Auckland to LA - 21 Nov to 9 Dec

Anyone with us on the crossing portion of the "Circle the Pacific" itinerary??

Greg

Sorry that we'll miss you. We get off the day you get on. Our friends, Bob&Alice Wecht will be with you on the crossing. You can't miss Bob; he's the one with the artificial foot.

Doug,

Are Bob and Alice doing the Sydney-Auckland leg with you (thought I'd read that) or are they boarding in Auckland? Mariner was our first RSSC experience. That coupled with a chance to go back to Tahiti...boy we're really looking forward to this trip.

Greg

Anyone with us on the crossing portion of the "Circle the Pacific" itinerary??

Greg

Hi Greg,

My husband and I will be on this cruise. Have never been to FP and also love sea days so we are really looking forward to this particular cruise. It will be our 2nd time on Radisson. Were on the Mariner Alaska in 03. We are early 60's, just retired and live in northern CA.

Would like to hear what you have planned for excursions, extra time in Aukland? etc. You can e-mail at ddbdds@yahoo.com

Carolyn

My wife Bonnie and I will be on. We have three other couples we know that will be on also. I am using the boards on Cruise Critic to plan. Their seems to be a lot of info if you dig around.

jack

http://www.smilinjack.com

So far we seem to have:

USNA 72 (Greg and Gretchen, doing 2 days pre-cruise in Auckland)

Smilin Jack

CarolynBowles

dibsenm (Misty)

Acouplewholuv2cruise (Karen)

lizf (Liz)

Here's some clippings regarding the Le Cordon Bleu classes I posted earlier:

I did the Cordon Bleu class with ChatKat above on the TransCanal cruise - it was really fun and it was fun doing it with someone - probably won't do it again this particular time, but I would do it again. They will also have an open cooking demonstration that anyone can attend - the private events were fun like Kathy said, we had two private dinners, we also had two private cocktail parties as I recall. Definitely needs to be booked ahead of time, I waited too long and ended up on a waitlist, but then when onboard they notified me I had gotten in, they added some additional sections, and then I just traded with someone to be in the same section with Kathy.

I took the Le Cordon Bleu Workshop on the Atlantic Crossing. They are not offered on every cruise - especially port intesensive cruises. I booked mine through the travel agent at booking time. Have your agent check to see if their is a class and availability. I loved every minute of it. They did only allow 16 per session ; yet they had three sessions. I liked the smaller classes because each individual is truly involved in the preparation (and eating) process of the selected gourmet item. You also have a graduation dinner and other events only for those taking the class.

Well lets see, the first day we did an appetizer, it was crab in an asperagus ring, the second class we did filet mignons with some kind of sauce and the third day we did a dessert, flaming fruit crepes with a sauce, it was fun, each day I took mine up to the bar where my husband was and shared it with him!!! I don't remember what the chef cooked for the open demonstration.

No the special dinners were not the food we did in class, it was just a special menu that Fredrick, the Cordon Bleu chef decided on.

The filet was in a truffle and cabernet sauce, the Fruit Crepes were in a Sabayon sauce (I was making the sauce on the induction stove and Joann was making the sauteed fruit and crepes when the french trolly burst into flames and we had a fire alarm on board!). We made French style baby vegetables in butter. I did nickname the class "Cooking with Butter and Cooking with more butter"

While I can't find any of the more "negative" comments at this time; the ones I heard centered around "all we did was chop vegetables."

I can see how two people could have the same class and yet have very different experiences/memories.

http://www.nz-homestay.co.nz/?Source=RealAdventures.com

This is the place we're staying in Auckland.

Hope this is helpful.

Greg

For what it's worth, here are some websites I found useful.

Greg

http://www.potikiadventures.com/main_TripInfo.htm

This is an individual Tour Agency that offers a "day trip" out of Auckland. The Saturday version includes going to a "Farmer's Market." We get in early Saturday so we're hoping we can make this. $130NZD

http://www.aaguides.co.nz/main/searchresults.jsp?title=&locationId=20002&location=&approxPrice=&pageNo=1&typeId=2&submit=Submit+Query

This site has links to a large number of activities you might like.

http://www.explorerbus.co.nz/timetable.cfm?listingid=00067530

Sort of a "hop on and Off" bus like you see in some European cities. Seems to take in all the city Sights.

http://www.coast-to-coast-tours.co.nz/

This tour includes a working Sheep Farm with beaches and such. $167NZD but includes lunch and a wine tasting.

http://www.bushandbeach.co.nz/tours.htm

Check out their "best of Both Worlds" tour. Includes some Auckland and beaches and rain forests. $130NZD

http://www.eclipsetours.co.nz/auckland.html

Couldn't figure prices without contacting. Offer tour of "Hobbiton" from LOTR.

http://www.hotcity.co.nz/listings/restaurants.asp

A list of some Auckland restaurants

http://www.kellytarltons.co.nz/home/

Everybody says to see this.

http://www.stagecoach.co.nz/auckland/fullersframe.html

Cheapest (though unescorted) way to Rangitoto Island (the 600 year old volcano in the middle of Auckland harbor).

http://www.stagecoach.co.nz/thelink/index.html

Similar to Explorer Bus above

http://www.aucklandnz.com/

I suspect you already have this one

http://www.wr2eat.co.nz/default.asp

excellent restaurant site

Thanks Greg for remembering that I had posted that I would be on this cruise. Too many negatives about RSSC scared me off and I switched to Oceania. Will do a shorter cruise with them for now and the 25 day Amazon basin cruise next year. Hope you all enjoy your trip. Liz

Greg, I'm on the Diamond Princess, Aust. to NZ in Feb. 2006 and saw your post on the B&B in NZ. Have you stayed there before? I loved the website just wondering what recommendations you had before booking? Thanks for any info.

Carol

Hi Greg, Carolyn and Everyone else,

We're looking foward to meeting you all in November. Carolyn, we use to live in Southern California before moving to Portland when my husband retired 5 years ago. And thanks to you Greg for all the helpful information. We are spendiing 3 days in Auckland before the cruise, staying at the Esplanade Hotel. We haven't planned anything...I am still working so I think I just want to lie on the beach and relax, but we'll see when we get there. If any of you are arriving early as well, maybe we can get togetherfor dinner before the cruise. Any thoughts on shore excursions yet? We're probably going to do the shark and ray feeding and the Lagoon and snorkeling...rest of the time I'll be looking for the best beaches. We'll see you then!

PS. Does anyone know how many formal nights there will be?

Misty

We did the reverse itinerary going from Los Angeles to Auckland on the Voyager. You all are in for a real treat!! It was fantastic!

Lizf, you've got my curiosity up now when you said

Too many negatives about RSSC scared me off and I switched to Oceania.

Carol and Jim,

Just stumbled across the B&B site. Have never stayed there but have exchanged some e-mails with the owners. I'll post comments when we get back but that might be a bit late for your trip. I need to tell you that my wife and I are partial to B&B accommodations, so I was looking in this direction.

greg

Misty, Carolyn, etal,

We'll be in Auckland the morning of the 19th. If any of you''d like to have dinner Sunday or Monday (on the ship?) we think that'd be great. Other than the Drift snorkel at Rangiroa, don't think we have any hard excursion plans. Will probably want to do the "trail of hte Ancients" with Mark Endowes on Moorea (if it's offered) as we missed that last time 'cause Mark broke his leg (or something).

Greg

Here are excerps from a recent RSSC press release regarding this cruise.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

David Kleinman or

Lauren Kaufman

Spring, O'Brien & Co.

(212) 620-7100

SONGWRITER PAUL WILLIAMS, ACTOR MILO O’SHEA AND

OCEAN EXPLORER JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU JOIN SEGMENTS OF

SEVEN SEAS MARINER’S “GRAND CIRCLE PACIFIC” VOYAGE IN OCT. AND NOV.

_____________________________

Special Savings, Spotlight Themes, Le Cordon Bleu Cooking Workshops Featured

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL., August 2, 2005 – Guests of Radisson Seven Seas’® “Grand Circle Pacific” segments will be entertained and enlightened while exploring Southeast Asia, Australia and the South Pacific this fall. Stars of stage, screen and song - noted Irish actor Milo O’Shea and Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams will showcase their talents on the 700-guest, all balcony-suite Seven Seas Mariner’s® October 10 and November 21 sailings, respectively.

