Live from the Caribbean Princess: Panama Canal - Apr 26 to May 14 - SF to FTL

[Ken the cruiser]

We’re back from our ostriches and lighthouse tour which also included a stop in between to see the two natural bridges, with the larger one collapsing back in 2004 (?). So as in the past I get carried away when taking pictures of wildlife. 😁

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a beekeeper I’m always on the hunt for honey bees when we’re on a cruise. My DW actually found these enjoying a sip of water on a hot day!

 

 

 

They also had some emus at the park

 

 

 

 

Now they did have some rules posted in the ladies room my DW couldn’t help but take a picture of

This is the little natural bridge

This is the larger one that collapsed around 17 or so years ago

 

 

 

 

and of course I had to save the best picture for last since this was our last excursion of the cruise! 
 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

Here’s an interesting tidbit. When we got back to the ship, my medallion failed at check in. Then the security person asked for my cabin number and all was good! Of course, my DW had no issues with hers.
 

Now I had read earlier on CC that sometimes the battery dies, so I tested it again when we got to our cabin. Access Denied! So after we verified my DW could still use hers to get into our cabin, I was off to Guest Services. And yup, that’s what is was. Found out my medallion was created on Apr 19, a week before I picked it up at the port. So it lasted about 23 days. It will be interesting to see if my DW’s will last the rest of the cruise. BTW while I was standing there, another person showed up with the same issue. 
 

So if this happens to you, not to worry. Just pop down to GS and get a new medallion. Easy peasy!

[Ken the cruiser]

3 hours ago, arizonaperson said:

Ken the cruiser- Great pictures and great live from ,enjoyed following along. I do have a question on a comment post number 544 . When you say you’re only platinum and there was a private function going on. Pretty sure it’s elite, platinum, and suites can attend from 5 PM to 7 PM in the past there was always a card in your cabin to let you know the location and the menu , I don’t know what they’re doing now  with less papers & medallion and yes sometimes the steward forgot to put one in our cabin and we had to ask . Pretty sure that private function ( club fusion)is applicable to you as well unless they started separating out elites in a separate section. 

 Pretty much it’s just a buffet of food ( served)and a special price for a few drinks. We always utilized it for a little snack before dinner as we always ate dinner after 7 PM  and we would meet friends and or family there as well. Nice relaxing area to do so. And the ships that have Skywalkers  ,great view from up there while enjoying our appetizers and drinks .

Thanks. We actually went the first day and you’re correct, platinum, elite and suite guests were welcome; although no one was checking. I just wasn’t sure if the “cocktail party” @crimsonbirdwas referring to was the same thing as the Elite Happy Hour. But in any event since we eat early and have a beverage package, we haven’t been back.

 

[arizonaperson]

11 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks. We actually went the first day and you’re correct, platinum, elite and suite guests were welcome; although no one was checking. I just wasn’t sure if the “cocktail party” @crimsonbirdwas referring to was the same thing as the Elite Happy Hour. But in any event since we eat early and have a beverage package, we haven’t been back.

 

 Cocktail party might have been for returning guests ,which is almost everybody..And it’s put on by the captain Circle department -sometimes referred to as the captains circle cocktail party. Maybe that’s what they were referring to?? 

 Yes if you eat early in the dining room you would probably miss most of the 5 to 7 PM platinum, elite, and suite lounge area.  My experience is , no they never checked to make sure that you’re in that category before you enter the lounge. The only time that they use to check in the past is if the “cheaper drink” that was on special that you qualified for that, but now that most people have the drink package kind of defeats that purpose on that. Agree  if you already have the beverage package not a big deal for a little food beforehand as you can get food almost anywhere on the ship. Just wanted to make sure that you knew that it was available as a platinum member. Enjoy your cruise, thanks for posting this great live from.

Edited May 11, 2022 by arizonaperson

[cltnccruisers]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We’re back from our ostriches and lighthouse tour which also included a stop in between to see the two natural bridges, with the larger one collapsing back in 2004 (?). So as in the past I get carried away when taking pictures of wildlife. 😁

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a beekeeper I’m always on the hunt for honey bees when we’re on a cruise. My DW actually found these enjoying a sip of water on a hot day!

 

 

 

They also had some emus at the park

 

 

 

 

Now they did have some rules posted in the ladies room my DW couldn’t help but take a picture of

This is the little natural bridge

This is the larger one that collapsed around 17 or so years ago

 

 

 

 

and of course I had to save the best picture for last since this was our last excursion of the cruise! 
 

 

 

Ken - shave and a haircut 2 Bits!

[crimsonbird]

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Here’s an interesting tidbit. When we got back to the ship, my medallion failed at check in. Then the security person asked for my cabin number and all was good! Of course, my DW had no issues with hers.
 

Now I had read earlier on CC that sometimes the battery dies, so I tested it again when we got to our cabin. Access Denied! So after we verified my DW could still use hers to get into our cabin, I was off to Guest Services. And yup, that’s what is was. Found out my medallion was created on Apr 19, a week before I picked it up at the port. So it lasted about 23 days. It will be interesting to see if my DW’s will last the rest of the cruise. BTW while I was standing there, another person showed up with the same issue. 
 

