CruisingGrandmaW

Hi Jo! Always a pleasure to follow your Blog & CC Postings. TY for doing them. Question as I prepare for my cruise leaving in 10 days: Is HAL providing KN95 masks or any face masks for passengers wanting them?

@VMax1700 Enjoying your postings of cruise. Question: Is HAL providing KN95 masks or similar for those passengers wanting them? I'm about 10 days from cruising & starting to pack. Would love not to have to bring more items in luggage!

Bill & MaryAnn - TY for update on "tourism" in Tonga & Samoa etc. I had read the above post off the CC 2023 Tales Roll Call. To-date no one on that Board has commented that Excursions have been added. Hence my concern that those islands were still affected by locals moving to other islands for employment during 2020-2022

Hi Bill & Mary Ann Al & Carolyn from San Diego - we sailed with you on 2019 Tales - were 2 cabins down from you & saw you many mornings/evenings taking photos from your balcony. We never introduced ourselves - but wish we had now. (At the time we didn't want to bother you - figured you had enough fans of your Blog possibly bothering you). We are waiting until 2024 to return to a 51 D Tales - hoping that Tonga, Somoa etc that were deeply affected by Pandemic & then Tsunami from the Volcano have recovered back to their tourism level of 2019. So will be anxious to hear your daily reports of the Ports on that leg of your cruise. Wishing you continued "good memories" on this cruise.

Been cruising for 28+ years with 100+ cruises. Used to be & love Formal Tux/Gown nights - but NO MORE! Love that Formal nights have become Gala Nights. Main Reason: Packing/Unpacking of luggage & airlines. Gone (with gladness) are the days when DH & I would have, per each of us, a minimum of 2 large checked suitcases & 1 carry-on. I have found the less clothes & stuff one brings - makes packing for cruise easier, unpacking upon arrival in Cabin faster, repacking luggage for disembarking no longer a drudgery, and once home - so much faster to unpack & less laundry. Love that HAL offers free laundry for 4+ Star Mariners - I've been able to get down to one carry on for each of us with an (under the seat) additional piece for toiletries/medications/1 pair dress shoes & 1 pair sandals. We wear our walking shoes. Packing Cubes are my Best friends!! No more checked baggage!! - Makes airline traveling so much easier.

I have heard that Patrick retired and is no longer doing his snorkeling excursions. Has anyone heard about this to confirm Patrick's no longer in business?

@Balsam12 My husband & I bring our own metal thermos type refillable bottle. Then we order Gallons of Distilled Water ($2.95) from HAL. You'll find them in your booking. Go to the Beverage Packages - scroll down to bottom - there you'll see them. We pre-order ours before hand and select our delivery dates before boarding. We order less than we think we'll need & order any other gallons we need while on board. Much easier than trying to bring water on board.

@danogg Forgot Fakarava There is not much to do on this Atoll - & it usually has the highest chance for rain. But there is a small beach to the right of the tender dock - that you can walk to. There is a vendor who does snorkeling excursions to the Blue Lagoon. My memory is fading & I can't remember his name. If you go over to the Paul Gaugin CC Roll Calls - & read thru them - you should be able to pick up the favorite private vendors & excursions on their Roll Calls -- as most these people go every year. I believe it's at this Atoll also that we were able to locate a Small Resort that had a Restaurant with Tables in the Water. You can pre-book & for a small fee they will pick you up near the Tender Dock. Again name alludes me right now - but most likely there will be talk about it on Paul Gaugin Roll Call

