San Diego to Montreal in 134 Days

[Cruising-along]

Yesterday we rented a car and drove to the Volcano National Park. It was a great day and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Weather couldn’t have been better. 
 

The singer last night is billed as a singer/comedian and we laughed our heads off! She was much funnier than the comedian earlier in the cruise. We hope she will perform again, we really enjoyed it. 
 

Tonight is our first “formal night” (we also have dressy nights this cruise) and the Volendam Ball. 

[travelholics]

6 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Yesterday we rented a car and drove to the Volcano National Park. It was a great day and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Weather couldn’t have been better. 
 

The singer last night is billed as a singer/comedian and we laughed our heads off! She was much funnier than the comedian earlier in the cruise. We hope she will perform again, we really enjoyed it. 
 

Tonight is our first “formal night” (we also have dressy nights this cruise) and the Volendam Ball. 

Hi Carolyn, Great action photo. Please can you tell us where you picked up the rental car in Hilo and how long the drive was. Many thanks

[Cruising-along]

36 minutes ago, travelholics said:

Hi Carolyn, Great action photo. Please can you tell us where you picked up the rental car in Hilo and how long the drive was. Many thanks

We took a taxi to the airport and had a car reserved with Budget. There was some question that they would pick us up, but the person who does that was sick. 
 

The drive from Hilo to the park took about 45 minutes, easy drive. The Visitor Center there is a wealth of information. We decided to drive the East Rim drive, best for our time limits and what to see. Loved it all, fascinating to follow the lava right down to the ocean. 
 

We left Hilo around 9:15 and were back to Hilo at 2:30. We also got lunch during that time. 

[cunnorl]

45 minutes ago, travelholics said:

Hi Carolyn, Great action photo. Please can you tell us where you picked up the rental car in Hilo and how long the drive was. Many thanks

 We were there in Oct of 2022. We rented a car from Avis. They had a shuttle which picked us up at the port and brought us back. Not all the rental agencies have shuttles so be sure to check. It is abut 40-45 minute, easy drive.  Great day. 

[Petronillus]

14 hours ago, CGinMTL said:

Good morning from snowy Montreal

Your city is my favorite/favourite in all of N. America. We love to take the family on a cold-weather long weekend (usually, US Thanksgiving) in the Hotel Bonaventure, high atop the Place Bonaventure convention center/centre, where the open-air swimming pool is in use 365 days a year. This year we caught an amazing spectacle son et lumière inside Notre-Dame basilica.

[CGinMTL]

9 hours ago, Petronillus said:

Your city is my favorite/favourite in all of N. America. We love to take the family on a cold-weather long weekend (usually, US Thanksgiving) in the Hotel Bonaventure, high atop the Place Bonaventure convention center/centre, where the open-air swimming pool is in use 365 days a year. This year we caught an amazing spectacle son et lumière inside Notre-Dame basilica.

Thank you

I missed the tourists when the border was closed.

Always love going to old Montreal / port area and seeing the city through the eyes of visitors.

[richwmn]

January 13^th, 2023 – at sea, Destination Kiritimati – eta 1/14

 

Good morning from Volendam at sea!

 

 

On the outside decks the temperature is 79°F / 26°C under scattered clouds. The humidity is 84% with winds at 17 mph. Another very nice day at sea. I was unable to grab a position image this morning, for some reason both my devices want to show us still in San Diego.

 

Lots of activities going on yesterday. The big activity for last night was the Volendam Ball. This was held in the World Stage and was well attended. For the most part the ladies were very dressy and most men were at least in suits with many in Tuxes. The Ocean Bar band was on the main stage and played for about an hour before taking a break. The band was very good, alternating between an active female lead singer and the piano player as lead. Both singers were good. The dance floor was full for most of the songs and it seems that everyone had a good time. The officers and staff were out in full force, mingling and talking to guests.

 

 

Today’s activities –

 

 

 

Today’s menus –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

January 14^th, 2023 – Kiritimati (Christmas Island)

 

Or technically it is January 15^th as we have crossed the International Date Line. However, since we will be crossing in the other direction in a couple of days the Captain has chosen to keep the date this time.

 

Kiritimati (pronounced [kiˈrɪsmæs], also known as Christmas Island) is a Pacific Ocean atoll in the northern Line Islands. It is part of the Republic of Kiribati. The name is derived from the English word "Christmas" written in Gilbertese according to its phonology, in which the combination ti is pronounced s.

 

Yesterday was a good day on the ship. Both the NFL Wildcard Games were on the TVs and I chose to watch them. Because of that, I missed the first trivia, and the second was about travel and I did pretty well. The World Stage entertainment was a repeat artist with a different show, Instrumentalist Michael Young. I didn’t attend and the reviews from people I talked to were mixed.

