LIVE from the CORAL PRINCESS - Oct. 28th to Nov. 11th - LA to FLL thru the Canal

[Pia1913]

Just popping in to say hello while having a nice chilled glass of sauvignon blanc.

Some things to share (not of any importance)

1. The skim milk situation. Still not at coffee bar, but available in a pitcher near the dry cereal. This will only occur in the AM, so again requested it to be at coffee bar. Anyone other than me want to bet it won’t be there tonight? Hmmmmmm. Double negative.

　

2. Wake Show - they pulled 4 correct answers for the question of the day. I won. A lanyard.

　

3. Day 2 of the cruise and we have received the disembarkation questionnaire and registration form for EZ Check. These sometimes come early, but I’ve never gotten them THIS early.

　

4. Attended investment lecture; body was there, brain was not. Nice snooze.

　

5. Discovered that mandatory retirement age is not 63 for crew, but 65. Could be hierarchy is different, though I’m inclined to believe that it’s all going to be 65.

　

So, we anchored at Cabo and we were on the first tender at 11:50. We were on a charter back to the ship at 1:00. Nice to have your own tender. Seriously, it was so darn hot and too far to walk to a market to buy wine. Mike doesn’t like my Sauv, so I thought we’d buy something else. Not to be. BTW, Carnival Splendor is anchored here too.

　

Had a small lunch in HC and then went to see the movie Bel Ami. Now if someone would care to explain it that would be quite beneficial. A whole group gathered outside the theater afterwards and everyone was clueless as to what this movie was about. What we did understand was the fact that the star, Robert Pattinson, was doing very well bedding every woman with whom he came in contact. I will google/wiki it and maybe get an answer.

Thank you both for the answers. Yes, I do feel dumb.

Nothing else to say so will see you in the morning.

[caribill]

went to see the movie Bel Ami. Now if someone would care to explain it that would be quite beneficial. A whole group gathered outside the theater afterwards and everyone was clueless as to what this movie was about. What we did understand was the fact that the star, Robert Pattinson, was doing very well bedding every woman with whom he came in contact. I will google/wiki it and maybe get an answer.

 

 

 

A chronicle of a young man's rise to power in Paris via his manipulation of the city's most influential and wealthy women.

 

Received a 5.4 out of 10 rating from 7702 people on IMDB.

[ibfern]

Glad the lectures are helping you catching up on all the sleep you lost in Vegas! ;)

[coo359a2]

Pia, how did you kids make out in NY. Can't remember exactly where in the city they live.

[rdsqrl]

Pia, you lost me at Robert Pattinson . . .

 

There exists an anagram solver website, by the way. Which is the only way I can do them. Or Scrabble. I'm dreadful at both. I stick to trivia.

 

Sorry you missed getting wine in Cabo; hope the stock holds out til the next port.

[RNGALNG]

Oh boy! Another lanyard! What will you do with it??? Maybe you can get it framed like they do ribbons or game jerseys?

 

Congratulations on the win! You seem to have all the luck! Hope Vegas was just as lucky!

[deelastcre]

Pia, you lost me at Robert Pattinson . . .

 

There exists an anagram solver website, by the way. Which is the only way I can do them. Or Scrabble. I'm dreadful at both. I stick to trivia.

 

Sorry you missed getting wine in Cabo; hope the stock holds out til the next port.

Scrabulizer dot com or scrabblecheat dot com can help you, Pia with your games.

[pmCruiser]

Just popping in to say hello while having a nice chilled glass of sauvignon blanc.

 

 

Some things to share (not of any importance)

 

 

1. The skim milk situation. Still not at coffee bar, but available in a pitcher near the dry cereal. This will only occur in the AM, so again requested it to be at coffee bar. Anyone other than me want to bet it won’t be there tonight? Hmmmmmm. Double negative.

　

2. Wake Show - they pulled 4 correct answers for the question of the day. I won. A lanyard.

　

3. Day 2 of the cruise and we have received the disembarkation questionnaire and registration form for EZ Check. These sometimes come early, but I’ve never gotten them THIS early.

　

4. Attended investment lecture; body was there, brain was not. Nice snooze.

　

5. Discovered that mandatory retirement age is not 63 for crew, but 65. Could be hierarchy is different, though I’m inclined to believe that it’s all going to be 65.

