The Swanson's Norwegian Star Cruise -- Day 1, Honolulu Embarkation
The longest journey begins with a single step, or so the proverb goes. In a similar vein, the most enjoyable cruise must, somehow, start after checkin. Compared with our June experience, this was relatively painless. Getting there early and being among the first in line was a big help. In fact, we were the second or third couple to board the ship, and were in our cabin before noon.
As before, the biggest single challenge boarding the Star was running the gauntlet of the pushy and obnoxious ship's photographers. He was so keen on taking our picture that we offered to let him do so—using our camera! Of course, he refused to do so, but he did stop pestering us. We elected to use that tactic anytime they annoyed us on board and it did cause them to quickly lose interest and go away. Ship's photographers rate an "F-" in our gradebook.
After settling in as much as we could (while awaiting our luggage), we explored the ship to see if anything had changed since June. Nothing much had, so we were comfortable in knowing where things were. About one we went to the Blue Lagoon and had two orders of their exceptionally good fish & chips. Soooo good.
Once our luggage arrived we unpacked and settled in. Dinner was at the Endless Summer, a restaurant we hadn't tried in June. Sandi enjoyed her meal, but Bob said his was a bit bland. The overall experience was diminished somewhat by the grossly overamplified music being played in the main atrium. We're of an age when our hearing is starting to diminish, and this was way too loud for us! Why must live music be played so loud?
Departure from Honolulu was, as always, very moving (pun intended!) The aloha shared by the onshore musicians is special. We stood at our balcony rail until the lights of Oahu faded astern, and then abed for our first night aboard.
NOTE that these photographs are
Copyright©1998-2019 Robert and Sandra Swanson.
I greatly appreciate people viewing the
photos, but not stealing them. If someone
is interested from a commercial point of
view, please contact me.
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![[A gorgeous December day in Hawai`i. The Aloha Tower.]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0939.jpg)
![[Waiting to check in]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0942.jpg)
![[Baggage checkin]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0943.jpg)
![[Waiting for security and credential checkin]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0944.jpg)
![[View of cabin 11680]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0948.jpg)
![[Bob testing the stateroom couch]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0963.jpg)
![[Removing the booms from the bunkering barge]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0958.jpg)
![[The bunkering barge, do we have enough to get to Fanning and back?]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0962.jpg)
![[Mustering drill. The mural behind us is typical of the Star's decor]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0964.jpg)
![[Bob and Sandi with Aloha Tower (Waikiki in background)]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0970.jpg)
![[Sunset from the Bier Garten. These are the luxury penthouses]](http://swansongrp.com/star_1203/images/pict0974.jpg)