Second Attempt on the Oceania Insignia

This January is our 2nd attempt to do this amazing cruise.  I am going to change things up a bit so its not so boring to read.  Don't know yet what I have planned but will see what happens. So lets refresh your memory.  Some of the itinerary highlights

 Continents visited:  5

 Countries we will visit:  44

 Islands we will visit:  46

 Ports we will visit:  90

 National Capitals we will visit:   17

 Total of Overnight stays:   19

 Largest Population:   Shanghai, China

 Smallest Population:  Devils Island French Guiana

UNESCO World Heritage Sites accessible:   55

Times Zones crossed:  24

Number of times we will cross the Equator:   4

International Date Line Crossed:   1

Oceans we will cruise in:   3

Sea's we will cruise in:  12

Days at Sea:   74

Total of Nautical Miles traveled:   46,068

We will sail on the Andaman Sea, Arafura Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Cape of Good Hope, Caribbean Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Guinea, Gulf of Thailand, Hainan Strait, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Karimata Strait, Mozambique Channel, Old Bahama Channel, Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, South Pacific, Straits of Florida, Tasman Sea, Timor sea, Yellow Sea, and through the Panama Canal.

Our Overnight Destinations Highlights are

Cape Town, South Africa  Feb 9-10

Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar)  Mar 8-10  2 overnights

Singapore, Singapore  Mar 14-15

Bangkok, Thailand  Mar 18-19

Saigon, Vietnam Mar 22-23

Hanoi, Vietnam Mar 25-26

Hong Kong, China Mar 28-29

Xiamen, China Mar 30-31

Shanghai, China  Apr 2-4  2 overnights

Beijing, China  Apr 6-7

Bali, Indonesia Apr 26-27

Sydney, Australia  May 9-10

                                      

                     You can see our route that we will take

Our Insignia Ship

              Our Ship for the next 6 months....Isn't she lovely 

Inside Stateroom Amenities

• Prestige Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises Exclusive, with 1,000-thread-count linens
• Refrigerated mini-bar with free and unlimited soft drinks and bottled water replenished daily
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Signature Belgian chocolates with nightly turndown service
• Plush cotton towels
• Thick cotton robes and slippers
• Bulgari amenities
• Handheld hair dryer
• Flat-screen television with live satellite news and programming
• DVD player with extensive 24-hour room service menu
• Wireless internet access

Here we go again

As many of our friends know we were due to depart on our 180 Day "Around The World" cruise on January 9 2015. Unfortunately our ship, Oceania Insignia, suffered an engine fire in early December, while docked in Castries, St. Lucia in the Caribbean. Tragically, 3 men died from smoke inhalation, a crew member and two sub-contractors working on the engine. All passengers were returned by charter flight to Miami and from there to their home; all luggage was packed by crew members and sent to the passengers by FedEx. However, it was determined that the damage would take at least 9 weeks to repair and therefore the first half of the world cruise, from Miami to Singapore, was canceled. That was the Africa  portion that we really had not been to any ports. The options for the guests were to cancel entirely, to fly (at cruise line expense) to Singapore and complete the last half of the cruise back to Miami, or to re-book the same world cruise taking place in January, 2016. We chose to re-book for 2016.  It will just to be postponed a year. Considering we originally booked the cruise in 2013, and it has flown by, we figured, "What's another year?" Of course we're not getting any younger and our health issues are not a problem. We still have complete confidence in Oceania Cruise Lines and are certain the ship will be better than new when the repairs were completed. Many of the people we have meet who were taking the cruise in 2015 have also moved to 2016. The cruise line is protecting the price we paid in 2015, along with all the amenities, and we will receive a pecentage of the canceled cruise to Singapore as compensation for the change of plans and disappointment. We were in quiet a jam due to renting out our unit in Florida, not waiting to go back to Canada for the winter, so we jumped on our favorite line and Ship, Holland America ms Amsterdam. The rest is history as you have read prior.

Heading back home across the Atlantic

How do you sum up a 114 day World Cruise.  My mind is racing with so many things to say.  But all I can think of right now is how blessed we were with the weather, the calm sea's, the friends we met ( new and old), all the ports we visited, (couple were missed due to unrest or the weather at the end), the safety we had on board while traveling the pirated waters of the Arabian Sea.  Speaking of safety ALL the wonderful crew that dealt with the onboard G.I. That we had for 5-6 weeks. All the extra hours they put in to clean the nasty virus that just would not go away. Because some asshole passengers just would not listen and do what they were told. My heart went out to ALL THE CREW.  They all worked so many extra hours that could of been avoided if the passengers would of just done what they were told.  There is a saying that goes something like this.  "Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everyone garden". It was a wonderful journey and looking forward to the next.   The big one on January 4 2016 for 180 days.  

Carol sent me a beautiful email that had this quote that I just loved and would like to share with you...

"Today may there be peace within.  May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.  May you use

the gift that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.  May you be content with just the way you are.  Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and love.  It is there for each and everyone often".

