VegasFella

Nachos... are always RIGHTEOUS in my book.
 
Lobster too.  Can't wait for the final pictures.  Way to go!!

Glad that you're feeling better!  Look forward to the pictures.   :)

Very interesting blog... and, so many fantastic pictures!  Thank you.

With the sun rising by the minute the beauty of this region became more apparent. 




Like Alaska in some ways this is what sets these cruises apart from a traditional cruise.  It's amazing to see the ship in such close proximity to land and the peaks of the mountains around us.  It has to be experienced in person to fully understand.




Amazing for a ship this size to navigate in these narrow waterways.

Royal excursion today - Wellington Panorama
Wellington is also a shuttle bus port.  You can't simply walk off the ship and wander into the city.  After meeting in the Royal Theater we boarded our tour bus directly.  As we were leaving the port an endless line of shuttle buses were arriving to carry guests without a Royal excursion into the city.


Our driver provided commentary as he drove around the city.   The road network was originally designed in London, England by individuals who had never been to Wellington, NZ.  They just laid out the roads like Wellington was flat which it isn't. 
Once it came to actually building the roads in Wellington they had to deal with hills that in some places were sharp cliff walls.  Back in the day it seemed logical to simply start and stop streets across these cliff faces.  Stairs or walkways were added for pedestrians.  In modern times though it presents a challenge for GPS where you can find yourself driving into a dead end that ends with stairs to the next section of road.  
Consequently it helps to know Wellington if you are going to drive around Wellington.

Our first stop is a botanical garden.

The centerpiece of this garden is the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.









Also featured is a small section dedicated to peace.



Here one will find the Hiroshima Stone.

The stone is from the former Hiroshima City Hall that was destroyed by the atomic bomb.

Lunch at a local hotel that had a central courtyard and garden with a restaurant.  I didn't take pictures at lunch as I was seated with a family from Australia and it seemed rude taking pictures with them in it.  Suffice it to say we all agreed it was a pretty good lunch.
After lunch we drove over to the Government Gardens.  


The main building is closed due to damage from earthquakes.





One of the first hot springs of Rotorua.


That's 212°F.

Back into the van for the drive to our next stop.

Interesting topic.  Now, what about garlic fries?  I just HAVE to ask!  

Interesting topic.  Now, what about garlic fries?  I just HAVE to ask!  

::: Following your LIVE BLOG!! ::::
It sounds like you're off to a pretty good start.  Way to go!  By the way, great idea for bringing an extra (empty)
suitcase.  Love the last photo of the ocean from the Balcony!  I'm sure it feels warmer than 12 degrees in Minn., lol.
 

Really great photos!  Way to go!   

Good to know.  Thanks my friend!

Okay, I can (generally) understand and agree with the concept, that a flow of food/courses takes place.  Scenario:  It's a table of 6.  The 6 persons are 3 couples (3 couples that, do not know one another prior to sailing).  One of the persons is an especially slow eater.  Maybe he takes 27 minutes to eat his soup?  The other persons are more EAGER to "move it along".  So, you're saying that entrees will not come, until the previous items are consumed?  Just asking. 
Sorry if my follow-up is a bit too wordy.  Another thing is.. myself, I often will eat half my salad, and put it aside & enjoy the remainder of it with my entrée. 
I guess I just want to fit in ... and be "fairly" normal.

REALLY great video.
At 5:27 ... I saw that risotto dish.  Looks very good!

Twangster... I finally got around (although, I am still new here ... by just 30 days) to reading the trip report.  Wow.  It was amazing.
The time you put in for the photographs is beyond anything a person could ever ask for.  Awesome.  I especially like the pictures of the trees with the eagles in them.  I found them!
Thank you again.

I'm certainly no expert... but, it is a good question.
I think a revealing "sign" would be when the person is becoming AN EXPERT on any/all subjects.  Their voice is getting louder and louder.  Or, maybe, he (or she) has decided that any person within nine feet "deserves" a hug.  And, they're hell bent on furnishing "that hug".  (smiling here)
Anyhow... I have to agree with Mr. Candyman... using a level of discretion is probably helpful.  Like I said, it's not my place to choose what action they "should take".  But, how about these suggestions:
---->  Staff offering them a water.  Staff suggesting "It's a long cruise, we all want to pace ourselves my friend".
---->  Uniformed security staff stepping in.
Sorry, like I said... not my place to "say".  But, just my two cents.

