Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

 

DH chats to the guide, while I wander about the site, taking photos and enjoying the view.

 

 

The mist is clearing and I can see over to the coast. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decide to wait on the coach.

[ellie1145]

I take a last look round and take some final photos before joining DH on the coach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ‘powder room.’🙀 I think I will give it a miss.....

 

We sit on the bus and wait for the rest of the party to appear.  We are offered some delicious fruit while we wait. 

 

Soon the rest of the group will be returning and we will be on our way back to the ship..... or will we????

[ellie1145]

A Salutory Tale, or ‘Knitting Keeps Me From Stabbing People.’                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     (Jennie Breaden)

 

 

 

 

While we wait for the rest of the group to return the lady and her little boy join us in the bus. The little lad is so tired he stretches out on one of the seats and falls fast asleep.

 

 

The rest of the group trickle back after an hour or so, and they seem to have enjoyed seeing the waterfall, and swimming in the pool, although they are very muddy and pretty exhausted.

 

Just as we get ready to leave, one of the party suddenly says ‘where’s my bag?’ She insists that she left her bag with her knitting in it, on her seat, on the coach, and now it’s gone. There is an immediate search of the bus, but it cannot be found.

 

When asked what the bag looked like she tells everyone that it’s blue and has a Princess logo  on the side........hmm,  just like the ones most of the passengers are holding. At this point there is a definite feeling of ‘it wasn’t me’ amongst those who have the famous blue bag with them.

 

A thorough search (thankfully we aren’t all required to be ‘patted down’ or strip searched!) reveals nothing, and the guide kindly says he will go back down to the waterfall in case she inadvertently left it down there.

 

By this time we are only an hour from the last tender back in port, so we are getting a little anxious, but the lady is VERY insistent that her precious knitting and bag have somehow disappeared. Two nurses onboard the coach are very anxious as they are due back to start a clinic.

 

Everyone sits and waits until the guide returns.....empty handed. No bag. Not even a whisper of a knitting needle, or a dropped stitch. It would appear that the bag, together with the precious knitting, has been stolen.....or taken by aliens.

 

So with great reluctance she agrees that we simply must return to the ship, or risk spending the night here.

 

The guides lock the gates and they all get on our bus as we will drop them off at their village lower down in the valley. 

 

When we arrive the last tender is loaded and waiting, and we are the final passengers to board the ship. I’ve often wondered how it must feel to be the last to board a ship, and cringe at the thought of running down the dock desperately hoping the ship will wait. Thankfully, it has never happened as DH (and I) like to be early for everything. But that’s how it feels today. We cannot run down the dockside, as we’re on a tender, but there is huge relief that the ship is still there, anchored out in the bay.

 

A little later in the cruise we spy the lady with the bag and her knitting, and you guessed it, she hadn’t brought it on the trip at all, it was sitting in her a cabin all the time!

 

This is certainly one tour to consider should you be fit and healthy. The views are really spectacular, but be aware that it’s a strenuous and steep hike, and if it is wet it becomes questionably safe for anyone who is not 100% fit. But it’s a great way to see more of the island.

[azbirdmom]

The views were gorgeous even if you didn't make it to the waterfall.  What you reported is exactly why we didn't book that excursion.  I had check Trip Advisor and there were plenty of warnings there about it.  It also sounds like what you experienced weather-wise is pretty typical!

 

And haven't we all encountered a passenger like the one who insisted her bag was missing.  At least you were on a Princess excursion.  They would not have left without you and I have seen plenty of times over the years for them to make good on that promise.  We will do independent tours but never when the time is tight in port nor when the attraction is quite a distance from the port.

 

Anyway thanks for the time travel which allowed me to experience Savasavu without all of the clouds!

[ellie1145]

8 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

The views were gorgeous even if you didn't make it to the waterfall.  What you reported is exactly why we didn't book that excursion.  I had check Trip Advisor and there were plenty of warnings there about it.  It also sounds like what you experienced weather-wise is pretty typical!

 

And haven't we all encountered a passenger like the one who insisted her bag was missing.  At least you were on a Princess excursion.  They would not have left without you and I have seen plenty of times over the years for them to make good on that promise.  We will do independent tours but never when the time is tight in port nor when the attraction is quite a distance from the port.

 

Anyway thanks for the time travel which allowed me to experience Savasavu without all of the clouds!

