Live-- “Eh” to “G’day” – Vancouver to Sydney on Radiance 2014

[AussieVisi2r]

Sunday 21st September

Cruise Day 10 – Nawilliwili, Lihou, Island of Kuai Hawaii

 

 

TIP - Don't hang your washing out on a port day - especially when you are right where people get on and off!

 

 

Todays car hire was with Thrifty. I sat at the pick up point for about 20 minutes. Eventually a guy from Dollar (sister company) saw me and said me would run me up He was the best shuttle driver and gave a great commentary. “now open the map at page 44. Se………., now go here, then dot this…” He earned his tip. There were 5 groups in front of me at Thrifty and one person serving! Took over 75 minutes form pier to car. Will not recommend them.

 

I was picking the others up at 11.30 so I went for a drive through a very fancy resort. All the resorts here have golf courses and all have chooks! Hundreds of chooks. Chooks everywhere!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AussieVisi2r]

I collected Dad and Juan Diego (THE Concierge) and headed off for our adventure. We drove up the highway then turn back down a small road, that eventually led back to the pier. We saw some Alekoko fish ponds were fish were trapped and then used by the Royals. It was also one of the sites used for the filming of Jurassic Park.

 

 

 

 

 

These guys had had a swim and were sashing themselves off with water from the esky/chilly bin/ice box/cooler. COLD!!!

 

 

Chooks. Even on the golf courses.

 

[AussieVisi2r]

We had been told on many occasions that the “Cashew and Prawn Wontons’ at Dukes on the beach were a must – so off we went. They were fantastic.

 

 

 

 

As was the bar and the beach. Not a surf beach but a fun safe little beach walking distance from the ship.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 24, 2014 by AussieVisi2r

[AussieVisi2r]

Our big adventure for the day was another flight!! This time a fixed wing flight. It was a 60 minutes flight and only $125 each. Great value. We flew with Air ventures and they were fabulous.

 

We flew over most of the island. Coastline, jungle, waterfalls (including the big one used in Jurassic Park, the squiilion dollar resorts and golf complexes, the only navigable river in Hawaii, and over “the Grand Canyon of Hawaii”. You know how every one has a

“Grand Canyon of Yellowstone” or “Ayres Rock of wherever”?? Well this one was amazing!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AussieVisi2r]

The Grand Canyon of Hawaii

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[thetexasaggiecruiser]

Thank you so much for these updates! The pictures are wonderful (did your underwater camera dry up, or are you using a different one for the landscapes?) Looks like you and your Daddy are having a ball. The helicopter tours look awesome.

[AussieVisi2r]

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 24, 2014 by AussieVisi2r

[AussieVisi2r]

Thank you so much for these updates! The pictures are wonderful (did your underwater camera dry up, or are you using a different one for the landscapes?) Looks like you and your Daddy are having a ball. The helicopter tours look awesome.

 

Yes we are having fun!!! And the camera seems t have dried out. I might try it in the pool tomorrow! But it will still be going back. The leak was into the working part (not in the battery part) so i guess there is salt in there.

 

 

Raina

[AussieVisi2r]

 

 

 

 

[AussieVisi2r]

Mon 22nd September Honolulu Turn around day.

 

Doing a B2B is a glorious feeling. Everyone is rushing around packing, and feeling sad. And you get to sit there feeling smug!

 

It is very sad saying goodbye to al the lovely people you have spent time with, knowing some you will be in contact with for a long time, some you will never see again.

 

We headed into Honolulu for the morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was then back on board to settle into our new room aka family suite 8668 and to meet all of our new friends in the CL.

 

 

.

[AussieVisi2r]

Two Bedroom Suite or Family Suite.

 

Radiance has 4 two bedroom suites.

 

Deck 7 - Aft corner. HUGE lounge room and walk in robe in master. The master is much bigger. Huge bathroom in master. 2nd bedroom is a bit smaller. More noise on docking.

 

Deck 8 - Aft corner. lounge room, no walk in robe. Biggest deck.

 

Deck 9 - Aft corner. lounge room. Walk in robe. big deck.

 

Deck 10 - Next to the elevators. Deck is almost non existent. Much smaller than a normal balcony. Noise from elevators in master bedroom.

 

8668.

 

This is a full suite with all the extras. It is not as glamourous as a Grand Suite but is fantastic for groups

 

You walk in to a front entry, then turn into the lounge room. The second bathroom is straight ahead.

 

 

Lounge has a double sofa bed table and four chairs, 2 big chairs and a large TV on a bench with coffee, wine glasses etc. It is kind of a wedge shape. Has a closet and two other cupboards.

 

 

 

Looking back from towards the door.

[AussieVisi2r]

Master bedroom and bathroom.

 

 

 

 

 

2nd bedroom. As it's only used by one I move the cupboard and push the bed up against the wall. That gives Dad more room to get in. t is a small room. Note the pullman beds above. Cupboard space would be a huge issue if 4 were sharing this room.

 

 

2nd bathroom is a standard small bathroom as in all the non suite rooms.

 

 

Deck has a very thin wrap around and then room for table for 4 and sun bed and a coffee/ cocktail table.

