LIVE from the STAR PRINCESS - SANTIAGO TO RIO - FEB. 23, 2011

[caribill]

. I hope she'll keep the Star safe and in good shape because DH and I will be on her for the TA.

 

Then join the TA roll call at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1172521

[Pia1913]

It’s Saturday and it’s cold (temp is 45) and we’re sailing through Trinidad Canal, which is the inside passage transit of the Chilean Fjords. Right now all scenery is on the port side, and we live on the port side. There are several different canals which we will proceed through during the course of the day, until later in the evening when we will enter the Magellan Straits en-route to Punta Arenas - scheduled arrival is tomorrow at 7:00 AM.

　

So yes, we did go see the harpist last night. Different. Not my cup of tea. We stopped to listen to the piano player Brad Stevens who was destroying Neil Diamond. Stayed awhile hoping he would get better and when he started doing the score from Sound of Music, that was better. However, when there was audience participation he just glared at those who dared to sing along. Bye bye Mr. Stevens. You just lost 4 of us.

　

Today’s Patter is showing a Pub Lunch in the Crown Grill from 11:30 - 2:30, but nowhere is there an explanation of what it is. With such a huge first time cruising environment and mostly non English speaking passengers, I wonder what kind of turnout they will get.

　

Another lecture today by Maxtone-Graham, but this one conflicts with our most traveled luncheon. MUTS has four showings today of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and in the theater at 3:00 is a movie with Drew Barrymore; “You Again.” Sounds like this one will be on our agenda.

 

 

Tonight in the theater will be something called Malambo Showtime which I believe may be a gaucho act. In Vista the old reliable Motor City is back. Is there anyone out there who hasn’t seen this show?

 

 

The gym was really crowded this morning, probably due to people wanting to photograph the fjords. Time for breakfast. Later.

[regnig]

　

In Vista the old reliable Motor City is back. Is there anyone out there who hasn’t seen this show?

 

Only someone who has never sailed on a Princess ship! ;)

 

Thanks for letting us sail with you again. Barb

[yuwant]

Hi Pia, Finally I found out what everybody is talking about your live report of your present trip on the Star Princess for next 2012. Very interesting . How did you get Priority cards?

Teresa

[estebofarr]

Is there a place to plug in an electric toothbrush in the bathroom?

[1 HappyCruiser]

Is there a place to plug in an electric toothbrush in the bathroom?

 

Yes & it can handle other small items like a camera battery charger but nothing like a hair dryer.

[Pia1913]

Hello again; just checking in. Capt. Lunch very nice; got to sit with him since #1 and #2 backed out. So as #4 we got the main table, as did our friends Carolyn and John. All those attending were offered a galley tour after lunch; we decided not to do it. I don’t even like going into my own kitchen.

　

We managed to catch the end of Maxtone-Graham lecture and ordered one of his books. We did go to the movie with Drew Barrymore; “You Again.” Really dumb, with more than sexual innuendo and constant language. Funniest part was watching various couples exiting the theater when language got rough.

 

 

We went up to Skywalkers for the Plat, Suite, Elite reception at 5:00 PM with two other couples. Had some cheese sticks, olives and cheese and even tried the drink of the day; Chairman of the Board. A little too strong for us, but ok when you add some club soda. It’s now almost 7, so we’ll just meander down to have some dinner.

 

Teresa, please rephrase. Not sure of your question.

 

See you all in the AM.

[wineforhealth]

Hello again; just checking in. Capt. Lunch very nice; got to sit with him since #1 and #2 backed out. So as #4 we got the main table, as did our friends Carolyn and John.

 

 

We went up to Skywalkers for the Plat, Suite, Elite reception at 5:00 PM with two other couples. Had some cheese sticks, olives and cheese and even tried the drink of the day; Chairman of the Board. A little too strong for us, but ok when you add some club soda. It’s now almost 7, so we’ll just meander down to have some dinner.

 

 

See you all in the AM.

 

Love your live post Pia

 

You soon will make to #1 if you keep up the cruising

 

Good thing you only had one Chairman of the board otherwise the meander would be a sway

 

How the trivia going?

[Astro Flyer]

Is there a place to plug in an electric toothbrush in the bathroom?

 

Yes & it can handle other small items like a camera battery charger but nothing like a hair dryer.

