Mariner Grand Pacific Paradise Voyage: Miami - Sydney, 10/10 -12/15/2018 - Rich48100

[papaflamingo]

On 11/23/2018 at 2:02 AM, Travelcat2 said:

Happy Thanksgiving from the Voyager where it is about 9:00 a.m.  

 

I keep repeating myself but these pictures are wonderful - enjoying every one!

 

IOO (in our opinion), John Barron’s show is top notch!  Did they do a Thanksgiving Parade on Mariner?  They are doing a “Country Fair” on Voyager.

 

Continue to enjoy your cruise.  When we get home on thee 26th, I’ll be able to spend more time reading this blog

Travelcat, There was no Thanksgiving Parade on Mariner. 

[Travelcat2]

10 hours ago, papaflamingo said:

Travelcat, There was no Thanksgiving Parade on Mariner. 

Did you have a country fair?

[tnr]

Hi travelcat.  We did not have a country fair as we were docked in Samoa and most people were out on excursions.  We did have another terrific turkey dinner though.  And the Social Hostess, Marla, wore a fabulous turkey costume for the morning message.  I laughed all day.

[Travelcat2]

50 minutes ago, tnr said:

Hi travelcat.  We did not have a country fair as we were docked in Samoa and most people were out on excursions.  We did have another terrific turkey dinner though.  And the Social Hostess, Marla, wore a fabulous turkey costume for the morning message.  I laughed all day.

 

So glad to hear that Thanksgiving was so much fun on Mariner.  I can't believe that no one at our table ate turkey last night.  I love turkey but prefer it in La Veranda where they carve the bird while you wait.  Somehow it seems more moist.  Hoping that other turkey will show up for lunch over the weekend.

 

Enjoying this blog - particularly since you are now in areas that we have not been to.  Are you staying in Sydney after the cruise?

 

papaflamingo:  really hope that you post a review about your first Regent cruise (and it is a long one!). I'd enjoy reading it.

[mrlevin]

11 hours ago, tnr said:

  And the Social Hostess, Marla, wore a fabulous turkey costume for the morning message.  I laughed all day.

 

Will Marla be on through the Australia Circumnavigation?  Or, will Nicola be replacing her prior to that cruise?

 

thanks,

 

Marc

[rich48100]

Had a wonderful day in Fiji.  Started with a nice Brunch for all Grand Voyagers.  Attended by most folks and many ships personnel.   Next our excursion, Navua  River by longboat.  Drove for about an hour to the jetty where we changed into our “going to get wet clothes”.  We were assured we will get wet whether we like it or not.  We did,  but that was ok.  Got to our destination, nice waterfall with swimming at the base.  Back on the boats to lunch and demonstration about Fiji culture.  Back on bus  to get back to the ship.  We were so lucky again not to get rained on as all were  predicting rain. 

 

Once back on ship, cleaned up and went to dinner at the pool grill.  Now the rains came, but it was ok as we were all back from excursions and under cover.  Well attended as many were tired after days excursions and just wanted to relax and not get all dressed up.

 

A good day overall.  Enjoy a few photos.

 

 

[papaflamingo]

On 11/24/2018 at 8:47 AM, Travelcat2 said:

 

 

papaflamingo:  really hope that you post a review about your first Regent cruise (and it is a long one!). I'd enjoy reading it.

Travelcat.. I will do a review when we get home.  I'll likely focus it more on my impressions and thoughts on the cruise since were doing the "day by day" part now.  A "teaser," I'm loving Regent so far!  😎

[tnr]

Marq, Marla will be leaving in December to attend a big birthday party for her mother.  I will find out if Nicola will be her replacement.

Terri

[Travelcat2]

On 11/24/2018 at 12:30 PM, papaflamingo said:

Travelcat.. I will do a review when we get home.  I'll likely focus it more on my impressions and thoughts on the cruise since were doing the "day by day" part now.  A "teaser," I'm loving Regent so far!  😎

 

I was thinking how great it would be if you did  review in the "Review" section of CC.  That way, when this thread eventually disappears, your review will be on CC indefinitely.  Really think that your input would be valuable for others to read.

[tnr]

Marq, you will have a new to Regent social hostess.  Her name is Samantha.  She will be getting onboard in Auckland and spend time with Marla before she disembarks in Sydney.

 

Travelcat, we will be getting off in Auckland and flying to Melbourne.  Will be spending a week with friends before heading home.

