Caribbean Princess - Additional Activities (part 5)

There are other activities besides lounging on the upper outside decks.  There’s a half court available for those who like to shoot hoops:

Also table tennis is available:

How about some putting on the green:

Princess has a set of clubs and balls available for you to use:

Plenty of hot tubs are available for your use.  This one is located under Skywalker’s Lounge:

Kid’s Area:
For the kiddies, there’s a separate area for them their own outdoor pool:

I believe this area is called Pelicans for the tiny tots to play and enjoy their own pint size indoor pool:

Plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained:

The Lotus Spa Gym:
We tried to get to the gym, when we thought about it.  When we did think about it, it was during a sea day when the ship was rocking and rolling.  That made for an interesting run on the treadmill which ended up being a fast walk and keeping one’s balance.  Plenty of equipment available:

The pictures were taken during turnaround day.  So not many folks were working out.

Caribbean Princess - The Sanctuary (part 4)

In the previous post I left off showing the outside area of the Sanctuary:

Here’s a view of the pool area which is open to all cruisers.  The padded loungers are for fellow cruisers who reserve and pay for this service:  

You can see there are regular blue loungers outside of the Sanctuary that are available to all cruisers:

The manager here allowed me to explore and take pictures.  It is so peaceful and quiet here.  There are plenty of loungers and seating areas.  I understand you can reserve your own seat or area for half a day or full day or for the full duration of the cruise.

While here, you can sign up for a massage:

The Lotus Spa was marketing their Aromatherapy and I have to say I might try this next year:

Plenty of loungers to select from:

You can select one with a view:

They look really inviting and comfy:

Outdoor padded loungers for those who prefer to work on their tan:

I think my pictures say a lot about this quiet venue.

I’ve heard that the Sanctuary attendants are available to provide refreshments, headphones (listen to music), and afternoon tea is served there as well.  I thanked the manager for allowing me to have my own tour of this private area.  

Caribbean Princess - On the Upper Decks (part 3)

On our turnaround or "in-transit" day, I was able to take an hour from my busy cruising schedule to capture a few pictures of various outdoor venues on the CB or Caribbean Princess. Before I begin, I wanted to mention an important piece of information. Beach towels. There, I said it. I was surprised not to find beach towels in our cabin on the CB this year. I distinctly remember on the Regal, and on the Ruby, and on the CB (three years ago) and various cruises before that towels were left in our cabin in the closet and on the top shelf. Have things changed in the last year? Apparently so.

It's my duty to post this picture for all to see:



Once I figured out what was going on, I made a point of confiscating beach towels on our travels around the ship on Lido deck 15. I also figured out they were storing these cartful of towels in the round shack near one of the pools. I assume the cabin stewards are quite happy not to worry about distributing beach towels in each cabin. Nor having to go find some when they run out. I am happy as long as my cabin steward is happy. This makes for one happy ship.

I also notice that the beach towels are being used in the evenings at MUTS (Movies Under the Stars). Used as in "blankets" to keep warm during the chilly evenings on deck. That makes sense. I also notice two deck hands stationed at a table near a wool blanket cart near MUTS. They have a clipboard and when someone needs a warm wool blanket, they provide one and your name in put on this list. I remember seeing this and it might have been on the CB three years ago. A sign in and out system for warm wool blankets. That's okay two beach towels work just as well for me. Enough of that and onto the outdoor venues.

Let me say I have a picture by the pool (or two) where there were no "chair hogs" to be found:



Upper Deck Dining Venues:

On Lido deck 15 (forward) you will find the pizza place called Prego's:
 

Next to Prego's is the Black Beard's Bar and friendly bartenders ready to serve:
 

Next to the Black Beard's Bar is the Trident Grill where you can find hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and the best french fries on the high seas:
 

If you keep walking past one of the pools, you will find Scoops and soft serve ice cream during the day and popcorn at night:
 

If you keep walking past the second pool and into a set of double doors, you will find the Horizon Court Buffet with plenty of places to sit:
   

The buffet area:



More food:
   

The drink station, which looks much more organized and clean:
 

The Pools:

Since we are in the aft area of the ship where Horizon Court and Cafe Caribe is located, you can walk out the sliding doors and end up at the terrace pool. The pool water level is much higher in the picture. On the days where the swells were rough, water was sloshing out of this pool:
   

If you head back through the buffet area and out the double doors you will find the MUTS pool:
     

Here's MUTS (Movie Under the Stars) screen where we can watch movies, concerts, and football (when broadcasted):



Continue walking past Scoops and you'll end up at the other pool:
 

There are two other pools on the CB and they are located on the higher decks. On Lido deck 15 aft, walk up the stairs until you are underneath Skywalker's Lounge you will see what I call a splash or dunk pool:
   

On Lido deck 15 forward, walk up the stairs and you end up at The Sanctuary:
   

Here's a view of the Sanctuary.  It looks really quiet and peaceful here:



Another view of the Sanctuary pool:
     

Caribbean Princess - Sabatini's Specialty Restaurant (part 2)

So I know some of you are missing my foodie pictures. I thought I would do a post on our wonderful dining experience at a specialty restaurant called Sabatini's.

Our first experience with this restaurant was last year on the Regal Princess. We did not know what to expect especially with paying a per person fee to dine on the ship. I can tell you it was a "wow" experience for us and we enjoyed the special attention and top notch service.

Hubby made reservations for two for the second sea day evening. A few hours before our dining time, we received a reminder in our mailbox outside our cabin door. We arrived a few minutes early and was seated at a table for four by the window. Nice touch! We were introduced to our waiter, who the name right now escapes me. I know, I know, I'm not on the cruise anymore. My memory is still recuperating while I go through PCD this week. I digress.

Our waiter is very polite and professional and I try my darnest to get him to take it down a notch with us. Yes, he eventually warms up to us and we share a laugh or two with him. The CB is a happy and fun cruise ship and I wanted to keep it that way with everyone we meet. Mission accomplished.

I wanted to order a bottle of wine, but Hubby wasn't too sure about the wine offerings. We settled on two glasses of Chianti. Yes, it was devine.

 

Now this is a work of art…breadsticks!  One of the few times we are eating bread on this cruise.  Yes, it was yummy dipping them in the Italian olive oil:

Here’s our view from our table of the prep area.  The kitchen is behind this area.  I spy more breadsticks over to the right side:  

Our waiter took our remaining order and this time I selected something from each offering. Last year, I wasn't too hungry and just ordered an appetizer as my meal. I did not mean to offend the folks on the Regal. This time I'm watching my Ps & Qs and just order it and eat it! Not too hard to do on this ship.

Hubby's delicious appetizer:


My vegetarian appetizer:


Our second appetizer...MANICOTTI! Can we say devine?! Here's my plate:


Here's Hubby's plate. Sorry...it deserves two pictures here in this post:


Our main meal...sea bass. Hubby's plate:


My plate which looks very similar to Hubby's plate:


Can you guess what we ordered for dessert? Yes, Princess' chocolate journey dessert...Tiramisu!



Yes, it was a heavenly chocolate journey while we were devouring this rich dessert. Do you see all that dark chocolate? The coffee ice cream was delicious as Hubby can attest to and kept him up all night into the early morning. Sorry honey!

We are glad that Princess is keeping Sabatini's on most of the ships or at least the ones we will be sailing on in the future. New Princess cruisers should try this restaurant at least once. You might get hooked.