CathyK2

My understanding is that we are tendering from Opunohu Bay.  I THINK the tender dock is in Papeto'ai.  What would be the most convenient rental car company to use from here and are there any in the area or do we need to get transportation to the airport to pick up one.  Second question:  Since we are in this port for an overnight, does anyone know if there is parking for a car in this vicinity that would still be walkable to the tender port?  Any help or guidance would be so very appreciated.  Thank you in advance.  (Our Roadster booking we had booked almosts 9 months ago, canceled, so we are scrambling while out to sea for a replacement.)

On 5/24/2023 at 11:56 AM, kitcrazy said:

Just came off a recent (February-March 2023) cruise to the Central and South Pacific, and while researching, I couldn't find much information for a few specific areas/activities.  So I've written three blog posts (with photos) in the hope that they can assist those of you who are going to the same area and/or have similar interests. Please note that this is NOT advertising as my blog is  not monetized; it is simply for family, friends and other interested people. 

• Remote serenity, the Tabuaeran Atoll (https://thefunoftravel.com/remote-serenity-the-tabuaeran-atoll/ ).  Also known as Fanning Island.
• Tasting Tahiti ... (https://thefunoftravel.com/tasting-tahiti/).  About French Polynesian cuisine.
• Holy Fakarava! (https://thefunoftravel.com/holy-fakarava/).  Way more fun than you might expect!

 

Hope you enjoy reading these, and please tell me if you do 😃

Thank you so much for doing this.  As you said, there is so little info on these areas so this is wonderful.  Thank you!

I like both lines.  The itineraries win hands down on HAL but the entertainment is better on Celebrity.  They both have pros and cons, but in reality, I don't think you can go wrong with either line.  I've always been a big fan of the stage shows while cruising and HAL has basically taken them away, but for a person that never cared about stage shows anyway, it won't make a difference.  It's really about what is or isn't important to you about cruising.  But as I said, the itineraries which are also very important to me, have me booking the next cruise in Feb on HAL.  Both of these lines are a notch above many of the others out there.  Bon Voyage.

On our July cruise for 3 weeks on Zuiderdam, they too had the lead singer from BBK sing three songs with one of the Step One Dancers show.  He was very impressive and yes, doing that gave the show a little bit of the feel of the old stage shows from days gone by.  I'll be on Koningsdam in Feb so hoping that this will continue in this way.  Thank you for sharing.

We set sail out of Rotterdam on Sunday and just got word that our cruise is removing Red Bay and replacing it with Corner Brook.  Not a lot of time to replan, so was hoping someone has been there and can give me a cram course?  Things to do near where the shop docks?  Any help would be so appreciated.  Thank you.

1 hour ago, gnome12 said:

Even if you have to check out of your room the hotel would likely hold your bags for you, and you could have lunch in that vicinity before picking up your luggage and heading to the dock.

Yes, that is what we originally had planned to do but had someone saying that it can be nerve racking checking in so close to the time the cruise ships leaves and your luggage may not get to you before you sail and although it doesn't happen often, if you are the unlucky one that didn't get your luggage before leaving, the waiting is a bit more frantic, so yes, it made sense to get the luggage over there a bit earlier so it has time to definitely make the ship.  All is good and just want things as relaxing as possible.  

5 hours ago, Meander Ingwa said:

double check you exact dock location   Consider Foodhallen Rotterdam  see googlemaps for a link international offerings from taco and dim sum to pizza and BBQ and tons of stuff in between.  Fun

That actually sounds perfect.  Thank you so very much.  

5 hours ago, hallasm said:

You might get more replies in the Western Europe Forum.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/148-british-isleswestern-europe/

Silly me.  I just put the note over there and thank you.  

We just got our boarding time for our cruise out of Rotterdam as 2:30 pm.  We have to check out of our Rotterdam Hotel at Noon.  I'm thinking we will go to the port and check our bags and then was hoping there might be a casual lunch restaurant that would be walkable from the cruise terminal.  Just looking for something light...perhaps a sandwich or something.  Does anyone know if there is anything like that near the terminal that we could walk to and kill time until 2:30pm?  Thanks for any suggestions.

We just got our boarding time for our cruise out of Rotterdam as 2:30 pm.  We have to check out of our Rotterdam Hotel at Noon.  I'm thinking we will go to the port and check our bags and then was hoping there might be a casual lunch restaurant that would be walkable from the cruise terminal.  Just looking for something light...perhaps a sandwich or something.  Does anyone know if there is anything like that near the terminal that we could walk to and kill time until 2:30pm?  Thanks for any suggestions.  

7 hours ago, SimplyMarvie said:

The falls are gorgeous, and a nice gentle safe hike. There are other good walks in the area -- I think that's what half of our ship did last summer when we were there. There's also some nice handicrafts in the library, with a cute photo-worthy church and a little viking hut. 

