Jim_Iain Live - 2nd Half World Cruise - B2B Singapore to Down Under 11/25 – 12/21

[Jim_Iain]

Boarding to begin at 9:10.   Right on time.  
 

Unlike many boarding this was very civilized.  The have agents with had signs directing Business Class to one Jetway and the rest to the other. 
 

 

Bye. 
 

 

You can see how how organized the boarding is. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, Jeaannie55 said:

How great that you are travelling again, I love reading your reviews, although normally I just lurk in the background.  I was on The Eclipse sailing from Auckland to Sydney in Jan/Feb this year and loved New Zealand.  Looking forward to hearing all about your travels.  Safe travels to both you and Iain 

 

We are frequent visitors to Australia but New Zealand is rather new.   I’ve only been in the airport.  Before the 747 could make it non-stop you had to refuel in HNL or Auckland.  
 

I love the itinerary. 

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Just returned home from the APEX Transatlantic and have already missed the first five pages! I had several lemon tarts in your honor. Sorry to report that Eden lunch no longer had the brownies and chocolate chip cookies (at least on the APEX).

 

Henrietta as usual will be reading your adventures on this sailing to me. Say hi to Iain for us.

 

Dianne

Darn.   I loved them. Glad you had a wonderful trip.  
 

For those that don’t know Henrietta is my girlfriend.   In between reunions she serves Dianne and travels the world with her.  

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, Poconolady said:

Yay, a Jim_lain Live review!! I jumped in here to comment before this thread goes onto anymore pages! I was in Singapore about four years ago, riding on the top of a hoho bus, a big burst of wind blew my sun hat off and it landed on the sidewalk, next to a policeman who was patrolling. He picked it up, smashed it and threw it into a trash can and then turned to look up at the bus. I was afraid he was going to arrest me for littering! It would not have been a good start to a cruise! Still miss that hat, it was packable, UPF treated and looked cute.

Yikes.   I was expecting you to say he was a gentleman, stopped your bus and presented it back to you.   

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Daneenm said:

@Jim_Iain I believe we connected on this before.  I work near you at the Central and Mary campus.  I look for you when I arrive, hoping one day I will see you walking by on your daily walk 😀.  I hit my 34th Apple Anniversary this summer.  Congratulations to your step sister!

Ahh yea.  Are you on the corner.  We use to walk our dog through that business park at nights.   Watched them set that beautiful gym. 
 

I often say we are perfect hits for a sniper.  I leave every day at 10:30 so cross Central on the opposite side of Mary.  Then walk to Maude and turn left.   Easy to spot in my bright yellow puffer.   If you see me just yell.  

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, lola2013 said:

Jim…you and Iain are lucky you found each other ❤️.

Susan 

 

I am also.   Forgot to say I opened my sealed wish list 10 years later.   Iain hit it 100%

[Jim_Iain]

Getting there.   
 

The service is impeccable and we are addressed by name by every crew member. 
 

This may be overkill but first up is a menu like I have ever experienced  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 21, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[terrydtx]

15 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Getting there.   
 

The service is impeccable and we are addressed by name by every crew member. 
 

This may be overkill but first up is a menu like I have ever experienced  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMG that menu is unbelievable, I hope it all tastes as good as it sounds.

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Joker54 said:

Thinking of a certain Manneken bronze sculpture in Brussels  😄

LOL.   Now that’s too much of a visual.  

 

[Norwaylady]

@Jim_Iain SQ is my all time favourite! 
They deliver a great product in Biz/First/premiumeco/eco. 
 

It’s always my first choice no matter class of seating🥰

Enjoy your flight❤️

[Jim_Iain]

Ok life’s a Bit€H and then you die.  
 

If that isn’t incredible enough - we had the option of pre-ordering in advance by selecting a Chef.  
 

After take off we had Dinner around 1o:30 pm California time about 2am Singapore

 

We we chose the specially prepared lobster

 

Started with cocktails (Coffee for me) and a nice selection of warm nuts. 
 

 

 

 

Started with a Scallop Salad

 

 

followed by an incredible Lobster dinner with fingerling potatoes roasted yellow tomato and asparagus 
 

 

For some reason underlie got stuck on. 
 

