Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver

[chemmo]

23 hours ago, gordylad said:

Jim, you mentioned Iain loves mince n tatties [no wonder]......my mother wasn't much of a cook as both my parents worked long hours so my older sister introduced me to to Spaghetti Bolognese [in Glasgow in the 70's I was a teenager] so this new food was something else having been brought up eating spam, steak pie [made by the local butcher], liver [sorry but I could not face that now]...however I don't know when Iain left Scotland but ask him if he remembers Vesta Curries......a curry in a bag thing whereby you added the mixture to hot water....this came before the boil in the bag curries.........those were the days

Gosh, Vesta curry! My mum in the late 60’s bought it as an occasional Saturday night ‘treat’. The ‘meal for four’ was shared between my parents, my sister and I and I could guarantee that we were all eating toast to fill us up a couple of hours later!

 

 

[MamaFej]

19 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I hear you on that one.  I am very tempted to fly to Honolulu, spend a day or two, then fly to Sydney.  Coming from the East Coast - going direct to Sydney would be one heck of a travel day, or should I say two days.  14 hours non-stop to Japan was bad enough.  We’ll just have to see how flights and schedules work out. 

 

Another thing to consider is somewhere in the South Pacific. On our way to Sydney, we spent a week in Fiji. It was delightful. 

[alfiemom]

You could also fly eastbound and stop in somewhere like Istanbul.  We did that for a cruise from Singapore.

[DaKahuna]

Yes, fortunately we have a few months to figure it out.

I’ll keep everyone updated but in the mean time — does anyone have recommendations for accommodations (1) pre-cruise in Sydney and (2) post cruise in Honolulu?

 

The last time I was in Sydney was in 1986 to help Australia to celebrate their bi-centennial.  I did not have to worry about a place to sleep as Unclas Same provided me with a “cot and three square meals a day.” 

 

 

[Provence55always]

We stayed in the Fullerton Hotel 1km from the cruise terminal. We were able to walk down to the terminal on the day of cruise with our luggage….admittedly we were 10 years younger! It’s a beautiful hotel and very centrally to all the sights.

[gfkcruiser]

On 5/9/2024 at 12:37 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

Our main decision is related to the food in Luminae.   While they have the same menus we get the feeling the meals are being made banquet style and were often over cooked, missing items or cold in the middle of numerous entrees.   On the M and S class ships they cook all dishes to order -  there may be a slightly longer wait time but was very pleased with all meals I've ever had on M and S Class ships.

 

The other thing we don't like is the sheer number of additional people.   While it usually doesn't affect Suite Passengers --- Disembarkation at some ports cold take 2+ hours and even leaving the ship as a Suite Passenger with escorts was delayed and of course the glares you get as you are escorted to the front of the line can be uncomfortable.

 

The other thing we don't like is that all of the specialty restaurants are open air (no walls) and very noisy.    Finally there is not Tuscan Specialty or Murano.     Final Cut's just doesn't do it for us.

We did our first and only suite - so far - on an edge class, the Beyond.  We got a move up bid for an Aqua Suite.  Bid on three suite levels and got that.  Same cabin as a sky suite.  Loved everything except the food at Luminae.  For the most part it was not much different than the main dining room food on our previous cruise of the B2B. Had purchased a dining package and thought Eden and Le Voyage were good.  Went to Le Petite Chef instead of Fine Cut.  What a disappointing meal.  Raw on 5 is a favorite of ours. Rooftop garden grill was delicious. 

[skatelady]

We stayed at Rydges Sydney Harbor,  can see the ship from the front door, easy to roll your luggage to the ship.  It was recommended by a Kiwi on our sailing,  quite a few from the roll call stayed.  We took over the hotel lobby the night before sailing for a meet and greet around the lobby bar 

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Yes, fortunately we have a few months to figure it out.

I’ll keep everyone updated but in the mean time — does anyone have recommendations for accommodations (1) pre-cruise in Sydney and (2) post cruise in Honolulu?

