Dancuboz

10 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

A little closer

 

Once in a lifetime cruise...lucky with the weather too...

"The Ice" (Antartica) putting us in perspective...superb shot...travelling there vicariously with you...

I meant to also say that if you are going to spend some time in Japan before/after your cruise, you might think about buying a Suica card, available at airport etc and you can use it on public transport by tapping on at first place of travel then tapping off when you get to your desitination. It saves lining up for tickets etc and you can top up at 7 eleven and other corner shops. I found it most convenient and can be used to buy groceries etc as well. It is like a plastic card with credit for your transport needs Danny

7 hours ago, ShawninFL said:

I've been searching for this same route by train.  It appears that there are routes not requiring a transfer from Shinjuku-Sanchome to Nihon-Odori.  Shinjuku-Sanchome is actually closer to our hotel than the main Shinjuku station.....and I believe will probably be easier to manage as well.  I used Hyperdia.com to locate the trains.  650 yen per ticket.  Since we depart on a Saturday it should be less crowded than a weekday, so we're going to try the train.

I think you are going to be just fine. When you exit, Nihon Odori station, walk towards Yokohama Bay direction. The pier and terminal is a leisurely 10 to 15 min walk if you have bags on wheels. If you have some spare time, you might like to visit the Red Brick area. It is opposite the cruise terminal and within easy walking distance too. Bon voyage, and hope your cruise is just as wonderful as mine was on the Diamond Princess, Danny

18 hours ago, GTVCRUISER said:

La Paz BCS

Feast for all their senses and ours too...you captured the moment ..Danny

22 hours ago, Jackharry said:

Thanks for this very helpful info. Can you tell me if Tokyo station and Shinjuku are one and the same?

I used the app called Hyperdia on my phone and it was fabulous. It will allow you to enter departure and destination stations and give you the schedules with times and transfer stations and even the platform numbers. It gives real time  information so you can juggle your time. The trains are easy and efficient and station staff most helpful. Enjoy your trip and the cruise. Danny

Butchart Gardens - Victoria, British Columbia

Beautiful setting with amazing array of foliage colour..bringing back happy memories of that stunning garden..thank you Danny

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You have probably departed Curacao but if still there, I had wonderful meal at Scampi’s with the ocean lapping at the sides of the restaurant and full view of Sea Princess on my world cruise...

http://www.scampiscuracao.com/

Following your blog..enjoy the rest of your cruise best wishes Danny

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Truly!

 

 

 

We are very grateful for every cruise we’ve taken - all on Princess. It suits us.

 

 

 

My first Princess cruise was 1986, and yes, things have changed. But the joy I feel when I embark is still there. I know how lucky I am to be there.

 

 

 

My DH and I love spending time together, so we have a great time at sea or in port. We always try to focus on the positive, and the now, not the past.

 

 

 

I wish all of you a wonderful next cruise, on whatever line and to whatever destination you choose.

 

 

 

Lyssa

Thank you so much for your positive post. I feel the same way and love my Princess ship and the wonderful staff and the old world charm of travelling on the seas..wish you a wonderful next cruise too. My glass is always half full but not necessarily my wine glass..

Danny

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From HAL cruises I have done, just dress code for dinner.

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Just in: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-14/cyclone-gita-batters-fiji,-upgraded-to-category-five/9445612

Weather report as of 14 Feb reported by ABC news Australia

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If it helps I used Highlight wine tours in Picton in 2014 owned and run by Colleen and David. I will also use them again in April 2018. They will tailor make a tour to suit your needs. I visited Hunters and Framingham wineries out of Picton and had a wonderful lunch with Sauvignon Blanc at local winery as well. There is a range of reds and whites to enjoy. I think the reds are lighter types like Pinot Noir because of soil, climate and growing conditions. You can pass on that Danny Byrne from Mt Tamborine Australia recommended them.

Here is the website..

https://www.highlightwinetours.co.nz/

If you post in your roll call, others may join the group to reduce costs.

Best wishes Danny Byrne

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Panca from Bali customised tours recommended by Danny Byrne Australia

http://balicustomizedtours.com/

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You reaffirmed my reactions about my first cruise..it's a beautiful way to travel...in 2015 I bit the bullet and did a world cruise...it was the most amazing experience over 104 days...I liked the positive energy from your review..enjoy your new found joy in life...best wishes from Danny

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Super_grover

Would you be able to send me your recommendations and suggestions for Luang Prabang please as per your earlier posting.

I am visiting in October this year.

dancuboz at hotmail dot com

Many thanks for your time and help, Danny

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Bob

You encapsulated that so beautifully. Brings back wonderful memories.

Hazelnut, there is only one more thing I could add. There is the most gorgeous market in the city. Adelaide Central Market, Gouger Street. If you are into that sort of scene, it is a wonderful assault on all your senses in a very multicultural setting. Maybe Bob could give more detail for a nice coffee place there or lunch as he is a local.

