Adventures of Glenn and Angie: Princess cruises

February 23, 2022

We decided to try something new and leave 2 nights before the cruise on the evening flight. We usually leave one night before and take an early morning flight. It was a delight especially due to the 3 hour time change. The United flight took off on time. We enjoy first-class first-class service. The entertainment was terrible, but we both had downloaded podcasts. The drive from the airport was easy. It was nice to wake up rested with a full day of exploring ahead of us. We are staying at the Intercontinental San Francisco.

February 24, 2022

I worked for a few hours in the morning. My parents arrived around 10:30 am. We headed out to Pica Pica in the Mission District for lunch. Glenn found it. It was all gluten-free and had yummy arepas. Anchor Steam Brewing Company was our next stop. It's a great spot with really friendly staff and good beer. It was fun to get a preview of beers not on the market yet.

Glenn found a wine bar a few blocks uphill so we got the San Francisco experience of climbing some hills. It was a cute wine shop with a patio built in a parking space.

We headed back to the hotel for an early dinner. Dad found a 2017 Turley Zin on the wine menu so that was exciting. We had a Plays Pinot Noir Rose that was really good. For dinner, Mom and Glenn had burgers. Dad has a burrata appetizer and I had the organic grain bowl. All really good. We called it an early night. It was a fun day exploring new areas of the city.

February 25, 2022 Embarkation

We had a nice breakfast at the Intercontinental. We got a Lyft to the port. We were surprised to find out we had to take a COVID test at the port before boarding. All in, boarding took about an hour. We headed to the dining room for lunch. It was very good. After lunch, we headed to our cabins. Our luggage was there so we unpacked. We met up for a drink with my parents. Then, we watched sail away from our cabin. Going under the Golden Gate bridge was very cool.

We headed to the Platinum happy hour. Dinner was very good but very slow. It seems the staff is really under pressure. Thought, Bernardo did not like that I ordered nothing for dessert. After dinner, I was so tired so we called it an early night.

Feb 26 - Sea Day

We woke up early to a gorgeous sunrise. We headed down to Deck 7 for a morning walk around the deck. We had breakfast in the buffet. It reminded me of a standard hotel breakfast buffet. We lost at trivia and then enjoyed some time at the Vines bar. We tried the dining room for lunch, but it was way too busy. Service took a long time. After lunch, we headed to the pool deck for pizza and ice cream. I took a nap. Glenn played ring toss and darts. We had happy hour at Skywalker and Vines and then off to dinner. Dinner was tasty. We are shifting to a later time when it will hopefully be less busy. Bernardo made Glenn a napkin duck since he had the duck for dinner. It was quite impressive.

After dinner, we heard the band and then Glenn got to sing a few karaoke songs. One hour ahead tonight.

Feb 27 - Sea Day

We followed a similar routine today. We headed to Deck 7 for a walk after we took our COVID test. It was very easy and well organized. We lost at trivia but did better than yesterday. We went to Vines and then lunch at the buffet. We attended a very good lecture about whales. I didn't know that you can identify the species of a whale by the pattern of its spray when it blows out air. I also didn't know there are three types of orca whales. I took a nap. Then, we went to Captain's Circle happy hour, Vines happy hour, the Ventriloquist - Jerry Goodspeed. He was really funny. Dinner was a little delayed because our table wasn't ready, but we had a great meal. After dinner, we listen to the duo in the Wheelhouse Bar.

Feb 28 - Cabo San Lucas

Gorgeous day today. We woke up early to watch the sail into Cabo. I love the scenery. Glenn was a great whale spotter. We were able to see a whale slap her tail numerous times and then a baby breech through our binoculars. Plus a couple spouts and tails. We took the whale watching excursion through the cruise line since we had to tender into Cabo. It was quite a long wait to get the excursion started, but we had a great time. It was a large boat. My Dad spotted some great seats overlooking the front of the boat. We were in prime position for whale watching. We saw dolphins, sea lions, a whale fin, and a whale tail.

After the tour, we hung out by the pool and I read on the balcony overlooking the famous Arch in Cabo. We had happy hour and then went to the show - an instrumentalist - Craig Richard. He did a good job playing to the audience. Dinner was very good. It's been great since we moved to the later time when it's not so busy. Then, we listened to the band and lost at Motown Trivia. A very fun day.

