Advertisement
Published: February 14th 2019
Edit Blog Post
SAM_1119
the horizon if any of you have been following the ships live web cam you will have noticed we never made it to pago pago in the american samoan islands. (this is where the disney film moana is supposed to take place) we were about 12 hours out when we started to turn back to honolulu because of another medical emergency. after 2 hours of back tracking the passenger died so we turned around again. back on course. or so we all thought.
the next day the captain announced there is a torrential rain storm near pago pago with hurricane force winds so we won't be stopping there. we will be going straight on to fiji instead. so another 6 days at sea. the joke around the ship is we will never see land again! forever cruising the oceania. needless to say this journey was very rocky and wet. but i did ok. if the ship is really rocking i am ok. but if the ship is swaying from large swells then i feel ill. they had to put the cover on the mid pool. although it was raining it was still very hot. on the 8th we crossed the equator. that
SAM_1122
hawaiin islands day was hot and sunny. outside at the aquarius bar there was a big celebration. the captain dressed up as king neptune and all the entertainment crew competed in funny pool side games. then any passengers who have never crossed the equator could kiss a big a fish held by the captain and then get a certificate. i didn't kiss the fish. too many people lining up. but i still got my certificate.
also on one of these sea days i booked a behind the scenes tour of the ship. the tours used to be free but not any more. unfortunately cameras were not allowed. 3 hours we spent touring the bones of arcadia. we started in the theatre. it's a real working broadway caliber theatre. we then had a look inside the bow of the ship, forward end, where the deputy captain showed us the huge anchor and chain and the very thick ropes used when mooring. they all have rat guards on them. then on to the engine control room to see the heart beat of the ship. the chief engineer gave us some fun facts about the arcadia. for a world cruise the ship will use
SAM_1127
diamond head honolulu over 2 million english pounds in petrol. the water we drink on the ship is filtered from the sea. the fastest this ship can go is 23 knots. 1 knot is about 4 and half miles an hour. then down to the press room where they print all the menus and newspapers, notices etc. we walked through the ships pantry. its like costco on steroids! super size of every spice, can, alchohol, pasta etc. you can think of. then on to the dining room for a fruit smoothie and lots of cakes and sweets. the executive chef paul then came out and talked to us while we ate. he is from new zealand and used to work at the savoy in london. he took us down to the galley. it is spotless down there. they just received 100% after a surprise inspection in san francisco. he was very proud. they even make all their own ice cream on here. it is sooo creamy. very yummy! we finished the tour upstairs in the bridge where we could have our photo taken in the captains chair with the captain standing beside us. captain cook gave us a quick tour of the bridge.
SAM_1129
wikiki beach then at the very end we were treated to champagne and appies upstairs in the crows nest bar where we were given a p&o apron and a pin as gifts. we were supposed to have a tour through the on board medical centre but apparently it is full of ill passengers. it is like a mini hospital down there. and i am pleased to announce the passenger that needed the blood transfusion is doing well in a hospital in honolulu.
i went to some interesting port talks. also nigel marven who is an expert on animals and presents on tv in the uk gave some good talks. on feb.10th we crossed the international date line. after crossing the idl we completely missed the 11th. the next day was the 12th. so they put out a spoof horizon paper which tells you all the daily going ons. this one was called the horisn't. i put something in as well. a bit like april fools.
feb. 13th we arrived in fiji. very hot and humid. 37 degrees C. and i heard from my family it is cold and snowy in vancouver! we drove to a fijian village. in
SAM_1130
my breakfast the village we were not supposed to wear hats in respect for their chief, but for us they made an exception. we watched a traditional ceremony. we walked through a beautiful orchid garden started by the actor raymod burr. lautoka, fiji is the second largest city in the fijian islands. the population of all of fiji is just under 1 million. their main industry is tourism followed by sugar. in the 1800's they practiced cannibalism. thank goodness they now love people instead of eating them.
back on the to the nicely air conditioned arcadia and the captain announces we will not be stopping in vila, vanuatu because of a cyclone in the area. we will be heading straight to noumea, new caledonia and spending an extra day there. so now they are trying to pick up an extra port in australia because of the 2 missed ports. that is why i broke down and bought a days internet so i could update you all.
seen lots of dolphins and sea birds and flying fish. the musical shows in the theatre performed by the arcadia headliners are excellent. we have had a comedian and last night an
SAM_1131
crossing the equator opera singer performed. they also had a crew talent show which was very good and funny. i have met 2 solo lady travelers. one is from berlin, germany and the other from san francisco. we are all similar in age. i also hang out with a 40 year old professional snooker player from england travelling solo as well. the food is very good. tonight is the 14th, valentines day, and we are having lobster tails. i am now 1 day ahead of you all.
well they are having and outdoor bbq lunch today by the pool and my tummy is starting to rumble, so i think i will sign off for now. hopefully i will be on land again soon. enjoy the photos below.
cruisin susan xo 😊
Advertisement
Tot: 0.117s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 7; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0653s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Alison
non-member comment
An eventful cruise!!
Hi Susan! Enjoyed your post!! Thanks for taking us along on your cruise. Too bad to miss some ports and gosh, that’s too bad someone died!! It’s pretty horrific. I’m guessing lots of people sick because of the rough seas, getting dehydrated, etc. busy ship’s doctor. Hey, can other people see my comments? Looking forward to the next post! Have fun! Alison