Come sail with me on a virtual cruise to Hawaii on Ruby Princess

[ellie1145]

1 minute ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I'm game for a "reunion".  I'm booked for a Hawaii cruise in late March 2021 from San Pedro. Not willing to give up my Window Suite on the Grand Princess.  I work way too hard to track down these wonderful suites.  

 
Wow, I don’t blame you! Sounds like a great choice!

 

 

[PurpleTraveller]

7 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

 

What a great idea, cr8tiv1!

 

What about it, Cruising Adventurers? Where should we go?

 

Would love your help, to plan it, too. 

 

It would certainly be a hoot! 🤣

 

Anyone want to hop aboard??? 🚢

 

I would love to hop aboard! I've cruised New Zealand, the Mediterranean, the Baltics, Norway and South America. How about Alaska? I don't mind where we go as long as we are cruising. Ohh, the thought of being on a cruise again is heavenly! 🚢

[ellie1145]

On 2/19/2021 at 11:44 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

 

There's only one rule for slippers/slippahs/flipflops...You take them off before entering anyone's home.  one rule part 2.  You are not allowed to swap up/upgrade to someone else's better slippers when you leave.  

 

Not my photo and this is not the norm.  People generally do not hold their places in line with their footwear.  Just thought it was funny.  

 

Thank you for that explanation. Now I understand 🤣

 

If we ever get back to flying I will definitely be using my footwear to hold my place in line when I am checking in! I love it! 🤣

[ellie1145]

On 2/20/2021 at 7:24 AM, PurpleTraveller said:

 

I would love to hop aboard! I've cruised New Zealand, the Mediterranean, the Baltics, Norway and South America. How about Alaska? I don't mind where we go as long as we are cruising. Ohh, the thought of being on a cruise again is heavenly! 🚢

 

 

Great to hear! 

 

We can live in hopes and what a great crowd to cruise with!

 

As for where to go I hear that Cancun is a pretty nice place for a brief vacation...... Especially when the weather is a little chilly at home.....☃️❄️

 

Like you, the idea of cruising again is just wonderful. It has been so long and still seems such a long way off that the prospect of planning a cruise is just so exciting! 

 

Watch this space! 😉

[ellie1145]

 

We make our way back to our tables, and the evening’s entertainment starts while the buffet is being prepared.

 

 

 

 

There is music and dancing and some audience participation.

 

Now, members of the audience are invited to come up on the stage and show their prowess at dancing. I have to tell you that this is a big disappointment. Not because these men are not talented, but because my DH refuses to take part. 

 

Having spent many hours carving out two coconut shells, and sewing them together to make a rather attractive top, and having spent even longer making a grass skirt, I cannot believe that DH is not going to take advantage of my rather fetching costume......🤣🤣 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2021 by ellie1145

[cr8tiv1]

26 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Thank you for that explanation. Now I understand 🤣

 

If we ever get back to flying I will definitely be using my footwear to hold my place in line when I am checking in! I love it! 🤣

 

Sorry, this only works in Hawaii.  You will have to make it back here to experience all the aloha....

[ellie1145]

8 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Sorry, this only works in Hawaii.  You will have to make it back here to experience all the aloha....

 

Absolutely, cr8tiv1, the islands are calling me back.....🌴 🏝️

[ellie1145]

Night falls and the feast begins....

 

 

 

The sun is setting and there are wonderful views of the palm trees set against the darkening sky. What a magical place to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are invited, a row at a time, to go up to the buffet to make our food choices. There are long tables set out with all kinds of food. 

 

 

Some people appear not to have eaten for at least a week! 🤣

 

 

I choose some fish, some pork and some delicious fruit. We make our way back to the tables and the entertainment continues. 

 

The final rays of the sun bathe the lighthouse in a golden glow as it sets.

 

And finally the sun sinks ever lower and the night descends.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

We eat our meal as the entertainment proceeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

Apologies for the quality of some of these photos. The dancers were so fast and energetic they often ended up blurred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little more audience participation, and no, that is NOT DH! 🤣🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 23, 2021 by ellie1145

[cr8tiv1]

I do hope you realize that the "costumes" are for show to the tourist.  The dancer would not be wearing coconut shell bras (they would have been bare-breasted) and Tahitian dancers don't have "cellophane" skirts.

 

[ellie1145]

23 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I do hope you realize that the "costumes" are for show to the tourist.  The dancer would not be wearing coconut shell bras (they would have been bare-breasted) and Tahitian dancers don't have "cellophane" skirts.

 

Well I am very thankful for the coconut bras, as otherwise I might have had to spend the evening shielding my husband from the view! 🤭🙈
 

 

[ellie1145]

A perfect end to a perfect day...

 

The evening draws to a close. Twinkling lights lead the way back to our bus, and the palm trees are silhouetted against the velvety black sky as I take a final look around.

 

 

We make our way to the bus and luckily, despite there being so many people, we manage to find the right one.

 

Its been a long day, and we will be glad to get back on ‘our’ ship. It’s always good to get back onboard, such a lovely feeling of being 'home.'

 

The journey back takes about 40 minutes and it is good to see the ship waiting for us.

 

 

 

We’ve had an amazing day, and the luau has been the perfect end. Some might say it’s a bit touristy, and to be honest we had hope there would be more ukuleles and Hawaiian dancing, but we are pleased we went. It is such a beautiful setting and we’ve had a great evening, chatting to others on our table, and enjoying the ambiance.

 

Back on the ship we make a quick trip up to the buffet for a final cup of decaf tea before we make our way exhaustedly to bed.

 

Tomorrow is another day, and another beautiful island.

 

We have nothing planned except we are hoping to go ashore with some lovely people we met via CC.

 

I wonder what the day will bring........

 

So goodnight, Cruising Adventurers, sleep tight, see you bright and early in the morning for our next exploit.

Edited February 24, 2021 by ellie1145

[cnd crsr]

HI Ellie,

I agree the luaus put on are strictly for the tourists and although everything is not truly authentic it is fun and something we should all do at least once. Your pictures  are great (even the ones you describe as grainy) and it appears the audience participants were all enjoying themselves.

I hope you had a restful night. I will be waiting dockside for our next adventure!

Gail

[cr8tiv1]

This just showed up in the local paper.  This is how Halemaumau Crater looks now (after the last blow out) and during current eruption.

 

[AF-1]

Wow that is beautiful with the rainbow.  My wife took a helicopter rider over the volcano when were visited the big island.  You could see the red lava inside and it was bubbly

[cr8tiv1]

5 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Wow that is beautiful with the rainbow.  My wife took a helicopter rider over the volcano when were visited the big island.  You could see the red lava inside and it was bubbly

 

A double rainbow (anuenue) and NOT photoshopped.  

[JF - retired RRT]

6 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

A double rainbow (anuenue) and NOT photoshopped.  

We saw anuenue all the time when we lived on Kauai.🥰

[TeaBag]

Beautiful picture.  Thank you for posting.

[Vic The Parrot]

Thanks, Ellie, for sharing all of this. 

Looking through this thread took me back to my cruise to the islands on Rotterdam V. 

 

Hope to make it back there one of these days.  😍🍹

[ellie1145]

On 2/25/2021 at 8:40 PM, cnd crsr said:

HI Ellie,

I agree the luaus put on are strictly for the tourists and although everything is not truly authentic it is fun and something we should all do at least once. Your pictures  are great (even the ones you describe as grainy) and it appears the audience participants were all enjoying themselves.

I hope you had a restful night. I will be waiting dockside for our next adventure!

Gail

 

Hi Gail

 

Yes, it is a bit ‘touristy’ but a great experience and lots of fun, and such a beautiful venue.

 

The audience participants certainly seemed to enjoy themselves, but I’m not sure I have forgiven DH for his lack of spontaneity and for not wanting to wear his coconut bra costume......

 

It has been a tiring day so I am grateful to fall into that lovely comfy Princess bed, as we have to be up nice and early for our next adventure. 

 

See you on the dockside, Gail! 

[ellie1145]

19 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

This just showed up in the local paper.  This is how Halemaumau Crater looks now (after the last blow out) and during current eruption.

 

What a wonderful photo, cr8tiv1. It is a spectacular sight. Thank you for posting! 

