Silversea LA to Tahiti in February? Roll Call - Merged

[spook1]

While life is not always a balanced checkbook I would offer that the chance of whale sightings entering our Lahaina achorage is better than good. We should be proceeding at a very slow speed so as not to endanger whales so keep a sharp eye out for Moby Dick. I'll buy a double Mai Tai for a first sighting.

As a side I'll be more than happy to give a cocktail "talk story" concerning my channel surfboard escort crossings with Dr. Harry Huffaker the only man to swim from Oahu to Molokai in both directions and the frirst to swim between the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. I covered these swims (and others) for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin when I was a wee bit younger. Harry is in the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame. I am trying my best to stay healthy.

[dwelsh]

I have taken upon myself to send the following mesage to SS. IF I get a response i will post it, otherwise, we will be there and hope that you will join us for an introduction to one another.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Welsh's

 

Meassage to SS.

 

I would like to schedule a meeting of Cruise Critic pax on Monday, Feb 8th 2010.

There could be up to 20 people who would like to get together at 10AM in the Panorama lounge. Could we perhaps have some snacks and maybe a SS representative join us?

[spook1]

David, Great minds think alike. I have also requested such a meeting and am waiting for a confirmation. The Cruise consultant aborad Shadow is Kinga and I asked for her to be in attendance. Now we have two irons in the fire.

Cheers, Ron

[dwelsh]

Hi! Ron and Dee:

 

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou! Have a good one.

 

Glad that you too contacted SS. I am sure that you will advise us when you hear something. Do you agree with the time and location I suggested?

 

David

[spook1]

And the same to you Betty and David. You speak the lingo like a kamaaina. Your evening well be much quieter than ours.

[Emtbsam]

Happy New Year to all our soon-to-be new friends on the cruise and all our Cruisecritic.com friends.

 

Bob and Victoria

[spook1]

For all of you sailing on Shadow 7 February or joining in a later segment, and having read some very positive recent reviews posted on the Shadow crew, this is to let you know there will be a substantial crew changeover in Honolulu. This is not meant as a dire prediction as I'm sure the replacement crew will be excellent and continue to enhance the voyage for those final six days to Los Angeles.

[Roosteronboard]

Ron...I have a question for you regarding visiting the Arizona memorial.. When we were On Oahu during our Princess Cruise, we tried to make the Arizona outing and found there was an interminable wait to get tickets and then an even longer wait for the scheduled transportation. We were just wondering if there is a way to do it, without making an all day affair and if there is any accomodation for people with handicaps. I noticed in SS description of their two tours one seems to have less walking than the other. I know the tour is run by the National Park Service, but I was just wondering if they make any handicap accomodations or if there is an easier way to do it? I have a problem walking long distances and those lines looked extreeeeeeeemely long to me. Other than that we are Ready to go. Looking forward to seeing and meeting all you guys (and gals) at 10AM on the 8th.

Gary

[Emtbsam]

For all of you sailing on Shadow 7 February or joining in a later segment, and having read some very positive recent reviews posted on the Shadow crew, this is to let you know there will be a substantial crew changeover in Honolulu. This is not meant as a dire prediction as I'm sure the replacement crew will be excellent and continue to enhance the voyage for those final six days to Los Angeles.

Just curious - how do you find these things out?

[spook1]

Gary, Here is a phone number which might help. 808-422-2771. This is info on ADA. But I believe it is on a first come basis and they have ADA seating for 300'. It opens at 7:30 am.

Ron

[spook1]

Ron...I have a question for you regarding visiting the Arizona memorial.. When we were On Oahu during our Princess Cruise, we tried to make the Arizona outing and found there was an interminable wait to get tickets and then an even longer wait for the scheduled transportation. We were just wondering if there is a way to do it, without making an all day affair and if there is any accomodation for people with handicaps. I noticed in SS description of their two tours one seems to have less walking than the other. I know the tour is run by the National Park Service, but I was just wondering if they make any handicap accomodations or if there is an easier way to do it? I have a problem walking long distances and those lines looked extreeeeeeeemely long to me. Other than that we are Ready to go. Looking forward to seeing and meeting all you guys (and gals) at 10AM on the 8th.

Gary

Gary, on another matter I se you were on Sun Princess in 1983. Did it have a Union Jack Bar and two slot machines? I sailed her in '79.

[spook1]

Ging466,

 

Thanks for the tip re: Dave's VIP Tours. I will check him out.

 

Emtbsam,

 

Unfortunately, I am not on this cruise. I'll be on the Seabourn Odyssey world cruise which also docks there. I am sure that sooner or later we'll wind up sailing together. I'd love to meet you as well.

Waipro, Going back a bit here but I note you will be in Honolulu 28 January on Odyssey So will I, if only for a couple hours. It is my 'fix' before Shadow a week later. But I do look forward to seeing this new ship.

[Roosteronboard]

Gary, on another matter I se you were on Sun Princess in 1983. Did it have a Union Jack Bar and two slot machines? I sailed her in '79.

