Panorama Transpacific 08/22/24 - 09/10/24 - Live-ish 'cause that's how I roll

[CoffeeGoddess]

With going to bed at a decent hour and changing the clocks back 1 hour I was up early enough to actually hit the breakfast at the buffet even putzing around in my cabin.  Hell, it's still only a little after 11am and I feel like it should be after noon.

 

This morning started a bit grey but has cleared up nicely even though it is still chilly and windy.

 

 

 

We're still cooking along and close to being out past North America and under the Bearing Sea. The wider area map now shows Hokkaido on it.

 

 

 

After hiding in my cabin most of yesterday I feel like being out and about so went down to the Havana Bar to see about getting a coffee and finding a comfy spot to read. Well, it appears that people have found out about it so while the entry seating areas were still quiet they now had quite a few people doing what I wanted to do. The bar area was louder with an actual line at the bar which I had never seen in the morning. I figured with it being chilly the aft Lido deck at the Tides bar would be available and it was.

 

It was a bit too chilly for me to sit at the bar with the wind even with my hoody so I got my fizzy water to go. They did me good with lime and mint in the glass for it and I'm starboard with most of the wind blocked but still a nice ocean view.

 

 

Internet has been a little hit or miss today same with the Hub app but I did save a couple of events today. I hope they aren't too busy but you never can tell what will be popular. They did just make an announcement that they will have a debarkation presentation on the 2nd so that will be a definite go to.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Well today turned into a reading and relaxing day as well. If the cruise was shorter then I probably would feel like I need to do something. But in a way since it's so long I kinda feel like I've done one cruise to Alaska and now I'm taking a break and tomorrow with my Carnival Kitchen class I'll start my cruise to Japan.

I will say I'm really missing someplace like the observation lounge on the NCL Breakaway + ships. A large relatively quiet indoor spot with comfortable seating, windows all around, snacks being set out, and a bar where there are no events going on to disturb the peace. I'm just glad I splurged on a balcony room so that I have my own views and outside area to relax in. Although for some strange reason it smelled like beef cooking on and off in my cabin for the past couple of hours. I'm guessing it's some kind of ventilation/wind direction thing that came together to end up in my cabin.

 

 

Thanks for the notice so I can make sure my curtains are closed while I'm getting ready in the morning! I'm sure those balcony cleaners have SEEN some things.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Well this interesting little flyer was in my mail slot. Sounds like it might be fun or horrible or a mixture of both as I imagine cruises in the 80s were.

 

 

[maryann2]

Do you go to the Comedy Club, .Shows or trivia?

As a solo I often find that trivia is a good way to meet people.

[fabby50]

Horse racing!  One of the things I've missed about cruising now, I thought that was fun and wasn't sure why it disappeared.  I guess bingo can make more $$$

[crzndeb]

2 hours ago, maryann2 said:

Do you go to the Comedy Club, .Shows or trivia?

As a solo I often find that trivia is a good way to meet people.

Do we have a team for the trip back? I’m in. LOL

Edited September 1 by crzndeb

[maryann2]

2 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

Do we have a team for the trip back? I’m in. LOL

Yes Debbie.

So far you me and Nancy.

 

[CoffeeGoddess]

4 hours ago, maryann2 said:

Do you go to the Comedy Club, .Shows or trivia?

As a solo I often find that trivia is a good way to meet people.

 

I really don't find any appeal in the comedy club or trivia so don't do those. I do occasionally go to shows if they look interesting and do events that also seem interesting.  For example today in the afternoon there's a lecture on the written Japanese language that goes over katakana, hiragana, and Kanji that I plan to go to. I may ask go to the dance club tonight since they're doing an '80s night.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Made it up to breakfast this morning again and this time got a couple of fried eggs with some cognee. There didn't seem to be any bacon out today so went with a couple of sausages.

 

 

 

After being a slug the last couple of days I decided to take a walk up on the track after breakfast. I went back to my cabin and got my ear buds, hoody, and gloves then grabbed another coffee before heading up. It felt really good actually just walking and listening to my tunes and I didn't do a full 2 miles but did at least a mile and a half. I lost count of my laps as I thought up music videos in my head to the songs. While cloudy there was enough sun poking through to wear my sunglasses.

