Special lunch

We went to Red Lobster today, what a feast and what a treat!!

We did have a very nice lunch. Ken just about vacuums the shells to remove every little crumb. He is funny to watch as he savours every morsel. It was definitely worth the 50.00 US that it costs us to have lunch. Later we will remember the wonderful lunch but had we kept that money we would never remember what we did with it.

Remember we are going this way only once!! Be Happy!!

Tomorrow morning we are getting up at 5:30 because we want to be on the road by 6:00 to head for Cape Canaveral and our tour of the space center and the lighthouse there. We are also meeting with friends, (Nancy and Cliff) for lunch.

Then the next day (Saturday) we will also be getting up at six to be able to drive to FLL and have the car returned by noon. They charge ten dollars an hour if you are 30 minutes late and they charge for a whole day if you are 90 minutes late.

We also found out that the transponder that is installed in this car had a surprise for us. We thought it was just a good convenience and a service allowing travellers to have their credit card billed for the tolls and to avoid getting into line and having the correct change.

BUT once you open that box Budget charges you 3.95 for every day that you have the car whether you travel a toll road or not. So you pay the toll to the government and you pay budget each and every day as well, even if the car is just parked!!!.We will be getting into line and paying tolls with cash. We have made certain to have lots of change for the 2 trips. You know what they can do with that transponder.

 I am beginning to think that everyone is a crook.

 But as soon as we get the car back we will hire a cab to take us to the port and the boarding of The Island Princess. Eighteen glorious days of relaxation and pampering.

We just have to keep our fingers crossed that there are no major tie up on the turnpikes.

We got bad news . Noah's graduation is June 8th and that is the day that we are in Long Beach for the rally. We wanted so bad to see him graduate but it is pretty hard to be late when you are the one in charge. Hopefully there will be lots of pictures.

Island Princess

On Saturday we leave Orlando and go to Fort Lauderdale to board the Island Princess.We will be cruising through the Panama Canal and on to Vancouver.
I thought you might want to know a little about the Island Princess.

Island Princess was built to Panamax size – this means she was built to the maximum size a cruise ship can be to sail through the Panama Canal. A high percentage of balcony staterooms give guests the chance to view this feat of engineering up-close, or take in stunning views of spectacular glaciers during cruises to Alaska. Featured on just one other Princess ship, the Bayou Café and Steakhouse is a unique dining venue on board in which to enjoy authentic New Orleans cuisine accompanied by live jazz.

Provence Dining Room

Lotus Pool

Lido Pool

Crooners

Bayou Cafe

Atrium

Guest Capacity: 2,214 lower berths

Tonnage: 92,000

Joined Princess Fleet: 2003

Last Refurbished: May 2015

Christener: Jamie Salé and David Pelletier (Olympic Gold Medalists)

Dining and Snacks: Two main dining rooms - Provence and Bordeaux, Sabatini's trattoria, The Bayou Cafe - New Orleans restaurant, The Grill - poolside hamburger grill, Princess Pizza - poolside pizza bar, Ice Cream Bar - poolside ice cream creations

Showrooms/Lounges: Princess Theater - main showroom, Explorers Lounge - lounge and disco, Churchill Lounge - Spirits and Cigar bar, Wheelhouse Bar - Classic nautical-themed lounge, Crooners Bar - Old-time martini bar

Guest Services: Casino (Paris theme), 3 duty-free shops, fitness center and spa, sports deck, children's and teen's centers, library, Internet Cafe, wedding chapel, art gallery, golf putting green and Platinum Studio

Number of Crew: 900

Registry: Bermuda

Length: 964 feet

Height: 204 feet

Number of Decks: 11

Guest Cabins: 987 total

• 16 Suites with private balconies - Square footage: 470*
• 184 Mini-suites with private balconies - Square footage: 285-302*
• 8 Mini-suites (no balcony) - Square footage: 300
• 527 Outside cabins with private balconies - Square footage: 217-232*
• 144 Standard outside cabins - Square footage: 162
• 108 Inside cabins - Square footage: 156
  

Wheelchair Accessible Cabins: 20

Cabins with Private Balconies: 735 (83 percent of all outside cabins)

Pools: 3, plus children's splash pool

Whirlpools Spas: 5

Lifeboats: 12 lifeboats, 4 tenders, 2 rescue boats

Builder: Chantiers de l'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France

You can see that she carries about half the number of passengers that The Regal Princess carries . She is much smaller and  she is built more narrow to fit the canal. We have sailed on her before and we really like her.

We have received a free upgrade to a Mini Suite and we can't wait to compare the minis on the 2 ships. Below is the description of what we should have.It appears as if the balcony is a lot larger.

The luxurious Mini-Suite offers approximately 280 to 302 square feet of comfort and a separate seating area with a sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger. The spacious balcony is approximately 35 to 58 square feet and the bathroom offers a combination tub and shower. 

