2024 Grand World Voyage with The Inside Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 minute ago, leerathje said:

Here you are!!

 

L.

 

Yeah!    Thanks!

[leerathje]

And here you are, transiting.

 

L.

 

[leerathje]

And you wait.  Going up!!

 

L.

 

[leerathje]

Away you go!

 

L.

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Here is the Ruby Princess heading into the lake from the new locks. 
 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

12 hours ago, sandiego1 said:

Pete - what app do you use to track your tour routes?

I use Garmin Edge 830, which is my cycling computer.   I also use my Apple watch, which can record tracks.   The Garmin Edge 830 imports to Garmin Connect - then I can export a GPX file from Garmin Connect and then import to Google Maps using Edge - surprisingly, you have to use Edge to import a GPX file into Google Maps - Chrome won't work.  

 

I use the RunGap app to take the data off my watch/phone and then import to Garmin Connect and then into Google Maps.

 

All my time off the ship for all my many cruises has been recorded in Garmin Connect - So if I  want to see what I did on my 2015 Alaska Cruise in Sitka - I can look it up an see.   Helpful for remembering restaurants and other stuff.  

 

Pocket Earth will produce similar tracks but doesn't export to Google maps as easily.

 

Playing with GPX/KML and KMZ files can be a little tricky - so its best to experiment at home when you have good internet and time to fiddle around. 

 

 

Edited January 24 by The-Inside-Cabin

[MikeD4134]

On 1/5/2024 at 8:32 PM, DAllenTCY said:

I'm curious as to what a photocopy of a passport will do for you?

 

I've never heard of such a suggestion in 19 years working for HAL.

 

David

If you lose your passport, it helps the people at the embassy getting it replaced.

[Cruising Is Bliss]

Pete, upstream you referred to the eastbound as #E. The eastbound is #D.

The confusion between #D and #E is also on the summary final page of the download.

 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

20 minutes ago, Cruising Is Bliss said:

Pete, upstream you referred to the eastbound as #E. The eastbound is #D.

The confusion between #D and #E is also on the summary final page of the download.

 

 

 

Good catch - thanks!

[Essiesmom]

Here you are at Pedro Miguel, and in the left rear at Miraflores from the Cocoli cam.  EM

[The-Inside-Cabin]

MEETING OF THE RIVERS IN SANTARÉM – (POST #19) 16 JAN 2024

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Cruising the Maicá River in search of sloths with a taste of insects

SANTARÉM

Our final stop on our Amazon adventure was Santarém.  The city has a population of over 300,000.  The ship offered a free shuttle bus to the Praca Do Pescador (Fisherman’s Square), about 2 miles from the tender landing and near the town center.

We arranged to take our second Gil Serique tour, which would take us down the Tapajós River to where it fed into the Amazon and then continue down the Santarém until we reached the Maicá River.  Once on the Maicá River, we would continue upstream past Maicá Lake until we reached a landing where we would go ashore.

MEETING OF THE RIVERS

The Zuiderdam anchored in the Tapajós River, a large Amazon tributary.  There wasn’t a line for tenders, and we were ashore in 15 minutes.  Gil met us on the tender pier, and one of his two boats arrived in a few minutes.  We boarded with about 1/2 of our group of 30-35 people.  The rest of the guests moved toward another boat about 50 yards down the tender pier as we shoved off and headed down the river.

GIl met us on the tender platform The first of Gil’s two boats prepares to land at the tender pier

Little did we know at the time, but the other boat experienced major issues while boarding due to the angle and width of the boarding gangway.  Please read Tom’s blog post here, which describes his experience as he was on the other boat.

We continued slowly down the river, waiting for the other boat to catch up, which it did after an hour.  Along the way, we saw the meeting of the Tapajós River and the Amazon, contrasting the Tapajós blue water with the Amazon’s brown water.

The meeting of the rivers

HEADING UP THE MAICÁ RIVER

As we headed up the Maicá River we came across the numerous boats on the HAL tour “Maicá Lake & Piranha Fishing”.  We saw a lot of lines in the water but didn’t spot anyone pulling up any Piranhas.

