“F” is For Facts About Our Ship

Posted on March 23, 2026March 24, 2026 by Debbie

According to their mission statement “Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations, on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships.”

On this voyage from Singapore to Tokyo, we will cover about 3000 nautical miles.

The Coral Princess took her maiden voyage in 2003, making it one of the oldest in the fleet, second only to the Island Princess, which we sailed on in both 2023 and 2025.. She was refurbished in 2019 and refreshed again in 2024 so she feels fairly current.. Coral Princess is small by cruise standards at just 965 feet long and 203 feet high. Her narrow width of just 122 feet (including the bridge wing) also makes her ideal for getting into unique locations such as the original locks of the Panama Canal. She weighs 91,627 tons and sits with a draft of 26 feet. With 1545 guest cabins (1,105 outside and 440 inside) there is room for about 2000 guests. This segment of the Pacific Circle Tour runs from Singapore to Tokyo and lasts for 25 days. It is one of 5 legs along the entire Pacific Circle Tour, The ship is a full cruise at 2000 passengers. That makes for a hungry group of people, which can choose about 12 locations to find food. There are 16 decks in all. Decks 15-7 host a variety of lounges/ bars and entertainment venues. There are specialized areas for quiet relaxation such as the Sanctuary, the Lotus spa, a stocked library and writing room. For more specialized entertainment, cruisers will find a full range of entertainers from stage productions to musicians, comedians and magic acts. There is never a reason for boredom with Movies and Concerts Under the Stars, a cigar/smoking lounge, a casino, a card room, shops, and a Fine Arts Gallery. When work still has to get done, there is an internet center and there are self-service laundry facilities on each cabin deck. For active minded people there is a Sports Deck complete with basketball courts, pickle ball, ping pong and a full service Fitness Center. Classes like Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates are held in various lounges. To cool off there are 4 pools. To warm up, there are 5 hot tubs. For the unexpected emergencies there is even a full medical facility. The ship carries a crew of 885 to make sure we all have the safest, most satisfying experience while on board. refurbished 2019

The Piazza

Main Dining Room

The Casino

Library

Movies Under the Stars (by night) Concerts Under the Stars (by day)

A full walk around deck

My favorite place to hang out, The Lotus Pool

The Sanctuary

Internet Cafe

Self service laundry facilities

On this voyage from Singapore to Tokyo, we will cover over 2900 nautical miles.

“E is for Embarkation (Asia Tour)

Posted on March 22, 2026March 24, 2026 by Debbie

Today, March 22, 2026 we will embark our cruise ship in Singapore by taking a taxi service from our hotel to the port. Once at the port, we will drop our bags off with the porters then get in line to check in. We always bring our carry on luggage with us. Luggage does occasionally get misplaced on the port and we want to have enough to get by for a couple of days if needed. Also, rooms are often not ready until later in the afternoon which means if we want to swim, or sit in the sun, we may need additional supplies.

We arrived at the port around 12:15 and we were through security and checked in within 30 minutes. Surprisingly, our room was ready immediately after boarding. We like to do a first look photo of our cabin because we know it will never look this way again once we set sail. Our luggage hadn’t arrived by 1 p.m.,so we stowed our carry-ons and completed our “muster” requirements. This is a pretty easy process these days, we simply have to watch a video then report to our lifesaving station to sign in.

Next we made our way to Good Spirits Lounge to listen to some live music and have our custom embarkation day drink, a “Dirty Banana”. This is our favorite cruise drink. We are planning to do a full ABC adventure of drinks while on board, so stay tuned for that update!

Cruising feels like it is synonymous with food. Following our drink, we headed to lunch at the buffet. About 700 people are joining the cruise at this port and most of the remaining 1300 passengers have disembarked for the full day stop in Singapore. As a result, the ship actually feels ghost like! Normally I say to avoid the buffet on embarkation day but the ship was so quiet we headed that way next.

There wasn’t much to do since we were still waiting for our bags, so we decided to disembark to mail some postcards, we had no idea this would result in 7 more miles of walking, bringing our Singapore total to over 35 miles in 5 days!

We were back on board by 5p.m. We found 2 of 4 pieces of our luggage had already arrived, the other 2 pieces had ended up in the “naughty room” so we had to go identify them and have them inspected. The item in question turned out to be nothing more than a jumbled set of cables, so the bag was released. By 6p.m. we finally began unpacking. We have this down to a science and are usually done within an hour, this time it took 2 hours because we started with the wrong cases. Alan is in charge of unpacking and setting up the main cabin, I am in charge of the entrance, closet and bathroom area. Our cases have been specifically packed into different “zones” so we can quickly move through the process. Alan gets entertainment, office/vanity, the food area and our bedsides, while I am in charge of setting up our communication zone, first aid/medical area, emergency items, the bathroom and unpacking of all the clothing. Having finally achieved “elite” status, meant we had a fully stocked mini bar upon arrival. Because this is part of the world cruise, we were also given some very nice swag including 2 umbrellas, a tote, bookmarks, luggage tags and a rubber duck

At around 6 p.m. we met our cabin steward, who is called Rupert, he is from India. He would soon become our morning smile and our evening relaxation guru. We asked, as we always do, for extra hangers, ice in the ice bucket and spare towels. We handed him a beginning tip, hoping to show our gratitude for all that these hard working crew members do. We had also brought a gift from Traverse City…cherries, chocolate covered cherries and cherry sours.

