CruisingGrandmaW

Glad I came across this discussion. Getting ready to cruise again - FINALLY. Last cruise was Fall of 2019 -- when distilled water was no problem to order via Navigator on board. I had also pre-ordered for the first week of cruise, before boarding. From comments here, I will make sure to pre-order for my upcoming cruise. You used to be able to select the day of delivery when ordering online. Hope it's the same.

Gosh I'm sorry. From all your posts it seems you had a MISERABLE cruise. Almost everything was unsatisfactory to you. That's sad. Sorry for your disappointment.

These links may help give you answers HAL Cabanas | Roger Jett Photography

Hi Mary Ann: Just wanted to tell you not to worry so much about HAL's response when you said money exchange was accurate. Don't take it personal. I was a Bank Manager for many years. When we had cash drawers or Main Cash Vault out of balance $$ missing and not accounted for. Had to investigate what happened. There are reasons they can't disclose to you that could cause the missing $$ & therefore could not say more than what they did. Don't think they didn't believe you --- they were most likely hoping beyond hope that the staff member had made a mistake. And were disappointed to hear it was accurate. I surmise, they were asking every passenger who did currency exchange that day with same question. There must have been a large enough outage in the Currency Exchange Drawer --- and they have to investigate cause.

Hi Pete: Hope you're enjoying your Day At Sea. Wanted to Update you on San Diego Local TV Fox News -- Re: HAL that aired today, Tues Jan 31st. HAL Officials were in San Diego Today at Cruise Pier - With Koningsdam docked in the background of newsclip. HAL Officials had a HUGH $450,000 Check displayed - the kind of Check used when Large $$ are won/donated. TV Coverage - Announcement of HAL donating $450,000 to Ukraine. HAL officials explained how the $450,000 was raised via HAL passengers participating in the "Walk for a Cause" while On Board a Cruise. So, a BIG THANK YOU SHOUT OUT to all 2023 GWV passengers - that may be participating in the "Walk For a Cause". Know that your efforts do make a significant difference & are recognized.

Loved the Video Fun watching all of you 'horse" around.

Yes! Bruno's Snorkel Tour (private or otherwise) is to Raiatea/Tahaa as Patrick's Tour is to Bora Bora - The Best Glad to See Bruno in pictures - such a nice man.

So fun to go down memory Lane - seeing your pictures etc. Little past FP history, Sofitel on Moorea - our place to stay. In 1995 - had no overwater bungalows. Bungalows were primitive but nice. Bathrooms in bungalow partially open near thatched roof. Bathroom Floors & walls contained pieces of lava / sea shells Sandy planters around interior of bathroom planted with Tropical Plants. No A/C - but no problem in July/August. No motorboats, jet skis etc were allowed in Sofitel lagoon. Abundance/variety of large tropical fish to see just by wading near shoreline - with lots of coral still waist deep into the water.' Over-time with bungalows & jet skis etc came destruction of coral. 3 years ago was our last stay at Sofitel - we had to swim clear out to reef to see the quantity of fish that used to be near the shoreline. 1996 - 1998. One year between these dates. French were the normal tourist in FP French government was doing Nuclear Testing in the FP area. French citizens protesting the Nuclear Testing - by not vacationing the islands. Drove down the Price of Sofitel stay..... so little tourism that year. Beachfront bungalow for 2 weeks = $2800. 1995 - 2003 - Prior to Explosion of Tourism Locals - so friendly with big smiles --- same as your pictures - glad no change. One could Walk/ride scooter on road. Families stopping you - invite you in to share dinner/lunch with their family. They knew no English - we knew no Tahitian - but smiles & gestures bound our spirits of friendship. Invited us to their Beach Parties - public Beach that adjoins the Sofitel property. Gave us beer out of their cooler & a home-made sandwich in a baguette. Strummed their ukulele & sang their Tahitian songs all to our utter enjoyment. Good times Pete -- thanks for opportunity to go down memory lane. Love the FP People. May Good Times continue to follow you as you Cruise On!

Sorry Mary Ann & Bill for hijacking your site. Will not do this again. Hope your day on Moorea was wonderful. Did you get another pizza fix while ashore? Happy Cruising - May the Weather Gods continue to be good to you.

No we did not have to check out each segment on every cruise we've done this way. But I do remember sometimes when in-transit back at FL or San Diego we did have to get off the ship for a short time. Ship had to be at a "Zero Count" is what I think the terminology was. Don't know if it was our because our last Port was in a foreign country - that necessitated us getting off the ship for that "zero count". But I bet Mary Ann & Bill will know as they've done many B2Bs.

Yes I am able to book same cabin for all the segments. But you'll have to book early - to make sure lots of cabins are available. Once - the Cabin we had was already booked for one of the segments. They bumped whoever was in the Cabin, sorry, so we could have Cabin for entire time. (This was not the 128 Day Grand World Cruise it was a 28 Day So America B2B with 51 Day Tales of So Pacific.)