Piranha fishing in progress

Continuing upstream, we saw numerous birds and a few cows but not much else.

There were many tour boats on the river

SPENDING TIME ASHORE

Around noon, our two boats grounded on a shallow bank, and we went ashore.  A fire was already going, and we could watch as they grilled some fish – and, to our surprise, some giant insects.

The fish was good, and I tried the grilled insects, which looked like large ants.  They were crunchy without much taste.  Our guides discussed the various plants in the area, but we didn’t see any animals.  Gil promised to get a sloth and bring it to our boats on the way back.  We were ashore about 90 minutes before returning to our boats and heading back to Santarém.

Serving the grilled fish

Arapaimama gigas fish

Ready to take a bite

Everyone wasn’t ready to taste the insects

Gil discussed the flaura and fauna in the area

WE MEET A SLOTH

About halfway back, Gil’s boat came alongside, and they passed over a large branch with a fully grown sloth hanging on.

We didn’t go back to the tender landing, but we moored at a commercial pier about a mile away and returned to the tender pier using vans.

Pete with our guide, Jairo

OI BRAZIL

The Brazilian Cultural show wowed the crowd with a high-energy performance on the World Stage.

CTD Kimberly introduces the show

Kimberly appeared toward the end of the show in costume – she demonstrated some great dance moves

[The-Inside-Cabin]

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Ready to go ashore in Quepos, Costa Rica

 

 

Windstar anchored nearby 

 

 

Quepos from the ship with a close up

of the Marina where the tenders land 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Made our way to the market.   About 1 mile.  
 

stopped for lunch at a local place.  
 

 

Google translate helps. 
 

They take Apple Pay! 
 

 

However I always ask for their best dish! 
 

Our waiter, Ricky, recommends the seafood rice!
 

first a chicken and bean empanada

 

 

 

Seafood rice!

 

Delicious!

 

 

now for the hot stuff

 

not too hot 
 

 

 

Edited January 26 by The-Inside-Cabin

[USN59-79]

I have received a lot of HAL certificates, but never one with my Cruise Critic name on it.  Can I assume it was changed by you?

Ray

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 hour ago, USN59-79 said:

I have received a lot of HAL certificates, but never one with my Cruise Critic name on it.  Can I assume it was changed by you?

Ray

Yes.   That was courtesy of Adobe Acrobat Pro

[The-Inside-Cabin]

LEAVING THE AMAZON & CROSSING THE CARRIBEAN (POST #20) 17-19 JAN 2024

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We enjoy three days at sea on our way to Grenada, learning to arrange flowers, playing Roulette and Crossing the Line

LEAVING THE AMAZON

After five consecutive port days, we left the Amazon River, passing by Macapá as we headed across the Amazon bar toward the Caribbean Sea.

The Macapá skyline is in the background, with the Amazon’s brown water in the foreground

World cruises have a lot of sea days, about 69 on this cruise, which is a little more than half of the 128-day cruise.  For the next three days, we were able to relax and enjoy the many amenities offered on the Zuiderdam, as well as take part in some special events.

17 Jan 24

FLOWER ARRANGING

Judy attended the $39.99 “Art of Flower Class” at 2 pm in the Ocean Bar with Anton, the onboard Florist.  Most people made reservations, and while reservations were recommended, they weren’t required, and Judy was able to join the class.

There were twenty people in the class.  Everyone was loaned a blue apron to use during the class.  The phrase of the day is “Make it Round.”

The class started at 2 pm and was over at 3:15.

Judy returned with two arrangements, and they stayed fresh for a few days.

 

These are the flowers Judy started with  

Antone helpng others  

Judy with Antone  

The finished product

THE MENTALIST

Santiago Michel was featured on the World Stage.  His performance was pretty standard for the genre, but guests are no longer allowed on stage – so his subjects now assemble in front of the first row of seats.

 

Santiago Michel  

Guest participants no longer go on the stage

18 Jan 2024

CASINO ROYALE ON AN OLD-SCHOOL FORMAL NIGHT & A REGIONAL WINE TASTING

I enjoyed a complimentary Regional Wine tasting in the MDR hosted by Cellar Master Jacques.

