LIVE from the Pacific Princess - 31 days from Athens to Ft. Lauderdale

[Pia1913]

Paul: :o

 

Meredith: Was better yesterday; did too much. Paid for it today. :( Yes, most went to Marrakech and I heard lots of B****'in from that end too.

 

I just finished losing 2 rounds at slot tournament. Had a bogo coupon so decided to blow $20.

 

 

Goodnite.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Its early morn in Funchal...still dark and they have arrived...

 

http://www.madeira-web.com/camera/cam-03.html

 

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

[Pia1913]

Good morning from Funchal, Madeira, a short port stop before 5 days at sea. We arrived at 7:00 and scheduled to depart at 2:00 PM. The weather is supposed to be partly sunny, but not get out of the 50’s. You all know how we feel about that. Brrrrrrrrr. Meanwhile, it’s still dark and dreary and if the sun has any intentions, it has yet to show itself. We were here only one year ago and climbed that very steep hill into town. Physically I can’t do that right now, nor will I pay $4/pp each way for the shuttle. We will get off and freeze our *** off for a little bit; for as long as we can last.

　

Naturally, with some ship’s tours in progress, there is nothing of value scheduled for the morning hours. The afternoon has 2 lectures on tap - “Investing in the 21st Century Part II” and “Italy’s Treasure: The Eternal Jewel.” The Patter also tells us that showtime tonight will feature VIVACIOUS DIVALICIOUS VIRTUOSO SENSATIONAL SHOWGIRL ! The literal translation is a female pianist.

Forgot to mention that Princess choir on this ship is very different, so both Amelia and myself have joined.

[bjcanady]

Good morning from Funchal, Madeira, a short port stop before 5 days at sea. We arrived at 7:00 and scheduled to depart at 2:00 PM. The weather is supposed to be partly sunny, but not get out of the 50’s. You all know how we feel about that. Brrrrrrrrr. Meanwhile, it’s still dark and dreary and if the sun has any intentions, it has yet to show itself. We were here only one year ago and climbed that very steep hill into town. Physically I can’t do that right now, nor will I pay $4/pp each way for the shuttle. We will get off and freeze our *** off for a little bit; for as long as we can last.

　

Naturally, with some ship’s tours in progress, there is nothing of value scheduled for the morning hours. The afternoon has 2 lectures on tap - “Investing in the 21st Century Part II” and “Italy’s Treasure: The Eternal Jewel.” The Patter also tells us that showtime tonight will feature VIVACIOUS DIVALICIOUS VIRTUOSO SENSATIONAL SHOWGIRL ! The literal translation is a female pianist.

Forgot to mention that Princess choir on this ship is very different, so both Amelia and myself have joined.

 

Have you checked out the Pete Nilson duo yet? They are wonderful.......even if you don't dance they are great to listen to and wonderful guys......

[caribill]

 

Forgot to mention that Princess choir on this ship is very different, so both Amelia and myself have joined.

 

Different in what ways?

[Pia1913]

Hello at the end of a most unproductive day. I woke up feeling like I could conquer the world, but just barely made it to the terminal and their teeny tiny gift shop. There’s also a Madeira wine shop there, but we don’t drink that kind of wine. Crawled (almost literally) back to the ship just in time for trivia. Won more fans. Lunch in the dining room, more trivia and now it’s wine time and less than an hour before we eat again. :eek:

Tune in to Amelia’s day; she went into town and bought wine and candy.;)

Bill: different inasmuch as it's being done with 4 part harmony by a professional musician with totally different songs. Two are The Rose and Memory.

[san diego sue]

We bought Madeira wine in that little port store as well their Brandy,

a couple of years ago. Delicious.

[san diego sue]

Pia,

If you are still on line, I am sending you an email.

G

[lovevacadays]

 

David, I have to say, I just love your snapshots of the ship in each port. Very fun.

[rdsqrl]

. . . Bill: different inasmuch as it's being done with 4 part harmony by a professional musician with totally different songs. Two are The Rose and Memory.

Well, just stab my eardrum out with a fork . . .

 

Pia, hope you feel better tomorrow.

[ibfern]

Better late than never: Casablanca and Rabat

 

Again I am late! This is my theme on this cruise and I am going to blame in on the cold we have been passing around.