It is one of our main wine growing states with plenty of wineries to visit and if you have time, there is a beautiful hamlet in the Adelaide Hills called Hahndorf. German people settled there and famous painter lived in the area Hans Heysen. He delighted in painting gum trees and pastoral scenes.

Welcome down under

Danny in Mt Tamborine Queensland a long way from Adelaide.

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You might consider getting off the train to city at Port Adelaide on the way to the city. A beautiful old preserved historic precinct. You can explore it easily on foot. I had a wonderful visit there last year on the Australia Circumnavigation voyage on the Volendam.

Free city bus shuttle in Adelaide is very handy too.

Train Trip to city takes about 30 mins and I seem to remember that you can get a concession if you are a senior.

Best wishes Danny

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A wonderful ship and itinerary.

I did this cruise in 2013. When you board in Sydney, HAL keeps your passport and organises the required visas for Indonesia.

They returned our passports after leaving Indonesian waters with Australian Immigration staff on board the ship.

Enjoy your voyage.

Danny

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Have a wonderful safe trip and may all of your cruise dreams come true!

Danny

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Newfarmers

Thanks so much for your help re the schedule for Brisbane.

Danny

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David, thanks so much for your reply.

You are right. The port schedule shows it as you say but the Harbour Master has no record of it visiting in May.

I am just trying to clarify where the Dawn Princess will berth for some friends. The port says it will be berth at the grain terminal but harbour master says the Dawn Princess will be at Dockside as The World is not on his schedule.

I am not sure who is correct. But thanks for your reply anyway.

Nice photos of it in Auckland.

Danny

Does anyone know the itinerary of The World after it leaves Sydney in May. I am finding it quite elusive to track down. To be specific, I would like to know if it is going to berth in Brisbane after departing Sydney.

Any clues will be much appreciated. It is listed as being in Brisbane for 2 days arriving 19 May and departing 20 May but the Harbour Master reckons he hasn't got it on his shipping movements calendar.

Many thanks in advance,

Danny

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Rosee,

Yes mostly with CC groups except for ports I had been before. Often Holland America provided a free shuttle or a free shuttle provided by local council eg Burnie,

We did CC trips to the Pinnacles in Perth, Cape Le Grande in Esperance, local tour in Port Lincoln, Sea Lion trip on Kangaroo Island, ship tour on Komodo Island, 4 of us hired a taxi in Lombok for the day and that worked out great. Negotiated price with driver before we left the port.

Other ports I took shuttle and did my own touring.

Perth (Freemantle) and Adelaide (Outer Harbour) there was a train station very close to the wharf that took approx 30 mins to the city.

Free city buses in Perth that do a circle route and stop at Botanic Gardens.

We even had a Melbourne Cup party with live coverage but I was busy at the bridge table. You could even enter a sweep in the casino!!

By the way, the Volendam has a full time florist, Marcus on board. Fresh arrangements all over the ship. Very often they reflected the flora of the port we had visited.

Just let me know if I can help any further.

Best wishes, Danny

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Erewhon

Holland America took it after boarding and gave a receipt.

It was kept until we visited Indonesia and the required visas were processed on board ship.

When we left Indonesian waters, the passports were returned and stamped by Australian immigration staff travelling on the ship. We had to report in person to receive them back from immigration.

Indonesian visa costs charged direct to our on board account.

Danny

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Rosee

Yes I did the circumnavigation of Australia on the Volendam last year. I loved the trip and didn't want to get off when we sailed back into Sydney Harbour.

It is a smaller ship and we had smooth seas for the most part at that time of the year. No cyclones around. I visited ports I had never been to.

We had a very active CC group/roll call. I joined the CC tours mostly except for Komodo Island where I had to join the ship excursion to see the dragons. But I believe there was one private tour to Komodo but they had to seek special approval. We called into Lombok as well. When I boarded in Sydney, they took my passport and organised the Indonesian visas efficiently and kept the passport and then returned it after we had left Indonesian waters. Australian immigration travelled on the ship and processed our passports on board while sailing.

We missed out Exmouth because of high swell and had an extra day in Perth which was nice.

Not sure if you play bridge but we had a fabulous director with lessons in the morning and then choice of duplicate or social bridge in the afternoon.

Food and service and entertainment was superb and my trip was made even more special when I won a raffle in the dining room and the prize was another 7 day cruise.

Mix of passengers from other countries was really interesting. A lot of Americans and Canadians had done the Pacific crossing and then stayed on to do the circumnavigation.

I have no bad points to describe. However, I did hear some grumbles on board but quickly removed myself into white light and positivity!!!

No I didn't do a review. In hindsight, I should have but regard myself as a relatively inexperienced cruiser compared to others I met.

In case you are wondering, the Volendam has several laundries which is handy. You use USA quarters which you can get from the front desk. I bought a wine package which worked out quite well.

I loved the ports of call but Esperance, Port Lincoln (king George whiting and coffin bay oysters with Lincoln White for lunch at Del Giornos on the Main Street), Burnie and Kangaroo Island and Hamilton Island were really special because it was my first visit to those ports.

I just adored the experience and hope you do too.

Danny

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