LIVE South Pacific (Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga) - Eclipse, twelve nights 14 January

[Redking]

47 minutes ago, asnaleah said:

Did I miss something about massages? Are they not available onboard?

They most certainly are. Having bought four handbags on board I struck a deal with my husband that I wouldn't book a massage on board. There was no deal about having a much more cost effective treatment at a resort🤣

[Redking]

 

Day 8 Pago Pago, American Samoa

 

This was probably the port that I was most looking forward to and it did not disappoint.

 

The most amazing towering peaks rising from the natural harbour of Pago Pago (think Bora Bora, St Lucia and I’ve been told Honduras for points of comparison). We were the first cruise ship to arrive in port since the reopening of the border to cruise ships.

 

 

 

We received another warm Polynesian welcome from the wharf which continued throughout the day on our travels around the island.

 

 

After a quick walk into town and walk around the markets, we hailed one Aiga (local buses).

 

 

 

 

Didn’t realise until after we’d hopped on that the destinations for the bus are displayed on the front, so it pays to know where you want to head to. In our case we were on the Aiga that takes the workers to the Sunkist tuna canning factory! The driver then agreed to take us around the eastern side of the Island. We thought he was going to take us up to Rainmaker Mountain, but alas not. No matter the views were stunning.

 

 

Back in town we planned to find a taxi to take us over to the mountains to the village of Vatia. Whilst we were looking for a taxi, we were approached by a local couple (She was originally from the US and he is Samoan. Against all advice about stranger danger we took a leap of faith and spent an interesting afternoon with them starting with lunch at DDW (Don’t Drink the Water!) before we headed off to see the western side of the island, including flower pot rock.

 

 

 

It was really interesting to hear the local perspective and customs.

 

All too soon it was time to head back to ship for a stunning sail away.

 

From our experience it is very feasible to get around Tutuila island on your own. The Aigas are a great experience and only cost about US$1. I’d probably try for a taxi if you want to head further out of Pago Pago for example Vatia.

 

We’ve be hopping back and forth across the International Dateline for the past couple of days. Samoa was once on the same side as American Samoa (Eastern or American Side). For commerce reasons and connections with the Asia-Pacific region, Samoa decided to switch to the western side over ten years ago. Our arrival in Pago Pago therefore took us back 24 hours and our departure on 20 January has seen us lose a day – we’ve woken up to Sunday 22 January and lost Saturday!

 

Today is a sea day as we head for Tonga. 

 

 

[Redking]

Um that would be Starkist not Sunkist Tuna!

[Redking]

 

[Redking]

Sushi for lunch and a Brandy Club Cocktail in our home from home coz you can when it's a sea day and we're on our way to Tonga.

 

 

 

 

 

[Redking]

Two birds one stone. Combined some exercise with a tour of the artwork on the stairways this morning.

 

Photos of some pieces that took our fancy. Apologies, it was hard to get great shots with the lighting and reflective glass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Redking]

Booster for the WiFi in our suite. Marlene, the Retreat Concierge,  proving once again that she's a magician. Fin tells me our download speed has been as low as 3.15 Mbps with upload as low as 0.36 Mbps. Our home internet is 315mbps and 110mbps respectively. So much for Starlink!

 

 

[Tranquility Base]

A perfect evening.

 

Pre dinner drinks,

Murano,

Oz Girls singing in the atrium,

Topper production show,

Orchestra playing jazz in the atrium.

 

Well done Eclipse !

[CalTexCruiser]

@RedkingThere has been quite an uproar on CC recently regarding drastic cutbacks on the Oceanview Cafe buffet, including a report that the buffet on the Apex had shut down 75% of its stations for DINNER (no cutbacks for breakfast or lunch).

 

Have you seen such buffet cutbacks for dinner on your cruise?  We are curious as we will be sailing the Eclipse AU/NZ on Feb 16.

[Redking]

4 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

@RedkingThere has been quite an uproar on CC recently regarding drastic cutbacks on the Oceanview Cafe buffet, including a report that the buffet on the Apex had shut down 75% of its stations for DINNER (no cutbacks for breakfast or lunch).

 

Have you seen such buffet cutbacks for dinner on your cruise?  We are curious as we will be sailing the Eclipse AU/NZ on Feb 16.

We haven't actually been to OVC but @nz1has been doing a fantastic food thread for our cruise, including OVC. Check out post #80 for OVC feedback.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

@Redking  Love the Pogo Pogo pictures.

 

 

[Norwaylady]

Great to follow❤️ We were originally booked as b2b from Sydney, but chicken out… We decided it had to be later when things are even more normal😅 (original we were booked on same route April 1. 2020:(

NZ is fabulous and we will be back anytime, 4 months on NZ was 🤩😎❤️

[hawkesbaynz]

Great TP. Reminds me we must return to NZ to visit friends soon. Admittedly I do not wish to travel that far just to visit friends (DW does). Your cruise has given me a cunning plan for a trip back😀

[Yehootu]

On 1/21/2023 at 6:23 PM, Redking said:

 

We will be on the Crown Princess stopping in Pago on March 29th. Do you by chance have a contact for the couple that took you around. My wife and I met in Pago in Sept 1986 as crew members and spent alot of time on Tutuila. We'd love to find a local who could take us around to all our old stomping grounds. Were there and locals offering tours at the cruise dock?

