January 17-27, 2012
Ned and Carolyn Nelson
Flights to Fort
Lauderdale
We flew
Continental from Seattle through Houston because we wanted to stay away from
the Midwestern winter problems. Always a good plan.
Princess Pick up and
Transfer to Sheraton Ft Lauderdale
Princess Representative was
waiting in baggage claim and had us 8 passengers on the bus in 20 minutes after
our baggage was in hand. Good Job
Sheraton- Ft
Lauderdale
An older property but with a
great location right on the beach and within a block of the intercostal water
taxi. The bed was very good. You have to
pay $10 a night for the Internet and their food prices are really high. All things considered, I think we will go back
to the Embassy Suites next time.
Princess Transfer to
Ship
Scheduled departure time was 1200
but we actually left at 1220 because of some late cruisers. Bus ride is 10 minutes to the ship. Princess took care of the baggage.
Embarkation
We were directed into the
priority boarding line because the regular line was so long and because we used
the Princess Bus. The good news is that we were through security in about a
minute and headed to check in. Princess
no longer makes you check in by decks instead you are directed to the shortest
line. Again, no line. So after waiting for the boarding picture we
were in our cabin 25 minutes after the bus departed the Sheraton. Fantastic.
Sail away and Day 1-
Ft Lauderdale
The lines at the Horizon Buffet
were painfully long but we were hungry enough to put up with the bother. The mandatory Muster Drill was very crowded
and seemed a little longer than normal probably because of the recent accident
in Italy. Sailaway in Ft Lauderdale is
fun because of the crowds in the Condos and on the beach.
Weather was perfect so it was a great way to start the cruise.
Day 2 - Princess Cays
This was our third trip to
Princess Cays. Tender service was prompt
and safe. The grounds are perfect and we
found lounges easily. The bad news is
that darn sun was really hot for us folks from Seattle. Next time we are going to rent a clamshell
cover. We wanted to shop outside the
gate but you now need a passport to do your shopping over there.
Day 3 – At Sea
Princess has added activities so
there is never an excuse that there was nothing to do. There were 4 Trivial Pursuit games every day
that were all filled to capacity. You
have to get up early to get a lounge in the sun because the cruisers are still
putting their books and towels on them and then going back to bed or
eating. Princess does not enforce the
no saving policy.
Day 4 - St
Thomas
We took a
taxi downtown and went through the stores.
Things are painfully expensive and we think the notion that this is a
bargain center is way overblown.
Day 5 -
Dominica
We always use Princess
Tours. Too many horror stories about
non-cruise line tours. Took a Princess bus ride around the island with
stops at the botanical gardens and a waterfall.
We now like the shorter tours so we can return to the ship and do things
there.Day 6- Grenada
Another bus ride around the island. It was interesting to see the University which is where the US Marines staged a rescue back in the 80s.
Day 7 –Bonaire
Our tour was a Glass Bottom Boat
ride which was really neat. There are 3
separate tours during the day and they are always all sold out so we were
lucky. Great hosts who know where all
the marine life is.
Day 8 – Aruba
Tour
included a Butterfly Farm, the Aloe factory and a tour of the island. The Butterfly Farm was the most interesting
thing on the cruise. We got some great
pictures of Butterflies on Carolyn’s nose.
They loved her. Other travelers
were jealous. NOTE: There is a great Starbucks in the Renaissance
Hotel lobby which is about a long block away from the pier for those of us who
care.
Day 9- At Sea
We love days at sea. One thing we did not do is visit the
Sanctuary which is an adult only area that you have to pay $10 for a half a day
or $20 for the whole day. Next time
we’ll try it.. Again, no place to lay in
the sun on any deck. The Movies Under
The Stars were always packed at night too.
Day 10 – At Sea
This is the day you panic to do
all the things you postponed earlier. Princess
asks that baggage be put out as soon as you can and so on this trip it seemed
to be the most organized. There were
bags in the halls starting around 3 but they never seemed to be a problem.
Day 11 Disembark in
Ft Lauderdale
Princess is trying to improve on
this usually painful part of the cruise experience. We used EZCheck which meant our bags were
sent directly from our cabin to Seattle.
Princess will not let you sleep in. They want to make sure you are out of your
cabin by 8. We left the gathering lounge 30 minutes after the meeting time and
were at the airport in 30 minutes later.
They let the EZCheck passengers off before all the folks looking for
their luggage. We will do this from now
on.
The Emerald Princess
Ship
Typically wonderful ship. Everything was clean and in good shape. Food (Dining Room)
Thanks to Anita and Garry we always get a table with the perfect location and wonderful tablemates. Great wait staff. We ate all dinners in the dining room. Food was very good.
Food (other venues on
board)
We try to use the dining rooms
for breakfast and lunch too because of the crowds and to avoid the potential
for picking up some diseases. Wait times
were minimal and we enjoyed the peace and quiet. The International Café had good food all day.
Room Service
Breakfasts were very tasty and
always served right on time.
Cabin and Cabin Care
This is the first time we have
asked for an egg crate bed mattress. Our
bed was hard as a rock but much better after the addition. Everything worked in the room. Our attendant Manu from Thailand was very
friendly and took good care of us.
Internet Service
We paid the $100 for 250 minutes
and used every minute. The service is
really slow especially on the last day. The Internet Café was always busy so we
were glad we brought out laptop which worked just fine in our room.
Cell Phone Service
We had notified Verizon to
activate International coverage .
Service was excellent and our fees ranged from $1.49 to $2.99 a MINUTE
depending on where we were. Carolyn is
hiding the Verizon bills because she talked a little too much.
Activities
Too many things to do. We spent
too much time addicted to the Trivial Pursuit games with our new friends. We were obsessed with winning against some
really smart competition. We finally won
the last game and proudly picked up our prize which was the $1.99 Princess Pen. Ah, the thrill of victory. After our victory we were recruited by a very
nice English lady who was forming her team for the following cruise. She really only wanted Carolyn but was
willing to take me too.
Entertainment
Princess is now running the
Theaters shows 3 times every night. And
for the first time on any of our cruises we actually could not get into two of
them. The cruisers get there early and are willing to stand in long lines to
make sure they get in. Production shows
were good but the comedians, the hypnotist and others were only fair. The lounge singers were good. The Beatle Maniacs were especially good even
with huge lines.
Shopping
The SPA seemed to be especially busy on the ship. Shops had the usual stuff which is not all
bad. There are now excellent shopping areas just after you leave the piers in
every port. Prices did not seem out of
line and there was good tourist stuff available.
Gambling
We skipped gambling this trip
because we can’t stand the smoke. Now that there is no smoking in Princess
cabins the smokers all go to the casino. There were 2 No Smoking days in the
casinos but the smoke smell lingers on.
Staff and Service
Really good all around. Princess does not be pushing drinks as hard
as they used to. There were hardly any
waiters in the theater at all.
Tendering
Very efficient at Princess Cays.
Disembark Process
Usually one of our dreaded parts
of cruising. Princess is improving. See
our notes above.
Transfer to Airport
Took 10 minutes to fill up our
bus. Very efficient. We are believers in Princess Transfers. Taxi lines are very long when there are a lot
of ships in port.
Ft Lauderdale Airport
Departure
Be prepared
for long lines and limited seating especially when multiple ships arrive. There are more people sitting on the floors
than at any airport we have ever seen. Not much food available in the US Air
departure areas. We are going to
consider staying over a night after getting off the ship to avoid this
problem. Plus, it is a very long flight
(s) back to Seattle after the stress of getting off the ship.Insurance- Travel Guard
Glad we didn’t have to use them; but a necessity of cruise travel.
