Guam - Santiago Sep. 8 - Oct. 17. Missives from The Andesite Line on Pursuit

[highplanesdrifters]

8 minutes ago, lincslady said:

So far - wow!!

Awww, you're so kind.  Wish you were here to enjoy in person.

[kbnovak]

1 hour ago, highplanesdrifters said:

@kbnovak

Did you make it to Guam?😁

We did, thanks. Glad to see you did as well. 
we are at the Hyatt Regency. 

[lincslady]

1 hour ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Awww, you're so kind.  Wish you were here to enjoy in person.

Me too - although I would not  be indulging in many active trips, being pretty old and a slow walker.  Always happy to be on a Seabourn ship, however.  Your trip will be  mostly new to me, as Papeete is the only port on your route I have visited, so whenever you can spare time we will enjoy reading about it.

[highplanesdrifters]

A very good tropical morning to you all.  Big sleep and right as rain today.

 

We went to the Club floor for a drink last night.  Met some fellow Pursuit guests. I guess we're easy to spot. 😃 I suspect a bigger crop will be rolling in tonight.

 

The Club (Regency) room was disappointing.  A series of hot small rooms

 Lots of rug rats.  There was a help yourself bar, along with a small buffet. All decent enough for a quiet night.

 

 

Soft straight rain.

 

A better look at the meandering pool.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6 by highplanesdrifters

[highplanesdrifters]

12 hours ago, lincslady said:

Me too - although I would not  be indulging in many active trips, being pretty old and a slow walker.  Always happy to be on a Seabourn ship, however.  Your trip will be  mostly new to me, as Papeete is the only port on your route I have visited, so whenever you can spare time we will enjoy reading about it.

 

Always lovely having your onboard, even if it's just virtually.  If you care to share:  Pretend our drinks have just been served, close your eyes and tell us what trip pops into your head.

 

[lincslady]

Thank you for the invitation.  Although some of the most enjoyable days might be in the small islands, I have never been to Easter Island, so I think that is where I will hope to do an excursion with you all. I would also look forward to some meals on hot days and evenings outside at the Colonnade, with a glass or two of a NZ sauvignon blanc to accompany them.  I am assuming that although the plan is different to Sojourn etc., with fewer options,  this will still be possible.

[lincslady]

It must be around boarding or sailing time, so bon voyage to all doing the Andesite Line.

[highplanesdrifters]

For those interested from Wikipedia

 

 

Guam, along with the Mariana Islands, were the first islands settled by humans in Remote Oceania. It was also the first and the longest of the ocean-crossing voyages of the Austronesian peoples, and is separate from the later Polynesian settlement of the rest of Remote Oceania. They were first settled around 1500 to 1400 BC, by migrants departing from the Philippines which was followed by a second migration from the Caroline Islands in the first millennium AD. A third migration wave took place from Island Southeast Asia, likely the Philippines or eastern Indonesia, by 900 AD.[16][17]

 

These original settlers of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands evolved into the Chamorro people, historically known as Chamorros after first contact with the Spaniards.[18]: 16  The ancient Chamorro society had four classes: chamorri (chiefs), matua (upper class), achaot (middle class), and mana'chang (lower class).[18]: 20–21  The matua were located in the coastal villages, which meant they had the best access to fishing grounds. The mana'chang were located in the island's interior. Matua and mana'chang rarely communicated with each other. The matua often used achaot as intermediaries.

[markandjie]

10 hours ago, lincslady said:

I have never been to Easter Island

 

I think a cruise is definitely the way to see Easter Island. The moai are incredible but after seeing several different spots plus the quarry where they're carved that's pretty much all there is to the island. Perfect for a cruise stop... Not quite worth the 7 hour flight from Santiago. 

[highplanesdrifters]

We hired a taxi to see what's what.

 

First stop Two Lovers Point. Usual story of kids being denied parental approval.  As one would do, they tied themselves together and hurled off the cliff to seal their love forever.

