yellowjacket_cruiser

So interestingly, we had booked the cruise bus transfers to the airport thinking cabs and Ubers might be a problem. It was $24 each. When we got our luggage we were directed to a line with the line end inside the terminal between all the suitcases. Well that was the end of the line that stretched across the street and down the sidewalk on the other side. There was also a long line of crew with their luggage waiting on their airport transfer. When we got to the front of the line we realized why it was taken so long. Firstly, people got off as soon as they cleared customs instead of waiting on their color to be called. Then there was so much luggage because of the long cruise. So the cargo bay of the bus would fill and less than half of the inside was full. Then a lot of older people with serious mobility issues and by this point very bad attitudes were put off on the sidewalk across from the airport entry (it is the way the airport is made) without any help to move all their luggage. We attempted to help but there was so much luggage! Then the bus would go back for another load. So the people in line at the terminal couldn’t get out of the way of the next wave of people coming down. We had planned for a crazy day and had a late flight, so we just tried to be patient and while we were out there the weather was beautiful. The cruise was fabulous, I just don’t think they thought about the amount of luggage people bring on a 35 day cruise.

Koningsdam Ball and Chocolate Surprise were a disappointment. By the time my husband and I finished our 7:30 fixed time dining, the venue was so packed the hallway in back was full as well. I guess that is to be expected when you invite over 2000 people to a room that holds maybe 300. We left after about 15 minutes of standing without a drink and went to another bar. But we were sad to miss the party, I don’t understand why they couldn’t use the lido deck so everyone could participate. These past seadays the events have seemed to be more crowded than the first part of the cruise. To play 30 minutes of trivia you have to show up 30 minutes early to get a seat. Every event seems people are turned away. It was not that way earlier in the cruise.

My husband and I were invited to a Mariner lunch today. We are only 2 stars so we were surprised. There was champagne, filet mignon and sea bass. The captain and other officers were there. It was very nice. I recommend attending if you receive an invite. Also the crew talent show this morning was really nice. I enjoyed it very much, mostly I enjoyed how much fun the crew was having doing the performance.

They do not record the port talks or the presentations/speakers and have them on the stateroom TV. This is really inconvenient since for the port talks there were no seats available and they were in the afternoon before our pool time was over. And the prerecorded port overviews are not very accurate for the less visited ports. Anyway, this seems an easy upgrade that is already available on most other cruises I have been on.

We went with Rotoava Excursions and could not have been more pleased. 10 people in our boat, 3 locations. Back by 3. Truly wonderful. Highly recommend. I didn’t get pictures of the fish while snorkeling but there were a lot and very beautiful

Wanted to share that we have been going to the main dining room most evenings. It has been better than expected. We have never been there longer than an hour and 15 minutes. We have found the crowds in the Lido deck too overwhelming. They close one side of the lido in the evening which forces everyone to the other side. And the lines are long especially with the crew having to man the drink station etc. we are on fixed time late dining so maybe that is why we have had such a good experience in the MDR. Anyway, I felt I should give a shout out for the great and timely service.

In Moorea we booked one night at the Hilton. There were at least 3 other couples there from the cruise. It was a $25 cab ride from the tender terminal (the taxis here are on a meter so same price both ways). There was a Polynesian show in the evening and live music at breakfast. We got there before check in so we lounged on the beach which had good snorkeling right from shore. Then once we checked in, the snorkeling from our bungalow was really great. We snorkeled about 4 hours. Then a dinner over the water and the reef sharks are there. The next morning more snorkeling until check out then a few more hours on the beach until back to the ship. It was a bit expensive but it was 2 days of excursions for 2 people, plus, we aren’t on next years cruise. It was seriously nice.

Went on an excursion with l’excursion blue. It was fabulous. If you are coming next year, don’t hesitate- book it! F633C7BC-C118-41A4-A4E1-9CA20F169665.mov

I love them. Best music on the ship.

You can also buy gift cards from aarp to pay for your trip and get a 10% discount. I saved a lot on this cruise doing it that way.

We were at the 6pm show. Almost full but some seats available around the edge. And we agree, the comedian was pretty funny. We ate in the MDR, and it was great. Took right at an hour. Food was good and service was awesome. Then we went to BB kings, Rock bar and dueling pianos. All were impressive. A good evening of entertainment. Our last two cruises on Oceania didn’t have much in the way of live entertainment after dinner so this was a real treat.