YoPhilly

On 4/16/2024 at 1:35 PM, Tom Sandra said:

@YoPhilly Did you find another tour operator for Nuku Hiva? Any recommendations or advice? We'll be there in July on PG.

 

@57redbird THANK YOU for this info!! I had reached out to him yesterday (no response yet), so your feedback is timely for me.

Our cruise ended up skipping Nuku Hiva, so I can't help you with that.

My husband and I spent a full day with Trudy and Jimmy Dwyer of Tropical Tours Samoa.  They picked us up right at the pier with smiling faces, a big welcoming hug, and a clean, comfortable vehicle. Our tour was a little more than six hours, and the two of them were so much fun and so hospitable…we learned and laughed.  On our way out of town, they stopped to pick up delicious picnic lunches, and then we were off.  Samoa is filled with natural beauty, and the Dwyers were keen to show us their island. Their love for Samoa is evident, and they are eager to take guests to places the larger tours can’t access.  We had our picnic lunch with million dollar views. Above all else, what we will remember most from Samoa is Trudy and Jimmy - their hospitality, laughter, and love of their tropical paradise.  I highly recommend them.

tropicaltourssamoa@gmail.com

On 10/17/2023 at 11:26 AM, fstuff1 said:

Take the free shuttle to town from tender pier. (Note: I think Kayaking vendors are near the tender pier. Walk past the shuttle busses.)
It drops you off a block from the Visitor's Center.

They are a consolidator for all the excursion companies.
It seems to be the same price.

My Glow Worm/Waterfall tour was $125nz, same as the company advertising in front of the shuttle bus stop.

 

Glow Worm tour was eh. Guide was great and told about the interesting history of the cave.

but it was basically Firefly's without wings on the cave ceiling that didn't move.
And you can't take pics because the camera flashes disturb the worms, which made the tour eh. (This wasn't told to me at the Visitor's center. 😞 )

If you go there yourself, admission is $40nz.
The 10min waterfall stop was a nice picture location.

 

There's a 3hr boat tour of the island for $150nz at 12:30pm. There might be one at 9am. (My cruise ship tenders started at 7am but i didn't leave my cabin till 930am)
There's also a 4.5hr island boat tour AND snorkel for also $150nz. I can't swim so didn't inquire why they are both the same price.

 

There's also many other tours.

 

Visitor's center:

 

Glow Worm pricing if going there yourself:

 

Vendor in front of shuttle stop:

Is the visitor center in Russell?

I am currently cruising across the Pacific and will disembark in Auckland before boarding another ship. I impulsively chopped my hair off yesterday, and will need a professional to clean it up for me. 🤣🤣  For you locals, can you recommend a good stylist?

On 2/1/2024 at 8:55 AM, mountain grandma said:

Who is the General Manager on board?  We were on Insignia last August and will be on her again this fall.  Curious if the GM is the same.  
 

Thanks,

Billie

The GM is Ludmila…. I didn’t catch her last name.

On 1/29/2024 at 12:51 PM, marieps said:

This sounds great.  We're on her TA in August from Tilbury.  I'm sure there will be plenty of crew turnover by then but it sounds like the culture of the ship is very pax centric.  Thanks for a very positive review. 

I can’t get over the crew!  To a person, they are pleasant, smiling and friendly.  We celebrated my husband’s birthday tonight in the GDR, and it was lovely.

In football-related news, the ship has been showing all of the playoff games in cabins as well as Horizons or Insignia Lounge.  With popcorn!. 🏈.

58 minutes ago, Happy Trails1 said:

Hi @YoPhillyWe live on the Big Island - Hilo side. We were so excited to see Insignia in port last week! You had amazing weather for your trip. I hope you were treated with Aloha and had a great visit. Our first Oceania cruise was on Insignia in 2007. ❤️

We’ve had excellent weather every day since we left LA.  Gorgeous sunny days and very cooperative seas! 😄. We arrive at Rangiroa tomorrow.

This morning we had a Grand Brunch…. And grand it certainly was!

2 hours ago, njhorseman said:

We've cruised Insignia on an ATW cruise segment and my impression is that the "best of the best" are assigned to the ship for the ATW.

 

But right now...I'm a bit sad reading how good everything is because we booked this ATW...the full cruise this time...the day booking opened, but eventually had to cancel . I was really looking forward to the cruise.

 

I hope everyone has a grand time !

So sorry you’re missing it.  It appears that everyone is having a grand time.  I’ve met many many passengers, and all are lovely, friendly people.

44 minutes ago, tigerfan75 said:

 

Have sailed more than 170 days on O, and this sailing is the best experience so far.

Our best as well 

21 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

I was on the sailing right before the OP's and have to agree that Dottie is an outstanding CD and Chef was everywhere. He was the best and most visible marketing tool O deployed on our sailing. His cooking demos were a lot of fun too.

 

The amount of planning and sheer work that he and his team put in for the New Year's festivities was very evident.

Agreed.  I’m on my way to his cooking demonstration shortly.

2 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

Is this the World Cruise?

Thank you 

It is, but we’re only on to Auckland.

