The-Inside-Cabin

Coming soon. I am still finishing my South Pacific write ups.

If you want a lot of port days - take a look at Serenade of the Seas https://www.royalcaribbean.com/ultimate-world-cruise/ Its 274 days with only about 100 sea days by my rough count

Does Viking mark up the price of their non including excursions the same as other cruise lines? While I appreciate the included excursions there are many times I would prefer to do something else. I am wondering if their optional excursions are offered at a discount compared to other cruise lines? My back of the napkin calculation with a very limited data set tells me that they price their excursions about the same as the others. On my recent cruise Viking Offered the "Coronado Cays by Gondola" for $449 (as I recall) Booking direct would cost $145 - add in round trip cab fare of $100 makes it a total of $245 and that mark up seems to be on par with other cruise lines. I am looking at future Viking Cruises and am working on estimating the total cost. I was pleasantly surprised to note that their beverage pricing was less than others and the 18% gratuity was included in the listed price and not tacked on afterwards.

Bora Bora – Fish, Food, and Fire: Patrick’s Tour (Post #16) By The Inside Cabin on Apr 11, 2022 11:51 pm Click "Show More Posts" to show all the links to the other posts for the 2022 South Pacific Cruise Patrick Will our experience with the Maohi Nui excursion (aka Patrick’s Tour) on Bora Bora match the hype? Cruise Map Itinerary, Menus, When & Where and Featured Entertainer Cruise Reference BORA BORA – FISH, FIRE, and FOOD: PATRICK’s TOUR Ever since we first cruised to the South Pacific, we have heard of the Maohi Nui Excursion better known simply as “Patrick’s Tour”. As soon as you join a Cruise Critic roll call with Bora Bora on the itinerary, someone will probably have already taken charge of coordinating participation on Patrick’s tour. The tour usually sells out instantly and if you are not one of the early bookers, then the waitlist is your only chance. The tour usually operates with four boats each holding 12 people. One of the four outriggers on Patrick’s tour By the time we booked this cruise, Patrick’s tour was long sold out and people were discussing their boat assignments and the details of the excursion. We don’t normally book snorkeling tours, but since this cruise was predominantly in the South Pacific we took the plunge, went to a local San Diego dive shop, and picked up everything we would need to enjoy snorkeling: Mask, Fins, and Snorkel. We also got some dive boots, but when you wear fins, you don’t really need the dive boots. And before the cruise had started, we had cleared the wait-list. A few days ago on Taha’a (Raiatea) we jumped into the water for the first time and had a wonderful time on Bruno’s tour. Nevertheless, we were looking forward to “Patricks Tour” as everyone we spoke with LOVED this tour and some said that Patrick’s Tour was simply the best cruise ship tour EVER. That’s a high bar. A PERFECT SUNRISE FOR A PERFECT DAY Sunrise over Bora Bora Bora Bora is a tender port, and the Tour starts early, around 8:00 AM. Normally this requires getting up early to queue up for the first tender tickets. This was our second day in Bora Bora so there wouldn’t be the usual rush for tender tickets on the second morning of an overnight visit. Fortunately, our tour coordinator was able to arrange for our group of about 50 people to assemble in the Lincoln Center and then go ashore on a single tender. You can’t always expect HAL to help get private tour groups consolidated onto a single tender, but they did in this case, and we appreciated it very much. Once ashore, we all met near the water directly across the Bora Bora Visitors Center sidewalk. Colorful Catamarans, with yellow hulls and red trim, raced across the harbor and moored alongside the dock. PATRICK Heifara “Patrick” Tairua jumped onto the dock, and we all gathered around. Smiling and gesturing, Patrick flashed a wide smile and welcomed us to Bora Bora and his tour. We quickly separated into our prearranged groups, and everyone found their Catamaran as they all moored at different spots. We were in boat #4 with Driver, Terri, and his son, Pano. Terri, and his son, Pano. Here is a map that shows the 6 stops along with the time at each stop. Here is the breakdown of how we spent our time (times are approximate): TOUR MAP NOTE: Total Time in boat transiting to the various stops: 3 Hours Maximum time in the water at three snorkel stops: 1 ½ Hour Maximum time in the water for two other water stops: 1 Hour Time on the Motu: 1 ¾ Hour Map of each stop with the approximate time STOP 1: BLACKTIP REEF SHARKS, BUTTERFLYFISH, AND MANTA RAYS A few minutes before 8 AM Terri aimed our boat west and our outboard motor pushed us thru the water toward our first spot. Patrick advised us earlier that due to sea conditions outside the reef, we would be staying closer to shore and would not see the larger Lemon Sharks. Twenty-five minutes later Terri slowed our boat and started to circle, looking down into the water for sea creatures. We meandered in the same area for about 15 minutes until Terri spotted some Manta Rays, slowed, and tossed out the anchor. The water in this area was around 4-10feet deep, very warm, and had a noticeable current. I recommend wearing fins as they will help you move around and tread water. Blacktip Reef Sharks, Threadfin Butterfly Fish, and Manta Rays surrounded the snorkelers but ignored our presence. Later I noticed that Terri was tossing some baitfish into the water which encouraged the fish to swarm around our boat. Blacktip Reef Sharks and Threadfin Butterfly Fish Terri attracted a Manta Ray and invited us to get near and run our hands along its back. It was very firm, yet soft. Terri feeding a Manta Ray on the surfaceWe had a close encounter with a Manta Ray There wasn’t a fixed time for us to stay in the water, but everyone seemed ready to get back in the boat after 30 minutes. STOP 2: THE FISH ARE MY FRIENDS Terri drove our boat in a counterclockwise