“LIVE FROM” 2019 Oceania Insignia World Cruise, Jan. 11-July 11

[bob brown]

Pilot aboard at 0630.  The Viking Orion is behind us.

[pmm0317]

Awesome experience,  ATW19 members. Thank you for sharing with us. Just booked ATW21 which very similar route to ATW19. 

Keep sharing experience with us. 

[Tranquility Base]

The Viking Orion is docked behind Insignia and so their bridgecam shows an aft view of Insignia.

Hardly a cloud in the sky currently on that view.

[bob brown]

Another gorgeous day...😎

On the morning tour of Wellington, rest stop at Botanical Garden.   Started with a ride on the funicular railway...

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

3 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

The Viking Orion is docked behind Insignia and so their bridgecam shows an aft view of Insignia.

Hardly a cloud in the sky currently on that view.

Just took a look!  Didn't realize that cam was on the internet - thanks!  I found another web cam that shows both ships, but it's a somewhat distant view, so not as interesting.

[bob brown]

View from top of funicular and then Old St. Paul’s Church...

[bob brown]

“Mission accomplished”

👍🙂

 

[netekay]

Thanks to everyone for all of these great photos! I am truly enjoying your world tour!

[ellenw]

18 hours ago, Go-Bucks! said:

 

 

 

 

All of the photos have been great. But these 3 are just amazing. What joy to have seen in person. Thanks everyone!

[Go-Bucks!]

Nice day in Wellington!  Quite chilly and windy, but sunny and plenty to do!

 

Connie and I started out taking a walking tour, but for several reasons we went on our own after about an hour. Rode the cable car up and down, and visited the botanical gardens quickly.

 

After returning to the downtown area, we did some shopping, got a mani/pedi and a haircut. Walked 4.5 miles and ended up at the Te Papa museum...it was very nice, but I wanted to see the Chinese terra cotta warriors that were on special exhibit but it cost $15-50 even though the main museum is free. The Maori artifacts were gorgeous. 

 

[Go-Bucks!]

Many art objects in public places are expressive of the Maori people. I bought some jewelry made with Paua shell (pronounced "pow-ah") mother-of-pearl and an actual shell. The shape of the  curved necklace is a fern opening up and the design is called Koru which, in the Maori language, means "new life or beginning, harmony and peace."

[palakika]

Go-Bucks..Beautiful jewelry.   The fern opening one is very special. 

I'm really enjoying everyone's pics...including Pat' s travel blog.  Many of us wish we were along on the voyage.

[GiGiGi]

I am so enjoying following thus trip through all the commentary and photos.   Thank you so much!!

I am curious as to how you did your planning for excursions, tours, etc.  Did you do it all before departure, or are you doing it as you go?

Thanks again for "taking us along" on your adventure!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

 

On 2/26/2019 at 1:55 PM, bob brown said:

It would be nice if we could move on from the subject of past “exclusion”, and focus on this cruise.

Of course, those of you at home that wish to continue debating about it, are welcome to start a new thread on the subject...

Thank you.

 

Although the experiences of one ATW cruise doesn't reflect this one, I found those posts horrendous.  But I agree with Bob.  Thanks to everyone for all the great pix and commentary, and hope all you guys, whether worldies or seggies, are having a wonderful time together!

[Go-Bucks!]

On 2/28/2019 at 8:24 AM, GiGiGi said:

I am curious as to how you did your planning for excursions, tours, etc. Did you do it all before departure, or are you doing it as you go?

 

I found it daunting too!  81 ports is ALOT to plan for (and pay for!). 

 

Oceania allowed us to choose 1 of 3 amenities called "OLife perks"...either 36 shore excursions per person OR $3,600 onboard credit per person OR the basic alcohol beverage package. We don't drink so it was between the others. Even if you could find all private excursions for $50pp, that would total an additional $4,050 you'd have to pay out-of-pocket for 81 ports! So we decided to take the 36 excursion perk. In addition to the cost, just trying to book and coordinate 81 excursions was too much hassle. 