Renowned ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau will also join the November voyage and lecturers from Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society will be aboard all seven segments of the 93-night “Grand Circle Pacific” voyage. Hands-on Le Cordon Bleu cooking workshops will be featured on both the September 14 and October 24 sailings.

In addition, the September 14 and November 21 sailings feature two-for-one savings, and the October 10 and 24 sailings offer a choice of free economy air from 86 North American gateways or $1,400 off the cruise fare.

“We’ve Only Just Begun”

Making a rare personal appearance, Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe-winning Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams will be on the Seven Seas Mariner when she departs Auckland for Los Angeles on November 21. Between calls at Bay of Islands, Rarotonga, Bora Bora, Moorea, Papeete, and Nuku Hiva, the 19-night cruise will feature the composer and his most memorable hits - including “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Evergreen,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “The Rainbow Connection,” in two concerts and two lectures.

Guests will also be treated to a Spotlight on Movies with Dave Fantle and Tom Johnson, film historians and authors of the book Reel to Real. The two will present classic films and new cinematic releases while providing intriguing looks behind the scenes in Hollywood with reminiscences of some of the dozens of stars they have interviewed over the years. Capping the Spotlight, the expert chefs of the Seven Seas Mariner will recreate some great lavish meals from movies, including Babette’s Feast and Big Night.

In addition, environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau will be onboard to discuss the ocean’s vital importance to survival of life on the planet, and a complimentary shore side event, “Tamure Welcome at a Sacred Marae” in the Marquesas will be featured.

Hi Greg and Carolyn,

Were are you all staying in Auckland? We'll be at the Esplanade Hotel in Devonport. It would be great to meet for dinner Sunday or Monday on the ship. What is the best way to get from the hotel to the port on Monday?

Misty

Carolyn, Misty, and other "pre-cruisers"

I think if you're in Devonport you can take a cab to the ferry, the ferry to the Auckland ferry dock and then (depending on where the Mariner is berthed) walk to the ship. We're in Northcote and will walk to the ferry (about 100yds from our B&B), ferry to Auckland then either cab or walk to Mariner.

I'd opt for meeting on the ship for dinner Monday evening. We were planning on boarding as early as possible then walking around downtown area of Auckland followed by dinner on the ship and catch up laundry before the sail away party. I've read in other posts that we may no longer have a choice of complimentary drinks at the sail away (only champagne and (maybe) some sort of rum punch). That's too bad if that's the case. I used to use the sail aways and CAPT cocktail parties to enjoy a Cosmo or similar drink. We'll see.

Greg

Anyone on this trip play bridge? Gretchen doesn't play and I haven't for years but I'd love to play some during the sea days.

Greg

Hi Greg, Misty etal,

We are arriving in Auckland on the 16th. Misty, we're staying at the Crowne Plaza based on good reports from TripAdvisor and good rates. DH is not much of a B&B person so even though the place Greg is staying sounded great we opted for a club level room at a bigger hotel. Was able to get it without paying up front so I'm still looking in case I find something that sounds better. Greg, I think getting together for dinner on Monday sounds like fun. Count us in. Misty, even though we live in California, we live in Redding and are just as close to Portland as we are to Southern Cal. We have no shore excursions planned so far but swimming with the dolphins at the Bay of Islands sounds neat. Haven't checked if Radisson has that but I know there are private ones available.

Lets keep in touch,

Carolyn

Greg,

I forgot to mention that I'd love to give Bridge a try but I would need lots of help. I haven't played since college days in the 60's and was never that great of a player. I loved it though.

Carolyn

Been reading this thread but haven't posted here yet. My husband and I will be on this curise. We arrive in Auckland on 11-15. We will travel to Rotorua for three nights and then back to Auckland for three nights. We are interested in meeting for dinner the first night. Can't believe we will be in New Zeland in just three months. We have never been to New Zeland or any of the islands we will be visiting so we are very excited to see it all. We sailed the Mariner to Alaska in 2001. Loved the ship and Alaska. We are staying at Hyatt Regency located at Cnr Princes St & Waterloo Quadrant. Haven't figured out if this is a good location or not. Interested to hear what any of you plan for sightseeing in New Zeland as well as what you plan to do on the Islands.

