November 14, 1998
Beth's notes from the journal: Much to everyone's amazement I was ready. Four bags of luggage plus all the clothes I sent with Mom & Dad earlier. (*note: Becky sent an entire gym bag of shoes!) We have taken a lot of clothes on vacation before but this is getting ridiculous. Becky, Cheryl & John started the vacation off right with a beer at 9:00 in the morning. Cheryl hurry up and finish that book so John has something to read. Hung out at the hotel for the day, drank & ate too much in preparation for the cruise. Odie golfed all day & now can't walk due to his bum knee.
November 15, 1998
Our room was all up first. We even had to wake the Drill Sargent up. Uncle Ted, Beth, Becky,
Odie and Cheryl walked to the corner store after coffee - Uncle Ted had to check his Lotto
numbers, Odie was looking for sunglasses & Cheryl had to get some batteries for her camera.
Needless to say nobody had any luck. Got back to the hotel and Cheryl, Beth and Odie took the
car in search of supplies - all the liquor stores were closed :(, but did get to a drug store where
Odie got some new sunglasses, Cheryl got her batteries (lithium kind) and Beth got some Vaseline
for Jenny. Had to drive by the ship a couple times - it is just amazing, can hardly wait to get on.
Around 11 a.m. Uncle Ted made 2 trips to the docks: one strictly for luggage, Auntie Brenda & Odie. The second trip to take Becky, John, Jenny, Beth, Cheryl & himself. What in the world are the Rumble girls doing with all those clothes. Note: I have only 1 suitcase and my carry on (okay my suitcase is enormous - but it still is only 1) We all stood in amazement of the Grand Princess.
Front: Becky, Jenny, Auntie Brenda; Middle: Beth, Cheryl; Back: John, Uncle Ted, Odie
Notes From the Princess Patter: Port Everglades, Florida
Tonight's Dress: Casual
Cocktail of the Day: Outward Bound - a top gallant of melon liqueur, pineapple juice and coconut.
It is my very great pleasure to welcome you aboard the largest, most expensive cruise ship in the world. All of us feel very privileged to be sailing with you during the Inaugural Season of this magnificent new vessel; and we are looking forward to experiencing many new adventures as we sail from port to port. We hope you enjoy every moment of the voyage and that your memories will be as grand as Grand Princess herself. Bon Voyage! Mike Moulin, Captain of Grand Princess.
Grand Princess Firsts: First and only wedding chapel; First virtual reality center; First Southwestern-style restaurant; First green screen studio; First swim-against-the-current lap pool.
Our experiences:
We were welcomed into the warehouse room around noon, where we checked in at the counter: showed them our passports, gave them our credit card info & vouchers and they gave us our Princess credit card / key to our room. We then boarded the ship and took our carry-on's & purses to our staterooms. We are on Emerald Deck (Deck 8 of 17) and Jenny and I are in room 715. The first thing we did was head to Deck 14 (Lido Deck) and the Horizon Court for lunch. After lunch I stepped out into the Calypso Pool & Bar area for a smoke & bought myself a beer. It wasn't long till Becky & John found me at the bar. We then did the full tour of the ship & then some. Odie was leading the way, bum leg and all.
Beth, Becky, Auntie Brenda, John & Uncle Ted |
Odie, Beth, Uncle Ted & Elmer (bartender) at the Oasis Bar |
Beth, Odie & Jenny at the Oasis Bar |
At 5:30 we had the Passenger Muster Exercise. Our Muster station is Vista Lounge - one deck down and right beneath our rooms. Now we know what to do in an emergency ;>
After the Muster exercise we had showers and changed for dinner. When all were ready we went to Deck 16 and the Oasis Bar for the Grand Princess Bon Voyage Sailing Party and we were off on our way to St. Thomas.
Went to dinner (2nd seating - 8:45 p.m.) And met Nicolae (our waiter) and Henry (our assistant waiter). I had Caesar Salad and steak - which was really good.
After dinner we went to the Princess Lounge to see "Grand Adventure Showtime" starring comedian Dave Heenan. Then Jenny, myself and Beth (because Odie had gone to bed) went to the Mix-N-Mingle Party in the Wheelhouse Bar (a singles mixer) and ordered a drink and left because we were the only ones there :( So we ventured up to Skywalkers Night Club (Deck 17) to check out what was happening in the disco. We met a couple dickweeds while we were there, thank heavens this is a big ship and we shouldn't run into them that often. We retired for bed about 2 a.m.
