Things to do on sea days on a Pacific cruise

[Ken the cruiser]

We're looking forward to both of our upcoming Hawaiian cruise on the Amsterdam and our South Pacific cruise on the Maasdam, of which both have many days at sea. As we have never taken any HAL cruises yet that include a multitude of days at sea in a row, we're curious if HAL will have a lot of things for us to do on those sea days or do we need to bring a bunch of things to keep us entertained? If you have cruised the Pacific on a HAL ship with a multitude of sea days in a row and have a few extra minutes, we would enjoy hearing about some of the experiences you've encountered.

Edited August 24, 2016 by Ken the cruiser

[Adoptionmsw]

I haven't cruised the Pacific on HAL but I have done two Atlantic crossings and the Voyage of the Vikings. There were numerous sea days full of activities including a book club, craft group, two or three daily team trivia sessions, dance classes, lectures, coffee chats, bridge classes and play. There were usually two or three choices in every time slot. Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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[giltedge]

We have sailed on HAL to Hawaii and the South Pacific and will be doing it again in a few weeks. We love the sea days. Obviously it depends on what you like to do. My husband and I participate in as many of the daily activities as we can such as sporting events, trivia, bingo, cooking demos, various games, movies, etc. In addition we walk every morning around the promenade. We also partake in the happy hours and enjoy the entertainment. Actually we sometimes have a hard time fitting everything in our daily schedule. The crew will have lots of activities planned for sea days and it is up to the individual to pick and choose which ones they would like to participate in if any. Some people just like to lounge around which is also great. We also like the size of the HAL ships as it is easy to meet people and make lasting friendships. The library is stocked full of games, puzzles and books that are available for use to I can't imagine you would need to bring anything extra. Hope this helps you and I know you will have a good time.

[RMLincoln]

Hi, Yes we have cruised LA to Sydney and will be on Tales of the South Pacific. We make a mix of activities HAL provides and bring some entertainment of our own.

 

HAL will have a Location Specialist who will have cultural activities specific to the places you will be visiting such as lei making, ukulele lessons, hula lessons, presentations on history of the Pacific Islands and the like.

 

Plus there will be the usual activities: Trivia groups, Bridge lessons and play, Mixology classes, dance classes, Microsoft-sponsored computer classes, other kinds of general interest lectures, movies, fitness center classes (some with a fee, some with a sales pitch) demonstrations and culinary shows, personal/small group culinary classes (fee), wine tastings and wine classes(fee).... .and many more....

 

Here is a link to Kazu's blog on their Pearls of the South Pacific cruise in the spring of this year which includes photos of their On Location daily programs:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2335667

 

We like to bring some reading and DVDs from the Great Courses which we don't get around to doing at home, although sometimes we don't seem to have as much time onboard either because we are interested in so many of the activities offered!

Have a grand cruise! m--

[OlsSalt]

50 day Tales of the South Pacific: Amsterdam

 

We mainly attended the three enrichment lectures given on the sea days, the port lectures, the shore excursion presentations, moved from meal to meal, watched some movies, read the daily news, and self-entertained with our own reading material or browsing the generous library. There was also a book club going on. Sundowner parties on the aft deck. Lido "sidewalk sales" of shop merchandise.

 

But there were other full activities going on all day long. Topical to the area - Pacific Island crafts, ukulele lessons, dancing as well as the usual line up of sport and trivia, food and beverage, computer classes, as well as "art" lectures by the auction people. And of course the "shopping" talks about gemstones and spa treatments, etc. Plus the gym.

Edited August 24, 2016 by OlsSalt

[gigianne]

You certainly will not be bored. You may have to decide between different activities scheduled at the same time. We had to get to the theatre 45 minutes before a port lecture - they were that popular. We thoroughly enjoyed our sea days on the Pacific!

[Sequim88]

Based on our Atlantic experiences...

 

1. Get involved with your Roll Call thread

2. Organize a cabin crawl one day

3. Roll call lunches in MDR - often a section can be reserved for the group to be together - we've done this several times on a cruise

4. Organize a slot pull (search "Slot Pull" for the many variations

5. Not sure if this is a RCCL thing but cabin door decorating

6. On RCCL we did a putt-putt golf tournament but looks like not on HAL ships

7. Not sure what HAL's protocol is for Meet & Greets but for the ones we've done everyone brought a "gift" to exchange (nominal value but local flavor) and have a drawing for them

8. Organize a book "club" to all read an agreed on book (maybe multiple specific genre clubs) and meet every couple days to share views and opinions.