@danogg You'll love this cruise - anytime you can cruise French Polynesia - it's a Winner! Esp for snorkeling & water sports. My first cruise to French Polynesia was Honeymoon on Windstar 32 years ago. We travel these islands twice a year EXCEPT not from 2020 (start of Covid) until this coming Fall. Have done both cruises & land trips. Papeete - I don't like their beaches etc. I do enjoy their Market (short walking distance from pier) plus the Food Trucks at night (on dock near where you exit pier) -- these are fun & I wouldn't miss them. Love to pick up flower arrangement from Market for Cabin. Otherwise I'd take a Land Excursion - which you can easily book via Trip Advisor or similar company for price much cheaper than HAL Excursion. (We love Moorea so much - we'd be taking the first High Speed Ferry (30 min) over to Moorea & rent a Car for the day thru Albert's. They will meet you at the Pier & give you a ride back to Pier. If you decide to go over to Moorea & rent a car -- just look up "Things to do on Moorea" on YouTube. The island is very small you can circle it & see all the sights in one day. We always enjoy parking & taking the "Coco Beach" shuttle & have lunch there & snorkel a bit. Almost all the Hotel Resorts will allow you to pay for a Resort Day Pass if you want some quality beach time & snorkeling. My favorite is the Sofitel followed by Hilton. Then when ship anchors in Moorea - you can spend that day in & on the Water. Normally HAL brings on a very good Tahitian Dance Show while in Papeete - so don't miss it. Moorea - Get in the Water!! My favorite excursion is one where you'll swim with the sharks & stingrays & also include a Motu Picnic. The snorkeling is exceptional out on the Motu's. Albert's normally has good tours - but again check out TripAdvisor. All of these private Tour Companies will meet you at end of Tender Dock (past the Vendor Tables @ parking lot) Raiatea - I don't find this island that interesting (if you do an interior land excursion make sure bus is air conditioned as it can get hot & muggy inland) ----- BUT - excellent snorkeling on Tahaa --- it's sister island. The things to do at this port are Drift Snorkeling the Coral Gardens and another Motu Picnic for additional snorkeling. You can research these via YouTube videos. While you can find a Tahaa tour by walking off the ship - turn right & walk down to the Pier - many Tour Boat Vendors will be down there --- it's better to book ahead. Many will include a Pearl Farm & Vanilla Plantation stop - but I feel they are boring & would not recommend. Most of these Tour companies will arrange a private tour if you can get enough people via Cruise Critic to join you. Then you can plan a snorkeling tour that will be longer at the Coral Gardens and more time at the Motu. Most tour companies will have you pay when you board their boat --- but for those who want an advance deposit - they refund with 24-48 Hr advance notice. (Yes unfortunately there has been times when it's raining too much & you'll have to cancel a snorkeling excursion) Excited for you and this wonderful cruise you will be on. My favorite way is to use Air Miles & vacation during July or August. Rent an Air BNB & then use "puddle jump plane" with Moorea, Bora Bora & Roratonga as our favorite islands to visit. We also love Maupiti - but it's too primitive for most people.

UV Air Purifer & a Humidifier --- haven't seen anyone posting these!!! After 3 consecutive years of returning from Long cruises with upper respiratory infections; our Primary Care Dr suggested we cruise with a UV Air Purifier and a Humidifier....(as back then at least - the air from A/C Units were servicing more than one cabin on the shared vent system - which he said caused virus germs to travel from one cabin to another...& usually the vent was right over the bed!) Luckily we did this on our 2019 96 Day B2B Cruise that ended after Xmas 2019 when many were coming down with Covid. We have traveled with these two items since. We are no longer coming down with illness. Made a huge difference for us. Note: We are Seniors in the upper 70's so our immune system isn't as strong as younger people. Needing distilled water for the humidifer --- is when I first became aware that you can order gallons of distilled water on board. I usually do this before my cruise. Last check HAL was still only charging $2.95 a gallon & you could place multiple orders with a specific date as to when they should be delivered to your cabin.

We brought cheap Walmart Fold-Up Camp Chairs when doing a 51 Day Pacific Isle Cruise. They came in really handy on those islands with no seating. Plus we could sit in the water with them. Night before disembarking; we asked the Cabin Steward if they would like them & if not, we'd remove them. They REALLY wanted them - as they were said they were easy to store in their small crew cabin PLUS they would enjoy using them on their "days off ashore".

I don't understand people bringing fans from home. I've always called Guest Services prior to my cruise and arranged for a "ship supplied fan" to be placed in my cabin. They have both small & large fans. I've found it best to arrange for this prior to embarking as they are limited in their supply. Yes I like fans also; not only for white noise -- but love the air circulation.

Oh just read this. Sorry Btimmer. Yes will do so. My apologies.

@Jiminy1955 I was a Bank Manager. Yes you could order foreign currency - BUT there was a fee for that service. If your bank has a fee also, I find it easier & to use a Bank ATM if the country I'm traveling to.