 

[goodycruising]

How are you finding the 2 bedroom suite compared to the two E cat balconies? It does look nice, and without being rude (and personal by asking the price, don't need to know that), was there much price difference between the two options roughly? So look forward to checking out your updates. We only have about a month to go till we sail Solstice. This is a really good entrée. :)

[CRUISEBOY305]

very very nice suite you have there missy. hope you're enjoying the second half of you trip. Really enjoying your photos.

[AussieVisi2r]

How are you finding the 2 bedroom suite compared to the two E cat balconies? It does look nice, and without being rude (and personal by asking the price, don't need to know that), was there much price difference between the two options roughly? So look forward to checking out your updates. We only have about a month to go till we sail Solstice. This is a really good entrée. :)

 

I do love the 2 bedroom suites. Compared to the 2 x e2 - we had about the same floor space in the bed end and much better cupboards in the e2. Everything else in the 2 bed is better. One bathroom has a bath and is quiet flash. The lounge is great (especially when Sarah my DD arrives in Tahiti). The balcony is much bigger (and since the dividers don't open on Radiance) and sociably. Dad loves it for the 'living in a home' effect. It is not as flash as a GRand Suite ie no marble benches etc but still nicer than a balcony and so much room.

AND of course the suite benefits are great - already had Breakfast with the captain, cheese board, fruit plate and the Concierge Club! And it's only day 3.

 

Costs in Australia are stupid!!! WE paid 7.5 k each for the e2's:eek: The 2bed was coming up regularly for around 17k. So an extra 3k (including adding DD).

As a VERY ROUGH guide it is usually 1 or 2 K more than the advertised owners suite price. SOme times a bit less than the Owners.

 

But yes - I think they are worth it for a group. -Especially if you are not D+

[Superspeechie]

Thanks for the pics of the 2 bedroom suite. I'm booked in this room in jan, there's hardly any info online about these rooms so I greatly appreciate the photos. Great review too.

[goodycruising]

Wow, thank you for going into details. I can see that the prices next year at the same time look to be around that also. Single occupying on rooms does get very dear doesn't it. Although many Radiance trips are getting VERY expensive in general, and we have gone back to Voyager/Explorer for our next couple of bookings. Even Solstice came up cheaper recently. I am glad your Dad is enjoy the 2br suite, and yes, suite benefits are a nice bonus in our opinion too. :)

Edited September 25, 2014 by goodycruising

[AussieVisi2r]

We have just crossed the Equator.

 

Having a lovely relaxing few sea days!

 

Any Radiance questions while I have time to hunt out answers?

[Superspeechie]

Just wondering about the suite perks on radiance. Is there a separate area for breakfast for suite guests? I've read the open speciality restaurants for breakfast for suites on other ships. Just wondering if this was the case for radiance? Thanks

[boeckli]

We have just crossed the Equator.

 

Having a lovely relaxing few sea days!

 

Any Radiance questions while I have time to hunt out answers?

 

Thanks again for sharing all your great photos and taking us along for the ride ... Very much looking forward to joining Radiance next month :)

 

A couple of questions if I may -

 

1. DH wants to know if there is a place onboard to smoke either a pipe or a cigar (not cigarettes!)

 

2. We'll be in a D2 - what kind of power point(s) apart from the US 110V ones?

 

3. Priority tendering - is it available for Diamonds or only D+ ?

 

TIA

Edited September 27, 2014 by boeckli

[Sellwood]

We are in a D2 stateroom on the same cruise and the powerpoints are:

two US style 110V and two German style 240V - both are on the desk.

A low power US style outlet for shavers in in the toilet.

[boeckli]

We are in a D2 stateroom on the same cruise and the powerpoints are:

two US style 110V and two German style 240V - both are on the desk.

A low power US style outlet for shavers in in the toilet.

 

Thanks :)

[AussieVisi2r]

Thanks again for sharing all your great photos and taking us along for the ride ... Very much looking forward to joining Radiance next month :)

 

A couple of questions if I may -

 

1. DH wants to know if there is a place onboard to smoke either a pipe or a cigar (not cigarettes!)

 

2. We'll be in a D2 - what kind of power point(s) apart from the US 110V ones?

 

3. Priority tendering - is it available for Diamonds or only D+ ?

 

TIA

 

Hello.

 

1 there is no cigar bar any more, but smoking on deck 5, 11 and in the casino.I've seen pipes and cigars there.

 

Great answer to 2 above BUT beware the outlets are very low to the bench so don't use adaptors/power plugs that point downwards. Make sure they point sideways. (does that make sense?)

 

3 Priority is from the CL so for D+ and above. :(

 

Raina

[nappa]

I have some friends that are travelling on this trip. Both called Tracey, both great fun, so if you do bump into them say hi from Tracey 1.

[boeckli]

Hello.

 

1 there is no cigar bar any more, but smoking on deck 5, 11 and in the casino.I've seen pipes and cigars there.

 

Great answer to 2 above BUT beware the outlets are very low to the bench so don't use adaptors/power plugs that point downwards. Make sure they point sideways. (does that make sense?)

 

3 Priority is from the CL so for D+ and above. :(

 

Raina

 

Thanks Raina and yes, the added power points info does make a lot of sense.

Edited September 28, 2014 by boeckli