 

Ron..You are making this old man really reach back into his feeble memory. That was our first cruise. I remember that the casino was really small and only had 1 BJ table and a few slots, I think there were more than two, but not many, if any, more. I don't remember the Union Jack specifically but I do remember the entire crew and decor being British, except the dining room staff, and trying to figure out how the cabin steward knew when we left the cabin. Cruising has changed a lot since then.

Gary

[spook1]

Gary, Let's see if I can refocus some faded memories. Sun Princess was one of three Princess ships. Island and Pacific were the others. Sun's launched name was Spirit Of London. The Sun dining room was amidships and on an upper deck (not near water level as is now common) and had good viewing windows (also not the norm at that time) that let in goodly amount of sunslight. The waitstaff was prominently Italian. The Union Jack Bar was on the fantail. I mentioned two slot macines because it is the only ship I ever seen them located in an area other than casino. Yes, she had a decided British theme. The cruise staff were usually British ) our head cruise director was a Kiwi) and they had talant. Well...they needed talant as they were the entertainment. One sat with us at our dinner table, but was often absent due to her long and demanding hours. In those days Princess always had theme nights at dinner. They decorated the dinning room with flags depending on the theme country, ie. Britich, French, Italian, and American. London Pub Night was our favorate. Still have a photo of a London "Bobbie" holding our young daughter in the air by the coller of her jacket.

You are sooooo correct that cruising has changed since those early days. I remember when less than 5% of the US population had taken a cruise. And it cost less than $7 a day to feed you. Today ships are built and designed to lure the mass market. While it dates me I am glad I was young and wise enough to start cruising when I did. But I can compare while those many years younger cannot.

In those days a vacation was just that...no cellphones or computers. You got out of touch! Purposely!

Pack your Princess memoriea, Gary, and we'll retrace previuos wakes of bygone voyages.

Ron

[Roosteronboard]

Ron...I am looking forward to it. Also I am a big Big Hawaii lover and have spent a great deal of time there. Starting in 1956 when I was stationed out on Johnston Island (Thats in the Southwestern part of Honolulu county)LOL. We will have a great time. Thats the good part of aging, the memories.

Gary

[spook1]

Ron...I am looking forward to it. Also I am a big Big Hawaii lover and have spent a great deal of time there. Starting in 1956 when I was stationed out on Johnston Island (Thats in the Southwestern part of Honolulu county)LOL. We will have a great time. Thats the good part of aging, the memories.

Gary

Were you in military or work for Holmes and Narver? Johnston was in the news back in those days.

[dwelsh]

Only 5 weeks or 35 days or 843 1/2 hours, depending on how you calculate the future, till we sail. I hope that we have such a day as today is in LA, 72*F, for our departure.

 

This is an interesting site for weather information for our visit to FP.

http://www.thetahititraveler.com/general/weathseasons.asp

[Emtbsam]

Is anyone using SS baggage valet service?

[LOVE@CRUISE]

How about a get together for all c c er's on this voyage? We can combine the LA to LA folks with the LA to Tahiti crowd. Doug Burns had SS help put together a cocktail party on the Spirit and it was a Great Success! Who has a larger suite that wants to volunteer?????:D

[spook1]

Mai Tais and Hawaii seem a fitting mix. I would volunteer my Owner's Suite if I had one, but I might be in the chain locker and that would be uncomfortable, especially after Mai Tais. Look forward to engraved invitation.

[dwelsh]

Both Ron and I have contacted SS independently re a CC get together on Monday at 10AM. I haven't had a response to my request yet and assume that is the same for Ron.

Of the people on our roster I do not believe any have premier suite accommodation, so we will have to do with s public place for the meeting!!

 

On another subject, has anyone on the board booked the Taipivai Valley AM tour on Nuku Hiva?

[dwelsh]

Spook1 LA - HNL Ron & Dee

Sitmarboy Vancouver, BC LA - PPT Paul #434

Dwelsh Agoura Hills, CA LA - LA Betty & David #818

EMTBsam LA - LA Bob & Victoria, Maryland #523

Warren and Gay Lein - Chatworth CA #623

Markindayton Mark & Barbara #709

Kristysu Boca Rotan, FL LA -LA Kristy #501

Harcin Baltimore, MD Harry & Cindy PPT - LA #645

 

[harcin]

How about a get together for all c c er's on this voyage? We can combine the LA to LA folks with the LA to Tahiti crowd. Doug Burns had SS help put together a cocktail party on the Spirit and it was a Great Success! Who has a larger suite that wants to volunteer?????:D

 

Don't forget us! We are on the second leg of the cruise and would love to have a cc get together...how else will we know who is who?:rolleyes:

 

With this nasty cold weather, the cruise is even more inviting then ever!

[dwelsh]

Harry & Cindy:

 

Brrrrrr. Cold in MD??!!!

 

You will not be forgotten. We will take a copy of the roster and get in touch with you first night out of Papeete - You won't be left "out in the cold."

[spook1]

It makes sense to do the Mai Tai party after Tahiti sailing north. When Silversea gives me number on chain locker door I will post it for all. This will be a fantastic adventure; How can it not with Munity On The Bounty and your imagination as near as the horixon?