I wonder how that worked out.

 

 

 

The lesser know three Lovers Point.

 

 

Fortunately the commercial powers that be will sell you a lock an heart for $6. Material is made for writing your name on it.  IMHO a much better option than the cliff hurling AND quite affordable. 

 

 

It's quite a drop!

 

 

Tumon Bay is quite spectacular. 

 

 

Now for the exciting part, a trip to the Micronesia mall to pick up a few things.

 

 

Guam even has its own Statue of liberty.  There was a bigger one but the last Typhoon took it out.

 

 

Another overlook with some very old Spanish Cannons.  There is quite a bit of influence from them on the Chamorro in both language and culture.

 

 

The island has a plethora of massage parlors. 

 

 

And then there is the luxury shopping right next door.

 

 

Jimmy, our most excellent guide for the day.  He is originally from the Philippines.  He told us that Philippine Guam population is about 30%.  Many came via military marriages when we closed bases there.  The government is currently building much housing expecting the same from Japan.

 

We loved our tour. Such a fascinating and beautiful place.

 

 

Topped off the day with a little pool action.

 

 

Our evening bartender made us some endless Pina Colidas.

 

 

Dinner at NIJI Japanese restaurant . Very popular with locals and tourists for birthdays and celebrations.

 

 

Serious Sukiyaki. Lovies favorite.

 

 

Edited September 7 by highplanesdrifters

[highplanesdrifters]

28 minutes ago, markandjie said:

 

I think a cruise is definitely the way to see Easter Island. The moai are incredible but after seeing several different spots plus the quarry where they're carved that's pretty much all there is to the island. Perfect for a cruise stop... Not quite worth the 7 hour flight from Santiago. 

 

Good to know Grasshopper chose wisely.🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

Embarkation went relatively smoothly yesterday.   Suites were ready when we arrived around 1pm. Luggage arrived by 2pm.  It's always a hectic time settling in even when you know there are 2 sea days ahead.

 

Day 2 also busy with mandatory briefings,  gear sorting. Expedition team looks great with some familiar favorites.

 

As for booking the Submarine and additional tours....grumble grumble.  Communication is lacking and it's every man for themselves. We scrambled as soon as we boarded and got one of the last slots for the Chuuk dive.  Thanks @kej1!  New tours are showing up randomly and are already Sold Out....grrrrr.

 

Excursions aside, the ship has a good vibe.  Lots of extremely helpful and smiling faces.  

 

Always a welcome sight!

 

 

Shade was lacking at luggage drop which included a search by U.S. Coast Guard.  Slowed things down.  I think Seabourn should have sprung for another tent!😃

 

 

Time for some R&R.

 

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

And got the Go Pro up and running in Guam.  Been awhile.  Not the best snorkeling at the Hyatt, but good practice. 

 

Trigger Fish.

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

Crisis averted...there is now Contreau on board.....whew. Resupplied in Guam. Our bartender was in a panic.

 

Food so far, pretty tasty.  Cocktails quite good.  Included wines....still haven't found anything drinkable.

 

French Onion soup, 6.5.

 

 

Lobster, 8.5

 

Towel Animal sculpture thing and plastic flowers, 4.3.  Hmmmmm.

 

[lincslady]

That 'sculpture'  looks rather rude!  Never had one anything like that in all my SB cruises.

[mraven]

Curious about the sub/kayak pricing. I have 2 expeditions booked in 2025 and when I try to reserve, it shows I get (club preference) discount of 15%, but the price doesn't show with the line through it and the discounted price under like it does for other excursions. I notice on the benefits page, the excursion discount is foot-noted with "some restrictions may apply."  Is the sub/kayak not eligible for the discount?

[kej1]

Glad you are safely enconsed on board!  I recognize and miss that back deck of your suite which we loved so much! We are missing the Pursuit!   Glad to hear you had a nice meal.  We found the lobster very well prepared and delicious.  They did run out toward the end of our 30 days but we enjoyed it often.
 