 

The last time I was in Sydney was in 1986 to help Australia to celebrate their bi-centennial.  I did not have to worry about a place to sleep as Unclas Same provided me with a “cot and three square meals a day.” 

 

 

 

If you are staying in Sydney for a couple of days we had a wonderful AirBnB - We were close enough about 1/4 mile we just walked to the port the morning of our cruise with our suitcases.  (it was all downhill)

[Purplsmurf]

12 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Yes, fortunately we have a few months to figure it out.

I’ll keep everyone updated but in the mean time — does anyone have recommendations for accommodations (1) pre-cruise in Sydney and (2) post cruise in Honolulu?

 

The last time I was in Sydney was in 1986 to help Australia to celebrate their bi-centennial.  I did not have to worry about a place to sleep as Unclas Same provided me with a “cot and three square meals a day.” 

 

 

Love Hilton Hawaiian Village In Honolulu 

[kwokpot]

12 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

post cruise in Honolulu?

Traditional High end I would say Royal Hawaiian. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

5 hours ago, gfkcruiser said:

Loved everything except the food at Luminae.

I’m right there with you!  Was just looking at the menus for our upcoming cruise on Edge in 18 days…woohoo….and I wasn’t over the moon at all. Blu and the MDR menus looked better by and large. We have Eden and LCG booked. 

[JackE]

16 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Traditional High end I would say Royal Hawaiian. 

That’s a beautiful hotel. I also like next door at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach resort, staying on the club level. Great breakfast and pu-pus in the afternoon. 

[FeebeeH]

22 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

The last time I was in Sydney was in 1986 to help Australia to celebrate their bi-centennial.  I did not have to worry about a place to sleep as Unclas Same provided me with a “cot and three square meals a day.” 

 

 

Yours must have been one of the ships I saw in the harbour during the Bicentennial.  My 2nd cousin was on a British ship during the celebrations and myself and family visited him on board.  We were having a fantastic time seeing the other ships around and watching the fireworks when he casually mentioned that the ship we were on was the munitions ship. 😱  My father (who was in the RAN) told us we were completely safe, but needless to say, I was a little nervous after that. 

[Celtic_Creation]

For post cruise Honolulu we like the Kahala Resort.  It is located in the Kahala residential area and has its own small beach.  It is about 10 minutes ride from the hustle and bustle of the Waikiki strip and when we were there they had a free shuttle that would take you to a few different stops: Waikiki Beach and the Ala Moana Shopping Centre as well as a couple of others.  Excellent hotel and staff.  The buffet breakfast is not to be missed; if you have breakfast you will not need to eat for the rest of the day...lol.  The fresh Malasadas and Kahala crepes are amazing...

[DaKahuna]

On 5/13/2024 at 11:08 AM, Georgia_Peaches said:

I’m right there with you!  Was just looking at the menus for our upcoming cruise on Edge in 18 days…woohoo….and I wasn’t over the moon at all. Blu and the MDR menus looked better by and large. We have Eden and LCG booked. 

 

 When we looked over the Luminae menu on Millennium we were not impressed either but we never had a bad meal there and only once did I send a dish back.  I found that between the MDR and Luminae I found something I enjoyed eating every night and so did my DW.  

 

 

[DaKahuna]

On 5/13/2024 at 10:55 AM, Purplsmurf said:

Love Hilton Hawaiian Village In Honolulu 

 

 It’s a very nice venue.  We normally stay next door at the Hale Koa, for military guest, and walk over to the HHV or into Waikiki for meals and shopping but was thinking of a change of pace this time.   We spent a week at the Hale Koa last Novemember and while quite comfortable, the dining facilities left a lot to be desired.  

 

I did like that I could go down to the small Exchange outlet they had on the ground floor and pick up a 4-pack of Cutwater Margaritas or Long Island Ice Teas to have up in the room.  Spent some time on the balcony sipping cold adult beverages and staring at the ocean. 

 

 

Edited May 15 by DaKahuna

[DaKahuna]

On 5/13/2024 at 11:03 AM, kwokpot said:

Traditional High end I would say Royal Hawaiian. 

