KristiZ

Just got back from a South Pacific trip, so I can speak to that part: -- we did the Advanced Snorkel on Mystery Island and it was fantastic. Beautiful, beautiful corals and nice big colorful fish. You will need to be pretty fit, though -- the swimming can be challenging and you have to be able to pull yourself back into the boat (with a little ladder and one person giving you a hand) -- Noumea you'll likely dock at the cargo terminal, but don't worry. The free shuttle zips you out of the port quickly. This is a cute town and the least "beachy" of your stops. FWIW, the Aquarium and a few other places are not open on Mondays, but will open for the RC shore excursions, so that's a nice plus if you happen to be there on a Monday. -- Isle of Pines has a nice beach right where the tender brings you if you want a free beach day. Please note that the RC snorkel excursions require you to have your own gear. -- Lifou is a quiet island. We did the Vanilla House tour and enjoyed it, then just kicked around the rest of the day. This was my first time in the South Pacific and I admit I was expecting a bit of "Caribbean West" feel. Boy was I wrong! These locations are much more primitive, not at all in a bad way, just different! Tourism is really only recently getting started in most of these islands (Fiji excepted I'm guessing). For Sydney, the Holiday Inn Rocks location is fantastic -- so much to do (and EAT) in that area! Enjoy!

And watch for (or ask, I have had them do it for me even if it's not advertised) the punch card offers once you're onboard. They make my call drink of choice (Patron and Grand Marnier rocks margarita) only ~$9 instead of $14! IMHO, the drink packages can be worth it if 1) you have a lot of sea days or 2) you can catch a big sale on the price. Otherwise, I can drink a lot of tasty things for less money overall. And trust me, the DH and I have done extensive testing and cost comparisons! Haha!

This last one took about an hour. It depends on how chatty the sommelier is ? Yes, I think you could watch and not drink, since it's usually done in the MDR where people can sit and read, play games, etc.

For sure, especially if you're a wine novice! We've done this several times, because the wines change depending on the year/region/sommelier's personal choice. It's not pretentious at all, so don't be intimidated!

I have done both. They are both great itineraries! However, the Hawaii one with maximize your "vacation" time and minimize your flying/jetlag time, which is not nothing. I'd do the Hawaii one. If you're afraid you'll be bored during the multiple days at sea, don't be! There will be many, many things to do. Weather will be good in either place. A bit warmer in the Med. Good luck, and let us know what you pick!

It doesn't hurt to ask! I suspect they might give you at least some OBC. Good luck!

I have not been to the garden, but actually the public bus system on Grand Cayman is a lot of fun -- they are mini-buses that hold 10-12 people. There's a website for more info: https://caymanresident.com/live/transport/public-transport-taxis-airport/public-buses/ Makes it very easy to get around, and most of the drivers are chatty too!

Our rule is "if it's not the best <whatever> you've every had, stop eating it!" I don't like to waste food, but I more don't like to see my waist get bigger. Also, we never, ever take the elevator. Sometimes we have to take a break going up, but we just plan the time for that. (In fact, sometimes it's much faster to use the stairs -- like after the show gets out and there's a crush waiting for the elevator!) Get up for 7am stretch class! Then you're already moving for the day.

Spectrum, December 22, 2019 Spectrum, December 29, 2019

It's all US Dollars out of China/SE Asia right now, even on the ships that are homeported in China.

I think we might have been on the same trip! ?

Absolutely! But first, I'll likely annoy everyone with many, many questions once she starts sailing and we can see what she's really like!!

Has anyone done a back to back cruise where the change point was in Hong Kong? Did you have to get off the ship? Was it a simple process? Inquiring minds want to know! ? This will be our first back to back and we're interested to see how it all works, for later when we've retired to a cruise ship full time!

I just booked her for December! More to your point, though, I've been on a number of SE Asia cruises recently, since we're currently living in Tokyo. I have no real complaints! Possibly the only drawback would be that in some of the ports the ship is docked a long way from the "port" city advertised. This makes shore excursions take longer to get to than you might want, or makes it harder to just wing it off the ship when you arrive. As long as you know this going in you can be mentally prepared. Tons of fascinating stuff in the region to see and do, though!

THIS! I want this!

Personally, I loooooooooooove Grand Cayman. We went for the first time in <cough>1996<cough> and enjoyed it enough to return twice for week-long land vacations. Last time we were there was 2010, so I'm sure it has changed some, but I still have a special place in my heart for GC. Head to Cemetery Beach if you like to snorkel and don't want to do a regular excursion!

We've sailed out of Barcelona and had no issues whatsoever. It's a lovely terminal and the porters are professional!

I love Radiance! I enjoy the calmer, smaller ships ?

Not sure about this, as I've only done MyTime once. In that case, I had reserved the same time every day and the waiter proactively went to check that we would be seated with him each night. So I think your plan is a good one!

I have found the Book Onboard prices to be as good or better (sometimes significantly!) than any sales on the website. I always wait if I can!

You can take the Light Rail from the airport to King Street Station. From there, depending on which pier you're sailing out of, you can catch a cab for about $10. The one benefit to this route is that sometimes traffic from SeaTac into downtown can suuuuuuuuuuuck, running up your bill. Just another option!

They actually do the table-arrangement-magic for main dining at 14 days prior. I always put a note in my calendar to call that day and ask for what I want and they always accommodate. If you call before then they say "we'll make a note" and often it gets missed. Going to the dining room right when you embark always works, too, but then they write on your Seapass card in marker if they have to change your table. OCD-me doesn't like that. hahaha!

When you do call, if it turns out the others don't have C&A numbers already, make sure to ask for back credit for prior cruises. It takes a few weeks to sort, but they'll do it. Easy if their history is the same as yours!

I'm leaving Friday for New Caledonia too, and got the same email. I did a one-shot with World Nomad policy so I wouldn't have to think about it too much. (Bonus ability to add a bit of extra coverage for the hubs camera too.) I will probably need to look into an annual plan... stupid "being a responsible adult"! ?

I feel like Giovanni's being open for lunch varies greatly, depending on the passenger demographic and staff availability. And often they don't make the decision to be open until a few days prior. I've eaten lunch at Giovanni's on nearly every cruise in the past 4 years, but never scheduled it until 1-2 days prior.