Thursday, 10/20 – Monday, 10/24 – At Sea
Day 1 – We had a very long day of travel leaving our boat at 6 a.m. eastern daylight time and arriving at LAX (three time changes later); making it aboard the Crown Princess around 3 p.m. pacific daylight time. Rick sent my lovely “welcome aboard” flowers.
Day 2 – We attended our first destination talk in the Princess Theater presented by native Hawaiian, Rowena Vasquez. She talked about the history of the island of Kauai as well as sites to see while we are there at our first port of call. The color representing the island of Kauai is purple. In the evening, after dinner, we visited the casino where Rick won about $350 on a penny slot machine!
Day 3 – Rowena shared her knowledge with us this morning on our second port of call, Oahu. This island is represented by the color yellow. In the afternoon, she taught a class on how to make a traditional Hawaiian Lei. This one is not made out of flowers – but yarn. I made one to donate to the upcoming Great Mates fundraiser which has a “Cruise to Hawaii” theme. Pictured below is Rowena wearing the lei.
In the evening, we attended the captain’s cocktail party in the atrium where they had erected a “champagne fountain”. Then we went to dinner where we joined our table mates, David and Shirley from the St. Louis area. At the end of the meal, the wait staff brought us a piece of delicious chocolate cake with a candle to celebrate our 44th anniversary. (We celebrated today even though it was actually last week.)
Day 4 – Today was Sunday, October 23. Football was available to watch all day long. We learned about the Big Island of Hawaii from Rowena in the morning. It is represented by the color red. Every so often, the Crown Grille (Specialty Steak House) transforms to a British Pub for lunch. Today was the first time on this cruise. Rick had bangers and mash and said they were excellent; I had fish and chips and they were good as well. We enjoyed reading in the sun on our balcony in the afternoon. We saw a show before our late-seating dinner – a comedian who was super funny. We have already set our clocks back 5 hours since we left home, and we really don’t want to go to a show that starts after 10 p.m. when we have finished eating.
Day 5 – This morning, Rowena told us about the last Hawaiian island that we visit on this cruise, Maui. We have never been to Maui before, so we had booked an excursion to see the island. Unfortunately, the excursion company cancelled the trip and we were not interested in any others. So, we learned about some very interesting things that we can see and do in Lahaina, Maui, where we will tender in from the ship. Today they had a “fashion sale. Apparently, it hasn’t been too long since this ship was cruising to Alaska, so they had a bunch of hoodies and clothes suitable for cooler temperatures on sale at 50% off. The Princess Theater has usually been so cold that we have been wearing sweaters to the talks and shows being presented there. So, the cold weather fashions seems to be flying off the racks. After lunch, we went up to the pool deck to watch Monday night football on the big screen at 3:00!
Tuesday, 10/25 – Friday, 10/28 – Hawaii
Day 6 – We were welcomed by hula dancers and singers when we docked in Kauai this morning.
When we got off the ship, we decided to walk to the closest shopping center. The temperature was nice and we enjoyed the walk. We looked around the center and decided we wanted to go to Hilo Hattie’s to do more shopping. We had to take the free shuttle back to the ship, to catch transportation anywhere else. So we returned and caught the first available shuttle to a local shopping center where we bought several gift items before boarding another shuttle andgetting back on board around 1 p.m. We spent the afternoon resting.
Day 7 – We docked in Honolulu this morning on the island of Oahu. We had a tour booked to go to Diamond Head, but, unfortunately, I woke up bleeding. We went to the medical center and two hours later after a urine test, blood test and thorough examination, I was told to rest today – no walking around(like yesterday), including eating lunch in the room. I was given permission to go on our tour tomorrow so long as it entailed only walking from the boat to the bus and then back to the boat. If the bleeding continues, or gets worse, the medical staff said that they might have to consider telling us to get off the boat while still in the Hawaiian Islands. After I was ensconced safely back in the room, Rick got off the boat to go to a Walgreen’s pharmacy to get a prescription filled to help with his cough.
Day 8 – Hilo, Hawaii (The Big Island). Today, we took the Farm, Fork and Fire tour. We loaded up in a 12-passenger van, with our driver/guide Rich and headed out to the Volcano National Park. We started out by walking through the Thurston Lava Tube. From there, we went to visit the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, set against the backdrop of steaming Halemaumau crater where we saw lava bubbling up in the Kilauea Caldera (which is rare).
Next, we stopped for lunch at the Kilauea Restaurant and Lodge. After lunch, we visited the only winery in Hawaii, Volcano Winery and Tea Garden, for a tour and tasting of a number of their wines as well as their black and white tea. They have also recently started growing olive trees and hope to press olive oil someday. We learne that black, white and green tea all comes from the same plant.
On our way back to the ship, we stopped at a family-owned orchid farm and saw why Hilo is the orchid capital of the world.
Day 9 – Maui. Today we stopped at our last Hawaiian island. We boarded one of the ship’s lifeboats to tender in to the town of Lahaina. We were told that there were lots of shops within walking distance of the tender dock – in fact, it was compared with Duval Street in Key West. We were welcomed with lovely Hawaiian music and hula dancing.
