Waynetor

With the medallions cases of long delays due to missing people should go away.  

Princess tries to be polite but for disembarking passengers they announce "All coloured tags have now been called and all passengers MAY now disembark.  This should be MUST.  Same for in transit - they say they passengers should go to the meeting location instead of MUST go.  

Passenger count for this week is 1,137.  Will try to get an estimate for next week.

Last night I checked the Ft. Lauderdale weather forecast - sunny with clouds in afternoon and chance of late rain.  Reality - rain from when we got up until around 10am and mostly cloudy with just a bit of sun in afternoon.

Around 10:30 the Island P entered the channel and docked at the pier next to us.  I did not see anyone on her or any action going on during the time I was observing her.  Not sure when she left but was gone and out of sight when we set sail around 4:30. We were supposed to be on her right now as part of the world cruise but that was cancelled back in last August

Good crowd watching the Super Bowl in Club Fushion and at MUTS.  It's warmer now at sea than it was in Ft. Lauderdale,

The way the turnaround has been working is those doing B2B meet in the deck 5 dining room at 9am.  The person in charge will get a message at some point that they can start escorting us off.  This has averaged to be 9:10 - 9:15. Once in the terminal, immigration uses a facial recognition screen that compares your face with the passport photo from original checkin.  If a pass you go to a hold area on the second floor.  You need to take your passport but usually don't need it.  Today both of us got a message to see agent even though we used different machines.  The agent just checked our passport photo against our face and we were free to continue with the process.  I've no idea what the issue was but guess it had to do with time since original scan at embarkation. Once up in the hold area it becomes a wait for the signal to be allowed back on.  Part of the wait would be making sure not only that everyone checked out off the ship but also that everyone passed the immigration check.  I don't know what else is going on in the background, but this wait has been in the 20 - 30 min average.   

For todays process the In Transit card we received in the cabin had a group code on it.  This was used only to call those in the dining room by group so that there was not a rush at one time. From the hold area wheelchairs get back on first but I don't think the group codes were used for the reboarding.  

As you leave the hold area your medallion is scanned and you are then ready to go. Being 1 of the first back on, I'm not sure how long it takes to 'ding' evryone but should not be too long. ; 

Sunday’s (13^th) passenger count is expected to be around 1,100.  This was as of a couple weeks ago so some change expected but not major.  Of this weeks passengers, 231 are staying on which is around 20% which is common on East/West Caribbean voyages.

We had a very good weather week.  In St. Thomas I walked to the Marriot Hotel (seen on the coast as enter port).  It is a good hike up and down hill with little to no room at side of the road.

It was mentioned at the captain circle party that the Caribbean P was out of passenger service for 608 days.  Currently there are 199 elite, 277 platinum members and over 400 first time cruisers on the ship so Princess seems to be doing reasonably well drawing new guest.  The top 3 most travelled were the same 3 as last week.

I’ve noticed in the last 2 weeks that it is becoming much more common to have people join with strangers to create trivia teams.  When we first got on the ship this was discouraged but now, they just say teams limited to 6 members.  We continue to eat just as a couple and play trivia the same way.

All shows in the theatre were cancelled tonight due to sound system issues but they did add a movie with the 1 speaker that they had working.

I have the patter for Sunday and it shows the Super Bowl being shown in Club Fushion, Churchill Lounge, MUTs, casino and in cabin.  No pregame show and no commercials as seen on US TVs.

The Coral and Island dining rooms have the same layout so no real difference which you eat in.  Only diff is part of Coral is used for Club Class passengers.

The staff serve the same tables all week so if you have a table reserved you with have the same table and same staff.

If you do not get a reservation pre boarding, you can make one on ship.

The door signs have gone the way of the Dodo bird

The events are for everyone, but elite get in free while others pay $12.  We have been on the Caribbean P for 5 weeks and it is held on a sea day towards the end.

Elites get a sheet in the cabin on embarkation day listing events with times that are for them.

The vendors are inside the gate.   You can not walk out.

We have been to the last 4 on the Caribbean P with another coming on Sat.  In the past a senior officer would sit at each table but that is not happening.  On the first lunch no officers came but since then we got photo with Captain and several other officers were there to say hello.  After brief speech by Captain, they leave.  I got counts for some of the event and they were in lower 400 range.  We have had 4 tables of 6 and 2 tables of 8.

Answer for depth of Terrace pool - 5 ft 2in.  Due to the Skywalkers part of the ship being above the pool, it is often shaded.

We did not get off last week in Jamaica, but I heard from others that they did private tours.  I've done tours there in the past so next week will likely just do a hike of some kind.  Other than shopping I don't think there is a lot to see near the port.

We are about half done this voyage, no matter how long the trip, time does keep moving. 