 

[rich48100]

On our way to Norfolk Island today after a great excursion yesterday.  Did the Savala island snorkeling, and it was so much more than that.  Had the island to ourselves, and no other tour companies came to the island during our stay.  6 hour tour including lunch that went by way to fast.  Besides a guided snorkeling tour you could kayak, paddle board, glass bottom boat, and do some lounging in the shade.  Lunch was good, and we had tea and cakes before leaving.  On the way back to the ship the crew broke out in some American classics singing and instrument play.  All in all a great excursion.  Forgot to mention that the excursion was in Lautoka, Fiji.  On the other side of the island from Suva.  Sunny and dry side.

 

two sea days full of activities coming up before Norfolk Island.

 

here are some photos from our excursion.

Edited November 25, 2018 by rich48100
Added some text

[MalbecWine]

Beautiful photos.

[papaflamingo]

On 11/26/2018 at 9:13 AM, Travelcat2 said:

 

I was thinking how great it would be if you did  review in the "Review" section of CC.  That way, when this thread eventually disappears, your review will be on CC indefinitely.  Really think that your input would be valuable for others to read.

Will do!  It will be a fun way to remember the whole cruise.  I also know how much other reviews have helped me.  😎

[papaflamingo]

We were on the same tour to Savala Island as Rich was.  I'll just add a few thoughts and photos.  Agree with Rich, this was a wonderful day.  After arriving at the island we also did the snorkeling tour, watched them feed some baby sharks, release a turtle that they had rehabbed for a few weeks back into the wild, had a great lunch, kayaked, drank beer, lounged under an umbrella.  Just a fantastic way to spend our last "Island day" before heading to the New Zealand/Australia leg of our cruise.  

A quick comment about Lautoka...The first recorded sighting of Lautoka by a European was on May 7, 1789 by Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty as he charted the western side of Fiji. As Lautoka is on the Western side, it is less rainy so we had a beautiful sunny day.  There was also a dramatic tide shift in Lautoka.  We debarked on deck 4 and boarded on deck 5!  The tide went out and it was that much of a change.  

After returning to the ship we simply relaxed until another great dinner at Compass Rose, then watched the 9 pm sail away from the aft veranda at the Horizon Lounge. 

Here are a few more pics of our day in Lautoka.

[rich48100]

Well, here we are at Norfolk Island.  Up early for an 8am excursion.  Captain then came on PA system to say we will not be able to tender to the island because swells were to high.

 

Oh well, would have been nice to go to island for a little while to see what it was like.  We will now have another sea day, more games and movies and eating and drinking. If someone has to do it, it may as well be me.

 

Here are a couple of pictures of Norfolk Island.  I at least saw it.

[papaflamingo]

As Rich said, a "drive by anchoring" at Norfolk Island.  Too bad, it looks like a beautiful Island.  Here are a few more pics.  

[WesW]

Papaflamingo/Jim & Margaret, Rich48100/Rich & Barbara; really enjoying (albeit vicariously from here in Atlanta) your continued entertaining Mariner Grand Voyage posts/outstanding photos.  Hope y'all enjoy New Zealand--what a beautiful country with extraordinarily friendly people.  And in about ten days, wishing you clear & sunny weather when your cruising the Duskey,  and the Doubtful fjords and especially when you cruise the fjords of Milford Sound.

[mrlevin]

On 11/25/2018 at 2:38 PM, tnr said:

Marq, you will have a new to Regent social hostess.  Her name is Samantha.  She will be getting onboard in Auckland and spend time with Marla before she disembarks in Sydney.

 

 

 

tnr, thanks!

 

Marc

 

PS Marq exists no more; all posts have been combined with my previous persona mrlevin

Edited November 29, 2018 by mrlevin
autocorrect issues

[papaflamingo]

On 11/28/2018 at 1:08 PM, WesW said:

Papaflamingo/Jim & Margaret, Rich48100/Rich & Barbara; really enjoying (albeit vicariously from here in Atlanta) your continued entertaining Mariner Grand Voyage posts/outstanding photos.  Hope y'all enjoy New Zealand--what a beautiful country with extraordinarily friendly people.  And in about ten days, wishing you clear & sunny weather when your cruising the Duskey,  and the Doubtful fjords and especially when you cruise the fjords of Milford Sound.

Thanks Wes.... it's been an absolutely wonderful cruise!  You and Ida did such a great job setting up this blog and your fantastic Meet and Mingle out of Honolulu!  Thanks again for all the work you both did. 

