Let's go on a virtual NZ and Australia cruise

[possum52]

43 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

I want Crooners! More specifically, the version of Crooners that is on Sea and Sun Princess, that uses the whole of the space around the atrium on that deck. It has a piano, and a decent-sized dance floor in front of the piano although tables are set out on the dance floor during the day as Crooners is also a café then, with really good coffee. Why Crooners? It’s always seemed the heart of the ship on Princess, even the half sized Crooners. Majestic Princess just didn’t seem like a true Princess ship without Crooners on one side of the atrium and the pop-up Crooners was awful.

 

I want a quiet, relaxing viewing lounge looking forward over the bow. A bit like the Sky Lounge on Celebrity (which I love except it’s too noisy sometimes) but with three generous tiers so everyone can see the views. The tiers are accessed by ramps so wheelchairs, scooters etc can handle them easily. Comfy sofas for two with coffee tables alternate with larger tables with four or six chairs around them. Gentle background music plays in the background. It’s a place for reading or knitting or doing jigsaw puzzles, for quiet conversation, or just gazing out to sea. It’s also a café/bar and at 3:30pm a lavish afternoon tea is served. From 7:30pm onwards you can also order an elegant degustation dinner at one of the tables on the top tier(s) but these are limited so ensure you book. This place is one of the best places to enjoy a cocktail when leaving port, especially leaving Dunedin.

 

I’d like to have a lounge that doubles as a second theatre but is set-up like Club Fusion on Princess (rather than the Vista Lounge layout), with small booths and tables on tiered levels. I much prefer this set-up for trivia, and it would work well for small shows, and as a cabaret. There would be a dance floor, of course, and a reasonable sized stage but not as large as the stage in the main theatre.

 

There has to be a bar/cafe overlooking the wake, preferably at least partially undercover but open at the sides. Another great place to have a cocktail during sailaways.

I second a Crooners style bar, our favourite   indoor bar and a bar overlooking the wake, such a great place to relax. But then with our wonderful suite and balcony and having such a well stocked minibar we might find that is our favourite place for a drink if we don’t feel like socialising. I am, believe it or not quite shy and don’t  find meeting new people easy. Rob is the opposite usually. So sometimes I’m happy to spend time in our suite. 

[SeaDog-46]

Mic - she looked & sang Awsome.

At time of photo on Noordam she was 51 years old.

 

Born in Taree in 1965.

[possum52]

We had a fabulous afternoon and evening in Rotorua. I’ll let Lyle tell you about our day there. Today we wandered along the beach at Mt Maunganui and enjoyed the beautiful weather before returning to the ship for a late lunch. I spent the rest of the afternoon reading on our balcony and Rob napped and then went for a walk around the ship. 

[Blackduck59]

For the bluegrass fan, I wonder if we can get Alison Kraus and Union Station?

[shipgeeks]

Re bars and lounges, I agree that a Sky Lounge sort of place, high and forward, with wall-to-wall windows, is our favorite.  We will be there each evening to chat (or not), have a nice drink, and scan the seas for whales and other creatures.

Then, during perhaps the half hour before dinner, we'll head down to the dance area adjacent to the dining room and get in a few merengues.  Back again after dinner for a few more.

It's not a bar, but we will certainly spend some late night time strolling the Promenade Deck, looking at the moon and stars, and enjoying the fresh sea breezes.

What a wonderful life!

[OzKiwiJJ]

I forgot to mention that our next port will be Napier.

[Bubbeh]

11 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

For the bluegrass fan, I wonder if we can get Alison Kraus and Union Station?

That would be me 😁.  AK & US, OMG OMG OMG!!!!   Hey, given that this is magical ship, could we maybe possibly maybe get the Carter Family and a evening of Bill Munroe would just make my soul sing too.  For Mr Bubbeh, Johnny Cash would be the best!

Edited to ask for Patsy and Tammy and Dolly and and and and......................

Edited April 22, 2020 by Bubbeh

[OzKiwiJJ]

Keep a lookout for dolphins as we round East Cape. I've seen them there twice in the past, quite a large pod too.

[Aus Traveller]

My husband and I (Oops, I sound like the Queen) are on the ship, but have been so awestruck by it, that we haven't had time to catch up with you all. We have 'splashed the cash' this time, and booked a suite. It is fantastic!!