So happy you were able to get a slot on the sub in Chuuk.   We enjoyed seeing the wreck named as the San Francisco Maru which was over 120 meters deep.  We had a local on board the sub that knew it well and I was fortunate to sit next to him and he answered lots of questions!  I hope you enjoy it.  It was a good experience!   But sorry to hear they are still doing the mad dash for excursions.  I had hoped they would have that a bit more organized by now.  We found ourselves constantly looking at the app to see if anything appeared instead of waiting for the evening briefing as by then many expeditions had shown up maybe 30 min before and were full by the time they were presented.  I’d prefer them to publish as much as possible in advance and if weather changes or something prohibits an excursion to have it canceled vs scrambling to sign up at the last minute. In some cases the last minute excursions get canceled anyway on the day of due to various factors.    Despite all of that we loved the ship and had a great time so here is hoping you do too!  It will be a fabulous trip I’m sure!

[highplanesdrifters]

On 9/9/2024 at 5:51 AM, lincslady said:

That 'sculpture'  looks rather rude!  Never had one anything like that in all my SB cruises.

 

Yes, we had quite a chuckle and eye raise about the third leg.😅  Have never seen anything like this on Seabourn either.  We love our room attendant though. She could easily be a senior butler on Silversea.

Edited September 9 by highplanesdrifters

[highplanesdrifters]

19 hours ago, mraven said:

Curious about the sub/kayak pricing. I have 2 expeditions booked in 2025 and when I try to reserve, it shows I get (club preference) discount of 15%, but the price doesn't show with the line through it and the discounted price under like it does for other excursions. I notice on the benefits page, the excursion discount is foot-noted with "some restrictions may apply."  Is the sub/kayak not eligible for the discount?

 

We booked on board $900, and got the 15% discount which brought it down to $765.  Nothing was available for the sub before the trip except the major ports like Guam and Papeete.  Rediculous because there will be no sub action in major ports.

[B-HQC]

I believe submarine bookings are made for the first day of each cruise segment and then guests will be assigned to an avaliable day on the voyage when the subs will be in use, same as with the canoes.

[highplanesdrifters]

15 hours ago, B-HQC said:

I believe submarine bookings are made for the first day of each cruise segment and then guests will be assigned to an avaliable day on the voyage when the subs will be in use, same as with the canoes.

 

Aha!  What a great piece of information. Thank you. 

 

 Our friends said they had booked but were waiting for their assigned day.  She couldn't remember how she did that though.  Fortunately we booked the sub excursion we wanted once on board.

[highplanesdrifters]

18 hours ago, kej1 said:

We had a local on board the sub that knew it well and I was fortunate to sit next to him and he answered lots of questions!  

 

Sounds like you hit the jackpot with the local guide on the sub.

 

Must thank you again for the heads up on the excursion booking chaos.  We got exactly what we wanted thanks to you. CC Intelligentsia to the rescue!

 

It's our first time at the back of the ship. We are very happy and spoiled. 

 

 

[mraven]

I have not booked a sub on my expeditions for 2025, but I did book a kayak on the Antarctica holiday cruise. It shows 250pp with a discount of 15%.. But they billed me the 250 and also stated there was no date as it would be determined by conditions. Mostly an 'OK' booking to use Seabourn's guarantee terminology. Maybe it gets adjusted once you get a definitive spot. Seattle has been no help.

 

Glad you got your desired booking!

 

29 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

 

Aha!  What a great piece of information. Thank you. 

 

 Our friends said they had booked but were waiting for their assigned day.  She couldn't remember how she did that though.  Fortunately we booked the sub excursion we wanted once on board.

 

[highplanesdrifters]

8 hours ago, mraven said:

Seattle has been no help.

🤣🤣🤣

[highplanesdrifters]

Ummmm, not the tropical splendor I booked  .😁