Hawaiian Islands - First Ports of Call

First Port of Call - Hilo, Hawaii

We left the port of San Diego on time and without any issues.  The drive down was hampered by heavy rains.  Once we arrived in San Diego the storm had subsided.  We were able to bring the SUV right to the curb side and unload all the suitcases, golf clubs and boxes of wine.  A generous tip to the porter and we were immediately checked in.  It was really nice to see familiar faces as we boarded the ship.  Our cabin is on the starboard side on deck 7.  Lines were let go from the dock and we were off.  A short sail out the harbor and the swell hit us.  The next six days were rocking and rolling.  Our captain altered course to smooth the ride a bit.  Walking onboard was wicked.  One evening, our medicine cabinet flew open, stuff rolled onto the floor.  Our fruit basked toppled and we had oranges rolling too and fro.  I had to then secure the cabin, several outside decks were closed because the wind was too dangerous.  It was not the size of the swell it was just hitting us broadside.  Needless to say, when the Bay Area was hit with Pineapple Express storms - we had already cruised through them!

Day seven we docked in Hilo.  At 6:30 the Hawaiian location team did their blessing as we approached the Big Island.  It was really nice chanting and dancing and the blowing of the shell.    By 7:30 am, Bernard and me hired a taxi to take us about 10 minutes away from the port to Hilo Municipal Golf Course.  It is a local haunt and  few, if any, tourists.  The price was right ($35) and we did not have to wait at a single hole.  Bernard talked me into playing from the mid tee (men’s).  I did okay and will play that tee the rest of this trip.  It is so much easier to do that versus playing from two tee positions.  We each made birdie on separate holes so our first outing was successful.   One lost ball each … I hit a tree on a very narrow 18th hole and where that ball went is anyone’s guess.  There is another golfer who will be joining us in Honolulu.  We have scheduled several tee times throughout the trip.

Leon had a leisurely Hilo morning, a latte and then boarded a shuttle to Walmart.  Yup - Walmart.  There isn’t a Hilo Hatties anymore in Hilo.  He found WiFi and some odds and ends he had not packed at Walmart.  We spent the afternoon lounging on deck waiting for a sail away party hosted by Holland America.  Free drinks and snacks for the ship, the first sail away on the World Cruise is always celebrated this way.

My trivia team continues to place and win.  In just the few days since boarding, I won enough Grand Dollars to redeem them for my Amazon Fire.  Last year I was $120 bucks short when they ran out of the devices. It was suggested I save the Grand Dollars and bring them onboard the 2017 WC.  The “suggestion” from the cruise director was spot on!   I’ve configured the Fire and really like it - Thank You Holland America.

I play Mah Jong each sea day afternoon for 2-3 hours.  The ladies at my table are from Texas and are VERY serious.  I have had to make a few adjustments to their playing quirks.  I am learning a tremendous amount from them so all is good.  TaTaForNow …. sail away time.

Second Port of Call Honolulu

First Day

The weather is really nice,  80 degrees and a gentle trade wind.  We have hung back this morning and are enjoying the quiet ship.  No hurry to get off this morning.  We took a shuttle to the Ala Mona shopping center where we had a nice lunch a a mai tai.  We returned to the ship late afternoon and went to a concert under the stars on board our ship.  Debbie Bacon put on a great show even though she could not sing.  She has a very sore throat.  

Second Day

Up early and off to the Ala Wai Golf Course.  We were walk-ons.  We placed our names on the list and headed to the practice area.  It was about a hour latter we were called and paired with two retired locals.  They were so nice to us.  Golf is a common bond and makes for easy friendships.  The course was long.  There was a Par 3 hole with a distance of 195 yards.  Since I played from the men’s tees, it felt very long to me.  Taxi ride back to the ship and we are preparing to do a drill and then head out to the Marshall Islands.  Four days at sea so our routine will change.  I’ll play trivia and Mah Jong, Leon and Don will read in the Crow’s Nest.  The Black and White Ball is tomorrow night.  

