SailingShelley

Perhaps that would be a better solution even though we have stayed there before on several trips and we may just want to get home at that point!

11 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Why not plan to do that at least one way from Sydney to Hawaii, or reverse. It would take in Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea which are wonderful.

When flying long haul, we avoid alcohol, noise cancelling headphones for the movies or music, earplugs for dozing, eat well, drink lots of water and get up at least every two hours for a little walk / toilet break. Best of all is breaking the flights with a stop over for at least 24 hours.

Unfortunately the Transpacific (TP) to/from Sidney does not present itself directly before or after the Top and Bottom Australian cruises in January or March 2020. The Radiance does only New Zealand cruises that attach on either side. The TP would have to arrive in Sidney Feb 9 or depart from Sidney March 14 or there about to work. Plus the fact that there are 20  "at sea" days already on the Aussie cruises. The TP has another 11 sea days- so we would probably be ready to swim to shore! LOL!

18 minutes ago, George C said:

29 days till first oasis cruise.have celebrity and msc booked for next year.

Okay what is "first oasis cruise have Celebrity"? Do you mean the Ship is "Oasis of the Seas"? Royal Caribbean has a ship with that name. If it is Celebrity Cruises than what is the name of the ship or what part of the World is sailing? 🙄

5 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Nice, as for the long flights, all I can say is pack some patience and make sure you have recovery time in your schedule, perhaps have a stop over half way for a night to help with breaking it up and reducing any jet lag.

Rather be on a Transpacific than the plane to Sidney for 20+ hours but I don't think I have the patience for ALL those days at sea! What do you pack in your "flying patience suitcase"? Recovery from the States to Europe jet lag goes well since I get off running. Doing the  TA crossing on a ship instead of flying does make it easier but a lot more patience is needed!

4 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Yes that would have been nice, a coffee and a pastiche or two. We went to Sintra, Caiscais and Estoril as well as all around Lisbon.

Chuck and I did the same except we did not go to Estoril. We did Sintra and Cascais the first time and Lisbon the second visit. Bought some cork shoes and a purse!

We are planning to go to Australia and New Zealand Feb 9 and Feb 26, 2020 on the Radiance. We'll see if we can handle to Loooong flight and the airfare!

15 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Yes, we were there together, you guys left a lot earlier than us though as we stayed til 10pm.

I thought you were to be in Lisbon the day before! Did they change your itinerary? We were there twice-first time on September 11th. which was our first time ever in that port. Wish I knew our paths crossed as it would have been cool to meet!

292 days until Celebrity Reflection's British Isles Cruise

On 10/20/2018 at 10:50 PM, MicCanberra said:

29 days until our Tasmania cruise. 🙂

Mic-Were you on the Navigator on October 3rd in Lisbon? I was on the Indy in Lisbon on October 3rd also. I thought the Navigator was scheduled to be docked in Lisbon on October 2nd.

Independence OTS - Capt Iv Vidos (started rotation 8-25-18)

Independence OTS - Capt Teo Strazicic

 

 

Captain Teo Strazicic was on until August 31st. Chuck and I were on the two cruises on August 25 and August 28.

Captain Iv Vidos began his rotation on August 31st.

Chuck and I boarded the Independence on August 25th and will be cruising until October 6th.

Chuck and I are currently on The Independence out of Southampton. We were not aware that the menus are totally different and directed by a British chef. The experience has been "lovely"! The cabins are equipped with tea kettles and assorted teas to keep the Brits happy as well!

Don't forget in San Juan you will probably have to get off the ship and go to the terminal to "0" the count. when I was there in the fall on a B2B2B this process took well over an hour.

I believe that this "Zero" count procedure is no longer and issue. Getting the new card took a minute

I will be doing my first b2b in March, going from Sydney to Singapore. Would RC set up a tour in Singapore for b2b people. Can't imagine going back to that city but would love to see the sights.

On turn around days it is up to B2B cruisers to plan your own day. Only tours available that day are for those cruisers leaving & getting dropped off for late departures that day at the airport. No Excursions are for port drop off for turn around B2B cruisers. Remember that the time is shorter since you must be back by the deadlines imposed for the new cruisers as it is also mandatory for B2B cruisers to do the muster drill.

We were going to get off the ship and do laundry, look around San Juan...etc... BUT....after hearing about how nice it is just to relax on the ship, enjoy the luncheon and having the ship to ourselves...even if it isn't for long,,,,we have decided to stay onboard and just enjoy!

Depending on number of B2B drives if there is a "special" luncheon! Just got on the third of five B2B. First two had nothing special for lunch (usual Windjammer with the new cruisers)so can not expect that "special" always. On the Indy going to Norway (8nights), then cruise to Canary Islands, plus Atlantic Ocean side of Spain & Portugal (14 nights) then last cruise is Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar into the Mediterranean to Spain, France and Italy (14 nights). Weather has been awesome in the 60s with no rain!

That sounds amazing!!! I was worried about 2 weeks of clothing, formal nights. ..etc. Doing laundry off the ship or using laundry service. I can't imagine packing for 42 days. What is the secret? Any tips for our first B2B? Thanks !!

Got on board yesterday! Get the same cabin for your entire stay! Bring items you can quick dry. We only send underwear or things we don't care about to the laundry since they can get ruined from others Velcro and getting snagged! Make lists where you have packed everything and finish packing at least 3 days in advance!

That does sound like a cool experience. I think we will stay onboard.

It IS fun to stay on board and watch all the products coming on board!

There are all kinds of dogs with special training sniffing all the pallets.

You do feel special roaming the decks alone!

The time has come for our 5 B2B cruises!

7:15 PM today Chuck and I fly to London to arrive tomorrow at 11AM for 3 nights in London!

4 days until we board the Indy for 42 nights!

We are READY!

TODAY we Fly at 7:15PM to London landing at 11 AM tomorrow.

FOUR days until we board The Indy! Hooray!!!

Flying out tomorrow evening and Wednesday morning we'll be in London!

5 DAYS we'll be boarding The Independence OTS for our 42 night Adventure!

4 days and we'll be in London!

In only ONE WEEK we'll be boarding The Independence OTS for our 42 night Adventure!

5 days and we'll be in London!

8 DAYS we'll be boarding The Independence OTS for our 42 night Adventure!

Single digits Now! 6 days and we'll be in London! :)

9 DAYS we'll be boarding The Independence OTS for our 42 night Adventure! :D

Not if it’s something he chose and will enjoy. I am thinking, especially with Oasis class ships, that the same ports over and over, year after year, would get monotonous.

Exactly! I understand he was offered and jumped at the chance! He could come back to whatever he wished to and this was his choice! New ports, New old Ship with a totally different orientation, different group of cruisers and even a New cook!

11 DAYS to go! We'll be in London in 7 days!

Correct, after vacation he will go to the Majesty. I will try to find out who will be the 2nd Oasis captain.

If I understood correctly, he has never been to Cuba so he took Majesty so he could visit.

Well of course i questioned the kids in the group and was told the 14 year old was the sister and "watching him".

Since moving to Florida from Michigan five years ago, we have not been doing as many Caribbean cruises since we no longer cruise there to escape the winters Instead we have broadened our horizons by sailing beyond this area. There are less children when the cruises are longer and require more expense when air fare is involved in the mix. When we have cruised in the local (now local for us) areas to Florida, we always cruise when the kids are in school. This is the way to find a lower keyed trip with less children as distractions.