LIVE- The World's Longest Trip Report (Luminosa 4/13 - 5/4)

[EngIceDave]

OK, so most of you all are waking up, we are now all going to bed and will be awakening in Noumea, New Caledonia

 

Time conversions

 Here - 11:47pm ship's time

 

NYC is now 8:48am

LAX is now 5:48am

Honolulu is 2:49am

 

Also, unlike cruising in the Caribbean, where you frequently see other ships, cruise or commercial vessels, you don't see schnit out here.....you just see the blackest black ever.

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

Dave, outstanding review, having done many live review, I know the effort, much appreciated.  How is the internet speed?

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

OK, so most of you all are waking up, we are now all going to bed and will be awakening in Noumea, New Caledonia

 

Time conversions

 Here - 11:47pm ship's time

 

NYC is now 8:48am

LAX is now 5:48am

Honolulu is 2:49am

 

Also, unlike cruising in the Caribbean, where you frequently see other ships, cruise or commercial vessels, you don't see schnit out here.....you just see the blackest black ever.

 

 

 

 

Must make the night sky look more defined.  

[EngIceDave]

Internet speed is fair...works, but slow

 

Morning

 

Welcome to Noumea, New Caledonia

 

We have a tour, so expect more....

 

[EngIceDave]

No cellular data here. Only phone. 
 

 

[EngIceDave]

So have the “Best of Noumea” tour today. 

 

 

[EngIceDave]

Some bitching.  
 

you aren’t the only one doing anything. Not the only one getting juice or coffee, make your schnit, quickly, and move on. Don’t mingle or chat. And in the buffet line, don’t expect them to take whatever back and put in the grill for you….you’re not that special honey. 
 

get it and go. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

9 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

OK, so most of you all are waking up, we are now all going to bed and will be awakening in Noumea, New Caledonia

 

Time conversions

 Here - 11:47pm ship's time

 

NYC is now 8:48am

LAX is now 5:48am

Honolulu is 2:49am

 

Also, unlike cruising in the Caribbean, where you frequently see other ships, cruise or commercial vessels, you don't see schnit out here.....you just see the blackest black ever.

 

 

 

 

You don't see galaxies and constellations and marvel at the night sky?  Cloudy nights?

[IntrepidFromDC]

21 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

This CD is terrible. He’s hard to understand and seems to have the enthusiasm of a turnip. 

 

[EngIceDave]

It was a 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour.....the weather started getting rough, the huge bus was not tossed....but did damper stuff

 

OK......aquarium visit, lookout point (and some secret radio tower thingy) and a church visit.

Built in some French lessons for you and some new odd cars

 

Part 1

 

[EngIceDave]

Nice place, but honestly, if you have done a lot of Caribbean cruises, it does have a little "Been there, done that" feeling.

 

The BIG SUCK was since it's Sunday here, EVERYTHING is closed.

 

 

(Men, take of your hats off in a house of worship......sheesh)

[EngIceDave]

So, the rain has followed us as we left Noumea.

Outer decks are soaked and dive-in movies are closed. Must be a lot of hassle to close that cover over the pool for just a rainy evening....Cold in Alaska, I can see.

 

Overall, everyone seems to be chilling tonight. Not that busy wandering around.

 

Have to pace ourselves, it's a long trip

 

Compared to the new mega ships, dinner options are quite limited. There's the MDR, lido (not a large buffet or variety), the seafood place ($), the sushi take-away place ($) and pizza. That's it. Oh, and steakhouse, but of the no additional charge food.....Pizza, MDR or lido. No Cucina de Capitano, no teppanyaki, no sit down asian/sushi.

 

Lunch seems to be when the most variety...BBQ, burgers, Chinese, pizza, lido and then the paid places like seafood and sushi.

 

BTW, the french fries (chips, for you Aussie/Brits) have as best I can describe as a chili powder seasoned salt. I do not care for it.

 

Told we'll have three (3) formal nights.

 

I have heard and read some "complaints," and many of them seem silly. Overheard one woman last night complaining the ship is old and "dirty." I have no idea what she's talking about, it certainly isn't "dirty." It is smaller and doesn't have all the bells and whistles. It's not Disney World at sea. Seen a few online complaints about room temps, our has been quite cool, but one evening it wasn't and realized the balcony door was not securely closed and latched.

 

I have noticed that the staff, especially in MDR, isn't as "sharp," as usual. I have a feeling that because of the transfer from Australia to US ports, there may have been a large turn over of staff, likely due to visas and service contracts that may not extend to US ports. Bit if a guess, but they seem off. Room steward was late to our cabin, no worries, but said they had an hour long all staff meeting over the changes to American stops and stuff.

 

OK, time to play.....Penis or thumb

 

 

 

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by EngIceDave

[EngIceDave]

BTW, dumb dumb report and warning.....

 

I didn't remember to put my ipad on airplane mode, it ran up a hefty few hundred dollars in "onboard data use" with ATT

 

Make sure you turn your junk off

 

Don't be a Dave

[EngIceDave]

2nd clock change tonight, forward one hour.

[jimbo5544]

Fascinating review, you have me hooked 

[pe4all]

1 hour ago, EngIceDave said:

BTW, dumb dumb report and warning.....

 

I didn't remember to put my ipad on airplane mode, it ran up a hefty few hundred dollars in "onboard data use" with ATT

 

Make sure you turn your junk off

 

Don't be a Dave

We had the same thing once.  Called up ATT and told them the truth and as a "valued customer" they removed the charge.  Try it!

Edited April 16, 2023 by pe4all

[kwokpot]

17 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

Nice place, but honestly, if you have done a lot of Caribbean cruises, it does have a little "Been there, done that" feeling

We were there in 2018 and just an FYI for others you can take the public busses to the beach. We enjoyed walking along the beachfront and the cove was just amazingly beautiful. We had lunch in a very nice restaurant and had a delicious pizza. 

[SDPadreFan]

11 hours ago, EngIceDave said:

OK, time to play.....Penis or thumb

 

I'm guessing gherkin.

[Down-Unders]

On 4/4/2023 at 7:23 AM, EngIceDave said:

7 hour layover down. Slept in lounge some. 
 

think the massage chair molested me. 

 

[Down-Unders]

On 4/4/2023 at 7:23 AM, EngIceDave said:

7 hour layover down. Slept in lounge some. 
 

think the massage chair molested me. 

 

[Down-Unders]

On 4/4/2023 at 7:23 AM, EngIceDave said:

7 hour layover down. Slept in lounge some. 
 

think the massage chair molested me. 

[Down-Unders]

On 4/4/2023 at 7:23 AM, EngIceDave said:

7 hour layover down. Slept in lounge some. 
 

think the massage chair molested me. 

Sorry but feet on lounges is one of our pet hates, other folks have to sit where your bare feet are. I believe there are quite a few hotels in this location you can have a room for a layover for a few dollars.

[EngIceDave]

12 minutes ago, Down-Unders said:

Sorry but feet on lounges is one of our pet hates, other folks have to sit where your bare feet are. I believe there are quite a few hotels in this location you can have a room for a layover for a few dollars.

1. We were not the alone on that

2. we asked, since we saw others, they said ok

3. It’s was Dubai, most all were in sandals, why said it was ok. 

[EngIceDave]

While the seas look smooth, it's a bumpy day due to wind. Everything outside is wet. Have to be careful walking about.

 

TODAY'S LESSON ON FIJI...backwards again, sorry

Enjoy

 

[EngIceDave]

Yo, hogs.....