Hi Pete: They are in the same spot. Can't remember if before 6pm but I would imagine. The local families were eating their evening meals at the Roulettes - when it was just turning dark. While being to the French Polynesia via a cruise half a dozen times; We mainly fly & stay a month in July or August. So don't know exactly when sunsets in Jan vs July/August. We like island hopping. Flying via commuter plane - view of islands is something to experience. The Coral Reefs are so pronounced via air. Maupiti is a kick - miniature Bora Bora 30 minute by Ferry from Bora Bora. You'd never be able to do it as a side trip from Bora Bora. Usually, they only run a ferry once in morning & then in the evening. (Was named in the book "1000 Places You Should See Before You Die".) Lagoon so pristine you can see down the sides of the deep Coral Walls to Lagoon Bottom. Lots of fish as tour boats & Suntan lotion from toursim (banned here) had not destroyed the Coral. Probably too primitive for tourists. We stay in a primitive A-Frame hut on Maupiti's outer islet. At low tide we could walk across an outer area of the Lagoon to the Main Island. No heated water for bathing - only temperature as it comes out of the Rain Water Storage Tanks. Eat with other guests whatever the family catches that day. Far Cry from luxury life on HAL 🤣🤣 It's been several years since we saw Maupiti - but on our last stay the resident islanders were still not allowing Chain Hotel/Resorts to be built. Islands while still primitive vs Hawaii - have changed since my first visit in 1995. Back then no cars on Moorea & outer islands - only scooters. Open wooden Le Truck was public Transportation. Same with Huahine, Rangiroa, etc. The beautiful Tahitian young women would still walk along water edge back then. Just a Sarong around their hips - bare top - holding their young children's hands as they waded thru the shallow water. No tourists to gawk at them - mostly French Vacationers - who were used to topless bathers etc. Now with American tourism etc - you can understand why that custom went away. The islanders were a lot poorer back then. Other than Papeete - most islanders (Moorea for example) spoke only Tahitian or French. Very little English back then - other than the Hotel Personnel. Well I'm excited for your group. If weather was good today, I know you enjoyed Moorea today. When I die - surely the French Polynesia is Heaven? !!! 🤞🤞

We'll see which Perks Mary Ann is talking about. Think it's probably along the line of what my husband & I do. We have our TA book the segments B2B that ends up being the same as the Grand Voyages as a whole. Reason: Often Get more in total OBC $ from HAL & our TA booking it B2Bs vs as a Whole. Plus our TA company offers us a "Cash Back or Credit Card upfront" for each segment. When we book B2B say as 3-4 Cruises vs 1 Grand Voyage these perks will often total more $$. TA also gives us Excursion Vouchers, Resort Day Passes., etc. If we book just the Grand Voyage as one long cruise - we only get 1 Vouncher/Pass, But let's say if we book the Same Grand Voyage as 3 B2Bs - we get 3 vouchers/passes. TA gives us a bottle of wine at beginning of each segment - vs - just 1 bottle of wine at beginning of the Grand Voyage. HAL's PC perks - will often multiply by her booking Grand Voyage via B2Bs vs just as one cruise. So let's say instead of one welcoming Bottle of Champagne - she would receive multiple as each new Segment (B2B) begins. While some B2Bs will not have enough significant savings in doing this - most often it pays to book B2B. One has to weigh the options

Usually there are a lot of local families @ Food Carts on Sunday. So fun to eat amongst the locals and observe the Tahitian Families. Hope some of the locals were causually getting together for impromtu signing. Such a special treat when they do. Thanks for Sharing Pete - can tell by your groups faces you're having a Wonderful Time.

@quilter49 I haven't cruised since Dec 2019; but HAL used to keep their dry saunas in the Spa area open later than the Whihrpools. My husband & I used them to relax in after dinner hour. I just can't remember how late we went. Something to look into as an alternative to whirlpool?

I do the same thing - I sit on the Right side of pool and never smell the cigarette smoke from that side; unless on rare occasion - wind is blowing it where you get a slight wift every now and then. But that RARELY happens - just sit on Right Side.... the Non-Smoking side

Great Photo Tip Pete - TY for sharing.

My husband & I are big dancers --- albeit we've finally arrived at the HAL "normal 70-80" passenger. But we still dance. I believe when a person REALLY loves to dance - they'll find a way. We are BIG TIME Country Western Dancers. We could always improvise our Country Western Dance to fit Ballroom music, Salsa, Blues, Rock - you name it. Once we were on a HAL cruise while still in our late 40s. There was music at the pool & we were dance starved. So we kicked up heels and danced to the Piped music at the pool. I think the "Ole Geezers" got a kick out of it. So don't be afraid to DANCE!! To me -HAL is currently undergoing some changes in their Music Venues. Seems if you are on a Grand Voyage or longer there are many more additional choices of Live bands on these longer cruises with live bands playing in the various Bars - not just on their BillBoard Walk. BUT you will always have a dance band playing in their Rollingstone Lounge (HAL is in process of converting their BB King Lounge to Rollingstone. But don't let the change in name fool you - they still play a good variety of music - not just hard rock. To me the name change is merely a marketing tool to Update the Name to attract some of the younger crowd who grew up with the Rollingstones.) Happy Dancing! Oops --- I meant Happy Cruising!