These features and fine amenities are standard in a Mini-Suite stateroom:

• Welcome glass of champagne
• Separate seating area with a sofabed
• Balcony with patio furniture 
• Twin beds that convert to a queen-size bed*
• Evening bed turn-down, chocolates on your pillow
• Two flat-panel televisions

• Private bathroom with combination tub and shower
• Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion
• 100% Egyptian cotton linens
• Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk
• 110-volt, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings
• Daily housekeeping service

A Mini Suite with balcony

In Orlando

Sunday was quite an adventure.

Disembarking the ship went very smoothly and actually was almost an hour ahead of schedule.



We had arranged to get the Princess transfer to the airport in FLL because that is where we were to pick up our rental car. That was a mistake!! We ended up having to make our way to the budget office with out luggage and that was a pain. But we did it. Next time we will call a cab and have them take us from the ship to the rental office.
Anyway we have a nice Hyundai and we made it safely to Orlando. I never cease to be amazed at how easily Ken adapts to a new city and driving conditions. I am not good with that and I am tense almost all of the way.

We stopped at a Subway for lunch and I saw my first Gecko.

We stopped at a Walmart and picked up groceries. Grocery shopping for 5 days was a new adventure. I did not want to have to leave a bunch of groceries behind and I did not want to enjoy dry bread for that time. So the hunt for the smallest size of everything was on. We managed and then found our way here. We are at our time share at Westgate,the Lakes. It is beautiful and grand but they did not have vertically challenged people in mind when they build and furnished this place.The bed is so far off of the floor that I almost need a stool. The top of the mattress is just below my navel. Of course I can't reach most of what is in the cupboards. They really should supply the place with stools.

I am eager to try out the jacuzzi tub, it looks like something a princess would enjoy. I will not send photos of us in it with wine and candlelight. You will need to use your imagination.

Last evening Ken got to watch his first NHL game since we left. He needed his hockey fix because he was suffering from Hockey withdrawal.

Cell phone coverage seems to be weak so we had trouble making calls. Ken will have to go for a walk and see if he can find a place with better reception.

We will be meeting friends and we need to call and tell them how to get in here and find us. 

Relaxing and the only big thing we have planned is a trip to the Lighthouse and space center at Cape Canaveral.

I am looking forward to catching up on e-mails with no limit on the time for the internet.

The unit has a grand patio or lanai which I intend to make good use of as well.

We will have to leave here by 6:30 on the morning of the 23rd in order to get the car back in time and then get to the ship. That will be a hectic day... but in the mean time we will just be relaxing and enjoying life to the full.

Stay tuned

It Comes to an End

Saturday April 16,

This is packing day so we will be both busy and sad.

We decided to go to the dining room for breakfast. When a person arrives they ask if you want to be alone or if sharing with others is o kay. We always say sharing because we like to meet new people. In fact meeting people from all over the world is one of the pleasures of cruising in our opinion. So we said sharing and we were directed to a beautiful window seat. We waited but no one was ever sent to our table so for the first time we dined alone. None the less we enjoyed a great meal and a wonderful view.

After breakfast I decided to get a few final pictures. Ken and I went outside on deck seven and we enjoyed the sea air and tried to decide what we might do today. It was decided that I would check out the big sale and then meet Ken at Princess Live for the presentation on Female Pirates.

The sale was not especially great but I did get a couple of little things. The presentation on Pirates was not that good. He had no passion and it was factual but not interesting.

After that we headed for our room and the beginning of packing. We had to sort out things so we can have what we will need in Orlando easily accessible, but other things like the left over brandy had to be packed so thay would not be broken. We puttered away at it and decided to not go for lunch. We had some fruit left over in our room and because we had a fairly big breakfast we were not at all hungry.

So we packed and watched TV and blogged and wrote thank you notes etc until around three. Then we went down to the café to have another coffee.

We decided to take another stroll around the pool deck before dinner. We dressed in our travel clothes and finished our suitcases. We left Olivia her envelope but we did not put our cases out yet.

We went to dinner and said goodbye to everyone and gave our tips to our wait staff. Then we returned to our room and put out our cases. We had a nice visit with the people next door. ( Bill and Kathy Odle)

We then went back to the café to enjoy some of the music at the Mardi Gras Party. There was a lot of dancing and the music was great. The usual band was joined by the brass section of the Princess Orchestra. We had one last special coffee with our brandy.

Then we returned to our room.

We had a wake up call for 6:30.

Tomorrow morning we will be on our way to Orlando.

We will get a Princess transfer to the FLL airport because that is where we pick up our rental car.

Sunday, April 17,

The night was a little rocky, just enough that you knew you were at sea. This entire trip has had such smooth seas and this ship rides so well that you seldom felt any motion.

We woke around six and so by the time the phone rand at 6:30 we were dressed and ready for breakfast.

We dined in the Concerto dining room. This time we had company. One lady was from Winnipeg. We actually had eaten with her on one other occasion. There was a couple from Quebec and also another couple Jerry and Kathy from Naples Florida. We had met Jerry and Kathy before as well.