 

We were able to get in pretty late with an "Iceland in Miniature" bus tour from Snæfellsnes Excursions, which was lovely. I don't think the forum rules allow me to post their contact information, but they're less well known than the big providers and might be able to squeeze you in. We loved the tour, and it was a great day out. 

Thank you for helping me sort out this port.  Good to know that you felt the falls were walkable from where we would be tendering in.  I did find the tour company you are discussing but it looks like most things offered are going to this area from Reykjavik.  Surely nothing listed with "Iceland in the Minature".  Are you saying that you were able to do both the hike and take the tour or are you discussing two different trips?  In any case, thank you so much for offering other ideas.  It honestly is so appreciated.

We are taking a TransAtlantic cruise from Rotterdam to Boston next month.  I have had all my plans in place for all of the ports other than Grundafjord, Iceland for quite some time.  We prefer not to take ship tours, but the few tour companies that seem to offer tours have been booked long ago.  And yet I still keep looking in hopes of finding something, even just something minor.  The town is obviously extremely small and basically not much there to wander around.  They have no need for cabs in a small town since I figured I could even take kayaks out but that is 1/2 an hour away and no way to get there.  Does anyone have any suggestions that maybe I'm just missing?  I'm honestly happy doing much of anything in life and my interests are far and wide.  But best I have so far is walking around their houses in hopes to racking up steps on my Fitbit.  Hahaha.  Ideas?  Anyone?  

11 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

It was.  And the one Jeep owner I know is not happy that it's migrated to other places.

Perhaps, but if the truth be known, cruise ships started it in 2018.  Jeeps didn't start til 2020.  

43 minutes ago, jonesbk said:

 

 

Very interesting that the ducks have made their way into cruise ships. I just thought it was a Jeep thing (I’m not a Jeep guy). 
 

 

Ducks on the ship started in 2018.  Ducks on the jeep started in 2020.  Just sayin'    😉

1 hour ago, sansterre said:

I have hidden ducks on three ships, most recently on the Rotterdam Grand Africa last Fall.  It seems that most ducks were found by staff cleaning crew as they were always gone the next day and nothing was ever reported on Facebook.  

You too can participate in hiding them!  Just follow the rules in the cruising ducks guide.

As most have found, most ducks that are found are not ever reported.  Many people don't even have FB.  They find them and as the tag says, it is their choice if they keep them or rehide them.  If the cleaning crew it finding them or any crew for that matter, MANY of them are actually reporting them.  One post on FB had two guys in their cabin with probably a good 20 ducks on the bed, with them giving the thumbs up and saying how it helps their long days of working, go faster when they find one.  Just because they are working, doesn't mean they don't like to get a smile in their days.  

As far as the cruising duck rules....I'll post here since as I said, some don't have FB and can't find the rules.  You do NOT have to have FB to participate.  The simple rules are....you can hide them any where on the ship, but NOT in the pool or jucuzzis and not in any gift shop.  The pool and jucuzzi is that if there is a child on board and they see a duck floating in a pool, it could end badly if they fall in trying to get it.  No shops is obvious in that if people start walking out of shops without paying for things, it will cause all sorts of problems.  Happy Duck hunting.  

2 minutes ago, gregma60 said:

That is so cool!  I do hope this happens on our cruise, my wife would love searching for those on our 2 ocean days, and after excursions, etc. 

 

-gregma

According to the HAL forum on FB, all of the ships seem to have passengers wanting to hide a few ducks.  People check in over there with a picture of the duck they found and what ship along with where the person is from that hid it.  I hope your wife finds one since I actually got a young girl giggle when I found my first one.  I wasn't even looking other than a place I could hide one of mine.  I'm an old lady and still got a kick out of it.  Happy hunting.  

Yes, this is something that has been going on for many years on all cruise lines.  I first heard about it on my HAL cruise at the dinner table...the one 7vweek cruise that COVID cut short.  :-(. But he was laughing about the duck he found and at the time, I felt it odd since there weren't really any children on this cruise.  But then, I kept hearing reading about it on F.B. and on my last January cruise, I figured I would bring some ducks to hide.  While looking for places to hide mine, I found 6 tagged ducks with the same saying....to rehide it or keep it....you decide.  So I have kept the six with the original tags of what ship it was on and the date.  I will be adding 6 new tags of my own that will have the name Zuiderdan with the July dates of this upcoming Transatlantic cruise.  Will also buy a few more themed ducks of my own....viking ducks ...since this is called the Viking itinerary. Silliness?  Perhaps, but it is good clean fun for a sea day.  No one has to look for OR hide ducks, but often they are found accidentally and it is kind of fun to find out what state they came from.  One of my ducks came from a person from Japan.  I'll add my tag from New Hampshire from a cruise leaving from Rotterdam.  So yes, this game is still out there.  But surely no obligation to get involved.  

