Kind of Live - Maybe

[raz455]

Depending on a number of items - ability to access the interwebs, time to write, desire to sit at a computer while sailing my life away, I have determined to use my limited writing ability to share as best I can our (my wife and me - my - or is it mine?) - anyway, share our experience on the 10 day Royal Princess Southern Caribbean cruise from December 20th till it returns to Ft. Lauderdale (you know, without realizing it, I completely forgot when the cruise ends . . .maybe that's a good thing? To semi-quote the now defunct Princess motto - I guess it has already escaped completely!)

 

As I write this from the balcony of the Hilton in Ft. Lauderdale, I am reflecting on how this very long day started and how different it is ending. The day started with me being informed that a student at the high school where I am the principal was being visited by the local police force. I looked out my window as about five police cars pulled in front of the school. This being an unusual occurrence, I was sure many of the teachers and students looking out their classroom windows would be curious. So, shortly after the student was escorted off campus (he had allegedly done something illegal while off campus) I sent the staff an email briefly explaining what had happened.

 

Fortunately, the remainder of the last day of school before winter break was much more uneventful. I spent a couple of hours visiting each classroom and the day ended with our yearly Winter Assembly where the band, choir, and orchestra played. The final bell rang, the students and staff left, and I rushed home to throw a few more last minute items in our suitcases. Although our flight left at 10:30 pm, we wanted to be to the airport by 6 so we could get through all of the stress of parking the car at the off-site parking, getting through security, and making sure we arrived on the other side with more than enough time to eat dinner.

 

For some reason, I learned that through the merger of US Airlines and American, my regular boarding passes that I purchased almost a year ago with US Airlines had transferred to Priority Boarding tickets with American. Not sure how or why this happened and I am not one to question it. All I know is when we got to the airport we were told we could bypass the 30 minute security line wait and go right to the head of the line. Sweet. We celebrated by taking an even longer time at dinner (Anthony's Seafood is our regular stop at SeaTac). We got to the gate just as the previous flight was leaving, so there were seats aplenty. When the time finally arrived for us to board, I learned that our Priority status allowed us to board right after all of the Foo-Foo flyers but right before the regular steerage class moo-ed it's way onto the tubular Grayhound bus in the sky. We settled into our seats, ready to get some needed zzz's when I watched as one of my greatest flying fears came into view - - -a mother and her 20 month old child. Yes, I was blessed to have "this" sitting next to me for the next 5 hours. To make it even better, "This is his first flight," was one of the first things the tiny tots life giver said to me. So, I smiled through the tears and braced myself for a very long and very stressful cross country flight.

 

Color me wrong - dead wrong - about the dynamic duo. Not only did he sleep most of the flight, but so did I! There were even times when the cute little guy patted my arm and held onto my sleeve. This experience more than made up for a previous one where the child I nick-named Satan's Spawn spent 5 hours jumping up and down on the fold down tray while attempting to break all of the windows on the plane with his high-pitched, endless screaming. But, I digress. The flight and the one following it were as non-eventful as hoped for and soon, we were waiting on our Uber at the Ft Lauderdale airport to whisk us to the Hilton located just to the north of birth 2 (where Princess ships normally dock). To our surprise, our room was ready shortly after checking in at 10:30 am. We waisted no time ditching our Seattle clothes and soon, we were walking down the street in our shorts, flip flops, and t-shirts. As I write this, the Emerald PRincess is just heading out to sea. Tomorrow, we board the Royal for a week of not-being-at-work. I hope to write a semi-live thread, but we will have to see just how quickly the "I don't care about anything but doing nothing" takes over this currently enthusiastic mood.

 

So, yes, it has been a very long day. So long that it took up two of them!

 

Happy sailing!

[GUT2407]

Look forward to following along.

[ar1950]

Thanks for posting. Also, your writing skills seem just fine.

[Colo Cruiser]

Bon Voyage!

