All Things EARTH... part 2

[MJC]

Waking up to CB across the street was exciting. We could see our cabin from the lobby!

 

We got to the terminal at 10am, were through the embarkation process in about 8 minutes, and sat in the Platinum lounge until 10:50, listening to a dj playing fun songs.

 

I have to admit I was a little emotional when we boarded and the crew was lined up clapping as we entered. We were on the first sailing of CB post-pandemic and excitement was in the air.

 

The Atrium

 

This was our first Medallion cruise. It turned out to be so easy and convenient, we really liked the new technology. It certainly streamlined the embarkation process for us.

 

[awhfy]

Margaret, you & hubby look great. Glad the family medical issues are resolving. 
 

relaxing NYE here, going to gorge ourselves on hamburger, rotel & Velveeta cheese in my little crockpot with Doritos & some bubbly, maybe football or a movie & leftover cookies. Melody

[laurspag]

Margaret, since we both cruised at the same time but on different lines, I love to see what is the same and what is different.  

 

I hadn't posted this picture yet, but when I got on board I was hoping for Christmas decorations.  That is something I have always wanted to see.  There was some garland up, but it wasn't lit and that was it.  However, a few days in, the tree went up and then they turned on the lights.  It was so beautiful to see.

 

 

[laurspag]

I'm big on Christmas decor at hone too.  😊  This is just some of it...

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2021 by laurspag

[MJC]

[awhfy]

We had our traditional Chinese food for dinner last night (definitely not as good as New England Chinese food, but not bad). Finally getting some snow, hope it puts out those horrendous fires in Boulder & Denver. Very cold, -11 at 6am, brrr, glad I’m not going anywhere!!!  Happy New Year everyone, stay healthy!!!  Melody

[MJC]

Laurie as the week progressed there were more and more Christmas decorations and trees around the ship. We have never done a Christmas cruise but the photos I've seen of them are so pretty.

 

Our cabins were so similar in layout. Given that we thought we'd be spending a lot of time in our cabin, we were so happy with the extra space and the large balcony. We also made it a point to use them! We had the suite tea on our balcony twice, and on sea days I LOVE to sit on the lounger and watch the ocean, napping and reading. One night we went out to stargaze and had an amazing view of Jupiter and later on Orion was splayed out above the horizon.

 

All our favorite places are aft on the Grand Class ships, so we were snug as a bug back there, and the aft elevators are not as crowded.

 

This is called a Vista Suite. It is the least expensive suite class except for the Window Suites which don't have a balcony and are located near the casino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MJC]

Two small things that I love about suites on Princess: the fruit bowl, which is replenished daily, and the toiletries because I don't have to bring my own shampoo and conditioner.  I can't use the shampoo/conditioner combos that they have now in the regular cabins.

[awhfy]

Margaret, lovely suite. We’ve never sailed on Princess, how’s the food? Are any beverages included?

 

I’m surprised you can use the shampoo on board, I always found it stripped my color (when I was using color). Melody

[laurspag]

Margaret, you have sailed RCI before...,would you say your room was more like a grand suite or junior suite?  I was thinking JS from the looks of it.  I ask because Alaska is on our bucket list, and I have heard that Princess has great pricing for those.  I told my husband a while back that it was likely that Alaska would be on a Princess ship.  I have heard some people saying that currently, RCI is offering some very competitive pricing these days.

 

I have often felt that I would love to be onboard closer to Christmas, when ships were fully decorated.  I am not sure if they were done decorating Serenade or not.  She is older and smaller, with no promenade.

 

I tried the shampoo on board.  It did not bother me.  Generally speaking, I find that my hair is usually much more cooperative on vacation.  We have hard water at home, and my hair tends to be rather flat from it.  Since my hair color is intended to match my natural color so that I won't have to keep coloring, I can't say if it stripped the color any.  I have lots of gray coming through, something you really can't see in the black and white photos I posted previously.  

 

For me, my issue is the eczema I get, and it comes and goes as it pleases.  During colder weather, it gets worse.  The only thing i find that irritates it seems to be all the essential oils shampoos and conditioners that are out now.  I thought that having an oil integrated would be moisturizing, but they really bother me.   I'm not sure why.

