The Grand Hawaiian Adventure. A trip report with Patters, Menus, Elvis, and ...

[cruisn71]

Thanks for your report. Really enjoying it. We will be on the Grand in January. I see from the photos of the fitness area, there are spin bikes. Do they offer spin classes? Would you know if the spin bikes have clipless pedals?

[h20skibum]

Thanks for your report. Really enjoying it. We will be on the Grand in January. I see from the photos of the fitness area, there are spin bikes. Do they offer spin classes? Would you know if the spin bikes have clipless pedals?

 

 

I believe I saw spinning classes as one on the ones you could sign up for. Some classes had a fee, and other classes were free.

 

I do not know if they had clipless pedals. We were usually in the fitness center around 6 or 7 each morning. I think various classes started around 9 in the morning, so that was after we left.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

So you say, "The title of this thread had Elvis in it. What is that about?"

 

There was an Elvis sighting on board. He picked our cruise for a comeback tour, starting with his audition for the Voice of the Ocean. Here, he waives to fans as he strolls through the Piazza.

 

 

But more on the Voice, later in the report.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

Wednesday, April 26

 

We set our clocks back another hour last night, so we now have a five hour difference from our east coast time. I wake up early this morning and start looking for signs of life, any life.

 

None at the Terrace Pool.

 

 

None at the Calypso Pool.

 

 

None at the Splash Pool.

 

 

None at the Lotus Pool.

 

 

Finally, the Neptune Pool has a sign of life.

 

 

Maybe this is a good time to claim a lounge chair. But I guess I have to wait until they get them unstacked.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Gold Mine Gal]

Love the review. We are on Star Princess in November and can hardly wait.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Fat Albert]

The tuxedos are for rental online prior to cruising and they are delivered to the ship and the ship has room service deliver them to the cabin. You have a great camera and I wonder if you set the camera manually or auto? What make and model? You really do have such impressive clarity in the photos you post.

[h20skibum]

The tuxedos are for rental online prior to cruising and they are delivered to the ship and the ship has room service deliver them to the cabin. You have a great camera and I wonder if you set the camera manually or auto? What make and model? You really do have such impressive clarity in the photos you post.

 

 

They had a little block ad in the insert on the first sea day about where to go on deck 7 for formal wear. I have been use to seeing big signs about renting formal wear onboard, and just didn't notice any this cruise.

 

Nothing special about the cameras. I listed a little about what I use, and the apps I use for post processing back in post 53, since I am doing everything on my iPad.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

The seas are up to 4.9 feet this third sea day morning. At 6:00 a.m. the ship tracker on the tv says we are at latitude 28°15.67'N and longitude 142°37.54'W. We are traveling at 20.0 kts, are now 1,166.2 miles from San Fransisco, and have 895.9 miles to go to our first port at Lahaina.

 

Still no land in sight.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

It was a slow day for us on board today. Not any activities that interested us today. Here are the Patters for the third sea day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

After our morning workout and breakfast, Princess had one of their $10 junk (oops, I mean Holiday) sales in Michelangelo's. It is surprising how a $10 sale on $5 items will bring the people out.

 

 

We spent the rest of our day at the pool, and read our books.

 

 

Today was movie star day. What is that, you say? More Elvis? No, as I was walking in the pool area, I was approached by a blonde, who asked if I was a movie star. She said she had seen me earlier, and thought I was. Maybe it was an attempt at a pickup line, but the look on her face was priceless, when I said " Yes I am, and please don't tell anyone else I am onboard." Then I said " and no, I do not give out autographs." Then it was like " are you really him. Oh my God." It was difficult to do with a straight face, but I guess as a star, I had mastered my part. So if any of our roll call members know which movie star I look like, please let me know. DW says she is not seeing it. But just to be safe, we wore a disguise, even on formal night.[emoji16]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

The menu for the third sea day didn't have much appeal to us, so we opted for a snack from the Horizon Court. We finished our night with the magic of Alex Ramon.

 

 

Next, one more sea day till land. At least I hope so.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[SteelMagnolia9]

So you say, "The title of this thread had Elvis in it. What is that about?"

 

There was an Elvis sighting on board. He picked our cruise for a comeback tour, starting with his audition for the Voice of the Ocean. Here, he waives to fans as he strolls through the Piazza.

 

 

But more on the Voice, later in the report.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I saw Elvis in the Michelangelo Dining Room two evenings. I couldn't decide if he looked like Elvis or a 70's Johnny Cash. Maybe the blonde thought you were Mark Harmon?

[h20skibum]

Thursday, April 27

 

The last sea day before we reach the islands. What to do today? Here are the Patters for the 4th sea day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

The seas are 4.9 feet this morning, the same as they were on Wednesday. At 6:00 a.m. the ship tracker on the tv says we are at latitude 24°28.10'N and longitude 150°05.39'W. We are traveling at 19.4 kts., are now 1,626.8 miles from San Fransisco, and we have 435.3 miles to go to our first port at Lahaina.