　

So, we anchored at Cabo and we were on the first tender at 11:50. We were on a charter back to the ship at 1:00. Nice to have your own tender. Seriously, it was so darn hot and too far to walk to a market to buy wine. Mike doesn’t like my Sauv, so I thought we’d buy something else. Not to be. BTW, Carnival Splendor is anchored here too.

 

　

Had a small lunch in HC and then went to see the movie Bel Ami. Now if someone would care to explain it that would be quite beneficial. A whole group gathered outside the theater afterwards and everyone was clueless as to what this movie was about. What we did understand was the fact that the star, Robert Pattinson, was doing very well bedding every woman with whom he came in contact. I will google/wiki it and maybe get an answer.

 

 

Thank you both for the answers. Yes, I do feel dumb.

 

 

Nothing else to say so will see you in the morning.

Thanks for your posts. We will be on the same itinerary in Feb. Looking forward to as much information as you can provide.

 

Do you recall what airlines were included in the EZ Check package? We've used it in the past and it so worth the extra $20 pp.

 

Paul

[Pia1913]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN. It’s October 31st and that means we celebrate the ancient Celtic harvest festival, though I doubt the souls of the dead are coming to wreak havoc on our crops. Since it’s still too early for us to have looked around, I don’t know if there are decorations around the ship or other “scary” paraphernalia. Up here in HC there are a few scattered pumpkins. Very few.

　

Before I go further, I have to tell you that they announced both our names on the Wake Show this morning. Not bad. Two picks out of four. Wonder if we get more lanyards.

　

　

　

This morning has a port lecture on Nicaragua, probably the only Princess port we’ve never visited. Will attend this one and have even booked a Princess shorex. There’s a photography seminar conflicting with this, so Mike will have to decide which one is more important to him. Also this morning is the usual 3 hour $10 sale. I’m sure there will be another one.

　

In the afternoon the stock guy is presenting “The Sub-Prime Debacle” which I will attend and try to stay awake. Following this there will be elevator roulette, Phantom of the Opera on MUTS, Young Frankenstein in the theater and a Pop Choir rehearsal. I didn’t sign up on Monday, so will take a peek in and see if this ship has changed their repertoire.

　

Tonight is the production show On the Bayou in the Universe Lounge. I’ve heard so many good things about it, that we will be there very early to get good seats. There’s a “Spooktacular” Halloween Party in Explorers at 8:30, followed by “Scare-aoke” at 9:30. The movie Beetlejuice will be shown twice tonight in the theater; once at 6:00 and then again at 8:15. MUTS is presenting Ghostbusters (also 2 showings) and then at 10:30 we can see Rocky Horror Picture Show in the theater. There will also be a costume parade and best dressed competition in Explorers at 10:30. I know several of our Roll Call people had planned to wear costumes, but I know we won’t be around to see them at that hour.

Paul: I will let you know later. I'm in HC and EZ paper is in cabin.

Tina: My NY kid lives in Suffolk County and I know they have no power. My sister in NJ lost power too. Sindee spoke to them on cell phone.

For others: Sindee is my daughter in Florida

Breakfast time.

[san diego sue]

Good Morning Pia,

Glad that the kids and sister are all fine.

 

We are back to normal life and so glad we got home before the storm.

Joyce and John doing alright but she is going a bit crazy on the Caribbean Princess not knowing what is happening next.

Gloria:D

[caribill]

 

　

Tonight is the production show On the Bayou in the Universe Lounge. I’ve heard so many good things about it, that we will be there very early to get good seats.

 

When we saw it in August, it was still 45 minutes plus in length and they did present it three times that evening.

 

I hope you get to see the entire show, not a shortened version.

[DonahCBrown]

Bonjour Pia and Mike - found this at last. Down to our last days in France with free wifi - sounds like you had fun on your pre-post-interim between cruises! Congrats on #3 - have a great time. Glad your family made it thru the Frankenstorm ok - all our Virginia folks were okay as well - a real relief given the coverage we've seen here. Happy Halloween, too. Will keep up as best we can once we board the Grand. Headed out now for yet another decadent Burgundian meal - food here is outrageously good & wines even better - even you would love it! No, really, you would!

[Pia1913]

Just dropping by with some additional chatter and responses.

1. Casino comment - they took it from me on Tuesday, but I got it back on Wednesday. I am in the plus column. For now.

　

2. EZ Check info - The following airlines are participating out of both FLL and MIA.

Air Tran, US Air, American, Delta, and United/Continental.