 

We eventually booked 44 ship tours (any beyond the 36 included ones were at a 25% discount), 2 private overland tours (China and Israel), 5 private tours and DIY for all the others.  

 

I started researching 2 years ago when we booked the cruise but went slowly and took breaks when I got tired of it. But by 6-12 months out, you need to have private tours booked or you may not get them. Oceania opened their tours for booking last June, 2018.

[Not landlubbers]

Thank youGo-Bucks for your super pictures and detailed answer re excursions.. Quite a tremendous amount of planning!!! 

[bob brown]

This morning’s lecture was a fascinating one on royal yacht’s thru the ages, by LCR Roger Cartwright...from Cleopatra’s barge to the megayacht’s of the oil sheiks.

Most prominent, was the HMS Brittania, now retired and serving as a museum.

 

Following that, a cooking demonstration by our guest chef.

[brownblonde]

Wonder if you had welcoming entertainment when arriving so far in New Zealand or received any type of token gift. We experienced that when traveling by cruise ship number of years ago in both N.Z, and Australia  it was dancers,boys choir,flower,or fruit etc. all so lovely 

[bob brown]

At the noon announcement, the captain informed us we had a medical emergency, and we were making full speed to Sydney...ETA pilot station at 1430, and alongside 1600, tomorrow, a day early..

 

So we will  now have an overnight in Sydney.

 

My thoughts go to the ailing passenger, but at the same time I am relieved that we were past the “point of no return” to Wellington.   That would have complicated things....

[bob brown]

8 hours ago, brownblonde said:

Wonder if you had welcoming entertainment when arriving so far in New Zealand or received any type of token gift. We experienced that when traveling by cruise ship number of years ago in both N.Z, and Australia  it was dancers,boys choir,flower,or fruit etc. all so lovely 

I can’t recall any...unless I missed it .  We did have plenty of that at the Polynesian islands...

[bob brown]

Last night we had two shows...we had an all new show from our guest  classic pianist, Christopher Malek before dinner.

After dinner, (and Brainteaser Trivia), we had the passenger/crew talent show.  The Insignia Lounge was a packed house—the “most ever“,  according to CD Leslie Jon.

Our fellow guests have some great talent...singers, dancers, comedian, and magician.  One crew member  from Brazil displayed her singing talent.

 

Today, following the noon announcement, we had the “sea trials” of the ship building contest.   Great fun!😎

[palakika]

Bob..sea trials and talent show look like fun.  Were you involved in the ship building contest?  We've had it on several cruises and people are very clever with designs.

Hope the medical emergency gets to care soon.  I'm hoping it goes well for the passenger.

[Go-Bucks!]

I agree with Bob...my sympathies to the ill or injured person, but I'm really excited to have 1.5 days plus an overnight in Sydney! We went ahead and just bought our HOHO tickets and have a guided tour through the Sydney Opera House scheduled.  Hope to also go to the Taronga zoo and Bondi beach. 

[bob brown]

3 hours ago, palakika said:

Bob..sea trials and talent show look like fun.  Were you involved in the ship building contest?  We've had it on several cruises and people are very clever with designs.

Hope the medical emergency gets to care soon.  I'm hoping it goes well for the passenger.

I started out on a team, but my team mates lost interest.  I did contribute a vital part to the winning team’s ship, so I got a bit of satisfaction from that...🙂

 

*

 

I don’t know if they will do a helo medevac, or not, when we are within range... but no mention was made as yet, so I kind of doubt it, or else they would probably have just gone slow from that point to arrive at our scheduled time...

[palakika]

Go-Bucks..  We did a tour of the Sydney Opera House about 3 years ago.  It was wonderful.  We even got to hear the symphony rehearsing for a brief while.  The views looking out at the harbor are lovely.  Enjoy!