Jenny & Beth at Skywalkers Night Club
November 16, 1998
Notes From the Princess Patter: At Sea
Tonight's Dress: Formal
Cocktail of the Day: Fuzzy Naval
Our Experiences:
Jenny had a fart today that was so bad I thought she was going to die, I took about 5 hours for the odor to leave our room. We spent most of the day on the Sun Deck at Neptune's Reef & Pool area. I can get used to this deck waiters coming around and getting me my drinks (I hate the thoughts of what the bill is going to be at the end of the week) Around 2 p.m. we headed to the Aft and the Oasis Bar and the hot tubs beside it :)
Becky in the hot tub |
Uncle Ted & Auntie Brenda at the Aft's pool |
Odie & Beth having a romantic moment at the Aft of the ship |
Tonight is the Captain's Welcome Gala Cocktail Party and I am wearing my new black shimmer dress that my dad thought was too short. When I went around the corner to mine & Odie's smoke room he said "Cheryl .. is that you ..." the nicest (probably the only) compliment he has ever paid me!!! Had one of my Christmas Card pictures taken and then went for the 7 course meal in the DaVinci dining room, table 112.
Uncle Ted, Odie, Me & John
Henry giving a bra he made out of a napkin
After supper we went to the Vista Lounge (otherwise known as our Muster Station) to see "Spotlight Showtime" starring Karon Kate Blackwell with special guest celebrity Marty Allen. After the show we went to the Disco. Of course Odie went to bed right after the show again. I guess it was around 2:30 a.m. when we retired this evening.
November 17, 1998
Notes From the Princess Patter: At Sea
Tonight's Dress: Semi-Formal
Cocktail of the Day: Margarita - yes I will be having a few of these :).
Our Experiences:
Today we hung out on the Lido Deck at Neptune's Pool & Reef for most of the day. After we ate breakfast Beth, Becky & I did go checkout the T-shirt sale in the Atrium on Deck 7. We all bought t-shirts for the kids. Why do Kirk & Cindy have to have 4 kids?
Auntie Brenda, Jenny & Becky |
Odie |
Around 3 p.m. everyone but Beth, Jenny & I headed to the Oasis Bar and hot tubs. Beth and I couldn't go because we were judges in The Grand Princess Flip, Flop and Fly Competition. About 20 guys strutted their stuff past us and then splashed in the pool. There were 6 of us judges and we would rate them on a scale of 1 - 6. The only guy that showed us some skin (he mooned us) was the first guy, but as in figure skating we gave him low marks as he was the first to go. Beth & I each got a Princess Purse for our services. Where are Uncle Ted & Odie when you need them to be in a competition?
After the competition we joined the rest at the Oasis Bar and Auntie Brenda mentioned to Dianne (one of the Assistant Cruise Directors & also from Toronto) that Jenny and I were single so we got roped into the Singles Get Together. The only cute guy (Marvin from Calgary) spent most of his time talking to Dianne, however I did have a few glasses of free champagne. Marvin did go talk with Auntie Brenda, Jenny & Beth while I chit chatted with an older man from New Zealand.
Odie catching a nap on the Lido Deck |
Auntie Brenda, Jenny & Becky - Jenny's 2 fisting it. |
John & Cheryl |
Uncle Ted |
Jenny, Auntie Brenda & Beth having a gab fest |
I don't know if its the good food or the real booze but I have already had 2 major dumps (normally I get constipated on vacation). Uncle Ted described his dump for everyone in ear shot at the pool to hear - he said it was like Evan's (Beth & Odie's little boy), then Odie said he had 3 Evan style dumps yesterday.
Becky's Notes: Tuesday - pre-dinner : Cheryl, Becky & John start into the whiskey - dinner should be good. A 6 course lunch in the dining room was great! Meteor shower tonight at 3 a.m. I'm sure we will see it. Everyone but us 3 is snoozing.
Uncle Ted & Auntie Brenda |
Odie & Beth |
Becky & John |
Jenny |
Cheryl |
After dinner (where Carlos cooked my steak in the garlic butter - mmmm!!!) We went the Princess Theater to see "Variety Showtime" starring Bob Anderson (a singing impressionist) and the Acrobatic Troupe from China. We were late getting out of dinner so had to sit in the stairwell for awhile till some people left and we could nab their seats. After the show Odie went to bed, and the rest of us went to the casino for awhile. Then we headed up to the disco for the rest of the evening. Everyone else went to bed around 3 a.m., but I was chit chatting with a guy from New Jersey and Terry (table supervisor from the casino) so I didn't go with them. I finally made it back to my stateroom around 5:30 a.m. Some where along the line I lost the case for my camera - who knows where? I may of had a few too many to drink.
November 18, 1998
Notes From the Princess Patter: St. Thomas
Tonight's Dress: Casual
Cocktail of the Day: I don't know as I have no idea where this copy of the Patter went to.
Our Experiences:
Had breakfast and then I went to the Pursers Desk to see if anyone had turned my camera case in - and yes they had - yippee! Then we headed for shore.
