2023 World Cruise

I had been to Tahiti before with John in 2019, even this port. June wasn't interested to book anything. Once we decided to book something, everything was full. No worries, we got off and found a nice tour just by the port. We had a Circle Tour of the island, at least the Tahiti nui portion, not the Tahiti iti, portion. Along this lovely tour we saw the Grotto de Marra, Botanical Garden, Trou de Souffleur Blow Hole, and Point Venus. We also stopped at a waterfall but it was pouring rain at that moment, so we chose not to get out. It did rain intermittently, but it was sometimes refreshing. We decided our tour was probably better than the other tour buses. When we got to the Blow Hole there were 2 tour buses that drove in just before us. Our driver whizzed past them and parked on the sidewalk! Needless to say, it was not crowded for us as others made their way along the path. Leopold, our driver, also sliced up fresh, tantalizing papaya and mango for our pleasure. He also played the ...

T hings are going along just fine. There are an abundance of activities as I have stated before. I am managing to carve out a little bit of time for scrapbooking every sea day. I hope to have the album 99% finished when I arrive home! We seem busy though I cannot tell you exactly what we are doing. Besides my scrapbooking, we are playing Rummikub, enjoying shows and demonstrations, and then there are meals and drinks with friends! CROSSING THE EQUATOR - January 28, approximately 3:30p our time.  There was quite a celebration. We might have enjoyed watching such an hilarious event but we couldn't really see anything. We got glimpses. June is now a "shellback" and no longer a "pollywog" - I been across the equator a couple times before by ship and many by air. Anyway, the attitude on the ship was and is festive.  King Neptune and others arrive This is just part of the "stuff" they put on people. It is quite a Process! January 30th: MEDIVAC Sadly, today t...

What a beautiful sunrise this morning! First thing this morning I went to the Internet Desk because something happened to my laptop. I could not turn it off and my tool bar was gone. I am sure Lei is tried of seeing me. However, he is very gracious. I had to press the off button for 30 seconds to make it turn off, then a restart fixed it. Phew, no big problem! June went for breakfast while I caught up on the blog and took my shower. We stopped for a second coffee for her and my first before getting off the ship. There are free shuttles to two nearby, small, local, strip malls. It really is close enough to walk but we didn't know that at first. These little strip malls are right near Duke's and  Kalapaki Beach. A lovely setting. I got a couple p ost cards for the granddaughters and sent them on their way. We browsed the shops and then decided to go to  Duke's. I had never been there. What a treat! With the overcast day it is a bit gray but the décor in Duke's makes up fo...

We had a nice view of Oahu when coming into port. I posted a video to Facebook. We went into town for what we needed. We were more or less ready to come back since we had all our supplies. I took my smallest carry on off the ship to bring things back easily. Uber was great. There were other options, cheaper, but one had to wait and with the suitcase the situation was different. We had a late lunch, then a rest, then we did laundry. We plan to do that once a week (approx) to keep it under control.  My dinner was disappointing but other than that, another perfect day on the Island Princess. Tonight's show was a local Hula school giving a presentation. It was very nice. It amazes me the number of people who rush out when the music stops. The people are still talking... it seems so rude to me. If you are sitting by the aisle you just better move. This is an older crowd, they should know better! lol

This morning I slept it, I have not been getting much sleep. Sleep aids do NOT help me fall asleep. June left for coffee and when she got back I took a long shower and shampooed my hair. It was great after the cold shower yesterday. I caught up on my blog and tried to download some photos. Not so easy. The internet works but not so much with downloading photos.  We had lunch in the Bordeaux Dining R oom, then browsed a few shops before heading to the Provence Dining Room where games and cards are played. I've narrowed down the time to 1:30p to 3:00p because only a few people have really shown interest to play. They can certainly contact me as well. I won't be calling them again. I think people, including me, thought there would be more "down time" with nothing to do. We couldn't possibly do all the scheduled events. The Hula lessons and Ukulele lessons will be ending now as we arrive in Hawaii tomorrow. Shuffleboard, Ping Pong, Trivia, Zumba, Arts & Crafts, Kn...

We had a busy day. I started it with a COLD (and quick) shower. Maintenance came and fixed it very soon, it was a burnt out thermostat. After a latte in Good Spirits we headed to the Crooner's Bar to make a lei. We were a little late so we don't have the best leis as the flowers were pretty picked over. Anyway it now decorates our cabin.    Next was the destination talk for Kauai, we only caught the last 15 minutes but the speaker seems to be a good one. Pumped up with more water we took a short lap on deck 7. Not exactly a lap but one area was closed so it was more of a back and forth. It is still a bit cool and windy for a walk up top. We freshened up back at our cabin, then realized our TV was not working, but we called about that later. It simply needed a reset and new batteries in the remote (I think) Anyway, we were off to lunch in the Horizon Court. We finished up just in time for me to show up to the cards and Rummikub I am sponsoring. Hmmmm, we played Phase 10 un...