Myself... if I'm drinking... It's often going to be a blended drink (or something mixed, etc).  Personally, I like a drink for the FLAVOR of mixed fruit juices.  Not so much for the REASON of becoming drunk.
If I have one (or two) ... I'm fine. 
If I have a third, I start to feel a bit of a buzz.  Just depends on how fast they're being served.  And, how much booze is in there.
If I have a 4th/5th... then I know I'm basically on the border of becoming vulnerable.  It's a valid point.  Being able to walk, being able to hold (and, remembering to hold) the railing of a stairwell.  Remembering what my room number is.  Bumping into people.  Etc.  The slurred speech.  I guess we've all been there.
Okay, i'll be quiet.

I'm certainly no expert... but, it is a good question.
I think a revealing "sign" would be when the person is becoming AN EXPERT on any/all subjects.  Their voice is getting louder and louder.  Or, maybe, he (or she) has decided that any person within nine feet "deserves" a hug.  And, they're hell bent on furnishing "that hug".  (smiling here)
Anyhow... I have to agree with Mr. Candyman... using a level of discretion is probably helpful.  Like I said, it's not my place to choose what action they "should take".  But, how about these suggestions:
---->  Staff offering them a water.  Staff suggesting "It's a long cruise, we all want to pace ourselves my friend".
---->  Uniformed security staff stepping in.
Sorry, like I said... not my place to "say".  But, just my two cents.

Skid.. hello there!  Thank you very much for the ideas.  :)  Appreciate it.  I can see where an OCEAN balcony would be amazing.

Y O W Z A  ! !

Okay... I will have a look at it.  Thank you!!

I'm loving the message boards.. I've been on them for 5 days in a row now! 
Really great reading.
Here is my question (and if this has been covered before, forgive me)...
If I choose a drink package that includes soda, then I will have to carry a plastic cup with me all the time?  I am imagining a scenario where my plan (hypothetically) is to have lunch at the Windjammer Buffet area -- and, then after - I just want to walk around some of the decks.  Now, I have to CARRY THIS "re-usable" cup everywhere I go?  Or, I have to take it back to my suite.  Are those my options? 
What if I am at one end of the ship, and my plastic cup is back in my suite... and I decide "Hmm, maybe I'll go get a slice of pizza & a soda pop"... "Oh, wait... I don't want to walk back to my suite for the silly cup" (sigh) ..... SO --- I JUST GO TO THE PIZZA PLACE --- and, have nothing to drink.  Is this, basically, a probably scenario, or am I way way off?  I'm new, and still learning.  Thank you for your patience. 
What about going to a bar & asking for a coke.  Do, they make me a coke in a GLASS drinking glass with ice?  Sorry, I just have to ask.  LOL.
What if I go do the MDR (I'm learning, see!  I now know what the MDR stands for, woohoo), and want to have a coke with lunch/dinner.. do, I need to remember to bring my plastic cup?
This sucker gets sticky, too.... yes!?!?!?  Okay, enough typing.  Thanks again.
 
 

Hello everyone.  I am new here.  In fact, I just signed up to this forum four minutes ago.  This after browsing for a little while.  Looks like a great deal of information from experienced folks.  Way to go!
I have never been on a cruise ship, of any sort.  But, one day I will.  I've seen some interesting videos that talk about the ALLURE, OASIS, SYMPHONY, and such.  I think if I do go... I want to be on one of the biggies! 
Okay, let me get to my question.  Regarding drinking.  If I order a pina colada, will someone there be making one in a blender?  Y'know, a really really good pina colada?  Just asking.  Here, in Las Vegas, most of the casinos (and, some restaurants too) just have the slushy machines & they throw in a shot of rum.  They're very so-so.  But, they let a bartender make a pina colada in five seconds.  Blah.
Anyhow, this is my first post... sorry if it was too wordy.  Thank you!!!  
--VegasFella

Okay... umm, a paper straw?  How can you drink a drink with a paper straw!?
(rolling my eyes here)
Thanks for the advice.  When I do take my first ever cruise, I will pack some NORMAL straws in my carry-on.