Note:  Each time I visit Honolulu I am amazed at the development, the high end stores and the crowds of people.  This island has grown so much since I first  stayed here 40 years ago.  It was nice to play a muni course with locals.  It allowed us to experience a less hectic Honolulu.

Read and follow our Captains Blog here:  http://captainjonathan.com

Packing Tips/Tricks and Cases of Wine

Several people have asked me about packing cubes.  I use a canvas and mess reusable cube.  No loose items in my suitcases, everything in a bag, bags can be moved around from luggage to closet/drawers very easily. Makes a small cabin onboard the ship manageable.


eBags

I organize clothing in each cube.  Workout clothing in a separate cube, afternoon outfits in another, evening gowns in a large cube.  Durable excursion clothing in a mess bag with dryer sheets.  Cubes give me a sense of organization.  I can quickly place the cubes in the cabin where they are easy to access.  Jewelry is packed in a hanging slotted zippered organizer.  This organizer can be rolled and will fill gaps in the suitcase.  I have several different sized cubes which range from very small (phone, Kindle, watch chargers) to extra large for gowns.

Dryer Sheets
This year, I'm using dryer sheets in each cube to keep clothing fresh.  I had used small cedar blocks on previous trips and recently switched to dryer sheets.  Certainly they are lighter.  I can also use the sheets to remove static cling I tend to get onboard.

Cosmetic Packing
This is the challenge area.  I need lots of stuff .... 3 curling irons ... creams, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, hair putty and spray.  I have tried to size the bottle to the length of trip.  My hope is to NOT bring much of this stuff home.  The plan is to use it all up prior to disembarkation.  I have a special cube for curling irons.  I am able to put a hot iron in the cube and it will not melt or burn anything.  The cube is similar to an oven mitt.  This has been very convenient onboard.  I don't have to leave irons on the counter to create clutter while it is cooling.  Space is a premium on a ship.

Utilizing cubes is how I pack, my husband packs completely freeform.  He hates the cubes, he makes piles of items and stuffs them in the suitcase.  Once on board the ship, he sends out all his wrinkled clothing for pressing.  This is certainly one way to do it :-)   Thank goodness we have enough Mariner Rewards to receive free laundry services.

Okay so its 4 Sue, 2 Leon.

Cases of Wine
Mettler, Michael David, Klinker Brick, Wente, McGrail, Le Crema, Round Pond and Berghold are just a few of the wineries we have selected from.  Napa, Livermore and Lodi represent the regions we tend to like.  We pack the wine in cardboard cases, Leon makes a handle for each and I print luggage tags for each case.  I give the porter a generous tip and he loads the cases in the luggage cases to be loaded on the ship.  After we set sail, the Bar Manager pays us a visit to our cabin.  We pay the corkage fee and his staff unload the cases into an alcove in our cabin.  Many cruisers will say Holland America only allows one bottle per person at embarkation.  This is not the complete story.  You can carry on one bottle on board without corkage fees.  This policy is not particular to the Grand World Cruise, we have done this on 7 day cruises as well.

WC 2017 - Planning, Preparation, Excitement

We have the packing cubes assembled, golf clubs ready, luggage selected, shopping completed and a list of tasks mostly done.  House cleaning service suspended, [NOTE TO SELF - leave the house uncluttered 'cause they'll come back a day before we return!]  Gardener paid forward, left lots of Roundup for him and bags of fertilizer.  Wonderful to know my garden will be in good shape and well watered after this long tough draught.

 It is getting near and the excitement is building.  We are in our favorite cabin, Navigation Deck, stern of the ship.  We have several sea days to start the cruise to Hilo, Hawaii.  My first round of golf will be at the Hilo Muni which is close to the shipping terminal.

I have been following our captain's blog: http://captainjonathan.com     I've have enjoyed looking for familiar faces.

This is our itinerary for the Grand World Cruise: 

I have my Mah Jong card packed just in case there are players on the ship.  I also have my Kindle loaded with books.  10 evening gowns, countless dresses and lots of casual outfits.  Last year, I didn't bring enough and got really tired of my clothes, this year I may have overpacked.  Since no flights are involved in this around the world, who cares!  My luggage is really stuffed and heavy.  

Bon Voyage!