A fair sleep and we can confirm that the new beds and pillows are very comfortable. One of the items we have taken on board this time is a digital, mains clock radio. Certainly not for the radio, or even the alarm, but with constant time changes, waking up in the night and knowing exactly what the time really is we find somewhat comforting. That was $18 very well spent. We were both a little disturbed by a very annoying, intermittent rattle, that we couldn’t isolate. It could be anything, but appears to be either the air-conditioning, or even the curtain rods. That will be a mystery to be solved as initially, it only seemed to happen at night, but that was because we usually had the TV on during the day. My guess it is something in the air-conditioning ducting.
Breakfast in the Horizon Court (buffet) was first of all, a game of ‘hunt the porridge’. (Paula, not me. With over six years of watching prisoners being served it on a daily basis, I have successfully managed to avoid it ever since.) There are changes in methodology and menu that were very apparent.
· Instead of toast being available port and starboard, it is now in the Italian café section, with just one, bigger toaster
· Gone seems to be the different breads, such as the rye bread, that in the past, you could get toasted to order – or make up a sandwich.
· No sign of the lean Canadian/English bacon, just that disgusting overcooked streaky stuff, much beloved by Americans.
· Baked beans now seem to be a different type, with a slightly larger bean – but very nice
· Poached eggs galore, instead of just a few , but sitting in warm water means that the chances of my much loved runny yolk is slim. Might have to ask.
· The Italian café section now has an extensive range of Danish pastries behind glass – which means it is a lot more hygienic.
They are the most obvious buffet changes noticed so far.
Day 03
Still a little bit cool, so the majority of the men were still in long trousers – including me.
Breakfast table was shared with a nice couple as it was fairly crowded, because no one was sitting outside to eat. That will soon change as we head steadily north.
Morning trivia was scheduled at 10:30, but as we had our Cruise Critic (Pacific Circlers) meeting at 11am and I had the name tags, we didn’t have time to stay, so headed off to the Deck 5 dining room – which already had the ‘Knitters and Natterers’ (often referred to as ‘Stitch & Bitch’) at one side and the bridge group of two or three tables on the other. An influx of 180 or so Pacific Circler’s for our first Meet and Greet probably didn’t go down too well with the notoriously fragile bridge group. (No offence meant, but they do seem a bit that way…) There are very few venues on the ship capable of hosting such a large group – and we had the Captain and Senior Officers with our group, so there.
We always appreciate the attendance by the senior staff and Captain Rikard Lorentzen is Jo’s absolute favourite Princess Captain! Jo had organised a ‘Getting to Know You’ exercise, with list of questions whereby you had to find people who maybe hadn’t done a long cruise, or were from outside Australia etc.
This went well as usual, but again, the noise may have disturbed the other groups.
We opted for a coffee on deck 7, as the improved deck 5 ‘International Café’, was full. This is one of the better innovations o the ship, but despite notices on the table, there were several hogging the seating wit no intention of ordering.
Our next scheduled appointment was to sign up for the Ukulele class at 1:15 in the Legends Sports bar, where the choir were just finishing their first rehearsal, run by Entertainment staffer, Whitney from Canada. Wow! What a great voice she has. Unlike earlier cruises with Alan Cooper or David Craythorne, the Atrium evening pianists, Whitney was doing it from recorded music. She was somewhat staggered at the numbers attending - but she hadn’t done anything longer than a 25 day cruise before. Different dynamics.
There were so many people wanting to sign up for the ukulele class, that Saloman, an atrium, pre-dinner pianist, with only 30 Princess instruments available, split the group into 2 for signing on. Group 1 (Maui) was for those who had some musical knowledge, had played a bit before, (or guitar) or had their own instruments. Group 2 (Hilo) would be for absolute beginners. As Paula had come along, we signed up for the beginner’s group.
The first meet would therefore be tomorrow for group 1. A pound to a penny, that group 1 will have at least one or two who haven’t a clue…
Up to the Horizon court for a late lunch.
In 2010, Philip from NZ, blogged daily and bemoaned the number of MOB’s on board (Miserable Old B******s) which gave us much amusement. It was still a bit cool outside and most tables occupied. An older Kiwi couple from Northland joined us. Wifey went off to get her food.
Hubby to us: “Are you enjoying your cruise?” (Bear in mind this is was half way through the very first sea day.)
Us: “Yes. Fine. Are you?”
Hubby: “No.”
Us: “Why not?”
Hubby” “It’s Princess.”
Us” “So why are you here?”
Hubby” “I just follow the suitcase my wife packs…”
Wifey (now returned): “It’s the only way we could do Alaska without flying long distance.”
Us: “Are you doing the whole trip?”
Them: “No. We are getting off in San Francisco…”
With a kick under the table we opted for coffee elsewhere.
We then had the dreaded announcement from the Captain: “A change of course and in 30 minutes time, a Medevac (nautical term for a helicopter medical Evacuation.) We headed back to our cabin, but as we are in the rear section, the way was barred. (The rear of the ship is always cleared when a helicopter is due to pick up a sick person.) A perforated ulcer we believe was the reason so someone’s 75 day cruise didn’t get off to a very good start.
Once that was cleared, dear readers, to our first afternoon Trivia – something that we know is of vital importance to former cruisers. Our afternoon team consists of Garry & Joanne, Mal & Marie, Paula and I – all from table 188. Our team name? Guessalots Mk 3. Did we win? Well, what do you think? The winners managed 15 points and were in a tie break, but we did manage 14, so we were happy enough. We nearly got 15 but the team didn’t agree on an answer and chose the wrong one.
We were a little peckish by 5:20 and the buffet was closed (until 5:30), so we headed out to the Terrace Grill - another area that seems to have had a very positive make over and structure. Hot chips are no longer served as part of your grill order, but from a self-serve dish, but the best innovation of all was a pot of chilli and another pot of delicious pulled pork. The pulled pork got our vote, with coleslaw, which filled a gap nicely.
At dinner, we opted for the Curtis Stone dish of belly pork, which Marie claimed was well worth it. It was.
There was no late show and bed at a reasonable 11:30pm.
*Internet has been a bit slow and erratic so blog posts may also be a bit erratic*
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