 

We stayed there once many years ago for one night when leaving Hawaii after living there for three years.  Quite a remarkable place.  Lots of ‘history.’

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

18 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 When we looked over the Luminae menu on Millennium we were not impressed either but we never had a bad meal there and only once did I send a dish back.  I found that between the MDR and Luminae I found something I enjoyed eating every night and so did my DW.  

 

 

Yes, I think we will be just fine. It’s just that part of the appeal of Luminae, or it used to be, was the awesome menu. But that topic is a dead horse well beaten by now. Good news is, like you we will always find something we like between all the menus on the ship. On E class though, we don’t have the option of ordering from the MDR menu. But we’ve already decided that we like the MDR ambience better than Luminae anyway so will likely dine in one of them a few times…as well as Blu if they can accommodate us. Regardless, my waistline will not be deprived, I’m certain!  😄

[PeterGavin]

On 5/11/2024 at 1:02 PM, DaKahuna said:

I hear you on that one.  I am very tempted to fly to Honolulu, spend a day or two, then fly to Sydney.  Coming from the East Coast - going direct to Sydney would be one heck of a travel day, or should I say two days.  14 hours non-stop to Japan was bad enough.  We’ll just have to see how flights and schedules work out. 

The current bonus for Australia flights from Honolulu is that they are daylight flights, leaving around noon/lunch time, and arriving in the early evening, allowing for an easier transition to local time without trying to stay awake all day in Sydney. This is much easier on the body, rather than the 10 hours of night time flying (departed near midnight for early morning arrival).

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, PeterGavin said:

The current bonus for Australia flights from Honolulu is that they are daylight flights, leaving around noon/lunch time, and arriving in the early evening, allowing for an easier transition to local time without trying to stay awake all day in Sydney. This is much easier on the body, rather than the 10 hours of night time flying (departed near midnight for early morning arrival).

Good to hear.  I haven't had a stop in HNL for over 40 years.... Showing my age back then a 747 couldn't make SFO to SYD and required a fuel stop in either HNL or Auckland.  

 

 

[osborne66]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Good to hear.  I haven't had a stop in HNL for over 40 years.... Showing my age back then a 747 couldn't make SFO to SYD and required a fuel stop in either HNL or Auckland.  

 

 

When we did the SYD - HNL cruise in Apr - we flew the 5th longest flight currently in service - DFW to MEL. We left at 7:30pm local time in DFW on a Wednesday evening and arrived in MEL at 5:30am on Friday morning - 17 Hours & 43 mins later!!!!!!

[rinshin]

On 5/12/2024 at 6:45 AM, DaKahuna said:

Yes, fortunately we have a few months to figure it out.

I’ll keep everyone updated but in the mean time — does anyone have recommendations for accommodations (1) pre-cruise in Sydney and (2) post cruise in Honolulu?

 

The last time I was in Sydney was in 1986 to help Australia to celebrate their bi-centennial.  I did not have to worry about a place to sleep as Unclas Same provided me with a “cot and three square meals a day.” 

 

 

If you are retired military, really hard to beat Hale Koa in Waikiki.  Great grounds, reasonable family restaurants for breakfasts, nice bars and very inviting lobby area.  We stayed there several times when my father was still traveling and with mom on her own as a spouse. 

[phoenix_dream]

On 5/10/2024 at 12:15 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

Oceania Regatta - 9/14/2024  - 12 Night Alaska Cascadia

Cunard  QM2 - 10/25/2024 - East Bound Trans Atlantic

Silhouette - 11/16/2024 - 13 Night Trans Atlantic

Oceania Vista - 11/09/2025 10 Night Med

Cunard QM2 -  10/30/2025 - East Bound Trans Atlantic

Equinox - 11/21/2025   15 Night Portugal to Buenos Aires

 

I also have them updated in my Signature.  

 

I haven't figured out yet how I will post.    I will probably do a comparison Live Review -  possibly split it up so don't abuse the CC policies of staying on subject of the thread.  

