2023 Grand World Voyage with The Inside Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

The Captain put this picture on the Home Screen of the ship's TV after he made his cancellation announcement.   This shows the old and new routes.    The original lines were hard to read, so I enhanced them for this post.  As you can see, canceling Madagascar allows us to deviate to the south and avoid spending as much time in heavier seas.    The darker the yellow/orange - the heavier the seas.

 

[bennybear]

Thanks so much for all the details!  Sorry you are missing Madagascar.

[Sir PMP]

3 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

The Captain put this picture on the Home Screen of the ship's TV after he made his cancellation announcement.   This shows the old and new routes.    The original lines were hard to read, so I enhanced them for this post.  As you can see, canceling Madagascar allows us to deviate to the south and avoid spending as much time in heavier seas.    The darker the yellow/orange - the heavier the seas.

 

It looks like you might still get some rock and roll.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

38 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

It looks like you might still get some rock and roll.

So far.  Not too bad.   
 

Water is still in the pools.  No nets. 
 

speed 12 knots 

 

Zero Roll.   Stabilizers working. 
 

here is a short video from the Sea View Pool at 6 am 

 

One extreme 

 

to the other - check out the railing vs the horizon. 

 

 

[Sir PMP]

9 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

So far.  Not too bad.   
 

Water is still in the pools.  No nets. 
 

speed 12 knots 

 

Zero Roll.   Stabilizers working. 
 

here is a short video from the Sea View Pool at 6 am 

 

One extreme 

 

to the other - check out the railing vs the horizon. 

 

 

Not bad at all, tell Friso to keep it like that, thanks.

[REOVA]

2 hours ago, Sir PMP said:

Not bad at all, tell Friso to keep it like that, thanks.

Hope Capt Jonathan taught him how to "hove to". 😉

[The-Inside-Cabin]

14 hours ago, Sir PMP said:

Not bad at all, tell Friso to keep it like that, thanks.

 

11 hours ago, REOVA said:

Hope Capt Jonathan taught him how to "hove to". 😉

So far, so good - we are riding as before - no roll - stabilizers working as advertised.   Moderate pitching in 12-foot seas with the swell.   Lots of creaking and groaning as the ship flexes...

[REOVA]

12 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

So far, so good - we are riding as before - no roll - stabilizers working as advertised.   Moderate pitching in 12-foot seas with the swell.   Lots of creaking and groaning as the ship flexes...

Sleeping seas. 😴 

[cccole]

14 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

So far, so good - we are riding as before - no roll - stabilizers working as advertised.   Moderate pitching in 12-foot seas with the swell.   Lots of creaking and groaning as the ship flexes...

I'm sure this is "nothing" to you.  Can you tell us what the most frightening time at sea was for you when serving in the U.S. Navy?  12 foot seas must be a walk in the park.  Really enjoying following your adventure and the enthusiasm you and Judy bring to those of us not on the WC.  Cherie

[The-Inside-Cabin]

17 minutes ago, cccole said:

I'm sure this is "nothing" to you.  Can you tell us what the most frightening time at sea was for you when serving in the U.S. Navy?  12 foot seas must be a walk in the park.  Really enjoying following your adventure and the enthusiasm you and Judy bring to those of us not on the WC.  Cherie

Here is a video of the USS Kitty Hawk in heavy weather.   I was on the USS Ranger under similar circumstances in the 1990's .    My "inside cabin" was all the way forward.   We were probably moving 30 feet up and down.   Felt like we were sleeping in an elevator.....I never had to strap into my bunk as folks do on smaller ships - no stabilizers on USN ships.