It was incredible. Cooked to perfection.  The potato’s and asparagus was so hot you had to let it cool. 
 

Desert was a selection of ice cream, cheese, fruit or cake.  I got the ice cream

 

 

 

[Beachlover1989]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Boarding to begin at 9:10.   Right on time.  
 

Unlike many boarding this was very civilized.  The have agents with had signs directing Business Class to one Jetway and the rest to the other. 
 

 

Bye. 
 

 

You can see how how organized the boarding is. 

 

Our first Iain sighting! Love all the pictures!

[FeebeeH]

17 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Ok life’s a Bit€H and then you die.  
 

If that isn’t incredible enough - we had the option of pre-ordering in advance by selecting a Chef.  
 

After take off we had Dinner around 1o:30 pm California time about 2am Singapore

 

We we chose the specially prepared lobster

 

Started with cocktails (Coffee for me) and a nice selection of warm nuts. 
 

 

 

 

Started with a Scallop Salad

 

 

followed by an incredible Lobster dinner with fingerling potatoes roasted yellow tomato and asparagus 
 

 

For some reason underlie got stuck on. 
 

It was incredible. Cooked to perfection.  The potato’s and asparagus was so hot you had to let it cool. 
 

Desert was a selection of ice cream, cheese, fruit or cake.  I got the ice cream

 

 

 

No wonder Singapore Airlines won so many accolades.  The menu and meals look incredible.  I don't fancy my chances of ever winning the lottery and going on business class so will enjoy the meals and descriptions through your posts.

[abbydancer2003]

Looking at the menu (which is incredible) I remembered that I don't like the food in Singapore.  I just told DH that I guess we're there for 3 days before our cruise so that I can lose a couple of pounds before the cruise.

 

I don't eat fish or very spicy food, and Singapore was a real problem.  Otherwise, we loved it.

[DUTRAVEL]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Thanks much.    It is hard to believe so my years have gone by.    We are like the Odd have say that he is first my Best Friend in the world.   Of course I am Oscar  (Jack Klugman).  

 

I never really came out .    I had fraught my inner self because I didn't want to be Gay.  Of course everything including ---- Oh NO Conversion Therapy.   Trust me it is the worst quack "medical/physocologic torture that could ever be done to and Individual.  

 

I finally figured out at 32 that with  3 kids I love dearly that I had to finally let my Wive of 12 years that I couldn't live a lie for the rest of my life.    The response was almost a mirror of the 1982 Movie "Making Love" with Michael Ontkean and Kate Jackson.

 

My wife was so angry she outed me to the world including my boss, parent and friends.   It was tough because  because I didn't yet know what it meant to be a Gay Man and also got fired from my job.  

 

I probably shouldn't be sharing all of this.   I met a wonderful hulk of a Guy that was 6'9"  he was my everything -  He Died of Aids 37 years ago today.   In those day there were no drugs or treatment and when diagnosed was a death sentence.   My next try at a relationship was also a failure -  He committed Suicide. 

 

I swore off relationships.    Eventually I met Iain after deciding to get my head back together and saw a Counselor for just 4 visits.   He was a very results only counselor and describing all my terrible relationships he gave me my assignment -  

 

Make a list of everything  of importance of Values, Character, Qualities and Things I enjoy   in your perfect mate.  Took me a full week to compile and I came back with the list.   He took the list and sealed it.    Now let's talk where you will meet that perfect person.  

 

I met Iain on what they called a Bulletin Chat Board.    I'm was not looking for one night stands nor was Iain.   We chatted and chatted for over 6 months and then finally met for a cup of coffee.   What can I say -   I already knew him and he was exactly as I dreamed and had everything on that list.   

OK i'm stubborn - I said I really like him and love our dating but for me I need to live alone for 6 months before committing to a relationship.    He was certain of what he wanted so he hopped in his car (and he can barely drive) and rented an apartment 3 blocks from my home.   

 

We almost made the 6 months but the Big Loma Prierta Earthquake hit the day his Concert Grand Piano was delivered to my house.    October 17, 1989 5:04PM. 