At 8 p.m we finally ate dinner. Tonight was Mongolian night at the buffet. It was amazing! Now we were free to explore the rest of the ship. The Coral Princess is the sister ship to the Island Princess, so it feels very familiar to us.

Our departure from Singapore wasn’t until 11pm. The evening entertainment was typical for most embarkation days, a comedian. They usually tell the same jokes about “too small shower stalls”, so we decided to skip the performance.

World Cruisers tend to be an older crowd. Passengers normally disappear to bedrooms by 9p.m., tonight was no exception! There were only a handful of guests on the top deck to bid goodbye to the beautiful Singapore skyline. As we set sail towards Thailand, the lights of Singapore blinked behind us. I don’t know if or when we will ever be here again but I am satisfied that we have seen most of what we wanted to see. The next two days are sea days so things will go at a slower pace.

S is for Stories (Pre-travel planning)

Posted on March 9, 2026March 9, 2026 by Debbie

We are preparing to depart for a 35 day tour of Asia. With 10 days of land travel and 25 days on a cruise, the planning has been intense. Originally this trip had been planned for two weeks after our youngest sons wedding day. By January, I knew how stressed I was going to be by the August wedding, so we postponed the trip by months. This worked to our advantage with a better itinerary and better weather in the areas we would be traveling to.

We are just days away from leaving. We have changed our flight a couple of times, first to upgrade to business class when we realized how difficult sitting for 27 hours was going to be, thank goodness for travel miles! We changed the tickets again a few days ago, to allow more time for our connections, because we can see that a weather system may be moving in and we only have a two hour connection. This had the effect of cancelling all of our connecting flights, ten days before we set off! Headache number 1,000 in the planning process of an extended journey! There have been hours spent on the phone with agents, as we finalize the details of our flights, accommodations, excursions etc but we are now sorted out, with seats assigned, a plan in place and suitcases packed.

I am a planner, which means that I am still trying to think about steps B,C and D if something goes wrong. With just a little more than a week before we leave, I still feel like there are things to do. I am printing out travel packets, downloading useful apps and trying to think through every little challenge we might face, its just my nature.

As I went to bed last I thought about some advice I was offered by a fellow passenger, while on tour in 2023. Our bus to the airport, sat in a hot parking lot in Dubai. We sat there for an hour after we had disembarked, with no air conditioning. We were waiting for 2 people to join us but they seemed to be stuck in customs. This had the effect of causing the bus full of people to worry about getting to the airport in time for their flights. The heat made everyone grouchy and uncomfortable, except for one elderly lady. I asked her how she stayed so calm. She stated she has been a traveler for years and learned to take each segment of a journey in bite size pieces. If something is falling apart, she said, she simply looks at that segment and determines what she can do about it. In this case, several people had finally gotten off the bus and hailed a taxi to ensure they made their flights, problem solved.

Yes I was hot and uncomfortable on the bus, but I had no important place to be since we were renting a car at the airport and that could wait for a moment. I finally realized I had options. I grabbed a bottle of water and stepped outside of the bus where it was cooler. I passed much of my time standing under a palm tree, watching with admiration as people with far more brave than myself, were parachuting from planes circling overhead, likely a high adrenaline tour being offered. They were landing in an open space across from the port. Relaxing was the solution to my first piece of the puzzle. I simply slowed down and trusted that everything would fall into place and it did. In the end, the bus left without the 2 passengers, apparently they had gotten on a different bus a couple of hours earlier! It made for an interesting story and we went about our plans to tour one of the most fascinating places we have ever been.

So today I am packing and planning. It is likely we may encounter challenges as we embark on this big journey but I am armed with a new attitude as I once again hear the advice of this fellow traveler…”just take everything in bite size pieces” which reminds me, I think I will pack my snacks today.

“I” is For Island Princess-A Cruise Ship Review

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Debbie

One of the most important things about cruising is choosing the right ship for your personal needs. From amenities to cabins, itineraries and passenger capacity, knowing what your ship offers can have a big impact on how you enjoy your vacation.

Every cruise line has a brand. Some are party boats, others offer upscale luxury. Some ships specialize in their food, others focus on entertainment. Some cruises cater to families, others to retirees. Princess is an American-British company, owned by Carnival Corporation, which is the second largest agency by net revenue. Carnival owns 10 different sub agencies, Princess is one of them. They are an experienced cruise line and cater to a middle to upper income crowd.

Princess is a classic line, offering an Old English/European feel. I have consistently found the brand to be slightly elevated and catering to an older clientele. There is less emphasis on poolside parties and more on educational lectures and cultural experiences. With this cruise line we can expect nice staterooms, decent food, great entertainment and amazing itineraries.

It is important to define what you are seeking before shopping for a cruise. If you are looking for a party boat, Princess is likely not your brand (however Carnival does offer several other companies which would meet your needs). While there are enough poolside activities and bars to keep the ship interesting, the focus tends to be on providing an upscale resort-like experience.

Princess offers 16 ships ranging from 2,000 passengers up to 3660, so there are a nice variety of size options. Island Princess was one of the first. She is a relatively small vessel. In general, smaller ships are able to navigate to more destinations but larger ships may offer additional amenities and activities.

When we chose to embark on the Island Princess, it was the itinerary, size and price which attracted us the most.