 

 

The scariest time was probably on April 5th 1979 when I was on Ranger and we collided with a tanker in the Strait of Malacca off Singapore.   Here is a picture of our bow afterward.  We had to go back to Subic Bay for temporary repairs and then to Japan for permanent repairs.   We were out of action for 2 months

 

 

 

More HERE and HERE

 

You can listen to the Captain talk to the crew HERE after the collision 

 

Here is a video from my final cruise on the USS Midway where I give a tour of my "inside cabin"  This was filmed by my brothers on a "Tiger Cruise" -  A Tiger Cruise is where relatives can ride along the ship for a few days.   This video shows Midway's final full power run - over 30 knots and the last time she sailed under her own power in 1991.    I was moving back from Japan so my "inside cabin"  was filled with household goods and other stuff and was normally more organized.  

 

 

 

 

[cccole]

Wow, that's amazing.  I don't think I would enjoy a cruise where the ship moves 30 feet up and then down, or a collision with another large obstacle, whether ship, iceberg, etc.  Our son was on a Tiger cruise from HNL to Pendleton in 2004 on the Ogden.  That is such a great program for relatives.  Unfortunately the seas were such that they were not able to jump off the ship.  Britton was a water polo player and really looking forward to jumping off of a Navy ship in the middle of the Pacific.  I have toured the Midway and for me it was an emotional experience.  Thank you again so much for your posts and responses to our questions.  Cherie

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Tomorrow, March 6, is our 3rd FORMAL night.   It is also a theme night described as follows:

 

"SURPRISE NIGHT

 

No Sweeter surprise than to share our surprise to you - a party with the Crew!

 

After dinner, dress casual, formal or to surprise as we welcome you to our pool-side Crew Party wth music featuring DJ Nyron.

 

Enjoy a club-like ambiance with complementary sparkling wine and other drink specials

 

Feeling indulgent?  We got you covered with a crew-style late night snack in the Lido Market and live music by Billboard Onboard.   Chat, dance, feast and party with your Crew!

 

Party 9:00 p - 11:00 p

Lido Poolside, 9

Snack 10:30p - 11:30 p

Lido Market"

 

This will be a first for me.....a crew party with passengers.  Check back in 24 hours for a report.

 

Has anyone else been to a party like this on any ship?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[cunnorl]

Sounds like fun! Let us know how it goes. 

[quilty964]

That does sound like fun!

[LouChamp]

Aloha. We love the poolside events. Enjoy!

[USN59-79]

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching the film of the Midway and the other carriers.  Hard to believe that a ship commissioned in 1945 was still in good shape and operational in 1991.  I wonder what it took to get that helicopter on the bow of the Kitty Hawk to fly again after being drenched multiple times with salt water.  Probably wasn't a good idea to tie her down on the bow.  Interesting that the Midway is now a museum ship in San Diego.  I think it would be fun to show your family around the ship you served on.  My last ship, USS Hector (AR-7) was also built at the end of WW2, but ended up being given to the Pakistan Navy.  Don't think I will ever see her again.

Ray

[REOVA]

20 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

The scariest time was probably on April 5th 1979 when I was on Ranger and we collided with a tanker in the Strait of Malacca off Singapore.   Here is a picture of our bow afterward.  We had to go back to Subic Bay for temporary repairs and then to Japan for permanent repairs.   We were out of action for 2 months

 

 

 

 

 

Wow looks like the USS Wisconsin BB-64 which collided with USS Eaton DDE-510 and patched with parts from unfinished USS Kentucky....hence her nickname "WisKy". 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

9 hours ago, USN59-79 said:

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching the film of the Midway and the other carriers.  Hard to believe that a ship commissioned in 1945 was still in good shape and operational in 1991.  I wonder what it took to get that helicopter on the bow of the Kitty Hawk to fly again after being drenched multiple times with salt water.  Probably wasn't a good idea to tie her down on the bow.  Interesting that the Midway is now a museum ship in San Diego.  I think it would be fun to show your family around the ship you served on.  My last ship, USS Hector (AR-7) was also built at the end of WW2, but ended up being given to the Pakistan Navy.  Don't think I will ever see her again.

