Live From the Sapphire Princess - Jan. 29th Sailing

[donna5]

A 2hr wait in customs...:eek:.

 

I also look forward to reading your posts. Have a great holiday.

 

We have had almost that long of a wait/line at YVR everytime we have went through.

 

It is possible the wait was longer since the plane was delayed and thus was not there at the exected time.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Enjoy your cruise! We loved this on the Golden last February for Valentine's Day. You will be blown away with the whales in Maui:D.

 

The best part of the trip was the Hawaiian music by Elua. It really sets the mood. Their cultural events are wonderful. We bought their CDs and I am listening to one right now while it is raining in Huntington Beach but my mind says I am sailing to Hawaii;)!!!

 

Aloha

 

Elua is fantastic, but they won't be on the Sapphire for this cruise.

 

Hope you have a great cruise. We just did this cruise on the Golden a month ago. There were several Brits who never made our cruise because their flights were snowed in (those who did make it apparently had made their own arrangements or paid a deviation fee to get flights out a few days ahead of the cruise).

[nclrocks8899]

engoy your cruise i was just on the golden princess to hawaii and i love it i miss the ship alot i am hopeing on going on the diamond princess to alaska on a b2b sailing out of vancouver september 3erd

[mamaboss]

Bugslyboo, thank you for the live posts. Your info is greatly appreciated as we are on the Feb. 26 sailing to Hawaii. Hope your jet lag gets better soon. Have a great time!

[38anchor]

Can't wait to read your reports... We are also Brits sailing on Sapphire next April (2012) out to Hawaii.

 

Just a couple of quick questions if you get chance to answer.

 

1. We are currently booked into a balcony but will probably move to a mini suite in the next month or so. Why is deck E so coveted - is it because they are not overlooked like the same cabins on the deck above?

 

2. which is the better side of the ship for sun? I am presuming one side gets the sun on the way to Hawaii, and the other side gets it on the way back?

 

We realized this morning shortly after the sun came up that it was on the wrong side of the ship.

[denims]

Thanks for posting!

 

We are taking the Star to Hawaii in March '12...so "your" trip will be highly educational for us!

[Bugslyboo.com]

Can't wait to read your reports... We are also Brits sailing on Sapphire next April (2012) out to Hawaii.

 

Just a couple of quick questions if you get chance to answer.

 

1. We are currently booked into a balcony but will probably move to a mini suite in the next month or so. Why is deck E so coveted - is it because they are not overlooked like the same cabins on the deck above?

 

2. which is the better side of the ship for sun? I am presuming one side gets the sun on the way to Hawaii, and the other side gets it on the way back?

 

1. They are not overlooked and the last two (one each side) have huge balconies.

2. Yes, you're right, depends if you want sun on the way out or back.

[Bugslyboo.com]

Well once we got underway again after bobbing around in the Pacific like a cork, life seemed to get back to a normal cruise day at sea. All the standard offering, from bingo to art auction to the eclectic, including hula and ukulele lessons. We watched the hula training, put on by a Hawaiian dancing pair from Hawaii. They did a great job teaching the full dance floor at club fusion. Was a bit fun to watch people doing the Hula to a Michael Jackson song – but it works. They did practice with traditional Hawaiian music as well. A husband and wife team, John and Diane Stockham, put on a good lecture about Hilo yesterday that we attended and will be doing more as we progress. So, there are lots of Hawaiian related activities on tap. I have not seen or heard our CD yet. Have heard from the assistant CD.

 

Yesterday was a pretty rough day at sea, with the peak sometime in the night I'm guessing. We passed through a force 8 gale and the wave structure was just awkward. Shortly spaced waves stacked on top of long waves hitting us at a 45 degree angle translated into something akin to a tail wagging dolphin. This is the worst that we have experienced, topping the force 10 gale that we went through with QM2 on a transatlantic (a much better ship for rough conditions) in 2007.