 

We Spent the day in Casa with Pia and Mike on a shorex that was long, scary, funny, interesting, and a little gross! We mostly laughed, although we did incite a bit of a revolt when they tried to take us on a carpet shopping "learning" experience, barf. We did get to visit a reasonable shop owned by the government (no haggling) where we all found a few trinkets, and where the stuff they sold was better, higher quality, and easy to buy.

 

Our guide smoked the whole time he was with us, blowing his smoke into our airspace without regard. Who does this? When we visited the mosque, our guide disappeared to make phone calls and probably to smoke a pack. In fact he did this at every stop, by the time we all got off the bus he was long gone except at the carpet store.

 

The mosque was beautiful with multi levels for women and men. We visited the bathrooms and they were the most immaculate holes in the ground we ever saw! As we were coming and going a vendor followed us trying to sell Not designer watches, tee shirts, and postcards. Going in the price was 10 euros, and we knew the prices would come down when we departed and sure enough the prices dropped as we headed to the bus. We decided we wanted the postcards for a dollar but the guy stood firm on his price of two dollars, we said no. Next several stops the same guy was there and at each place the prices went down until the designer watches were one dollar each but nobody bought any! Finally he started throwing tee shirts into the bus, we ignored him and the security man on our bus got him to leave us alone. He continued to follow us anyway!

 

Ken and I took many many pictures of clusters of cars making six lanes where there was two, and where everybody seemed to have the need to go first and so they did at risk of life and limb. We saw people herding cows, lambs, and sheep on the side of the freeway, riding bikes into ongoing traffic at nighttime, and pedestrians crossing eight lanes of traffic, dodging fast cars, motorcycles, bicyclists, donkeys pulling cards, and even horses. What a mess.

 

The highlight of the day was when, on the way back to the ship, we got the bus driver to pass the other bus (the ones that ate all our food in Casa) while we were in a giant cluster pluck of a traffic jam on what I guess was a freeway! Hahaha

[Pia1913]

It’s Thursday, December 8th and the first of our next five days at sea. Our clocks went back an hour last night, so we are now only 4 hours ahead of EST. Nice to have that extra hour back.

 

　

Lots of activity going on today starting with the 3 hour only up to 75% off sale at 9:00. Sound familiar? ;) There’s a lecture at 10:15, “Egypt: The Land Forgotten by Time,” a marzipan demo at 11:00 and another pub lunch beginning at 11:30. Our Cruise Critic group has a planned diningroom lunch at noon; 40 have signed up for this.

　

 

Princess Choir rehearsal at 1:00 means we will have to eat and run and also at this time is a martini demo at the Casino bar. Another lecture at 2:30 is “Don’t be taxed by Excessive Taxation,” and Princess Grapevine is at 3:00. Some of our spouses might have to leave the lecture early or be late for wine tasting.

 

　

Tonight’s showtime is a comedy illusionist, Dain Cordean. I guess that means a magician and another ensuite movie for us. Last night, instead of the pianist, we chose to watch 27 Dresses in our cabin. Not the first time, but still a better choice for us.

 

 

Feeding time again. See you later.

[ibfern]

Food in Funchal

 

We decided to go into town using the shuttle, after being gouged in Barcelona for close to $20 for a round trip shuttle, we thought the $8 RT was ok, of course free would have been better!

 

The weather was cloudy the whole time but my hot flashes enjoyed a day off here because it was cool. We got to town by 9am and stores were opening so I was happy. Then we started looking at prices and everything was very expensive so we headed for the super markets. We found several, they were both two stories with food courts and all sorts of shops, kind of like a supermarket-mall. I found hard candies for my scratchy throat, after deciding that the pharmacies were charging way too much for the same thing!

 

The was a very short stop and it was time to go before we had seen very much of the old town. We managed to go to the Blandy wine lodge for wine tasting and learned that they charged for this! I wanted a bottle for cooking and bought the least expensive one which was about 9 euros. I also bought a small sample pack of 4, which was actually the same price as tasting each, figuring I'll have my own wine tasting on the ship.

 

We pulled out the last of our Euros at the ATM and was surprised to see how much the euro has dropped against the dollar. We were able to pull out 250 more euros than we had estimated. Now I have money for the next TA in April/May.