Across the street was the Pioneer Inn, built in 1901.
This hotel occupies one city block. The main street (Front Street) is behind the hotel. We walked about six blocks along the waterfront stopping in many of the shops. One such shop was the Honolulu Cookie Company. They are well known for making shortbread cookies. They have a bunch of samples to taste and I could not resist buying a small box. After walking about an hour, we decided we needed to find a place with a seat and a drink, so we returned to the Pioneer Inn where Rick had a beer and I had a mimosa before returning to the ship.
Saturday, 10/29 – Tuesday, 11/1 – At Sea
Day 10 – Saturday
Today’s destination talk was on Pago Pago, American Samoa. We learned that that American Samoa is the most southern American territory. The Samoan language puts the sound of the letter “n” before a “g”, so the name of the town is pronounced “Pongo Pongo”.
Day 11 – Sunday, 10/30/16
I went to sign up/practice for the pop choir. We were led by one of the professional singers along with the assistant cruise director. After choir practice, I checked out a t-shirt sale and a holiday sale before returning to the room while Rick remained on deck watching football on the big screen. This was our second formal night. We decided to go to the Crown Steak House for dinner and the food was excellent.
Day 12 – Monday
Rick and I met with 4 other couples and the Maître d’Hotel to learn more about the Chef’s Table and sign some safety releases. We are scheduled to attend that tomorrow night. The ship crossed over the equator at 12:15. They had a special ceremony for those “pollywogs” who crossed the equator at sea for the first time.
We actually ate breakfast the next morning with the passenger being escorted down the stairs in the picture above. He was accused of “squirreling” away silverware in his cabin. He was found guilty by the crowd around the pool and had to kiss King Neptune’s feet and the royal fish! Later, all passengers received a certificate certifying that they crossed the equator.
Day 13 – Tuesday, November 1
I got a hot stone massage in the afternoon and it was very nice. In the evening, we participated in the “Chef’s Table”. We were greeted by the maître d’hotel, Francois Ferat, who escorted us to the kitchen where we met the Executive Chef, Manilo Cuzzolin. He explained how the kitchen worked as we walked around looking at things. We stopped in one corner to have French champagne and five different Hors d’Oeuvres. Then we went back to the dining room, where our group of 10 was served risotto with asparagus and lobster tail along with white wine. After this course, we were served lemon sorbet in the most amazing ice sculpture. One of our tablemates said that they blew up a balloon and then dripped water over it to form an ice ball. There was a hole in the side large enough to get to the balloon out and to put the spoon in the sorbet and the whole thing was sitting on top of a martini glass. Unfortunately, we forgot to take the camera so we didn’t get a picture of it. Then we were served four different meats (accompanied by a red wine) followed by a fruit and cheese plate and then a bitter sweet chocolate mousse with salted caramel cream (accompanied by Italian Prosecco). We were offered coffee after dinner, but we were too full to accept. The cruise line also gave us a photo of ourselves with the chef and maître d’ as well as a Princess Cruise Lines Cookbook.
November 2 – 3 or 4 – Samoa
Day 14 – Wednesday, November 2 – Pago Pago, American Samoa
Polynesians settled on the island around 1800 B.C. Contact with the United States was first made in 1839 and in 1900, they signed the Deed of Cessio, allowing the harbor to be used as a site for an American Naval base. Pago Pago is on the island is called Tutuila. It is the largest in the American Samoan archipelago. We sat on our balcony to eat our breakfast of cappuccino and yogurt parfait and watch as we came into port. While on the balcony, we saw some whales. Unfortunately, we were unable to get any pictures of them
We walked into the village from the dock where we caught a bus going to Tisa’s Barefoot Bar. We agreed to pay $5 each one-way or a total of $20 for the two of us round trip. On the way to Tisa’s we passed the StarKist tuna cannery.
Our bus driver dropped us off right at the entry of Tisa’s Barefoot Bar and promised to return in two hours to pick us up. We went down from the roadside to the bar where we met Tisa (pictured below with Charlene).
While here, we had a couple of pina coladas and enjoyed the beach.
We left one of our Baker Auto Body bottle coozies with Tisa. She said that she would put it on display.
We asked the bus driver to drop us off at the local post office on the way back to the ship where we sent a card to our granddaughter, Vanessa, wishing her a Happy 18th Birthday.
Day 15 – Thursday, November 3??? – Samoa
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Between American Samoa and Samoa we crossed over the International Date Line. So, technically, today was Friday, November 4th in Apia, Samoa. But, since we were going right back over it again tonight, the ship did not acknowledge the change in date. Within steps of getting off the boat, we were approached by a native who offered to take us on a 2-hour tour of the island in a van with another couple who were already waiting. We decided to do it. The four of us got in the van and then he said we were going to wait for two more. They got in and then he said we were going to wait for two more. Well, the whole process of waiting didn’t take but about 10 minutes at the most. We first went to an area to feed some sea turtles. Since probably hundreds had already been there this morning, the turtles weren’t too hungry; but we did see one – and lots of fish. From here we went to the Robert Louis Stephenson Mansion, Botanical Gardens and Museum.
