Category Archives: Pacific Ocean & Islands

The Seven Hells of Beppu

Posted on November 29, 2019 by

Beppu, Japan, known as the city that steams, is home to numerous hot springs and other geothermal features. Steam rises from thermal pools, steam vents, and sometimes even storm drains. There are steam baths called Onsens (thermal spas) all throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in Holland America, Japan, Pacific Ocean & Islands, Port Cities, Ports of Call, Westerdam | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Beppu Monkey Park

Posted on November 15, 2019 by

We started our port stop from Holland America Westerdam in Beppu, Japan with a visit to Takasakiyama Monkey Park. This park sits at the base of Mt. Takasaki, and is populated by wild macaque monkeys. A sign at the entrance … Continue reading →

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Beppu, Japan Cruise Port

Posted on November 1, 2019 by

Beppu, Japan is a city of steam, best known for its multitude of natural hot springs and thermal pools. Some are used as day spas or resorts. Some are even used to steam food. Its 8 major geothermal hot spots … Continue reading →

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Osaka Aquarium and Giant Ferris Wheel

Posted on October 18, 2019 by

Cruising into the Tempozan Passenger Terminal in Osaka means you don’t even have to leave the pier to find things to do. Directly across from the cruise ship terminal sits Tempozan Marketplace Mall. This large plaza contains the expected shops … Continue reading →

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Maré Natural Aquarium

Posted on October 11, 2019 by

When stopping in Maré, New Caledonia, most cruise ship passengers opt to buy tickets for the shuttle to Yejele Beach. Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas promoted that shuttle quite heavily, encouraging everyone to buy tickets ahead of time so … Continue reading →

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Osaka Cruise Port

Posted on October 4, 2019 by

Osaka, Japan With a population of over 19 million, Osaka is Japan’s second most populous city, and one of the most populated metropolitan areas of the world. This port city has served historically as a merchant city. Signs of human … Continue reading →

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Maré Cruise Port

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

On our transpacific cruise on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas, we made a port stop at Mare, New Caledonia. While this looks like the word for a female horse – a mare – it is actually pronounced Mar-ray.  It’s … Continue reading →

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North Pacific Crossing

Posted on July 19, 2019 by

We started our journey on the Amtrak Cascades train from Washington State into Vancouver B.C. on a rainy day. The train was full of people traveling to various cruise ships, some for that day and some for the next. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Canada, Holland America, Japan, Pacific Ocean & Islands, Shipboard Life, Westerdam | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lifou Cruise Ship Port

Posted on July 12, 2019 by

Lifou Cruise Ship Port Cruise ships visiting Lifou anchor offshore and tender passengers to the island. Lifou is the biggest of New Caledonia‘s Loyalty Islands. Our tenders from Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas landed at a barge on the … Continue reading →

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New Caledonia

Posted on May 31, 2019 by

New Caledonia is a French overseas island territory made up of a group of islands and the world’s largest lagoon. It is located east of Australia in the south pacific. It has a tropical climate with the hotter and wetter … Continue reading →

Posted in Explorer of the Seas, Pacific Ocean & Islands, Royal Caribbean | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments