Last night we gained an extra hour as we are heading west towards Hawaii and crossing time zones so it was a real effort to sleep in until 6:30 AM. We have 5 days at sea in a row before we arrive at Kona, the Big Island of Hawaii!
We found some excursions had been added into Holland America’s Navigator system and we had some questions. So while J was doing yoga poses in our room, I headed up to the Crowsnest to talk to the Shore excursion people and was stunned to find a long serpentine line with a number of guests in the queue! I guess this is what happens when the cruise line makes last minute changes to the itinerary, adding in and removing excursions after people have left there homes. In these early days entering countries for the first time since they have been closed for COVID, it is totally understandable that refinements to the original itinerary need to be made, but those adjustments are playing havoc with the planners among us!
What made me especially curious was the fact that I had a “Captain Zodiac Snorkelling” Excursion booked and paid for (independently apart from the cruise line) in Hilo, Hawaii. Yesterday the operator sent me an email saying the excursion was cancelled and could no longer offer the excursion on that date, so I requested that a refund. Then on HAL’s posted excursions for that date, I saw a Captain Zodiac Snorkelling excursion is now being offered! I immediately booked 2 spots through the ship.
I don’t mind booking through the ship (though generally they are more expensive and have more people on the tour than we want) but what I fear may transpire, is that many of our independent excursions may still get cancelled as operatorsare encouraged to deal with Holland America, rather than little one off trips that individuals like us book. Then once Holland America offers the excursion, these excursions get scooped up and sold out before we are aware of the situation.
We had kayaking excursion booked and paid for through Holland America that could be seen in my Navigator wallet - but this excursion was nowhere to found amongst the excursions currently offered for October 28th. So that made me nervous enough to want to stand in the queue. I chose to return to the queue in the afternoon when it was a speedy 20 minutes or so in line. I learned in fact, kayaking is no longer offered so I booked a beach and cave excursion for that date.
We attended a Cruise Critic meet and greet this morning where we connected with a number of people who have booked independent excursions, and we were especially interested to connect with the folks that like to snorkel!
This afternoon J then went to play duplicate bridge and found that all the tables were full after the beginner and intermediate bridge sessions today - so the early bird gets the worm! We went instead to the Lincoln Centre Stage where we listened to a talented quartet play a number of classical pieces. This too, was full to capacity and we were lucky to get two empty seats in the overflow room!
After dinner tonight we were lucky to see the premiere of the production “Sing Sing Sing”. It had a 50’s vibe and lots of talent on the stage! I think so many people are anxious to be cruising again, that dining rooms and entertainment spaces are full to capacity (despite the ship not being full). The Captain has required that masks continue to be worn in indoor venues (like the MainStage) while not actively eating or drinking. So after the show, many people walk directly back to their stateroom, where you can safely remove your mask! This requirement will be in place at least until Hawaii - and we feel safer because of it!
Stay well everyone!
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