 

I spent 12 hours of terror -  He works in the city and was walking from the Federal Reserve to the Train Station at that exact time.    I started hearing of buildings collapsing on his route then on the highway collapses.     This was before cellphones and the few payphones had lines miles long to make a call .    I sat at the trains stations with no news and no trains until I saw a single engin coming down the tracks at 15 miles an hours checking the tracks and bridges.

It wasn't until early morning that the first train arrived.   We were in tears by the time we finally knew each other were ok.    

That became the day we moved in together.  

I love this story about your life with Iain so much. Thanks for sharing - I’m glad you ended up with your true love 

 

Dianne

 

[cachouonacruise]

Thank-you Jim and Lain, for posting your new adventure!

 

As usual, your trip has just begun, and we're already on page 7, of your thread. This really shows, how appreciated, are all the pictures and informative comments of your threads! Bravo! 
 

First, I wish you and Lain a beautiful trip Down Under on Edge!

 

Selfishly, I will follow your threat with great interest, since we will also, be doing a cruise similar to your second cruise, on Edge, in February 2024. I really look forward to all your tips about the ships and the ports!

 

Thank-you again, for taking the time to share your discoveries with us! It is really appreciated! 
 

P.s. I was really touched to read your post about your your personal life history. It is not always easy for someone living in another part of the world, and in other spheres of life, to understand, what someone like you has experienced. Bravo for your long term relationship with Lain! And best wishes, for a well deserved happiness! 

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Just think of George Clooney as my twin.  😉

Hubbba hubba .... 😗

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, Beachlover1989 said:

Our first Iain sighting! Love all the pictures!

Actually 2nd.   That was him incognito coming doe the escalator. 
 

You reminded.  I have one the flight attendant insisted on taking when she set up my bed and tucked me in

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Good night. 

 

really unusual seats.  The back of the seat folds down and already made with egg crate mattress, sheets, 2 full size pillows and a duvet 

 

also bulkhead have a huge foot area instead of just an angled hole. 
 

 

[Suzyq99]

Jim, finally got up to page 7.  Been following you for years and so excited you are joining the Edge.  We joined the Edge in Rome.  Looking forward to meeting you.  
Susan

 

[BOB999]

Enjoy the rest of your flight.  The Singapore food options are outstanding, I think I counted 26 separate pre-order options to "Book the Cook" for each of the 3 meals I have for my upcoming SIN-LAX flight.

[Jazzbo]

I love your live reviews, Jim. Your Covid review sticks in my mind — making memos into lemonade! I am looking forward to following along. Bon Voyage to you and Iain. 😊🚢

[bluwes]

12 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Hotels- 

 

Booking a hotel was quick and easy.   Last time we cruised out of Singapore, we stated at Pan Pacific Executive Suites – Beach Road.   We loved it so much that I just waited until their booking window opened and then booked.

 

All of their units are like an Apartment, including a kitchen, washer and dryer etc, but they also have a free breakfast each morning.   Beach Road is on the outskirts of Singapore and out of the hustle and bustle of Orchard District.    There is a MRT Station about 750 feet away.    Beach Road is also right on the edge of the Arab and Indian Districts. 

 

I’m sure that many love being at the big Hotel Chains in the middle of the shopping district but we prefer something more relaxed.   We found that the MRT is one of the best transit systems in the world and getting around is rally easy, inexpensive and safe.

 

 

We stayed at the Pan Pacific some years ago. In fact it’s so long ago they were still building that MRT station. It was our first time in Singapore after doing a land trip which included Thailand and Hong Kong. It was an awesome hotel back then. Hope it’s still the same.We  have been back several times but stayed further along Orchard Road and  around Clarke Quay

Thanks also   for opening your heart and letting us have a glimpse into your life  story.

[Joker54]

Jim your reviews are amazing!! We are flying from LA X to Singapore non-stop on Singapore Airlines in March. We are curious how those new fold down seats are.

 

And like everyone else here, we are so happy that you and Iain found each other.

 

Cheers

[chemmo]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Good night. 

 

really unusual seats.  The back of the seat folds down and already made with egg crate mattress, sheets, 2 full size pillows and a duvet 

 

also bulkhead have a huge foot area instead of just an angled hole. 
 

 

I think I could enjoy a week on the aircraft…Food and seating look fabulous!