Princess ships sail to over 700 ports. The Island Princess is one of the smaller ships in the Princess fleet. With a capacity of 2200 passengers it is a very intimate ship. She has a twin sister called the Coral Princess.

Island Princess is narrower than many other cruise ships and her small size allows her to explore the fjords of Norway and Alaska (which is how we discovered the cruise line). She is also able to dock at smaller ports. Of late Island Princess has been doing mostly world tours. Of interest might be that she is one of the few cruise ships which can sail through the old Panama Canal locks, larger ships must use the new ones.

Perhaps one drawback to the smaller ship would be that passengers should expect to feel more wave action, so if you are prone to seasickness, the Island Princess may be less appealing than one of the newer (larger) ships in the fleet.

Having been built in 2003, Island Princess is one of the oldest ships in the Princess line. She was completely remodeled in 2017 and put back into service with a brand new itinerary. Our Pacific Island Adventure is one leg of a 111 day around the world cruise. This feature in itself is unique, since Princess allows passengers to purchase various segments along the itinerary, if they are unable to commit to the entire trip.

World cruises can mean a lot of days at sea. From bow to stern, Princess put a lot of effort into creating a luxurious environment. The European flare is represented in the Italian styled Piazza located at the center of the ship and the beautiful Sabatinni restaurant. Polished brass and rich wood work brings an Old World style to many of the bars and lounges including the Wheelhouse Bar and a New Orleans styled Bayou Steakhouse.

The entire ship is always a hub of activity, but with a nice variety of spaces, it is able to be as active or as serene as you need. By day there are a variety of shops and plenty of lounges and gathering places for activities such as trivia challenges and guest lecturers. There are numerous options of where to eat including the above mentioned restaurants, two main dining rooms, a grill, a pizzeria and a buffet. We might pass the time with a wine tasting, pub lunches and/or afternoon tea. When we need a quieter pace we could choose to visit the adults only sanctuary at the top of the ship, a well appointed library or indulge in pampering in a small spa. We might lounge by one of several (freshwater) pools situated both indoor and out, or we might decide to walk around the promenade deck or exercise in the fitness center.

By night Princess continues to entertain with a variety of Broadway style shows, magicians, comedians, piano bars, jazz bands, a casino and more. Unique to the Princess brand is the Champagne Waterfall, offered on one of the formal evenings. This is yet another nod to the elevated luxury we find aboard this ship. We also find people dress up more on these evenings than they do on other cruise lines. When we seek quieter activities, we might choose to snuggle under provided blankets, while eating popcorn or cookies and milk and taking in a Movie Under the Stars. This is one of our favorite ways to unwind when we are on the seas.

After all of this activity we are often ready to retreat to our stateroom. The entire Princess line offers some of the most comfortable mattresses and linens of any cruise line.

We always book a balcony cabin. For us, this little piece of heaven offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the ship. Being able to step out into fresh air and watch icebergs, sunrises/sunsets, whales and scenery from the privacy of our balcony offers the unique luxury that we equate with cruising. We often order room service and enjoy a private picnic from this space.

Other people may not be that bothered about their stateroom, especially if they are only using it to sleep. Interior cabins can offer deep discounts and Ocean view cabins may offer a similar views without the fresh air. We have been spoiled by our balconies and this is now one feature our ships must always have.

One of my few complaints about the Island Princess is that she has some of the smallest showers ever, but you will always find good water pressure and hot water on demand, so it is (almost) something which can be overlooked.

This is our fourth cruise with this company (and its former company, P &O). My favorite things about cruising with Princess are the consistency across the ships, the all inclusive options and the amazing itineraries. Being a little older, I also appreciate that the ships cater to (mostly) adults.

The Island Princess may be old, by ship standards, but she is well equipped to navigate the world and provide an outstanding and immersive adventure. In the coming days we will continue to explore in depth, some of what this stately Princess has to offer.

“R” is For Reservation-Cruise Tips and Tricks

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Debbie

There are a few activities around the ship which will fill up quickly, specialty dining, salon and spa services, private areas and on board tours to name a few.

Booking these activities is one of the first things we do after boarding the ship. Sometimes we use the time between embarking and waiting for our room to be ready, to get this done. The faster you make reservations, the more options you will have.

The other great thing about booking on the first day of your cruise, is that there are often coupons and promotions happening that day. Your embarkation newsletter can help you to decide which days to make reservations. Formal nights and at sea days will be some of the busiest in the following venues:

If you have specialty dining options (as we did with Sabatinni’s and the Bayou Steakhouse), you will want to book a table as soon as you are on board. These restaurants often charge a nominal fee above and beyond your usual dining options but if you are looking for a special treat and/or planning a celebration, it can be fun to have dinner in one (or all) of the unique venues. These restaurants are often closed on port days.

Formal nights can be very busy times in the salon as women get their hair styled, nails done and indulge in pampering. Massages and spa services may be hard to come by on any sea day. Some of the best sales and discounts will be offered on port days.

Also, if you desire to spend time in the adults only “Sanctuary” (specific to Princess Cruises), you will want to book this as soon as you arrive for your trip. Again, this can be a busy location on sea days.

Finally, if any galley, backstage or bridge tours are being offered, this is a great time to make reservations for those too as spaces will be very limited.

It is important to note that the above items are generally not included in your standard travel costs, so expect to pay extra.

Because there are limited spaces and time slots available at these specialty locations and thousands of guests wanting the same experiences, these activities are often very busy and sell out quickly. Make your reservations early.