4 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

All HAL ships have "stage shows"   - the type of show varies by itinerary.    For cruises less than 14 days you will probably see Step One Dance Company three of 4 times -  The Cast Singers and Dancers are back on some sailings - 4 singers and 4 dancers (backing track) - so far only on Grand Voyages - but that may change.

 

You may see both, but most likely SODC on shorter sailings...

 

Here is a sample of Step One

 

FYI the MAASDAM is no longer with Holland America.  She is now the MS Renaissance soon to start service with a French Cruise line.

 

Thank you for your reply.  Actually, the reason for my note is that when we were on Maasdam,  even before our cruise, they said that this ship would NOT be having any stage shows for our 7 week cruise from Sydney, Australia to San Diego.  They said it was something they were trying out.  Lots of seminars in that space which we also love, but I did miss that there was no type of ANY stage show on that sailing for 7 weeks.  On that sailing, our Captain was sailing his last tour with this particular cruise, so sad it was cut short due to covid for him and his family that he had also brought on board for his last sailing.  But there was talk of that ship being sold even back then, so it doesn't surprise me it happened.  

Since this will be our first cruise with HAL since that sailing (just got back from a cruise on another line), I was just wondering how things had progressed on the stage show topic.  Our upcoming cruise will be 20 days, so won't fall into your category of 2 weeks or less.  I did enjoy your videos and I guess it sounds like we are in a category of "wait and see".  No worries.  Was just curious if anyone know.  Thanks for replying.

6 hours ago, Nang said:

You will see dancers to recorded music (no singing) who I believe have 3-4 different routines. Perhaps a comedian and/or magician for 1 or 2 shows and likely guest musical performer who specialises with an instrument and performs perhaps twice. No traditional stage shows whatsoever.

By July I expect the classical group who currently play 6 nights a week will be travelling from one ship to another to perform a small number of performances on the main stage before moving on. There will be two piano players/singers working together and a rock band or BB Kings blues band that will play 6 nights a week (2-3 shows a night in a large bar area).

 

If you look through the posts on this board you will see much discussion and debate about this topic. 

Thank you so much for the guidance.  I did try to do a search before writing here, but guess I wasn't plugging in the right key words.  Mistake was probably trying to plug it in for this particular ship since I thought on our last cruise with HAL just before covid, they were saying the change was specific to that ship, but I guess you are saying that it is through the whole line.  We obviously will enjoy whatever it is, but being a lover of musical theater, I always use to love the shows, no matter what the quality.  But all is good.  Thank you again for responding.  So appreciated.  

We were on Maasdam at the time covid hit, cutting our cruise short.  At that time, they did not have stage shows.  Does anyone know if this is across all cruise ships with HAL now or was it just that ship?  We will be on Zuiderdam for a TransAtlantic in July and I know when we were on Westerdam, they did still have stage shows, but that was further back?  I'm discussing perhaps a musical show with their cast.  Any info is greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

4 hours ago, Ilovesailaway said:

Ironing rooms are across from the following cabins:

4320

5390

9394

14396

15393

Ahhhh, great detail.  Thank you.

6 hours ago, snowballs mom said:

Yes, they have very nice ironing rooms with two irons/ironing boards in each. The rooms are spacious, have a sink and the air conditioning works well.

Thank you so much.  Very appreciated.

We haven't cruised Carnival in a very long time. Can anyone tell me if the Celebration has the ironing rooms?  I assume no laundromat, but can you iron for elegant night?  Thanks for any help.

19 hours ago, susi_q said:

I know nothing of their classes … but owned and taught a sip and paint business and had 1500 students over the years, most of which said the same thing on their first visit … but with a good teacher you do not to be creative on your own … just able to follow instruction. 

Thank you.  I've seen these classes around the U.S. but since I am the opposite of artistic, I have never tried one.  But hey...this is vacation and doing something different is always a plus.  Thanks for your comment.  

6 hours ago, Steve_MI said:

We’ve only ever cruised with Celebrity before and are heading out on Carnival Celebration with friends. We really love Celebrity and don’t know what to expect. Any thoughts, tips, or pointers?

We have been on all of the main stream cruise lines and even some that aren't mainstream.  Each cruise line seems to have its own personality and it's the differences that keep us hopping from line to line vs many that are doing a good job racking up their points with a particular cruise line.  We love Celebrity although even within that, we have found big differences from ship to ship.  Carnival is nicknamed the "fun ship" and you will find many more activies ...some a bit crazier than you experienced on Celebrity.  We will be heading out on the Celebration next weekend, so can't vouch for the ship, but definitely looking forward to it.  I do have to say that the food is much higher quality on Celebrtiy, but often the entertainment on Carnival has Celebrity beat.  They will all have things you like or dislike in comparision, but go in expecting to have fun and you will.  Bon Voyage!!!