 

I need to hear some pointers from both of you, Margaret and Melody, on sailing from Galveston because I booked the cruise!  I went with a balcony room this time.  I figure that airfare and transportation will be more, so the savings on the room will help offset it.

 

So far, that is all I have done - book the cruise.  I wanted you both to tell me about where you stayed, and what you liked about the location.  I like to be close to the port, and use the hotel's transportation to the pier.  I want to be able to walk around to restaurants and so forth.

 

I always fly in a day early.  We sail on Sunday, so that means Saturday.  While I would love to tack on an extra day, I don't think we will be for this one.  The time zone difference is an hour, I think?  I know that when we sailed from San Diego, it took me a bit to adjust but I think I will manage with an hour fairly well.

 

We had a fruit bowl in our grand suite.  I thought that was really nice.  We also had bottles of water they left for us...I think 6 of them?  and then a large bottle of a fancier water.

 

And I take back my thought about that looking like a JS.  It is definitely a little bigger, and having both a tub and shower is pretty cool.  I don't think RCI has that at all.

 

Were you on a newer ship or older one?

 

Melody, we had a white Christmas, but not a lot of snow.  We have had mostly warmer weather and rain.  Today, it is much cooler and in the teens.  It sure is strange weather.

 

I know that Anita has indicated she isn't online as much lately, but if she is looking in every now and then, I hope you had a nice holiday!

 

Our New Year was low key.  I made pizza for dinner, and we watched a movie and lots of football.  New Year's Day, we put away the decorations and yesterday we took down the trees.  I think I decorate too much, because it took about 7 hours altogether.

[MJC]

Laurie, on Royal we had a junior suite with balcony. There is not a comparison to that on Princess: it is bigger than a minisuite, which is the first balcony category on P that gets you a sofa instead of one chair and the desk chair (but has no suite perks, so a misnomer). I would say our Vista suite was more like a Grand Suite on Royal, though from looking at the plans I want to say there seems to be more of a sense of separation between LR and BR on Princess because of how the entry/bath/walkin closet is configured, making a partial divider between the two on the side away from the windows. The setup feels a lot like two rooms, and there is a curtain you can draw across the opening. Nice when only one wants to nap.

 

Caribbean Princess is an older ship. I think it was the second or third of the Grands? She is one of three with the "shopping cart handle" for Skywalkers, the nightclub. We love it up there. Princess is just rolling out the last of its current Royal class ships (which we don't like as well). The new Sphere class will have LNG for fuel. DH has already said never ever to those. 🙂

 

Melody, the food was delicious. The crew/passenger ratio was in our favor, everything was cooked right and arrived hot or cold as needed. The variety was excellent. The pacing was custom. The only beverages included are juices, basic coffee, and tea. There is a soda package that DH buys, and there is a Premier drinks package that includes everything except top tier liquor and bottled wine... so scotch etc, cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, specialty coffees, smoothies, soda, bottled water etc. People say that you would have to have 15 drinks per day for it to be economical. If one person wants it, everyone in the cabin has to purchase it (for obvious reasons).

 

P also has a basic cruise fare and a Plus fare. Plus fare includes the beverage package, tips, internet.

 

I would never in a million years do a Christmas cruise lol. I enjoy seeing the pictures of them, but the crowds would be a no for us even before the pandemic. Now that I am not teaching, we will never do a cruise during spring break either. Yay.

 

Laurie, we did not sail from Galveston. We stayed in Houston and also at the Kemah Boardwalk, so I'm sorry I can't be of help. At that time Princess was using the Houston Bayport terminal, which has been repurposed for importing cars. After the oil spill debacle, none of the cruise lines renewed their contracts there.

 

Our NYE was very quiet. We were supposed to have dinner with two other couples, but the husband on immune suppressant drugs had his son (home from college) test positive for covid, so they were all sequestered in different rooms in their apartment and had to cancel dinner. 😞

 

One of my board colleagues is a hospital doctor, and he said the situation where he works is bad. We can tell by the number of ambulances going past us from our community hospital to the big one in Manhattan. Delta is still about 50% of cases even though Omicron is getting the news. So, be careful everyone, and let's get through the wave.