We are still getting our bearings on the ship. We have yet to make it to some of the spots we want to visit. We ate in the dining room for breakfast because we thought June could have eggs Benedict. It was not on the menu. We have not been to the buffet yet, just dining rooms. Today we had a mandatory Covid test. They delivered it to our cabin to self-administer. You then took a photo of the test by your name and cabin number on a sheet of paper. Once you showed that to your cabin steward, you were ready to continue your day. Yes, we were both negative. At some point there will be an announcement if we need to continue to wear a mask or not.  Of course there are all sorts of people on this ship. Someone posted that they have black, individually sealed KN95 masks and they will sell them to you for US$5. Of course, the ship will give you a little one for free. Made me laugh! Internet is great most of the time BUT extremely slow when uploading or downloading photos.  Today we mad...

We had a good day. We went to the Cruise Critic Meet and Greet in the Provence dinning room and I met a few of the people I have been talking to for awhile. We had sign ups for some card games and such. Tonight I called everyone who signed up. We will play from 12:30 to 3p in that same Provence dining room on sea days. We'll see who shows up.  I exchanged the purple plastic wrist band for a gold bangle to hold my Medallion disc. After that I lost $20 in the casino. Then we wandered a jewelry store and I got a pinky ring.  While June took a nap I went to the health center and weighed. I want to somewhat monitor things so nothing gets out of hand. Kilos instead of pounds but I just want a baseline. As the ship rocks, the scale sways so things aren't so accurate.  When we arrived back to our cabin we had gifts waiting for us. A tote bag, water bottle, and additional lanyard to hold the Medallion disc.  Tomorrow between 8a and 11a everyone is supposed to have Covid tests...

Today we caught the 10:00a shuttle back to the airport to take our shuttle to the ship.  I'm thinking about my big green suitcase and wondering if it will really meet me at the ship? I will be VERY disappointed if that doesn't work out. I won't worry about it until late tonight if it does not arrive.  W e received our Princess Medallions upon check in. A lot of people had them mailed to their home but by the time I got the app to work, I thought there wasn't enough time. These little gems of technology are what we’ll use for everything on the Island Princess. We can wear them on a lanyard provided but there are other options. I did buy a sporty bracelet to wear mine. I will see how what works out. With this we are allow us to board the ship. The Medallion will unlock our stateroom door as I walk up to it. I can scan it whenever I want to purchase anything on board and the cost will be charged to my shipboard account or my drink package. Let the adventure begin!!! Okay, ...

We made it to the airport in Fresno this morning with no issues. The taxi was even early. We were up at 3:45a and in the taxi by 4:10a. Flight left on time and we made it to the hotel after a short wait for the free shuttle. We even managed to check in on arrival, much earlier than the check in time of 3:00p. About 9:30a we ordered DoorDash food as we were starving. There are no restaurants nearby and the room service menu doesn't start until 11:00a.  Early afternoon we took our Covid tests and uploaded them to the Princess Medallion App. So we are all set. We are working on getting June's app loaded and open. Unfortunately, she needs her thumb print and though it is set up, it is not "reading" her print. She says they are just worn off! We called her son and left a message for him to remove that feature from the phone.  June talked to her son Kyle to help her with her phone so she is all set with the Medallion App now. I already loaded all her information to my app b...

Today I finished packing my second suitcase. If you recall my first one left with Luggage Forward already. This particular suitcase is my carryon, my US carryon size. It is my favorite AWAY luggage and the one I take for all my other trips. This trip is exceptional in needed much more for 111 days! Normally this particular suitcase meets all my needs. I have even seen it fall out of a small plane on a hop to SFO - on the ground of course. The planes are small and they take your carryon for free and you pick it up right outside the plane on arrival. Well, it bounced and was unscathed. It has served me well ever since. I bought this special lavender color that was only briefly available. I like the way it is built with partially recessed wheels but yet on the inside it is barely noticeable. It rolls perfectly unless the carpet is thick. Anyway, it is packed and weighed in at 32.2 lbs. I am really getting excited about this trip!!! SEVEN days to go!!!

I'm trying to learn a little bit more about the Island Princess since she will be my home for the next 111 days! She carries 2,200 guests, a rather small number for cruise ships these days. A crew of 900 will wait on us, I feel sorry for them!!! I'm a good tipper so I hope our cabin steward is a good one. The ship is older but was refurbished in 2017, considering there was no cruising for some Covid years, I bet she is in pretty good condition.  Guest Cabins:   987,  Number of Decks: 16. Tonnage :   92,822,  Length:   964 feet.  Height:   204 feet. Here is the Deck Cam if you want to take a look "real time" maybe you will see us? I understand family of those going through the Panama Canal right now got to watch the ship pass a few of the locks.  There are Deck Plans for every deck, we are on deck 8, Emerald, in Cabin E305. I do like being close to an elevator, I hope it doesn't work out being too close! There won't be a lack of food for sur...

Only 14 days and we will step onboard the Island Princess . Right now passengers that are beginning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida are boarding. At 4:00p Florida time they will push away and set sail to pick us up in Los Angeles, actually San Pedro, on January 19th.  Today my biggest suitcase got picked up by Luggage Forward . I certainly hope it actually meets me at the ship as stated. They have pretty good ratings and I hope Princess would not recommend the process it was not successful for them in the past. Normally I travel with just a carryon and personal item. This usual method doesn't leave me wondering if luggage will make it and you don't have to wait at baggage claim. However, this is really not possible for this particular cruise. Taking 111 days worth of personal items (vitamins, toiletries, medications, games, etc.) needed is quite a bit! Of course there is self-laundry service on the ship, so clothing is not the issue. It's all those other things we think we need...