I must admit that we didn’t do any research before we booked the tour the day before we reached Savusavu. I think Princess did not accurately describe the trek down to the waterfall as there were several more infirm people on the tour and they did not attempt any of it. It is definitely ‘buyer beware” and you were very sensible to do your research beforehand. But at least we were able to make a partial descent, and the views of the mountains and the drive through the countryside were definitely worth it. But for those who just sat on the bus it must have been disappointing to say the least. 

 

The ‘knitting bag’ story was quite amusing AFTER we got back to the ship. A little worrying when we lost so much time waiting around at the reserve, wondering if we would ever leave, as she was so insistent that the bag be found before we returned. Had it been me I think I would have been so embarrassed at the fracas I caused that I would have spent the rest of the cruise hiding in my cabin! Not her, she proudly walked round the ship with her blue bag of precious knitting! 🤣

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed the trip despite everything! 

[ellie1145]

Good morning, Good Evening, G’day!

 

Well, all you Cruising Adventurers and Time Travellers, it’s time for me to put my Tardis back in the wardrobe. 

 

I hope you enjoyed the extra adventures, and that you were able to experience the beauty of this island.

 

But now it’s back on the ship for a swim, dinner and sailaway. 

 

[winifred]

Beautiful pictures once again.  Glad I caught up, was back in wilds of Scotland again not to look for a missing knitting bag(!) again but to see family.   Tardis was full so I did a Harry Potter portkey thingy and have made it safely back on board for swim dinner and sailaway! Yay! 

So glad you got to have your swim in the  sea,  I am missing my swimming  very much, as beautiful as the beaches are in Scotland the sea is a wee  bit chilly compared to your lovely beach pictures! 

[winifred]

I am late for everything, luckily husband is always on time, we plan carefully when we do our "own thing trips" rather than cruise line ones, we are always back with time to spare  as we once saw a couple left behind on port and could not imagine anything worse!

[ellie1145]

Sailaway from Savusavu

 

We are relieved to be back onboard and head to our cabin to watch our departure. The last tender is lifted up on deck and Majestic Princess sails quietly away. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These extraordinary settlements appear to be built on small islands which look in danger of being washed away. I can’t imagine how they will survive if sea levels continue to rise. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

We leave the cabin and pop up to the buffet for a much needed cup of that amber nectar...and I don’t mean beer.

 

Afterwards it’s Trivia time, and a chance to give our brains a workout, before I get ready for my daily swim. The water, as always, is warm and inviting, and I manage to exceed my 20 length daily target. How wonderful it is to be on this beautiful ship and how lucky we are to be experiencing this fantastic cruise.

 

After a shower and hair wash we get ready for dinner and make our way to the dining room.

 

We love that Princess still put flowers on the table and these are particularly beautiful. 

 

 

Our starters are Deep friend Wonton Mozzarella Sticks (DH) and Carrot and Ginger Soup for me. 

 

 

Both are delicious. 

 

This is followed by Ribeye Steak for me (not the best as you will see) and Grilled Flounder Fillet for DH, all accompanied by extra steamed vegetables.

 

The steak arrives very rare, although I ordered medium, and it is almost impossible to find any meat worth eating. Our steward doesn’t seem to notice (they would have noticed on Royal Caribbean!) and simply takes my plate away. Not the best meal I have had, and a big thumbs down from me. But DH’s fish is fine so that’s good. 

 

 

 

To finish its Dark Chocolate Tart for me and Deep Dish French apple pie with ice cream for DH. The chocolate tart makes up for the yucky steak. 

Edited August 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

28 minutes ago, winifred said:

Beautiful pictures once again.  Glad I caught up, was back in wilds of Scotland again not to look for a missing knitting bag(!) again but to see family.   Tardis was full so I did a Harry Potter portkey thingy and have made it safely back on board for swim dinner and sailaway! Yay! 

So glad you got to have your swim in the  sea,  I am missing my swimming  very much, as beautiful as the beaches are in Scotland the sea is a wee  bit chilly compared to your lovely beach pictures! 

 

Well, thank goodness you were able to do the Harry Potter thing! We were getting a bit worried that you might not make it back onboard! 

 

Yes, it was a lovely swim, nothing like it, especially when the water is so clear and warm. I’m afraid I’m too much of a wimp to swim in the sea in the UK, way too cold, but I have friends who swim daily off Southsea beach. 

[ellie1145]

28 minutes ago, winifred said:

I am late for everything, luckily husband is always on time, we plan carefully when we do our "own thing trips" rather than cruise line ones, we are always back with time to spare  as we once saw a couple left behind on port and could not imagine anything worse!

 

Actually, Winifred, I have to admit being a little like you, as it’s my DH who actually keeps us on time. I always think I can squeeze so many things into the time that if he was not there to chivvy me up we would definitely be late.

 

Worst nightmare I think, seeing your beautiful ship sailing serenely away while you stand on the dockside. But it’s surprising how many people ARE left behind, and how many are seen sauntering along the dockside as if tomorrow will do. 🤣

 

We once saw a whole family being left on the dockside in Piraeus, when they were late for embarkation. The ship was just inches away from the dock but they would not let them on. They were so shocked. Luckily they were able to take a ferry to Mykonos and get there the next day to join the ship, but it’s a lesson to be learned. 

Edited August 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[winifred]

Might it be a female thing?  that we think can expand time and  sort out one more thing in the time we have left! that's my excuse!

Oh how horrible to be left behind for that poor family, but at least they could catch a ferry! We saw a young couple being left at Corfu no idea what happened but I don't think it made for a romantic cruise story! 

  One of the cruise staff said it happens a lot in the Caribbean due to time changes on different islands but mainly because of  the two for one offers on rum cocktails!

When we later  cruised in the Caribbean we remembered his warning! 

[ellie1145]

3 hours ago, winifred said:

Might it be a female thing?  that we think can expand time and  sort out one more thing in the time we have left! that's my excuse!

Oh how horrible to be left behind for that poor family, but at least they could catch a ferry! We saw a young couple being left at Corfu no idea what happened but I don't think it made for a romantic cruise story! 

  One of the cruise staff said it happens a lot in the Caribbean due to time changes on different islands but mainly because of  the two for one offers on rum cocktails!

When we later  cruised in the Caribbean we remembered his warning! 

 

I think it is, Winifred. We ladies always have so much to do that we try to fit in more than it’s possible to do. 🤣

 

I think you are right about the rum` cocktails! 

Edited August 3, 2020 by ellie1145

[cnd crsr]

Hi Ellie,

The "extended" time in Savasavu was certainly full of adventure. Thanks to taking us there. The stunning views as we drove through the country side and the rain in the rain forest added to the fun. Good thing we turned back on the trail to the waterfall... what if we had slipped and fallen in all that muck! The waterfall will have to wait until sometime after cruising starts up ( and hopefully the rain stays away). I understand  your reluctance to take advantage of that restroom, but  I have seen worse! 

Gail

 

 

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, cnd crsr said:

Hi Ellie,

The "extended" time in Savasavu was certainly full of adventure. Thanks to taking us there. The stunning views as we drove through the country side and the rain in the rain forest added to the fun. Good thing we turned back on the trail to the waterfall... what if we had slipped and fallen in all that muck! The waterfall will have to wait until sometime after cruising starts up ( and hopefully the rain stays away). I understand  your reluctance to take advantage of that restroom, but  I have seen worse! 

Gail

 

 

Well you certainly are all Cruising Adventurers!

 

It was a good trip despite the rain, and thankfully we returned with no broken legs or hips, though of course, with the Tardis I could have zipped everyone back in time and prevented any disasters!

 

Glad you enjoyed it, despite the knitting debacle! 🤣

[azbirdmom]

11 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Sailaway from Savusavu

 

We are relieved to be back onboard and head to our cabin to watch our departure. The last tender is lifted up on deck and Majestic Princess sails quietly away. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These extraordinary settlements appear to be built on small islands which look in danger of being washed away. I can’t imagine how they will survive if sea levels continue to rise. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uh oh, it looks like your time machine deposited you one day later and not for sailaway!  The tenders were from Savusavu but then the time jump happened.  The sunshine was a dead giveaway but the pictures of the houses you shared were from Lautoka and they could have been taken on the way in or out of the harbor.  I agree though that they are goners if the sea rises any further.  I wonder if there's a repair person available for your time machine in this time of Covid?

[ellie1145]

36 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

Uh oh, it looks like your time machine deposited you one day later and not for sailaway!  The tenders were from Savusavu but then the time jump happened.  The sunshine was a dead giveaway but the pictures of the houses you shared were from Lautoka and they could have been taken on the way in or out of the harbor.  I agree though that they are goners if the sea rises any further.  I wonder if there's a repair person available for your time machine in this time of Covid?

 

Oops so sorry, I was a bit distracted when I posted the photos, and the colour of the sky should have alerted me to the fact that I’d run on into tomorrow’s photos! That’ll teach me to multi-task! I’m afraid I didn’t notice until it was too late to delete the last ones. We’ve had decorators in sorting out our kitchen which had a massive leak a few months ago and we’ve been waiting for it to be sorted, so I’m afraid I was not ‘on the ball.’ 