 

It was 28 this morning so we don't plan to go anywhere!

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2022 by MJC
bad writing lol

[awhfy]

Laurie. Galveston can be a challenge. Fly into Houston Hobby (it’s a hub for Southwest). It’s an hour closer to Galveston than Houston Bush. Don’t book a return flight home before 2pm, Galveston tends to have delayed returns due to fog. Don’t rent a car, there’s nowhere to return one in Galveston on Sunday. Either Galveston Limo (little pricey, but fabulous service) or Galveston Express (shuttle service).

We’ve stayed at 4 different hotels there. Three on the Seawall, Hotel Galvez (very historic), Hilton Resort (very nice) & holiday inn (wouldn’t send a bad dog there). This last time we stayed at Harbor House & if we cruise out of Galveston again that’s where we’ll stay. It’s pricey but so convenient. We walked with our luggage to the ship, about 500 yards!  The hotel is easy walking distance from The Strand (a historic shopping district). Great restaurants very close to hotel. We really liked Katie’s & Willie Gs. 
 

what ship are you on?  Liberty leaves Galveston in October & will be replaced by Allure.  Melody

[57redbird]

@awhfy   What is that yummy looking drink?

 

[MJC]

Here are some photos from our pre-cruise stay at the Hilton.  We were on the 6th floor looking north over the pool and the intracoastal.

 

 

We originally planned to arrive at lunch time and hang at the pool for the afternoon, but once they required a pre-cruise test within 2 days, we had pushed our flights back to test in the morning, so we arrived at the hotel around 6. It was already getting dark. The next day we spent the morning by the pool and walked to a late lunch at Carrabas. I spent the rest of the afternoon reading on the balcony and watching the boats. It was lovely! We heard the Sky's horn as she left... the newer ships play the beginning of the Love Boat theme song. It made me so happy to hear it!

 

 

After embarkation we had a perfect view of the hotel we had just left! Some people prefer this side of the hotel so they can see the ships come and go, but it is a little noisier on the balconies because of the bridge traffic. Plus they are in full sun most of the day. We were happier on the other side.

 

The water taxi leaves from an area just across the street from the Hilton. We didn't use it but it is very convenient if you want to shop or sightsee a bit.

 

 

My home away from home for the week.

 

 

Leaving Fort Lauderdale. It was gorgeous.

 

Edited January 5, 2022 by MJC

[awhfy]

14 hours ago, 57redbird said:

@awhfy   What is that yummy looking drink?

 

Chocolate martini!  Yummy

[laurspag]

Margaret, I remember the oil spill and you getting stuck at port for an extra day or two.  I knew it was Texas, I just wasn't sure of the port itself.  

 

Melody, the cruise I booked is on Liberty.  It leaves October 9th, which is before they bring in Allure.

 

Before my cruise, I had really nice nails for months.  Then a week and half before our sailing date, I broke a few.  My nails grow fast, so I figured they might catch up.  Then I broke one of them again and then another one, so they were all different lengths.  Only one was broken down very short, so when I went in for a manicure, a few nails had acrylic tips put on.  I go for gel most of the time, because a regular manicure will only last me about two days.

 

After I got back, I decided I'd get them done again.  At that stage, it was almost all my own nails, except for one.  Then yesterday, I got them done again, and they are truly my own nails -  so much, much thinner. The polish gives them strength but it is not heavy like it waas with the tips on. I've been getting a dip manicure.  I'm liking doing a little something for myself right now.  They are very clean where I go, and very strict on mask enforcement there so I feel safe.  