Ray

I was able to visit my old stateroom, the one in the video.    It's not on any tour route and it looks pretty much like I left it back in 1991

[frbob]

On 3/4/2023 at 11:22 PM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Here is a video of the USS Kitty Hawk in heavy weather.   I was on the USS Ranger under similar circumstances in the 1990's .    My "inside cabin" was all the way forward.   We were probably moving 30 feet up and down.   Felt like we were sleeping in an elevator.....I never had to strap into my bunk as folks do on smaller ships - no stabilizers on USN ships.

 

 

The scariest time was probably on April 5th 1979 when I was on Ranger and we collided with a tanker in the Strait of Malacca off Singapore.   Here is a picture of our bow afterward.  We had to go back to Subic Bay for temporary repairs and then to Japan for permanent repairs.   We were out of action for 2 months

 

 

 

More HERE and HERE

 

You can listen to the Captain talk to the crew HERE after the collision 

 

Here is a video from my final cruise on the USS Midway where I give a tour of my "inside cabin"  This was filmed by my brothers on a "Tiger Cruise" -  A Tiger Cruise is where relatives can ride along the ship for a few days.   This video shows Midway's final full power run - over 30 knots and the last time she sailed under her own power in 1991.    I was moving back from Japan so my "inside cabin"  was filled with household goods and other stuff and was normally more organized.  

 

 

 

 

I served on USS Ranger back in the early 60's when CVs were CVAs. In Alameda we were berthed right next to Midway. Interesting times. We once had a "drag race" with Kitty Hawk out in the Pacific. Of course, Ranger was the victor! 

In my 2 1/2 years aboard Ranger we cruised through 2 typhoons in the Pacific with extreme seas and water washing over the bow onto the flight deck. Thrill rides. My job on Ranger was "R" Div. Officer. I was in charge of toilets. Very exciting stuff...so I signed up for watch duty in CIC and the Bridge, in addition to my normal watch rotation in Engineering. Yes, I worked at least 16 hours a day. The Bridge was my favorite. At least there were windows. My "cabin" was mid-ship more or less, a couple of decks below the hanger deck. My bunk was against an exterior bulkhead and, at night, when at sea in convoy, I could hear the sonar "pings" from accompanying warships. Loud...very loud!

Were you a brown shoe. or black shoe? Thanks for your service, by the way!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS (POST #52)

MARCH 2, 2023

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We have the Best Juice in the World and see really old animals

After seven days at sea, we arrived at our first port near Africa:  Port Louis, Mauritius.  Mauritius, an island nation, is about 700 miles east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and is known for its beaches, lagoons, and reefs.  It was uninhabited until discovered by the Portuguese in the 1600s then occupied by the Dutch, French, and British until their independence in 1968.

We moored in an industrial area and shuttle buses were available that would take us to Le Caudan Waterfront, about 1.5 miles away.  With traffic, it took about 15-20 minutes.  We were allowed to walk out of the port, but there wasn’t anything nearby, and the streets into town were busy with traffic and didn’t look very inviting.

Here is an overview of the places we visited today A closer look at the location of the ship and the shuttle bus drop-off spot

We were given copies of our passports to carry ashore, and one person in our group was stopped as we passed thru a small tent and asked to produce this passport copy.

A few people were available inside a tent to answer questions from tourists and hand out maps

 

Ten of us arranged for a private tour with Across Africa.  We were told the driver would meet us at the port gate, a few hundred yards away.  As it turned out, our van was already inside the port, and we walked right by and didn’t inspect the signs in the bus windows closely enough.  After we called the tour operator, he called the driver and drove out to the gate where we were waiting.

That’s our tour bus on the far right – but we walked right by. They said they would meet us at the Port Gate a couple of hundred yards away.

 

THE CITADEL (FORT ADELAIDE)

Our first stop was the Citadel (Fort Adelaide) which sits 240 feet above the harbor.  Built by the French and British in the 1830’s it was never used in any hostilities.  Besides a few canons, there isn’t much to see inside.  The real attraction is the views from the walkway around the top of the perimeter.  We were here for twenty minutes which was plenty of time.