ABC Adventures-At Sea-An Overview of Ways to Spend Your Time During Sea Days

Posted on January 22, 2023 by Debbie

The Island Princess set sail from Los Angeles, California for a 111 day, around the world tour on Thursday January 19, 2023. Alan and I would be completing over 50 days of the journey as we traveled from Los Angeles to Dubai.. More than half of our days days would be at sea so we decided to create an ABC list of ways to spend our time.

There is never a reason to be bored while at sea! Below you can find our list of things to do and places to explore. Some are specific to the Island Princess but many are adaptable to any cruise ship. Highlighted items link to additional stories and further adventures of our time while on board.

A-Art/Art tour/Atrium (see also Centrum)/Auction/Afternoon Tea/A la cart/Around the Ship/Aperitif/al fresco dining/Arts & Crafts/Accupuncture/Amuleto/Alfredo’s Pizzaria

B-Balcony/Bars/Bayou Café and Steakhouse/Buffet/Basketball/Beauty salon/Bordeaux Dining Room (Open for lunch on sea days and has open seating for dinner)/Breakfast in bed or on the balcony/Bridge tour/Backstage tour/Bingo/Board games/Boutiques/Blackjack/Ballroom Dance/Broadway show/Balloon drop/ Burgers/Bible study/Boat building challenge/Bridge Tournament/Basketball/Board Games/Bean Bag Toss

C-Classes/Cocktails/Comedian/Coffee/Cappachino/Crew/CruiseDirector/ Chocolate/Casino/Captain/Chapel/Crooners Lounge/Champagne/Cocktails/Cooking Demonstration/Cards/Celebrate School/choir/Champagne waterfall/Calypso Cove (shop)/Classical music/Churchill Lounge (cigar/smoking lounge)/Card games/Cabin/Cabin Steward/Centrum (see also Atrium)/Can You Survive (see also games)/Cross the Line Celebration/Center Court/Carpet Bowl Challenge/Chinese Herbal Remedies/Card Making Class/Concerts/card games

D-Drink/Dance/Dance classes/Dining/Delight/ Duty Free shopping/Drink of the day/Dance parties/dock/Dress For Dinner/Discovery at Sea/Destination lectures

E-Eat/Entertainment/Espresso/Exercise/Explorers Lounge/Equator/e-course/Essence (shop)/Effy (shop)/Evening parties/Explore/Egg drop challenge/Excursion Desk

F-Food carving/Facts/Fitness Center/Flowers/flash mobs/friends/Formal Night/Facet’s (shop)/Facials

G-Games (Can You Survive/High Seas Heist) /Game Shows/Grill/Golf course/galley tour/Games Under the Stars/Guest Services/Good Spirits at Sea

H-Horizon Court/Hot tub/history/Hypnotist/High Seas Heist (see also games)/Hula lessons & dancing/Hawaiian enrichment classes

I-Ice cream/Ice sculptures/International Dateline/Internet café/Iced coffee/Italian Trattotoria/Island Princess

J-Jazz/Jog/Joy/Jeopardy show/Jewelry/Journal/Jewelry Making Class

K-Kissing/karaoke

L-Lectures/Library/Lifeboats/La Patisserie/Learn something new/Lotus Health and Fitness/Lotus Spa/Lotus Salon/Lido Bar/Lido Pool/Live Music/Latte’/Lounges/Line Dance/Language Class/Lei making class/Live Music/Lotto/Lottery/Laundry

M-Movies under the stars/Music/Magic Show/Magician/Muster/Mini golf/Martini Demonstration/Murder Mystery/Meridian Bay (shop)/Marriage Game/Massage/moon/Musician/Musical Tributes

N-Newsletter/nap/Nautical/Nighttime

O-Open Ocean, On deck

P-Pizzaria or pizza/Pool/Provence Dining Room/Patisserie/Pastries/Pictures/Princess Patter (newsletter)/poker/Photography/Photos/Photo Gallery/pub/promenade/port talks/Princess/Play/poker/Princess Theater/Princess Plaza/Piazza/Princess Casino/Ping Pong

Q-Quiet/Quiz

R-Read/Room Service/relax/rest/roulette/reception/receipt/Room service/Rough seas/rejuvenate

S-Shops/Shopping/Spa/Swim/Sunbathe/Sunsets/Sunrises/Stargaze/Stateroom/ Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria/Ship/Swimming pool/ Shows/ Sundaes/ Stargaze/shuffleboard/staircase/Ship/Ship tour/slot machines/Scavenger Hunt/Sanctuary/Scattergories/Sanctuary Pool/Splash Pool/Salon/Spin class/Smoothies/Steakhouse/Shore Excursion Desk/Swirl’s Ice Cream Bar/Good Spirits/Stateroom

T-The Sanctuary/Tennis court/The Grill/table tennis/towel art/trivia/tea/tour/table tennis/Theater/tapas/Teen Lounge/Tai Chi

U-Ultimate Balcony Dining/Universe Lounge/Ukulele lessons

V-Video Games/Vow renewal/Vocalist

W-Write/Wine/Wine tasting/Wheelhouse Bar/Wake show/Walk a mile/wake/Wine/wine tasting/Wake/Wedding Chapel/Weight Loss Seminar/Watercolor Painting/Watch the world go by

X-Xbox

Y-Yoga/Youth Center

Z-Zzz’s/Zen/Zumba

“S” is For Stateroom-Island Princess Ship Overview

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Debbie

Choosing a cabin can be one of the most important decisions you might make while on a cruise. Some will argue that you only sleep in them, so location and size don’t matter. I disagree.

