Bimmer09 Christmas Cruise to Mexico on the Diamond

[Bimmer09]

14 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

Norris,

 

So glad that Crystal provided a link (thanks @singinalot).

 

Wishing you and Carol a Happy and Healthy New Year 🎄

Dani-so glad to see you here! My thanks to Crystal too for dropping a link on the Royal Board.

A healthy and happy new year to you too!

Norris

[palolake]

32 minutes ago, san diego sue said:

We were also on the same cruise as you and had a aft facing suite on Caribe (starboard side). Never

had  hot water issue. Our next door neighbor had flushing issue. Guess we were extremely lucky.

Loved the cruise and the very empty ship.We are so spoiled with the suite life and the aft facing experience. Will be hard to go back to a balcony cabin or even a mini suite.The crew was amazing

, great service.

 

We were on the port side opposite of yours.  It was our 3rd time in an aft facing cabin.  Didn't you love the huge balcony?  Our sink was plugged and full for two days.  Then our steward noticed it was leaking.  We also had the flushing issue.  I told the steward that I would warn him with a post it note on the toilet :). Our water started hot but got cooler as the cruise went on.  We were compensated but we would have rather had a working cabin.  Like I said, it was still an amazing cruise!  

[Oakman58]

Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip.  We will be on the Diamond Jan 6th for the 16 day Hawaiian Cruise.

[Bimmer09]

Churchill's Cigar Lounge

Leather sofas and chairs, cool decor and never a crowd. Favored by Officers. No wind!

 

 

 

Serbia's finest. Balsa at 6ft 4in can reach all the drinks and is a straight-up guy in every sense of the term

 

 

I pass through the Grand Plaza at some point in my meandering. It sparkles...

 

 

Ship hasn't moved. Luggage arrived during lunch. All unpacked. Next major event is dinner in Sabatini's at 7.30 p.m. We've eaten there so many times over the years and got tired of the menu but it's been revamped . If Food Porn gets you salivating may I recommend a napkin or a roll of Bounty Towels?

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Sabatini's

The food that you are about to see costs just $25 per person which has to be the best bang for your dining buck at sea. Plus the room is gorgeous and quiet by MDR standards. Well staffed, in this case by an All Ukrainian team of professionals who know their menu. Color me impressed!

 

 

 

Elina from Ukraine will be our server tonight. You'll see her much later in the photos as we will return to Sabatini's.

Prosciutto with fried bread and red pepper dip

Bread

 

Norris' lamb skewer of the gods- flavor bomb!

 

Carol's fried zucchini and squash

 

Carol's escarole and celery salad

 

We both had the beef cheek and pappardelle and licked the bowls while no one was looking

 

My veal marsala sang to me before I devoured it

 

Carol's Sole piccata

 

Now for some ridiculous desserts ......

My Tiramisu like never before

 

Carol's Rocher chocolate bomb. Great Google-Moogly! What genius thought of this?? Home Run!

 

As we were eating dessert we could feel the ship move and as we had a window table could see harbor lights pass by. Sailaway was 5 hours late, something I usually record on video. A key cruising moment taken from me. I shed a silent tear. Oh the Humanity!

[Bimmer09]

Carol went to the 9.30 Welcome Show and found out there was 1700 pax plus 300 kids on board.

The cruise director Sophie said this was only the Diamond's third cruise since January 2020 when she was quarantined in Yokohama and the focus of the World's media but not in a good way. Carol also saw two comedians  she raved about- Alfred and Seymour whom I would later see in Club Fusion before they disembarked in Puerto Vallarta.

 

I took a walk to the stern.....

 

 

 She's a beauty!

[richsea]

Another great trip report. Thanks for bringing us along!

[Bimmer09]

Here , as promised is the First of many Patters. Carol reads these each day and attends many events-on this cruise she attended a "very good" Spanish class to brush up her "particular set of skills" (a favorite Liam Neeson quote) and saw some nifty fruit and veg carving. I, being an idiot, read them when I get home. Don't be like Norris! There are so many varied things to do on a Princess ship and I see drinking beer in the sun is just one of them. I will try harder next time.....

 

[Bimmer09]

On a cruise or back home in Chicago I wake up early and once my eyes open I am up for the day. On this cruise I woke up at 6 a.m and made my way up to deck 14 where at the indoor pool (Calypso bar) they had what I needed- a hot cup of Joe. Not the Pride of Italy beans by Illy that we drink at home but a wake-up cup of brown liquid with a coffee smell. That will have to do. I take it in a to go cup with a lid and make my way up to the Port side of Tradewinds where I meet my new friend Tom from Pittsburgh for "coffee talk" as we ease into the day.

The camera always goes with me as there may be a sunrise....

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2022 by Bimmer09
poor execution CC photo software

[Jasperdo]

1 hour ago, Bimmer09 said:

As we were eating dessert we could feel the ship move and as we had a window table could see harbor lights pass by. Sailaway was 5 hours late, something I usually record on video. A key cruising moment taken from me. I shed a silent tear. Oh the Humanity!