Karen

We booked our air through Radisson because at the time it was cheaper than the one way fare. Was checking and found out for us it is now $500 cheaper to book our own air. Radisson will remove the air from your booking as long as you do it 60 days prior with no charge. So you may want to check Air New Zealands rates. We do lose the $200 air deviation charge.

Karen,

We did the same thing; saving about $500 and losing our $200 air deviation fee. So, like you, we came out ahead. The very next day I noticed the cost of the ticket for our flight (NZ1, departing 17 November) had gone up about $85pp, then yesterday Air New Zealand announced a fuel surcharge amounting to about $140pp for transpac flights (effetive 1 Sept). So our timing was good (or lucky); others should hurry.

Karen, I assume you're flying out of SFO. For others, on a related matter, if you have a 4-5 hour layover in LAX don't forget if you're *A Gold or better you get to use the NZ Gold lounge at T2 in LAX...very nice. If you're not a *A Gold but have earned Elite Gold status on some other airline (AA, DL, HP, CO, etc.), you might ask one of the *A FFPs to "comp" you into their program. I fly HP most of the time and have achieved Gold Flight Fund status. I do not (normally) fly any *A airlines (business forces me onto UA every once in a while). I called US Airways (a *A member) and asked if they would comp me into their program. Today I got a call and have my Dividend Miles Gold number and the card is in the mail. As a result, Gretchen and I will be able to pair that card with our NZ tickets (same day) to use the Gold lounge in T2. A A* member gold card also allows priority security screening and boarding. Every little bit helps.

Any of you that are goig to be in Auckland for a couple of days pre-cruise might want to check out

http://www.potikiadventures.com/main_TripInfo.htm

They have some very interesting trips and are very accommodating. We're planning on doing their Urban Maori tour Saturday the 19th and Marine Reserve on Monday. When I told them our schedule they indicated they could do the Marine Reserve on Sunday so we could have our day of departure free (we want to go our to Ranitoto and walk around CBD).

Greg

Hi Carolyn, Greg, Karen, et al,

I heard Radisson did away with it's dolphin swim for ecological reasons. I hope the shark or ray swims are still available. Carolyn, I am also a new (poor) bridge player who loves the game so maybe we can find some novices and play together. Where and when shall we all meet on Monday on board? I'm getting excited. FYI, we were able to get one way fare to New Zealand from Portland, OR for $650 each.

Misty

Greg

We fly direct from S.F. to New Zeland. The draw back is we arrive in Auckland at 5:15 a.m. We are going to look into the showers at the airport. Have never done that before. Then we have a car rental and will head to Rotorua. By the time we get there hopefully our room will be ready. We have not flown this far in 8 years and don't look forward to it. We are hopeful that we will be able to get some sleep on the plane. I am really excited about the $500 savings!

Karen

We get in at 5:30 ourselves. You might want to ask a question about AKL showers over on

flyertalk.com else have you seen this site:

http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/

Doesn't really tell you much but there's some info.

Karen, I gather you're back in Auckland for the nights of the 18th-20th? Since you will have spent a couple of nights at Rotorua I suspect you aren't interested in our outing on the 19th but, would any of your group be interested in the Marine Reserve snorkel and kayak on Sunday the 20th, if we can make it happen? Misty, Carolyn, any interest?

Misty and Carolyn, it seems we have 3 for bridge. Maybe a fourth would so up on the board. If not I suspect RSSC may have something set up or we can get a fourth on the ship.

All, as I recall the observation lounge is forward on Deck 12 (I think). We could meet there something like 7-7:30, maybe have a drink, get a head count of who'd like to go to dinner together then proceed to the Compass Rose for dinner. With Gretchen and I, Karen, Misty, and Carolyn and parties sounds like we may have 8-10 or so. Above 8 might be a bit of a challenge as only a few tables can hold 10 or more. In that case we may have to deal with a couple of table next to each other or something like that.

I do not intend to sound firm and fast about this, just throwing it out as a suggestion.

Misty, did you ever get an answer to number of formal nights?

We are getting excited , too. You guys all get there a couple of days ahead of us. I envy your extra time in New Zealand! Web sight bookings for excursion s are supposed to open up on the 22nd of Sept. I think that's the next big date milestone.

Greg