In our years of cruising we have experienced everything from an interior cabin to a mini suite and we have had an opportunity to tour others.

We tend to favor balcony rooms. There is nothing quite like watching a sunrise or sunset from your own sacred space.

While sailing through very scenic locations such as the fjords of Norway or Alaska we have found our own private haven on our balcony. There are no crowds to fight and no obstructions to our photography.

When we tire of people, we simply pull up a chair on our balcony and retreat for bit of respite from the crowds and activities.

When the Pandemic hit, many passengers were quarantined to their staterooms. Those who had interior rooms went stir crazy. Those with balconies were at least able to get outside for some fresh air.

In 2017, the Island Princess underwent a complete refurbishment. Televisions, carpet, furniture, linens, drapes, beds and all the amenities were upgraded and given a fresh new look.

The soft palette of mushroom, beige and taupe encourages relaxation as do the amazing Sleepeezee beds found in the suites and Matermoll brand mattresses found in all other rooms. (These are made exclusively for Princess) The 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens and European inspired duvet are a divine luxury to slip into at the end of a long day.

While somewhat smaller than other cruise lines, Princess cruises offer beautiful staterooms. All cabins are equipped with satellite tv’s, a hair drier, a desk/vanity area and a refrigerator,

On the Island Princess there were 11 suites, 53 balcony rooms, 43 oceanview rooms and 10 inside cabins added during the renovations. This made the original cabins just slightly smaller, bringing the total to 1,107 cabins. Twenty of these are wheelchair accessible.

Interior rooms are favored by those who spend little time in their room. They are the least expensive on most cruises. Inside rooms on the Island Princess are 156-165 square feet.

Ocean view cabins range in size from 162-200 square feet. These are available on deck 5 through 9. If you are considering an Ocean view room, there is a bank of cabins on the Fiesta Deck that are worth seeking out. Cabins F502 through F526 have the largest windows of any of the ocean view rooms. Equally important, the bathrooms are a newer design that includes a larger shower than the ship’s balcony cabins have. The TV is affixed to the wall in front of the bed, instead of in the corner as in the balcony cabins. And there are newer hair dryers, which is one item that wasn’t upgraded in many of the rooms, during the renovation .

Balcony rooms range from 210 square feet to 235 square feet. They also have 35-72 square feet of additional outdoor space, which is some of the largest in the industry. Each balcony comes equipped with 2 chairs and a table. Balcony cabins are available on decks 7-12 and 14.

In our balcony room, the large tv’s are a nice upgrade from the tiny versions usually offered on many other cruise lines.

There are also mini suites and suites available which range from 280-over 500 square feet respectively. These both come with upgraded amenities and luxuries not found in the other cabins. After getting a great deal on the second leg of our trip, we would upgrade to a mini suite on the second leg of our journey.

One thing that all rooms offer is a massive amount of closet and storage space. The closet in our balcony room was over 5 feet! The walk in area is across from the bathroom and a wall divides it from the bedroom. In this area there is also a closet which holds the life vests and room safe. Additional shelves located below offer ample space for folded clothing. We found these areas ample enough to store all of our items, even on a 55 day cruise.

There are additional storage cubbies and drawers in the nightstands and in the desk area. The beds are slightly elevated which allows empty suitcases to be stored underneath, making the room easy to organize. Passengers are often surprised to learn that the walls and ceilings are magnetic. Strong magnetic hooks and binders can offer extensive options for hanging clothelines, photos and more.

Perhaps one thing which is still lacking is enough outlets, there are still only two and they are inconveniently placed near the desk. The hair drier occupies one of them and plugs often don’t work easily in the second outlet. This inconvenience if easily rectified by bringing along an extension cord or power strip. Just make sure there is no surge protector on them, or they will be confiscated. Fire is a real concern on cruise ships. Depending on the cabin you choose, there may be an additional outlet located behind the t.v. and possibly one used by housekeeping, located near the floor by the door or behind the bed.

The Island Princess has very small bathrooms. I remember a comedian on our very first cruise, he suggested soaping the walls and spinning to use the tiny showers. This is a pretty accurate description. The water pressure and heat just about compensate for the size. Mini suites have a bathtub/shower combo which is a bit more comfortable. There are three shelves located alongside the vanity for storing supplies. The large shelf under the sink provides ample room for toiletry bags and larger items. There is a single shaving outlet in each bathroom.

A few things to consider when choosing your stateroom:

A forward location will feel more wave action, mid is the most stable and aft may experience more engine noise. Study your deck map to see if you are located near elevators, laundry or teen centers. Is the buffet or bar situated overhead? You may hear rolling carts and music respectively. Any of these locations can be noisy and may disrupt your tranquility. In general the higher decks may also feel more swaying. If you are prone to seasickness or motion problems it is best to get an ocean view or balcony room.

If you are choosing a room with a balcony or window consider which side will have the most scenery as you cruise. For some it may be important to see the sun rise or set.

All in all, we really enjoy being in our balcony stateroom B519, starboard side, midship on the Baja Deck.

For the second half of the trip we will move to a mini suite on the port side, aft and one deck lower on the Caribe Deck. I will add photos once we relocate.

