LIVE from the Ocean Princess - 28 days from Rome to Singapore 10/15 - 11/12/2011

[DonahCBrown]

Well, after a morning of rock and roll, and closed elevators, things improved appreciably and elevators reopened in time for our meet and greet which was very well attended by roll call members and ship's company as well. Capt. Bilton stopped by for a good while as did almost everyone else we invited - very nice of them. Most of the connections for tours were completed and the pale green of the morning complexions gave way to a good crowd at the Panorama Buffet for lunch. Afternoon enrichment lecturer was good - Mike came, Pia didn't. Have to get ready for the formal night- grateful that we aren't bouncing around as much as we did this AM! Not sure I'd have been up for it at all if it were still blowing 50 plus knots.

[Maryandi]

Hello Donna & Pia, Thanks for all the Live Reports.

 

Will be thinking of you when we are back in the Amazon in 2012 !! Get to use those expensive Brazil visas again !!!

 

MaryAnn

[mmwc]

The place we bought wine is likely to be out of business by the time you get there - it was a grocery in an apartment complex about three blocks inland from the San Giorgio and was clearly about to close down - amazing prices! Not much selection, though.

 

There are a lot of little 'mom and pop' places with a few bottles, but there is also a 'real' wine shop about mid-block on Via Mazzini which is close to the port area. That is probably your best bet for your trip.

 

We also found another grocery in Sorrento, as Pia already mentioned.

 

Thank you Donna, this information is much appreciated. We will add this information to our cruise folder.

 

We enjoy and appreciate the time you, Pia and others take in writing "live" reports and answering questions.

 

Hope the weather settles down for the rest of your journey.

 

With many thanks

 

Michael and Midge

[Pia1913]

What a difference a few hours can make. The captain was right; things did settle down and the sun did come out. Breakfast wasn’t; a dry roll and some tea for me. Coffee didn’t agree with me, but tea fixed that. We made it to trivia and won. Water bottles!

　

Our M & G had an almost perfect attendance of roll call participants. And all the BIG guys attended too. The Captain, Staff Capt., Food & Beverage head, Hotel Manager, Maitre d’, Cruise Director and Internet manager. The whole enchilada! Donna told you a little; I'm giving you the rest.

　

It is now past 8 PM and I’m doing this now to cover tonight and tomorrow morning. We have been told that there will probably be very poor or no internet signal at all tomorrow in Athens. So I’ll cover the agenda now, before we look in at the show. Donna and I with our guys are planning to take a ferry from Piraeus to Aegina as soon as we’re allowed to get off. Having been to Athens many times, we’re interested in seeing a new place.

　

Tomorrow, for those who stay on board there is trivia of course and two movies. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Opa.” Evening showtime is called British Musical Theater with Paul Baker. No other explanation, so we will find out for ourselves.

 

 

Did I mention the coffee card? Don’t remember if I did. In any event I inquired about it and was told that it’s still speculation on whether or not the cards for next year will have the ship name on them. The barrista told me there is lots of rumor and they themselves don’t know.

 

 

Signing off for today. Be back with you when we can.

[wineforhealth]

Pia

 

Thank you for your "live" once again.

 

looks like you have your work cut out for you at trivia again. At least you know beforehand what your missing out on winning.

 

I'm with your on seeing something new others than Athens again. Hope your journey in Aegina takes you by a nice wine shop today( most likely not).

[cruisingallover]

Just noticed your live and will be reading about your adventures daily ;)

[cruzinwithprincess]

Pia,

 

Thank you for your live thread. We where on the Royal's final journey and Peter was our CD at the time. Personally, we enjoyed his deputy CD, Jason Parsons. If he happens to be on the Ocean with Peter, please let him know my daughter, Neili said Hi. That will get a smile out of him.

 

Enjoy! ;)

[chamima]

 

 

Did I mention the coffee card? Don’t remember if I did. In any event I inquired about it and was told that it’s still speculation on whether or not the cards for next year will have the ship name on them. The barrista told me there is lots of rumor and they themselves don’t know.

 

 

Signing off for today. Be back with you when we can.

 

 

Your post made me wonder - does the Ocean have the Specialty (Revolution) tea? The Royal last year didn't and one staff person said none of the little girls had it and another said it was just cause the Royal was getting transferred in May. So I was curious. If it's not on board I can always bring my own.

Thanks!