 

It was time to go back to the ship and we had hardly scratched the surface of Funchal, necessitating another future visit! I am always willing to turn a negative into a positive. We got back to the ship and the MDR was open, hooray for more food. I had the best pasta of the whole trip, a spicy tomato sauce although they spelled it tomatoe on the menu but there were no toes in it! Was Dan Quail writing our menus?

[paul929207]

Amelia,

I like the advance planning (ie need to visit Funchal again). Excellent initiative on your part. :)

[ibfern]

Good morning from the smooth as a lake Atlantic. I wanted to share that there is a new elite laundry form and since using that, there have been no accidental laundry charges on our bill. This eliminates having to hassle getting those charges off the bill during the cruise, which happened to me in October several times on the Sapphire.

 

I've never been to Bermuda, does have any recommendations for what to do?

[Pia1913]

Good Friday morning with another day at sea and having gained another hour of sleep. Yesterday’s weather was wonderful; somewhere around 70 ish with sun and calm seas. Cannot ask for more. Our day was interesting with the cruise critic lunch at noon (almost 60 people showed; much more than anticipated). The chef prepared a special pasta for us (one with just tomato and garlic and the other will lots of yummy seafood). We also had a beautifully presented special dessert. Wine tasting went well as well as choir rehearsal. A very busy day.

　

Another busy Patter this morning, beginning with two lectures. First is “Protect your Assets for you and your Heirs”, followed by “Israel: A Living Rainbow.” There’s an ice carving demo at 11:30 and our choir rehearsal at noon. Since there’s nothing going on in the afternoon (wonder why they stuffed both lectures into the AM), we’ll just have time to read a bit and prepare for formal night and the Captain’s Circle cocktail party. We need to be down there at 5:15, so may not have time for trivia. Awwwwwwwww. Our “favorite” :eek: production show is tonight; Motor City. I guess we’ll be watching “Bridesmaids” in our cabin.

Amelia: what new form? Ours are the same new ones they created several months ago and I've never had a laundry problem. In fact, most of the time the charges never appear at all, so there's nothing to take off. We need to talk. And why are you up so early?:)

[ssbeagle]

Our CC lunch was well-attended. The final count was 52 people. Susan (CD), David (Choir director), and Sandy (Capt Circle Host) were special invitees/attendees. The wait staff were wonderful and the food was excellent. The dessert was so rich and chocolatey and wonderful. Entertainment on board has been pretty good. Amy Adler can put on a great show with the piano. The magician last night was okay, nothing most magicians don't do. Tonight is the famous "Motor City". I think we may give it a pass. How many times can you see the same show?

 

Amelia, we haven't seen any new laundry forms. It's been the same ones ever since I can remember. Anyone want a water bottle? I have 6 of them now.

[paul929207]

Pia,

Haven't heard mention of your back lately. Hope that means you are feeling better.

 

Enjoy

[sofiefleurie]

[B]I've never been to Bermuda, does have any recommendations for what to do?

[/b]

 

 

Haven't been there in awhile but just walking up and down the main street in Hamilton is lovely. Also, if you can tour the island, St. George has some interesting colonial history and I believe has been designated a World Heritage Site.

 

The whole island is beautiful and I think you will enjoy it.

[ibfern]

The laundry form is new to me, was not on the Sapphire last month. I'll bring it tonight!

 

Thanks for the tip Sofie.

[Pia1913]

Got the new forms. Same form, but on top it says ELITE COMPLEMENTARY in bold letters.

 

Paul, it was never my back. Whole right side of body from hip to ship. Classic sciatica. I have orthopod appt. for 2 hours after I get off ship, and I have been feeling better past two days.

[paul929207]

Got the new forms. Same form, but on top it says ELITE COMPLEMENTARY in bold letters.

 

Paul, it was never my back. Whole right side of body from hip to ship. Classic sciatica. I have orthopod appt. for 2 hours after I get off ship, and I have been feeling better past two days.

Well, glad you are feeling better.

[san diego sue]

Glad the new forms say Elite Complimentary. I hate being charged and then credited back.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The "Pacific" is now in the middle of the Atlantic:D:D

 

 

Nice sunset...............