Robert Louis Stephenson lived here with his family for approximately 30 years. Next we made a photo stop at a waterfall
and then we went to the Coconut Beach Resort where I enjoyed a very nice Mai Tai and Rick drank something he will never order again!
We really enjoyed the tour and it lasted about 4 hours instead of 2.
November 4-5 – At Sea
Day 16 – Friday
Today was again November 4. “At sea” days usually consist of breakfast, destination talk, choir practice, some time in the room and/or balcony and then lunch.
Today, I had a second hot stone massage after lunch and then worked on the computer in the afternoon while Rick took a nap. Rick had a second bouquet of flowers sent to the room.
Day 17 – Saturday, November 5, 2016
Another quiet day spent at sea.
Sunday, November 6 – Tuesday, November 8 –
French Polynesia’s Society Islands aka Tahiti
Day 18 – Bora Bora – 11/6
We went to the tourist information center and exchanged $100 USD for 10,000 French Pacific Francs; then, we walked a couple of blocks to the Aloe Café where we ate lunch and had a couple of tropical drinks.
We continued our shopping (looking really) for another hour before returning to the dock where we listened to some local music while waiting for our tour.
Just after 2:00, we boarded one of four busses (called Le Truck) for our circle island tour which passed by an overwater house (bungalow) reportedly once owned by Marlon Brando
and ended at the famous “Bloody Mary’s”.
Day 18 – Moorea – 11/7
It took less than half an hour to explore the area around the dock before loading up on our tour bus. We saw our dinner table mates in the bus next to us.
Our first stop was at the Kia Ora and Le Belvedere lookouts.
Next, we stopped at an archeological site of the ancient ruins of a “mare” or Polynesian temple. Our guide assured us that there were never any human sacrifices made on this island.
We stopped along the road to get a picture of our ship, the Crown Princess. Pictured below with me is our guide Ramon. He was born in France, but has lived here for the past 35 years.
Our tour continued all around the island where we saw many views like the one below.
Day 18 – 11/8 – Papeete, Tahiti
We didn’t have a tour booked today, so we strolled off of the boat and walked around the town. We went to the Farmers’ Market which reminded us of the markets that we went to when in Spain last May with Joe and Casey.
The second floor of the market had shops selling mostly clothing and jewelry. Much of the clothing came from France. (We were told that some people call Papeete, the “Paris of French Polynesia.”) Near the middle of the market there was a food court and a band playing Tahitian tunes while several women were stringing flowers.
From the market we walked a couple of blocks further to reach the Vaima Shopping Center. We looked around it, but didn’t see anything that we wanted to buy. We are used to a warm, humid climate (living in Florida), but it does not compare to the climate here. From the moment you step off the ship until you return you have sweat pouring off of you. So, we decided to forgo any further site seeing to return to the ship. When we leave here this afternoon, we start our 8-day at-sea return to Los Angeles. Around 4:30, the captain announced that fueling the ship was taking longer than anticipated and he now plans to leave here around 7 p.m. He also said that it should not affect our arrival in L.A.
Wednesday, November 9 through Thursday, November 17 –
At Sea and Traveling Home
We are looking forward to this last week at sea on board the ship. Our days are similar starting with breakfast, pop choir rehearsal, an interesting talk about WWII or some other topic of general interest, lunch and then reading or enjoying a movie and/or taking a nap in the afternoon before getting ready for supper and sometimes seeing a show.
Wednesday, 11/9, we learned that the pop choir will give its performance on November 14th in the atrium.
Thursday, 11/10 was our third formal night.
Friday, 11/11 – We quietly re-crossed the equator this morning with no fanfare. We attended a “Remembrance Service” for Veterans. We invited our tablemates to join us at the Crown Steak House this evening for an early celebration of Rick’s birthday.
The waiters presented Rick with a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday.
And, our tablemates thoughtfully presented Rick with a birthday card for the occasion. Shirley had added a quote that touched both of us.
“Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.”
Saturday, 11/12 – It rained from mid-afternoon on – making it cold on the ship. I’m so glad that I brought the sweaters that I bought last May in Barcelona.
Sunday, November 13, 2016 – We cruised through some pretty big swells today. Otherwise, it was a pretty typical Sunday. Rick watched NFL on TV.
Monday, 11/14 – We wished our son, John Philip (aka J.P.) a very happy 37th birthday via e-mail in the morning and Charlene sang with the Pop Choir in the afternoon.
There were approximately 50 passengers in the pop choir. The list of songs performed included: Oh, What a Night; We are the Champions; Waterloo; Isn’t She Lovely; It’s Not Unusual; Blue Bayou; Sweet Caroline; and Edelweiss.
Tuesday, 11/15 – This was our fourth and final formal night. Rick ate 18 escargot for an appetizer. Needless to say, we all enjoyed our meal.
Wednesday, 11/16 – The seas are rough again today. The outside temperature is 64 degrees. We are not going out on deck today. We slept in; went to lunch in the dining room; went to the internet café to print our airline boarding passes; then returned to our room to begin packing as we must put all of our luggage out before 11:00 tonight.