“E” is for Embarkation Day-A Guide for Cruisers

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Debbie

Embarkation Day on a cruise is an exciting and busy day. Below are a the steps to help you get the most from the process. If an item is highlighted, look for additional links about the topic.

1) Check in. This process has become simplified over the years. Often many of the steps have already been completed online. The procedures vary between cruise lines, but checking in usually involves re-checking paperwork (passports, tickets etc.) Once you are checked in, you are free to come and go off the ship until the “all aboard time”.

2) Just past the check in you will be greeted by the ships photographers. This is your “Welcome Aboard” photo. Usually there is some prop to commemorate the start of your cruise. If you do not want a photo, feel free to continue past the photographers.

3) The moment the ship leaves port, your phone will begin roaming. Unexpected phone calls, background activity and more can incur unexpected fees. If you have selected a wifi package on the ship, put the phone in airplane mode and then you will be able to connect to the ships wi fi. If you turn on wi fi calling you will still be able to receive calls and texts.

While You Wait For Your Room-It is not uncommon to have to wait an hour or two to get into your room. Here are a few things you can do while you wait:

4) Make reservations for the sanctuary, spa treatments, ship tours and specialty restaurants as soon as you are on board. These things often fill up and sell out fast.

5) Explore the ship (often you won’t be able to enter your room for an hour or two). Use this waiting time to locate the fun stuff. Its a great time to take pictures of the venues before they are teaming with passengers.

6) Get something to eat. There is food almost everywhere on board. Stop by the buffet, the grill or the pizzaria for a quick bite, or enjoy a leisurely sit down meal in the dining room. Food is a large part of your cruise fees, you may as well enjoy your meals.

7) Enjoy a glass of champagne or cocktail. Many times long time cruisers will have a signature drink. Even if you don’t see it on a menu, many bar tenders will be able to make drinks based on your description, they are masters of their craft!

Want something unique to drink? On our ship, the Explorer’s Lounge features themed drinks from exotic destinations, specialty liqueurs and spirits which are offered nowhere else on board.

Once You Can Get in Your Room

8) Make a note of landmarks and orient yourself

Where is the nearest bank of elevators? Which way do you turn as you exit this elevator bank? Is

your room on the right or left, starboard or port? *It helps to remember there are 4 letters in both

the words left and port). Is your room forward (front), midship or aft (back)? Are there photos or statues

which can help you remember the correct deck and side which your cabin is on?

Which way is the front of the ship and which way is the back? Sometimes there are

little clues such as waves curling toward the front, or fish lining the halls which all swim facing

toward the front *Believe me, when you have had a few drinks you will appreciate having the

landmarks. Now orient the other major features of your ship. Are the restaurants forward or aft of your room? Is

the laundry forward or aft of your room? Are the elevators forward or aft? What about the pool?

9) Take a picture of the room (before it gets messed up!)-It will never look like this again!

10) Do a cabin “check”

Make sure beds are set up correctly.
Check pillows (you can request feather pillows or additional pillows if needed).
Check the bed for firmness/softness (mattress toppers or boards can be brought in to adjust)
Examine the outlet locations-do you have correct adapters? Are all the outlets working?
Check the ac-is it noisy? Is it working correctly? *If it is set high and not cool in the room, it may not be working.
Turn the tv on to make sure it is working.
Check the safe. Is it working correctly?
Flush the toilet and run the water in the bathroom-are both flowing correctly?

11) Meet your cabin steward

This is a great time to request any additional items you may need:

Bed arrangements (beds are pushed together to make a queen or separated to make two twin beds).
Extra hangers
Extra towels
Extra blankets
Extra pillows
Do you want your ice bucket filled morning and evening?
If ac/safe/toilet/outlets/tv are not working, this should also be addressed at this time.

12) Check Your Mail

A newsletter is usually provided daily. It will be list all the activities occurring around the ship.

Decide what you will do for lunch/dinner.
Decide which activities you will enjoy today.
Look for special offers.
See when formal nights are, this may help decide when you will make reservations at other restaurants.

Your mail may also include perks your membership is offering (such as an invitation to meet the Captain or free drinks)

Often excursion tickets will be delivered with your mail. Be sure to review them and note the cancellation deadline.

13) Complete any requested paperwork.

14) Clean (optional)

Wipe all “touchable” areas with disinfecting wipe (door handles, phones, light switches, remote control, toilet seat, faucet)

15) Load the Safe

Stash your good jewelry, cash, keys, wallet, passport, sensitive documents etc. in your safe.
Make sure your safe is working properly. If not, report it to the cabin steward.

Once Your Luggage Arrives

15) Unpack completely

The joy of cruising is that you only have to unpack once. Do it now so you can start your vacation.
See our tips for organizing your cabin here.
Store empty luggage under the bed.

When completely unpacked

16) Complete the safety or muster drill.

17) Go PLAY!!!

18) If you haven’t already done so, make reservations for specialty restaurants and spa.

19) Enjoy Your Sail Away Party!

20) Congratulations, you are now “on vacation”!