I've cruised with the majority of different cruise lines. It really depends on what "atmosphere" & what activities you like. HAL has become my preferred Cruise Line. Pros: Usually no hordes of noisy kids (unless it's a Holiday or Spring Break) Ships always clean & pretty much (99%) up-to-date unless close to a Face-Lift Dry Dock Excellent Crew Outstanding Food. (After Covid Re-start - they were having poor food quality on some ships due to their normal suppliers either out of business due to long no Cruise Ship Activity - also alot of new crew member to train - but now if you read different CC members posting - you'll see the Food Quality has returned) Ships are not too large (get me off the Wonder of the Seas) Generally older passengers choose HAL - I'm now in my 70's so I really enjoy having other passengers my age to visit with. No drunk party-animal passengers ---- like I would find on Carnival or NCL- (Now while I was still in my young 40's you would never catch me on HAL - too tame give me my party-dance till 2 in the morning crowd) Cons: While HAL does have some live-band dance music in their Rollingstone Music Venue (formerly known as BBKings) - it's not quite like the many dance bands on RCI, Celebrity, etc.) The evening Shows in the Main Theatre are not up (in my opinion) to the caliber of the Productions on say RCI's Oasis of the Seas or many of Celebrity's productions. My advice: If you're just looking for a relaxing cruise with low passenger noise. You want good food, comfortable cabin & bed, Excellent Customer Service, Friendly Staff, aren't looking for a "party crowd" or age group under 65 to be able to visit with - you'll enjoy HAL. But if you're in your 50's or under, still like to dance to a variety of Live Dance Bands by the Pool, & late into the wee hours of the morning - HAL may not be the Cruise Line for you. Also if you like high end Las Vegas Magician style shows or Broadway Production Musicals like other lines offer --- again (my opinion) you're not going to find entertainment to that caliber.

Per my previous post - suggestion: Here is the Weblink for HAL Deck Plans of all their ships in case you don't have the link. HAL Deck Plans.pdf

Can understand your frustration. I've run into this no matter if using HAL directly or various TA's. I learned to plan ahead of making my call. I Look at the Online HAL Deck Plans myself. Write down the various Aft-Facing Cabin #s I'd be interested in. THEN place my call to HAL or my TA. I give them the Cabin #s - they check availability. Makes the process go smoothly saving me a lot of frustration.

LOL !!!! I used to have "slow pipes" on cruises as I don't eat as many vegetables etc with Cruise Menus. Learned to bring Physllium capsules for added fiber when cruising. 2 Tablets in the AM - usually brings a nice easy normal "morning relief". If that doesn't do the trick - then another 2 capsules at bedtime. BUT NO MORE dulcolax or similar - they are awful!!

@Cruizin4us Love your humor-style of writing. So entertaining to read your various experiences. Re: Passenger rude to Crew Staff. Want to share a "story" of my own. Was at second Set Sitting Time in MDR. An elderly widow at our table was very demanding & hyper-critical over the food. Meat was not cooked to her liking and waiter forgot to put a couple extra pieces of Veggies on her plate. When the waiter came to the table next to us to take their order ........ this elderly lady picked up her dinner plate and threw it across our table at the waiter -- all while yelling to him about her lousy food & his poor service. Well the problem in her doing that - is the food from her plate landed on me and soiled my clothes and of course all over the tablecloth making an ugly mess for all of us dining at the table to look at. Waiter was great - he reported incident to MDR Manager. They re-assigned our table for remainder of cruise & gave me Free Dry Cleaning for my dress that had gotten soiled. PEOPLE - Oh God - Please don't let me turn into an Old Bitty as I age!!!

Hi Pete & "PETE FOLLOWERS" First - so enjoy your Posts Pete - keeps all of us HAL lovers up to date & we cruise vicariously through you on the Grand World Voyage. Re: Movies shown on MainStage -- this may not be proper etiquette to discuss here --- but there are so many HAL CC members who are following Pete. Movies would be something my husband & I would enjoy in lieu of some of the entertainment that we don't care for OR have seen the exact same entertainment over and over again --- as we do multiple cruises a year. Because we no longer go out to Movie Theaters nor Stream we've always enjoyed the movies being shown in the smaller HAL movie theaters. To view a Good Movie on a Large Screen within the MainStage setting -- would suit us. Perhaps there are others who feel the same. So on a positive note - while Movies may not suit all passengers -- there may be passenger like us that would prefer them. It's another way for HAL to provide a more variety of entertainment that suits what all passengers are looking for. Just saying --- another viewpoint on Movies

Hello Bill & Mary Ann: Always enjoy your posts/blog. Thank you bringing us along on your journeys. LOVE the Sunrise Pictures you recently posted on your Blog. Sunrises/Sunsets at Sea -- are my favorite aspects of cruising. Sounds as though HAL is really going out of their way to make this a Wonderful GWV.