Entrance to the Citadel (Fort Adelaide) View of Port Louis from the Citadel One of the canons inside the Citadel

 

After slavery was abolished in 1834, Mauritius sugar plantation owners started to import Indian citizens as indentured workers.  These indentured servants arrived at Aapravasi Ghat, translated from Hindi as “Immigration Depot.”  Over 70% of current Mauritian residents can trace their ancestors to being processed thru this facility when it was used between 1849 and 1923.  Aapravasi Ghat is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this was our second stop on today’s tour.  You can read more about Aapravasi Ghat HERE and HERE

The museum is very well done, and we spent 30 minutes exploring, but you could easily spend an hour.  Aapravasi Ghat is about a 1/2 mile walk from the Shuttle Bus stop if you want to visit on your own.  After finishing our tour, many in our group said Aapravasi Ghat was the day’s highlight.

A scale model shows what the Immigration Depot looked like when in use.

 

Our next stop was the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden or Pampelmousse Garden, 15 minutes away.  As we approached the entrance, I spotted a fruit stand with the sign “Best Juice in the World” – Of course, I had to try it – the price was $4 USD.  The vendor had to find his power cord to get his blender working – then he cut up a variety of fruit – and everything went into the blender – husks, skin, and all.  I ended up with about a twelve-ounce paper cup full of delicious juice – clearly the BEST JUICE IN THE WORLD.

It was hot, so we moved slowly through the garden, spending about 90 minutes admiring various plants, giant water lilies, bats, and Aldabra giant tortoises, which weigh over 500 lbs. and can live over 200 years.  You could easily spend most of your day here if this garden is particularly interesting.

Aldabra giant tortoises Susan captured these amazing photographs of the numerous bats seen in trees as we walked through the park The bats spent most of the time “hanging around” but they would occasionaly fly from one tree to the other. Photo by Susan Red Cardinal Fody – Photo by Susan Look closely at the white bird to get a feel for the size of these Giant Water Lilies.

 

LUNCH AT CHEZ TANTE ATHALIE

Our tour included lunch at Chez Tante Athalie, an authentic Mauritius restaurant in a family orchard that serves traditional Mauritian food.  Out in front were several classic sports cars and a derelict Cessna 150 airplane.  We were here for about 90 minutes.

A few of the classic sports cars on the lawn in front of the restaratunt Judy owned an MG Midget like this when we first got married – only in blue.

 

Here is the menu

Our lunch menu: Breadfruit Fritters; Chicken with Cumin; Rice and Vegetables; Banana Flambe or Sorbet

Our group enjoying lunch

Chicken Cumin Main Course

Breadfruit Fritters

Inside the Restaurant

 

Château de Labourdonnais

The Château de Labourdonnais, a beautifully restored grand mansion built in 1859. was our next stop.  We walked from the parking lot a few hundred yards to the entrance, following an old driveway.  A Mauritian family has lived here for over 150 years.  There are several restored rooms over two floors, and a small museum with photographs of the people who used to live here.

Château de Labourdonnais The rear porch and walkway Inside the bedroom on the second floor

 

After 30 minutes of touring the mansion, we headed to another building for Rum tasting.  There was also a small gift shop.

Kaylasson Temple

On our way back to the ship we stopped at the Arulmigu Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Tirukkovil, better known as the Kaylasson Temple, for about 30 minutes.  This is the oldest Hindu temple in Mauritius.  This spiritual place has a beautiful traditional architecture with 6 stations symbolizing the organs of the human body.  The idea is that the worshipper who enters these places must respect the place as if the temple was his own body.

Kaylasson Temple

 

BACK ON THE SHIP

We returned to the ship at 3:30 and headed back to our cabin.  All aboard was not until 6:30 pm so we headed back out to take the shuttle bus for the twenty minute ride Le Caudan Waterfront.

