Jim_Iain Live - 2nd Half World Cruise - B2B Singapore to Down Under 11/25 – 12/21

[hcat]

very nice pics and info..places we have  never been to..so thank you.

 

..the Firestick stuff is over my head but I try to learn.... we manage  okay on most ships with whatever they offer...

 

long travel day for us today....we are now in Fl til Spring..maybe a trip home for business.. We will drive to the E Coast for our Jan cruise on ASCENT

 

its chilly and breezy but nice and happy sunshine!

[Jim_Iain]

As we came down into Devonport the guide handed out instruction on ferry every 30 minutes and ferry tickets.   The driver stopped at 3 places in town and you could explore the tow on your own. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Found a wonderful hot meat pie shop.   Perfect for lunch. Steak, Ham and Cheese Pie.  Yum

 

[Jim_Iain]

After lunch sitting on a stool and Wine Barrel as a table I noticed the 1:15 ferry approaching., so took off for the pier. 
 

Couple last pictures as I raced to the port. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

Once back the Captain announced that due to a cruise ships intermittent Thruster blast we were denied entry to dock. If not resolved in 10 minutes we would return to Davenport to stay on schedule.    The previous sailing had been cancelled for the same reason. 
 

We got cleared and he hit he throttle before they changed their minds. 

[goofysmom99]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

On this Ship they have expanded News Channels and in addition to BBC international they have two Australian Stations.  

 

BTW -  In order for your FireStick to allow access to YouTubeTV you need to subscribe to one of the NordVPN or ExpressVPN.    There are apps on Firestick -  once installed choose your home server.   You may wish to play with at home first so you are comfortable with it.    If you choose NordVPN -  use my e-mail in signature as as referral and I get a couple months free.

 

Playing at home try another country and you will see the error message you will get from YouTubeTV.     They don't allow access out of your country.  The VPN fakes it.

Jim, I'm going to try both wireless and HDMI connections to see if streaming directly from my phone will work as seamlessly as my Roku.  I use Nord to watch local Orlando news on their apps.  I have all the apps I watch on Roku on my phone, too.  It'd be nice to carry fewer electronics.  On Summit, my Samsung tablet (micro SD card w/100+ movies) connected wirelessly, thank goodness, due to zero wifi coverage in Deck 9 CS (the IT guys did try valiantly).    

[Texed]

19 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Once back the Captain announced that due to a cruise ships intermittent Thruster blast we were denied entry to dock. If not resolved in 10 minutes we would return to Davenport to stay on schedule.    We got cleared and he hit he throttle before they changed their minds. 

 

Isn't Captain Matt great?  😁

[LXA350]

On 12/11/2023 at 10:23 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

I think the CD is incredible.   I think the problem is the HD and possibly his management style.   May just be where I visit on the ship but have not seen hide nor hair of him so far, but don't attend the Senior officer parties.   

 

In regarding to reply to my complaints sent directly to him,  Nothing ...Nada.   Not even a form letter.    I did however get an acknowledgement from the Retreat staff,  Cellar Master and Captain Club Manager of the concerns later pointed out.

 

I was for the most part impressed with Apex and it's staff.  

 

A few months ago everything on EDGE was great, it had to do that the HD was Danuta who probably is the best in the fleet. Her leadership skills and attention to detail are just amazing and when you have such a leader the whole vibe of the crew is also completely different.

[Redking]

See there was a bit of drama on Tuesday night 😬

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018919427/cruise-ship-chaos-port-boss-makes-promise-to-ferry-commuters

[2023]

Jim,

Thought you’d be interested in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper. Crossed 115km north of Cairns as Cat 2. Do you recognise the Port Douglas main st where you got your shirts? Daintree Village got 200mm in 6 hours. Weakened significantly when it made landfall but still a fair bit of flooding. Most business closed for the clean up.

[Barwick Cruiser]

Great pics from Devonport Jim, really too bad about the weather, we’ve done that ferry previously but fortunately had beautiful weather. Love the pic of the dog in the truck checking you out! 

[Redking]

Hello from across the harbour. Wishing you a wonderful if windy day in the beautiful Port of Tauranga and wider region. Bit to far away for a good shot of the ship on my phone camera!