 

 

After stretching I used the chest press, leg press,

and shoulder pull body weight thingies on the deck.

 

 

 

Since I was up there I figured why not do the Skyride. However, they require two people to ride it at the same time so I couldn't do it solo. The attendant suggested that I wait for a bit and see if one of the people on the ropes course wanted to ride when they finished so I did. While waiting a couple walked up and only the husband wanted to ride so that worked out.

 

 

That was pretty fun I have to say. I do plan on doing the ropes course at some point but not today since my legs were a little shaky after everything I did already.

 

We've had two reminders already that we jump forward 23 hours tonight after 2am. They suggested the easiest way to do that on your phone was to change the date and then go back one hour on the clock. That sounds like a plan to me.

 

[jimbo5544]

10 hours ago, CoffeeGoddess said:

Made it up to breakfast this morning again and this time got a couple of fried eggs with some cognee. There didn't seem to be any bacon out today so went with a couple of sausages.

 

 

 

After being a slug the last couple of days I decided to take a walk up on the track after breakfast. I went back to my cabin and got my ear buds, hoody, and gloves then grabbed another coffee before heading up. It felt really good actually just walking and listening to my tunes and I didn't do a full 2 miles but did at least a mile and a half. I lost count of my laps as I thought up music videos in my head to the songs. While cloudy there was enough sun poking through to wear my sunglasses.

 

 

After stretching I used the chest press, leg press,

and shoulder pull body weight thingies on the deck.

 

 

 

Since I was up there I figured why not do the Skyride. However, they require two people to ride it at the same time so I couldn't do it solo. The attendant suggested that I wait for a bit and see if one of the people on the ropes course wanted to ride when they finished so I did. While waiting a couple walked up and only the husband wanted to ride so that worked out.

 

 

That was pretty fun I have to say. I do plan on doing the ropes course at some point but not today since my legs were a little shaky after everything I did already.

 

We've had two reminders already that we jump forward 23 hours tonight after 2am. They suggested the easiest way to do that on your phone was to change the date and then go back one hour on the clock. That sounds like a plan to me.

 

Jump back 23 hours…..pretty cool

[Jamman54]

42 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Jump back 23 hours…..pretty cool

I think it's jump ahead Jimbo! 😎

[jimbo5544]

7 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

I think it's jump ahead Jimbo! 😎

LOL, must be my age, wanting to jump back sounds SO much better than jump ahead.  My bad.

Edited September 2 by jimbo5544

[shof515]

13 hours ago, CoffeeGoddess said:

We've had two reminders already that we jump forward 23 hours tonight after 2am. They suggested the easiest way to do that on your phone was to change the date and then go back one hour on the clock. That sounds like a plan to me.

 

 

time travel is confusing

[CoffeeGoddess]

Yes, we did indeed skip Monday since last night was jump ahead 23 hours. So we went from Sunday, September 1st to Tuesday, September 3rd. Wish I could do this at home for work sometimes.

 

It is cold and windy and the wind has been whistling through the balcony door since early this morning. The Hub app tells me it's more of the same for a couple more days then we start to warm up. The ship is currently blowing the fog horn since it's pretty misty out there.

 

 

 

 

Last night was the Latin cooking class in the Carnival Kitchen which was a lot of fun. We made four dishes: ceviche, empanadas, soup, and a steak one.  The chef also made a chicken rice dish that he demonstrated that we didn't make. Afterwards we had dinner, with wine, of the same dishes made by staff. They also served a really good flan for dessert.

 

 

 

 

 

I think I'm going to go see if there are any more classes available that have openings.

 

 

[crzndeb]

1 hour ago, CoffeeGoddess said:

Yes, we did indeed skip Monday since last night was jump ahead 23 hours. So we went from Sunday, September 1st to Tuesday, September 3rd.

I have done a few TP’s both ways, losing a day going over and repeating the same day coming back. Coming back on the Panorama in Oct., I will get to wish my daughter a Happy Birthday twice.

[CoffeeGoddess]

Forgot to post yesterday's Funtimes and here's today's as well.