Hi.  Was reading this, and noticed you were going to be on a ship I was considering - the 9/14 cruise.  My hesitations - first, I am susceptible to seasickness.  Do you find a lot more motion on a ship this much smaller?  The smallest I have ever been on is Celebrity Horizon and I am hesitant to go smaller.  I was tempted by this cruise as I love Alaska and much of the cruise will be in calm waters (coast of California could go either way).  Second, I am unclear about benefits.  As a fellow Zenith (we met last year at one of the CC gatherings🙂) I am concerned about what will not be included that I am used to.  Not sure if we could afford one of their suites.  Any advice?  They seem to have a good sale going on now, for example with champagne, wine, and more, but I have no idea what "more" encompasses and can't find anything on their website.  Any thoughts you could convey would be greatly appreciated!

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said:

Hi.  Was reading this, and noticed you were going to be on a ship I was considering - the 9/14 cruise.  My hesitations - first, I am susceptible to seasickness.  Do you find a lot more motion on a ship this much smaller?  The smallest I have ever been on is Celebrity Horizon and I am hesitant to go smaller.  I was tempted by this cruise as I love Alaska and much of the cruise will be in calm waters (coast of California could go either way).  Second, I am unclear about benefits.  As a fellow Zenith (we met last year at one of the CC gatherings🙂) I am concerned about what will not be included that I am used to.  Not sure if we could afford one of their suites.  Any advice?  They seem to have a good sale going on now, for example with champagne, wine, and more, but I have no idea what "more" encompasses and can't find anything on their website.  Any thoughts you could convey would be greatly appreciated!

 

That is a tough question.    We were on a much smaller ship -  Ponant (about 1/2 the size of Oceania Regatta.   We were sailing in the Great Lakes so the waters were mostly calm.   Even in rougher seas really didn't find that much more motion

 

I use to be affected by motion sickness when we first started sailing on Millennium back in 2001.  Over time, I think my body got used to it as I no longer get motion sick on ships.   I did find something that worked for me.    The night before the cruise I would take a Motion Sickness Pill (Marazine) which is almost the same chemical composition to Benadryl.   It of course made me sleep well the night before the cruise.   I would then take another 1/2 the morning of the cruise.   It would calm my inner ear down and I wouldn't require any more for the entire cruise.    Even though I no longer am affected I aways have a pack of Bonine with me --- Just in case. 

 

If you have done Alaska and California Coastal before you know that the waters can be either calm as a lake or pretty rough.    Much like any other destination.    Personally I wouldn't worry too much but be prepared.    Best location might be mid-ship both Aft/Forward and top/Bottom

 

We ended up booking a Vista Suite which is full forward right under the bridge.  I'm sure we will feel the sea more there and will hear the anchor drop - if we have tender ports.    I believe Sitka is the only tender port.  

 

My understanding is the following are different -

 

The OBC you receive with booking can only be used for their excursions.   Excursions seem expensive at about $250 pp for most.  

 

Beer and Wine are included with all meals from their wine list.   They also have a number of cocktail parties where you can get select free mixed drink

 

You can bring Liquor and Wine aboard as well as bring it back with you from ports.  There is a $25 corkage fee if consumed outside your Room.  Our suite comes with 6 bottles so I don't think this will be a problem for us. 

 

Tips are not included but you can purchase in advance or be billed daily.

 

You receive free basic internet which is good except for streaming.  For streaming you need to upgrade.  My understanding is Regatta has not been updated to Starlink and is the OLD internet.

 

Dining at most of the Specialties is free.   You can make reservations in advance -  2 tops are harder to get but usually no problem if you wish to share a table.

 

for the most part. Oceania sailings include accommodations, shore excursions (limited to Simply More $ allotment), port shuttles, activities, food and most beverages, specialty dining and entertainment. Not included in the fare are some beverage packages, gratuities, spa treatments, laundry and specialty excursions.

 

 

 

 

 

[awhfy]

We’ll be at the Hale Koa again next month (all 14 of us). Can’t beat the great lodging prices for military & retired military. We also really like Outrigger & Royal Hawaiian.