Live from the grand - may 22

[freddie1974]

Thank you all for your good wishes - I managed to get into my Tux (and out again without resorting to a tin opener).

 

I would estimate 90% of men were wearing either suit or tux tonight. There were still people asking for "free champagne" well after the close of the captain's welcome!

 

Either the seas are calmer now or they have deployed the stabilisers. We have wedged face towels under the bathroom doors just in case though.

 

We had a stroke of good fortune in the casino - cashed in $100 and we were down to our last $4 which is stuck on 14 - my wife's birthday - and it came in. We walked away with $140 for another night!

 

That's all for now folks.

[rdsqrl]

Congratulations on your casino win, your tux fitting, and thank you for updating us on them (especially the tux -- I was sympathetically holding in my tummy on your behalf!). Enjoy your day in Copenhagen tomorrow; if I had posted early enough for you to actually see this, I would have said not to miss the Danish Resistance Museum. Looking forward to hearing about your day in my mother's hometown.

[freddie1974]

Congratulations on your casino win, your tux fitting, and thank you for updating us on them (especially the tux -- I was sympathetically holding in my tummy on your behalf!). Enjoy your day in Copenhagen tomorrow; if I had posted early enough for you to actually see this, I would have said not to miss the Danish Resistance Museum. Looking forward to hearing about your day in my mother's hometown.

 

You did, thanks - will try to get there.

[pennine]

hi freddie,

Thanks for live from post,if possible could you ask if the dry cleaning service is working,only on our previous sailing on the grand it was broken down,its far cheaper to use there service than at home.

thanks enjoy the rest of your trip . Ian.

[kavfam]

Hi Freddie,

 

Have watched these boards for a number of years - first post - so here goes...hope I get it right

 

Thanks for the info - we are on the Grand 19th July this year - first time princess but have sailed P&O and RCCL.

 

We have a opportunity to upgrade to either d736 or d737 - we are currently in a mini-suite but are worried about being on show on the balcony:eek:- DH works really really long hours and likes to sit on the balcony and chill for most of the holiday - can you tell me if the balcony at the back gets any sun or is it in shade most of the time - also how much movement are you feeling?

 

Thanks for your help

[peg bundy]

I had a look for you this evening. Beer was $3.95 to $6.25 and soda $1.95 all exc. 15% gratuity; this was at the Promenade Bar but I am pretty sure it is the same throughout the ship.

thanks for that enjoy:)

[debbie1982]

Hi Freddie,

 

Have watched these boards for a number of years - first post - so here goes...hope I get it right

 

Thanks for the info - we are on the Grand 19th July this year - first time princess but have sailed P&O and RCCL.

 

We have a opportunity to upgrade to either d736 or d737 - we are currently in a mini-suite but are worried about being on show on the balcony:eek:- DH works really really long hours and likes to sit on the balcony and chill for most of the holiday - can you tell me if the balcony at the back gets any sun or is it in shade most of the time - also how much movement are you feeling?

 

Thanks for your help

I'm confused we're on Grand 10th-24th July :cool:

[freddie1974]

hi freddie,

Thanks for live from post,if possible could you ask if the dry cleaning service is working,only on our previous sailing on the grand it was broken down,its far cheaper to use there service than at home.

thanks enjoy the rest of your trip . Ian.

 

Yes it is - we've used it already!

[freddie1974]

Hi Freddie,

 

Have watched these boards for a number of years - first post - so here goes...hope I get it right

 

Thanks for the info - we are on the Grand 19th July this year - first time princess but have sailed P&O and RCCL.

 

We have a opportunity to upgrade to either d736 or d737 - we are currently in a mini-suite but are worried about being on show on the balcony:eek:- DH works really really long hours and likes to sit on the balcony and chill for most of the holiday - can you tell me if the balcony at the back gets any sun or is it in shade most of the time - also how much movement are you feeling?

 

Thanks for your help

 

The balcony is completely covered and very private - however, the sun does hit as long as it is lower down in the sky - i.e. not between 12 and 2pm.

 

We felt a little movement when the seas were rough but this was the same all over the ship. What IS quite noticeable is the vibration when coming into or out of port - loud enough to wake you up (not looking forward to tonight where we leave Copenhagen at 4am and arrive in Helsingborg at 7am - will be woken twice in 3 hours). For the most part, when arriving in port at 8-9am I am already awake so not a problem.

 

On balance I would definitely have an aft suite again as it's so secluded and quiet and the view of the wake is wonderful. There is also very little wind on the balcony when in motion; we played cards quite happily without them blowing away.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to upgrade from a mini-suite for a variety of reasons; much larger cabin, walk-in shower, breakfast at Sabatini's and priority embarkation/tender etc. etc. If you can afford it then do it!

[WendyG]

Leeann! THANK YOU!!!!I have never heard of that website before and plan to check it out immediately!!! :)

 

 

25 more days until I'm on the Grand! YAY!

[bhopal21]

On balance I would definitely have an aft suite again as it's so secluded and quiet and the view of the wake is wonderful. There is also very little wind on the balcony when in motion; we played cards quite happily without them blowing away.quote]

 

The very reasons we always try for those as well. Be aware that the suites aft on Caribe are not near so inviting as we discovered in February.

 

Mike:)

[leeann1979]

I'm confused we're on Grand 10th-24th July :cool:

 

 

me too! :)

[leeann1979]

Leeann! THANK YOU!!!!I have never heard of that website before and plan to check it out immediately!!! :)

 

 

25 more days until I'm on the Grand! YAY!

