NOLA Cruisers

On 1/12/2019 at 12:31 PM, ilsun said:

7014

I am in cabin 7008 starting in LA.  I think your cabin should be the same as ours.  Does your cabin have shelves in the bathroom to hold toiletries?  

4 hours ago, RJB said:

You got robbed.   About the worst non call ever.   The refs should be fired.    Sorry about that.   

Thanks Cool Cruiser.  It is one thing to loose a game, but it really hurts when you loose a game because of another person.  We will overcome and come back strong next year.

Cool Cruiser I love your pictures, especially your Drew Brees jersey.  We were at the game, what a heartbreaker!  Who Dat!  

We are enjoying all of your posts and are looking forward to joining you from LA to Sydney.  We feel like we know everyone through this forum and cannot wait to meet you.  Vivian and Chuck

We are looking forward to your comments so we can get prepared for our cruise.  See ya’ll in LA.   Safe travels.  Vivian and Chuck.

We're currently on day 32 of Insignia's Sydney to L.A. double segment of the current World Cruise.

Firstly, Insignia is an "R" Ship that, while "small (at 670 passengers and 400 crew)" is probably the excellent poster child for this class (even more than Sirena, which demonstrates what a $40 million renovation can do to a mass market ship- the former Ocean Princess).

Beyond the excellent condition/maintenance of a ship (our only problem has been a disagreeable TV, which was replaced with a new one within an hour of reporting it), the quality/experience/attitude of the crew is what makes Insignia shine. For example:

 

[emoji117]An executive chef (currently Farid) who often cooks "a la minute" at the fantail of the Terrace Café.

[emoji117]The "dean" of Cruise Directors, Ray Carr.

[emoji117]Cabin stewards who need zero reminders about special requests (e.g., a fridge full of Pellegrino water).

[emoji117]Bartenders/waiters who remember you by name (from previous cruises) and whose smiles are genuine.

 

What "negatives" that may exist are functions of any "R" ship. For example:

 

[emoji117]A small lounge theater, which certainly limits the capacity for large productions.

[emoji117]Only two specialty restaurants (as compared to the four on Oceania's Marina and Riviera) and no Culinary School. However, the GDR nightly features dishes from Red Ginger and Jacques.

[emoji117]"Compact" veranda (A and B) cabins with small but well laid out bathrooms and plenty of storage (we're yacht sailors - so these cabins provide plenty of space IMO).

 

Finally, the passenger base makes a difference: In general, Oceania passengers are well traveled, well educated cosmopolitan folks who have worked hard for their money and know a true "value" when they see it. In addition, interestingly, the age demographic appears to have broadened in recent years with a growing number of younger professionals (sometimes with family in tow on shorter Med or Alaska cruises).

I am on the Insigna LA to Sydney segment of the RTW cruise next year and would love to get some insight on your experiencs both on the ship and in the ports. My email is cvf1969 at yahoo dot com. Thank you. Vivian.

NOLA Cruisers mentioned that it was through Akina Aloha Tours - they have a website, but I didn't see that tour listed. I wonder if they put together a custom group tour from their roll call?

I tried to find the tour but could not find it now. It was set up by a cruise critic member and I guess it was a custom tour. Each one of us went to the Akina website and paid for the tour. We had a full bus load, I guess about 50 people.

Was it an excursion through Carnival?

No we booked it independent. We had a full bus and the tour and transportation cost about $50. Would recommend the tour and the bonus was transportation to and from the luau.

'Land Lubber Whale Watch' & Island Tour - booked

Tour through Akina Aloha Tours. Depart Port 1:00

Our journey begins in the Port Town of Kahului, the Commercial Center of the island, and takes us to Historic Wailuku Town, the traditional seat of power for pre-contact ruling chiefs of Maui and the subsequent political and economic forces of the island. Today, it is the County Seat of the Tri-Isle County of Maui, which includes Maui, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i islands. Wailuku is also the hub for all County, State and Federal government offices.

We travel into the Sacred Valley of Iao, into the heart of the West Maui Mountains, where towering emerald peaks guard the sacred burial place of the great Navigators, Kings and High Chiefs of Maui. It is home to one of Maui's most recognizable landmarks, the 1,200-foot, volcanic spire, the Iao Needle. The Valley is also the site of the Battle of Kepaniwai, waged in 1790 by Kamehameha the Great for control of the island. The battle marks a turning point in Hawaiian history.

Your Native Hawaiian Cultural Guide will regale you with the history and legends that surround this Sacred Valley of Iao. Heritage Gardens honors the Plantation Era of Hawai‘i and its impact on bringing the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic make-up of Hawai‘i’s population today.

From Iao Valley we skirt along the base of the West Maui Mountains, with a majestic view of Mt. Haleakala across the isthmus, toward the Western Shoreline of Maui, to Ma‘alaea Bay and on around the Pali (cliffs) toward Lahaina.

"Thar she Blows!"

A 'Land Lubber Whale Watch' from shore.

Keep your eyes on the ocean and be on the lookout for Maui’s biggest winter visitors. It’s Whale Season in Hawai‘i, and the Humpback Whales are here from Alaska for the winter, to birth and breed. Discover why the channel waters between the islands of Kaho‘olawe and Maui are the ideal birthing grounds for these behemoths and learn other interesting facts about these cetaceans. Don’t forget your camera! And binoculars can be useful, too.

Continuing along the scenic shoreline of West Maui, we make our way to Historic Lahaina Town, on the National Register of Historic Places. At one time the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the winter haven of the American Pacific Whaling Fleet, it was also a sleepy Sugar Plantation-era settlement.

Lahaina has a rich history from the time of the Kingdom of Hawai`i and early missionary influence, to a bawdy past of sailors, rum and ale.

We take a rolling tour of these Historic Sites; Waiola Church, the Moku’ula Royal Compound, Lahaina Harbor, the old Courthouse & Banyan Tree, the Pioneer Inn, Hale Pa’ahao, the Baldwin House, the Wo Hing Tong and, from afar, Lahaina Luna School, the oldest school west of the Rockies.

Today Lahaina is the visitor mecca of Maui, with renowned fine dining restaurants and shops that run the gamut from fine art & jewelry to souvenirs & t-shirts. Time has been allotted for shopping & browsing, or just sipping a Mai Tai & watching the world go by at one of the seaside pubs.

Following your visit to Lahaina, we take the short ride down the street for your evening’s entertainment, the Old Lahaina Lu‘au & Show, Maui’s most authentic Hawaiian Lu‘au. After the festivities, a 50 minute transfer returns you to the ship.

We went to the OLL luau in January 2014 and it was exceptional. It was pricey, $103 pp, but it included the pre dinner activities, buffet, and all the alcohol drinks you wanted. transportation to and from the luau was part of our excursion, so we did not need to worry about driving back to the ship. The atmosphere was fantastic, outdoors by the water so you could see the sunset. Before dinner you walked around the grounds (which were beautiful) and saw demonstrations of local traditions. There was someone teaching hula dancing which was fun. The staff was super, the show was phenomenal. You were given a going away gift of banana bread to bring back. It was a very pleasant evening. I cannot think of one negative thing about the evening.