Uncle Ted on the ship |
Auntie Brenda beside the ship |
The front of the ship |
Odie & I drank all afternoon in St. Thomas at a bar called 'Coconuts' with a group of American truckers who were on the Royal Caribbean. They were from all over the States and get together once a year and go on a cruise. They liked up because we knew about hockey, could drink an ounce & a half of Crown Royal straight up, and laughed and goofed around with them. They bought most of our drinks that afternoon - which was an extra bonus.
Myself & Odie with some of the people we met at Coconuts
Notes from Beth: Started off for downtown. Jenny & I made it as far as the bus stop and turned back. Becky & John kept going and Cheryl & Odie were just waiting to ditch us so they could go into town and drink all day. What a performance upon their return. Didn't realize Odie was such a "boob man" as he commented on the entire family's endowment. Thanks Grandma Burk. Odie & Cheryl were not the only ones performing tonight. I managed to get hypnotized at the show and managed to put on quite a performance. Dad says it feels like he has been on the ab toner all day ~ his stomach hurts from laughing so hard. (The 2nd show the next night dad had to keep hitting me to stay awake because I was going down again in the audience.) Very weird and unexplainable.
Jenny & Auntie Brenda |
Auntie Brenda, Uncle Ted & Odie |
Odie feeling Jenny & Auntie Brenda's boobs |
Odie & Cheryl |
Odie as Elvis (The King) |
Odie & I didn't plan on going to DaVinci's for dinner tonight because we didn't want to ruin our buzz - however, Odie passed out for the night so I went to dinner with everyone else. Nicolae & Henry wondered what happened to Odie. After dinner we went to the Princess Theater to see "Alexander" a hypnotist. Beth went up & was one of the funniest people up there - she thought she had 11 fingers, was one of the ones that really wanted the beer, and kept putting her arm out for more. There was so much more that she did but it is hard to recall it all. After the show we went and got a drink in the disco and then went and sat in the Vista Lounge while we waited to see if Beth would remember anything and we laughed at her performance. While she was under she told everyone in the theater that Odie got drunk in the afternoon and was in bed sleeping. She felt like she had gotten 6 hours sleep while on stage and was raring to go - however, the rest of us were tired and went to bed. At least I lasted a lot longer than Odie died :)
Beth being hypnotized
November 19, 1998
Notes From the Princess Patter: St. Maarten
Tonight's Dress: Casual
Cocktail of the Day: Chocolate Banana - I had none of these because I hate banana's
Our Experiences:
We got up and had breakfast and then went to the Explorers Lounge to wait for our turn to be tendered to the island. We only stayed there for about ½ hour or so, long enough to walk around town a bit and stop in a bar and get a beer. Becky & John just stayed on the ship.
Auntie Brenda & Uncle Ted |
Jenny |
Odie & Beth |
Uncle Ted & Odie observing the view of St. Maarten from the Sun Deck |
We spent the rest of the day lying around the Sun Deck at Neptune's Pool - no problem getting a chair as most people were ashore. At dusk I was the first to get ready for dinner as I was going to the game Treasure Quest in the Explorers Lounge. I met 4 other people and it was basically a scavenger hunt were you don't leave the room. Our team was called the Margarita's and we came in 2nd. We lost some points because none of us had a picture of ourselves. We won this bag with a wooden comb, brush, eye mask and shoe shiner thing (John thinks its for beards - who knows?). Then met the rest for dinner and we went to the Vista Lounge to see "New York, New York". However, by the time we got there the seats were all taken so we sat on a railing. I only stayed there for a little while as my back was getting sore. As I was leaving I saw Odie sitting in a back corner (you couldn't see the stage at all, but you could smoke there) so I joined him till the show ended. Right after it was over we got a seat near the front to see Alexander again. Odie, Jenny & I went up on stage and I was the first one to be asked to leave - I have to much running through my mind to be hypnotized. Both Odie & Jenny were asked to leave also. It was really funny to see Reggie Sanders (outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds) get hypnotized - he did a dead ringer Madonna act - it was so hilarious. The show got finished around 2:30 a.m. so we all just went to bed.
November 20, 1998
Notes From the Princess Patter: At Sea
Tonight's Dress: Formal
Cocktail of the Day: Strawberry Daiquiri - too sweet to drink first thing in the morning (although I did try to)
Our Experiences:
We lied around on the sun deck most of the day doing nothing. I had Odie take a picture from the Sports Deck (Deck 16) overlooking Neptune's Pool & the Sun Deck for me
.