 

I have already made my morning run to the International Cafe, and we are heading to the fitness center to start the day. We must be getting closer to the islands, because banners have been erected over the mid-ship staircase.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

While DW showers after our workout, I wander the ship again to take a few photos of the seas and the ship.

 

The sun has a brilliant reflection off the sea.

 

 

At 9:00, passengers start using the Terrace pool as we sail steadily toward Maui. If we keep the same speed from 6 a.m. It would take about 22.5 hours to reach Maui.

 

 

I am not sure if someone was playing on the giant chess board, but a few moves have been made.

 

 

There are 3 people in the Sanctuary this morning( or 5 if you count the attendant and the statue), and no one is using the Splash Pool.

 

 

There are still a lot of open loungers at the Neptune Pool.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[49er]

Hi Mark, just checked in to CC for the 1st time since we got off the Grand and couple of weeks ago and saw your review. We were probably right next to each other as I was down getting two cappuccino's every morning around 6-7 too. Thanks for clearing up the Elvis sighting too. Haven't read it all yet but I will have to say, it looks pretty tourough.:-)

 

49er

[h20skibum]

Hi Mark, just checked in to CC for the 1st time since we got off the Grand and couple of weeks ago and saw your review. We were probably right next to each other as I was down getting two cappuccino's every morning around 6-7 too. Thanks for clearing up the Elvis sighting too. Haven't read it all yet but I will have to say, it looks pretty tourough.:-)

 

49er

 

 

You may have been. There were always a few people there getting some. One of the days I was there before they got the pastries in the cases.

 

Thanks for reading along.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

Today was time for more pool time during the day, then doing some laundry before dinner. This was a good time to do it, since the laundromat was not busy then. The machines use tokens for washing, drying, and for laundry products.

 

 

We brought our own detergent pods packed in an old eye glasses case, and we also brought dryer sheets. The tokens were different colors for washer/dryer and for detergent.

 

 

The aft laundromats had two washers and two dryers on both the port and starboard sides.

 

 

These were the choices for soap, bleach, and softeners.

 

 

And this was the estimated washing and drying times for the machines, which was pretty close.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

We decided to try anytime dining tonight for a change. They had separate lines for those with reservations, and those without. Since we did not mind sharing a table, we never had to wait. Each night we would do it, we met different people, and we found this enjoyable.

 

The menu for tonight had some tasty selections.

 

 

Tempura sushi

 

 

Fire roasted Tiger Prawns

 

 

Creme de brûlée

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

After dinner, we did some Motown trivia, then the comedy show with Doug Funk again. The theatre was packed for his show, and you can tell by everyone's faces, they were certainly in need of a little laughter.

 

 

There were so many white capped peaks in the crowd, I hadn't seen that many in one place since we flew over the Sierras.[emoji3]

 

Tonight, we would set our clocks back an hour to finally be on Hawaii time when we arrive in the morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

Friday, April 28

 

I am up early and step out on the balcony. Something is different today. Land ho. I see land. The Grand had made the approach to Lahaina by going through the north channel between Maui and Molokai, and turning south in the Auau Channel. At 5:30 a.m. The sun is rising over Maui.

 

 

As the ship sets anchor, I spot a lone dolphin off the port side of the ship. Some gather on their port side balconies, looking forward to setting foot on land.

 

 

The sun starts to bathe Lanai off to the east.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

The Patters for today show what activities are scheduled for those staying on the ship. Since this is a tender port, Princess does not allow those using scooters or wheel chairs to use the tenders, unless they can get up and board the tender unassisted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

There is, of course a shopping guide to show everyone the location of the favored stores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

A port guide provides some basic information about Maui.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[h20skibum]

Today, we are in Lahaina, Maui. Lahaina is a tender port. Our itinerary says we are to be there from 7:00 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. If you are doing any private excursions, be sure to allot extra time to get to shore when booking independent tours.

 

We dropped anchor around 7:00, but then they need to lower the tenders and take their shore excursion team and photographers to shore to set up for passenger arrival.

 

 

The pier only had space for one tender at a time, so it was slow going. If you did not have an excursion booked with Princess, you would go to Michelangelo's when you were ready to go ashore, and pick up a tender ticket. Excursion passengers and Princess Elites were given priority for the tenders.

 

Our tender ticket numbers were 277 and 278, so it was 9:10 by the time our number was called and we were able to board a tender.

 

Everyone waits for their number to be called.

 

 

The tender pilot waits for everyone to board.

 

 

It was about a 20 minute trip to shore, so it was 9:30 by the time we finally set foot on land. If there would have been more space at the tender pier to allow for two tenders, it could have moved much faster.

 

Having been to Maui several times before, we just planned a beach day along with some shopping.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums