Redking

Welcome back! I've missed you and that glorious bar. Happy cruising.

Me too!

😮

Beautiful photos thank you. This region has hovered on and off our bucket list for many years. Firmly back on now!

Me too! I wish I had your problem. With the number of cruises of course, we're all getting older. Pity we're not on the same TP. Maybe catch you for a coffee when you call at Tauranga? Again, sorry Ken.

The Edge. Are you on the Solstice Jim?

Stunning. Still 11 months until our TP but your report begins to make it feel real. Thank you.

There should be a thread on islands that are right next door. I'm thinking Aruba to Curacao. When we sailed our Southern Caribbean Cruise our sons commented that they thought they'd seen the same bridge on an island multiple times during the night when sailing from Aruba to Curacao. Hey presto we had, must have sailed round Curacao several times. We actually didn't call at Mo’orea on our last TP cruise. Considered taking the ferry across from Papeete but thought it too risky in case we didn't get back on time. Thankfully it's on our itinerary next year as I believe it's very beautiful. Sadly no Bora Bora but good to see other islands. Wishing you continued happy cruising!

I guessed you would be reading, who wouldn't and thanks @Jim_Iain Really very sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip and hope you get to sail this itinerary soon. Best wishes for your surgery and a speedy recovery, knees can be tricky.

I like the look of the new Explora Journey ships and their itineraries. Looking forward to first reviews. @Happy Cruiser 6143 if you're reading this, did I see you are cruising with them this year?

Sounds like a wonderful day. Enjoy. We're back in French Polynesia on the Edge this time next year, so looking forward to your reviews.

Yikes!I'm curious as to how guests in the Iconic Suites handle rough seas in case by some miracle I ever get to cruise in one 🤣 Sounds like you're CS is in a similar location? Hoping of course that you don't have rough seas!

I didn't have to work when out at sea so can't accurately comment on that. No problems when in NZ waters but we have premium wifi. I found we had better connection pre Starlink on a TP. Service was eratic on the Eclipse in the South Pacific back in January. @Ken the cruiser might be able to give more up to date feedback. Are you on the Edge next year?

So much serenity. Had to stay onboard due to work commitments on our last visit. I can think of worse places to take a zoom call and then have a cruise ship to yourself 🤣

Rug up, winter is on its way to NZ.

Agree. Although our first Edge class experience is not until next year, we've just been on the Eclipse and that stuffy men's club has certainly had its day.

How's this for vowels in a row Ruairidh. Our son's name. I'm sure Iain can pronounce it! BTW and being cheeky 😜 Scotch comes out of a bottle, the people and language are Scots/Scottish. So looking forward to following your wonderful trip. Thank you for taking us along, especially as I now know how much effort it takes. Kim.

Amazing photos of Norway. A New York to Bergen cruise is currently top of our list. Just need to find a ship and cruise line that appeals and fits the budget!

I think they may be standard on some suite categories on Edge Class. We requested and received one in our Royal Suite on the Eclipse. Friends in a CS asked for one and were told they were only provided to upper suites. I think they have limited numbers of machines?

Hi Charla, really good to know that you've received this level of contact from shoreside. We had really poor service for our last cruise in Royal Suite which I have provided feedback on to the CEO's office. Hopefully they are onto it and are lifting their game. 🤞 the connection is good between shoerside and the ship. Wishing you both a wonderful cruise and looking forward to following along.

Yep, Lawn Grill!

I'd be very interested in your thoughts. Like many, the current X pricing on upper suites is prompting us to look at other options. I even set up a spreadsheet yesterday in an attempt to compare X with equivalent suites on the smaller luxury lines - still a work in progress, any suggestions gratefully accepted. I find that everytime I start this exercise I conclude that the "look and feel" of these ships is not to our taste. We've yet to sail on Edge class but like the look of them but not the prices! Thank you for taking the time to do this.

Do it!

Interesting read. We saw a lot of Chinese investment in Fiji and Tonga on our recent cruise. As you say politics aside, an interesting observation.

Thank goodness you made it out of Auckland. That would really have made it a holiday to remember. So good to hear that you were able to enjoy American Samoa and Tonga. We're feeling better today. I have respiratory issues though not asthmatic. Using my preventative inhaler has really helped. What I hadn't anticipated was a flare up of my Psoriasis, I look like the elephant man - promise, no photos of that! Be well and happy future cruising!