So many people are leaving the cruise in Auckland, including the Cruise Director and Captain!  It's like a whole new cruise.  The only familiar face will be Rich and Barbara!  But really looking forward to the "cold weather" portion.  

So many memories of Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea, etc.  What a beautiful part of the the world.  Now we sail to sheep, wineries, and Middle Earth.  Really looking forward to it.  But it was a bit bittersweet packing up the snorkeling gear.

Today was an absolutely beautiful day at sea.  Calm, sunny, perfect weather.  Had a great German lunch at the Pool Grill followed by saying goodbye to so many new friends, and a quick dip in the pool.  A wonderful day, but will miss all our new friends.   

. 

Edited November 29, 2018 by papaflamingo

[rich48100]

WesW(Wes & Ida):  we are glad you continue to enjoy our posts.  Pleasure traveling with you, and maybe will see you down the road.

 

arrived in Auckland to clouds, but no rain.  Went on a turnaround day excursion, north side and Davenport, and nice scenery and views of the harbor.  Made it back to the ship for lunch, and now time for a little nap before lifeboat drill.  Tomorrow it is off to Hobbitown.  After we pulled in here comes a huge ship, the Golden Princess.  Probably about 3000 people.  Mariner is dwarfed, but I like the Mariner much better.

 

here are a few pics from today.

[papaflamingo]

We did as Rich, spent a nice, but a bit gray, day in seeing part of Auckland, and then a nice tour of Devonport.  We opted to spend some time in Devonport and walked the shops and had a great lunch in the Pub.  Got back to the ship about 4 pm for our mandatory Muster Drill.  Figure this is number 3 for us.  Pretty sure we finally have it down. 😜 Had a light dinner at the Pool Grill then watched sail away from the aft deck of the Horizon Lounge.

Here are a few more pics of Devonport

[rich48100]

Yesterday we were docked at Tangarua. So the trip to Hobbiton yesterday turned out much better than expected when we left the ship.  It was rainy, cold and windy.  Everyone’s umbrella from the ship were turning inside out, so no use at all.  On the bus for ride to Hobbiton, near Rotorua, continual rain and wind.  Arrive at Hobbiton, and the wind was lessening and the rain was letting up.  Started the tour and the rain miraculously stopped and the wind let up.  Turned out to be a nice day for touring the site.

 

if you are a “Lord of the Rings” fan, I highly recommend it. Interesting site, loads of insight into buildings and filming of the movie and characters.  Beautiful location.

 

after the tour, scones, muffins and a drink.  Nice way to end the day at Hobbiton.  On the way back, started raining again and rained continually to the ship.  Again, driving rain, wind and cold.  We really lucked out at Hobbiton.

 

here are a few pics.

[papaflamingo]

Yesterday we were with Rich and Barbara at Hobbiton Movie Set.  As Rich said, the "gods" blessed us with the stoppage of rain for our visit!  We really enjoyed it.  

Today we made it to Gisborne.

Gisborne is the Eastern most city in the country of New Zealand and, therefore, the first city in the World to see the sun rise.  With a population of about 35,000 it is well known for surfing, fishing, and great wines. Chardonnay is the grape that Gisborne is most famous for, but they produce a number of other wonderful wines also. 

We took a tour that included a drive around the area and a stop at 2 very nice wineries, Bushmere Estates and Matawhero Wineries.  We thoroughly enjoyed both stops, but preferred the Bushmere Estates wines.  Gisborne is also a major exporter of Pine.  They export around 300,000 tons per month! Apparently it is an area where the reproduction of pine is the shortest time span in the world!  

After the wonderful day we enjoyed a relaxing sail away.  Tomorrow we are in Wellington, NZ.  

[Hambagahle]

WOW!  That last photo is really dramatic!!  

[rich48100]

Made it to Wellington yesterday, and the weather turned out to be stunning.  Warm, no wind, sunny.  Perfect.  Our tour “In the footsteps of the Lord of the Rings” was enjoyable and quite informative if you are a Lord of the Rings fan.  Went to Weta workshop, where they showed us a film about the origins of the place and also showed us about the making and use of some of the props and costumes.

 

we then went to some of the locations where scenes were shot of the firs Lord of the Rings movie. Showed photos, and then some identifying trees so we could picture the scene.  Gave us a history of the scene shooting.  Really a good presentation. Went to Mt Victoria lookout for some spectacular views of Wellington.

 

Here are a few photos, but can’t do the entire tour justice with only a few photos.