 

With the holidays, it seemed like I was focused on home and food, and we didn't want to create any unnecessary exposure for my husband...so we haven't been doing much outside of work and household things.  It's kind f nice to have pretty nails.  Now that they have grown a bit, I will probably have them rounded more next time.  I am learning a bit about what I like.  Red.  No surprise, right?  🙂  I do like color.  The current neutral look is very nice, but the red was awesome.  (the second time was a red too, with some sparkle)

 

One thing I definitely decided after my cruise was that if I want to wear a long dress, I'm going to.  I missed it.  With the shorter cruises such as a five day, I'm content with either but my next cruise is a 7 day with two formal nights, so this girl decided to just be herself.

 

Macy had some really nice clearance dresses to try.  One came in yesterday.  I really, really like it.  The part I'm not thrilled about is that I am pretty sure the dress was worn.  There is a very subtle smoke smell, and it looks like some deodorant residue?  My first thought is to send it back and order another one in the same size, since Macy's has free returns.  I know there was low stock so it may not still be available.  There is nothing wrong that taking it to the dry cleaners won't cure, but they should never send a dress out like that.

 

I have a few others coming in, so I will decide from there.    I do really love this dress though.  It's good to try something you aren't certain about once in a while.  You never know what it will look like on. 

[laurspag]

Now, I don't have a ton of cruise pictures, as I have mentioned.  I felt so out of it.  We enjoy ourselves for sure, but my mind was so preoccupied with worry that I forgot to take pictures often.

 

Our balcony had the loungers too, and I just love that.  We used them often, even when it was cool.  The weather was definitely cooler.

 

Cococay though, turned out to be nice.  My husband loved the cabana so much.  I am so glad I decided to splurge.  Our attendant was fabulous.  This is one thing I have a lot of pictures of.

 

This is the cabana and area near it.

 

I was tempted by the over the water cabanas.  They are exactly the same, except they are over the water and have a water slide.  I figured that with my husband not getting around the best, it might not be good to have to walk a distance to the restrooms.

 

This was fun.

 

 

We snorkeled without snorkeling, I told my husband.  There was so much to see just wading in the water.  I did not take the best pictures but you can see some of it here:

 

And they are sideways, lol.  Oops.

 

Here are food pictures to make up for it!

 

[laurspag]

Melody - I am going to look int the hotel you stayed at.  I really do like staying someplace a little bit nicer.

[awhfy]

10 hours ago, laurspag said:

Melody - I am going to look int the hotel you stayed at.  I really do like staying someplace a little bit nicer.

There’s also The Strand hotel. We haven’t stayed there, but it looked lovely. Slightly longer walk to ship. We’d stay at Harbor House again. No breakfast  (but coffee & juices in am). Only thing we missed was no pool or hot tub  if you want a nice pool area stay at Hotel Galvez out on Seawall Blvd   That’s a taxi from port & The Strand historic shopping area. Not as many good restaurants close either 

[laurspag]

I think there is a two night minimum stay at Harbor Hotel, so I may need to look at some other options.  Going in from Syracuse to Texas is a long day of flying, so I will likely just need a nice place to stay overnight, with a good place to eat that evening.  

 

I'd go with flying in Friday so that there is two nights, but I'm not sure I can convince my husband of that, lol.  He has a thing about not wanting to be gone more than one week.  I admit it is hard work-wise but I typically take Friday off if we are flying Saturday for a Sunday cruise anyway.  The difference is having everything done and packed a little earlier.  Actually, I haven't done a cruise in a while where I took the extra day.  Between the pandemic, shorter cruises and sailing out of NJ the last time, it hasn't been necessary.

[MJC]

Laurie, awesome stingray photo. And is the other one a barracuda?

 

Our first port was Princess Cays, which we had never been to. Between having to tender, and the ship at 45%, it was not crowded at all. I wanted to snorkel a bit since I wanted to try out my a new mask, so we headed to the right where I had read there was a small beach with some rocks. Most people head left to the larger beach with more amenities. It is easy to find shade under the trees where we were. If there were 30 people on that side, I would be surprised. So nice and quiet. DH actually fell asleep for a bit.

 

 

There was some surf so I snorkeled without my camera to have both hands free. I did see a school of gars and a small octopus!  We had beautiful weather.