[ellie1145]

10 hours ago, AF-1 said:

Wow that is beautiful with the rainbow.  My wife took a helicopter rider over the volcano when were visited the big island.  You could see the red lava inside and it was bubbly

 

That must have been an amazing experience to fly over the volcano. She was very brave - I’m not sure I could fly in a helicopter, but it’s the only way to have such a wonderful view. 

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, Vic The Parrot said:

Thanks, Ellie, for sharing all of this. 

Looking through this thread took me back to my cruise to the islands on Rotterdam V. 

 

Hope to make it back there one of these days.  😍🍹

 

Hi Vic the Parrot

 

Glad you enjoyed revisiting the islands. We have yet to cruise with Holland America but hope to do so one day.

 

Fingers crossed you will return to these beautiful islands before too long. 🙂

[ellie1145]

What did you do today?

 

Before the day ends I must tell you what Ruby Princess has had to offer those who decided to stay onboard in Honolulu.

 

I think it could be described as a quiet day, as there is not a huge amount to do, but sometimes it’s just nice to do very little. Maybe a coffee and a dessert in the International Cafe, a read of a good book on your balcony,  a swim in one of the pools, or afternoon tea in the Dining Room. That’s the beauty of cruising, you can do exactly as you please! 

 

‘This morning the crew had an emergency drill - ‘for exercise, for exercise’ - so the outside area of the boat deck was restricted.

 

However, there were a few unhosted events around the ship, such as Bible Study, Pickleball Open Play, Bridge, Cards and Games Players Get Together, plus a ‘Knitters and Knatters Get Together’ in Skywalkers Nightclub.

 

Sadly, I missed the free Skin Care Seminar which I am sure I will live to regret.....too little, too late...

 

 

There have been a number of Trivia sessions today which is a bit peeving as we have missed them all - Morning Trivia at 11.15 am, Afternoon Trivia at 4.15 pm, Flags of the World Trivia at 7.15 pm, and finally, Famous Faces Trivia at 9.30 pm.

 

There were a number of games on offer, such as Scattegories Challenge at 12.30 pm, Darts Challenge at 1.15 pm, Pictionary at 3.00 pm, and a Bean Bag Toss Challenge at 3.30 pm.

 

There were, of course, numerous seminars and health consultations such as the three Walk in Acupuncture Consultations, plus ‘Relieving back, foot, knee pain, and walking in comfort,’ as well as Free Massage Tasters in the Lotus Spa. Had we not been so busy today I am sure that the relieving pain and walking in comfort session would have been most efficacious, but as I missed it I will just have to continue to hobble.

 

As usual, there is plenty of live and recorded music around the ship such as Classical and Contemporary Melodies with Souvenir Duo at 5.00 pm, Guitar Melodies with Jack Lee at 6.15 pm, pre-recorded Ballroom and Latin Dance Date in Club Fusion at 6.30 pm, Evening Melodies with Souvenir Duo at 7.15 pm, Piano Favourites with Richard Sulek in the Piazza at 7.15 pm, Evening Melodies with Souvenir Duo at 8.15 pm, Guitar Melodies with Jack Lee at 8.15 pm, Music and Dancing with Walker Black Duo at 8.45 pm, Piano and Cocktails with Richard Sulek at 9.15 pm till late, and Music and Dancing with Walker Black Duo at 10.15 pm.

 

However, there were a couple of things which we were sorry to have missed while we were at our luau.

 

The Ruby Princess Orchestra played the Music of Glen Miller at 9.30 pm and the music of Cole Porter at 10.30, which we would have loved to have attended.

 

There was also a treat in the Princess Theatre as there was Folkloric Showtime, featuring professionally trained children who performed music legends and dance at 7.00 pm and 8.45 pm. This is something I am sorry to have missed. But maybe it is a treat for the future?

 

 

But if you thought you could perform better than any of these artists, then your chance to astound during the Karaoke hour is just up your street - 8.30 pm in Club Fusion is definitely the place to be for all those budding singers (???).

 

Of course, those energetic youngsters who like to party the night away could do so in Skywalkers at 10.00 - 11.00 pm, and 11.00 pm until late. However, you must have photo ID to prove that you are over 18. I don’t think that would have been necessary for us.....

 

So a relaxing day for the stay onboarders, and tomorrow another island as we sail for Nawiliwili at 10.00 pm.