 

I have sent the Tardis off for a maintenance check, so thank you so much for the warning Azbirdmom! What would have happened if we’d all got in it and gone shooting off into the future? It doesn’t bear thinking about. 🙀🥴

[ellie1145]

 

So what was on offer to keep you entertained today if you couldn't face the rain?

 

Well, Movies Under the Stars offered a Music Concert: Santana Live at Montreal at 10.15 am, with Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco at 12.15, and a Music Concert:Sting - Live in Berlin, at 2.30 pm. The Rugby World Cup Semi Finals Live: England vs NZ was at 7.30 pm

 

Movie of the Day: Crazy Rich Asians was in Princess Live at 11.45 am and 2.15 pm. and in the Vista Gaming Lounge at 7.15 pm and 10.00 pm

 

There was Morning Trivia at 10.15 am, Taboo at 1.30 pm, Afternoon Trivia at 3.00 pm, and Early Evening Trivia at 4.30 pm.

 

Apart from that there was very little going on.

 

However, in the flurry of activity today, with our trip back in time, I have, sadly, once again missed the seminars on Skin Care, a New Look New You, Weight Loss Solutions, Good Feet Clinic and Face and Body Contouring and Lifting. But thankfully, DH does not seem to notice my every increasing girth or my Old Look Old Me, or even my poor feet, so I think I can get away with it until tomorrow...

[ellie1145]

 

Tonight we will be entertained by Andy Joy, the Headliner Instrumentalist in the Theatre at 9.45, so after dinner we go straight there to make sure we can get a seat. He is entertaining, but not one of my favourite acts. The Majestic Princess orchestra is brilliant as usual.

Afterwards we are not yet ready for bed and wander through the beautiful Crooners Lounge, and are delighted to see our favourite pianist and singer is there. We find our favourite seats and sit and listen to him playing. He’s a very accomplished singer and pianist, and it’s a shame that so few people actually congregate here to listen to him.

 

A bit of Roman Keeting, ‘When You Say Nothing at All.’

 

 

 

Unfortunately it’s an odd venue, which, when Majestic is on an Asian route, becomes a gaming room, and if you look up at the ceiling you will see dozens of security cameras. It doesn’t really adapt well to a piano lounge as there are lots of walled off areas with seating which means that you can only really see the piano if you are very close by.

 

It’s a real shame as this young man is very talented, but each night he seems to play to just a smattering of guests. He deserves better. It’s also a through route from the theatre so people are continually walking past chattering noisily and ignoring him, which is frustrating for us and must be disheartening for him.

 

He is happy to do requests, so my husband asks him to play something which he promises to do tomorrow night.

 

He finishes and we make our way up to the buffet for a cup of de-caffeinated tea before we wend our weary way back to our cabin.

 

After a relaxing bath (which is probably one of my favourite things about this mini suite), it’s time to sink into the lovely bed.

 

It’s been an unexpectedly wonderful day. But there’s more to come tomorrow!

 

 

[ellie1145]

Well, it’s way past my bedtime, all you Time Travelling Cruising Adventurers, so I will bid you goodnight, sleep tight, see you in the morning.

 

(Hope you enjoyed our time travel today and aren’t sick to death of all the photos!)  

 

Many apologies for the mix up with the Savusavu/Lautoka photos. Good job we have eagle-eyed Azbirdmom keeping an eye on me....🤫 

[ellie1145]

On 8/2/2020 at 8:20 PM, ellie1145 said:

"We're not gonna make it, We're not gonna make it!" 

(Prize for the person who correctly identifies precisely where you would hear that phrase! Clue, it's one of my favourite places...)

 

Last chance to get the answer right, another clue is it’s in Florida....

 

Your super-powered, mini, collapsible. Vortex vacuum cleaner, small enough to fit in your handbag or pocket is still waiting.

[JF - retired RRT]

5 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Last chance to get the answer right, another clue is it’s in Florida....

 

Your super-powered, mini, collapsible. Vortex vacuum cleaner, small enough to fit in your handbag or pocket is still waiting.

Universal Studios?

[ellie1145]

4 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Universal Studios?

You’re on the right track.... but not quite! 

[ellie1145]

10 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

 

"We're not gonna make it, We're not gonna make it!" 

(Prize for the person who correctly identifies precisely where you would hear that phrase! Clue, it's one of my favourite places...)

 

Good morning, good evening Cruising Adventurers.

 

I think you are going to need to ask Mr G for some help on this one! 🤫