Marina - Valparaiso-Papeete, Dec 28-Jan 15, 2014 - Trip Review and Pictorial

[buggins0402]

Please do... I started reading the review (not noticing the age it) and told DH, this looks like an interesting itinerary for a future trip.

[computerworks]

Please do... I started reading the review (not noticing the age it) and told DH, this looks like an interesting itinerary for a future trip.

 

It was an amazing voyage... :p

[Floridiana]

computerworks,

 

Wonderful! I'll check in again on July 7th! ;)

 

By the way, I love your wife's classy outfits.

Edited July 2, 2015 by Floridiana

[Sheik]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. After 21 cruises with (mainly) Celebrity, Azamara and a couple with Royal Caribbean and HAL, we are ready for our first Oceania cruise (Marina) on December 12th 2015.

[roothy123]

Wow, thanks computerworks! You're second person to say it was an amazing cruise. Been on Oceania so know I'll love the cruising part - hoping the part off the ship is awesome too.

 

Sheik, would love to see your comments late December!

[computerworks]

Time to pick this back up... :o

 

When we last left you. we had departed from Valparaiso and began our journey Westward. A sea day before our first port of call...

 

Day 2 - Sea Day

 

A nice day to relax by the pool in the a.m.

 

 

...and a Pasta cooking class in the late morning.

 

 

 

[computerworks]

First Sea Day...the traditional time for the Meet and Greet.

 

We shared the room with the Art Auction folks...and were sufficiently noisy and boisterous to cause them to close down early. :cool:

 

 

 

 

[computerworks]

A beautiful day for lunch in our favorite spot, plus the token picture of me to prove I was on the cruise.

 

 

 

and, dessert at Waves...

 

[computerworks]

We finished the day with the Captain's Reception...that filled the room to capacity

 

 

 

We decided to return to some relaxed outside dining for dinner... it was such a beautiful evening

 

 

 

Now, heading West to our first port... Robinson Crusoe Island

 

 

...more to follow later.

[computerworks]

Day 3 - Robinson Crusoe Island

 

We knew this would be a laid-back port, since the island is sparsely inhabited and really no special landmarks of interest to us.

Most of the activities are 'trekking'...which is not in my vocabulary.

 

After a day of open seas, the craggy destination appeared in front of us...

 

 

We glided into port in the early, foggy a.m.

 

 

 

 

Tendering was the order of the day in this small port

 

 

[computerworks]

We reached the sparse little hillside village...

 

 

Strangely reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest in the USA

 

 

 

 

Interesting place with not much to do, unless you are a trekker. We walked around the town and I did some climbing to the upper areas... the old fort and some neat vistas.

 

 

The aiming of the cannon was purely accidental...

 

 

[computerworks]

 

 

It did seem obvious to me that a tsunami evacuation route would indeed be uphill...

 

 

as you can see...

 

 

 

Back to the ship after a nice walk and visit... time to relax on the Spa Terrace until we set sail.

 

 

Tomorrow is 12/31.. a sea day and New Year's Eve

 

We are so looking forward to a great party...having never sailed over this holiday before. So glad it is a sea day...

 

...more later

[Floridiana]

Oh goody! I didn't have to wait for the 7th. :)

This island looks tropical from afar, similar to the Marquesas in French Polynesia. Very interesting!

[ruthnlarry]

First Sea Day...the traditional time for the Meet and Greet.

 

We shared the room with the Art Auction folks...and were sufficiently noisy and boisterous to cause them to close down early. :cool:

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the photos and review. Can't wait for next year when we do this cruise!!

At what time and where was your Meet and Greet? We're trying to decide upon a time and place for ours next year. Any suggestions?

[computerworks]

The traditional time and place = First Sea Day - Horizons Lounge - 11 a.m.

[computerworks]

Oh goody! I didn't have to wait for the 7th. :)

 

Trying to steal some time during the weekend days. :p

 

I have one more day to post now... then I am in trouble. More to follow...maybe tonite.

[ruthnlarry]

The traditional time and place = First Sea Day - Horizons Lounge - 11 a.m.

Thanks! Some people were worried that it would conflict with the cooking class.

[computerworks]

Day 4, Sea Day - New Year's Eve

 

Early in the day, another beautiful sunny day at sea.

 

 

So many captions... but "...it doesn't get any better than this" wins.

 

 

 

The day started with a Cooking Demo in the Theater... so very entertaining. We didn't miss any of them throughout the voyage.

 

 

Everybody wants a taste

 

 

 

===========================================

[computerworks]

We relaxed by the pool for most of the day...

...and had an early Dinner at Jacque's

 

 

They had a Special Holiday Menu for that evening.

 

 

I never miss dessert

 

 

 

What a great meal... and a charming team...

 

 

Now, a walk around the ship after dinner... and get ready for the big party.

 

[computerworks]

Pre-Party.. the gala would be on the Pool deck... on a beautiful and warm evening.

 

The staff started getting ready just at dusk.

 

 

A last inspection to check the ice sculpture for typos...

 

 

 

[computerworks]

The show troupe performed as the party warmed up... to get folks in the party mood and start dancing.

 

 

 

 

We don't need no warm-up...We are ready...:cool:

 

 

==============================

[computerworks]

What a surprise and delight... we met a boy dancer in the troupe that we knew from prior cruises...when he worked on Norwegian. We remembered...he remembered.

 

 

[computerworks]

As the clocked ticked on... the party switched to "Full Bore."

 

 

 

Chasing out the "old year"

 

 

 

 

Everyone danced...champagne flowed... it was amazing.

 

[computerworks]

The Captain made a wonderful toast, and spent time mingling with everyone...

 

 

The countdown was thrilling... the chills cannot be described.

 

Here...share the moment with me...

 

[YOUTUBE]-lOKJMoWSF0[/YOUTUBE]

 

 

This was the very best New year's Eve party we ever had.... what great memories and a fantastic time.

 

So much so, that we booked the Marina again for this upcoming holiday season.

 

Tomorrow is another Sea Day thankfully... we'll sleep in.

 

...more later

[hypercafe]

Great new years party, great review as usual, great trip. If only I could get down there without a 14 hour plane ride!

 

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