Judy, with our tour guide, Shobe

 

LE CAUDAN WATERFRONT

Le Caudan Waterfront has something for everyone.  You will find a variety of shops selling high-end brands, local crafts, souvenirs, and other products.  The mall's modern and spacious design makes it easy to navigate.  In addition to the shops, there is also a casino, cinema, and bowling alley located within the complex.  Umbrella Square is in the center of the complex and features dozens of colorful umbrellas hanging from above.  It’s irresistible to photographers and the challenge is to take an interesting photo unlike the other thousand you will find online.

A picture of me taking a picture of the Umbrellas

 

We spent about 45 minutes here checking out the shops – but many were already closed this late.  We missed a lot, so if you have nothing else scheduled, come here earlier in the day.  I walked through the casino, but it was nothing but slot machines, and I didn’t stay long.

The Blue Penny Museum is located here and is dedicated to the history of Mauritius.  The museum houses some of the rarest stamps in the world, including the famous 1847 “Post Office” stamps of Mauritius, which are considered some of the most valuable in the world.

The Port Louis Central Market and the Aapravasi Ghat museum are both about 1/2 mile away and the Citadel is a little over a mile (but 240 feet uphill).  If you have nothing else planned, you could make a loop from the Le Caudan shuttle stop to the Citadel, back down to the Central Market, swing by the Aapravasi Ghat museum, and then back to Le Caudan.

On returning to the shuttle stop, we spotted this shop selling chocolate-dipped churros and ordered one.  We didn’t realize until our order was delivered that “one” meant “one bag” of churros – not a single churro.  Fortunately, a few fellow World Cruisers wandered by, and we were able to share our churro windfall.

We ordered one Churro but got a whole bag.

We were back on the ship at about 5:30 pm – taking about 90 minutes for the quick round trip.

No live entertainment on the World Stage this evening.  A movie was shown instead:  The Banshees of Inisherin.

Edited March 6, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[dchip]

Lotus, giant water lilies and the Hindu Temple would have made my day! Beautiful photos of your tour and more. Thank you!!!
Cheers, Denise and Howie too

[Ellencruise]

Wow fabulous pics

[The-Inside-Cabin]

FORMAL NIGHT SURPRISE (POST #53)

MARCH 6, 2023

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We enjoy a fantastic party on our third formal night

Formal Night

Tonight was the third formal night, it was advertised as a Surprise Party.  When we saw the advance activity list, we weren’t quite sure what to expect for a Formal Night with a Surprise.  I speculated it might be a chocolate surprise.  When we saw the daily program – here is what it announced.

SURPRISE NIGHT

No Sweeter surprise than to share our surprise to you – a party with the Crew!

After dinner, dress casual, formal, or to surprise as we welcome you to our pool-side Crew Party with music featuring DJ Nyron, aka Shore Excursions Manager

Enjoy a club-like ambiance with complimentary sparkling wine and other drink specials

Feeling indulgent?  We got you covered with a crew-style late-night snack in the Lido Market and live music by Billboard Onboard.  Chat, dance, feast, and party with your Crew!

Party 9:00 p – 11:00 p

Lido Poolside, 9

Snack 10:30p – 11:30 p

Lido Market”

Excerpt from the Daily Program announcing Surprise Night

 

This will be a first for me…..a crew party with passengers.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

ROOM NUMBER ROULETTE

Since tonight was a Formal Night, we would be hosting the Tuxedo Junction – but tonight with a twist.  Instead of meeting in the Ocean Bar, we would assemble in the Casino at 6:30 pm and play Room Number Roulette.

Here was the announcement posted on our roll call

The Tuxedo Junction will meet in the Casino at the Roulette Wheel between 6:30 and 7:30 to play ROOM NUMBER ROULETTE.

Here is how it works.

“Bring $50 – this will get you 10 Spins – If you want to risk less the $50 – that’s OK, but each spin has to be a minimum of $5 (spread across any combination)

At the Roulette wheel, you can trade in your cash for Roulette Chips or use cash or regular casino chips.

Then you can play your room number/birthdays or any other number….

Stay as long as you like – there is no start or finish time..

If you don’t want to play – stop by and cheer us on!”