So if this happens to you, not to worry. Just pop down to GS and get a new medallion. Easy peasy!

We were on the Sky Princess for 29 glorious days...pre pandemic, of course.  The medallion lasted the entire trip (Mediterranean n transatlantic.  Now they reside as lovely fridge magnets.  So..guess it all depends...

[capriccio]

7 hours ago, cltnccruisers said:

We don't scuba or snorkle and there didn't seem much else to do in Bonaire so we just wandered around town.  That was depressing.  Pretty run down and every other shop was closed.

Next time you are in Bonaire (if there is a next time!), rent a golf cart from www.bonairecruisers.com and drive all around the island.  We stopped at the Donkey Sanctuary because my husband loves donkeys (www.donkeysanctuary.org/) and made the entire tour of the island in about 6 hours.

[cruisingpeople]

50 minutes ago, crimsonbird said:

Now they reside as lovely fridge magnets.

We have 4 magnet/medallions from April & May of 2019 still "hanging around" on the fridge.😇

[HBCcruiser]

2 minutes ago, cruisingpeople said:

We have 4 magnet/medallions from April & May of 2019 still "hanging around" on the fridge.😇

Ditto! Quiet a Colorful collection too - from Blue, Gold, Red to Grey (No black one yet like you have, perhaps next year I'll get to add that one!)

[cruisingpeople]

1 minute ago, HBCcruiser said:

 (No black one yet like you have, perhaps next year I'll get to add that one!)

Hopefully, we can be together when that happens. Not 100% sure what next years schedule is going to entail. Will keep you informed.

[HBCcruiser]

1 minute ago, cruisingpeople said:

Will keep you informed.

Please do! We are in the Sky suite on the Discovery to Cabo November 5th. Try to join that one - it is going to be a party for sure! BTW My email is my CC name at gmail...😉

[Ken the cruiser]

Tonight we went to see an encore performance in the main theater by John Bressler. But afterwards we just decided to head back to the cabin instead of going to the Explorers Lounge to watch 80s Music Trivia. 
 

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 17, May 12, sea day

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Went to the final astronomy lecture today, Here Comes the Sun. Definitely gained a bunch of space knowledge from Fred on this cruise. Hopefully I’ll be able to remember some of it! 😂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sammyjoanne]

Nice picture of a solar flare there Ken

[Ken the cruiser]

4 minutes ago, sammyjoanne said:

Nice picture of a solar flare there Ken

Fred definitely included a bunch of cool pictures in his briefings!!

[ebeluga]

On 5/11/2022 at 11:24 AM, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks. We actually went the first day and you’re correct, platinum, elite and suite guests were welcome; although no one was checking. I just wasn’t sure if the “cocktail party” @crimsonbirdwas referring to was the same thing as the Elite Happy Hour. But in any event since we eat early and have a beverage package, we haven’t been back.

 

They don't need to ask and check your status anymore.  Your medallion has already given them your name, your profile picture and your status.  It also happens when you walk into any shop or restaurants, anywhere on the ship when there is a scanning device.

[KLM3164]

@Ken the cruiserLove your new avatar. That was a great photo you took yesterday!

[Ken the cruiser]

32 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

@Ken the cruiserLove your new avatar. That was a great photo you took yesterday!

Thanks! While we were being driven back to the ship, both my DW and I couldn’t believe how well that picture turned out. I think I took over 100 pictures of all the wildlife that day! But I have to say that one was special. I’ve had that sunset picture off the coast of Vietnam as my avatar for a few years now. I figured it was time for a change. 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

This evening we went to the 3rd production show in the main theater, Bravo. 

 

 

 

Then afterwards we headed over to the Explorers Lounge to watch the very funny  Marriage Match Game Show!

 

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 18, May 13, sea day

 

 

[caribill]

On 5/11/2022 at 10:28 AM, rheathslc said:

When we were on the Ruby in November the Platinum/Elite/Suite lounge was actually in Skywalkers in the evenings as opposed to Club Fusion. It was nice. 🙂

 

Skywalkers is the preferred location. It is in the deck 7 aft lounge if there would be too many people eligible to attend for Skywalkers to hold.

[caribill]

On 5/10/2022 at 2:59 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks again Mary Ann! We went and filled out the form. On page 2 there was a special note. The form has to be turned in tonight, May 10, by 9 pm!

 

 

 

 

Pre-pandemic, MIA was also part of this program.

[Ken the cruiser]

I just spoke with the Sabatini maitre d’ and he said as far as he knows there have only been two C19 cases reported associated with passengers on this cruise. There were also 2 crew members that tested positive when they boarded in SF and were immediately put into quarantine for 14 days. None since then and the crew has to test every 7 days according to what he told me.

 

Still waiting to hear if there is any onboard B2B antigen testing scheduled for today. But since we’re not on a B2B, I’m hoping someone that is will be willing to share that bit of information.

Edited May 13, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[sammyjoanne]

Ken, Hollywood hiccups is one of my faves in the explorers lounge. Its such a fun show.