Occasionally live from the Island Princess

[venussuz]

What a fantastic itinerary you've had! Glad to see your fine use of the good weather (even if the sky is "spitting on you" a bit.) 

Thank you for the pictures, they're fantastic! Adding Invergordon "On this site in 1897 nothing happened" - classic! and Edinburgh to my places to see list. 

A shame about the hot drinks, but it doesn't sound like you're letting that one aspect bring down your enjoyment of the cruise - many thanks for bringing us along. 

Edited August 10, 2022 by venussuz

[Steelers36]

13 hours ago, chamima said:

 

 

Thanks for the replies.

Is the Patisserie or maybe Good Spirits or even Crooners open until midnight?

 

(BTW - I can't find the Patisserie on the deck plans - where is it?)

Deck 5 - Atrium.

 

Hmm.. hold on there Bubba Louie!  It looks like they have re-badged the Patisserie to Good Spirits, so I would say all the special coffees must have been moved to Lido Buffet only.  

 

We need to hear from someone on board, as they might still have the coffee service in the mornings on Deck 5.  It is a challenge on the smaller ships to try and provide larger ship services - no way to have them all.

[uspearls]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Deck 5 - Atrium.

 

Hmm.. hold on there Bubba Louie!  It looks like they have re-badged the Patisserie to Good Spirits, so I would say all the special coffees must have been moved to Lido Buffet only.  

 

We need to hear from someone on board, as they might still have the coffee service in the mornings on Deck 5.  It is a challenge on the smaller ships to try and provide larger ship services - no way to have them all.

 

Just off the Island a couple of weeks ago. The "special coffees" (i.e. espresso machines) are located at Good Spirits on Deck 5, the Casino Bar on Deck 6 and in Horizon Court at the front by the pastries.  The "Patisserie" branding is gone - there is a small, sad mobile case with various offerings through the day.  Coffee service begins at 6am with one overworked (but wonderful) staff member on Deck 5 who is joined by a second at 6:30am and they close about 10:30pm.   Specialty coffees also available in Horizon Court from 6am.

 

An International Cafe it is not and I provided some detailed constructive feedback in the post cruise survey about the lack of staffing and hours for a "cafe" of any type and the importance of brand consistency.  I disagree with you.  With better staffing and training to actually use the espresso machines properly (and let's face it, upgrading the flavorless coffee beans), the Island can provide a perfectly pleasant early morning and late night cafe experience.

Edited August 10, 2022 by uspearls

[Steelers36]

6 hours ago, uspearls said:

The "Patisserie" branding is gone - there is a small, sad mobile case with various offerings through the day.

I would offer that that small mobile case was pretty sad back in 2018 when the branding was still Patisserie.  There were sometimes some decent small bites, but it wasn't much.

[CanEcosse]

On 8/9/2022 at 12:37 PM, We_like_to_cruise said:

Water shuttles (tenders) - many of our ports required tenders.  So far it has been organized and pretty straightforward.  Most have taken only 10 - 15 minutes, but the rocky trip to Holyhead Wales took nearly an hour!

 

 

 

Surely you are thinking of a round trip? Our early water tender made it in less than 30 min 

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 8/9/2022 at 5:38 PM, jeno said:

Has there been a Chef’s Table on your cruise? 

Yes there has, but we did not realize it and missed it.  😞

But, we do have another chance at our next voyage in the B2B.

Will keep you informed !

[We_like_to_cruise]

23 hours ago, venussuz said:

What a fantastic itinerary you've had! Glad to see your fine use of the good weather (even if the sky is "spitting on you" a bit.) 

Thank you for the pictures, they're fantastic! Adding Invergordon "On this site in 1897 nothing happened" - classic! and Edinburgh to my places to see list. 

A shame about the hot drinks, but it doesn't sound like you're letting that one aspect bring down your enjoyment of the cruise - many thanks for bringing us along. 

 

Thank you for your kind words !

We truly have been having a very nice time.  The crew is fantastic. 

Yes, there are occasional glitches.  But we do not let that bother us.  However,  I would also like to present the good and not so good to the readers of this website.

🙂

[We_like_to_cruise]

22 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Deck 5 - Atrium.

 

Hmm.. hold on there Bubba Louie!  It looks like they have re-badged the Patisserie to Good Spirits, so I would say all the special coffees must have been moved to Lido Buffet only.  

 

We need to hear from someone on board, as they might still have the coffee service in the mornings on Deck 5.  It is a challenge on the smaller ships to try and provide larger ship services - no way to have them all.

 

I have only gone up to deck 14 for my double Americano in the morning.  However, I will make it a point to see if specialty coffees are also available at any other locations.

 

Ah, I see this has been answered by a prior IP passenger.  But I will double check to see if any changes have been made.

Edited August 10, 2022 by We_like_to_cruise
edit

[chamima]

2 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

 

I have only gone up to deck 14 for my double Americano in the morning.  However, I will make it a point to see if specialty coffees are also available at any other locations.

 

 

If you go could you please find out how late the various locations are open.

(Kind of hoping Good Spirits, at least, is open past 11.)

[We_like_to_cruise]

11 hours ago, CanEcosse said:

Surely you are thinking of a round trip? Our early water tender made it in less than 30 min 

 

Unfortunately is was more than 45 minutes - one way!

[We_like_to_cruise]

5 hours ago, chamima said:

 

 

If you go could you please find out how late the various locations are open.