Out of FLL only are: Jet Blue and Southwest

To book these services your flights must be after 11:30 for FLL and after 2:00 from MIA.

Airport bus transfers are $19/pp to FLL and $25/pp to MIA. Price is good for MIA if you are two people; price is not good for FLL. In FLL just take a taxi; airport is close to port.

　

3. I forgot to mention that there is poster making going on today - started at 9:00 and will continue until 9:00 tonight. Supplies are provided free for you to make a poster while we go thru the canal - To Panama, with Love. There will be videographers taking shots of your art work and you can then see yourself on film and buy the DVD.

　

4. Yes, I went to the $10 sale. And yes, I actually bought something. A floppy hat. Of course mine is only $9 with the discount. I’m not a hat wearer, but thought perhaps I might avoid some of the brutal sun of the upcoming Central American ports.

　

5. Nicaragua port lecture was informative and lecturer is very good. His name is Bill Keene, and by profession is a retired architect.

　

6. Got our prizes. Magnetic clips.

　

7. Went to stock lecture. Stayed awake. Waste of time. Will try to nap at tomorrow’s session. Why attend, you ask? Mike is an optimist, so hopes to pick up something useful. However, he sleeps too.

　

8. Went to check out pop choir. Still the same songs. Will pass again.

　

9. Looked around ship for decorations. Deck 5 Atrium has large Halloween display and entrance to Provence DR has lots of yucky webs which attacked me. Since they attacked, we stayed for lunch.

There is no #10, but it is wine time. Hi Donna and hope you have a wonderful cruise. Hi Gloria, thanks for the Joyce info. I just emailed her. Hi Bill, and I will enjoy it no matter how long it is. I will keep track of time and let you know.

See you all tomorrow.

[caribill]

　

2. EZ Check info - The following airlines are participating out of both FLL and MIA.

 

Air Tran, US Air, American, Delta, and United/Continental.

Out of FLL only are: Jet Blue and Southwest

Obviously an old form as AirTran no longer flies out of Miami and Continental does not exist anymore.

 

　

7. Went to stock lecture. Stayed awake. Waste of time. Will try to nap at tomorrow’s session. Why attend, you ask? Mike is an optimist, so hopes to pick up something useful. However, he sleeps too.

Sleep is useful, so Mike did get something useful out of it.

　

 

 

See above in red

[RNGALNG]

Hope you made a poster. I did and won second or third place. Got a free DVD of the cruise! They kept it too! It was fun to be creative with scissors, stickers, glue and construction paper!

[ILVTX]

Caribill, I think Pia knew that because she used the slash instead of a comma.

 

Pia, I love your writing style! I have read many of your "live from"s, and you are so entertaining. Your short sentences put Hemingway to shame;).

 

Have a great cruise!

[PeteC22]

3. [/b]I forgot to mention that there is poster making going on today - started at 9:00 and will continue until 9:00 tonight. Supplies are provided free for you to make a poster while we go thru the canal - To Panama, with Love. There will be videographers taking shots of your art work and you can then see yourself on film and buy the DVD.

 

What did the poster making consist of? Painting and such? Were the people very creative? Would it help to bring additional materials with us or did they provide everything you could possibly need?

[pmCruiser]

2. EZ Check info - The following airlines are participating out of both FLL and MIA.

 

Air Tran, US Air, American, Delta, and United/Continental.

Out of FLL only are: Jet Blue and Southwest

To book these services your flights must be after 11:30 for FLL and after 2:00 from MIA.

 

Airport bus transfers are $19/pp to FLL and $25/pp to MIA. Price is good for MIA if you are two people; price is not good for FLL. In FLL just take a taxi; airport is close to port.

 

Thanks. I was hoping that Southwest was included. When we used the service last time we flew Delta. But, at that time, Southwest was not participating. They had their own program where you had to collect your luggage in the terminal and drop it off with them (i.e., Southwest) after you exited from the terminal.

 

Again, thanks for your running commentary. We're really enjoying it.

 

Paul

[trojangirl90066]

Pia,

Your "live from" posts are so great. Really making me anxious for our partial transit in February.

[Miel22]

I was involved in the Princess choir on my last cruise and was looking forward to joining again. Maybe I will, maybe I wont, it will depend on whether my sisters will join me. It would be great if they had changed the songs or changed just a couple of them, then I would definitely join because I enjoyed it so much.