 

Four couples were active players with another six couples cheering us on as we played from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.  We had a great time watching the wheel spin and roulette is a great group gambling activity.  Roulette is easy to learn – requires little thinking or active participation and you can’t really play “wrong”.  Three of the four couples pretty much broke even (we were down to $50 – but played it all on RED for the final spin and doubled up!).  Regardless, it’s a lot of fun and even if you lose $100 – it’s a great way to spend an hour.

Here we are before the final spin of the wheel at 7:25 pm – Judy had $50 left and went “All In” on Red – She won! Tuxedo Junction in the Casino

 

Here is the menu for the formal night – the food was delicious and the service was prompt – as always.  The actual menu was the typical square fold out Gala menu – I am posting the version you can download from the Navigator.

SURPRISE PARTY

Here is a one-minute highlight reel of the party

The Surprise Party was scheduled to run from 9 to 11 pm.  Even though today was a formal night, the ship let everyone know that the dress code for the Surprise Party was “Anything Goes”.  Many guests stayed in their formal clothes, but many more guests and all the crew wore casual clothes or swimwear.

Kathy and Jerry

Roger and Sandy

Cruise and Travel Director Ian Page

Our room stewards Candra and Arsana

 

If there was any opening ceremony, we missed it, and by the time we arrived at 9:15, the party was in full swing.  Most seats were taken, but many more people were up walking around or dancing.

Pete with Comedian Mark Palmer

Pete with Vocalist Elijah Rock

Lee

Susan

 

No one passed champagne when I arrived, but it was quickly available from any bartender.  A “crew only” bar was on the starboard side, mid-ships.

Crew only bar

 

Most of the crew stayed on the starboard side, with the passengers mainly on the port side.  There was plenty of mixing all around.  The center of the action was within a 50-foot circle surrounding Nyron, who was on stage keeping the music going.  The songs weren’t introduced, and Nyron avoided much chatter.  It was a steady stream of dance music that had about 100 people dancing around the aft part of the Lido near Nyron.  As expected, women dancers outnumbered the men by 4-1.

 Nyron cranking out the tunes

Whenever you turned around, a waiter appeared with a tray of cupcakes, Rice Krispie treats, or something wholly irresistible.

Delicious mini cupcakes

 

The party remained full blast as we approached the 11 pm end time.  11 pm came and went, and Nyron still ruled the Lido pool with his fantastic selection of dancing tunes.  I did recognize the Macarena and a few Abba Tunes – e.g., Dancing Girl, but most of the tunes were new to me.  The party continued at full blast until midnight but was still going strong at 12:30 when I saw Henk signal it was time to wrap it up.

Ray serving champange

Henk and Christel

Nyron

 

We have been on HAL ships for over 500 days, and I have never attended a party that continued at this intensity for over 3 hours.

Later on, I realized there weren’t any decorations, and then I realized that most of the time, the memory of decorations fades quickly after an event but the fun, excitement, and personal interactions are something you’ll never forget.

The magic was including the crew, their average age probably 50 years less than the guests, was the secret sauce that sparked the other guests into action.  As always, what makes a party grand and fun are the participants – music helps, and continuous music is even better.

LIDO MARKET

Meanwhile, in the Lido Market, the Billboard piano duet entertained the diners from 10:30 to 11:30 pm as passengers selected their dinner choices.  There weren’t many people in the Lido, and only a handful of people were sitting nearby to listen to the Bill Board duet.   Here was the LIDO Menu

This was a “Surprise Party” we will long remember.

ANOTHER PILLOW GIFT

Back in our Cabin, we received our third pillow gift of the cruise.  You can find pictures of the pillow gifts on my 2023 World Cruise Reference Page – HERE

Edited March 7, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[Hogladyrider]

@The-Inside-Cabin.....Pete what an AWESOME evening and FABULOUS post!

 

Thanks for sharing with us.

[cunnorl]

Great idea! Sounds like it was a great party. Thanks for sharing with us.