9. We like to watch some movies since the scenery isn't changing much

 

Plus all the ship organized activities - should be enough to pass the time.

[Harry1954]

These are all well stated points regarding your question. The biggest problem is indeed managing your time so you a) get to what you want when you want to b) get there in time to get a seat and c) not miss lunch!!

 

harry

[kazu]

There was plenty to do on our cruise in the South Pacific. Hula performances, hula lessons, drum performances and lessons, ukelele performances and lessons, great lecturers. Especially our port lecturer. It was not about shore excursions but about history, what to expect, etc.

 

When we arrived in Hawaii, it was memorable. Our port expert (lecturer) was out there with the hula girls to pray for our welcome. Really well done.

 

I found more activities on the South Pacific on the beautiful, elegant Westerdam than I did on many TA's (other than the Prinsendam - size taken into consideration).

 

Also watch the Lido for buffets at the pool once you hit your ports. Wonderful fresh fish, food, salad and fruit. It wasn't in the On Location except once.

[cabinluvn]

We did at TA and there were so many activities we wanted to do on the sea days we finally realized we were so busy we were missing the quietness of the sea days and cut way back on the ship activities. We love to sit at the tables around the pool and read and people watch. Noshing from the Mexican food buffet and the Dive Inn pool side adds to the fun. A bucket of beer doesn't hurt either

 

 

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[dakrewser]

We're looking forward to both of our upcoming Hawaiian cruise on the Amsterdam and our South Pacific cruise on the Maasdam, of which both have many days at sea. As we have never taken any HAL cruises yet that include a multitude of days at sea in a row, we're curious if HAL will have a lot of things for us to do on those sea days or do we need to bring a bunch of things to keep us entertained? If you have cruised the Pacific on a HAL ship with a multitude of sea days in a row and have a few extra minutes, we would enjoy hearing about some of the experiences you've encountered.

 

The activities will be pretty much the same no matter where you are in the world. Check some of the Trans-Atlantic cruise threads as well as the World cruise threads for ideas as to what to expect.

[kazu]

The activities will be pretty much the same no matter where you are in the world. Check some of the Trans-Atlantic cruise threads as well as the World cruise threads for ideas as to what to expect.

 

Umm ,,,, I don't think so.

 

Big difference on activities on a World Cruise, Grand Voyage and a regular cruise.

 

Big difference depending on the ship and the itinerary too - but that's just my experience.;)

[Ken the cruiser]

Thank you all! We were hoping to hear all those great experiences and you definitely didn't disappoint! We've always enjoyed cruising on HAL and it sounds like the long cruises are just like the shorter ones, just with more sea days to enjoy their well thought out shipboard activities.

[kazu]

Thank you all! We were hoping to hear all those great experiences and you definitely didn't disappoint! We've always enjoyed cruising on HAL and it sounds like the long cruises are just like the shorter ones, just with more sea days to enjoy their well thought out shipboard activities.

 

Actually Ken, longer cruises are better :). You get into real cruise mode and just go with the flow :). You will see a slight difference I think (or hope). Enjoy :)

[Hlitner]

On most HAL cruises with lots of sea days, there will be a decent (often outstanding) lecturer who will have a lecture every sea day (Alan Wright, an astronomer from Australia was our favorite who actually got a standing ovation at his last lecture). There are also the usual Culinary activities/classes, bridge, games like trivia, etc. DW and I have been on cruises with more then 20 sea days and just love the lazy sea days. Unlike many, we choose to participate in very few activities (other then the lectures) and spend much of our days reading and socializing. Others will spend nearly every waking moment going from activity to activity.

 

We have to agree with the poster who says activities do vary somewhat by itinerary (and the Cruise Director). Grand Cruises always have outstanding lecturers...although our favorite lecturer (Dr Wright) was on a normal transpacific cruise (Seattle to Sydney).

 

Hank

[OlsSalt]

The best things on longer cruises is when a really great cruise director organizes some special activities with the staff - Good Morning Amsterdam interviews was one them - usually in the morning hours before the main lectures.

