DCCruiser57

36 minutes ago, mysty said:

 

Thanks @turtlemichael !  That's what I remember as well.   In 2016 it was a bus shuttle from White Bay Terminal to Darling Harbour.

SS is running a bus shuttle to King’s Wharf in Darling Harbour.

On 1/2/2024 at 12:53 PM, Brad1185 said:

I appreciate your review. Your comments are becoming the norm. I hope SS can react and make the appropriate changes otherwise they will be turning off a lot of their passengers.  
 

the SS executive staff should go on Viking and Oceania and see how these 2 cruise lines are providing a quality product for their passengers.

 

It’s becoming apparent that RCI bean counters are taking away the quality that people expect on SS and if this continues will hurt SS financially in the future. 

Viking and Oceania are way below SS.

On 1/8/2024 at 4:33 PM, mysty said:

 Today we were in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.  

 

 

We did an excursion called Spirits of Mexico.  We left the ship in a small van to travel north from the pier to Hacienda Don Engracia.

 

 

 

During our visit here we sampled 7 shots of tequila.  Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Almond, Peach, Coffee and a coffee mezcal.  We bought a bottle of the Coffee Tequila.

 

This is the root of the blue agave that they use to make tequila.

 

We then had a chocolate tasting.  The site grows cacao.

Then we got a lesson in how to make a perfect guacamole.  We got to sample it along with a passion fruit margarita.  Delicious!

 

Tomorrow we are in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Was your tour included or selected.  We could not have done 5 shots of tequila and then a margarita.  Our city/walking tour was included and included too much time on the bus and two shopping stops.

1 hour ago, Lookingtocruise42 said:

Just because that was how it started its life, doesn’t mean that’s how it’s used today.

 

 

Just don't cruise on Silversea.  Think you should do Seabourn.

52 minutes ago, mysty said:

Excursions are now available for booking for Apia, Samoa.

Mysty - Thanks, Harriet and I have been waiting for the tours to open up for Apia.

1 hour ago, Randyk47 said:

Yeah but Pepsi and rum just does not work.  😱😀

You are correct.  However, Special Services will provide mostly any liquor or beer you desire as long as it isn't outrageously expensive.  And if the request is above their budget, they will tell you how much it would cost to get it.

SS usually only stocks Coke products.  I prefer Pepsi, so I contact Special Services through my TA and request specific Pepsi products along with estimated quantities.  They have never turned me down, although some of the Pepsi products are sourced locally in various ports.

Mysty - the Boatyard in Barbados is very good.  Nice sandy beach, usually not a lot of waves.  We have been probably 20 times or so.  Last time it cost $25 per person - you got two beach chairs, an umbrella and one drink each - one was a rum punch, but I cannot remember the other.  One thing you may want to research is getting through immigration/customs can be a nightmare.  There is a VIP fee for service called Fast Track where they meet you, bypass the lines,  escort you to luggage point and then escort you to your transportation service.  Just google Barbados Fat Track.

See you on 12/27.

On 5/29/2023 at 9:40 AM, spinnaker2 said:

Boarding was easy, only a slight wait. Weather cooperated too. The crew did an outstanding job on this massive changeover day.

However, apparently the world cruisers were looking to create a world record in devouring all the provisions and drinking all the booze and much of the water. We were delayed in leaving Port Everglades in order to allow for the extensive provisioning. Sort of like your worst nightmare that the previous cruisers drank the ship dry and ate everything.

DH who never complains (well hardly ever) thought that his caprese salad was pretty bad, an attempt to cover up the anemic tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and some blobs of burrata. He told me his pasta had no taste at all. He did eat some of my steak which was cooked perfectly. I ordered a mojito at the bar and was told nope, we have no mint. 

Even with the fact that there is no mint or french wine, or fresh tomato or large olives, or much else, the passengers look happy to be aboard and the atmosphere is convivial. 

Today the horizon looks a little grey but the sun is shining and the rolling sea is sparkling. The 23 year old Shadow looks great and is handling the voyage in perfect form. 

And so it is off the conquer the first sea day. 

Lots of things to do, lectures to listen to, watercolor class, trivia, bridge lessons, dance lessons, etc.

Bob Leininger is the CD, he’s from Iowa. He has quite the speaking voice. 

 

They activated Starlink about 60 days into the WC.  It consistently had a dowload speed of 10 MBS.  We consistently ran out of its - Tiki, Makers Mark, various food items.  Apparently, it was a challenge to get provisioning given the WC itinerary.