Oh, no! You missed a sailaway! I feel your pain.

[CruzinNoony]

We were on the 20 day cruise right before yours.  Had a wonderful time.  Crew and officers were amazing!!  As always, I am enjoying your writings!!

[georgiacat]

Oh, wonderful!  Another cruise with Norris.  Keep up the good work.

[jlf1]

Norris,

 

Just found this report, I'm here and already salivating.  As usual your photos are superb.

[Bimmer09]

MDR Breakfast, first of many

International Dining Room, deck 6 aft. Table 89 in a nice quiet  corner.

 

 

 

 

I love those little Kellog's Variety Packs so I ordered some Frosties (They're Grrrrreat according to Tony the Tiger) and if anyone knows crunchy sweet breakfast cereal it's a tiger as they live on it in India.

Sitting in my coffee cup is a cup of something I refuse to call coffee and something I refused to order for breakfast since that day.

 

Carol is a fruit plate kind of gal but the green melon was a week away from being ripe and she had to saw through it to find out what the term "al dente" really means....

 

I ordered the ham and cheese omelet

 

Sounds good but the eggs didn't taste eggy, the ham had no flavor that said pork in its DNA and the cheese was maybe part of the tablecloth that I forked by accident.  The main flavor profile was maybe "air" or "accidental tablecloth".

I know the price of eggs has increased but there's obviously a vendor who can supply at rock bottom prices. These must be the chickens that couldn't get a date for the Cluck Fest.

I'm definitely trying the pancakes tomorrow!

Carol had scrambled eggs and a hash brown. She ordered a latte each morning.Her longest wait for the latte was 37 minutes....

Edited January 1, 2023 by Bimmer09
Adding parenthesis

[Bimmer09]

Today, December 18th was our first sea day of 2 before landfall in Puerto Vallarta and was also the day of the World Cup soccer final in Qatar. Argentina vs France. Thousands of miles away via satellite it was playing on the 35 foot MUTS screen.

 

 

The French wheeled out a fantastic mezzo-soprano singer to sing their rousing anthem....

 

By the time of the final penalty shoot out there were 400 or more passengers watching and cheering, ordering cocktails with umbrellas and getting a tan

 

 

I moved higher

 

 

 

During the penalties

 

 

It was an exciting goal-rich game and Argentina beat the reigning World Champions. Afterwards, feeling peckish I climbed down a deck to the Trident Grill, home to a favorite snack on Princess-the amazing German Bratwurst and sauerkraut with the best fries at sea, cooked to order.

Alas the menu no longer shows that delicacy. I checked with the cook to make sure and the answer was not the one I had hoped for. So I opted for the Princess Classic burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato and raw red onion.

Normally when I get a burger I cut it open for the photos but I wouldn't want to turn your stomach anymore than mine was turned by the taste. Here's the pic...

 

Chips/fries perfect. Pool of HP sauce on point. Tomato and onion jumped overboard to avoid being associated with this meat- my guess the manufactured hockey-puck patty was 100% USDA prime cow tail, ears, snout, hoof, eyelids and whatever else was swept off the abattoir floor. Worst Hamburger at Sea (TM) Note to chef-toast the damned bun!!

 

I scanned the sea that afternoon and saw the Celebrity Solstice returning to LA from her Mexican trip

 

 

and a small oil tanker we passed as we had to make up for 5 hours late departure

 

 

[Walt fan]

Already on Page 2 and I just found you! What a nice Christmas/New Years present for me - a Norris and Carol adventure! Following along with a glass of wine-from your list I am already belly laughing - my cats think I am crazy. Wishing you and Carol a happy New Year's and may 2023 be good to you.

[Bimmer09]

Tonight would be our first Formal Night as it was a Sea Day. I no longer pack a suit which I will only wear twice. I pack a tie and a few dress shirts, mostly black. Jeans don't stop you getting entrance to the MDR. Swim trunks and flippers probably draw the line.

Formal Night is a good night for the photographers who can pose couples and families on the sweeping staircases and elevator lobbies. The photos will appear as glossies on the deck 7 gallery and in digital form searchable by your cabin number. 

 

Carol's notes (my crutch)tell me that we went from the Sanctuary where they were about to serve Afternoon Tea-a Princess Tradition, driven indoors by the cold sea breeze up there to try our luck at the Pacific Moon mini-MDR. There was a line for this popular event and we decided not to wait.

Carol called Room Service from our cabin but no one answered for half an hour of trying. Eventually she did get through after the Tea Period and ordered herself a Club Sandwich. It arrived an hour later.

I could wait until dinner which we reserved at 7.40.

 

Tonight we have to set our clocks forward one hour.

 We dined in the International Dining Room with a good Philippines waiter called Edison. 

Carol's Duck pate. 

 

My bacon and cheese soup. Good start!

 

Carol's Fettuccini Alfredo-a reliable Princess dish. None remained after her deft fork-twirling.

We both ordered the tasty beef medallions!

