Tranquility Base

Thanks to both for the info.

Just asking again. Any further input please ?

Yep, Yep, Having been a couple of times we stayed local. Wandered ashore late morning for a couple of drinks at one of the numerous beach bars. Then across the road to the large mall for supplies. They have built a new larger cruise terminal at the port entrance since we were last here. The shuttles were quick and frequent from ship to terminal. A number of local venders inside. The Galapagos tour left today. Machu Picchu leaves from Lima.

In my experience, a part of that can be due to a lack of meaningful and effective communications from a Captain. We recently had a weather miss at Lerwick ( another cruise line ). Our Captain was a great communicator. He explained why he couldn’t use the inner anchorage due to windage, turning circle, and position holding. Even explaining why he couldn’t reverse into the harbour. He mentioned the Pilot’s input a couple a times. Meanwhile, at the outer anchorage it was obvious to most that tendering was not possible. He did make up for it however with an unscheduled transit through Prince Christian Sound a few days later. Much kudos all around. Keeping your passengers informed with honest and relevant communications does go a long way in stopping speculation.

Whilst it doesn’t address your question specifically. For info: we transited yesterday, some welcome rain during half of the day.

I am planning a Europe to Middle East cruise. Can I expect Guest Services to be able to change larger USD notes into smaller USD notes ?

Indeed. From tonight’s Patter. Approximate timings. All times local ( GMT minus 5 ) 8:00am…..enter Gatun 10:20am…..clear Gatun 1:10pm…..passing Gamboa 2:30pm……enter Pedro Miguel 3:25pm …….clear Pedro Miguel 3:50pm……..enter Miraflores 5:10pm……clear Miraflores.

Good news. It appears the original recipe for those delicious, chewy oatmeal cookies is back. Just in time to munch on during the Panama day tomorrow.

Aug to Oct next year; back to back. 14 port stops in Japan / South Korea; followed by the reposition to Adelaide.

Thanks for your comments…….appreciated.

Thanks. Any tips you have regarding tours ( private, diy, ship ) and the dinner arrangements in the MDR please ?

Ahh….. For those reading this for future trips, I think it helps for those with independent arrangements to exit before the tours meet. I also heard from others that the time people were allowed to reboard was about 90 minutes earlier than originally planned. Hope you had a good trip home.

Not necessarily. I’m sure you know this, but posting for the benefit of others. On the Aussie based ships, if they are using AUD onboard, the price you see on the menu is the price you pay.

Currently on Coral. Internet good ( peak times ) to very good (off peak ) Noticeably better than 4 to 6 weeks ago.

Yep, Light drizzle as we entered the harbour, but that soon cleared into a nice day. Best immigration ever…..7:40am, no queue to leave the ship, no queue at immigration, 1 minute at the booth……very impressed. ’er indoors and a friend were booked to see a matinee show (Michael Jackson musical) so we walked up to Central Park and back down 7th Ave. Lunch next to the theatre, and while the show was on I wandered down to around Penn Station area. Back to meet the girls at the bar next to the theatre for a couple of drinks. They were buzzing about the show….one of the best they’d see. A far easier day today. Walked to the highline, and strolled on that down to Chelsea Market. Lunch there then wandered back to the ship. A good, but tiring 2 days and the weather stayed nice. 4 sea days to get to the canal.

That’s ok……there wasn’t much to see on bridge cam when we first docked.

Where’s Stu to lead us off….? Halifax. Misty and foggy when we docked, but that cleared after an hour or so and turned into a nice day. A lazy, admin type day. A walk all along the waterfront. Lots of activities going on. One of the best laid out waterfront walking areas. Up into town for a wander, and officially turn the cruise into a two haircut cruise. Nice late lunch people watching, then a wander back down to pick up some supplies. Pleasantly not too crowded around town with, once again, super friendly locals. Sea day, then NYC on Wednesday.

Yep, Very nice tour through the countryside to a Scottish Heritage Village. Also to a museum / exhibition on Alexander Graham Bell who lived here. His was a life of so much more than the telephone. Again, lucky with the weather….up to about 26 temp. Halifax tomorrow.

We did two cruisetours B2B in 2015. We are also doing another two cruisetours B2B next year. On both occasions we only booked cruisetours which spend two nights at each lodge. We needed that clear day at each lodge in order to relax and enjoy ourselves. Sometimes we did an excursion, sometimes we just did DIY.

Yep, An on & off day……meaning it depended where you were when the showers came through. They were, generally, short & sharp….it ended as quite a nice day. ’er indoors did a tour to the ghost town of Val-Jalbert which she thoroughly enjoyed. After a couple of previous days of mega walking I took a slow day ashore, but included a local bus to a nearby town to view some scenery. Thankfully sea day tomorrow then Sydney ( NS ). PS: For those who have been before….. the local performers in their costumes, stilts, small bikes, unicycles, jugglers etc are still on the dock to entertain us as we disembark. Truly a delightful start to the day.

Hear hear ol’ chap. It has become somewhat tiresome hasn’t it ?

Yep, Nice wander around this lovely city. Warm and dry, but thunderstorms came in around our departure. Just docked in Saquenay…looks like a few showers during the day.

In their own words on their website. ”The best value in luxury cruising”.

Yep, A very friendly and scenic town. Sunny and warm at 22 C. People seemed to have a great day, plus many crew were able to go ashore as well. I heard a shuttle was put on for Walmart as well. Walked up the hill along the Gorge hiking trail. Very scenic, but felt longer and steeper than 5 years ago. A scenic sailaway. 1 seaday on way to Quebec City.

Went to our best Captain’s Circle party in a long time. Captain Pears gave an entertaining and long chat about all sorts of things, with nice humour. He stayed for a long time for chats & photos…..a very much appreciated touch. The excellent band ( Voyagers) played on with good Rock; Queen, Led Zep, Beatles and Tina Turner. Then to the late show with an excellent Rock & Roll artist, Darren Dowler along with the orchestra. A well coordinated and enjoyable evening.