    Mahalo

Edited January 28, 2023 by Yehootu

[LizikinsLivesToCruise]

Thank you very much @Redking for taking time from your vacation to take us along with this review. It has really been enjoyable, and I kept coming back expecting an update. Cheers.

[Redking]

It seems the jockey has gone awal on the home straight of this Live review! I had fully intended to finish the review and do a wrap up when I got home.

 

Best laid plans and all, I've arrived home with a departure gift. After 3 years of dodging the Rona, Fin and I have finally succumbed. At least we didn't come down with it during the cruise and let's face it we could have got it at the airport or on the plane. At least we haven't been flooded like the poor folks in Auckland.

 

I hope to come back in the next couple of days to complete the review and answer any outstanding questions. In the meantime, another sleep might be in order. Stay tuned.

[asnaleah]

So sorry to hear you brought home an unwelcome visitor! Speedy recovery to you both.

[Texed]

On 1/21/2023 at 10:18 PM, Redking said:

Booster for the WiFi in our suite. Marlene, the Retreat Concierge,  proving once again that she's a magician. 

Is that Marlene M..?  If so, please tell her Jacquie and Ed said hello.  She is the best.  😊

Edited January 30, 2023 by Texed

[Silkroad]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your South Pacific adventure with us. I’ve enjoyed your review very much indeed. I’m sorry you’ve ended your holiday with an unwelcome virus, and I wish you and Fin a swift recovery.

[LizikinsLivesToCruise]

 

8 hours ago, Redking said:

It seems the jockey has gone awal on the home straight of this Live review! I had fully intended to finish the review and do a wrap up when I got home.

 

Best laid plans and all, I've arrived home with a departure gift. After 3 years of dodging the Rona, Fin and I have finally succumbed. At least we didn't come down with it during the cruise and let's face it we could have got it at the airport or on the plane. At least we haven't been flooded like the poor folks in Auckland.

 

I hope to come back in the next couple of days to complete the review and answer any outstanding questions. In the meantime, another sleep might be in order. Stay tuned.

 

That's terrible news about the unwelcome visitor. Hope both of you have a speedy recovery. Don't worry about rushing back here to complete the review. Getting better is your priority.

[chemmo]

Just read your review, a wonderful start to a cold day in England. 
 

Sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Fortunatefew]

11 hours ago, Redking said:

It seems the jockey has gone awal on the home straight of this Live review! I had fully intended to finish the review and do a wrap up when I got home.

 

Best laid plans and all, I've arrived home with a departure gift. After 3 years of dodging the Rona, Fin and I have finally succumbed. At least we didn't come down with it during the cruise and let's face it we could have got it at the airport or on the plane. At least we haven't been flooded like the poor folks in Auckland.

 

I hope to come back in the next couple of days to complete the review and answer any outstanding questions. In the meantime, another sleep might be in order. Stay tuned.

 

11 hours ago, Redking said:

It seems the jockey has gone awal on the home straight of this Live review! I had fully intended to finish the review and do a wrap up when I got home.

 

Best laid plans and all, I've arrived home with a departure gift. After 3 years of dodging the Rona, Fin and I have finally succumbed. At least we didn't come down with it during the cruise and let's face it we could have got it at the airport or on the plane. At least we haven't been flooded like the poor folks in Auckland.

 

I hope to come back in the next couple of days to complete the review and answer any outstanding questions. In the meantime, another sleep might be in order. Stay tuned.

Unfortunately there were a quite a number of passengers who succumbed during and after the cruise.  It always appears to spread more so towards the end of a cruise.

[Teewells]

Hello.  We were B2B and tested on turnaround day January 14th.  My partner tested positive and I negative, but I followed as positive when re-tested on January 15th.  First time for both of us, I suppose it was inevitable.

[Barwick Cruiser]

11 minutes ago, Teewells said:

Hello.  We were B2B and tested on turnaround day January 14th.  My partner tested positive and I negative, but I followed as positive when re-tested on January 15th.  First time for both of us, I suppose it was inevitable.

That’s too bad but yes, def inevitable. What was the protocol? Did you stay in your cabin in isolation for the remainder of the second leg or disembark? 

[Teewells]

57 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

That’s too bad but yes, def inevitable. What was the protocol? Did you stay in your cabin in isolation for the remainder of the second leg or disembark? 

Isolation in our cabin for 5 days each, then carry on with cruising, requested to wear a mask.  My partner was religous in wearing his mask pre-detection; the only exception was in the gym or outside.