 

This morning we arrived at Kiritimati on time, but it will be a while before the tendering process starts. Since few cruise ships visit this port, they have to make sure the route the tenders will take is safe. It appears that tendering will begin around 10:30. They will also bring locals aboard with some of their arts & crafts to have a local market on the Lido Deck for those that don’t want to deal with the 30 minute tender process.

 

Today’s Activities –

 

 

 

Today’s Menus –

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

January 14^th, 2023 – Kiritimati (Christmas Island)

 

Well, it has been an interesting day. We were a bit late getting started with the tendering, and now it has been suspended after about 2 hrs. We are now trying to get everyone back aboard. I was waiting for open tendering, but never heard an announcement, so I didn’t get ashore. Here are some pictures from the ship, along with the Local Market that was set up on the Lido.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 14 by richwmn

[Petronillus]

What was the problem with the tendering? How did they get everybody back? Didn't those pax scatter once they got ashore? 

You don't sound particularly miffed about it. Maybe the expectations were low?

Is Easter Island on the itinerary too?

(My word-processing program was running a special on question marks. Sorry.)

[richwmn]

58 minutes ago, Petronillus said:

What was the problem with the tendering? How did they get everybody back? Didn't those pax scatter once they got ashore? 

You don't sound particularly miffed about it. Maybe the expectations were low?

Is Easter Island on the itinerary too?

(My word-processing program was running a special on question marks. Sorry.)

The problem with tendering was that the water level due to the tide was getting too low for the tenders to operate. This is a port that doesn’t receive ships often so there was a bit of trial and error to get a good path to the tender dock.

 

As far as getting people back, it is not a big island so most people are close to the dock. The ship sounds the horn and most people recognize that means to return to the ship.

 

You are correct that I was not particularly upset when the tendering process stopped. The island really doesn’t have any attractions, has a population of around 2,000, and has a nice beach area. Not on the top of my lists.

 

I don’t think that Easter Island is on the itinerary.

 

[rafinmd]

@richwmn, sorry to interrupt your flow but I just pulled up the PEV webcam.  NS will sail soon, and AIS now shows a destination of St. Marteen, ETA 1/17 at 0815.  If we can't get an itinerary, perhaps we can take it a port at a time.

 

Roy

[richwmn]

7 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

@richwmn, sorry to interrupt your flow but I just pulled up the PEV webcam.  NS will sail soon, and AIS now shows a destination of St. Marteen, ETA 1/17 at 0815.  If we can't get an itinerary, perhaps we can take it a port at a time.

 

Roy

I just found that as well on Marine Traffic. Thanks

[Cruising-along]

We had tickets for #10 and tendering stopped at #9. I was disappointed after waiting several hours, but do understand. 
 

It would have been nice to be able to say I went there even if only for a few minutes. It looks beautiful. 

[richwmn]

January 15^th, at sea destination Pago Pago, American Samoa

 

Good morning, Volendam departed late from Kiritimati (Christmas Island), but not to worry we have plenty of time and should arrive at Pago Pago on time. Our position at breakfast appears to have been at the intersection of the Equator and International Date Line. The Date Line takes a few liberties in this area.

 

 

So now Volendam is truly in the South Pacific, and will be for quite some time. The weather has been beautiful, with comfortable temperatures and scattered clouds. The mood on board is festive and everyone seems to be having a very good time. The staff has been very attentive and everything is going well.

 

Volendam had the NFL games this past weekend and as far as I could tell an even distribution of fans for each team. For the Rams / Lions game yesterday there was a good crown in the Mix where the game was on the TVs. We are scheduled for two games today, Steelers / Bills at 11:30am ships time, and then Eagles / Buccaneers at 3:00pm.

 

Last night the World Stage hosted a move – Murder on the Orient Express, one showing at 8pm. Trivia went on as usual and had a good level of difficulty. One thing I have noticed is that there have been few, if any, perfect scores. Most winning scores have been around 14 out of 17 points.

 

Looks like we will have the King Neptune Ceremony at 2pm today. This is always a fun time around the Aft Pool, and a very messy one.

 

Today’s Activities –

 

 

 

 

Today’s Menus –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

Some pictures of the King Neptune Ceremony this afternoon. Captain Bart announced that we crossed both the Equator and the International Date Line at 8:03 this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16 by richwmn

[Cruising-along]

Last night the Lido had a seafood boil for $35/pp. It was the first time offered on this cruise (to be determined if we have it again). 
 

