Day 9: All aboard The Pride of America

Ho hum just another day the life of an ordinary VIP traveller- and that’s hilarious because we had no idea we were VIPs.

Daddy Daughter Fathers' Day time.

Saturday here but Father’s Day Sunday at home which meant messages came through and something a little different – there was an opportunity for Daddy Daughter time in the celebrations.

 Skipped breakfast and concentrated on our exit strategy - one last load of washing (so easy) stuffed the cubes back into the bags and restored some order to the apartment. We were so focused didn’t even glance outside - BUT a text from @Mindy who was out surfing advised us to look outside – grey skies and teeming with rain.

 @Mindy and @Ian were out surfing again and today was their dream come true - big waves for them day. Were on such a high reliving the exhilaration of lining up with the 100s of other morning surfers on the 6 footers. Interestingly, their coach Elliot “toes” them out- literally hooks his toe onto the front of their board and tows them out – sharing the paddling load. They have had loads of fun with this and today’s surf had a few consecutive waves rolling in anf they had to dive off the board and under to reject some that were just too big for them.

Back in the apartment ... we sent Chris the owner a message of thanks, locked the door and headed to the Lobby for a cab – many different companys here and thought it was fitting that today was Saturday and we had a Pony Cab. Might be an omen bet in that.

Crawling weekend Waikiki traffic but we easily made our embarkation timeslot- so many staff on hand to meet and greet and help everyone. We thought we were super organised and had all our documents ready - we’ve got two copies of everything. But when we handed our little wad over – @Mac's papers were not in the stash. Held up the queue a little and had to resort to showing the documentation online. The location of that paperwork remains a mystery.

Time to move on

Progressed to security screening and for the first time the knee triggered an alarm. They pulled me to the side and called for a “female wander “ – had to do arms up, pat down and pirouette. Which by the way was repeated later in the afternoon when we reboardec. Think its a thing now for the cruise ship.

Next staging process was the fresh flower lei for the ladies and a shell lei for the gents. Live hula demonstration and band. All very exciting. One of the staffers approached us and inquired if we were VIPs. We had no idea – but she couldn’t find our names or cabin on her clipboard list so we were ushered into the “ordinary “ passenger queue.

 No worries we chatted with all and sundry and then were lucky to frontup to staffer Thearon for checkin. He was very chatty and we were telling him of our not so great mai tai experience and he recommended the number 1 voted place for out afternoon meeting with @Mindy and @Ian – The Moku. Funnily enough he described Dukes’concoction as “kerosene” – I’d described it as “gasoline” so we were on the same wavelength.

All forms completed and dodgy security photos retaken and then comes back to tell us he needs to escort us to the VIP lounge. We do have a “penthouse suite” for this cruise – very fancy-pantsy for us. Got offered food and drinks, had our own intro from our concierge and then, while waiting for the staterooms to be ready, we’re escorted to a private function in Cagneys for lunch. This VIP stuff is OK.

Prawns, seafood chowder and shrimp linguine washed down with wine and lathered with the best butter ever! A grand start! Had a chat with the sisters at the table next to us and in no time at all we were called to our room.

Bloody marvellous. So spacious and ore cupboard options than our new kichen. Very comfy with a double balcony overlooking the pool. Champagne chilling in the bucket, canapés ready as accompaniment and fresh flowers on the table.

No time to waste drooling though – just dropped the carry on and disembarked for the Moku meet up. Wow, mai tais were in a world of their own, topped with a pineapple foam and a slice of fresh pineapple. Settled in, ordered some pizza – the surfers were hungry – and there was another round.

Our wait staff’s description of “boozy” was very accurate. And after a tearful, farewell (on my behalf) it was a last wave to @Mindy and @Ian. We literally “alcohol wobbled” the 600 metres back to The Pride of America to once again set off the “wanding alarm” to be immediately ushered to the safety drill that we didn’t even realise was a thing because we had to complete it 4 times online before boarding.

With just 1200 on board instead of 2200 capacity, we thought the coffee line would offer a post mai tai solution – did take 20 minutes and we were only 3rd in line. Could be a long time between drinks.

Exploration time, deck time, sunset time – filled in the hour before sail away at 7.

Mac’s luggage arrived – but no sign of mine. Eventually got a “you are naughty” letter because I had a bottle of contraband wine in my bag. We had to “report” to security for screening which involved a very cordial guest services man wheeling my bag out and handing it over. Got my bag and still have the wine. Bizarre. And even more bizarre, my backpack had Mac’s premix stash inside and nothing was mentioned at the screening.

Hit the comedy show late – if we had been on time actually had priority front row seating. Maybe next time.

Finished up with a later dinner at the Aoloha Cafe (it was beef night for @Mac) and then hit our deck for an up close and personal view of the pool party.

The shower was hilarious. Consists of three options. An overhead rain shower, a handheld shower and the about 8 jets of water that spurt water out horizontally from the wall – massages your back, buttocks and knees ... mind you I guess that depends on how tall you are. And, you can turn around and do the other bits. Anyway I turned the water on - shower was set to the nozzle spray and I managed in two minutes to flood out the bathroom. Water everywhere, but can I just say, that if anyone is looking for me, I’m probably in the shower... it was decadently delightful. AND there is a bath tub spa. I’m set.

Loud music, lights, entertainment still all in full swing late! Thinking maybe the location of this cabin overlooking the poolside entertainment might be wasted on us. We’ll see.

Step Count: 8451

Weather: 31-25 rain till 11 and then stinking humidity