direction around the island for about 45 minutes. When we were established on a steady course, he would sing a song while playing his ukulele. Unlike our first stop, where we circled for a while looking for sea life, for our second stop we headed directly to a predetermined location where we moored to an anchored buoy. As we were preparing to go into the water, Terri passed out small chunks of French bread. At first, I thought it may have been a midmorning snack, but then realized that we would feed this bread to the fish. We were given bread to feed the fish I stuck one piece of bread in my pocket while holding the other and climbed down the ladder into the water. The water was between 5-15 feet deep and crystal clear – you could easily see the bottom. The fish knew it was time to eat and we were swarmed with Threadfin Butterfly Fish and Blackspot Sergeant fish. I was immediately the fish’s best friend – at least until I ran out of bread and then they were off looking for new friends nearby. These Blackspot Sergeant fish were my new friends – at least until the bread ran out. After the fish moved on but were still in the area, I had more time to examine the seabed. Someone had spelled out “I LOVE BORA BORA” in stone on the bottom – neat! We were back in the boat after 25 minutes and moved on to our next stop about 10 minutes away. Spelled out in stone on the bottom of the lagoon at stop 2 STOP 3: MANTA RAYS IN DEEPWATER Unlike our first two spots, the water for our third stop was much deeper, over 20 feet in spots. There weren’t any fish close to the surface, but I did spot a formation of Manta Rays moving quickly along the bottom. I gave chase for a few minutes. Another snorkeler was able to get a little closer as seen in this photograph. These Manta Rays were scooting along the bottom of the deeper part of the Lagoon NOTE: All of the underwater pictures were taken using a GoPro Hero 7 Black shooting video at 2K – I was able to grab some frames for still images later. With such deep water and so few fish, we were all back in the boat after about 15 minutes. STOP 4: THERAPEUTIC SAND BATH? Our 4th stop was in waist-deep water with a silky sand bottom. We were told that this location was not one of their regular stops but since we had to cancel going outside the reef, they substituted this stop instead. Judy and Pete enjoy the shallow water at stop 4 There weren’t any fish here, but we did get out and stand in the water and use the fine sand as a poor man’s therapeutic sand bath. Terri handed out beer and soft drinks that we enjoyed while standing in the warm, crystal-clear water under a perfect Sun. Very fine sand in the shallow water. Some people rubbed it on their skin Twenty-five minutes later we were back in the boats and motored off to Patrick’s private MOTU for his special lunch and entertainment. STOP 5: FOOD We could walk off our boats onto the MOTU without getting our feet wet. Patrick’s team had been here for hours getting ready and their activity picked up once we arrived. Beer, wine, and soft drinks were available under a shelter. People who had been here before were starting to chatter – “He’s going to open the oven!” Patrick called out that it was time to open the oven and everyone should gather around the covered pit, better known as a Tahitian Oven. After some explanation of what happened earlier in the day, Patrick removed the large banana leaves covering the oven and exposed the suckling pig, chicken, plantain bananas, and more. Patrick’s team gathered up the hot food and set up the buffet on long tables nearby. Patrick starts to open the Tahitian OvenThe food that was roasting all day in the Tahitian Oven is exposed Lunch was served and we all grabbed large woven ‘plates’ with a banana leaf on top and started to move thru the buffet line. “Eat with your hands” Patrick shouted with a smile and we all stopped looking for silverware. The buffet plates were made from Banana leaves Plenty of picnic tables surrounded the covered beverage area and we all enjoyed the fresh cooked Polynesian delicacies. Wine, beer, and other beverages were available at no extra charge. Patricks Tour buffet served on the MOTU Plenty of food was available if you wanted to refill your plate – but most people were satisfied with the large helpings served during their first trip thru the line. Grilled chicken, fish, and sides going on the banana leaf plate STOP 5: FIRE It was time for the highlight of the Motu experience – The Fire Dance. Patrick appeared bare-chested, with his hair pulled back taut, carrying a baton with wicks at each end that were soaked in a flammable fluid. Patrick ignited the ends of the baton and started to twirl and dance, with a little fire-eating along the way. As the flames began to dwindle, a helper from the audience helped him position the baton on his feet while he was lying on his back. He extinguished the baton in the sand as he concluded the show with the audience’s enthusiastic applause. Patrick amazed the guests with his fire dancePatrick eating fire on the MOTU Time for a little more wine before we headed back to the boats for our final stop. STOP 6: WINE AND WATER Our final stop was another shallow water wine tasting event. The water was too shallow for snorkeling and there weren’t any fish in the area. Patrick enjoyed pouring sparkling wine and telling stories of Bora Bora to a rapt audience. All 4 boats were close enough so everyone could mingle in a central area. Warm water, gentle breezes, nice wine, and great company were the perfect conclusion for our last water stop. No snorkeling but plenty of wine at our final water stop Thirty minutes later, Patrick’s four boats glided back into the harbor where we started, and our Maohi Nui Experience was sadly over. CONCLUSION? The Maohi Nui (Patrick’s Tour) was wonderful and exceeded our expectations. Even if you don’t snorkel, you will have a wonderful time riding in the lagoon and enjoying the shallow water stops. The food and the MOTU along with the Fire Dance were a bonus. Patrick’s Tour? A perfect blend of food and fun – Don’t miss it!