Today at trivia with about 15 teams we were part of a 7 way tie with 17 right answers.  Then we were part of a 4 way tie after 1st tie breaker but lost on how many movies Elvis made.  Never had a game like that. 

There were about 150 passengers staying on from last week.  They managed to get everyone off the ship faster than previous week, but there was an inspection to be done that required no passengers on the ship so we were held in the terminal for nearly an hour.  We received 2 drink coupons each for our patience.  I was told it was the port authority ding he inspection and it was safety related. 

There are currently 1,117 passengers on the ship which is about the same as the number of crew.  The average passenger age continues to be much less than prior years in the Caribbean.  Pre-teens are rare but lots in their 20 and 30's.

Great weather for our day in Princess Cay today.

The only thing I have heard about sales for staying on for next cruise is it is half price - would not include the plus package or port fees in sale price.  Also heard there is no single supplement.    The future sales person has been busy.  There has been very little promotion of this on the ship, so hard to provide any other info.

There is very little 'educational' for teens on sea days.  Once a week there is a cooking demo in the theatre.  There are port lectures and sometimes a special lecture such as last week a lecture on Spice.  The art dept is here to make sales but they do some lecture and build a lot of info into their sales attempts.  I have no idea how ez-air would work.  I have convinced Freda to add to our stay

Club class is in the Coral dining room on deck 6. 

The 2 main pools start at 5 ft 2 in and go to 7ft 1 in.  I have not been doing as much swimming as planned but was in yesterday and the water was very warm.  When the weather is ideal, there will very likely be several people in the pools making true swimming laps unrealistic.

At times both main pool areas can be noisy depending on what activity is going on eg MUTS movie or live band or DJ playing tunes.

I am currently doing 9 weeks on Caribbean Princess and have a live thread going on the main Princess board.  Passenger count has been in the 25 - 30% range for the first 4 weeks.

With low numbers there is no crowding.  Passengers are for the most part following rules.

We got an email tonight from our agent that Grand Cayman is cancelled for Feb 17 with no replacement.

No Olympics on MUTS tomorrow, but currently have snowboarding on TV in room. 

The problem with Grand Cayman is they keep indicating they are close to opening and then push the dates back.  Makes it hard for those with plans expecting it to be open only to have it pulled on short notice.

For the most traveled passengers, if it were not for the covid shutdown, they would likely be over 3,000.

The Most travelled luncheon will be tomorrow (just after we get our covid test for next week).  I did not ask what the cut-off was this week but last week was 431 days.  We are close to 600 so will likely keep getting invited. 

According to a thread on the Princess board all Grand Cayman are cancelled for the month of Feb.   I asked at the front desk tonight and so far, they have not had any notification from head office.

Nice day in Cozumel. We were joined by 2 other large ships.  Not sure of temp, but was a bit on the hot side, partly cloudy and no breeze.  I walked as far as the lighthouse. Managed to see 3 iguana and 2 hummingbirds but the birds were not interested in waiting to have their picture taken.  

Yesterday in Ocho Rios it started out very cloudy but turned out nice in the afternoon.  Starting around 9:30 in the morning the ship had crew drills.  At the end, around 10:30 the Captain announced that crew that had time off could go ashore.  This is the first time for most crew other than some that get a chance in Ft. Lauderdale. Crew were instructed that they had to wear mask all the time off the ship.

OneI thing I forgot about sailaway – I saw what I believe was a manatee just off the rocks by the last condo we sailed by in the channel.  It was the correct size and had that distinctive tail.   Rare to see sea life in the port area but in the past have seen dolphins near the draw bridge and a huge shark in the turnaround area.

Today was a nice sea day but quite humid. 

I talked to a waiter who said that those that have lunch time off can go ashore in Cozumel between 11am and 4pm.  Great for them.

The opening to the Olympics will be shown on MUTS at 7AM Friday but no other Olympics on Friday’s Patter. 

We had captain Circle party tonight.  There are 183 elite and 200 platinum members on board so still a high level of new passengers.  The top 3 passengers from last week all dropped down.  A new number 1 most travelled has 2,841 nights with Princess which is close to the highest of all Princess customers.  They also gave special recognition to a couple passing the 1,500 night mark on this voyage. I think it is quite unusual for someone with 1,500 nights not to be a top 3 on a 7 night cruise but these days there is limited options for those wanting to cruise.

I've been on for 4 weeks now - have not noticed any clocks around the ship that are correct time.

With voyages under a 1,000 passengers there has been 1 show at 9pm.  With over 1,100 passengers 2 shows at 7:15 and 9:00.  Next 2 voyages are expected to have over 1,100 so 2 shows likely.

I checked and was told current passenger total is 945.  According to loyalty and event ambassador, Feb 6 will be around 1,300 and Feb 13 will be around 1,100.  We have gone back to just having 1 show in the theatre this week, but I would expect 2 per night next week. 