March 1 - Sea Day

I worked in the morning. Mom, Dad, and Glenn went to trivia. We spent most of the day by the pool playing cards and enjoying the pizza, grill, and buffet. The show was Stephanie Hodgeson. She is a singer that focused on rock songs. Dinner was very good again. I had a great Moroccan vegetarian dish. Glenn sang Karaoke again. A fun night.

March 2 - Sea Day

We started the day by handing over our passports for review by the Panama authorities in a few days. It took about 20 minutes. We lost at trivia. I set up working by the pool Glenn took his fav seat at the bar and my parents played cards. We had another nice afternoon poolside. The show was a production show - Stardust. My parents said it was good. Glenn and I went to Good Spirits to try some of their signature cocktails. The watermelon one is still a favorite. Dinner was very good. Dan, the Maitre'D for special diets, and our waiter Bernardo surprised my parents with a gorgeous floral arrangement celebrating their 50th anniversary. The fish has been really good onboard, especially the Snapper. After dinner, we went to the 50s and 60s night. It was fun to see all the dancers. We have some really good dancers among the guests.

March 3 - Sea Day

Glenn and I went for a walk on Deck 19. The wifi was challenging most of the day. We had another good game day by the pool. Glenn's medallion fell off in the pool so I had to use my diving skills to get it. We had a nice happy hour in Vines and then went to Jeffery Allen's Elton John show.

It was very good. I loved how he highlighted the Princess band. Dinner was very good again. I got the Steak Diane. The sauce was very good, but I think I like how they prepare fish better. After dinner, we lost at 90s trivia because I got the Backstreet Boys song Everybody wrong AGAIN.

March 4 - Sea Day

Another great day losing at trivia, hanging by the pool, happy hour, and dinner. We got to play craps a little before dinner so that was fun. Dad had a good run.

March 5 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica

We had an early start for a 9-hour tour with six hours of driving. That's just what happens when everything is far from the port. We rode an aerial tram through the rainforest and had a short nature walk. Sebastian, our nature guide, was fantastic. We learned about lobster claws and cow's tongues. We also learned about plants that grow from trees storing water. The animals use these plants as their own private reservoirs during the dry season. Sebastian pointed out an amazing butterfly that evolved to have outer wings that look like an owl eye and a snake mouth.

Lunch was good: salad, black beans and rice, chicken, shredded beef, and vegetables. We tried a couple local beers. We then went to Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center. We were so lucky to have the founder show our group around. She originally started the rescue center on the Caribbean coast. Her work rescuing turtles threatened a mega port development. Her partner was killed and she had 15 days to pack up and move. The animals absolutely love her.

We got back in time for happy hour. Dinner was a success. Scallops were the favorite main dish. We jammed out with the Supersonics and lost at Classic Rock trivia.

March 6 - Sea Day

Another fun Sea Day. We all slept in due to another hour ahead of the time change. We played games and tried out the Spa pool. It was nice to use a pool with steps going into the pool versus the other pools that require ladders in and out. We had fun at Vines happy sitting at the bar trying wines with Marvin. The show is a Dolly Parton tribute with Donna Campbell. It was fun. Dinner was the least successful so far. The menu was rough. I had the Beef Ramen bowl and it seemed the best option. After dinner, we went to Crooners lounge to hear piano player Gavin Burke. He was really fun and picked great sing-along songs.

March 7 - Fuente Amador

The ship anchored off the coast of Panama City for the day. We decided to stay on board since it was going to be very hot. We had a fun day by the pool playing games.

I worked most of the morning and then had a pedicure. After happy hour, we went to see comedian Carlos Oscar. He was terrific. We laughed so hard. Dinner was decent. After dinner, Glenn and I hung out by the Vines bar.

March 8 - Panama Canal Transit New Locks

We had a great day going through the locks. We started at 6 am. Woke up and turned on the bridge cam to see we were close to the bridge. Watched from the balcony as we went under the bridge and headed to the first lock. Glenn went up to the deck over the Bridge to get a chair for my Mom. I grabbed coffees. At 7 am, I went to get my parents and we headed up to Deck15 Forward to meet Glenn. We had perfect timing. We were just outside the first chamber.

While the ship was in the second chamber, we headed down to breakfast. We watched the third chamber from Deck 8 forward so we could get a good lock inside the chamber doors.

Then, it was scenic cruising. We headed back to our balconies to enjoy ourselves. Glenn and I got room service. In the afternoon, we went up to the pool deck and played games at a table near the window. We watched the final locks from our balcony. Then, we went up to Skywalkers at the back of the ship to watch the exit and go under the bridge.