[shredie]

Have fun! :)

[Croptop]

Hope you have a great cruise. Thank you in advance for sharing it with us.

[MJSailors]

Enjoy the cruise with your DW, raz455 !

I hope you find doing a live posting a joy and not a chore.

Since my DH and I are booked at the Hilton where you are staying for a pre and post cruise stay this coming January, I would be interested in your comments about the hotel.

It is a great FLL location, but I have read mixed reviews about the Hilton and would like some current feedback about the service,rooms etc.

Bon voyage!

[Jellifer]

Great post - l might see you on board!

[raz455]

Good morning! What an amazing sight to wake-up to. I pulled back the curtains and was thrilled to witness the parade of ships returning to port. From what I can tell, it looks like there might be 7 or eight ships in port today. The Royal is docking at pier 2 which is right across from our hotel . . Close enough for me to read it's name on the stern. It looks like her sister, the Royal is docked on the other side of the port. Our plan is to get up shortly, grab some breakfast at the local Einstein Bagels down the street and grab an Uber to the pier. Although it looks like it's close enough to walk to, we would rather NOT schlep our suitcases down the street.

 

The hotel - The Hilton Fort Lauderdale, is a great location. Our room is showing some wear and tear and but, overall, it was well worth it. The hallway seemed a bit loud last night, but that could happen at any hotel. The only real negative I would have is the bathroom door. There really isn't one of any substance. There are two sliding panels that somewhat block the view of the inside but it works more like a hospital patients gown - doesn't quite proved the discreetness one might want. I used my hotel points to get a room with a view of the port and it is worth it!.

I will try to post at least one more time prior to sailing and I switch over to the ships interwebs.

(Not sure if the picture I just took actually uploaded)

Happy sailing!

[chrysalis]

I suspect you meant to say that the "Regal is a Pier 2....."

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited December 20, 2015 by chrysalis

[chrysalis]

I suspect you meant to say that the "Regal is a Pier 2....."

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

...or maybe that the "Royal is a Pier 2" and the Regal is at the south end of the port.

[trystran72]

Have a great cruise!!

[Colo Cruiser]

Enjoy!

 

We used to stay at the Marina quite often.

Its always been worn out. We stopped staying there because of that.

[WISH84]

We were at the Marina one week ago. I agree with your assessment. Great place to spend a "pre-cruise" stay, specially if you can get a pier view room. Not sure I would want to stay there if I was going on a cruise and my view was of the water channel on the other side.

 

I was surprised to see the Royal at Pier 2 this morning and the Regal where she sits. I always thought as the flag ship of Princess the Regal was given priority slip at #2. Someone want to educate me on that?

 

Have a great trip. Leave the worries of home behind. Looking forward to more of your report.

[raz455]

Our goal is to make embarkation day a plus one super extra cruise day, so we arrived at the port a bit earlier than recommended. Prior to getting there, we checked out of the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina Hotel, called for our Uber and,m while others were still awaiting their taxis, we hoped in the back of a nice Lexus and within five minutes, arrived at Pier 2. We could have walked the short distance of about a mile but with the entire trip costing just a whopping five pow bucks, we couldn't afford NOT to do it.

 

Our driver driver dropped us off right next to the army of longshore workers. I handed two of our bags over to one of the very polite suitcase wranglers, handed him a pre-ransom amount, and he promised to personally deliver our bags to our stateroom! What a nice guy.

 

This being our first cruise as platinum members, we confidently joined the six others already in line. Yes, it was just 9:30, but with over 16,000 people expected to flood the port, I didn't want to have to wait for a ride and wait in long lines just to get into the port . . And I would much rather wait at the port than wait in a hotel lobby.

