LIVE from the Sapphire - 33 days from Seattle to Sydney

[cosecphil]

Philip

 

We would love to have you join our tour. I have sent you an email with all the details. Let me know when you have a confirmed booking with Milestones Tours.

 

Many thanks Randy (or Bev - not sure who does the blogging).

 

Have filled in the forms, visa etc and also sent you an email if you don;t mind reading it and replying.

 

Many thanks:):)

[BayCalif-Ariz R Us]

Just a quickie visit. Rich says nothing special will be done for Halloween. Maybe some sort of theme game at night. It's a port day. BTW, ship is still doing R and R.

 

Hi Pia - you know from our thread that Norm & Cheri have offered up their PH suite for a Halloween party for the CCers. So far 40 have signed up:eek: Do you know Gisela & Ken currently with you in C409? They're on our roll call roster but we haven't heard from them in quite some time. Their suite is one door down from Norm & Cherie. You may not think it's a good idea and we will fully understand if you don't, but perhaps you could ring them up and ask if they'd consider co-hosting this event with Norm & Cherie. Co-hosting of course just means opening their door - everybody would bring stuff.

 

This Halloween party of ours took on a new life of its own now that you've told us Princess isn't going to do anything! Thanks. Really enjoying this thread! Didi

[cruisefreaks]

Hi Pia !!

 

How are the mattresses in your cabin ?? There is a HUGE discussion going on CC regarding the terrible condition of the mattresses.......any comment?

 

Hope you had a fantastic day and I am enjoying your posts! I would love to hear more about the pub crawl. Please drop me a note if you get a minute....donna7040 at msn dot com.

 

Can't wait to see you in Sydney. :D

 

Donna and Dave

[Pia1913]

Good Morning and welcome to French Polynesia; namely, Moorea. Moorea is just 12 miles across the lagoon from Tahiti, so when we leave here later today, we’ll arrive into Papeete only a short time afterwards. For those who weren’t already aware, the Bali Hai segment of South Pacific was filmed here in Moorea. Having visited here previously, we have no special plans except to tender ashore and walk around. First time visitors should consider visiting the unbelievable lookouts of Kia Ora and Le Belvedere for breathtaking views. When we were last here we did a 4WD expedition; terrific if you have a good back. I suppose this is why we have no problems with the Princess beds. :D

Very sparse schedule today for those staying aboard; assorted trivias, scrabble, outburst, etc. There will be a movie shown at 10:00 and 2:00; “Oceans.” Last tender back from Moorea is at 5:30 and expected arrival into Papeete is at 9:00 PM. There is usually “food and fun” right at the dock area in Papeete, but this being a Sunday things might be different. We don’t plan on getting off the ship tonight.

A Folkloric show is scheduled for 10:00 PM in the theater and if we don’t see it there, said show will be shown tomorrow on our cabin TV.

There’s something happening in the photo shop, but I don’t know the details. Evidentally they are issuing a photo card; something like a coffee card. You get a punch for every purchase and then they award gifts. Interesting way to make you buy photos.

Breakfast time again. If I forget to mention Brainbuster Trivia please remind me. Our CD Rich does a real giveaway.

Didi: I will ponder your request. Need to check something first.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

[Colo Cruiser]

Nice day. Enjoy!

[mmyorkston]

Lucky lady. You are in my favorite part of the world. Hope you enjoyed Moorea.

[cruiznagainandagain]

Thank you so much for adding advice for first time visitors! We will be going to some of these same islands for the first time next year and I'm loving your daily reports. The pictures added by other readers to this thread is awesome also! This just makes CC so awesome! You all contribute amazing stuff!

[julia]

Pia:

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your days with us! I look forward to meeting you in a few weeks! :)

[happytalk44]

Pia,

I have a strange question but one that matters to me. Do the hangers in the closet on the Sapphire come off the rod and can be removed? We will be on her for 28 days in Oct 2011 and I will need to hang dry some clothes. I know some are permanently attached and wondered about the Sapphire.

Thanks

Pat

[Colo Cruiser]

Pia,

I have a strange question but one that matters to me. Do the hangers in the closet on the Sapphire come off the rod and can be removed? We will be on her for 28 days in Oct 2011 and I will need to hang dry some clothes. I know some are permanently attached and wondered about the Sapphire.

Thanks

Pat

 

 

Yes they come off.

Non are permanently attached.

[happytalk44]

Thanks for your help. I get confused with other lines that are attached and wanted to be sure I remembered right.

[ssbeagle]

Thank you so much for adding advice for first time visitors! We will be going to some of these same islands for the first time next year and I'm loving your daily reports. The pictures added by other readers to this thread is awesome also! This just makes CC so awesome! You all contribute amazing stuff!

 

Tahiti is truly a paradise on earth. We've been there twice on Tahitian Princess (now Ocean Princess) cruises. And we are looking forward to going again on our next cruise.

[Pia1913]

OK………….. Back from Moorea in 10 seconds. Took the tender, walked around and looked at all the kiosks and returned to ship in less than 30 minutes. Nothing has changed since the last time we were here and since Moorea is a teeny little island, not really anywhere to walk. I do suggest, and this is from someone who wears sandals all year round, that you wear your sneakers here. It’s all gravel and dirt; no concrete and no sidewalks except for when you get off the tender.

Poker/pub crawl explanation for those who asked: We met initially at Outrigger Bar where we each anted $5.00 and were given a pink slip of paper with each suit listed and corresponding numbers of two to ace. In turn we each picked a card from a bag and that card was noted on your paper. You held on to said slip of paper. Card then went back into the sack and next person picked. When all had their turn we proceeded to the next bar; Calypso and then on to Tradewinds, Wheelhouse Bar and finished at Casino Bar. You could buy a drink if you wanted to, but not obligatory. Each time you picked a card it was noted on your “game paper” and the person with the best hand at the end won the pot. There was a lot of money so 3 prizes were awarded. I can’t tell you the percentages, because we both bombed out at card #4. I do know that one winner had 2 pair; king high.

Brainbuster explanation: Richard has every trivia player put their name into a box before the session begins. He then selects names on and off during the game and prizes can be anything- I.e. drinks, smoothies, champagne, etc. My husband won a Sapphire boat; cute. They are sold in the shop. Also, Richard doesn’t believe in tiebreakers, so everyone tied gets a prize. In one of yesterday’s sessions there were 8 teams tied and everyone got a baseball cap or lanyard. He says that new prizes are coming aboard, but doesn’t know when. You know I’ll tell you if/when it occurs.

Hangers: As stated, no hangers are permanently attached. And, they will also bring you as many additional you desire, both wooden and/or wire.

See you tomorrow in Papeete.

[julia]

 

Poker/pub crawl explanation for those who asked: We met initially at Outrigger Bar where we each anted $5.00 and were given a pink slip of paper with each suit listed and corresponding numbers of two to ace. In turn we each picked a card from a bag and that card was noted on your paper. You held on to said slip of paper. Card then went back into the sack and next person picked. When all had their turn we proceeded to the next bar; Calypso and then on to Tradewinds, Wheelhouse Bar and finished at Casino Bar. You could buy a drink if you wanted to, but not obligatory. Each time you picked a card it was noted on your “game paper” and the person with the best hand at the end won the pot. There was a lot of money so 3 prizes were awarded. I can’t tell you the percentages, because we both bombed out at card #4. I do know that one winner had 2 pair; king high.

 

 

BRILLIANT!!! This is SO simple and keeps things on the up-and-up! Thanks for sharing!! :):)

[hpresident]

OK………….. Back from Moorea in 10 seconds. Took the tender, walked around and looked at all the kiosks and returned to ship in less than 30 minutes. Nothing has changed since the last time we were here and since Moorea is a teeny little island, not really anywhere to walk. I do suggest, and this is from someone who wears sandals all year round, that you wear your sneakers here. It’s all gravel and dirt; no concrete and no sidewalks except for when you get off the tender.

Pia, I am so enjoying your observations. You are a joy to read.

We were on the Royal Princess this summer and crab legs appeared as an appetizer on day, never to be seen again. Are they serving them as an entree on the Sapphire?

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Hi Pia,

Been checking the bridge cam off and on throughout the day for a good shot.

Looked a bit bit overcast there today.

Just clicked on late afternoon , our time, and caught this one..

 

A Rainbow in Paradise......

 

[Toto2Kansas]

Pia, don't loose hope about Halloween. We had a halloween party the night we left Hilo, not all that many years ago, on a Princess ship. Let us know if you hear anymore. ;)

[caribill]

For those who weren’t already aware, the Bali Hai segment of South Pacific was filmed here in Moorea.

 

Actually, it was filmed on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii.

 

According to some sources, the mountain on Moorea was the inspiration for the mountain used in the film.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Ahh , Bali Hai...

 

 

[San Diego Ellie]

Pia, I need your email address for correspondence on the Cobh/Cork private tour I arranged for our spring transatlantic on Grand. I know you had one that you used for our Ruby transatlantic, but I did not keep any of the spreadsheets, so please send it to me at ellieca@fastmail.fm. I do not want to continue just using Gloria as an intermediary for contact with you on this private excursion over the next many months. I also will be doing group emails to the tour participants, probably on a monthly basis at least, so use an email address you do not mind sharing.

 

Thanks, and hope you continue to enjoy your 60 or so day adventure.