“F” is For Fifteen Tips to Plan For Vacations Over 30 Days-Travel Tips & Tricks

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Debbie

As we prepare for our 42 day travel adventure, it occurs to me that getting ready for a long vacation is far different than preparing to leave town for a week. Being away from home and/or work for long stretches of time requires substantial planning. For each extra week of adventure, there are more things to consider. For each change in location there are more preparations to make. One thing is certain, most trips over 30 days are going to need a little structure. There are many moving parts to long vacations, especially when they take place in foreign locations. There are reservations for flights, trains and buses. There are accommodation arrangements to be made and cars to be rented. There are visas, passports and sometimes vaccinations to obtain. There are questions to be asked about cultures, weather, rules and activities. There are financial considerations to make. Having a big picture of the way you want things to go, will generally help you achieve the results you hope to gain. The goal to all planning is to eliminate as much potential stress as possible. For me, this always begins with a dream, pencil and paper (or a computer) and an investment of time.

Here are 15 steps to help prepare for your own long adventure:

Plan, plan, plan! This process can be a lot of work, but it is worth putting in the time and effort before your vacation. You will see more and experience more by having a general idea of what options you have available.

Daydream then set some travel goals. The vision might be as simple as creating memories and having fun. If your goals are a little more complex (such as when my son wanted to hike Mt. Fuji), then you may need to consider your health, conditioning and the time of year you will travel. How energetic or quiet does the trip need to be? How rugged or refined do the accommodations need to be? Goals may be different if you are traveling with children and/or elderly etc.
Decide where you want to go. Will you stay in one location or visit many cities? Will you travel between countries and/or continents? Does your destination fulfill your travel goals?
Map it out. It doesn’t make financial sense to hop over a city, or country, then return to it (unless you are doing a circular tour). It doesn’t make sense to travel half way across the world and miss “that one location”, if a quick detour can take you there. Many times it can be as simple as adding to a multiple stop plane or train ticket to add the destination while en route. It can often be surprisingly economical and sometimes cost even less than purchasing a direct fare.
Pick a date. Start at least 6 months in advance. Many popular locations and activities are often booked out months in advance. If you are taking time off of work, can you add national holidays and or weekends to the beginning or end of the trip to give you a few more days?
Set a budget. Long vacations may mean you lose income, plan for it. Long vacations may require airfares, hotel expenses, transportation fees, restaurants etc, plan for it. Long vacations may require a new wardrobe, plan for it. Adjust your plans, not your budget. Build a little cushion into the budget for unexpected emergencies.
Research airfares, train fares etc. Does moving your dates affect the pricing? How often are flights available? If a flight leaves only once a week and is cancelled, it will be another week before you will have an opportunity to leave. Are there other airports in the vicinity? If you miss a connection, could you hire a car or take a train to get to a more serviced area?
Research visa and other requirements such as passports, vaccinations etc. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Many locations require vaccination for things like malaria or yellow fever. Sometimes these vaccinations need to be completed so many days in advance of travel.
Leaving home and/or work responsibilities, there is much to think about before departing on a long vacation. Who will handle your mail, take care of your pets and/or your home? How will you pay your bills or know if you have a power outage? Will your phone and/or email work in another country? Plan, plan and plan some more.

Start a travel notebook or file folder

In the many months leading up to your adventure, you are going to be writing and rewriting your plan. Having one place to gather details makes it simple to quickly locate the information. This organization allows you to brain dump as you are going through the planning process. It is easy to move your plan around on paper. In time, this notebook will also be a great place to store confirmation numbers, insurance contracts, itineraries etc. Your notebook keeps the entire process organized.

Educate yourself.

Once you decide where you are going, gather as much information as possible. When planning for a long vacation I will scour You Tube, Trip Advisor, Pinterest, Google Maps and travel guides to glean as much as possible about the area I want to explore. This is how we might come to realize we don’t really want to rent a car in a difficult to drive city. We might realize there is a cool cafe, then note that it is located within walking distance to a botanic garden or museum we are planning to visit. By reading others comments and suggestions, I have been known to change the smallest of details. I usually know which side of the bus or boat will give me the most panoramic views of a location. I usually know if a sunset or sunrise will be more spectacular at a particularly beautiful location. I usually know how safe an area is. I can’t stress enough how important it is to educate yourself. Some would argue that they just want to “discover” a place but this early research has always allowed us to see more, do more and experience more. If you don’t know what is available, you don’t realize how much you can miss. If you know in advance that an area is prone to pickpockets, you can take many safety precautions in advance.
Try to gain an understanding of the country’s history, geography, customs, politics, and their approach to tourism. This shows a level of respect and will help you engage with the local people more. Having this up front knowledge also means that your trip will start off a bit smoother.
Figure out the best and worst seasons to visit. Are there certain holidays and festivals occurring around your planned travel days? Is this something which attracts you or would you rather avoid crowds?

Make lists– Ask yourself tons of questions.

What cities do you want to visit? What do you want to experience (culture, architecture, museums, landscapes etc)? What sites are there to see?
How will you get there? Is parking available if you are driving? How difficult is traffic? Is there an easier transportation method? Are there discount coupons/passes available to reduce costs? Do you require a special license to drive?
How are cultures different? How are they the same? Do you need head coverings to enter religious sites? Are women expected to dress or act differently than men?
What is the expected weather/temperature for the time of year you are traveling? Do you need special clothing for weather or cultural differences? What activities will you participate in? Will you be hiking, biking, swimming etc which requires special clothing and/or footwear?
Do you need to shop before packing? Will you do laundry while you are on this trip?
What is the maximum weight and size restriction for luggage for every plane you are traveling on? What other restrictions are there in your transportation mode or at your accommodations? Constantly asking questions will allow you to build a plan.

