***Live from the Pacific Princess***

[envy4u]

T...If I had all your money I would burn mine . lol

You are already semi retired at 40 but than again I am soooo much younger than you and still need to catch up. lol

I know I have a 25 year old daughter but I had her at the age of 10. lol

Why did Mom always like you better ???

[mississauga]

Tony, she's got you there! Looks like you're the one with all the money and time. Who else gets to cruise like you do?

[mississauga]

BTW, Tony, what time is it in China right now? Aren't you up kind of early?

[penguinlover]

Originally Posted by T&J

Megan as to the Visa for Vietnam you will have to get your own if you are doing an overland prior or after the ship. The $6.00 Visa issued onboard is only good for one day trip while you are on a ship. They will not issue it earlier to you or in advance. I would look into Visa requirements as well for Cambodia prior to sailing if you are doing that as well on your own.As to the hot stone massage...OMG was that great. Luka my "masseur" was excellent. It lasted for over 75 minutes and I had to think of previous "dead pets" to get through the massage that's how good he was! Tony

Oh well, I figured as much. Thanks for checking on it for me! I am loving your updates...happy belated birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful dinner celebration.

Oh, and glad you enjoyed the hot stone massage. =)

[T&J]

Originally Posted by mississauga

BTW, Tony, what time is it in China right now? Aren't you up kind of early?

money?....what money? She's the one that's flush and has a significant other that keeps her in "Grand Style"...I can only afford the knock off gifts for her while shopping.It is currently 4:53am on June 4th ...I usually get up each day at 5:00am abut couldn't sleep. the waves were waking me up and once I am up I am up. So here I am alone and quiet in the internet cafe with a Thermos of Princess Finest Coffee and on Cruise Critic. the waves this morning were bad...looks like it's settling down a bit now but it is alos foggy again. I ahve never seen so much FOG on this run like the past cruise and this one.Last night on deck 10 aroudn 8:30pm we had a sail away party. Some party...there was more cruise staff and the band whihc out numbered the amount of pax. I can't belive on this cruise that no one does ANYTHING but go to the Buffet....that's the only busy place and now I don't go. I ahve all my meals in the Club Restaurant. They don't spend time in the shops, or bars or lounges....the most bizzare thing I have ever seen. I know they sold the crap out of this cruise and it went on a flash promotion for around $1200.00 per person and maybe that's why we have a lot of cheapy cheap cruisers that just don't want to spend on anything. Just an observation I am making not being judgemental. But even the tours are being cancelled in some ports as well as some of the usual most popular activities onboard.Tony

[T&J]

Originally Posted by mississauga

Tony, she's got you there! Looks like you're the one with all the money and time. Who else gets to cruise like you do?

On the last cruise from Osaka to Beijing we had a couple with 80 cruises and 1025 sea days!...so at 27 cruises and 341 days at sea I am a baby cruiser!Tony

[mississauga]

Originally Posted by T&J

On the last cruise from Osaka to Beijing we had a couple with 80 cruises and 1025 sea days!...so at 27 cruises and 341 days at sea I am a baby cruiser!Tony

But then you're only 40! Imagine how many cruises you'll have been on by the time you are 60, or 70 or 80 like so many of the passengers who have a high # of cruises? You will have been on more cruises this year alone than some people get to go on in 10 years. You are catching up fasssssst!

[T&J]

True!....more to follow later today on the our great day at sea today and also tomorrow. Going for breakfast soon in the Club Restaurant for some poached eggs.Tony

[arlenemilt]

Originally Posted by T&J

True!....more to follow later today on the our great day at sea today and also tomorrow. Going for breakfast soon in the Club Restaurant for some poached eggs.Tony

Oh Foo......what's this about poached eggs in the restaurant? You getting so uppity you can't do buffet breakfast? Yeh, I know, we're not there having breakfast with you. Hang in there baby brother; March is just around the corner. Then again, you can always come to our house for breakfast.

A.

[T&J]

Originally Posted by arlenemilt

Oh Foo......what's this about poached eggs in the restaurant? You getting so uppity you can't do buffet breakfast? Yeh, I know, we're not there having breakfast with you. Hang in there baby brother; March is just around the corner. Then again, you can always come to our house for breakfast.

A.

I'll tell you this crowd on this cruise is way different than what the PP usually see's....It's like "Pigs at the Troft" for that Panorama Buffet for Breakfast and Lunch...even you wouldn't line up like that...swiss cheese or not!

Tony

[T&J]

As a follow up to yesterday. The weather onborad hasen't been the best on this crusie either like the last one. We have been getting rain since after we left Shanghai. Last night we had very strong winds (don't know on the beaufort scale) but all I know is that this tin can this morning is still being tossed around a lot. I am looking outside the window here in the internet cafe right beside the printer and the clouds look menacing enough too me. Yesterday afternoon it seemed like everyone was knapping or left the ship! No sign of life onboard at all. I think Sammi has gievn up on trying to motivate people to come and play and be active and participate. Last night was formal night and there was a Captain Circle party that I didn't attend. I went to the Bistro last night for dinner...(Arlene do you remember that meal?). I had a chicken ceasar salad and an all dressed pizza with a double dough crust they make for me 'cause the thin one is just too thin! I took a complete 24 hours off from the "office" and feeling refreshed again for today/tonight. I saw a lot of people dressed up but a lot did not participate for Formal night. Not that many couples getting there pictures taken either. This crowd doesn't appear to like to spend on ANYTHING except booze. The Dinning Room apparently is doing quite well for Wine etc. Watched the movie Jarhead on tv last night...what a yawn that was! As we are heading for Hong Kong the weather doesn't look to be very good either. Forecast is for thundershowers all day. We arrive tomorrow at 7:00am and leave at 4:00pm.