We enjoyed ourselves and the food was plentiful and good. Some improvements could be made such as the chowder was watery and not a bit of bacon. 3 clams and a few tiny pieces of potato. Not like Ivar’s as advertised. We thought the rest was very good although quite messy because everything was sitting in a broth (tasty but messy using fingers). We did get bibs though. 😉

 

 

[Petronillus]

At the moment Chicago is in the cruel grip of a prolonged stretch of subzero (Fahrenheit!) temps coupled with driving winds. I stare longingly at your snaps of the frolicking around the aft pool.

[richwmn]

January 16^th, at sea destination Pago Pago, American Samoa

 

Another day at sea on Volendam. We have had mild seas on the way to Pago Pago. Our position at breakfast this morning –

 

 

I already mentioned the King Neptune Ceremony yesterday. It appeared that everyone was having fun. I had a certificate delivered to my cabin shortly after the ceremony concluded.

 

The 7pm trivia was advertised as ‘Disney’, but it was limited to Disney movies not the theme parks which I would have preferred. For our group it was not the best category. We did manage to eek out 8 points from the 17 offered. We had no idea who voiced a character, which character was the villain in a particular movie, or which actor did a particular character. We were able to guess which princess had a raccoon as a pet, and which movie shot Julie Andrews to fame.

 

After trivia ended I made it to the 7:30pm show on the World Stage. It was the second (of 15) shows by ‘The Grand Voyage Repertory Company’ and was titled ‘Encore’. It was another show of singing and dancing by talented, enthusiastic group of performers. I did enjoy the show.

 

After the show ended I went to the Ocean Bar and listened to Kat play the piano for 30 or 40 minutes. She plays a nice mix of background music at a level that allows the crowd to have conversations. She is a talented musician and is easy to talk to.

 

I ended with a similar amount of time in the Crows Nest for the ‘Dance Band’. Again, the group seemed to be good musicians with a nice mix of danceable music. For each song at least one couple was dancing, sometimes two or three. Again, the music was not overpowering and it was easy to have a conversation while they played.

 

I should also mention that we were able to watch to final NFL Wildcard Games yesterday, so those who are into sports were happy as well. The Mix had a good crowd for the games.

 

Today’s Activities –

 

 

 

Today’s Menus –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[oakridger]

@richwmn it sounds like such a nice relaxing Pacific crossing!  Here's hoping your team manages to eek out just those last couple of trivia points so you can be the victors now and then!  I'm sure it's fun anyway, but........😁

 

Thanks for your posts!

 

~Nancy

 

[albingirl]

Following along and just wanted to thank you for a very interesting thread.

[richwmn]

January 17^th, at sea destination Pago Pago, American Samoa

 

Another sea day on Volendam. It is currently 84°F / 29°C with a light rain. The humidity is 75% with 18mph winds. We are scheduled to arrive in Pago Pago tomorrow morning at 8:30am.

 

 

We had our normal trivia sessions yesterday. For sea days the early session is at 1pm and is general knowledge while the later session is 7pm and has a theme. None of the teams that I talk to did very well with the general but we all did better with the themed trivia which was toys and games. For the most part, the toys and games mentioned were from the 50’s, 60’s, and maybe 70’s so we all felt at home.

 

The Ocean Bar Band and Cocktail Pianist played their normal sets, as did the Piano Bar Entertainer and the String Trio. The Dance Band backed Michelle Montuori on the World Stage, so they didn’t have their normal sets. I didn’t go to the World Stage, but the reviews I heard were mixed. Kay performed well as always, I didn’t sample the other venues.

 

As we move along the ride has been pretty smooth. The Ship’s Officers have been out and about and seem to be accessible to the Guests. The Captain’s noon time announcements have been fun. I have had an opportunity to talk to Captain Bart several times and he has been easy to talk to.

 

For the activities today we have –

 

 

 

And our meals today –

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Petronillus]

The most memorable trivia question I've come across on board is as follows: Who was born on February 29, 10000 BC?

To my great astonishment, there is a genuine answer.

Assuming the question is still being used from time to time, what's the answer?

[kazu]

1 hour ago, Petronillus said:

The most memorable trivia question I've come across on board is as follows: Who was born on February 29, 10000 BC?

To my great astonishment, there is a genuine answer.

Assuming the question is still being used from time to time, what's the answer?

 

Pebbles Flintstone, I believe.

 

@richwmn very much enjoying your thread.  The King Neptune ceremony is always fun 🙂   Great pics -thanks 🙂 

[Petronillus]

52 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Pebbles Flintstone, I believe.

 

We have a winner!