Page 3 Saturday 8/5/2023 - Off We Go Board at 11:00 AM
Mary and I thought it would be a great idea to board the ship early, just so we could have enough time to explore all of its nineteen floors (Except 1-4 which are Crew Only). However, we soon realized that it was easier said than done! With so much to see and do, it seemed like an impossible task to cover everything.
The Photographers were all over snappping up a storm!
We got our picture taken!
Now, off to our cabin! What will it be like! Will be have a window or porthole?
We opted for the Penthouse Suite which is about 500 square feet, plenty big enought to home Mary's suitcases and steamer trunk. The question is, where might it be?
We found it, fourteenth floor which is nine stories above the waterline (the fourth floor (crew area) is on the waterline and there is no 13th floor!.
From the fourteenth floor, we looked down and were surprised to see how small the terminal below appeared. It was an awesome sight to behold!
BTW, the Engine room is on Decks 1 & 2, the staff areas of officers are on Decks 3 & 4.
Watch out below! It was a beautiful day to depart and head out acrosds the sea!
The tent is used gather people and do the customs thing!
We were determined to explore every inch of the ship, so we started walking and didn't stop for quite some time. It was amazing to see all the different floors and areas, but we definitely got our exercise in for the day!
It's a good thing we brought our walking shoes, or else we would have been in trouble. We saw so many interesting things, from the engine room to the top deck. It was definitely worth the effort!
We left the suite and went down seven decks to the Promende deck. As we stepped into the center of the ship, we were immediately struck by the stunning three story atrium that stretched out before me. It was truly impressive and captivating, with its grandeur and elegance.
From our vantage point, we could see that the Guest Services and shopping areas were conveniently located around this central space, making it easy to access everything we needed. And as we explored further, we discovered a few cozy lounges scattered throughout the area, offering the perfect spot to relax and unwind. All in all, it was clear that this was a well-designed and enjoyable space to spend some time in.
Three stories tall and the piano music could be heard all over the area.
There are many show lounges on the ship!
Mary saw the sign for the spa and we were off and running. Forward to Deck 16 on the bow. She made friends in a few minutes. We became great customers.
I accompanied Mary to her appointments, whether it was for a doctor's check-up or a salon visit. I even tagged along when she got her nails done and I got my nails done which was a new experience for me.
What my son and grandsons would say if they found out I was at a nail salon. Nonetheless, I cherished the time I spent with her, and it was worth it to see her happy and taken care of.
"Oh no Paul, come back here!"
I put my foot down when they said select your nail polish color!
A sign you will NEVER see on the ship!!
There were two large dining rooms each of which had a separate section for suite passengers enabling us to come and go anytime in the window of service. It was quiet there and the service amazing. Princess did an excellent job!
Food was everywhere so we stopped in one of the dining rooms. Di Vinci, and had a small snack.
"Should I finish it off or not?"
The Royal Grille, on Deck 7, was definitely our go-to spot on the ship. Their steaks were truly heavenly, and the entire experience was top-notch. The wait staff went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. It was such a wonderful dining experience and we were really happy with the service provided. We highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great meal with excellent service.
We spent many evenings watching the ocean go by.
Do not ask what this means!! (Ask when you see us!)
The Medallion application on my iPhone was a game-changer. It was incredibly user-friendly and made navigating the ship a breeze. We loved being able to order drinks from anywhere we were, and it made our trip even more convenient. Overall, it was a fantastic addition to our cruise experience.
The green spot is where we are currently located!
We received an alert that there is some activity in the backyard. It turns out that Charlie is having a birthday swim party! Joe's family got introduced to Irene and they apparently had a great time!
Have fun guys!
We had such a great time exploring the ship and discovering new hidden rooms. It was really exciting to find new areas to explore and we couldn't wait to see what else we would discover. The ship was full of surprises and we were thrilled to be able to experience it all. It was definitely a trip we will never forget!
The 18th floor lounge, Skywalkers, became our hideaway in the afternoons!
We could see the front of the ship from the overhang at the lounge.
Time to dance? They had several dance floors available.
There was plenty of space to dance!
As the ship began to move, Mary and I decided to step outside and take in the picturesque scenery. The breeze was refreshing and the view was breathtaking. The waves gently rocked the ship and we felt a sense of peace and tranquility. We watched as the sun started to set, casting a warm golden glow over the horizon. It was a moment we would always cherish.
The Harbor Pilot's Ship was moving quickly!
The gentle breeze and the sound of the waves crashing against the hull made for a truly serene experience. We stood there for what felt like hours, simply admiring the beauty of the ocean and the vast expanse of the sky above us. It was a moment of pure bliss that we will never forget.
Did You Know? - A maritime pilot, marine pilot, harbor pilot, port pilot, ship pilot, or simply pilot, is a mariner who has specific knowledge of an often dangerous or congested waterway, such as harbors or river mouths. Maritime pilots know local details such as depth, currents, and hazards.
Harbor security kept a good eye on the ship until we departed the breakwater.
As the ship picked up speed, Mary felt the wind blowing through her hair, adding to the excitement of our adventure. We held onto the railings as we continued to explore the ship, eagerly anticipating what other surprises we might uncover.
TRANSLATION: Paul was looking for the bar!
To quote an old song..."The wind blew her hair in her face and then the wind blew her hair in the street!"
We waived to the security team as they passed us by.
In Hawaii, I find our porpoise in life!
Time for a snack before dinner.
It was a 500 calorie Twinkie!
After our thrilling exploration of the ship, we made the wise decision to have dinner at the Princess Grille. It turned out to be an excellent idea as the food was simply outstanding. We savored every bite and left feeling fully satisfied.
Then came the main course, Lamb!
Always a smile.
I had the pleasure of dining with Mary and we both ordered different dishes. While she went for the Rack of Lamb, I decided to indulge in the Rib-eye steak. I must say, we were both blown away by how absolutely delicious our meals were. It was truly an unforgettable dining experience!
I didn't even need a knife it was to tender.
It was such a lovely evening. We sat down with a glass of wine and just chatted away, we never seem to miss things to look at and discuss. From the beautiful scenery to the interesting people we met, it was a day full of adventure. It was great to share our experiences with each other and just relax over a nice glass of wine.
We had a glass of wine and just talked about everything we saw today!
We shared the pumpkin pie for dessert!
OMG! My martini glass is empty!
The Maitre D' took a liking to Dr. Mary!
Mary and I went to the theater and saw this hilarious comedian. We laughed so hard that we were on the verge of wetting ourselves! It was refreshing to see a comedian who could make us laugh without resorting to crude humor. Overall, it was a great night out and we left feeling happy and rejuvenated.
We were a little late getting there but there was not a bad seat in the house.