 

We did make it to the dining room last night for our early seating. We arrived at about 6:05 and the dining room was packed! I'm guessing the others must be waiting in line for the doors to open at 6:00? We spoke to a head waiter at the entrance asking where our table was, turns out he was the head waiter for our section. Once we mentioned the table number he responded with our stateroom number and the fact that we had special dietary requirements (vegan). After escorting us to our table, he asked for details about my dietary requirements. I was deeply impressed. He personally grabbed one of the menus and went through it with me to put together a meal for the night. Later in the meal he came by with the next day's menu and asked me to review and see what I would like to create for my dinner on the following evening. While we were having desert he came back by and we put together the menu for the first formal night. Excellent service from Princess and much, much more than what I was expecting. He also enquired as to where I would be eating lunch and was prepared to create a lunch menu for me – but I told him I would most likely be doing the buffet.

 

Impressions: food is excellent onboard. The buffet seems to be more crowded than on the Grand. Seems like there is less space. Does anybody know if that is the case? We're lucky, because of the jet lag, that we tend to eat off-peak, but did wander through during peak lunch time and can only describe it as jam-packed full.

 

I'm impressed with our fellow passenger's stamina w/regards to the wave action. Seems like most are immune and seasoned cruisers. Very little whining to be heard (none that I heard) and smiles everywhere. Did hear one lady excuse herself from the table next to us at dinner to retire to her stateroom before her entree arrived. The waiters handled the gyrating floor with ease and it was fun to watch as they seemed to enjoy the extra challenge of their already impressive balancing act.

 

Today is supposed to be sunny with a temp of 61 degrees. Seas are moderate, and we are experiencing a force 6 gale. Walking the hallways is still a bit of a jig, but much improved over yesterday/last night (and no that wasn't because of the booze!).

 

Bb

[grandmaa]

We did this cruise last year on the Golden and loved it!! I am glad to hear that they have people on board to speak on Hawaii and its culture. The issue with the CD on the Sapphire is amazing..he sets the tone for the crew but it is his loss if he does not interact with the passengers.

I will be following you across the Pacific and back... then we board for the Mexican Riviera. Can you bring back a boat load of Hawaiian pineapple and papayas for our cruise? Mahalo

and Aloha...

[lauraapp]

Bb - Nice reading your review...My sister is Diane Stockham, the lecturer on board...I'm glad you enjoyed her lecture. Tell her Laura said Hi!

[fairsky1984]

We did this cruise last year on the Golden and loved it!! I am glad to hear that they have people on board to speak on Hawaii and its culture. The issue with the CD on the Sapphire is amazing..he sets the tone for the crew but it is his loss if he does not interact with the passengers.

I will be following you across the Pacific and back... then we board for the Mexican Riviera. Can you bring back a boat load of Hawaiian pineapple and papayas for our cruise? Mahalo

and Aloha...

We seldom saw the CD Lee on our recent b2b on Sapphire (Jan 5, Jan 15) except for the Morning Show on TV and some evening intro's. As one poster here who also was on the same cruise said, a few properly placed pre-recorded announcements would have covered what he did.

 

In my previous 25+ Princess cruises, this CD was seen the least. Usually, you find him/her everywhere, inter-acting with passengers, etc. Not on either of our two Sapphire segments this month.

 

Enjoy your forthcoming Sapphire to Mexico and post here your observations, etc. Hopefully, we weren't part of the last batch to enjoy all of Mexico including Mazatlan, and you'll call there also.

[kath00]

Same with us! We were on the Sapphire in December and he was nowhere to be found. Does anyone know when he rotates off?? We'll be on in May and I would love to have a better CD to help set the atmosphere.

 

Can I ask you, Bugsleyboo, to maybe ask someone to see how long he is on the Sapphire. I would apprecite it.

 

Hope you have smoother sailing. Katherine

[Jasperdo]

All the standard offering, from bingo to art auction to the eclectic, including hula and ukulele lessons. We watched the hula training, put on by a Hawaiian dancing pair from Hawaii. They did a great job teaching the full dance floor at club fusion. Was a bit fun to watch people doing the Hula to a Michael Jackson song – but it works. They did practice with traditional Hawaiian music as well. A husband and wife team, John and Diane Stockham, put on a good lecture about Hilo yesterday that we attended and will be doing more as we progress. So, there are lots of Hawaiian related activities on tap. I have not seen or heard our CD yet. Have heard from the assistant CD.

