Days 21, 22 &23 – At Sea

Wednesday27^th, Thursday28^th & Friday 29^th April – Busy Sea Days
We have all partied hard these last few days. With Captain Circle nights held over two consecutive nights( too many reapeat sailors for just one),a late night in Jammers, a Pre-Wedding do up on deck followed by the broadcast of the service and tonight a special Atrium party I have had no time to post. Adding some photos, to tell the story of our adventures with our new friends.


The Gang in Jammers til close.



Tony with cruise staff at Pre-wedding Party



Adam in Atrium Bar entertaining Us



Day 20 – Sea Day

Tuesday 26^th April – at Sea
The CCers met again today to welcome those that joined us in Honolulu, it was a well attended Meet and Greet,

Today I thought I would try and fill you in on some of the ship rumours, gossip and perhaps some factual stuff that may be of interest.

Let's start with happy hour, fact, it is called Power Hours. From 8 pm til close you can get all these at all bars for $3.99.
Cocktails     Pina Colada
                   Singapore Sling
                        Long Island Ice Tea
Beer            Dos Equis (also called XX)
                   Becks


I heard a story about a lady who had breakfast deliveredto the cabin; her husband was out and about, so when she was finished she put the tray out side the door. The door slammed shut behind her; she was in her nightie and no card to get back in. She asked a passing passenger to call her cabin steward, but he did not answer. Another Steward finally came to her aid. I will refrain from mentioning names but it was NOT me, or Barbara but it was someone from our table.

 People have been put off for fighting, probably Laundry rage, but hey doesn't that rumour go round every cruise. I have no first hand knowledge of this.

Someone was hurt on a Princess shore excursion. This is fact, I met the woman in the Laundry, and she has a badly broken arm from falling off a bicycle in Tonga. Poor husband had the bags packed and was on shore when she was returned to the ship with only 5 mins to spare, some US military guys had helped her to the hospital and rushed her through so she could continue the cruise.

Make friends with the Head Waiter (White coat), it can get you some preferential treatment. Again fact, Tony and our head waiter banter each night, so when Tony complained that they do not offer as many soufflés as they have on other cruises he promised to speak to the chef after Easter. Two nights later, before Easter our table was served Anti Pesto the the Head Waiter personally and at dessert time out came Chocolate soufflés for just our table. I don't like them; so I gave mine to a guy who sits nearby who had seen them arrive only to be told it was a special order and not available. Lucky us hey!!

Day 19 – Kona - Hawaii

Monday 25^th April – Kona – Hawaii
Tony started the day at the Dawn Service which was attended by 150ish people.
Kona is another tender Port, no problems with getting off, our tender left the ship with maybe 20 people on board. We got to shore by 8.30 and spent the day going from one shopping centre to another. We did not shop in all the other ports but we made up for it today. Caught the Shuttle to the first place Wal-Mart, a friendly local couple drove us to a camera shop after we asked for directions and said we were walking. We then walked a couple of miles to K-mart and Macy's, followed by another mile to Target. (Notice I am talking in American distance, got to do as the locals do) We hopped in a taxi back to the wharf and the taxi driver was English. Picked up some beer and last minute souvenirs from an ABC shop, and joined the long cue for a tender.
Goodbye Hawaii it has been great.

Day 18- Honolulu - Hawaii

Sunday 24^th April – Honolulu – Hawaii


Tony and I were off the ship by 8am again today, took a bus to Ala Moana Shops. Please note we did not shop. We caught a bus that goes all the way around the island, it cost us $2.50 each it takes 4 hours if you do not get off. We did stop once for refreshments and hopped back on the next bus ½ hour later. The north shore area is so pretty, well worth the trip. Unfortunately I missed much of it as I had me one of my headaches, took some drugs and slept a lot of the way. We hopped off the bus near the ship, ate, I slept for ½ hour and off we went again to Waikiki. My headache had settled but I was mighty light headed, so we called it a day about 6.30 and returned to the ship for dinner in Horizon Court. I then went to bed to sleep off the drugged state I seemed to be in. Tony woke me for sail away and then straight back to bed.

150 new cruisers joined the ship today and many of the staff changed over also.



Waikiki Beach



Day 17 – Maui - Hawaii

Saturday 23^rd April – Maui – Hawaii

Today was a tender port, so like good people we met early to get our tender tickets and got ashore by 8am, an hour before our pick up time. Ross had organised a private taxi for 6 of us, so we checked out this lovely town before we took off on our tour. Not the best guide today, but we still had fun, got in some snorkelling, but I am still not thrilled with what these people think is good snorkelling areas. Sure hope Tahiti lives up to its hype coz Hawaii does not.

Finished the day by buying some fabric from a local Quilt shop and headed back to the ship for more FOOD of course.

Dinner tonight was Indian so our entire table, that is just five of us, Barbara, Ross, Lesley, Tony and I went for Pizza. Great company as usual but the Pizza did not do it for me, oh well maybe next time.

Day 16 - Hilo - Hawaii

Friday 22^nd April – Hilo, Hawaii

Today 12 of us took a tour organised by Ross. This being our first US port we all needed to front up for a face to face with US immigration. Our group arranged to line up at 7am and this meant we were all processed within the first half hour. By the time we all left the ship at 9am people were being asked not to line up as the line was through the Atrium all the way to Vista Lounge and growing.


Our hosts for the day Tina and Gil Nelson were waiting for us in two air conditioned vans. This nearly 7 hr tour took us to Akaka & Rainbow Falls, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, Akatsuka Orchid Gardens and the Volcano National Park. We had photo stops at all of these as well as Halemau'mau Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Caldera and the Jagger Museum.

We had a great day and if anyone is visiting Hilo in the future I recommend you visit Tina and Gil's website: http://www.ainatours.com/ you will not be disappointed, this tour only cost us $US80 each.



Akaka Falls





Kiluaea Caldera



Day 15- Sea Day

Thursday 21^st April

Photos from the Crossing the Equator Ceremomy - It was a hot day and many turned out for the event.



Kiss the Fish