(Kind of hoping Good Spirits, at least, is open past 11.)

 

Hello !

If you look at my post #55 you will find a copy of the Princess Patter.  It details the hours of all of the bars and lounges and restaurants.

[We_like_to_cruise]

Last night was the "On the Bayou" production show and it was extraordinary !!

 

The music provided by the show band, the Princess dancers and singers, the costumes and the sets were top notch.  Truly it was the best entertainment we have had the entire cruise.  I would have liked to post some pictures, but don't want to get on the naughty list (not allowed to record the show).

 

Do not miss this show if available on a future cruise.

 

 

Edited August 10, 2022 by We_like_to_cruise
spelling

[We_like_to_cruise]

Formal night dinner - Beef Wellington

Dessert - Pistachio Dome

[We_like_to_cruise]

COVID test for next cruise

 

We are B2B and our next voyage commences Aug. 12.

 

We just received a letter via "door mail"  (slipped under the door).  At 8 am tomorrow we need to report to one of the lounges to have a COVID test before embarking on the next part of our journey.

 

A little nerve wracking ...

 

[beg3yrs]

25 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

COVID test for next cruise

 

We are B2B and our next voyage commences Aug. 12.

 

We just received a letter via "door mail"  (slipped under the door).  At 8 am tomorrow we need to report to one of the lounges to have a COVID test before embarking on the next part of our journey.

 

A little nerve wracking ...

 

This is good to know. There's a discrepancy on the Princess website with the FAQs saying you only have to attest to passing a Covid test and another section saying you still have to present results from a medical professional. I suppose on a B2B they'll test you so you can "attest" to passing.

 

Good luck!

[PacnGoNow]

9 minutes ago, beg3yrs said:

This is good to know. There's a discrepancy on the Princess website with the FAQs saying you only have to attest to passing a Covid test and another section saying you still have to present results from a medical professional. I suppose on a B2B they'll test you so you can "attest" to passing.

 

Good luck!

It could be because the number of cases OB, the length of the cruise on the b2b or government requirements.  Would be interesting to know if they let the guest do their own test?  

 

[Level six]

39 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

COVID test for next cruise

 

We are B2B and our next voyage commences Aug. 12.

 

We just received a letter via "door mail"  (slipped under the door).  At 8 am tomorrow we need to report to one of the lounges to have a COVID test before embarking on the next part of our journey.

 

A little nerve wracking ...

 

Did you book these as B2B or one whole cruise? 

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Level six said:

Did you book these as B2B or one whole cruise? 

I am thinking that doesn't matter if they want to test at the turnaround.  (I had been reading those tests were being dropped).  I just hope anyone +ve has the option to quarantine for 5 days.

[Level six]

Just now, Steelers36 said:

I am thinking that doesn't matter if they want to test at the turnaround.  (I had been reading those tests were being dropped).  I just hope anyone +ve has the option to quarantine for 5 days.

When I booked a 30 day Baltic/Iceland about a week ago, I chatted two different times with Princess ( i have the chat printed). They said if booked as a 30 day cruise no testing between cruises If booked as 16/14 day, testing required.  I hope that is true.  I am not nervous about getting covid, but I don't want to be taken off the ship. We will see in a few weeks. Fingers crossed. 

[teacherplus]

I’m trying to decide whether to buy a picture package as I know I want a picture of my DH and I on formal night. Could you please tell me what a single 8X10 costs onboard? Thank you!

[SargassoPirate]

On 8/10/2022 at 4:04 PM, PacnGoNow said:

It could be because the number of cases OB, the length of the cruise on the b2b or government requirements.  Would be interesting to know if they let the guest do their own test?  

 

There's good news on the horizon, but it will take the cruise lines a while to catch up.  I'm sure they would like to see the expense of on-board testing and needless quarantines go away as much as we do.

 

CDC ends recommendations for social distancing, quarantine for COVID-19 (msn.com)

[jwattle]

8 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

There's good news on the horizon, but it will take the cruise lines a while to catch up.  I'm sure they would like to see the expense of on-board testing and needless quarantines go away as much as we do.

 

CDC ends recommendations for social distancing, quarantine for COVID-19 (msn.com)

They're only ending quarantines for exposures, not positive tests

[AF-1]

Thank you for sharing your trip with this group.  Love your food pics and glad you enjoyed the Titanic Museum.  It was a treat for us when we were there in July.

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 8/11/2022 at 8:11 PM, teacherplus said:

I’m trying to decide whether to buy a picture package as I know I want a picture of my DH and I on formal night. Could you please tell me what a single 8X10 costs onboard? Thank you!

 

Yes, I will check and post at a later date!

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 8/10/2022 at 5:44 PM, Level six said:

When I booked a 30 day Baltic/Iceland about a week ago, I chatted two different times with Princess ( i have the chat printed). They said if booked as a 30 day cruise no testing between cruises If booked as 16/14 day, testing required.  I hope that is true.  I am not nervous about getting covid, but I don't want to be taken off the ship. We will see in a few weeks. Fingers crossed. 

 

Well we did book as two different voyages at two different times.  We did like the benefit of the doubled cruise credit and shareholder credit.  However when we booked the second voyage our awesome Princess CVP (finally got a real winner after going through three others!) advised me he would merge the voyages together.  Not really sure what that means.  However, since day one of the cruise all of our info on medallion indicated we were on until the end of the month with the same booking number ??

So, I cannot really answer that.