Bb

Thank you for the live update from the Sapphire Hawaii cruise. I just returned from a Hawaii cruise on the Golden. There were so many Hawaii orientated activities onboard, especially from the team of Elua. I wondered what the Sapphire had to offer, since it doesn't do this run regularly. It's nice to hear that the Sapphire does offer some of the same Hawaii activities found on the Golden.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Glad to hear there are Hawaiian activities onboard the Sapphire. The wealth of Hawaiian related fun really elevated our cruise in December to a level above Caribbean and other cruises. I've made some trips to our local arts/crafts store to buy ribbon to make leis for friends.

 

Sorry to hear you're getting the blunt of the weather. I remember turning on our TV to the navigation channel and seeing we were in winds that were force 7 and above. Often at gale force. Tried not to let it bother me.

 

Many of us aboard the Golden were discussing how little we've seen of the CD on our cruise. But he was a temp so when the regular one returns, I imagine that will change.

 

We were on the Sapphire back in 2004, when it was knew, so I don't remember the buffet. On the Golden, we found out there were actually four rooms to the Horizon, and the ones without the serving islands usually had available tables.

[echotumi]

Can't wait to read your reports... We are also Brits sailing on Sapphire next April (2012) out to Hawaii.

 

Just a couple of quick questions if you get chance to answer.

 

1. We are currently booked into a balcony but will probably move to a mini suite in the next month or so. Why is deck E so coveted - is it because they are not overlooked like the same cabins on the deck above?

 

2. which is the better side of the ship for sun? I am presuming one side gets the sun on the way to Hawaii, and the other side gets it on the way back?

going the sun rises in the back of the ship and sets in the front

[Bugslyboo.com]

Bb - Nice reading your review...My sister is Diane Stockham, the lecturer on board...I'm glad you enjoyed her lecture. Tell her Laura said Hi!

 

If I get the chance I certainly will. We enjoyed their talk on Oahu yesterday and today I think the talk is about Kuai. They are very approachable and have seen them out and about on the ship speaking with our fellow passengers.

[Mary Ellen]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[Bugslyboo.com]

Like many of the trip reports I have read, it was really only the first day of the cruise that showed us ugly seas. Yesterday was calm and by afternoon we had a force 2 gale, which is really nothing. This morning we are just smooth as can be. It's 5:30 am and the wireless isn't working, so I'm down in the empty internet cafe with a surprisingly good connection. Last night was our formal night and I would put the suits with ties at about 80%, jackets without ties at 5-10% and the balance tuxedos (myself included). I didn't see anyone in the dining room that I would say was inappropriately dressed.

 

Today also heralds in the first day of the trip that I'll be wearing shorts, it really is getting that warm. There have been some hardcore types that boarded in LA wearing shorts and were seen walking the promenade in low 50's temps in them. My bet is that they are part of that large Canadian group :)

 

Looking at the moving map on channel 34 we appear to be about halfway between LA and the big island and are motoring along at just over 20 knots.

 

Staff encounters continue to be at the hyper-excellent levels. The crew on this ship really seems to be a cut above what we have experienced on other Princess ships (and that was great) - or we are just having the best run of luck ever. Food continues to be superb. My only complaint -and this is really a stretch - is that the pizza in the all night buffet at about 3:30 am is a bit dried out (gotta laugh at that one myself).

 

Wish for the day: Wish the cafe on deck 5 would open earlier so I could get a cup of fresh brewed coffee earlier. I've given up on the coffee-from-concentrate in the horizon court, it just seems to get worse with every trip.

[aloisia]

Like many of the trip reports I have read, it was really only the first day of the cruise that showed us ugly seas. Yesterday was calm and by afternoon we had a force 2 gale, which is really nothing. This morning we are just smooth as can be. It's 5:30 am and the wireless isn't working, so I'm down in the empty internet cafe with a surprisingly good connection. Last night was our formal night and I would put the suits with ties at about 80%, jackets without ties at 5-10% and the balance tuxedos (myself included). I didn't see anyone in the dining room that I would say was inappropriately dressed.