[dshimizu]

Hi Pia! Don't think we've met but notice you are friends with Dee and John, probably Tom and Lorraine too. We have cruised with them a few times during our 24 Princess cruises. Anyway, please tell GERRI and GLO that we are "spying on them" via your terrific live reports but it's OK for them to get into some mischief! My husband and I took a similar cruise from Rome to Bangkok on the "old Royal" and loved every minute of it. Regards, Deb and Bill in Vancouver

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Hi Pia and Donna,

Have a great day on the Greek Island .

Looks like Piraeus will be busy today.

 

 

Athens (Piraeus), Greece

9056 passengers in town

Brilliance Of The Seas, Costa Pacifica, MSC Armonia, Ocean Princess

 

 

[Pia1913]

Your post made me wonder - does the Ocean have the Specialty (Revolution) tea? The Royal last year didn't and one staff person said none of the little girls had it and another said it was just cause the Royal was getting transferred in May. So I was curious. If it's not on board I can always bring my own.

Thanks!

 

Hi Pia! Don't think we've met but notice you are friends with Dee and John, probably Tom and Lorraine too. We have cruised with them a few times during our 24 Princess cruises. Anyway, please tell GERRI and GLO that we are "spying on them" via your terrific live reports but it's OK for them to get into some mischief! My husband and I took a similar cruise from Rome to Bangkok on the "old Royal" and loved every minute of it. Regards, Deb and Bill in Vancouver

 

 

Nothing much to say, since we walked our feet off looking to board the ferry to Aegina and when we finally got there they were on strike. :mad:

 

No, there is no Revolution tea; not visible anyway.

 

Deb, yes, Dee and John and Lorraine and Tom as well. I really don't know Gerri and Glo, but if I do meet them I will relay the message.

 

Folks, I just logged on to see if it was working and apparently it is. See you later.

[snookymom]

Enjoying your live as always. Thanks for taking us!:D

[Pia1913]

Back again; still in Athens. Just a bit more to say, since you already know we never made it to Aegina. That was the bad part. The good part is we walked almost 3 miles, so the exercise was beneficial. Donna has a pedometer at all times, so we are quite accurate. Got back in time for mid morning coffee and then trivia. We won. The prize du jour is a Princess pen. Writes nicely.

 

　

We decided to do nothing this afternoon except relax in our cabin and read. Tried to sit on the balcony; too cold for us. Weather this morning was in the 50’s and hasn’t really warmed up enough for our southern bodies. It is sunny though, and a lovely cool day. Lots of other ships in port with us, i.e. Silverseas (Silver Wind) RCI (Brilliance of the Seas), Mein Schiff from Germany and several others.

 

 

Trivia this afternoon was a tie for us again. And of course we lost the tie. So we didn’t win the Princess fans, which came with batteries. My DH really wanted those batteries.

 

 

For those interested, the most traveled luncheon will be on 10/28 and the cutoff is 257. I can’t tell you the numbers of those who have placed in the top 2 most traveled, but we are number three.

 

 

Almost time for dinner, so I’ll check back later.

[dshimizu]

Hi Pia, This is Gerri (Dina123) and you will find her at trivia! She should be a strong competitor!

[highheel girl]

Have a great evening Pia! :)

[CruzinNoony]

Hi Pia and Donna,

 

As usual, I look forward to your "live from". Bob and I will be taking off on the Sapphire this Saturday for 28 days to Hawaii and Tahiti, so will have to catch up when we get home. When you get off in Singapore, look around for inexpensive wine stores for our April trip. Do they have trivia on the morning show? I sure hope we will have the fun of that on the Sapphire. Our CD is Tim Donovan. Have you ever had him? :rolleyes:

[kruisey]

Back again; still in Athens. Just a bit more to say, since you already know we never made it to Aegina. That was the bad part. The good part is we walked almost 3 miles, so the exercise was beneficial. Donna has a pedometer at all times, so we are quite accurate. Got back in time for mid morning coffee and then trivia. We won. The prize du jour is a Princess pen. Writes nicely.

 

　

We decided to do nothing this afternoon except relax in our cabin and read. Tried to sit on the balcony; too cold for us. Weather this morning was in the 50’s and hasn’t really warmed up enough for our southern bodies. It is sunny though, and a lovely cool day. Lots of other ships in port with us, i.e. Silverseas (Silver Wind) RCI (Brilliance of the Seas), Mein Schiff from Germany and several others.

 

 

Trivia this afternoon was a tie for us again. And of course we lost the tie. So we didn’t win the Princess fans, which came with batteries. My DH really wanted those batteries.