Check for Opening and Closing Times.

Is the attraction you want to see open all day? Is it open 7 days a week and/or at night? What are the busiest times of day?
If you are using public transportation, do the busses and trains run all night?
If you are driving to a National park are the car parks open during the time you want to be hiking or exploring?

Plan for complications-Flights get delayed. Luggage gets lost. Hotel and car rentals get cancelled.

Leave plenty of time between connecting flights.
Leave plenty of time to clear customs and security when transferring flights between countries (usually at least two hours is recommended).
If you are planning a cruise, always plan to arrive the day before it sets sail.
Always pack a spare pair of underwear, a toothbrush, prescription medication, some cash and a small snack in your carry on when flying. If your flight is delayed and/or your luggage lost you will have a few essentials to help.
Look for cancellation options with all reservations. If you are delayed or suddenly fall ill, this may offer the most financial protection. If you decide you want to be more spontaneous in your adventures, having the option of cancelling reservations makes the entire process less complicated.
Purchase travel insurance. Of course we want to assume that nothing will go wrong, but it does happen. Luggage gets lost, purses get stolen, people get sick and injured. Believe me, when anything like that happens you’ll be happy you have travel insurance!

Plan for safety– Part of a travel experience is to take the back roads and/or wander and just get lost, which you should do. Surprises should always be part of the vacation, however understanding if an area is safe or not should never be. Several times in my adventures, I have wandered just a block away from an attraction only to find myself in a drug infested slum and sometimes precarious situations. In my defense, most of these mishaps were before information was so readily available online. Today, even a little research prevents this.

Research if there are high crime areas. What types of crime occur? What, if any, precautions should be taken?
It is also really important to understand (and respect) cultural differences. Never assume that because a rule is one way in the country you are from, it will be the same in another country. Things we consider minor infractions in the USA (littering and jaywalking for example) may bring substantial penalties in foreign countries.
Review your government travel advisories for any country/location you will be visiting. These will often give you information regarding disease outbreaks, political instability and geographical disruptions (such as due to hurricanes etc).
Know where the embassy for your country is located. If war or a major disaster suddenly breaks out, or if you lose your passport, this may be the only way to be repatriated.

Plan your free time. I know, I know…this seems crazy After researching an area for safety, build the opportunity for unplanned discovery into your itinerary. If you have already mapped out the highlights you hope to visit, you will know about how much free time you should have left. By scheduling this free time in chunks around your “must see/do” itinerary, it allows you to still be surprised but ensures you have seen all which you set out to discover.
Plan some down time-Rest and relaxation are especially important on long itinerary packed trips. Unless you are relaxing on a beach all day, you may be continuously moving and exploring. Your brain may be filled by all the new information you are processing. Sometimes you just need a bit of quiet. Build these moments into your day/trip. Perhaps a little rest in your room, a coffee at a local café, sitting by the sea or pool, a picnic in a park and/or quietly watching a sunset can all be good ways to just unwind for a minute.
Plan some nighttime activities-A city or location can have a completely different feel at night. If it is safe to do so, consider exploring during this time.
Make an itinerary

Once you have your plan, you can make an itinerary. The key to visiting a lot of locations is to not waste time. You would be amazed at the amount of time which is wasted just by trying to figure out what to do next.
By planning your days, you will know about how much time to dedicate to each activity. You will know what time you will need to start a day, or when an attraction opens and closes. You will know if there is “extra” time and where/when to detour.

Start packing-Yes, it may be a good idea to start thinking about what you need, as much as 6 months out. Consider the following:

Will you need specialized clothing such as bathing suits or wet weather gear? Will you be able to purchase these items during your season of travel? If I know I am traveling to a warm destination during the middle of my winter, I know I am going to have to purchase clothes quite a bit in advance of my trip!
Try on your clothes. What works, what needs repairing/replacing?
Will you need extra camera batteries, first aid kits etc?
Make a list of the extra items you need, then begin picking these things up early. This allows you to take advantage of sales and return things if they don’t fit.
Weigh your luggage as you get it packed. There is nothing worse than realizing your bags are overweight as you are rushing out the door. The more you do ahead of time, the less stressful it will be when it finally comes time to pack.

Break in new shoes-If you will be purchasing new shoes, be sure to wear them regularly before traveling. Do they cause blisters or pinch? Would it be helpful to add liners, lifts or arch supports? It is easier to make changes before you need them.
Make copies of important documents- If these documents are lost or stolen, they can be difficult to replace. Which may mean an end to your vacation. Having a copy of these important documents stored with a family member or trusted friend, or on an encrypted flash drive (or all of the the above) will make the process much easier.

Passports/visas
Drivers License/photo id
Greencards
Credit cards
Insurance policies
Confirmation numbers

Order local currency-Cash is king, no matter where you are visiting. Get it in small denominations.

If the power goes out, so do the ATM’s and credit card machines.
If your credit card gets frozen because you forgot to notify your bank that you were traveling, you will appreciate being able to get a meal/accommodation until you figure out what to do.
If your taxi, bus driver, or favorite coffee shop refuse to take credit, having these small bills available may be the difference in a good day or a complex day.
Many places won’t take credit cards, farmers markets, food trucks, craft stalls etc. Keep your purchasing power by keeping cash on your person at all times.

ABC Explorers

ABC’s of Cruising