We boarded Jan. 14 in Los Angeles and are now crossing the Pacific.  This is our 4th O cruise (2nd time on Insignia).  The entire crew is delightful - pleasant, engaging, smiling.  Dottie is our CD, and she is the best CD we’ve ever had.  We’re having a great time.  For those of you who know June Tenuka, she’s onboard and holding jewelry-making classes.

Chef is everywhere, everyday - very accessible- and he’s doing something fun and delicious every night in the Terrace Cafe since our weather across the Pacific has been excellent.  One would be hard-pressed to find fault with the food.

In my comment card, I suggested they add plain rolls or baguettes to the pastry offerings in the GDR at breakfast.  As I noted, not everyone wants sweets. (I’ll take a good crusty baguette over a danish any time!). Tonight at dinner, the maitre d’ sought me out,  thanked me for the suggestion and said they’re making the addition.  It was great to know they actually read the comments and take action.

We just crossed the equator in the past hour, so this afternoon we had a fun time getting initiated into the Order of the Shellback.

the ship is just lovely, and we love the small size.  She may not be the shiniest penny in the drawer but she is a beauty nonetheless.  

We did an Eastern Med in October one year and had torrential rains the entire route.  Another year we cruised a similar itinerary in November and had very pleasant weather.  One never knows what will happen.

7 hours ago, dmwnc1959 said:

Grabbed a few screenshots of her going through the Miraflores Locks today, courtesy of the Canal de Panama webcams.

It's such a pretty ship. Other ships may have more to offer, but I love the lines of these R ships.

I'd appreciate it if someone currently or recently onboard Insignia could let me know if there is a rower in the gym.  I tried searching but no luck.  Thanks!

12 hours ago, Tahitianbigkahuna said:

Taxi are available from the marina ... pre-schedule a pickup at Matira with the driver who takes you over to the beach. There is also the IC Moana across the street from the beach ... I'm sure you could go over there and ask the desk to request a taxi 😉

This is so helpful.....thanks! ⭐

16 hours ago, oakridger said:

Many excursions to a motu include a snorkeling stop. (and to see rays and reef tip sharks) Does yours? 

 

I am interested in the taxi answers also, so I'll be watching to see the answer.

 

~Nancy

Our ship excursion to a motu doesn't include a snorkeling stop.

The excursion I'm canceling does include rays and sharks but does not visit a motu.

We're lucky enough to spend 2 nights at Bora Bora next month.  I've dreamed of swimming in that gorgeous lagoon water for decades, and I'm finally getting there.  On Day 1, we're taking the ship's excursion to a motu.  Day 2, we're planning to go to Matira Beach for most of the day....is it possible to get a taxi back and forth from the tender dock?  We'd rather not hassle with rental car.  Also, are there beach chairs rentals at Matira?  Thanks.

P.S. If you are going to mention snorkeling, let me elaborate.  I had booked a snorkel trip for Day 2, but my husband doesn't like to snorkel and can't spend hours in the sun....he'll head straight for shade on the beach.  I don't want him to be uncomfortable, plus I've done enough snorkeling in my life, so I'm canceling the tour.  All I ever wanted to do is swim in that water for hours - and I'll have my snorkel with me in case there's anything interesting from shore.  If you have any other ideas, I'd love to hear them. 😄

Getting ready to pack for Insignia…..are they providing tote bags for concierge guests , or are they still out of stock?

On 11/16/2023 at 6:22 AM, beatleman said:

Manly is a far better option than Bondi,great scenic ferry trip on the harbour and top ocean beach

Beatleman, thanks for the recommendation.  Based on my research, Manly seems to be the better choice.

On 11/16/2023 at 5:38 AM, BINDY31 said:

Once you get to Katoomba you will find the Blue Mountains Explorer bus…. Our very own Hop on, Hop off bus….  I live in the Blue Mountains.

 

Explorerbus.com.au has all the info regarding costs, timetable, and a useful map of the route.

 

scenicworld is worth exploring…. If you get the train down into the valley there is a great boardwalk around a loop down there…we even saw a lyrebird once!!

you then can either go back up on the train or use the gondola to go back up the top. 
there is also a cable car…called the Skyway over the valley 

 

the train trip from Sydney will take you through busy inner city suburbs… to suburban suburbs… over the Nepean River that separates the plains from the mountains… through the beautiful bushland areas up the mountain to Katoomba. Well worth the 2 hours it takes.

 

Thanks very much, Belinda.

I also have a few questions about Eden.

1) Are breakfast and lunch free in Eden?

2) Can anyone enjoy the public spaces in Eden during the day?  

3) Are the nightly shows in Eden complimentary, or is there a charge for those shows?

Thanks!

On 10/28/2023 at 4:09 PM, Cruzin Terri said:

Thaks.  I really think this would have worked had I been aware of the rules.

I just was not paying attention when I booked the airfare.  The funny thing is, I had enough AMEX points to pay for the airfare as well.  I would have been fully covered.

I am not going to fight with them when it is in black and white what the rules are.

I learned a hard lesson and wanted others to be aware to make sure they don't make the same mistake I did.

Terri

Thanks for the post.  Now I'm thanking my lucky stars that I booked our flights using AMEX points.😅