Sapphire - Love that new ship smell!

Hi everyone,

What a fantastic day! Princess really took care of us today. We boarded at 12:30 and I must say it was beautiful. The new termial is great on Pier 30. Quite a jaunt up the gangway. The pound I lost walking up the gangway to the ship was replaced at lunch. We had free reign of the ship today. They had several staterooms open for viewing. Inside, outside, oceanview, partial obs. oceanview, balcony's up to the penthouse suite. It was great. It was nice to see them all and confirm we don't want an inside stateroom. It's nice but a bit enclosed and very dark when the lights are off and since we were the only ones in the room at the time we took the opportunity to get a "report from the bridge". Next we went to an obstructed oceanview and though it was the same size felt much bigger because of the window. Loved the mini-suites and larger staterooms but Caribe is still our favorite cause of the balcony arrangement.

At One, we had lunch in the Santa Fe PC dining room. Seating was just like normal. We were seated at a table for four. Wine was free and neverending. The waitstaff was impeccable, didn't miss a beat. The lunch was full of flavors and probably a good indication of what will be served in the future. The only thing we picked was our entree.

Luncheon Menu:

Salad of Field Greens and Cold Poached Pheasant Galantine

Alaska King Crab Cakes with Westport Geoduck Ragout

Puget Sound Blueberry Sorbet

Your choice of:

Wild Copper River King Salmon and Halibut Lattice

- Delicate Spring Leek Sauce, Squash blossoms and chive potatoes

Japanese Kurobuta Pork Loin

- Washingto Apple and Oroville Goat Cheese Tartlet, Calvados Sauce Soubise

Medallions of Venison "Last Frontier"

- Sauce Chevreuil with Chanterelles and Carmelized Pearl onions, Crusty Potatoes stuffed with Chestnut Puree

Dessert was Baked Alaska on parade (the short version) then petite fours.

After lunch they put on a short version of their new show Piano Man. They had three 25 minute recitals and you could pick which one you wanted to go to. We opted out and contiued touring.

The internet cafe is really nice and is in the spot where the Wheelhouse bar would be on the the Grand class ships next to Sabitinis. It has a juice bar. The Wheelhouse has moved and is much larger and less intimate. Liked Club Fusion it's where the Explorers lounge is on the Grand Class. In Club Fusion there is a small area to play progressive poker! The Grand Casino seemed larger more slots and tables and the bar is smaller.

Felt like a normal first day on a cruise. Sorry we had to leave. Alaska cruising should be a real treat on this ship.

Natonya

Thanks for the preview- sounds just wonderful and like they are off on the right foot!

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Sapphire Princess June '05

Caribbean Princess 09/17/05

Carnival Valor 10/30/05

Now we have to add that to the list, look for a change in the signature coming soon.

Life is at it's best when your address floats

Two MORE open Bookings.

<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>

Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02

Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95

<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>

Diamond Princess 12/04

Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04

Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>

West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>

Ecstacy 09/01

<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>

Century 12/97

<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>

Century 9/96

Hi Natonya, I visited the Sapphire as well. Very impressed with lunch and wished I could have seen more of "Piano Man." Heck, I probably even passed you a few times on the ship. I was the one who looked like he didn't want to get off.

-Michael (a.k.a.

Impulsive Puppy)

Grand Princess 98;Amsterdam 02; Mercury 02; Baby 04

"East takes you out, out takes you west, west takes you in, and in takes you east."

Michael,

You and those folks that settled right into the Vista suite and Premium suites. What a fun day. Best perk of being a circle member yet!

Natonya

Gosh Steve, I would have thought you had this one booked already!

Natonya thanks for the info.

Debbie

Sapphire Princess 10/2/04

Carnival Destiny 2/8/04

Grand Princess 7/6/03

RCL - Nordic Empress 2/03 & 4/02

Crown Dynasty 7/00

Queen of Bermuda 7/87

Carnival - Mardi Gras 11/75