About 10 to 4 Uncle Ted, Becky, John, Beth & I went to the Wheelhouse bar to play Family Feud - and I am happy to inform you that we were the winners. This time my prize was a Princess coffee mug - I don't need to buy souvenirs I keep winning them. We made it on stage for the first thing people did when the got on board. The other team had the choice to play or pass and they decided to play. They got all the answers but 1 - which was lying in the sun - which was when we stole and racked up a 100 points - We are the Champions! We then went and met Auntie Brenda, Odie & Jenny at the Oasis Bar for a couple cocktails. (Beer from Uncle Ted's room in a cooler bag for us). We went back to the room to get ready for dinner.
Jenny in our stateroom having a nap before dinner.
Front Row: Cheryl, Jenny, Becky, Beth, Auntie Brenda & Henry; Back Row: John, Nicolae, Odie & Uncle Ted
Tonight was the Captain's Dinner and the Champagne Waterfall. We got out of dinner so late we decided not to go to any of the shows. John & I watched them build the Waterfall and drink some more of that free champagne, and the rest went to the Explorers Lounge for a couple of cocktails before coming back to see the Waterfall.
After we watched the Waterfall for a little while we went to the Casino for the evening. I watched people playing Craps and Roulette for awhile (too steep for me to any betting there) and I said hi to Terry who was busy working. I then found myself a Poker slot machine and stayed there for a bit after everyone else had retired. I think I managed to make it to bed around 3 or 3:30 a.m.
November 21, 1998
Notes From the Princess Patter: Princess Cays (Eleuthra Island, Bahamas)
Tonight's Dress: Casual
Cocktail of the Day: Don't know what it is again today.
Our Experiences:
Got up, ate breakfast and Uncle Ted and I were the last to make it to the Explorers Lounge for us to catch our tender. Everyone was quite testy with us, but we didn't let us bother us. Found a picnic table for everyone to put their stuff at and John and I wondered over to the bar and pulled up a stool. The frozen Margarita's over here are really good :). John and I then went for a walk to the lookout and the end of the pier to see the fish. Beth was out snorkeling when we got there. I went back to the bar and sat there most of the afternoon. I chatted with the drummer from Spiral Staircase for a little while - we discussed the music business. He was telling me he hopes to bring his finance on board in January but isn't sure how the rule about employees fraternizing with the passengers is going to work since they aren't married. If she doesn't end up coming he is going to buy her some emerald jewelry.
The Grand Princess |
Cheryl |
Returned to the ship and packed our suitcases so we could put them outside our staterooms before we went to dinner. Then we got ready for our final dinner aboard the Grand Princess. Tonight was American night & they had a Baked Alaska parade by the assistant waiters. I didn't want any for dessert and asked Nicolae for a bowl of chocolate ice cream - next thing I know I have a quadruple serving sitting in front of me. Went to the casino again this evening and I think I went to bed about 2:30 a.m.
November 21, 1998
Had to be in the Vista Lounge at 6 a.m. so we could go through American immigration - basically
shown them our passport. Beth, Odie, Jenny & I all went back to bed; while Auntie Brenda,
Uncle Ted, Becky & John went for breakfast. Woke up around 8 a.m., got dressed and went for
my final meal on the Grand Princess. We then met up on the Sun Deck till they booted us off the
ship around 10 a.m. We picked up our luggage and caught the bus to the airport - where we had
4 hour wait till our plane left for Detroit. Had a gross slice of pizza and a beer (knew I had to eat
because those 8 mini pretzels we got on the flight just wouldn't satisfy us) and it cost $10 U.S.
(Ouch!!!) Arrived back in Detroit where the Forsyth's van picked us up. I got dropped off at
Becky & John's and then got in my car and came home to London where I finally got 10 hours of
uninterrupted sleep.
Beth's parting words in the journal: Same routine most days. Mom (the alarm clock) got us up for a full breakfast, sun by the main pool and then pizza / burger for a snack around noon. More sun & then lunch around 2. Cookies / snack on the way to the back of the ship for a hot tub & a few drinks. Back to the room to get ready for dinner & then had a 7 course meal & more drinks. Odie usually had a pre-dinner meal around 6. Dad's standard order 2 - 2's, a 4 and a 5 (plus a couple of desserts). Missed a lot of the shows because we took too long at dinner. Mom, Dad & Cheryl hit the casino every night around 2 a.m. "I'm going to explode" What an absolutely wonderful holiday. We cannot thank mom & dad enough for giving us such a fabulous gift. You know we will be spoiled now. Not sure Cheryl if we will ever be able to do the 3 star thing again. Left Mom in tears at the airport, Dad says they will be home next weekend. Probably will see them Wednesday if Mom has her way. I'm getting the Sunday night blues really bad. I will charge admission to watch my video to save up for the next holiday. Cheryl don't forget my piggy bank.