 

Today also heralds in the first day of the trip that I'll be wearing shorts, it really is getting that warm. There have been some hardcore types that boarded in LA wearing shorts and were seen walking the promenade in low 50's temps in them. My bet is that they are part of that large Canadian group :)

Looking at the moving map on channel 34 we appear to be about halfway between LA and the big island and are motoring along at just over 20 knots.

 

Staff encounters continue to be at the hyper-excellent levels. The crew on this ship really seems to be a cut above what we have experienced on other Princess ships (and that was great) - or we are just having the best run of luck ever. Food continues to be superb. My only complaint -and this is really a stretch - is that the pizza in the all night buffet at about 3:30 am is a bit dried out (gotta laugh at that one myself).

 

Wish for the day: Wish the cafe on deck 5 would open earlier so I could get a cup of fresh brewed coffee earlier. I've given up on the coffee-from-concentrate in the horizon court, it just seems to get worse with every trip.

 

LOL...:D . Very much enjoying your posts... continue to have a great cruise.

[AZChristian]

I'll be on the Sapphire's late March/early April Hawaiian cruise, so we're really enjoying the updates, too. Thanks for all the descriptions. Almost as good as being there. Almost. Nah!!!!! :D

[kath00]

Great to hear that the seas have calmed! I agree, the Sapphire staff is exceptional. They were super friendly and helpful and kind everywhere I went in December. Looking forward to our May coastal trip!

 

Thanks for taking the time to write each day. Keep up the good work! :)

 

Katherine

[IECalCruiser]

Bugslyboo, Thanks for the "live from" on the first Sapphire Hawaii RT cruise. We enjoyed the Hawaiian experience on the Golden with David Cole and Elua. Although different people, it appears they are trying to providing a similar experience on the Sapphire. The Hawaii RT on the Golden with all of the sea days was one of our favorite. Look forward to reliving some of the experience with you on the remainder of your cruise.

[lauraapp]

I'm glad to hear the seas have calmed...and it is getting warmer! Enjoying your review! Hilo is one of my favorite ports, looking sunny for Hilo!

[Bugslyboo.com]

Seas have kicked up again, and it's official - channel 34 reporting sea conditions as "rough". Started late yesterday afternoon and continued to build through the night. Seems to be getting smoother this a.m., but we'll see what the day brings.

 

A fairly normal day at sea yesterday, with an early crowd mobbing the Horizon court for b-fast and lunch. It's better to be on the late schedule now. The things one sees in the buffet line can only cause you to laugh. Who woulda thought that you could put a piece of cake on top of pasta? Sometimes you get the feeling that some folks think the buffet is gonna get shut down any second and "ya better get whatcha can get"!

 

Not much more to report other than I think Diane Stockham, one of the onboard lecturers, has me down as some kind of crazed stalker for going up to her and saying "your sister Laura says hi". The news, out in the middle of the Pacific shocked her a bit, then I quickly explained that she responded on a thread at cruisecritic. Her response was "that's strange that she would do that". Jeez Laura, thanks, now she probably thinks I have you being held in a dungeon somewhere! LOL!!

 

Wish list for the day: Wish the wireless would work better in my stateroom, it's a hit or miss kinda thing.

 

Temperatures today in the mid 60's (was really warm yesterday in the sun and wearing the shorts paid off). Looking at my GPS looks like we are about 1000 Km (620 miles) from Hilo. We are expected to dock at 8:00 am tomorrow. We will be setting our clocks back again tonight (second time) putting us 11 confusing hours behind Central European time.

 

Bb

[Bugslyboo.com]

We went to the obligatory cooking demonstration yesterday in the Princess Theater and low and behold...who kicked it off?? Lee! He introduced the two gents putting on what can only be described as one of the worst cooking demonstrations we have seen. Time on stage for Lee: 30 seconds.