HAL used to offer an Audio tour of the art on the various ships. No longer available since the IPODs and the libraries went away. You used to be able to download them from the HAL website in advance. I can't find them any longer. Does anyone have a copy of the tour from the Zuiderdam that may be still on your hard drive? If so, I would appreciate a copy - connect@theinsidecabin.com Thanks!

French Polynesia Exchange Rates on Raiatea (March 2022) Price to buy 500 CFP Official Bank rate: $4.462 Raiatea ATM Machine: $4.71 Local Tour Operators: $5.00 Holland America Guest Services: $5.04 (They will buy back your CFP at $5.12) Local Grocery (Champion): $5.88

Yeah! I’m doing my Doc Dance! Younger cruisers will say – Hey What? What’s a Doc Dance? Doing a Doc Dance was one of the precruise traditions that fell by the wayside once all your cruise documentation was available online. “Back in the day” the cruise line mailed your boarding passes, luggage tags, excursion information and more in big thick envelopes. After you received your ”Docs” your cruise went from a dream to reality as you were able to scan all the wonderful excursions and other highlights of your upcoming cruise. In the preinternet days, you couldn’t easily find out what excursions were available till you received your Docs! Even then you couldn’t easily book in advance and often you headed down to the theatre for a mass shore excursion booking party on the first day. Sadly, the old Doc Dance has been replaced by the new Negative COVID Dance! These days you must get a COVID test right before sailing and when you get the email or text with the big print – NEGATIVE – well I can’t blame anyone if you jump out of their chair and do a little Happy Dance! But – NOT SO FAST – Since we are heading to Hawaii – we must run the COVID gauntlet one more time at the cruise terminal before we board. If we pop positive, then it’s go back home and start thinking about how you can use all your FCC. I am writing this at 1 PM and we leave for the cruise terminal in 90 minutes. Hoping for another negative test – otherwise Follow along here and on Twitter/Instagram, plus my blog www.theinsidecabin.com