Thanks for coming on our journey with us.   Bob & Leslee

April 26 Busy Days at Sea before going home

 

Wow we had some rough sea since we left Portugal.  It was the end of a big storm that made us change our last port of call.  Yesterday we have had our Captains Dinner last night.  Which was wonderful and free flowing wines.  The food on board has been amazing.  Lots of seafood and lamb and steaks.  I couldn't get enough to Salmon it was so dam good.  On board the World Voyage the culinary department not only incorporates the class of elegance of the renown menus but they also offer a wide variety of dishes ranging from lobster tails to pot roast.  Each day no less than 5000 meals are prepared with the culinary excellence and dedication as there goal is to please us all, in any dining area, every meal one bite at a time.  We had a wonderful brunch today it was the Grand Show Buffet with Executive Chef Daniel in charge and of coarse the Amsterdam Kitchen Brigade.  Wow it was amazing I gain weight just looking at it.  But I did manage to eat some lobster and crab.......of coarse for dessert had the chocolate mice that reminds me of rum balls.  Yummy .  Tonight is our last formal night and the last ball which is a Masked Ball.  Then tomorrow we will start to pack.  Not looking forward to this at.  Thursday we arrive back in Ft Lauderdale where we started this journey some 114 days ago.  The service on board the Amsterdam was the best it's ever been.  The Indonesians and the Filipinos are truly first class people.  Wish I could take a few of the home with us, but we will have to remember their big smiles and big hearts.  We thank them over and over..  So fore now we need to get our Van that had been rented and drive to Fairway Village to some close ups and run some errands than drive back to Canada hopefully this coming weekend.

Pictures of our Second day of our Last Port

Climbed the little hills

 

 

 

 

Day 107 & 108 April 22-23 2015. . Ponta Delgada Azores

 

This is a new port for us and this city is on the island of Sao Miguel. What was once a fishing village in the mid 15th century has now elevated to city statues in 1546.  After the islands original capital was devastated by an earthquake.  There are 3 main churches that we visited today all dating from the 16,17, and 18 centuries. The town hall was amazing as well. It had a bell tower dating back to the 17th century.  It is very lush here because of mild climate and lots of rainfall.  Pictures to follow.  Down to our last port. Yesterday we bought wine for .48 cent a liter.  Tasted it last night not bad.  We walked all over town yesterday.  It's been a great journey. Will post more pictures today.  Lots happening as we cross the Atlantic very busy time.....

Pictures of our day in Ponta Delgada

On a lively walk uphill.  Found this pretty garden

 

Different pavers

Found a graveyard
 

Horta will not happen.

 

Today we got a letter from the Captain that we will not be going to our last port of call.  It was to be a tender port and right now the forecast for Horta is pretty awful.  3-1/2 to 4 meter swells and 25 knots of wind, gusting to above 30.  So his decision is to spend a over night in our next port Ponta Delgado.  So we have a 2 full days and a overnight.  We will still experience some bad weather but most will be on shore and not at sea.  So I think that was a wise decision.  The sea's right now are swelling and the ship is pitching already.  So Bob and I are going to make the best of it before the bad weather comes in.  

Having our Mariners Lunch

   Friends we had lunch with Al and Ruth from The Villages Florida

Day 104. April 19 2015. Cadiz Spain

  This is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the Iberian Penninsula. It has served home port for the Navy since the 18th century.  The city lies on a very narrow stretch of land surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and serves as a main thoroughfare to beautiful Seville.  You can walk this lovely old town very easy.  It has very narrow streets with in the walls of the city.  The newer area of town has wide Avenues with more architecture and many parks. Some of the churches here are in need of repair and are starting to show there age.  We love all these small old cities.  Getting down to the end of our journey.  Couple more days till we cross the Atlantic . We have 2 more ports left than 6 days to cross the Atlantic.

 

 

 

 



Art
 

 

  Stopped in a café for a treat...What a great day we had here musta walked 10 kil.

 

 

 

Day 103 April 18 2015. Malaga Spain

 

Malaga is located on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean sea about 60 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar.  Malaga sits as Europe southernmost city and 5 th largest in Spain.  Malaga dates back to 770 BC. Another old old city. We love to roam the old sections of any city and this one is fantastic. We saw the Alcazaba of Malaga which still remains the best preserved Alcazaba in Spain. See the views from up on the top of the hill and enjoy the city below.  Lots of museums here as well. Will be posting some pictures when I get into free wifi.
We had a great day as usual. Walked another 6-7 miles. Up and down and all around.  Love this city

Malaga Spain pictures

Wow what a castle. Built in the 14 th century.  We walked the Rampart all around and took lots of pictures.  Quite the hike up.  Straight up but worth the view when you reach the top.  By the way it's Holland America's 142 Birthday today.

More Pictures of Malaga Spain

Got out very early and walked the alleys of the city. Going to explore the Downtown area and the Castle