Monday, January 31, 2011

World Cruise FYI


World Cruise FYI

Complete 2011 World Cruise 34 DVD Collection
The ship is offering the Reflections Ultimate World Cruise DVD Collection which covers all four segments squeezed onto 34 DVDs.  It includes every port of call, shore excursions, folkloric shows, ship’s events and more.  If passengers order the complete collection prior to Auckland, New Zealand, there is a substantial discount totaling about $210 off the regular retail price.
Laundry Room
The Pacific Princess has upgraded the Laundry Room by removing old washers and dryers and installing 8 stackable machines.  This photo only shows four of the new machines.  The laundry detergent is no longer free.  It’s now $1.00 per box.

Frig Move
We took the small refrigerator out of the shirt/jacket closet and relocated it to below the desk in our stateroom.  The refrigerator operates on 220 volts.  There are two 220 outlets and two 110 outlets on the desk, so this location works out well.  The extra closet space has really come in handy.

Magnetic Baskets
Prior to this trip, a friend suggested that purchasing several magnetic baskets.  We checked them out on the Internet and decided they would work well for holding all the little things that clutter drawers.  Cindy uses them in the room and the bathroom.  These are in addition to the old standby, our shoe holder which we use for arranging items such as sun screen, hand sanitizer bottles, first aid supplies, etc.  We use large magnets to hold the shoe holder in place.  FYI--each wall and the ceiling on the Pacific Princess is steel allowing for use of magnets to hang things or hold a stretchable clothes line on laundry day.

Passenger Suggested Discussions
Our Deputy Cruise Director, Frankie, has done an excellent job organizing discussions based on suggestions from passengers.  For example, Peru—Two Different Worlds, Academy Award Movie Review, IPOD Touch Users & Audio Book Discussion, Common Interests @ Sea, How Natural is Supernatural, Facebook discussion, etc...These discussions have been interesting and lively.
Frankie and Cindy

Manta and Lima Shuttle Changes
After many visits to each of these ports of call we have noticed some changes in the transportation arrangements.  Getting from the pier to the town in both of the cities has changed.  In Manta a shuttle service used to operate on a no fee basis with several stops on the way to town.  Stops included Manta Mall (handicrafts, grocery store and bank), Artisan’s Market, and Hotel Oro Verde for beach access.  The shuttle service is still in place for these stops, except now there is a $6.00 per person each way charge.  In Lima, the shuttle service there was on a fee basis.  Now the shuttle service to the JW Marriott Hotel in Miraflores is provided free of charge by H. Stern.  The shuttle departed the port at 8:00am, 10:00am, and Noon and returned from the JW Marriott at 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm.   Not sure if these changes affect only the small ships or to all ships within the Princess fleet.
Live Television Lineup
The live television lineup has changed and most passengers appreciate the variety.  The live channels include FOX News, BBC World News, MSNBC, CNBC, ESPN,  and ESPN2.  Additionally, there are the standard recorded channels such as Discovery Channel, Princess Movie Channel, Leonard Maltin Movie Channel, Romance Movie Channel, Pacific TV Channel, and other Princess related channels.