 

 

For those interested, the most traveled luncheon will be on 10/28 and the cutoff is 257. I can’t tell you the numbers of those who have placed in the top 2 most traveled, but we are number three.

 

 

Almost time for dinner, so I’ll check back later.

Its always useful to get a pen that really works.:)

Don't forget to let me know how the Fitness Center is for crowding.I would usually go after breakfast.

Thank you so much for all the time you spend keeping in touch with useful information.......Hope to see you again in Singapore April 2012.....Heather:)

[Pia1913]

It’s still Tuesday and we’ve just finished dinner. We are passing on the show (solo singer) tonight and will just read (me) and watch TV (Mike). We need to be up early tomorrow; it’s Kusadasi and we leave for a private tour at 7:45. We are a group of 10 who have all been here at least once, so we’ve booked Tours by Locals for a tour to Sirince Village. Thanks to Donna who takes charge so often and so beautifully, we are off to this small village of Turkish-Greek culture, which will also include a visit to a winery for a necessary “tasting.” Princess does not offer this tour, I really don’t have too much information (by choice; I like to be surprised), so will tell you all about it tomorrow.

　

 

For those staying aboard there is nothing but trivai and a 3:00 PM movie; Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Showtime tomorrow night will be The Walking Miracles in their Cabaret “Duet.” This is what is written and this is all I know. There will also be a 10:15 PM adult comedy showtime featuring Tom Briscoe.

 

 

It won’t be easy, but this early bird might make it. Also advertised is $5 Face-Up Blackjack which perhaps might draw some action. Casino is always empty.

 

 

Meredith: Donna will look for wine in Singapore;we fly out immediately to Athens to board the Pacific. Tim Donovan is fine. And Wake Show is boring.

 

Goodnight all.

[JWJs]

 

For those interested, the most traveled luncheon will be on 10/28 and the cutoff is 257. I can’t tell you the numbers of those who have placed in the top 2 most traveled, but we are number three.

 

 

Almost time for dinner, so I’ll check back later.

 

Congrats on being number 3. :) We have many cruises to go to be even close to number 3. :)

 

I'm enjoying your "live from" as always. Thanks Pia!

 

You all had a great showing at the M&G!

[ssbeagle]

Congrats on being #3! No #4 for you this time!

 

Pia, please check the thread or your e-mail as there has been a change to our itinerary on the Pacific and I need an answer from you ASAP! Thanks.

 

Hope you are having a great cruise.

[DonahCBrown]

Well, we went to the show - Paul Baker - he did lots of show tunes, of course, but also chatted and had as part of his act a sort of slideshow of pictures of the plays he'd been in - he was actually quite good and we'll likely go back to the second show as well. We're off to tour early so will try and do a write up when we return.

[California Native]

Congrats on making number 3.....

With the cut off at 257 ~ I would have had lunch with you!!!! :D

Princess was kind enough to finally include by Sitmar sailings and I was able to "prove" more of my childhood cruises after finding a photo album!!! :D :D :D

[Kiwi Kruzer]

[Pia1913]

Hi from Kusadasi where we arrived very early this morning. We left the ship (all bundled up in layers) at 7:45 to meet our private guide. We were a group of 10 and we had a great 16 passenger bus for our drive to Sirince. I am going to let Donna tell you about it with appropriate descriptors. I will tell you though that I know why Princess doesn’t offer this tour. Rocks and hills; hills and rocks. Way too much liability. We came back to the ship in time to gobble a quick lunch and then went out again to meander at the bazaar. Not too much time since all aboard was at 3:30 and we boarded at 3:21.

 

 

Tomorrow is a sea day as is the next one, but that's the day we go through the Suez Canal. Clocks go back tonight, so we get that hour back. Temporarily. No questions? Easy for me. :)

[hillslife]

Hi Pia - sounds like you are having a real adventure on this ship.- I am sure you have great sea legs with all your travels. I LOVE the Ocean....we were on her when she was the TP for the 107 day World Cruise....loved the small ship atmosphere better than the 3000 passenger vessels.

 

Great 'meet your neighbor' idea - that would be fun on all long cruises. Interesting about the coffee card.....the ships people are probably always the last to know. Congrats on #3....we could have been your table mates with the low cut off number - darn, guess you can't figure that out in advance. Our TA cruise the cut off was 1074!!!!

 

Will be following your live - have a wonderful time!!!

 

Dolores