 

When the doors to the Princess check in opened at 11:00, we quickly walked through the security check-point to the checking counter. We had packed our two bottles of wine in our carry-ons (actually they were wheel-ons) and experienced no problems. Being the first ones at the counter, it was just a matter of minutes until we had our cruise cards in hand and were walking to the platinum waiting area. But, we were in for a surprise. Instead of going to a waiting area, we were told to go up to the ship! So, up the escalator we went only to be stopped by a security guard who said she had not been given the all clear for people to board. We plopped into one of the many seats stationed next to the embarkation picture station and watched as the team of photographers got their equipment ready. We visited with a couple who, somehow, got to the area right before us and quickly learned that she was also a principal from Washington state - at a school district not to far from mine . . .and, of course, we knew some of the same people (it truly is a small world).

 

Our conversation was interrupted after just a few minutes when we learned the ship had been "zeroed-out" and we were clear to get on the boat. Five minutes later, we were in our cabin (D502) and I was on the phone making reservations for the chief's table and the Crown Grill. After a quick wipe-down with a Clorox wipe, we were at the main dining room enjoying our first pampered meal on board. I am not planning on using this "live" to be a food review - -let's just say that I like food, not a big fan of buffet-style eating, enjoy having someone else placing my napkin on my lap, always open to try new things, and like taking my time. But, I am no foodie. Anyway, our first main course was a delicious broiled salmon. And, yes, I had dessert. As usual, the dining room was almost empty (one of the most popular well-kept secrets talked about on this board). I can only imagine the throngs upstairs at the buffet.

 

We met our cabin steward, Milan upon our return to the room. I requested a top sheet, a couple of bathrobes, and two wine glasses. He seems like a very nice guy - something that proved true a short time later when, after we returned from the Muster Drill, we found that our other suitcases were waiting for us on the bed, our robes were in the closet, and the top sheet was already on the bed!

 

Promptly at 4 pm, we learned the Royal was going to be the first ship out. We quickly got on our phones and began calling friends and relatives - half-gloating, half-sincere. We shouted as the ship blasted the Love Boat theme from its horns, said our final goodbyes, texted our last texts, turned our phones onto airplane mode, and waved farewell to the US.

 

I hope to write more - but I think it is best to post what I have for now.

[raz455]

Yes, the Regal was docked across the harbor. They Royal was at pier 2.

 

I am learning the ins and outs of the ships wifi. Good news - 240 minutes! Bad news - day one is almost in the books.

 

Logging off for now.

[WISH84]

Being the first ones at the counter, it was just a matter of minutes until we had our cruise cards in hand and were walking to the platinum waiting area. But, we were in for a surprise. Instead of going to a waiting area, we were told to go up to the ship! So, up the escalator we went only to be stopped by a security guard who said she had not been given the all clear for people to board. We plopped into one of the many seats stationed next to the embarkation picture station and watched as the team of photographers got their equipment ready.

 

This also happened to us on our 12/6 departure on the Regal. So now I have a question for those of you reading this that are Elite (we are not Elite, but were in a suite). I found it odd that we were told we could go right onto the ship, only to then be put on hold in a normal sitting area right next to a photo station.

 

Does P.E. not have an "Elite/Suite" Lounge?

[srpilo]

Nice start !!

 

Like Charles Dickens character ... "Can I have some more Pleeease" :)

Srpilo

[hllwdcruiser]

Following along. We are on the Regal in February - our first time as Platinum as well!

I've never purchased an internet package so learning the ins and outs of on board wifi will probably be my first challenge....

[hpeabody]

I am elite and will try to answer your question. I recently boarded the Coral at PE. I am not positive which terminal. i arrived at about 11:25AM and had a quick 5 minute wait before they opened the door. I was in the preferred line. As we checked in we were led to an elite waiting area that seemed to be some kind of vacated former office space. There were ample seats, but it was freezing in there. We had a long wait as there was to be a mandatory Coast Guard inspection that meant the ship had to go out into the channel so lifeboat could be dropped. This commenced as soon as the prior cruise was zeroed out and was done quickly. We were allowed to board at about 12:30PM. We were initially told boarding would likely begin at 1PM. I think it is normal for elites to wait in a designated area and will usually be second to third group to board. As to "walking right onto the ship" I think it depends on when you arrive. if the main wave is done, you may be escorted right on board as has happened to me twice at San Pedro (LA) There is a special elite boarding card given at check-in, which is generally immediately recognized by the port personnel. This is my perspective as elite. I honestly have never been in a suite and I do not know if suite guests are given the same priority boarding as elites. (But that would make sense to me)

 

Bottom line - Yes, there is an elite waiting area. Depending on timing you could possibly end up walking right on board.