Bill & Mary Ann - love the idea of the magnets and dowels to hang shirts - would you post a picture when you have a chance?

Thx

That makes sense - the most number of days we knew about was around 2,400 days for one WC couple who has since passed away.

1 hour ago, spinnaker2 said:

Lovely evening last night at La Terrazza at a special table. Much maritime discussion, good food, great company and all while dressed up in our "goodest clothes".

I managed not to spill my food and properly twirl my pasta without a spoon. Formal night used to be lobster, but last night osso bucco.

At Venetian party awards handed out. Among the pax onboard over 31k days.

Sun's up and soon the mad crush will begin to pack in everything one can so as not to miss out.

Hard to believe that it is December 11. 

 

General comment. The Dawn is a beautiful vessel.  Crew are spectacular. The new normal is here, I quote the Captain.

 

 

 

 

 

Did you mean 3.100 days and not 31,000 days?

Reova is spot on.  I suffer from sciatica also, pretty bad, sometimes in which I get a stabbing pain and tingling/numbness in my feet.  I recently saw a spine specialist after having an MRI.  He said it was stenosis L4/L5 from aging.  He indicated that I should not have surgery and recommended an epidural steriod injection.  This does not solve the problem but provides relief for 2 to 4 months (you can get a shot 3 times per year).  In addition, I recently got a Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) device called NeuroMD.  It works on your core and lower back and strengthens and stabilizes the lower back.  After using the devices, you do 6 different exercises to complement the treatment.  I have attached a copy of the exercises for your information.  I would recommend that you try these exercises to see if they help you.

Sciatica Exercises.pdf

Generally, there is a solo travelers' get together for pre dinner cocktails and then some gather for dinner.

Shadow?

Slight correction - WC 2025 is on the Dawn, not the Moon, which is a slightly newer ship.  The Shadow went through an extensive drydock a few years ago (2019) and is much different than the Whisper, which has been the WC ship for years.  SS completely revamped deck 5 and opened this area up and added an Arts Cafe, relocated the casino and connoiseur corner to deck 8, eliminated the library and  computer center.  The Whisper was supposed to undergo the same update, but Covid, I believe killed that plan.  Since the Whisper did not get the update, I believe that is why they switched to the Shadow - you are correct in that it can access ports, such as Ho Chi Minh city that the larger ships cannot.

Much like Mysty, WC 2024 offers a number of new ports - we will see you there Mysty.  

2 hours ago, CruiserFromMaine said:

Any idea where Jimmy went?

I believe SS promoted him to HD.

What happened last night in SALT?

If it is like the Spirit, there is a bar - not sure about coffee/tea in the AM, but a full service bar is open from 6 PM to 11 PM.  

Wow - wonder who else might be departing?

If they cancel India, I wonder what they would do with our mid-voyage land adventure to Nepal as it is supposed to return to the ship in Chennai.

Cruisemapper.com states the Muse is adrift awaiting orders and the Shadow is enroute to Singapore.  Hard to believe that SS has 2 ships that are not operational.

cruisemapper.com shows that the Wind is in a protected bay near Teller, AK and Port Clarence Coast Guard Station.  L'Austral was in the same bay but has now departed for Kodiak. 

I suspect that both ships are headed to Busan so that the new Starlink terminals, for the high speed internet service, can be installed.  Muse resumes service Dec 2 whereas Shadow resumes January 9th for WC 2023.

23 hours ago, cruisr said:

I am considering an ocean crossing on SS in the next year or so.  I am just concerned that there will not be enough to do on sea days.  Can someone with ocean crossings (Atlantic or Pacific) if there were enough lectures, classes, lessons etc to keep you busy during the multiple days at sea.

Any past daily programs would be much appreciated.  

On the 2022 WC, we left South Georgia Island and were supposed to stop in Tristan da Cunha. We were not permitted to get off, so essentially another sea day, then onto Cape Town - in total 9 sea days.  Attached are the Chronicles for those days.2022-02-13 (Sea).pdf

2022-02-14 (Sea).pdf 2022-02-15 (Sea).pdf 2022-02-16 (Sea).pdf 2022-02-17 (Tristan da Cunha).pdf 2022-02-18 (Sea).pdf 2022-02-19 (Sea).pdf 2022-02-20 (Sea).pdf 2022-02-21 (Sea).pdf