 

 

 

 

[CoffeeGoddess]

Except for grabbing some food and a stop in the spa to get a mani-pedi appointment I've been out on the decks since about 10:30am. In that time it start to clear up first with the sky showing through the mist then finally clear all around.

 

 

 

 

 

Then it once again started to get misty even though the sky was still pretty clear. And now we are once again surrounded by fog but the sun is cutting through it easily so they're starting to put the deck chairs out.

 

 

[jimbo5544]

Weird fog

[CoffeeGoddess]

It's a beautiful morning, well, now afternoon, here on the Pacific. While it started foggy and I heard the fog horn blowing in the early morning, by the time I truly got up around 10am it was clear and the sky is partly cloudy.

 

 

It is really windy though so when walking farther track it take a little effort to push against the wind. Checked out the buffet and while it looked pretty decent it was crowded as all get out. So got in line for Blue Iguana and a burrito bowl. Can't go wrong with that.

 

 

Unfortunately I'm guessing they're starting to run low on things since I asked for guacamole and they said they're only offering that at breakfast now. Ah, well, these are still good stuff.

[CoffeeGoddess]

They were finishing up the Grove for Jude as I finished my lunch so I went and gave a donation. Why the heck not and you get a snazzy T-shirt.

 

[CoffeeGoddess]

Got my transfer from the port to Tokyo Station since we aren't docking at the Yokohama port but a newer one that MSC aperantly uses. Had we docked at the regular port it was not only a close walk to the station but also had a place that had a luggage shipping service so as not to have to wrangle your luggage on the train. This one is not convenient at all unless you are prepared to take a standard bus which has a stop fairly close to it. So a ship transfer it is! They had other options as well with one to Yokohama Station but I'm getting on a bus fir a transfer then I might as well take it as close to my destination as possible.

 

 

It is a little walk into the station from where they drop you off but it'll either be about 20 minute train ride to the station closest to my hotel or about a 15 minute taxi ride if I want to pay a bit more.

 

We're going to do the passport control and customs stuff in Otaru since it is our first stop in Japan. It will be on the ship though so they've provided a letter in our rooms along with the customs forms.

 

 

 

 

I still need to see the whole disembarkment presentation thing still but the app is supposed to have all that in it.

 

Apropos of forms, here's today's Funtimes.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 4 by CoffeeGoddess

[CoffeeGoddess]

Oh, man! First the nuts come back at Alchemy and then the buffet has the best night ever.

 

 

I threw a load of laundry in then figured I'd check out the buffet since I hadn't eaten sine the burrito bowl at lunch. They had roasted green beans, catfish nuggets, ribs, fried mushrooms stuffed with spinach and ricotta, and some kind of potato cake with artichoke. It was all delicious.

 

 

And then some walnut bread pudding and tiramisu for dessert.  I'm stuffed and happy. That's how you do it!

[CoffeeGoddess]

It's Thursday morning here and while the fog is thick enough that I can't see the bridge wing from my balcony, it's a much warmer day then the last few.

 

 

We have today and tomorrow at sea as we get closer to Hokkaido.

 

 

 

I have my last scheduled massage this morning and then want to check out the Otaru lecture later in the afternoon. Otherwise, much like the other sea days, I'm just winging it.

 

I have to say that having this much time where there are no deadlines or obligations or even normal chores to do has been very refreshing. This is the first vacation I've taken over 2 weeks and the first with so many days I've had nothing scheduled or even needed to make a decision outside of where am I going to eat and what am I going to drink. Now if this was going to go on for more then tomorrow I'd probably get a little stir crazy.

 

Anyway, here's today's Funtimes.

 

 

[CoastalCatharine]

17 hours ago, CoffeeGoddess said:

Got my transfer from the port to Tokyo Station since we aren't docking at the Yokohama port but a newer one that MSC aperantly uses.

 

 

Are you docking at Odaiba at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal?  

[CoffeeGoddess]

On 9/4/2024 at 3:24 PM, CoastalCatharine said:

 

Are you docking at Odaiba at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal?  

 

No we're at the Diakoku Pier Cruise Terminal.