Not the deepest of sleeps and for me, the cabin was really the wrong way around. We should have chosen next door on either side, but not really a problem, just a case of practical familiarity. No need to rise early but a ‘welcome’ message from Megan first thing got us moving.
After two weeks sharing the evening dinner table with Mike and Sue, we just happened to meet them in the Horizon Court at breakfast! I reverted to type with the omelette chef doing my fried onions; the toastmaster(!) doing the rye bread toast and when both were ready, a poached egg and bacon. My kind of breakfast! It just works so much better than the Emerald.
At 11am, we had the Cruise Critic “Dawn Drifters” meet and greet. Captain Pickford and his good lady, Sandy, joined us, as did several of the senior crew members. Great to catch up with Megan (Mal was at a lecture) and several other familiar faces. We didn’t do the ‘introduce yourselves’ bit and afterwards, we headed down to deck 5 for a coffee, joined by Sandy and Megan. Mal eventually appeared and as far as we were concerned, we were effectively back in our winter home and our winter routine with our winter friends!
Afternoon trivia with Daryl and Sue, Mike and Sue and an impressive 17/20. Alas, not enough to win one of the superb prizes on offer.
The early show was vocal impressionist/comedian Travis Turpin. An excellent show that just got better – particularly with his Elvis impression where he mussed up the hair of the lady just in front of us. How embarrassing that would have been had she been wearing a wig… A deserved 9/10.
To dinner with Darryl and Sue to our pre-arranged table. Oh dear. After such great table mates on the Baltic’s cruise, this set up of 10 was just not going to work. We felt sorry for the very nice couple from the USA, but sad to say we got lumbered with two couples who made such an impression on Darryl & Sue and ourselves, that as soon as we left the dining room, our immediate comment was “There is no way we can stand 45 days of that…” When we bumped into Mike and Sue, they too had a similar experience, so we all agreed to put in for a table change.
On to the Vista lounge to hypnotist David Knight – the hypnotist who failed to put me under last year. This time, we volunteered Darryl! He went into a light state only, but there are always a couple who do go under.
A fair show, but probably not quite as funny as last year as with the similar setup and material, it is one of those acts that can be hilarious, mildly funny or not funny at all, depending on the volunteers. Because of that, a little difficult to rate. So we’ll stick at 7.5/10 as last year. (Yes, I have started keeping a list of entertainers as it is so easy to miss a good one - or get sucked into seeing a bad one – again.)
By all accounts, the entertainment so far for those who boarded in Sydney, has been less than impressive.
Worst of all though, having made so many friends in the Atrium in 2011 and 2012 via Alan and Alana, when it was very much the social and entertainment hub of the ship, to have the same ‘performer’ this year as the 90 day cruise last year, is a real kick in the teeth. Listening to one person’s rendition of show tunes night after night and a telling off if you dare to dance, has not done Princess any favours.
Those doing the 90 day last year and the full 104 days this year, are furious that the cruise has effectively been robbed of the major on board evening fun element. No more hilarious quizzes. No more dance practices and dances by request. No more extra help with the dancing lessons. No more Sherlock Holmes ‘radio’ shows.
Several dancers have already said to us that they have booked for next year, but may well cancel, as the atrium is like a morgue at night instead of a fun place to meet and have a late night drink and dance. So sad.
Tomorrow, our first ever visit to Ireland which we are really looking forward to, but a 4am docking to catch the Dublin tide.
Will our request for a table change be granted? Read the next exciting instalment – whenever that might be, as internet access is proving an issue.
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