It was so fun. We had happy hour at Vines and dinner in the Dining Room. It was Italian night and the best dinner yet. The eggplant parm appetizer was so good. Mom loved the veal scallopini.

March 9 - Cartagena / Dad's Birthday

We decided to stay on the ship in Cartagena. It was very hot and we'd been there before. We slept in. Dad got a pedicure. We spent the day poolside playing games. We had happy hour at Skywalkers and then Vines. We tried our luck at the casino. We had dinner at Crown Grill. The food was very good especially th,e seabass, scallops, and black and blue onion soup. The ambiance needs some work. It was so hot in the restaurant. Something dripped from the ceiling on my Dad and Glenn sat in a chair with a broken arm

After dinner, Glenn and I went down to the Good Spirits bar. It was quite interesting. A man from Seattle brought the bar to a standstill as he had the bartender make drinks to his exact specifications including cutting up and juicing a grapefruit he bought in Colombia. It was wild.

March 10 - Sea Day

We had a great Sea Day. We planned for this to be our "inside" day since it'd been so hot. My parents found a great spot just outside the Explorer s' Lounge. We listened to the Japanese lesson and the art auction. The big table became available at the wine bar so we headed down there to play games.

Mom, Glenn, and I went to afternoon tea. Everyone went to the casino while I read my book and answered some emails. We had happy hour, played some craps, and then went to dinner. Dinner was decent. After dinner, we listened to the band and then went to Vines. We met a nice couple from Seattle - Norm and Chandra and had. A great time chatting with them.

March 11 - Last Sea Day

We went to the culinary demonstration. It was so funny. Glenn and I had lunch at the buffet while my parents went to the dining room. We spent the afternoon playing games at Vines. We had one last night of happy hour, dinner, and the band.

March 12 - Disembarkation

Both of us had a rocky day - my parent more so. Their flight was cancelled. They got rebooked on a 9 pm flight that was then delayed. They got home at 4 am. We had a little trouble getting our necessary COVID test for the Carnival Freedom cruise.

Final thoughts from the Emerald Princess . . . .

We were docked in Port Everglades about an hour later than scheduled. If you had all your luggage you could have disembarked about 8:30AM. We were in no rush since we are staying overnight in Fort Lauderdale and boarding the Odyssey of the Seas tomorrow. Our luggage color and number was called at 9:15. We were through immigration and customs by 9:30AM. Port Everglades has a Global Entry line. So if you have that service like we do, follow the signs. The normal lines had about 50 people but only four of us in Global Entry.

Overall, an enjoyable cruise. The onboard experience was very good, especially considering this was the ships first revenue sailing. Very disappointing that the Panama Canal mixup caused us to miss Bonaire. I don't know why they could not have just skipped Aruba and kept with the original itinerary of Curacao (Tuesday) and Bonaire (Wednesday). The captain told us it was a shoreside decision, out of his control.

Great bar staff and bar waiters. Because it was such a low capacity, we really got to know many of them. Such great personalities and we hope to see them on other cruises.

The ship has the next six days off. We heard from several of the crew that the ship was headed to Freeport, presumably to see if they can address the shaking and rattling in the aft part of the ship. And then to Princess Cays where some or all of the crew will have a chance for a day off. The next revenue sailing is November 6th.

We loved the live music, especially the party band Symphonee. They played almost every night in Explorers Lounge and a few sea days they played at the Neptune Pool. The 2 Cool Duo was also fun. They had a couple of special "tribute" nights including Linda Ronstadt. If you like pianists, there were three onboard.

The food overall was very good. The best variety was at breakfast where they almost always had some Indian and Phillipino dishes. I had never had Pork Tacino before - and it is a new favorite. The dinner buffet also has some good Indian dishes as well as a variety of other dishes. Lots of small tapas available at all meals,,. Meats, cheeses, nuts, small salads and fruits in small bowls you took. Every thing else was served to you. A pretty good salad bar as well. At the beginning of the cruise we ate most of our meals at the buffet because we wanted to have a nice big salad. Those are hard to get in the MDR. As the cruise went on, the lettuce choices became more limited so we had more dinners in the MDR.

The Medallion App needs lots of work. Hopefully they are working on adding much needed features such as the dining room menus and when venues are open. The app is also clunky to use. We gave up trying to find activities because the scrolling would not work properly or it would freeze. Reinstalling didn't help so we reverted to the "paper app" after three days of trying to go paperless.