stretchcruz

I think I see Clay....to the left, blue shirt in the middle 2 pictures?

Whenever I would tell my family and friends back home how HOT it was in French Polynesia, Australia, and Bali, they'd say....but you live in Tucson!!! Totally different and I kept saying How does anyone LIVE here???

I was on the cruise with Baron's wife and did what she did....7 classes plus Kitchen Table shopping with Chef Joseph and 4 assistants. We did not cook that meal, it was served to us. In the classes we cooked. I had a wonderful time!!!

Passengers on RCI Ultimate World Cruise are being given 2 choices as to where they are going. They are going to vote!

Passengers on RCI Ultimate World Cruise are being given a choice for where they are going ...

On our cruise it was funny how many people didn't pack warm clothes for LA and the first few days!

I think on Clay's post the top is Regent, the bottom Oceania?

38 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Kudos to Viking Sky’s food team for coming up with a way to respond to another suggestion.
 

Mike had mentioned that it would be great if occasionally the pool grill stayed open for dinner-after a long day ashore, having a quick burger rather than a real meal would suit us better. Initially, we were told they couldn’t do this as they couldn’t close the noodle bar.  But this morning, we found out they are going to have burgers and buns available at the World Cafe. Like the steaks, they will be cooked “à la minute” when requested. Hope others will enjoy ordering the occasional burger also. 
 

Thanks Viking!

That's great! I like that they are doing the sandwich bread too. So many days I just really wanted a sandwich!!!

Nice that you got to bring your friend aboard for lunch!!!

I just double checked to make sure I didn't forget something. I was on Nov 10 to Dec 12 Hawaii and French Polynesia. We did Hilo, Maui, Honolulu, and Kauai. After we left Kauai, on the way to Bora Bora, we had to turn around and go back to Honolulu the next morning for a medical emergency. Apparently a Coast Guard helicopter met us to evaluate the passenger. I was in cooking class so didn't notice. We still made it to Bora Bora on time and they added a surprise port, Raiatea. First time Viking had been there and last minute so no ship excursions. It's funny, on my email to friends while in Honolulu I said....it's a city. A big city. And Waikiki is a beach. A big beach. So I wonder why you all are having Hawaii changed.

Those chips etc look so good! On my 33 day cruise in Nov/Dec I was also craving some. Went on a snorkeling catamaran. They put some out for snacks and you should have seen everyone rush to that counter. It was hysterical.

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

The lights from cruise ship outer decks is actually detrimental to navigation safety. Any light, especially those fwd or below the Bridge, reduce the Bridge Team's night vision. The lights aft impair the visibility astern.

 

All the deck lights may make a cruise ship more visible to other ships, but it negatively impacts the visibility of the masthead lights, side lights and stern light (navigation lights). Knowing another ship is there is only part of the collision and close quarters avoidance measures, you need to see the navigation lights to know the aspect, which is critical in determining if you are the stand-on vessel, or the give way vessel.

 

So no, cruise ships being lit up at night does not enhance navigation safety. The outer deck lights can also be considered a contravention of the Collision Regulation, as no other lights should impair the visibility of the navigation lights.

We were once on a Princess cruise and were upgraded to a cabin below the bridge with a balcony that was not listed as a balcony (no furniture out there but a large balcony). One night we were inside the cabin with the drapes open and got a phone call from the Bridge (Bridge on the caller id) to shut our drapes! We had no idea. No signs, cabin steward didn't tell us ...from that time forward drapes were closed at night and I would slink out there trying not to open the drapes!

We overnighted in Tahiti as well. Most of the crew got no sleep that night as they were ashore. And they had cabin inspection the next morning. Some of it didn't go well😁 I stayed aboard so I'm no help. There was a bar/restaurant on the water just down from the ship and I could hear loud music whenever I went outside.

Not great pictures but gives you an idea of what we saw on the tour.

21 minutes ago, BobCatter said:

Question for anyone who has been to Tahiti before:

West Coast or East Coast for views/photos/etc? Any thoughts on which might be more interesting photographically?

I was there Dec 1 on the Star. When you get off the ship and go through the gate if you turn right there are folks selling tours. I did a van tour with 4 other people. Air conditioned. MAKE SURE!! The first van wasn't so we got off. The heat is oppressive. Our driver took us completely around the island. Many beautiful photo stops, blowhole, beaches, parks, etc. At one point we had to turn around and go back the way we came because there had been a rockslide. We still saw the entire perimeter, instead of a circle we did 2 half circles. The driver was great and took us a few extra places. He stopped at a very large store kind of like a big Target for the other folks in the van. They wanted alcohol and one couple bought some Tahitian shirts for themselves and friends. Very good price for the shirts. They had everything you could think of in that store. I think the tour was $60 or so? 4 or so hours? It was a highlight. And the 2 couples with me were awesome. The driver knew the great photo stops for sure.

19 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

"Clay,. who is your chef?

This Neptune thread is not near as chatty as the Sky one.  No real speaking of how we might have to divert and when.  We do share a common thread with the tv stories.  Odd that two separate ships would have the same "broken antenna" issue at the same time...😎

Jim, the antenna was broken the entire 33 day cruise Nov/Dec to Hawaii and French Polynesia. Broken at sea, worked in port. Sometimes. Viking Star.

When you get off the ship there are lines of taxis. AND we sat on our assigned bus for 15 minutes after the other buses that loaded after us left. We sat there watching them just doing I don't know what. Got to LAX and had to wait for the big bus to drop off and unload luggage at 2 terminals before ours. I hated it. Did it because it was included. Would I pay for it? No way. I also hate being on big busses with lots of people. I wouldn't pay for it. No way, if I can get a taxi or an Uber.

1 hour ago, SantaFe1 said:

I’m so glad you mentioned this.  I booked my transfer this afternoon—day 31 before departure!  All set.

Honestly I'd do Uber or Lyft. We stood around(literally) outside of the garage in the median for well over half an hour after they rounded up the folks on our bus, which took over half an hour. We would have been there already! I'm underestimating the times. We landed around 9. Onboard after 11?

43 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

@stretchcruz

Thanks for your kind compliments, and for following along.

 

Had I not booked Hawaiian Islands Sojourn in June 2023, I would have instead taken your November 2023 French Polynesian/Hawaii 32 night voyage.  V was offering some very nice promotions during summer and fall.

 

Was your cruise full ?

 

I heard our CD say we had about 800, but could have been more.  Never felt crowded or waited much in any lines in Restaurants or WC.

 

Thanks 

I think 840. But the price took a HUGE dive. People booked a couple of weeks ahead for a heck of a deal.

I sure enjoyed your reports. I did Hawaii and French Polynesia Nov/Dec. You had different CD, Captain , etc. Ours all went on vacation. Thanks for taking the time.

13 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Special delivery to our room this morning IYKYK😀

Oh my goodness! Of course they made them for you!!!

Just did a live chat. She said that it's not in MVJ and she's emailing me an invoice. I don't feel quite so stupid. Thanks everyone!

4 minutes ago, millybess said:

I should add that the times will show up on the calendar on MVJ if you have something booked on a particular day. 

Right. But I want to see arrival and departure times.

I'll see if I can find the invoice in my email. Just seems that I should be able to find it on MVJ.

Can't find the invoice on MVJ.