Jokelady

Hello OlsSalt

I hope you enjoyed the cruise as much as Peter and I did. I was really happy to hear you all made it to Easter Island. It was most certainly a great topic of conversation when we boarded in Papeete on the 14th of October.

See you again on the high seas soon!

Peter and Kathy

1 minute ago, OlsSalt said:

 

The previous issue at Easter Island on the Maasdam was a one day delay at a port, long known to be problematic for tendering. Which passengers had to accept up front that we may not get to Easter Island at all. 

 

Captain worked hard to rearrange the schedule and sailed away from the incoming storm. Once it had subsided we had two wonderful day at Easter Island, with no tender issues at all and beautiful weather. Just pefect.  The captain had to re-figure the rest of the schedule to make up for that one lost day. That included the two "at sea scenic cruising" days to both Henderson Island and Pitcairn Island into a single day.

 

 We were all extremely grateful the Maasdam captain worked so hard to make our 2 day Easter Island stop possible. Reports from other cruise ships indicated some captains just sailed on and missed this port stop entirely. It is located 5 cruise days away from everything else, coming and going. 

 

During the night of the first day the ship had to go out to sea again and away from the island, not because of storms but because of a regulation to get out of the flight path for one of the few flights that land on the nearby runway. Indeed, they were right overhead of the tender docking area. We watched one take off from a delightful little restaurant on the hill above the port while enjoying Easter Island's fabulous  poisson cru. - fresh, fresh, fresh tuna in coconut lime marinade

I was on that cruise till the 28th of October. The water was a bit rough on our 2 week sailing and we did not tender in Hiva Oa. I was told by friends that were on the sailing where this lady passed away that they did not dock in Hiva Oa again due to the waters. The previous sailing had issues getting to Easter island as well. This is a tragic accident and there are always risks when tendering... especially when the sea's are rough. It is the stormy season in French Polynesia at this time of year and we did encounter some rough seas during our cruise as did the cruise that this tragic accident happened on. Thoughts and prayers go out to this woman's family and to the fantastic crew aboard the Maasdam. To my friends that were on board this tragedy, you are in my thoughts. 

I'd rather have a detachment of Mounties from Regina, Sask. Understand they "always get their man (or woman)" :cool:

LMAO RCMP... I am from Edmonton.

Just so you know it is not the “norm” in Canada however there is no law against it in Ontario. I personally have never seen a topless woman walking down the street or on a beach here but it is allowed and there is zero anybody can do about it. Pot is soon legal here but not everybody will be smoking joints.

Yes it was a big deal when Ontario passed the law. My sister in law and some of her friends cruised Lake Ontario on their bosses boat topless. Fast forward over a decade and gravity has taken over LOL.

Pot is legal on October 17th. I would rather nudity then the stench of marijuana. Not looking forward to this new law I tell ya!

Kathy in Alberta

Get ready.... lots of clothing optional beaches on this French Polynesian cruise. Huahine has a beach in town and you will see people nude there. The true French are very liberal and are not afraid to shed their clothing. When in Rome...

Been there done that!

Toronto Canada/Ontario you are allowed to walk about topless if you are female.

Ruth

I just booked it today. The previous poster is correct. You can stay on the ship and they will store your luggage. You can eat on the ship and wander off if you like. You will use your transfer to the airport pass to get back on the ship as your key card wont work.

Kathy

I love cruising and will continue to cruise in light of these situations. I have sailed the Liberty and the Splendor and both broke down. I was not on them at the time but I have sailed them. Now the reason I mention this is because there were mentions on our cruises about issues with the ships. IMHO these ships are pushed too hard and need more down time to maintain them. I know time is money and money is time but these fires and breakdowns are starting to happen more frequently. These ships receive a lot of wear and tear and need more time in port to be overhauled. Just an observation.

Hello

We will get back to Papeete on October 28th but not fly out till that night 11PM. Any idea where we could leave our luggage for the day while we spend some time on the island?

Thank you in advance for all suggestions.

Kathy

....to you for sharing such a personal story and reminding us all that life is short and to enjoy it to the fullest. Your father lived his to the fullest and what a fitting way for him to go out aboard a cruise ship doing something he loved. If we all should be so lucky to spend our last days cruising the ocean.

I thank you for allowing us into your life. Your story I will carry with me and whenever I see the Jewel in port I will remember your dad. Btw... what was his first name? From now on we will toast your dad on our cruises. May your father watch over all of us as we sail the friendly seas.

Keeping you and your loved ones in my thoughts...