Today will be anotehr lazy day at sea. I will go to the Club Restaurant and have my breakfast and then my treadmill routine and who knows after that...probably will be time for another meal!

More to follow later today from the beautifull Pacific Princess.

Tony

[envy4u]

Tony I better not see you a pound heavier or else I will have to put you on a strict diet . My life story as you know.

[CruiserSteve]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the posts. My wife and two kids 14 & 16 are sailing on June 14. Are ATM machines a good trategy for cash in Beijing, Shanghai, and Honk Kong?

[T&J]

Originally Posted by CruiserSteve

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the posts. My wife and two kids 14 & 16 are sailing on June 14. Are ATM machines a good trategy for cash in Beijing, Shanghai, and Honk Kong?

Yes it's a good strategy or you could go to local banks and exchange your currency and avoid paying those hefty bank fees they will charge you for out of country transactions.

Tony

[T&J]

Originally Posted by envy4u

Tony I better not see you a pound heavier or else I will have to put you on a strict diet . My life story as you know.

Connie you just concentrate on the Webber BBQ and Sony Flat Screen TV and never mid teh Weight Watcher's stuff!

Tony

[arlenemilt]

Originally Posted by T&J

No sign of life onboard at all. I went to the Bistro last night for dinner...(Arlene do you remember that meal?). I had a chicken ceasar salad and an all dressed pizza with a double dough crust they make for me 'cause the thin one is just too thin!

I saw a lot of people dressed up but a lot did not participate for Formal night. Not that many couples getting there pictures taken either. This crowd doesn't appear to like to spend on ANYTHING except booze. The Dinning Room apparently is doing quite well for Wine etc.


Tony

Yes Tony, we spent many a night in the bistro. As for the lifeless couples, at least they're spending their $$$ on booze. Princess should be happy about that.

Give Sammi some hugs for us; Giuseppe too (though I wouldn't hug him too much).

Arlene

[NSWP]

First up my apologies to Tony and other 'Elite cruisers re my comments on the special treatment. I reckon you deserve it after spending BIG $ with Princess.

Seems on your cruise Tony, like mine K612, Sydney to Osaka, the ship is dead at night. They might have to re-name it 'Mary Celeste'!! On our cruise only a dozen or so in Pacific Lounge after 10pm. Bar takings were apparently the lowest ever on a PP cruise. I contributed around $800 to the bar even though I brought some beers on board from ashore with OK from Ship's security Chiefs, both Canadians, one retired RCMP, other young Canadian guy. Sounds like Sammi the entertainment director is still trying to get people activated, she tried every night on our cruise without luck. The ship just went to bed at 10pm, apart from a few night Owl Aussies like ourselves who partied a bit, well at least to a few minutes after midnight.

Good to hear your ongoing reports..cheers.

[envy4u]

I know what I am talking about so if you want to be around to spend all that money of yours be mindful of what goes in that mouth of yours. Or else Javier and I will have lots of fun spending it for you . lol

[T&J]

Good Morning from Hong Kong...we have been sailing into the Harbour here in Hong Kong and just positioned ourselves along the Ocean Terminal pier. Whoever is driving this ship this morning is having a bugger of time parking this thing along side the pier...this is the 4th try in 20 minutes.

Yesterday, we have had an outbreak of the Noro Virus onboard. Over 25 people have it and 2 crew members. The Captain came onboard the PA system during Dinner last night and announced to everyone which is unheard of with Princess. They are trying to contain by killing the air consitioning, not vaccuming the carpets, using MANDATORY hand sanitizing in all areas. The buffet remains open however you cannot serve your own self, it must be by an attendant only. Also, it of course seems the concentration of the outbreak is on my deck 6...(just great)!

They are trying very hard to contain it before we go to Red Alert status which is approx when 20% of teh ship has it which is pretty easy on here since we are only 680 pax and 373 crew.

Yesterday again hardly anyone by the pool or in the casino or lounges or even at Dinner there were a lot of empty tables.

I came in 3rd place two nights ago for most travelled pax with a nice crystal paperweight and a bottle of champagne with 325 sea days. The most travelled pax was at 500+ days at sea.

Today I am off the ship early and heading to the Casino's in Macau by hydrofoil. The ship has allowed me to collect my passport this morning in order to travel.

We are cleared at 7:00am and must be back onboard by 3:30pm and set sail at 4:00pm today. Sail away from Hong Kong weather permitting is amazing. Something not to miss.

More to follow at teh end of the day today.

Tony

[T&J]

Originally Posted by arlenemilt

Yes Tony, we spent many a night in the bistro. As for the lifeless couples, at least they're spending their $$$ on booze. Princess should be happy about that.

Give Sammi some hugs for us; Giuseppe too (though I wouldn't hug him too much).

Arlene

I'll make sure I hug Ricardo for you too!
They are not spending on booze here either Arlene!

El Cheapo cruise I think...

Tony