 

 

 

On the main side, most of the people were clustered down by the water, and the buffet on that side was much busier and more crowded. There are a handful of shops, and I bought a cute sundress there. I'll see if I can find a picture of it.

 

Lots of space to be had. I can't imagine what it's like when there are 3x as many people here.

 

[awhfy]

20 hours ago, laurspag said:

I think there is a two night minimum stay at Harbor Hotel, so I may need to look at some other options.  Going in from Syracuse to Texas is a long day of flying, so I will likely just need a nice place to stay overnight, with a good place to eat that evening.  

 

I'd go with flying in Friday so that there is two nights, but I'm not sure I can convince my husband of that, lol.  He has a thing about not wanting to be gone more than one week.  I admit it is hard work-wise but I typically take Friday off if we are flying Saturday for a Sunday cruise anyway.  The difference is having everything done and packed a little earlier.  Actually, I haven't done a cruise in a while where I took the extra day.  Between the pandemic, shorter cruises and sailing out of NJ the last time, it hasn't been necessary.

Most of the Galveston hotels are a 2 night minimum unless you call the hotel directly. I always call directly. 

[laurspag]

By the way, the rum cake in our dessert tray was to die for.  We were totally smitten with it.  The fruit was really refreshing.  Quite honestly, all the appetizers and desserts were great.  I ate quite a bit of cerviche, which I was hesitant about as I am not a big fan of raw fish.  This was so incredibly fresh though.  Both of those were brought without us choosing them from the menu...our attendant said that most people like to try different things, and this gave them the opportunity to do so.  And we could have more whenever.

 

I didn't get a picture of my husband's meal, and mine is someplace.  I have to find it in the picture folder.  I got grilled grouper, and my husband went with a burger.  They were both very nice.  The grouper didn't compare to Nachi Cocum though!

 

Melody, I think I am going to do as you mentioned, and contact the Harbor Hotel directly about staying for one night.  I'm still going to work on my husband a bit for the extra night, but I would really like to stay there, after looking at the options.  It just seems like everything is right there.

 

My cruise goes to Cozumel (Nachi!!!!), Roatan and Puerto Costa Maya.  Part of the reason for choosing this was that we've never been to Costa Maya or Roatan.  Roatan has a hike that has me super interested, and it seems like something that my husband will be able to do, if he feels the way he is currently or better.  The nice thing is that we can always cancel if he isn't up to it.  2 1/2 hours and $44/per person is decent as well.

 

I am open to suggestions regarding either port!  We are not into snorkeling yet, but really want to.  There is a local person who gives scuba lessons, but will also give snorkeling lessons.  I assume for lessons he uses a pool, because we aren't close to any bodies of water that one would snorkel in.   And of course, we need some good weather for an outdoor pool.  It is on the list though.

[awhfy]

Costa Maya I’d d a ship tour to the ruins. Roatan we’ve done several things. Independent excursion to Little French Key was nice. This past cruise we weren’t going to get off but had so much on board credit that we decided to do the Maya Key excursion. It was great !  We didn’t realize that the cost included a bbq lunch (score!!). Drinks were not included but we’re very reasonable. There was snorkeling & a fabulous pool & clean restrooms. An animal rescue Also some ‘ruins’. 

Edited January 9, 2022 by awhfy

[laurspag]

Hi Melody.  I'm bombarding you with questions, which I apologize for!  Sailing from Galveston is new to me.

 

My TA called, and she can book Harbor Hotel for one night.  Apparently, the only shuttle RCI offers is to the Holiday Inn, so I'd be on my own as far as transportation goes.

 

I got the amount from her as far as the hotel, shuttle and post cruise transfers.  I'm not sure I really want to stay there though, mostly because it is our first time to Galveston.  While I know we won't have time to explore and do much, I think it would be nice to stay at the Harbor Hotel. The location and area seem perfect.

 

They raise the price a bit for one night.  It isn't awful though, and sometimes you weigh it out.  I do need to make sure I am considering the cost of transportation though.  You indicated you used a limo service, correct?  Do you happen to have the name? 

 

I will check the boards here as well, just to see what info is floating around.