds for the empty minutes online when no one knew the satellite was down. Technology – it’s great when it works.

Next: A stop at Princess Cays.

JAMES TAYLOR ANNOUNCED FOR 'QUEEN MARY 2'

Credit: James O'Mara

Cunard has announced legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor will help commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Queen Mary 2 next year. Taylor will perform two concerts during the August 27 Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton, England, via Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Over the course of his career, Taylor has sold over 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards for classics ranging from Sweet Baby James in 1970 to October Road in 2002.

From the release: “I’ve always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe, and in June 2009 we got the chance to do that. It’s such a civilized way to go, and Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first-class travel,” Taylor said. 

PRINCESS SETS 'TAILGATE AT SEA' PARTIES

Are you ready for some football? (Credit: Princess)

If you love football -- and who doesn't, right? -- Princess Cruises has some good news for you. How about a tailgate party at sea? Today Princess announced they'll be showing all Monday Night Football games on its "Movies Under the Stars" screens and throwing a tailgate party each week to celebrate. Since we will be sailing on Royal Princess soon, expect a first-hand account direct from the ship. (At least, from one of us. Pam may choose to visit the spa.) Here's more from their release:

"Passengers will now be 'ready for some football' while sailing through the balmy waters on a Caribbean cruise or enjoying cruising from the West Coast, with the game showing on a giant LED screen above the pool.

"Each Monday, ships are serving up the first-ever Tailgate at Sea parties, bringing the best of the American football experience on deck. Passengers can enjoy their favorite nibbles such as hot wings, burgers, hot dogs, chips and salsa, pizza (voted best pizza at sea by USA Today), and other party foods football fans would enjoy during a BBQ in a stadium parking lot or while hosting a football get-together. Beer buckets and team-inspired drink specials will add to the tailgate experience.

"Fans will also enjoy Princess’ exclusive in-game entertainment, including live commercial break commentary, Fantasy Football stat updates, onboard half-time show and fun-filled contests with prizes.

"Games will be shown on U.S.-based departures aboard Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, and Star Princess.

"The giant LED screens are more than 300 square feet in size, with a 69,000-watt sound system and have sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed – offering cruise passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater."

WIN A TRIP TO TAIWAN

CheapOair, in conjunction with the Taiwan Tourism Board and China Airlines, is giving away two round trip tickets and accommodations for a seven day, six night stay and a customized itinerary in Taipei. Between November 11-24, fans of CheapOair on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/cheapoair) can enter to win and explore:

• Taipei
• Sun Moon Lake
• Fo Guang Shan Monastery
• Kaohsiung City
• Kenting National Park
• East Coast National Scenic Area
• Taroko National Park

If you win, send us a postcard!

FLORIDA KEYS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The holidays are upon us, and towns up and down the Florida Keys are gearing up with a whole slate of festivities. Check out this lineup:

Now through Sunday, Dec. 22
Holiday Photos with a Dolphin at Dolphin Research Center (Marathon)
At Dolphin Research Center, mile marker (MM) 59 bayside on Grassy Key, visitors who participate in the Meet the Dolphin program also can pose with the dolphins for a holiday photo. Visitors can bring their holiday-themed props to pose with, and DRC's experienced photographers will shoot the pictures using high-resolution digital cameras. The program is offered several times each day on a walk-in basis and costs $25 per person in addition to general admission prices. The photos are supplied on a flash drive for $20 for one person or $35 for multiple people in the same shot. Group size is limited to four people. Contact: 305-289-1121 or www.dolphins.org

'GETAWAY' UNDERWAY IN ANOTHER MILESTONE

Credit: Norwegian

Norwegian Getaway has began her 24-hour long conveyance along the Ems River in Germany, another key milestone in the ship’s toward its official debut. Sailing backwards, Getaway left the MEYER WERFT shipyard and made a narrow passage through the ship yard’s locks, with only 1.6 meters clearance separating the ship from the “bumpers” that were specially installed along the starboard side of the locks. "This very tedious maneuver took approximately 1.5 hours at a maximum speed of only 0.2 knots." Maybe it would have been less tedious if they didn't sail backwards, you think?

AMTRAK CRUISING TO NYC

We meet, see and hear the most interesting people when we travel by air, land and sea.

Sometimes we feel so fortunate to have an opportunity to expand the friendship ring to include fascinating folks from around the world.

However, there are times when we look at each other, scratch our heads and wonder why people step into the world of travel armed with, seemingly, scant information.

An example?

A recent round-trip jaunt from the West Palm Beach station to Penn Station in New York City.  Twenty-four hours of clicking.

A fabulous alternative to flying, but train travel means you have limited space, and this should come as no surprise.

A roomette for two with a view.

If you are not prepared to be  very close and personal with your travel companion, may I suggest you book your own compartment for an extended trip.

Train travel suits us, but we accept that a Sleeper Car is only so big.

Photos-Cruising Squared

Riding the rails up the Eastern Seaboard is a wonderful adventure, but we suggest you check your large luggage and step inside with only a small bag of personal essentials, electronic or old-school entertainment tools, an appetite for good food and an open mind for meeting new faces.

All aboard the Silver Meteor from South Florida to New York City! -- Pam