@Jiminy1955 When traveling in Europe -- we used a Credit Card that had NO Foreign Transaction Fee. You'll want to look into that as having a Foreign Transaction fee on each purchase can get pricey. Also we did use ATMs for acquiring our foreign currency. While our Bank did have a Foreign Transaction Fee for ATM -- we were able to pull enough currency via one-time ATM transaction. The exchange rate via ATM was better than using a Currency Exchange facility at airports.

@Jiminy1955 Hello - I've been to Paris numerous times; in fact first trip there --- hubby had taken me there to propose to me. You'll definitely want to stay at a Hotel in the heart of Paris as it's a half hour train ride from airport to downtown. Paris also has an excellent Hop On Hop Off Bus that you'll want to take for an overview of the city. The subway system is excellent & will be your main means of transportation. You should be able to look online for the Paris Subway schedules & routes. Just be aware that your main hurdle will be transporting all your luggage from airport to a downtown hotel. The subway system has many stairs/escalators when using. It would be cumbersome trying to haul a lot of luggage. Perhaps - look into a Hotel near the airport that you can stay on your first & last night in Paris....that will store your excess luggage for you - then use only one carry on for staying at your other Hotel in Paris. (Most of the airport Hotels will have a shuttle bus to & from the airport). You can email me at cjbootscoot at gmail dot com if you want any more specific information. Visiting Versailles is a LONG day. You can get there via the subway - but I would recommend staying one night at a Hotel near it & purchase your tickets in advance via online if you plan to go there.

Oh - just saw you've already left. Your family will be hooked on cruising. Here's to a wonderful family vacation!

PS: You chose well for your first cruise --- you'll love the Baltic. Also HAL is usually has less passengers than other cruise lines which makes for a more relaxing experience.

You are smart to pack light & use ship's laundry. If you have time; I'd pack 2-4 collapsible fabric cubes (cheap at the dollar store) They come in handy for extra storage in the bathroom. Two can fit on shelf under sink & the additional 2 under sink on the floor. Husband had his shaving gear, hair gel, comb, toenail clippers etc etc in his. Mine - Facial Products, hair mouse, etc etc. Came in handy to just pull out your "cube" & place on toilet seat. Kept the clutter down. Some people buy an over-the-door shoe storage bag (hanging on the outside of the Bathroom door) for their toiletries --- but I hate clutter.

Gosh Mary Ann I am extremely disappointed for you & Bill in regards the 150th Anniversary Event you were bussed to. Can't believe there was NO recognition for the President's Club - those loyal passengers who have sailed so many nautical miles with HAL. Because the event was so short - I can understand not being able to recognize you individually. BUT I would have expected a separate seating area for you. A toast to all President Club members & a special commemorative gift given to your group as you exited your seating area. There was so much hype about this special event for you as a President Club Member--- & then for it to end up like this - 😬 My Hubby & I, while not as "cruised" as you we have taken over 150+ cruises over the years on different cruise lines. We got to the point of being "jaded". "Been there done that" too many times. We switched over to doing land trips and especially enjoyed leasing a car for 3 month "do it yourself" adventures in Europe. We'd go with Travel Groups if visiting China etc. The groups were of 24 which was perfect. You become close friends by the end of the trip. We took time off from cruising for about 4 years. When we returned, while still "jadded" we did enjoy the cruise more than before our "time out". Just saying --- since the 2 of you enjoy heading out in the ports on your own. I think you would enjoy leasing a car & doing your own travel. You can see so much more than by cruise ship.

So glad you got to be part of this special celebration. How fitting that you chose your orange bow tie etc.

Pete: The Local San Diego Channel 5 News - just showed a clip of the huge waves in that area coming towards shore. OMG - can understand why they cancelled this port.

Hi Bill & Mary: Love following your adventures. The name of the Sahara sand dust storm is Haboob

Oh WHAT A GAME - PETE !!!!! Our SD Aztec team pulled it off tonight. We're in the Final Top 2 Nail biting down to last 5 seconds to get off a shot! Lamont Butler hit a jumper as time expired to give the Aztecs a 72-71 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night. The shot capped a massive second-half comeback for SDSU as the Aztecs were down by 14 at one point.