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LIVE from the Grand Princess - 49 days from FLL thru South America to SFO

Pia1913

By Pia1913,
in Princess Cruises

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Cruisin' Chick

Cruisin' Chick

Posted
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Yea, another live thread from Pia!!! I hope you have a fantastic cruise!

 

 

Don't know if you have cruised with Sammi Baker as your CD before but we did SA and Antarctica on the Regal with her in 2006. She did a fanatastic job keeping lots of activities and learning opportunities going. We missed several ports because of lumpy seas so she had lots of time to fill and did a great job. She would remember that cruise - Antarctica was a "scientific expedition".

 

I don't expect to be as happy with JJ when we board the Star on 2/25 for BA to LA - was hoping for Sammi again. At least we will have Joe May.

 

Have a great cruise - I'll be watching for your posts.

 

Sammi was our CD on the Golden last month. I ran into her on the last day of the cruise and complimented her on her job. I said that I had taken the same cruise exactly two years before and the CD (David Bradshaw) was almost never seen at all. She looks like she's having fun carrying out her duties and her enthusiasm is certainly contagious.

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westendgirl

westendgirl

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Bon Voyage and smooth sailing Pia & Mike! I will be spending the next 49 days with you reliving my 2012 SA voyage last winter on the Star. Add my kudos for Sammi Baker, a class act! We had her on our first leg in Nov/Dec on the Crown and we so sorry when she disembarked.

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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Good Morning on this almost sunny Sunday. A quick rundown on why we left late yesterday. It seems that a few hundred passengers arrived very late due to delayed flights. Don’t know from where, but they didn’t finish loading luggage until almost 6:30. Departure was at 6:45. Our 3:15 muster started at 4:30. No biggie. We just had our dinner in HC after sail away. The mussels were yummy.

　

Our morning started as usual in the gym, though as some of you know, I’m still recovering from my darn invasive surgery of last month. I’m moving like a snail on the treadmill, but moving I am. Enough about me.

　

We are very fortunate this voyage to have as a lecturer the famous John Maxtone-Graham; the world renowned maritime historian. He’s the consummate speaker/entertainer and even if you’re not interested in the subject, his presentation fills the house. Our lecturer for the Caribbean, Central and South America will be Julio Delgado. The only thing I know about him is that he was born in Spain and has 30 years experience in the tourism industry.

　

Here’s a bit of what’s happening on board today. Our CC M & G is at 10:00AM in Botticelli. Our roll call had over 300 participants so it will be interesting to see how many show up. The rest of the morning will be taken up with various money makers; I.e. shopping show, casino introduction, spa stuff, etc.

　

Afternoon brings us Maxtone-Graham’s first lecture at 1:30, the movie The Odd Life of Timothy Green in the theater at 2:45 and Mamma Mia on MUTS AT 3:00. Showtime tonight is the production show Stardust, and Michael Minor (listed as ventriloquist/singer

/impressionist) in Vista. MUTS will have 2013 NFL Pro Bowl.

Note about Vista. That’s where the Elite, Suite and Platinum Happy Hour will be held each night instead of the One5. Someone said there are 1500 Elites and Plats on board. I’ll let you know when I get the stats.

　

Ed: We will be going home from SFO No layover.

Whomever commented about Sammi: We’ve known her for many many years. I believe we first cruised with her in 2004 or earlier. She is the best. Her deputy is Bernie (female) from Chile.

Re ship: I will try to comment, but been on here so many times it's like old home week. Even since the redo. Just know that I think Leaves is a total waste and so does a staff member I spoke to yesterday.

　

Over and out for now.

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TracieABD "Live from...." Rare

TracieABD

Posted
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Hey Pia,

Happy to know you are safely on board. Please, take it easy. Your body is still healing. Glad you have a great CD. We have Billy London on the Star. :rolleyes: I am once again rendered envious.:)

 

Take care and I look forward to your posts. :)

TL

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Pam in CA

Pam in CA

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We are very fortunate this voyage to have as a lecturer the famous John Maxtone-Graham; the world renowned maritime historian. He’s the consummate speaker/entertainer and even if you’re not interested in the subject, his presentation fills the house.
You are fortunate! He's wonderful. For those who haven't sailed with him as a lecturer, he's a true "raconteur." He is extremely knowledgeable about ship history and lore, and tells story after story about ships and sailing. If he's on your ship and lecturing, get there early! By his second lecture, there won't be an empty seat in the Princess theater and people will be sitting on the steps to listen to him.

 

Pia, have fun at the M&G! Your Platinum/Elite count sounds like our Star cruise last March. Wish they'd moved it to the Vista Lounge instead of packing us in in Skywalkers.

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pris993

pris993

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We are very fortunate this voyage to have as a lecturer the famous John Maxtone-Graham; the world renowned maritime historian. He’s the consummate speaker/entertainer and even if you’re not interested in the subject, his presentation fills the house. Our lecturer for the Caribbean, Central and South America will be Julio Delgado. The only thing I know about him is that he was born in Spain and has 30 years experience in the tourism industry.