 

Ellie

[BayCalif-Ariz R Us]

Hi Pia - It looks like Moorea is not for those of us who are not terribly steady on our feet unless we're on terra firma. May have to send DH ashore to purchase the necessary "treasures" we collect at each port.

 

I wonder if there is some way - perhaps at your next M&G - you can determine how many of you B2Bers will be joining us for which of our planned parties.

 

1) First M&G - Sunday, Oct. 24. 2:00pm Skywalkers

 

2) Pub Crawl

 

3) Tahitian Tea Party

 

4) Chef's Table (turns out we currently have 14, which is two too many and would like to start a second table).

 

5) Halloween Party - October 31 (Auckland). Held in private suite.

 

On that final item, we're already up to 52 and still hopeful that your CC member with a PH suite will allow us to use their room as well. If they do, Norm and Cheri will also ask the people in the suite between the two if we can use their balcony to pass through. In exchange, we will make them honorary Cruise Critic members:cool:. I mean how cheeky can we be? Answer: Very:D.

[Woobstr112G]

Pia;

 

Looking forward to your report on Papeete.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Pia1913]

Good Monday Morning from Papeete where we arrived last night shortly after 8:00 PM. The ship was cleared before 9:00 for those passengers who wished to go ashore. We were not among them. In fact, we opted to forego the 10 PM folkloric show and instead watch What Happens in Vegas on our stateroom TV. The show will be shown on TV so we will catch it when we can.

The last time we were here we did the requisite touring which consisted of another 4WD event. We love punishing our bodies with bumpy and muddy and unpaved terrain. ;) The main sights here are the Arahoho Blowhole, waterfalls and cliffs/lookouts. For a more sedentary excursion, you can visit the Gauguin Museum, Point Venus, where Capt. Cook landed in 1769, the James Hall Museum (he’s the co-author of Mutiny on the Bounty) and the Capt. Bligh monument. We intend to just wander around and hopefully pick up one of the beautiful flower arrangements that I remember as being quite inexpensive. LeMarche…………here we come!

We will depart for Bora Bora approx. 5:00 PM and evening entertainment has Bob Howe (instrumentalist; no other info provided) in the theater and comic Darrell Joyce in Explorer’s. Also on hand is a deck party from 9:30 to midnight with a much needed buffet starting at 10. Just what everyone needs. More food! :)

I know someone asked about classes and until today no mention was made of any. I don’t know if this qualifies, but in today’s Patter there is mention of a photo seminar coming soon. Details are that there will be three one hour classes on digital photos taking place on October 6th, 7th and 11th. Cost is $25/each or all 3 for $50 if you sign up today or tomorrow. No other info given.

Almost ready to go ashore for flowers and to also perhaps get my nails done.

David: weather now looks lovely and sun is shining.

Jackie and Don: No crab legs seen, except those on grouchy people with spindly knees. :D

[Appie]

Good Monday Morning from Papeete where we arrived last night shortly after 8:00 PM. The ship was cleared before 9:00 for those passengers who wished to go ashore. We were not among them. In fact, we opted to forego the 10 PM folkloric show and instead watch What Happens in Vegas on our stateroom TV. The show will be shown on TV so we will catch it when we can.

The last time we were here we did the requisite touring which consisted of another 4WD event. We love punishing our bodies with bumpy and muddy and unpaved terrain. ;) The main sights here are the Arahoho Blowhole, waterfalls and cliffs/lookouts. For a more sedentary excursion, you can visit the Gauguin Museum, Point Venus, where Capt. Cook landed in 1769, the James Hall Museum (he’s the co-author of Mutiny on the Bounty) and the Capt. Bligh monument. We intend to just wander around and hopefully pick up one of the beautiful flower arrangements that I remember as being quite inexpensive. LeMarche…………here we come!

We will depart for Bora Bora approx. 5:00 PM and evening entertainment has Bob Howe (instrumentalist; no other info provided) in the theater and comic Darrell Joyce in Explorer’s. Also on hand is a deck party from 9:30 to midnight with a much needed buffet starting at 10. Just what everyone needs. More food! :)

I know someone asked about classes and until today no mention was made of any. I don’t know if this qualifies, but in today’s Patter there is mention of a photo seminar coming soon. Details are that there will be three one hour classes on digital photos taking place on October 6th, 7th and 11th. Cost is $25/each or all 3 for $50 if you sign up today or tomorrow. No other info given.

Almost ready to go ashore for flowers and to also perhaps get my nails done.

David: weather now looks lovely and sun is shining.

Jackie and Don: No crab legs seen, except those on grouchy people with spindly knees. :D

Pia,

 

Will the Islands, Moorea, Papeete accept the USD for purchases?

Loving alll your information. Thank you for taking the time.

 

Pat & Len (Appie)