 

Obviously I'm not Pia but my experience (none on smaller former Rennaisance ships) is that the only outlet in the bathroom was clearly marked for electric shavers only. I use a spare outlet behind the TV to keep my cordless Sonicare toothbrush charged.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Obviously I'm not Pia but my experience (none on smaller former Rennaisance ships) is that the only outlet in the bathroom was clearly marked for electric shavers only. I use a spare outlet behind the TV to keep my cordless Sonicare toothbrush charged.

 

They clearly label all the bathroom outlets as 20VA which at 110V equates to about 1/5 watt ( less than .2 amps) and that doesn't power to many items other than a battery charger or shaver and even a toothbrush charger.

[Astro Flyer]

They clearly label all the bathroom outlets as 20VA which at 110V equates to about 1/5 watt ( less than .2 amps) and that doesn't power to many items other than a battery charger or shaver and even a toothbrush charger.

 

Okay but I'll follow their clearly labeled 'shavers only' & to not plug in any other item. I choose to follow their instructions to prevent any possibility of an electrical problem that could affect the ship. I don't know why it's labelled this way but I'll follow their instructions & you can follow your own.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Okay but I'll follow their clearly labeled 'shavers only' & to not plug in any other item. I choose to follow their instructions to prevent any possibility of an electrical problem that could affect the ship. I don't know why it's labelled this way but I'll follow their instructions & you can follow your own.

 

You're absolutely right. Always follow the instructions & you can't go wrong.

[cruiseron36]

According to the 2011 cruise atlas this cruise was to go around cape Horn. Avvording to Arlene's latest live post she said they were going through the Magellan Straits. Anybody know why??

[IECalCruiser]

According to the 2011 cruise atlas this cruise was to go around cape Horn. Avvording to Arlene's latest live post she said they were going through the Magellan Straits. Anybody know why??

Punta Arenas is on the Straits of Magellan. After leaving Punta Arenas they will go back west to the Pacific and then take the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia. After Ushuaia they will continue through the Beagle Channel and turn south to Cape Horn. The will probably pass Cape Horn going East to West, turn around and pass Cape Horn West to East (both starboard and port side cabins can 'Round the Horn) and then sail towards the Falklands.

[cruiseron36]

Punta Arenas is on the Straits of Magellan. After leaving Punta Arenas they will go back west to the Pacific and then take the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia. After Ushuaia they will continue through the Beagle Channel and turn south to Cape Horn. The will probably pass Cape Horn going East to West, turn around and pass Cape Horn West to East (both starboard and port side cabins can 'Round the Horn) and then sail towards the Falklands.

 

OK. I thought that perhaps the seas were too rough around the Horn. We did the reverse route about 4 years ago on the Regal and had FLAT seas around the Horn.

[IECalCruiser]

The outlet is marked shavers only so someone doesn't try to plug in a hair dryer or the such. The outlet doesn't care what is plugged in unless it draws more than 20 VA. Any 120 Volt device that draws less than about .17 amps will work just fine such as most shavers, electric tooth brushes, phone chargers, etc.

[IECalCruiser]

So yes, we did go see the harpist last night. Different. Not my cup of tea. We stopped to listen to the piano player Brad Stevens who was destroying Neil Diamond. Stayed awhile hoping he would get better and when he started doing the score from Sound of Music, that was better. However, when there was audience participation he just glared at those who dared to sing along. Bye bye Mr. Stevens. You just lost 4 of us.

Pia, Sorry for recommending the Harpist :o

[Astro Flyer]

The outlet is marked shavers only so someone doesn't try to plug in a hair dryer or the such. The outlet doesn't care what is plugged in unless it draws more than 20 VA. Any 120 Volt device that draws less than about .17 amps will work just fine such as most shavers, electric tooth brushes, phone chargers, etc.

That's good to know & thanks also to '1 HappyCruiser'. :) I strive to learn something new each day & thanks to both of you did so today...thanks again.

[KruzPrincess]

I just got off the phone with my friend who just got off the Star on the reverse route. She said they had great weather and the seas weren't too rough at all. She was very happy with the cruise. Pia, hopefully the weather will hold out for you. They had unseasonalbly warm weather in Punta Arenas.

[lollypopj]

Good EVENING..