 

I'm wondering how hot Cabo will be in Feb?? My plan was to book with Cabo Sailing but it seems the waters will be cold so no snorkeling as I can't imagine squeezing this body into a wetsuit! :D What else to do in Cabo?

 

Monica

[Pia1913]

Good Thursday morning on this first day of November. Though it’s partly cloudy, you can already feel the beginning of a hot and humid day. I would love for it to stay cloudy while we’re in our upcoming ports, and not have the hot sun beating down upon us. The gym was more crowded this morning; had to wait a while. There is no organization here. Unlike other ships that set 20 or 30 minutes max for equipment when people are waiting, this one has none. I asked about it and was told they could stay on forever if they desired.

　

　

Last night’s show; wonderful. On the Bayou has been getting rave reviews and we concur. And, sitting in the front row feels like being part of the show. We even have streamers that fell from above and Mardi Gras beads given to us by the dancers. The show ran about 35 minutes, not counting CD comments afterwards. We had a late dinner (for us) up in HC, and the kids club showed up in costume doing Trick or Treat. We got the treats, since they handed out small packets of pretzels. They were adorable.

　

　

There’s a whole lot of stuff going on this morning, and only in the morning. At 9:30 there’s a port lecture with Bill Keene on Puntarenas and following him is stock man Alan whose subject today is “Don’t be Taxed by Excessive Taxation.” All of this will run from 9:30 to 11:30 and we will miss the fruit and veggie carving at 11:00. (You know we weren’t going to do veggies anyway). Afterwards there’s Bingo (in Universe) and the documentary Panama Canal (Hydrotech) in the theater. Morning over.

　

　

Afternoon really has nothing other than BJ tourny, art auction, Texas Hold Em tourny, assorted pool games and lots of spa stuff, etc. At 3:00 MUTS will show Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and 4:15 is when they are doing the Captain’s Circle Gold Member party in the theater.

　

　

The Chiefs vs. the Chargers will be shown on MUTS at 5:20, which means dinner will need to be creative for some folks. Not us. We don’t do football. Tonight’s showtime is the singer Bobby Brooks Wilson again in Universe (no) and Rodney Johnson the comedian in the theater. (yes). Amazing Spider-Man will be shown on MUTS following football.

　

　

RNGALNG: I have zero talent when it comes to arts and crafts, so no; no poster making for me. Some of those already made are displayed at the photo studio and there are some very good artists aboard this ship. To the other poster, they supply all you need. I don't think you have to bring your own.

　

　

BILL: I know nothing about Air Tran; where it does or doesn’t fly. Nor do I care. I was just delivering information written on the Princess information sheet, and I don’t think it was necessary for you to have red highlighted me with a correction.

[xavier]

BILL: I know nothing about Air Tran; where it does or doesn’t fly. Nor do I care. I was just delivering information written on the Princess information sheet, and I don’t think it was necessary for you to have red highlighted me with a correction.

 

Which I appreciated as we will be travelling later this year & hope to use this service.

[san diego sue]

Pia,

Go see the singer tonight , Bobby Brooks Wilson. I believe he is Jackie Wilson's son. We met him at one of the ports getting off a ship, he was on a different ship than us but we shared a shuttle to the airport with him. Lots of personality so I know the show will be good.

So glad you enjoyed On The Bayou. Princess did it right with that show.

Lew was pulled up on the stage at the end of the show and left the theatre with the cast. Don't know if they still do that. The show we saw was 45 minutes.

Gloria:D

[PescadoAmarillo]

Pia, if I'm not ready for our cruise by the time we leave Tuesday, you're partially to blame. I love your live froms!

 

On the Bayou is the best. Yes, we even snuck some of the streamers home. I'm sure by now they're in a box in a basement. DH can't get rid of any souvenirs, you know!

[RNGALNG]

What did the poster making consist of? Painting and such? Were the people very creative? Would it help to bring additional materials with us or did they provide everything you could possibly need?

 

When I was onboard, they had:

poster board in a variety of colors

markers

paints

glitter glue

glue and glue sticks

construction paper

scissors

stickers with the word PANAMA on it

foamy letters

 

They want you to include "Panama' in your poster somehow.

 

On the day you go through the canal, the videographers will go ashore and take pictures of you standing out on the side of the ship (we stayed on our balcony but you could be on an open deck as well). Then they had some of the employees judge which ones they liked best. I do not remember what the other prizes were because I was happy with the DVD!

 

Be creative. Have fun!!