 

 

Chocolate Hazelnut bar with Citrus Cream = one of the best cruise ship desserts and I'm having it!

 

for Carol a plate of gormandizes 

 

A fine Formal Night dinner!

 

We walked the wide Promenade deck (7) in the cool evening air and made our way to the Princess Theater to catch the show Bravo. An 11 piece band and 12 dancers/singers with 4 main vocalists. An extravaganza of song and dance. I know I photographed it in a previous Princess review-probably the Crown in 2018. It was too much work to repeat. This photo will prove I was in the Theater if this goes to court...

[Bimmer09]

After leaving Bravo we walked back down the Promenade to catch Seymour and Alfred. I stopped for a smoke at the small smoking section where the staff gather for a puff-the last set of deck doors on the Starboard side. No chairs. The opposite of Churchill's.

 

Seymour and Alfred are two fast paced comics who use props and costumes. They drew a crowd to Club Fusion and would be leaving the ship in Puerto Vallarta. We laughed until it hurt. Superb act, honed to perfection!

 

They have videos on YouTube if you search Alfred and Seymour.

Norris

[clochette]

So glad I found a link to your report, I always enjoy your trips, thanks for sharing your travel.

 

[ROWSE]

Happy New Year to you and Carol!

Excited to be reading along!

 

 

[Bimmer09]

Patter day 2 December 18 2022

 

[Bimmer09]

So the crew in the MDR and one less hour of sleep between clearing up after dinner and setting up for breakfast on the 19th. I felt their pain when the clocks went forward-but they would go forward again!

 

The Princess beds are new and comfy with a firmness we like. Falling asleep was never an issue.

I woke without an alarm around 5.30 each morning and was getting my coffee on deck 14 by 6 am when they opened. 

 

Even though it is cool at Tradewinds on deck 15 I am on alert for a sunrise...

 

 

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

Oh, just found another sunrise shot from the morning of the 19th...

 

From here I would text Carol (using Medallion Net Wi-Fi) and arrange a breakfast meet. Can't live on coffee alone...

 

I loved the little Espresso cup but not the bitter mud within. One and done!

 

Carol had a fruit plate which you've already seen. Scrambled eggs ditto. I opted for the pancakes and a sampling of meats to determine which was best. 

 

The ham came out the clear winner as it tasted "hammy". The bacon was done in an oven and was like shrapnel. I fry thick cut bacon at home, starting with a cold pan and the bacon still has pliability when cooked. It cooks in its own fat.

 

If not for the sequential photos I take each day onboard I would be stumped to account for my movements through the ship. Carol can now track me using the Medallion app and more than once found me using it. Great tool. Also one night I left my phone in Churchill's and went to the Wheelhouse Bar to meet Carol. The waiter from Churchill's located me via the Medallion I was wearing on a lanyard and I had my phone back within 5 minutes! Hooray!!

 

Today's photos will be in random locations....

[Bimmer09]

NEWSFLASH!

CHICAGO DATELINE JANUARY 1 2023

Carol is filling out her post-cruise survey which came in my email the day of Disembarkation. I already completed mine. It's a good chance for constructive criticism and praise where warranted. You can see from my food offerings that we had some great food and some dire. That can always improve if enough feedback given. The waiters shovel a lot of uneaten food into the trash each night and their many Dining Room Managers can give feedback to the Maitre d' who can talk to the chef. I think the overall issue may rest with the procurement of food and there I'd say there have  been cutbacks to add to the bottom line. The best cruise food we have had to date is on Azamara but the cost to sail is double that of Princess. 

The survey took me 35 minutes to complete at home, while sipping a Czech beer which is how I recommend you do yours.

 

Editor

[Bimmer09]

Chestnuts roasting by an open Fire...

I liked the fake fireplace gracing the Grand Plaza

 

 

When I passed though this morning a chef was talking about preparing a turkey at home for a crowd that had elected to eliminate that this year. He went to get one that he had in the oven for four hours but as you can see-it shrank (much laughter and a good gag)

 

 

He replaced it with a life-size turkey

 

 

I've always enjoyed Princess' liking for fun and chuckles. I come to praise Princess, not to bury him.

 

 

I move on and later am on our balcony while Carol is in the Sanctuary.

 

I am planning to order an Afternoon Tea to our cabin as a surprise to her. 

I told the woman who answered the Room Service phone that I was Elite and would like Afternoon Tea in our cabin at 3.30 please.

"Elites only get AT in their cabin on Formal Days sir. Your next will be Christmas Day"

"Say what? For real? That's not my understanding" said Norris. "Oh well, nice talking to you..."

 

30 minutes later....phone rings. Same woman..."Yes Mr Adair (I prefer Sir Norris which the bar staff call me by for some reason) we can deliver your tea today at 3.30pm. Which tea would you like?"

 

Sounds like her supervisor may have heard her tell me a bunch of guff about Formal Nights and put her straight. All's well that ends well and I texted Carol to let her know that Afternoon Tea would take place in her cabin later that afternoon!