I asked at front desk about Olympics on TV.  They did not have info.  I would be very surprised if any on MUTS but more possible in smaller venues.  The sports on the live TV in cabin has had a variety of events including Australian Tennis final and a golf tournament.  There were others that I did not watch.  It all comes down to broadcast rights as others have noted.

Movie shown Jan 23 week (NFL was shown but not so much in upcoming voyages) * = in theatre ** = MUTS Concert, all other MUTS movie  

Rolling Stones**, Hall & Oates**, Shania Twain**, Avatar, Ford v Ferrara, Moulin Rouge, The Martian, Michael Buble **, Tolkien, The Who**, Gifted, Sting**, Free Guy, X-Men: Days of First Class, JOJO Rabbit, Journey**, The Sound of Music, F9: The fast Saga, The Greatest Showman, Mumford & Sons **, The Lighthouse 2019*, The personal history of David Copperfield, Hans Zimmer**, Bohemiam Rhapsody, Yesterday, The Lost husband*, Crowded House**, The Best Marigold, Black Widow (2021)  

Sunday’s turnaround went quite typical. We were to meet at 9am and we were first back on at 9:52. It was a sunny but cool day. 

Next to us the Celebrity Summit was docked.  The was no activity going on with that ship. A RCL was anchored all day off shore and a Holland America ship was anchored off shore for part of the day.  I believe each is being used as a hospital ship for Covid positive crew.  There were only 3 ships beside us taking on passengers in Ft. Lauderdale.

Every time we sail away, I try to figure out which of the homes we pass I would like.  I have now decided.  For a long time at the bend to the channel there has been an empty lot.  A new home is nearing completion on the lot.  I would love that location.  Only downside is no dock.

For Monday in Princess Cay, I checked and you can not leave the property at the gate.  I asked the security if there was a planned date to change and she had not heard of any.  Doesn’t seem to be any control over going for a long walk along the shore but the only good beach area is within Princess Cay. As you approach on a tender, the area to the right is all but deserted.  Only a few people were over there – 1 bar open.  Going the other way there are some vendors, buffet, fruit stand and a couple bars.  There were enough lounge chairs for everyone to have several for their own.  I am surprised by the lack of birds and reptiles in this area including when going for a long walk in the past.

We had our first dinner in Crown Grill last night.  Freda had Filet and I had Porterhouse steak – very nice dinner.  Cost is $29 vs $25 for Sabatini’s.  Restaurant was close to half full around 6:30pm.

There is no special food for those doing B2B.  The waiting area to get off only has coffee/tea/water.  The Coral dining room is open for lunch from noon to 1:30 for anyone on the ship.  

Yesterday was a perfect weather sea day. Today was more cloudy, cool breeze, bit rocky and a high of about 75F.

At yesterday's Cap. Circle party it was announced that there are currently 216 Elite and 225 Platinum members so the sting of those members being under 50% continues.  Last weeks #2 and 3 most travelled are still on but a new #1 replace the prier #1 - New high total days is 2,017.  That couple were the longest married couple at the Married Match game.  I'm sure they have seen/heard the questions a good number of times.

We had another covid test today and again passed.  I asked the person that was registering those that showed up about numbers - he said there are 199 guest being tested - most are staying on but some are transferring to another ship.

For today's Most travelled passenger party the cut-off was 431 days.  While not many officials came to last nights party, there were quite a few at the lunch including the Captain.  

Overall passengers seem to be having a good time 

We got a notice in our cabin today that for next week Grand Cayman is cancelled and we will arrive in Cozumel 2 hours early.  The rest of next week is still scheduled as planned.

Nice day in St. Kitts.  We were joined by a mega RCI ship and a Viking ship/.  I did an 2 hour hike around the coast and town. 

I asked a passenger on the RCI ship how many they had on board - he said the ship hold 6,400 passengers and there were 1,600 on so about 25%.

The odd thing that happened was while we sitting at the aft pool area another RCI ship sailed in from the north.  This was just after 1pm when it appeared and I'm thinking it is going to take at least an hour to finish its approach and dock which makes an odd time to arrive.  It ended up anchor several hundred yards behind us and the other RCI ship. The new ship did about 5 tender boats trips and then left heading back north again.  It seems to be a case of transferring crew. 

I have not heard and don't expect to hear anything about Covid cases onboard unless there is a major outbreak.  Freda and I were in the doc's office last week (will go into that later) and while there we could hear calls being made to 3 people that their test was negative, and they were no free to leave their cabins.  No idea why they were tested in the first place.

At dinner tonight crew were selling tomorrows wine testing.  I asked if table of 2 were available and they are. We don't go since they stopped the dessert wine with the free glass several years ago. 

Got notice today that our stop in Grand Cayman next week has been changed to a sea day.