 

 

 

Good Luck! and enjoy the Grand... 46 more days for me. Can't wait!

[freddie1974]

Day 3 - Copenhagen

 

We had a rather late night last night and as we are in Copenhagen until 3am tomorrow morning we decided to have a late breakfast on the balcony. We were so full we fell asleep again until 12.15 - but hey, we are on holiday.

 

When we finally managed to drag ourselves off the ship we continued our lazy streak and got straight on the hop on, hop off bus that stops right opposite. We were greeted with "See all the attractions except the little mermaid as she swam to Shanghai!". We saw most of the main sights including Rosenborg Castle & Tivoli Gardens.

 

We dined at Painted Desert/Sterling Steakhouse (they don't seem to be able to decide what to call it!) The dinner was very good but the Fillet Mignon deserves a special mention as it was excellent; worth the $20 cover charge on its own.

 

We received a phone call today advising that the Ultimate Ship Tour has been cancelled due to lack of numbers. Since it hasn't been advertised anywhere I suspect it is more to do with Norovirus. We're slightly disappointed but there's always the next cruise.

 

We're heading back to the Promenade bar shortly and then to the Vista Lounge for the comedian.

 

Norovirus Update

 

None so far today - probably a good sign.

[davedex]

Freddie - do you know if the scheduled Cruise Critic,"meet & greet" took place in Sywalkers? Was it well attended?

[KEVSTR]

Hi Freddie just like to say thanks for all your comments,this has got to be one of the best posts i have read. I will be on the grand in august aft cabin C752 while my brother is in the grand suite really looking to it, will be reading all your comments and would like to know what the entertainment is like onboard thanks again.

[kavfam]

Hi Freddie,

 

Thanks for the info - yes everyboby is correct - its the 10th July not the 19th...

[nerysj]

Hi Freddie,

 

Have watched these boards for a number of years - first post - so here goes...hope I get it right

 

Thanks for the info - we are on the Grand 19th July this year - first time princess but have sailed P&O and RCCL.

 

We have a opportunity to upgrade to either d736 or d737 - we are currently in a mini-suite but are worried about being on show on the balcony:eek:- DH works really really long hours and likes to sit on the balcony and chill for most of the holiday - can you tell me if the balcony at the back gets any sun or is it in shade most of the time - also how much movement are you feeling?

 

Thanks for your help

 

I'm also confused about your dates! We are on the Grand from July 24th from Southampton.

[poppydog]

Thanks for you live posts Freddie really interesting to read. Could you tell me what the santuary area is like and if it is worth booking, we have a balcony C510 I dont know anything about this room only that its on the Caribe Deck. Glad you are having a great time, we are going in July bit worried about norovirus seems to get it on the Grand alot. Looking forward to our cruise and reading more of your posts

 

Sharron

[freddie1974]

Freddie - do you know if the scheduled Cruise Critic,"meet & greet" took place in Sywalkers? Was it well attended?

 

It was listed in the patter so I assume it took place - however we didn't make it.

[freddie1974]

Hi Freddie just like to say thanks for all your comments,this has got to be one of the best posts i have read. I will be on the grand in august aft cabin C752 while my brother is in the grand suite really looking to it, will be reading all your comments and would like to know what the entertainment is like onboard thanks again.

 

We don't care much for the shows so can't comment on that. The comedy vocalist was great and I heard the comedian last night was good - unfortunately by the time we got there it was packed out so we decided to give it a miss.

 

The pianist in Promenade bar is good, but not in the same league as the guy in Crooners on the Coral last year - he was superb.

[freddie1974]

Norovirus Update

 

No official word yet, but just returned from Sabatinis for breakfast where the salt & pepper pots have returned to the table. Will post more later when we hit HC for lunch.

 

 

Not as bad as we thought last night - only got woken once as we departed Copenhagen and again by the captain at 7am. The journey was carried out at a low speed of 11 knots so almost no vibration at all.

[scrozuk]

Norovirus Update

 

No official word yet, but just returned from Sabatinis for breakfast where the salt & pepper pots have returned to the table. Will post more later when we hit HC for lunch.

 

 

Not as bad as we thought last night - only got woken once as we departed Copenhagen and again by the captain at 7am. The journey was carried out at a low speed of 11 knots so almost no vibration at all.

 

Good news on the Norovirus, hopefully it'll settle down now.

 

 

 

And here you are in Helsingborg.

 

Oh, and just to warn you, the Eurovision Song Contest is in Oslo at the moment.

 

Scrozuk

[12Cruise]

Thanks for the updates, Freddie! :)

 

Question to Freddie and to others who have sailed the Grand AFT lately....Is the vibration that Freddie is speaking of new?

 

I thought I had read elsewhere that the Grand didn't have a problem with vibration so bad that it woke people up.

 

What have you recent cruisers experienced, could this be a new problem the Grand is having?

 

Thnx!

[bhopal21]

Question to Freddie and to others who have sailed the Grand AFT lately....Is the vibration that Freddie is speaking of new?

 

quote]

 

 

No, the vibration comes from the stern thrusters which are used anytime the ship is approaching or leaving a dock. This occurs on all ships and is evident at the bow as well as the stern as that is where the thruster tubes are located.

 

These engines are used solely to move the ship sideways in docking maneuvers and are off while the ship is sailing.

 

Mike:)