 

YMMV, This is from my experience only.

[WISH84]

Bottom line - Yes, there is an elite waiting area. Depending on timing you could possibly end up walking right on board.

 

YMMV, This is from my experience only.

 

Thank you for the response. Our only "perspective" is the Platinum/Diamond Lounge for Carnival. There they have coffee, Juice, Lemonade and on occasion, cookies. We saw nothing like this waiting to board the Regal.

[hpeabody]

Thank you for the response. Our only "perspective" is the Platinum/Diamond Lounge for Carnival. There they have coffee, Juice, Lemonade and on occasion, cookies. We saw nothing like this waiting to board the Regal.

 

In the experience I shared above there was coffee, juices and pastries. I should have mentioned that. A couple years ago I boarded at PE and we elites were just sat in in chairs behind some blue partitions in what seemed to be a huge general boarding seating area with blocks of seats by group #s I assume around the perimited of the building. Not a long wait before we could board. No separate lounge for elites that time. Maybe it depends on which terminal?

[raz455]

OK - so I started this thread with with word. - "Maybe." Just as I thought, my DW and I followed the old Princess tag line and Escaped Completely. It didn't take long. After just a few hours on board, the mere thought of sitting at the keyboard was probably the furthest thing (next to going back to work) on my mind. So, instead of doing a Kind of Live report, I will be doing an "after it's over" synopsis.

 

We have docked for the day in Curaçao. We got off the ship a few minutes ago and are currently sitting in Starbucks with, what seems like, half the crew. We have chosen to spend this final stop on our own. Overall, the cruise has been everything we wanted it to be. There are just a few very, very small things that could use some improvement, but, overall, it has been a wonderful trip around the eastern, southern, and now kind-of western Caribbean. As I thought, the 10 days are going much to quickly. We have two sea days ahead of use and I know they will be over before we know it. But, we are savoring every moment. I know we have been at sea for a while as I can feel the Starbucks gently rocking as I type.

 

We have taken a couple of snorkeling excursions - one in Bonaire and one in Dominica. We have taken snorkeling excursions on previous cruises but these have been the two best ones yet. In both locations, the water was crystal clear, the fish abundant, and the crews very helpful. We spent at least an hour in the water at both sites.

 

The crowds at the pools have been manageable as we have been able to find chairs no matter when we finally made it to the decks. I think this might become a challenge during the final two sea days . . .

 

Like I said, I will work on a more extensive write-up in a few days - while I can still feel my house rocking.

 

Now, it is time to enjoy Curaçao!

 

Happy sailing.

[tml1230]

we are really enjoying your posts…..we did the last transatlantic back to FL a few months ago on the Royal and now i feel like i am back on the ship…Your great sense of humor is really making this read even more enjoyable. we look forward to more!

when i was in high school i had to make several uncomfortable trips to the principal's office….none of circumstances necessitating those trips were my fault !!! well maybe a few of them!

 

i wish the principal back then had your sense of humor!

 

enjoy the rest of your cruise and i hope you have a safe flight home.

[Nicagal]

Really enjoying your posts. We are doing this identical cruise next year, so am excited to hear more about it. Especially the snorkeling you did in Bonaire and Dominica. Di you do private or thru Princess, and all the other details! We have done the Eastern Caribbean, but this is our first time on Southern.

 

Hop you enjoy the rest of your cruise!