 

The mystery ingredient cooking box show in the Culinary Arts lounge with staff is another one. Some staff members just click with each other and that creates the fun.

 

Some CD are better suited for this role than others. We had two on our two really long cruises that were perfect - funny, quick witted and knew how to have just the right amount of genuine fun themselves. They were infectious.

 

Plus the King Neptune Ceremony was a great diversion too -- on our way back during one of the long 7 day hauls on that cruise.

Edited August 24, 2016 by OlsSalt

[AncientWanderer]

Oh boy...you are in for a treat. We sailed San Diego to Auckland and it was the best cruise ever.

The speakers were very engaging. Dr. Wright, Astronomer was onboard with us, as well as an excellent historian. Tom, I think his name was. And, as others mentioned, cultural shows and classes, cooking classes, all kinds of things.

Also, you will be AMAZED at the quality of the seas and the beautiful light and the star-gazing in the Southern hemisphere.

 

Fantabulous cruise. Enjoy!

[SilvertoGold]

We take lots of reading material, puzzles, and always buy a few newspapers. We like to sit outside and watch the ocean. Quiet time to relax is important and sea days are the best.

 

As noted in all the great posts above, HAL offers a LOT to do. You can do as much or as little as you wish.

 

With a tops of 8 sea days in a row, we still had heaps to do once another stretch of seas came along!

[dakrewser]

Umm ,,,, I don't think so.

 

Big difference on activities on a World Cruise, Grand Voyage and a regular cruise.

 

Big difference depending on the ship and the itinerary too - but that's just my experience.;)

 

You're right, of course, about World Cruises but I don't think there's a variance based on ship - more likely based on Cruise Director. And as far as itinerary, more sea days means more activities, port intensive means less - but that's pretty much the case no matter which body of water you're in.

[RMLincoln]

On most HAL cruises with lots of sea days, there will be a decent (often outstanding) lecturer who will have a lecture every sea day (Alan Wright, an astronomer from Australia was our favorite who actually got a standing ovation at his last lecture). There are also the usual Culinary activities/classes, bridge, games like trivia, etc. DW and I have been on cruises with more then 20 sea days and just love the lazy sea days. Unlike many, we choose to participate in very few activities (other then the lectures) and spend much of our days reading and socializing. Others will spend nearly every waking moment going from activity to activity.

 

We have to agree with the poster who says activities do vary somewhat by itinerary (and the Cruise Director). Grand Cruises always have outstanding lecturers...although our favorite lecturer (Dr Wright) was on a normal transpacific cruise (Seattle to Sydney).

 

Hank

 

We had a lot of fun learning with Alan Wright! And visiting with him and his wife in the Crow's Nest. Usually excellent lecturers on long cruises. Looking forward to it!! m--

[roboref]

Hi from fellow New Mexico cruisers (Albuquerque). I have really enjoyed reading your posts on the threads I am reading to learn about HAL. Our first HAL cruise is next March from Auckland to Vancouver. HAL cruises sound so nice and with lots of activities. Your posts are very instructive without being cheerleading. You also have a broad range of cruiselines to compare against.

 

We were a little apprehensive about going on HAL, but are really excite now!

 

Roboref (Ron)

[OlsSalt]

Hi from fellow New Mexico cruisers (Albuquerque). I have really enjoyed reading your posts on the threads I am reading to learn about HAL. Our first HAL cruise is next March from Auckland to Vancouver. HAL cruises sound so nice and with lots of activities. Your posts are very instructive without being cheerleading. You also have a broad range of cruiselines to compare against.

 

We were a little apprehensive about going on HAL, but are really excite now!

 

Roboref (Ron)

 

Welcome to your first HAL cruise. You picked a pretty ambitious itinerary for a first shot - which ship and how does it go from New Zealand to Vancouver.

 

Some of the previous references on this thread were for a dedicated meander through the South Pacific cruise (Tales of the South Pacific) which may not be the same for what sounds like possibly a "re-positioning" cruise which more typically wants to get more quickly from point A to point B.

 

However, we did a Trans-Atlantic re-positioning cruise also which included one long stretch of at sea days. They carried three different enrichment lecturers, but not the extensive range of other activities and localized focus offered during the dedicated "Tales of the South Pacific" cruise.

