Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #101 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) Don't you just hate it when you're in the middle of uploading pictures and Windows 10 decides it needs to update the laptop and performs a restart without so much as an if you please? Who is the Captain, Cruise Director & Captain's Club Host on this sailing? The Master is Captain Yannis Berdos; the CD is Ben Powney; Captain's Club host is Rose Dalisay. Edited February 15, 2016 by NorbertsNiece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #102 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Before the laptop crashed a few pics uploaded so here's what I have so far. On Royal I was used to taking a pic of the day of the week in the lifts / elevators so here is a shot of the TV today..... Elite breakfast menu from Tuscan Grill; the OJ they have on offer isn't freshly squeezed. It's frozen freshly squeezed. I passed on that. That's a strawberry smoothie and really dry GF toast with the smoked salmon plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #103 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Tendering There's no line at all..... Specialty dining trying to drum up business...... NOW there's a line!! The line actually moves quite quickly I grab a bottle of water on my way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #104 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The lady giving out maps tells me she has known for passengers to miss the last tender back and then having to be transported Tauranga!! On the hunt for prohibited items The walk to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is scenic, easy and well signed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #105 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Choosing photos to post here is very difficult; the archive is huge and incredible. The Maori are and were an amazing people. The website for the Waitangi National Trust is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted February 15, 2016 #106 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Really enjoying "sailing" with you. I particularly loved the picture of the working Beagle. You can see by my avatar that I am a Beagle lover. I was allowed to pet the Beagle in Bermuda as he was off duty! Made my day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #107 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Really enjoying "sailing" with you. I particularly loved the picture of the working Beagle. You can see by my avatar that I am a Beagle lover. I was allowed to pet the Beagle in Bermuda as he was off duty! Made my day. I just love dogs. This is Colin. He is my granddog and was 7 on Valentine's day.... still struggling to upload the rest of today's pics. Hang in there!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beanb41 Posted February 15, 2016 #108 Share Posted February 15, 2016 When you guys get into Sydney for those doing the B@B we will be waiting to take your place. I am interested in knowing what sort of deals can be negotiated for the specialty restaurants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #109 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) When you guys get into Sydney for those doing the B@B we will be waiting to take your place. I am interested in knowing what sort of deals can be negotiated for the specialty restaurants There was a 2 for 1 offer at Silk Harvest on boarding day..... I'll keep an eye out on the 3rd for you for the others. There were no drinks package offers on boarding day. I'll certainly be looking to try the specialty restaurants on the next cruise as well as Oceanview for dinner..... have seen someone with sushi which is my comfort food; have decided to stick with the MDR for this cruise however so I can at least sample the whole menu. I had lunch at the Mast Grill today..... the Aquaspa had closed by the time I got back on board and I'd assumed (wrongly as it happens) that Oceanview would be shut so I opted for a burger and a frankfurter with the burger fillings without the buns..... was really delicious!! Highly recommend. There was clearly Gluten in something I ate but was worth it!! Edited February 15, 2016 by NorbertsNiece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'm from Oz Posted February 15, 2016 #110 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Don't you just hate it when you're in the middle of uploading pictures and Windows 10 decides it needs to update the laptop and performs a restart without so much as an if you please? The Master is Captain Yannis Berdos; the CD is Ben Powney; Captain's Club host is Rose Dalisay. Lots of crew changes then. Say hi to Rose :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beanb41 Posted February 15, 2016 #111 Share Posted February 15, 2016 There was a 2 for 1 offer at Silk Harvest on boarding day..... I'll keep an eye out on the 3rd for you for the others. There were no drinks package offers on boarding day. I'll certainly be looking to try the specialty restaurants on the next cruise as well as Oceanview for dinner..... have seen someone with sushi which is my comfort food; have decided to stick with the MDR for this cruise however so I can at least sample the whole menu. I had lunch at the Mast Grill today..... the Aquaspa had closed by the time I got back on board and I'd assumed (wrongly as it happens) that Oceanview would be shut so I opted for a burger and a frankfurter with the burger fillings without the buns..... was really delicious!! Highly recommend. There was clearly Gluten in something I ate but was worth it!! At different stages outside the Oceanview there will be one of the assistant maitre'ds touting for specialty business especially if there is a slow takeup on the restaurants. This in the past was mainly for Tuscan Grill and Silk Harvest so I would appreciate your comments going forward. I dont expect and drinks packages offers apart from "rack rate" right up until about 3 days out from Perth. Enjoying the comments and photos too date. Brings back memories of our B2B cruise last year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #112 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Ok I'm pretty much done in. Will leave the laptop turning over this upload and go to bed. Going with roll call friends on an excursion tomorrow in Tauranga so will need to be good to go..... I slept relatively well last night, only woke once..... clearly the motion of the ocean working its magic. I tried to watch the Aussie Boys honest I did...... managed the first number and headed back to my room with a glass of Bailey's during the next. The timings have changed but you get the idea. Will link to the tour operator if I can recommend. 