I'm loving the message boards.. I've been on them for 5 days in a row now! 
Really great reading.
Here is my question (and if this has been covered before, forgive me)...
If I choose a drink package that includes soda, then I will have to carry a plastic cup with me all the time?  I am imagining a scenario where my plan (hypothetically) is to have lunch at the Windjammer Buffet area -- and, then after - I just want to walk around some of the decks.  Now, I have to CARRY THIS "re-usable" cup everywhere I go?  Or, I have to take it back to my suite.  Are those my options? 
What if I am at one end of the ship, and my plastic cup is back in my suite... and I decide "Hmm, maybe I'll go get a slice of pizza & a soda pop"... "Oh, wait... I don't want to walk back to my suite for the silly cup" (sigh) ..... SO --- I JUST GO TO THE PIZZA PLACE --- and, have nothing to drink.  Is this, basically, a probably scenario, or am I way way off?  I'm new, and still learning.  Thank you for your patience. 
What about going to a bar & asking for a coke.  Do, they make me a coke in a GLASS drinking glass with ice?  Sorry, I just have to ask.  LOL.
What if I go do the MDR (I'm learning, see!  I now know what the MDR stands for, woohoo), and want to have a coke with lunch/dinner.. do, I need to remember to bring my plastic cup?
This sucker gets sticky, too.... yes!?!?!?  Okay, enough typing.  Thanks again.
 
 

I'm learning more and more about dining -- the options, and such.  May I ask a few questions related to the MDR?  My questions will be as they relate to eating dinner in the MDR.  In addition, thank you in advance for your replies!  Again, I'm new (never cruised before) and my aspirations are to, one day, be on one of the MEGA class ships of the RC!
1)  The MTD = "My Time Dining", I think I have this correct? 
2)  The term/abbreviation for "set" dining times has another word/phrase/abbreviation? 
3)  The set times for dinner are 5:30pm & 8:00pm from what I have read so far?  This means that I have EITHER chose "early" / "late" when I have booked my cruise?
Again, I have never been on a cruise ship --- so, please bare with me if my questions seem weird.  And/or if they have already been covered!
4)  Okay, suppose I have chosen "late" as my dining preference... At the MDR, are you generally "expected" to be on time?  Also, if you arrive at the entrance to the MDR, do you just "go" to your table and sit down?  Or, are you taken there by a staff-member?  What if you arrive at 7:36pm... can you sit at your table at that time --- or, is it expected that you wait until 8pm.  By the way, when I ask this ... it's not for the purpose of BEGINNING TO EAT at 7:36 .... it's more of you just want to sit down & relax a little bit before the meal.  My guess is (like I said, I'm new... just speculating, lol) that it could be difficult??  because the "early" eaters may still be at THE TABLE?
5)  I have read where some tables are 4, 6, 10, 12 persons and such.  I have seen several photos of the various MDR's.  Are most tables round?
6)  Okay, when you're in a group table, does the waiter start off by asking "what will you have to drink?"... or, is your entire order taken? (apps, drinks, entrée, desserts).  
7)  Again, with the group table... is there a general "flow" of the meal?  Meaning... is the wait staff likely to wait until each person has finished their appetizer before bringing entrees out?  Some people eat slower (or faster) than others, lol.  In addition, is it generally an hour?  hour and a half for dinner?  Or, am I way off?
8)  Okay, the MTD customers ... with this, they may show up to the MDR at anytime they wish?  And, they will be seated (when there is space available)?  Also, is it correct to assume that a MTD customer may be at 7 different tables (for dinner) on 7 different nights?  Also, If my usual table-mates are out doing a Specialty Restaurant on the 3rd night -- then the empty chairs -- will be filled with MTD customers?  Or, no? 
9)  What is the elbow-room like (stop laughing!!!!) like at the tables?  Have you had situations where a fellow cruise has had their rib-cage against yours?  Just asking.
10)  I have read that the "late" seating is better, on account of it feels less "hurried" to get people in / get people out.  True?  A myth?
AGAIN -- THANK YOU for the information!   If some of my questions did not make sense, let me know.   :)