 

The all-inclusive drinks package goes down well, and may be one reason we haven't caught up with you all before this!!😉

 

Because we have been to all these ports several times, we have been taking it easy in the ports with just a brief time ashore. We have been indulging ourselves on board instead.

[Blackduck59]

38 minutes ago, Bubbeh said:

That would be me 😁.  AK & US, OMG OMG OMG!!!!   Hey, given that this is magical ship, could we maybe possibly maybe get the Carter Family and a evening of Bill Munroe would just make my soul sing too.  For Mr Bubbeh, Johnny Cash would be the best!

Edited to ask for Patsy and Tammy and Dolly and and and and......................

 

While this is indeed a fantasy cruise we probably have to stick on this astral plane. The best thing about Alison is she does excellent bluegrass but also mainstream too. I still remember the first I knew of her it was a video of "Every time you say goodbye" she is amazing my grandfather was a talented fiddle player and I grew up with "Old Time" music. I don't think we will turn this into a country music cruise but I doubt very many would balk at an Allison Kraus show.

[Bubbeh]

2 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

While this is indeed a fantasy cruise we probably have to stick on this astral plane.

That noise you hear if you listen real close is the sound of my heart breaking.  But I'm a resilient little vegemite and will get over this massive disappointment.

5 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

I grew up with "Old Time" music

I know that a lot of people refer to it as Old Time Music but to me it will always be Dirt Music.

 

Thanks anyway Blackduck59 for taking to the gates of heaven, even if only for a moment.   😉

[Blackduck59]

10 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

Re bars and lounges, I agree that a Sky Lounge sort of place, high and forward, with wall-to-wall windows, is our favorite.  We will be there each evening to chat (or not), have a nice drink, and scan the seas for whales and other creatures.

 

Sounds like a piano bar to me, maybe we should see if the cruise director can get "The Piano Man" Billy Joel to play a a couple nights.

[OzKiwiJJ]

10 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Sounds like a piano bar to me, maybe we should see if the cruise director can get "The Piano Man" Billy Joel to play a a couple nights.

Crooners is the piano bar.

[Blackduck59]

6 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Crooners is the piano bar.

Thank you Madame cruise director, could you book Billy Joel for a couple of shows please?

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Thank you Madame cruise director, could you book Billy Joel for a couple of shows please?

I'll see what I can do.

[OzKiwiJJ]

We also need a Jazz Bar/cafe on the ship, big enough for a small Jazz group to play but not too big otherwise you'd lose the atmosphere. Art deco / nouveau decor of course.

[Blackduck59]

Excellent

[Blackduck59]

1 minute ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We also need a Jazz Bar/cafe on the ship, big enough for a small Jazz group to play but not too big otherwise you'd lose the atmosphere. Art deco / nouveau decor of course.

 

May I suggest Vancouver Island's Dianna Krall? Maybe she can bring her Husband....Elvis Costello

[OzKiwiJJ]

I wish we could go back in time and get some of the jazz greats but even our magical ship can't do that.

[Blackduck59]

Micheal Buble another good Canadian boy would be great at Crooners and maybe Josh Groban with the ship's orchestra in the big theatre. How many sea days do we have?

[OzKiwiJJ]

4 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Micheal Buble another good Canadian boy would be great at Crooners and maybe Josh Groban with the ship's orchestra in the big theatre. How many sea days do we have?

Quite a few later in the cruise and one will be dedicated to discussing entertainment. In the meantime let's get those bars and lounges designed.

 

But Buble would be great.

[possum52]

Michael Buble would be amazing to have perform, one of my favourites too.  
 

Leigh

[Bubbeh]

22 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We also need a Jazz Bar/cafe on the ship, big enough for a small Jazz group to play but not too big otherwise you'd lose the atmosphere. Art deco / nouveau decor of course.

Oh yes please.  Can it also be purposed for acoustic blues?

[OzKiwiJJ]

9 minutes ago, Bubbeh said:

Oh yes please.  Can it also be purposed for acoustic blues?

Of course, "room of requirements" remember, the acoustics are always perfect for whatever the music requires.

[Blackduck59]

Well I don't know what Crooners looks like so I think a proper Piano bar needs a grand piano with the attached cocktail table with stools around the piano, house rule you have to move to a regular table after 15 minutes so everyone can get that up close vibe for a while.

 

The Jazz club needs to be Art Deco design, lots of stainless steel, rich burled woods with ebony accents. There should be a dance floor with a marquetry inlaid rendering of Poseidon