 

I think John Mamxmtone-Graham was on the first cruise of the Grand from Istanbul in l998. We met him while boarding -think he was writing about the Grand being the largest ship afloat at the time. How times have changed. I am sure his talks will be interesting.

 

Thanks for your posts... will follow you all the way to San Francisco.

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hillslife

hillslife

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Bon Voyage Pia..we did this cruise reverse Santiago to FLL ...so look forward to reading your live from.....

 

We also enjoyed John Maxtone Graham......great speaker and some wonderful slides he shares.

 

Safe travels...glad to hear you are recuperating well. Enjoy!

 

Dolores

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SeaTheWorldBySea

SeaTheWorldBySea

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We have Billy London on the Star. :rolleyes: I am once again rendered envious.:)

 

Take care and I look forward to your posts. :)

TL

 

So Billy London has taken over for JJ? :eek: Well now, isn't that nice. It looks like the Grand has the best for her SA journey and the Star has the................. No complaints about Joe May for port talks, add Sammi and Maxtone-Graham and we would have had the best of the best for our 29 days beginning in BA on 2/25. I too am rendered envious!

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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Back again with updated passenger info. First, let me tell you about our M & G. WOW! This had to be the largest one ever. Even the Captain said he had never seen such a large group. 350 name tags were printed and I noticed only about 25 - 30 were not picked up. We were scheduled for 10:00, but things started happening way before that. So many private tours had been planned (more than 20) and each delegate had a table set up with their respective signs. Wonderful organization. Capt. Herriott spoke for a few minutes and then took as many questions from the floor as were asked. He is such a charming gentleman. When we left the area at 11:45, there were still lots of folks coordinating their respective groups.

　

Now, the stats. While Dawn, our hostess, could not yet tell me the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place numbers, here is the info I received. There are 2575 passengers aboard; 1100 USA and 700 Australia. The remaining are Canadians (quite a few though she didn’t have the numbers), and lots of other countries.

Now then, Captain Circle status as follows:

ELITE 908

PLATINUM 887

GOLD 459

And, 321 first time Princess cruisers.

Who’s waiting to hear about the lunch cutoff? YIKES! The cutoff is 697 days. We always think we’ve got the lunch sewn up and so did friends who are in the 600’s. You just never know. We’re in; they’re not. Major heavy hitters on this voyage and I believe all the most traveled folks will be on for the entire 49 days.

　

Other than the M & G and food, we did very little else today except attend John Maxtone- Graham’s “Only Way to Cross” lecture. That, and afternoon trivia. We lost. Tonight is formal night and the four of us have decided to stay in jeans and forego the dining room. We think we’ll be seeing the Michael Minor show. Maybe. We did go for a few nibbles at 5:00 in the Elite lounge, but no drinks. Nothing else to offer.

See you tomorrow.

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Eppe4

Eppe4

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Back again with updated passenger info. First, let me tell you about our M & G. WOW! This had to be the largest one ever. Even the Captain said he had never seen such a large group. 350 name tags were printed and I noticed only about 25 - 30 were not picked up. We were scheduled for 10:00, but things started happening way before that. So many private tours had been planned (more than 20) and each delegate had a table set up with their respective signs. Wonderful organization. Capt. Herriott spoke for a few minutes and then took as many questions from the floor as were asked. He is such a charming gentleman. When we left the area at 11:45, there were still lots of folks coordinating their respective groups.

　

Now, the stats. While Dawn, our hostess, could not yet tell me the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place numbers, here is the info I received. There are 2575 passengers aboard; 1100 USA and 700 Australia. The remaining are Canadians (quite a few though she didn’t have the numbers), and lots of other countries.

Now then, Captain Circle status as follows:

ELITE 908

PLATINUM 887

GOLD 459

And, 321 first time Princess cruisers.

Who’s waiting to hear about the lunch cutoff? YIKES! The cutoff is 697 days. We always think we’ve got the lunch sewn up and so did friends who are in the 600’s. You just never know. We’re in; they’re not. Major heavy hitters on this voyage and I believe all the most traveled folks will be on for the entire 49 days.

　

Other than the M & G and food, we did very little else today except attend John Maxtone- Graham’s “Only Way to Cross” lecture. That, and afternoon trivia. We lost. Tonight is formal night and the four of us have decided to stay in jeans and forego the dining room. We think we’ll be seeing the Michael Minor show. Maybe. We did go for a few nibbles at 5:00 in the Elite lounge, but no drinks. Nothing else to offer.

See you tomorrow.

 

Pia,

 

Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday!! We really enjoy John Maxtone-Graham, John has all of his books. Enjoy the evening. Tell Tina & Ken that John and I say Hello!

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