GREETINGS FROM ALBERTA..where we are reading your wonderful blog Pia..thanks for all the detail..re CD,Captain, lecturers etc..appreciate that!:):)

 

We have had a very long,very cold(-30 Celcius) winter here w/ graders now removing 4 foot high banks of ice and snow..so 60 degrees F will be like a warm spring day to us!:D

 

Recognizing a few names here..

 

We were to go on the SA cruise last year, the day the earthquake hit..still have Brazillian Visas etc..and have re-booked for Jan 7th or 8th..2012..

 

Anyone else here going??

 

Sure hope your internet works well soon..always a blessing..;)

 

Lobster dinner sounded wonderful..have been on the Coral,(to Panama) Sapphire (to Alaska)..and Golden to Hawaii..but havent experienced MUTS..so its good to hear they are available so many times per day..

 

Enjoy your day..we will be here reading..and daydreaming..lol..

Seen any nice sunsets, whales, dolphins,fish etc yet??:confused:

 

Hugs!

Dale and Laura in Edmonton..(we are on Mountain Standard Time..similar to what you have on the West Coast)

[KruzPrincess]

Pia, I understand that the captain announced the names of the new ships on the last cruise. One was the Royal Princess, but my friend couldn't remember the other. Please let us know if you find out. Thanks.

[stansthos]

Hi Pia,

 

Finally found this post, kept looking in the blog section and our old roll call. :o Thank you so much for doing this. While I'm envious and sorry I didn't get to meet you and the rest of the group (especially those wild Australians I just love cruising with); I have had a case of a bad cold or flu since before the trip started, so we really did make the right choice of the generous move over offer from Princess. We are now booked on the Rio to SF leg in 2012, and with your blog, it will probably be overbooked too. :rolleyes: There is already a huge thread for that cruise, and it's a year away. I'm really interested in your time in Montevideo. Are you going on the tour that Liz booked? I would be interested in comments people make about Marta *****, as I am trying to organize a tour with her for next year's group. Good luck with the weather and the seas. You really seem to have a fan club with all these posts...BTW, do you ever eat dinner in the dining room or do you always go to Horizon Court? We have made the most traveled luncheon our past two cruises, but would not have come close this time. Jennifer

[Pia1913]

Welcome to Punta Arenas, Chile on this lovely Sunday morning. Temp is about 48; skies are sort of clear with sun thinking about coming out. This is our 3rd time here and since we’ve made no plans, we will take our time and tender off at leisure. Last night we were given printed sworn statements that we must take with us, declaring that we’re not bringing any fruit, vegetables, meat, sandwiches, dairy products or other consumable food items ashore. It also includes flowers, seeds and plants and probably some other items that is not in our possession.

　

Not a whole lot going on today aboard ship other than morning trivia which we will probably miss. We are here until 6:00 PM when we set sail for Ushuaia. Inasmuch as we will be between

Chilean and Argentine waters, the casino, which closed last night, will not reopen until Tuesday, March 1st. BTW, I forgot whether or not I mentioned the Princess Choir. I have been looking forward to it ever since I heard about it. But alas……….’tis not to be. Not here anyway. I asked Frank and he said this ship “hasn’t gotten it yet.”

 

 

　

Evening offerings will be Motor City again in Vista Lounge and Pete Matthews, UK’s Premier Comedy Juggler (their words, not mine) in the Princess Theater. Satellite permitting, the Academy Awards will be shown beginning at 10:00 PM in Vista. Too late for us to be floating around, so we’ll get the results tomorrow.

 

　

Up here now in Horizon Ct; pretty empty. I guess most people are gathering for tours and/or waiting for tender tix.

 

Jim: LOL. And no win yet. Just tie and 2nd place. I will survive. :)

 

Princess: No mention of new ship names. I should have asked him.

 

Jennifer: Sometimes in diningroom. Better choices for me when I can pick around. Not a big foodie.

 

Bye for now.

[wineforhealth]

Pia

 

LOL ~ You have just listed all the items I usually take ashore, now I'm stuck with my beach towel if applicable and hat

 

Have a great Sunday

[jajohnson]

Hello again; just checking in. Capt. Lunch very nice; got to sit with him since #1 and #2 backed out. So as #4 we got the main table, as did our friends Carolyn and John. ---------snip------See you all in the AM.

 

Pia

 

Thanks for doing one of your lives....gives us a chance to see what we are missing......congratulations on dining with the captain...chance to network???<grin>

 

Wishing you fair weather for the remainder of your cruise

 

John and Rita