Breakfast was good as usual.

Then we returned to the room to finalize things and clear out the room for Olivia. We made our way to the Vista Lounge where the Elite passengers were assigned to meet.

Greg and Janice were here and we sat with them and I worked on the blog

Our Day in Cozumel

Cozumel,

The day went pretty well as described. We got off of the ship around nine and we met with our group and made our way to the ferry . The walk was about ten minutes and the heat was overwhelming. That was not a good sign. Expecting a rough ride I took a Gravol. We sat on an upper deck that had the sides open so there was lots of fresh air but it had a roof so we were not in the direct sun. It was an ideal position. The ride took about 40 minutes and it was not at all rough. I did not need the Gravol but better sure than sorry.

As soon as we disembarked the ferry we were met by our guide Julian and our driver, whose name I cannot remember. The bus ride was about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

 During the ride Julian told us all about Mayan history and culture.

The time at the actual site of chichen Itza was short but it was special and it was unbelievably hot. I drank 3 bottles of water in the short time we were there. Even though it was amazing it is not something I would do again. The travel time and the heat were entirely too much.

We didn’t get back to the ship until about ten past six. Our dinner time is 5:30 so we stopped at the dining room to tell our waiter that we would not be dining with him. Well the head waiter met us at the door and he assured us that we could make it if we hurried. So away we went. When we got back Mel had ordered double lobster for us. We had a great meal and even topped it off with another Norman Love dessert.

Next came the Captain’s Circle Party. The most travelled passenger was a lady who has 2067 days with Princess…. Amazing. Our 350 days seems very insignificant in comparison.

After that party we headed for the Princess Theatre. There was a new production show involving the singers and dancers. The name was Spectacular and it indeed was. This particular show is only seen on the Regal and the Royal because of the sets and staging that is required.

After the show we headed back to our room. We were both exhausted, the heat and the rushing had done a job on us and all we wanted to do was go to bed.

But it was indeed a memorable day, to be sure.

Island of Cozumel,April 15,2016

This is the guide's description of Cozumel


Mayan myth claims that Cozumel was home to the gods. Truly Cozumel is a place fit for the gods, with its dazzling white-sand beaches, ruined Mayan temples, exotic jungle wildlife, and crystalline waters teeming with tropical fish. Just offshore lay Palancar Reef, considered one of the most spectacular coral formations in all the Caribbean. Of course, the gods weren't the only individuals attracted to this terrestrial paradise: during its long and colorful history, Cozumel has been home to pirates, buccaneers, and freebooters, including Sir Henry Morgan and Jean Lafitte. Today's traveler will discover the same ravishing beauty and relaxation that entertained gods and pirates alike.

Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins April 15/2016

This is how our day was described.


Our day of ancient discovery begins with a scenic, 45-minute ferry ride across the Channel of Cozumel to Playa del Carmen on the mainland of Mexico. Upon arrival at Playa del Carmen,  we boarded our comfortable air-conditioned transportation and enjoy a narrated drive by our guide, who  enlightened us on the history of the country, the Mayan culture and the impressive ruins. During the course of the day, we were given a box lunch and snack.
Chichén Itzá, once a massive, complex city built by the Mayan people, was most active between the years 600 and 1250 A.D., serving as both a bustling urban center and a religious site.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by an awe-inspiring maze of structures, including huge stone pyramids, columned arcades, dramatic temples and other monuments that made up this ruined city, the core of which covers more than 1.9 square miles. As we study this fascinating archeological complex, we'll understand why it was given the distinction of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World!




You'll want to keep your camera at the ready as your guide introduces you to key structures on your guided tour. See the impressive Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, which demonstrates the advanced astronomical skills of the Mayan people.
Note that the pyramid has exactly 365 steps, one for each day of the year, and twice a year, only on the days of the spring and fall equinox, the shadows of the steps create the image of a serpent descending the pyramid. You'll also find an observatory on the site as well. Mayan priests were uncanny in their ability to predict solar eclipses and other celestial events.






Continue your exploration at the Temple of the Warriors, the Cenote Sagrado – a natural sinkhole, 200 feet in diameter. It's a shuddering thought that sacrifices were made here during times of drought.
Sports lovers will enjoy viewing the Great Ballcourt. Here it is believed that participants tried to put a 12-pound ball through a stone scoring hoop during a series of ritual games. Accuracy was certainly important, as it is believed that the losers were put to death!
Both a religious site and a busy urban center, Chichén Itzá was a hub of trade in the region for centuries, but during the 1400s the site declined, though it is not known exactly why. A subsequent Spanish conquest found the city largely undefended and divided the lands around the city among its own soldiers.
After this unforgettable day spent at this Mayan architectural wonder, reboard your transportation for a relaxing ride back to the ferry, which will take you across the azure Caribbean waters to your waiting ship.