9:30 Depart for Rotorua stopping at Maunganui Beach, Okere Falls and the Rain Forest 11:30 Arrive Te Puia for the Geysers, mud pools, kiwi birds, carving school. 13:00 Lunch 13:30 Depart Geothermal Village 13:40 Arrive Geothermal Village 14:00 Concert at Geothermal Village 15:30 Depart Geothermal Village for Government Gardens or Kuirau Park (for you to decide on the day) 16:30 Depart Rotorua 17:45 Arrive ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted February 15, 2016 #113 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Interesting you got celebrity pillow chocolates. We stayed in Aqua class on the Solstice in January and got what looked like halloween candy. We had Cadbury Favourites every night on our bed or as part of our towel animal :D Maybe with the change in Hotel Director (I think Mario has already departed) the chocolate selection has changed :rolleyes: On the cruise over Christmas they had Valrhona chocolate, alternating between milk and dark. I was in heaven! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEBOY305 Posted February 15, 2016 #114 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I regret not going to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds when I was there. :( Have a great day in Rotorua Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntjeG Posted February 15, 2016 #115 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Thank you so much for doing this blog! Brings back great memories of my AUS/NZ-cruise on the Solstice last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #116 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Not all images uploaded.... Independent New Zealand In 1835 an assembly of rangatira (tribal leaders) at Waitangi put their signatures to a document that declared this country's independence. They asked the British Government for its recognition and they got it. There was a short film depicting the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #117 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #118 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The walk through the forest is amazing. It's well signed for the various trees and bushes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #119 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The Flagstaff..... if you squint you can see Solstice in the background.... marks the spot where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on Feb 6th 1840. It was erected by the New Zealand Navy in 1947. The flags flying are three official New Zealand flags : the Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand (from 1834), the Union Flag (from 1840) and the New Zealand Flag (from 1902) The carved Meeting House, Te Whare Runanga stands facing the Treaty House. The two buildings together symbolise the partnership between Maori and the British Crown. The Meeting House was opened on 6th Feb 1940, the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #120 Share Posted February 15, 2016 The gardens are extremely well tended Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #121 Share Posted February 15, 2016 War Canoes The world's largest ceremonial war canoe Ngatokimatawhaorua is 35 metres long and needs a minimum of 76 paddlers to handle it safely on the water. The canoes are launched every 6th Feb as part of the Waitangi Day celebrations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #122 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Each pillar is unique I head back to the pier...... They had various shows / activities I could have participated in but I wanted to see Paihia and Russell so regretfully had to leave. This is well worth spending a day at..... there's a cafe.... I've not really shown half of the documented and illustrated story of who the Maori are and the real sense of their amazing character and fortitude that led them to achieve this remarkable outcome. Their psyche is extraordinary.... I am in awe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NorbertsNiece Posted February 15, 2016 Author #123 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I was up at silly o'clock this morning so had some time to kill to battle with the internet..... everything is so slow web pages time out...... very frustrating when I'm trying to reassure myself that a payment for a tour today actually went through. Here are the dailies for the 15th, Bay of Islands and today the 16th, Tauranga. 02-15 - Bay of Islands, New Zealand (1).pdf 02-16 - Tauranga, New Zealand (1).pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted February 15, 2016 #124 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Sorry you are having troubles with the Internet. Colin is a lovely little dog. Bet he's missing you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chermilo Posted February 15, 2016 #125 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Is the internet as slow as on Rhapsody? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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