Please click here to read the report.

Thanks for taking the time to put this together Bob!

I also want to encourage any other CruiseTalkers with a story to share to contact me or post it as another Mid-Ships Lounge topic. I will be happy to add it to Sea Stories.

I’m just half way, but Interesting notice about the different locations of restaurants on the old liners and new cruise ships. Also current cruise ships tend to avoid bad weather unlike the liners that had to cross is in order to get to the end destination.

I’ll read the rest later this evening.

For the definition and history of Hukilau see here:

http://www.laiebeachretreat.com/hukilau_song.htm

Regards,

I laughed about K-Mart. When we were there in '97 my friend, Carol, who was born and brought up in Honolulu, picked us up in her car and took us touring. I told her I wanted to get granddaughter, Jen, a bathing suit. Guess where she took me - RIGHT! K-MART!

I coudn't believe it, but I got one there.

I believe I first heard the "lookie-lau" song during WWII. At least during the Don Ho era. It was one of those annoying you-can't-get-it-out-of-your-head ditties.

And I was not stationed in Hawaii. That was MIDPAC-(Nimitz) turf. I was in SWPA (MacArthur) territory. But "I'm going to a 'lookie-lau' penetrated our closely guarded turf as well.

OK, now you have explained it. Even though it ain't "lookie lau!" as I always remembered it.

I note in your reference that the song was written in 1948. Yet I am sure I remember it from WWII.

Never done the cruise at Christmas and have to say we've been most fortunate with weather - apart from that first day out of San Diego when it's always a bit cool and choppy.

On each trip we've had at least one Medi-Vac evacuation and /or parachute drop of required medication......most interesting to watch. On each occasion Officers and crew of the Statendam deserved high praise.

quote:

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Originally posted by nevadaflip:
Cambodge, I don't care if you even dream it up so long as you keep writing your sea stories!

Jerry

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Jerry, you must have some stories to share as well. How about telling us about the most memorable (good and/or bad) passengers you had on board?

However Pier 9 terminal removed in the early 90's and Aloha Tower Market Place opened in 1994 so Pier 10/11 is now used at Aloha Tower.
AHC changed their sailing dates from Aloha Tower at that time.

I assumed Island Princess berthed at Aloha Tower on Dec. 27.

[ 01-25-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

[ 01-25-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

How flowers being tossed into the sea contributes to the pollution of the world's oceans...and I consider myself an environmentalist..eludes me.

OK, so they were strung together on some sort of a plastic line. Something else, a biodegradable string of some sort, for example, could have been used.

But leaving at dark from an uninspiring commercial pier would have attenuated the impact of departure anyhow.

Your comments on scooter drag races we'll attribute to your youthfull exuberance

Tnx

(and hoping to read more such stories)

quote:

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Originally posted by Cambodge:
How flowers being tossed into the sea contributes to the pollution of the world's oceans...and I consider myself an environmentalist..eludes me.

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Loved every bit of the review & photos many thanks.

Did they have a 'Baked Alaska' parade? Not something one can bow out of when in the dining room. But this was cause for considerable laughter on Westerdam for there were no Baked Alaskas. The waiters paraded round the dining room holding a sparkler! I don't think anyone actually got an answer as to why. Either do it with the Baked Alaska or not at all.

Starting with the inevitable.."My Friends......, and going on to "Yes, I shall attend, this "lookie-lau," as will my little dog Falla." I would then recite the rest of the lyrics in my best Roosveltian tones!" It usually went over well.

A Brit friend did a pretty good Churchill on the same theme.

Another act was to recite the lyrics of Japanese Folk songs, which we knew, in the manner of Kabuki, complete with drums and associated sound effects. This took the cooperation of my roomate, but it was usually effective, particularly in the O-nagata role.

quote:

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Originally posted by Cambodge:
Green:
As I mentioned, I did not attend the ceremony, as I thought it was phony. I think it was the Lido Pool, it could have been the afterdeck pool.

How flowers being tossed into the sea contributes to the pollution of the world's oceans...and I consider myself an environmentalist..eludes me.

OK, so they were strung together on some sort of a plastic line. Something else, a biodegradable string of some sort, for example, could have been used.

But leaving at dark from an uninspiring commercial pier would have attenuated the impact of departure anyhow.

As I said, it was a disappointment.

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The set ended and the leader announced, “We have just had a request for ‘Take Five.’ I did’nt ask, so his ability to monitor our sideline conversations in the midst of doing his musical thing was quite remarkable. “Take Five” is not a danceable piece, and there were those on the floor who stood there, looking bewildered, as the signature slow drum “dah didi didit.. dah dit" began, with ear-to-ear smiles emerging on the part of the musicians. The sax swung in at the appropriate point, then alternating with the piano, produced a long, really virtuoso, version. Each time it was working toward the end, the drum picked up the beat again, and around we went for another cycle. The musicians were grinning ear to ear, and were having a ball...it is a real “player’s piece.”

The applause was significant, and, after a break, they went back to “the usual.”

Just before I wrote this piece, I played my old 33 rpm version. It is still a real toe-tapper.

And to those who have never heard it, you could look it up!

Joe, I should have put these paragraphs in my “Trip Report.” If it can be done, feel free to do so. If not, there is no problem in retaining it as a sidebar.

[ 01-31-2005: Message edited by: Cambodge ]