 

HAL wants happy passengers and return business so these longer trips are meant to be as enjoyable as possible, but it may not have all the frills you have been reading about on some of the other long sea day passages.

[OlsSalt]

I think I found your itinerary - this really looks great. I think you will have a terrific time and the Noordam always gets high praise. You picked a winner. Take back my comment about "re-positioning" cruises just moving between Point A to Point B. In fact you have a lot fewer at-se day seasons than we had covering some of the same area on the dedicated Tales of the South Pacific - San Diego to San Diego. Great first choice.

 

 

DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART

Sun Mar 26 Auckland, New Zealand 5:00pm

Mon Mar 27 Tauranga, New Zealand 7:00am 6:00pm

Tue Mar 28 Napier, New Zealand Noon 6:00pm

Wed Mar 29 Wellington, New Zealand 10:00am 8:00pm

Thu Mar 30 Akaroa, New Zealand 9:00am 9:00pm

Fri Mar 31 Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand 9:00am 7:00pm

Sat Apr 1 Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Sun Apr 2 At Sea

Mon Apr 3 At Sea

Tue Apr 4 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 8:00am 6:00pm

Wed Apr 5 At Sea

Thu Apr 6 Melbourne, Australia 8:00am 6:00pm

Fri Apr 7 At Sea

Sat Apr 8 Sydney, Australia 7:00am 7:00pm

Sun Apr 9 At Sea

Mon Apr 10 At Sea

Tue Apr 11 Noumea, New Caledonia 10:00am 10:00pm

Wed Apr 12 Lifou, New Caledonia 8:00am 5:00pm

Thu Apr 13 At Sea

Fri Apr 14 Lautoka, Fiji 8:00am 5:00pm

Sat Apr 15 Dravuni Island, Fiji / Cross International Dateline (Cruising) 8:00am 4:00pm

Sun Apr 16 Pago Pago, American Samoa 10:00am 6:00pm

Mon Apr 17 At Sea

Tue Apr 18 Crossing The Equator (Cruising)

Wed Apr 19 At Sea

Thu Apr 20 At Sea

Fri Apr 21 At Sea

Sat Apr 22 Hilo, Hawaii, HI 8:00am 6:00pm

Sun Apr 23 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 7:00am 11:00pm

Mon Apr 24 At Sea

Tue Apr 25 At Sea

Wed Apr 26 At Sea

Thu Apr 27 At Sea

Fri Apr 28 At Sea

Sat Apr 29 Victoria, BC, Canada 2:00pm 11:59pm

Sun Apr 30 Vancouver, BC, Canada 7:00am

[roboref]

36 day Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Collector.

 

Yes, it was a big commitment to HAL for this cruise and not knowing what to expect. We had all the pre-conceived notions of HAL just being dull & boring with a much older passenger demographic. We have done several long cruises and that is a simple fact that the longer cruises will have an older clientele. But being retired I am in that category as well.

 

We did a lot of reading on this board and comparisons of HAL to the other lines we have been on and decided to jump ship from the RCCL 24 day Sydney to Seattle cruise we had booked to this cruise. It was hard to give up our diamond perks on RCCL. But this trip fit our needs scheduling wise and after our trip this year of 45 days with 3 cruises, 4 hotels and 3 flights we felt a flight, cruise, flight would be more appealing than trying to cram a lot of pre-cruise days in New Zealand and Australia.

 

We don't need lots of activities but we have enjoyed the lectures on our Trans-Atlantic a lot. If HAL is similar in style, food, service and class to Celebrity or even RCCL, we know we will enjoy the cruise.

[OlsSalt]

Going from a 4000 passenger RCCL to the 2000 passenger Noordam will of course be the biggest difference. It will be interesting to see if you like the smaller size and quicker sense of the lay of the land or not.

 

The Noordam is more of a classic cruise ship with little variety in its services or features. We personally love the even smaller HAL ships than the Noordam class, but that is an acquired taste.

 

HAL ships feel like "home" to us more than an onboard adventure in its own right. But certainly between the two cruises, the HAL itinerary can't be beat except you do miss Ill des Pins which is one of the most lovely of stops. Dravuni Island however goes a long way to make up for it - as pristine of a island beach stop as you will find.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy everything about this cruise and this ship.

Edited August 29, 2016 by OlsSalt