 

 

[Barwick Cruiser]

24 minutes ago, Redking said:

Hello from across the harbour. Wishing you a wonderful if windy day in the beautiful Port of Tauranga and wider region. Bit to far away for a good shot of the ship on my phone camera!

 

 

Wow, don’t you have a gorgeous view! 🍀 

[Redking]

51 minutes ago, 2023 said:

Jim,

Thought you’d be interested in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper. Crossed 115km north of Cairns as Cat 2. Do you recognise the Port Douglas main st where you got your shirts? Daintree Village got 200mm in 6 hours. Weakened significantly when it made landfall but still a fair bit of flooding. Most business closed for the clean up.

Wow hope all are OK. 

[flifish64]

Paage 50 and finally caught up.  Love reading your reviews and enjoy all the photos.  Ian looks great in your new shirt. 

 

Carol

[Ipeeinthepools]

Maybe, I'm just as glad I got off in Singapore. 

[Jim_Iain]

Today 12/14 We arrived in Tauranga - the 3rd largest city in New Zealand. 
 

 

Most tours were sold out and expensive on ship.  
 

We didn’t go ashore until 10 and most were sold out at pier by then. 
 

 

 

This is my objective of the day.  Climb another volcano. 

 

Iain declined the challenge and we first explored town before he returned to the ship and I took off on my own. 
 

 

A group of seniors welcomed us to Tauranga 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Tauranga is a harbourside city in the Bay of Plenty region on New Zealand's North Island. It hosts historic buildings like the Elms Mission Station, an 1847 Georgian-style home. A bridge over the harbour connects Tauranga to Mount Maunganui, a beach town with hot saltwater pools and an extinct namesake volcano with winding walking paths.

 

Mount Maunganui

 

The summit is 232 metres above sea level. Mount Maunganui Mauao. Mount Maunganui. Highest point. Elevation, 232 m (761 ft).

 

I will only post a couple pictures so I don’t bore everyone. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made the summit

 

 

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

I sent Iain a text.  You better get up here before I accept a date with my new boyfriend.  

He said - I’d rate her take a nap.  

Edited December 14, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

8 hours ago, hcat said:

very nice pics and info..places we have  never been to..so thank you.

 

..the Firestick stuff is over my head but I try to learn.... we manage  okay on most ships with whatever they offer...

 

long travel day for us today....we are now in Fl til Spring..maybe a trip home for business.. We will drive to the E Coast for our Jan cruise on ASCENT

 

its chilly and breezy but nice and happy sunshine!

 

Hope you have a wonderful Holiday -- Glad you made it to Florida and I'm sure the weather is much nicer than back home.

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, goofysmom99 said:

Jim, I'm going to try both wireless and HDMI connections to see if streaming directly from my phone will work as seamlessly as my Roku.  I use Nord to watch local Orlando news on their apps.  I have all the apps I watch on Roku on my phone, too.  It'd be nice to carry fewer electronics.  On Summit, my Samsung tablet (micro SD card w/100+ movies) connected wirelessly, thank goodness, due to zero wifi coverage in Deck 9 CS (the IT guys did try valiantly).    

 

I'm a really techno type of guy   I also have a Plex Server both at home as well as on my Laptop.   If all else fail I have a collection of hundreds of Movies and Shows ---- As well as 25+ years of Law and Order. 

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, LXA350 said:

 

A few months ago everything on EDGE was great, it had to do that the HD was Danuta who probably is the best in the fleet. Her leadership skills and attention to detail are just amazing and when you have such a leader the whole vibe of the crew is also completely different.

 

That would be nice to have.    I will go positive on the existing HD.    The Food and Bev Director is new to Celebrity and just came over from Royal Caribbean.   Maybe their way of blending down the Celebrity experience to that of the Mega Ships.

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, Redking said:

See there was a bit of drama on Tuesday night 😬

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018919427/cruise-ship-chaos-port-boss-makes-promise-to-ferry-commuters

 

Thank you.... I'll do a quick quote so other's will be enticed to read the full article.

 

On Tuesday evening the Celebrity Edge broke its moorings in high winds at Princes Wharf. That meant 10 commuter ferries had to be cancelled and others were left bobbing in the harbour unable to dock until the cruise ship was secured.