CASINO ROYALE

Our second formal night of the cruise was this evening with the theme “Casino Royale”.  Once again, Kimberly emphasized that formal attire was REQUIRED during her daily announcements.  Compliance was close to 100%.

The formal night dress code is taken from the Guide to Grand Voyages

 

Here is the description from the Daily Program

Casino Royale

Whether you channel the sophistication of Bond, the glamour of
a Bond Girl, or the intrigue of a Villain, dress your part and accept your
mission: embrace the allure of James Bond at our Casino Royale! Engage in
complimentary gaming lessons, take your chance in a free slot
tournament, play fun table games, or try your luck in a game of
poker with our Officers. Sip on double-oh-7 drinks for $7,
witness spectacular flare exhibitions, and enjoy a complimentary
‘champagne’ tower and pour at 9:oop with Captain Frank.

Don’t miss out on our raffle prizes throughout the evening (must
be present to win). To enliven the evening, Billboard Onboard
will serenade you with songs from the Rat Pack.

It’s a night of glamour, games, and entertainment -Bond style!

ROOM NUMBER ROULETTE AND TUXEDO JUNCTION

The Tuxedo Junction assembled in the Casino at 6:30 pm to play Room Number Roulette.  Here is how it works.

Bring $50 – this will get you 10 Spins – If you want to risk less the $50 – that’s OK, but each spin has to be a minimum of $5 (spread across any combination)

At the Roulette wheel, you can trade in your cash for Roulette Chips or use cash or regular casino chips.

Then you can play your room number/birthdays or any other number….

Stay as long as you like – there is no start or finish time..

If you don’t want to play – stop by and cheer us on!

We had a full Roulette table for the entire evening until we left for dinner at 7:15.  Judy played our room numbers while I took pictures.  Per our tradition, Judy bet our remaining stack on BLACK and the HAL SHIP – and the ball dropped on Black, so we ended up $25 ahead for the evening.

The ship-sponsored Casino Royale events took place from 8 to 9:30 pm, so we missed those as we were at dinner.

Welcome to The Junction!  

Jo “Writer on Deck”  

Sharon and Dan  

Linda and Kim  

 

 

The final spin!

 

MAIN DINING ROOM

We had a wonderful dinner in the Main Dining Room

 

Menu Cover  

Tonight’s Choices  

This was called a Cobb Salad “Vegas Style” – Huh?

WORLD STAGE

Léon Maurice-Jones, Leroy Ricardo Jones and David Page make up the wonderful vocal trio – The Flyrights and were the stars of the World Stage this evening.  They are outstanding singers and dancers and perform hits from The Temptations, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Sammy Davis Jr, Otis Reading and more.

19 Jan 2024

CROSSING THE LINE

We crossed the equator today for the final time on this northbound section of the cruise.  The closest we will come in the future will be as we pass Singapore in March.

The ceremony started at 10 am with the arrival of the Captain and his senior officers, followed by King Neptune and his Queen.  Cruise and Travel Director Kimberly played the role of the Magistrate and Master of Ceremonies.

Kimberly was the Master of Ceremonies King Neptune and his Queen

 Unlike previous crossing-the-line ceremonies on World Cruises, it wasn’t that crowded, and I could get a front-row seat 20 minutes before showtime.

After some humorous opening remarks from Kimberly and King Neptune, the pirates brought out the first wave of pollywogs to face the judges.  Kimberly would read the “charges,” which were “crimes” based on the nature of the pollywog’s shipboard jobs.  The Pollywogs then were sent to “Kiss the Fish” – no longer an actual fish, before visiting the Royal Barbers and Surgeons, where they were covered in goo on poolside tables.

The pirates are in charge of the Pollywogs  

 

Kiss the Fish!  

Getting their treatment  

Awaiting their fate  

The Judges

Following their “treatment,” the pollywogs returned to face the Captain.  After a brief consultation, the Captain and his officers would give a thumbs up or thumbs down, ordering the group into the pool or onto the sidelines.  Most preferred the pool as it was much cooler than sitting on the sidelines.

The ceremony continued with several more groups of pollywogs facing the Judge before the ceremony concluded around 10:30 with all the newly inducted Shellbacks jumping into the pool – soon afterward, followed by Kimberly.

After diving into the pool, Kimberly posed with “The Fish”

[skypig]

Hold on…you live in IB but you need google translate for menus in Spanish? 🤔 😂

[fatcat04]

5 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

However I always ask for their best dish! 
 

Our waiter, Ricky, recommends the seafood rice!

not too hot 
 

 

 

As a foodie, I welcome any and all (even the kind with 6 legs) food pictures! But I still say "Ewww." 

 

Good advice too. 

 

And such a snazzy bunch you all are. Love me some tuxes and evening gowns!! Everyone looks so very nice.

[*Miss G*]

Am I the only one who just sees the blue question mark where the picture should be?  Every box has this question mark instead of a picture.

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

56 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

Am I the only one who just sees the blue question mark where the picture should be?  Every box has this question mark instead of a picture.

 

 

Try refreshing.    They are there.    Or go here 

 

https://www.theinsidecabin.com/leaving-the-amazon-crossing-the-carribean-post-20-17-19-jan-2024/

 

 

[alibabacruisers]

On 1/12/2024 at 6:36 AM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

A TASTE OF TAMARIND (POST #11) 8 JAN 24

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We enjoy a day at sea with a Taste of Tamarind in the evening

COFFEE CHAT

Executive Housekeeper Shiv was the guest at Coffee Chat.  He introduced all his principal assistants.  Shiv mentioned that due to the variation in crewmembers’ contract lengths it was impossible to handpick a world cruise housekeeping team as they had in the past.

Shiv was described by Kimberly as a man who “knows how to get things” like Red from the movie Shawshank Redemption Shiv introduced his management team

A TASTE OF TAMARIND

Throughout the cruise, there will be about thirty special pop-up dinners in the Pinnacle Grill.   Here is the list

The first pop-up of the cruise, A Taste of Tamarind, was held this evening, and we joined our fellow Californians Alan and Sharon in the Pinnacle Grill.

Alan, Sharon, Judy and Pete

Here is the menu

The food was all delicious – especially the steak which I highly recommend

WASABI & SOY CRUSTED BEEF TENDERLOIN

FRIED RICE

CHINESE FIVE SPICE BABY BACK RIBS

DRAGON ROLL

WORLD STAGE

Dave and Dawn Meyer performed on the World Stage this evening.  Dave plays the Xylosynth, a combination of a Xylophone and a synthesizer, while Dawn dances alongside in darkness while twirling an illuminated cape and wands.

Dave Meyer playing the Xylosynth Dawn Meyer dancing with her illuminated cape

Dave performed a variety of songs including Teenage Wasteland, Saint Thomas and the Orange Blossom Special.

The food and entertainment look great!  Judy, I love that top!

 

Thank you Pete for your wonderful blog!  You are such a value!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Looking forward to the Ice Cream Social in a few hours 

 

A Banana Split Eating Contest?  That's a new one - I think I will pass on that....

 

Has anyone participated in a Banana Split Eating Contest?

 

 

We are in Central Time 
Location - 

 

 

 

Edited January 27 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Good time at the Ice Cream Social.   They served ice cream across from the Dive Inn.  Cotton Candy was also available.  

 

I ended up entering the Banana Split eating contest.   You add to eat the spit without using your hands - so I didn't have the enthusiasm for a full face dive - I finished last.   Good time had by all.

Judy enjoyed cotton candy.

Contest in progress 

Post contest photo

Three of the contestants

Capt Frank enjoying ice cream

 

 

 

[1ANGELCAT]

53 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Good time at the Ice Cream Social.   They served ice cream across from the Dive Inn.  Cotton Candy was also available.  

 

I ended up entering the Banana Split eating contest.   You add to eat the spit without using your hands - so I didn't have the enthusiasm for a full face dive - I finished last.   Good time had by all.

Judy enjoyed cotton candy.

Contest in progress 

Post contest photo

Three of the contestants

Capt Frank enjoying ice cream

 

 

 

Wow, I remember when they had cotton candy in the Canaletto. I miss those days.