LocoLoco1

Fletcher, Following your time aboard ‘The Wind’ with morbid curiosity…

Nice..

I agree. I love my ‘Belly Belt’.

BillK400, Dunno about Pursuit’s onboard gear, but for MY water experiences in Polynesia wearing my own foam belly-belt and good KEEN’s sandals over very tight anklet socks saved the day. Never used fins except when I SCUBA’d. Good Luck

BillK400, Key to visiting out of the way Polynesia Ports & Anchorages is the draft of the ship and time in Port. Sounds like Seabourne marketing overshot their ability here to deliver true expeditions. I pre-arrange port days if at all possible but getting older makes that harder so I was hoping Pursuit voyages would be the ticket. Maybe I need my own yacht with a Zodiac aboard. 😹🌈

kej1. My times thru Polynesia keeps me ready for more. Hoping a Seabourne expedition could be a good fit for me, but now I’m not too sure. Methinks perhaps a flight to Papeete then extended stays here n there and/or MV Paul Gaugin for cruising would suit me more. Hmm.

‘Intrigued’ is how I’ll describe reading your informative postings. Thank you. QUESTION: Insofar as I have been to most of your Ports o Call (I snorkel & SCUBA, hike the jungles etc. ) would a better experience been had if one would simply arrive onshore, grab the first avail. local dockside transport and say, “Take me to the island’s BEST snorkel/SCUBA/Jungle hike guy, then to a good bartender.” ??? I ask thusly because I’ve gathered that the ‘expedition’ thing was/is in name only. I embrace off the beaten paths stuff and relish hangin’ with the locals for the day most everywhere; I simply need the opportunity to do so… Or is this not THAT kinda cruise?? Awaiting your thoughts.

I suspect I know why…. Cheers.

Lake Mille Lacs- Brainerd. I drove BNSF trains to F-M weekly,’Oh, look!! a Tree!!’😹

Snow today here in N. Minnesota. Cli-Fi Day is a new one for me; I defer to my Geology Reference books for the historical Climate facts. Saucy Scallops…Yes!!

Been on a long HAL cruise lately? Trans-Atlantic Med cruise felt quite ‘spare’. Fellow guests offered this; ‘Is it just me, but THIS isn’t HAL.’ We agreed.

I disagree. Seems HAL is headed for a ‘WalMart’ business model while pretending it’s something loftier. Booking a Penthouse Suite and dining in Pinnacle still doesn’t provide that guest the fuller experience of what it COULD be. In my opinion, they tipped their impoverished hand when they sacked the Librarian and the ‘Yum-Yum’ boy.

Family & friends currently on one of the newest vessels report the Post-Covid guest experience aboard ship is noticeably diminished as regards Piano players, Poolside activity attendants, lecturers, smaller dining entrees, $Pay-to-Dine$ upsells, etc etc. Is parent CCL still that $Broke$ or is the competition pummeling it with Fare cuts?? Somethings afoot, but WHY??

So… WHY has HAL cut back so drastically on things such as Piano Players, Poolside attendants for Water Aerobics…skimpier Dinner entree, etc. Are they still that $BROKE$ or are competitors forcing Fare cuts?? Post-Covid HAL is anemic once you’re aboard and forego Pinnacle Dining and Penthouse upgrades. Whyso??

IXTAPA: I note Zaandam will dock there (and certain other line’s vessels), but not at Acapulco. My son is now in Acapulco area and reports it’s 2023 hurricane damage remains severe and extensive. Heavy police presence in Ixtapa tells me that region has ‘issues’. I used to enjoy Acapulco both as a cruise stop and for extended stays. Hmm.