June 6, 2025

HONOLULU, on O'AHU ISLAND, HAWAII - Our first port in the USA!!

  View from surfer's vantage point on Waikiki Beach as the ODYSSEY sails into Honolulu Cruise Terminal #2  around 8 am on                   Sunday 6/1/25. Our eight day crossing across the Pacific from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico  was super smooth!

  • Diamond Head

    First views of O'ahu from my balcony heading into port.

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  • Waikiki Beach


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After everyone on the Ship cleared customs, we were free to go a shore, which was about 11:30 am. I met my friend and Honolulu resident Patrick Jeppeson  at the pier, he picked me up in his car and greeted me with a gorgeous lei! We drove up to the north shore, chatting the whole way and catching up since my last visit just before Covid shut the world down. Patrick is an actor and very resourceful at also working behind the camera doing props, carpentry and electrical work. Above are the only pictures I took of North Shore area, because we were so busy chatting. The Japanese truck is latest fade per Patrick, lots showing up on the roads here. After cruising the main street of Haleiwa we headed back to Waikiki beach area and Patrick's condo.


We went for an early Sushi dinner. A friend of Patrick's recommended Doraku Sushi  and it was so yummy!! Then I went back to the ship to clean up and get ready to go back out and meet him at the Cirque du Soleil  show Auana.

The show was based on Hawaiin culture, the music and visuals were great. The theater is on smaller side, holds about 700 and the seats were roomy and comfy and there are no bad seats to be had. The performers do some crazy balance, aerobatic, daring and scary stunts. The lady who does sand art from AGT was part of the show too. Two thirds of the way into the show, they had a sound misfunction and the fire alarm went off. We all had to evacuate the building and go outside and await fire department to  reset alarm. After about 20 minutes we went back in and the show finished.

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Afterwards we walked along beach hotels and admired all the night decorations.

HO CHI MING CITY, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • September 21, 2026
HO CHI MING CITY or SAIGON was our last port in Vietnam . The downtown area was an hour away from the Port , so most of us got Hotel rooms in town, as prices were so reasonable. Sadly, it was a rainy four days, but that kept temperatures moderate and we could still get out and do most things. We stayed in district #1 as most of the City highlights are in this area along with the nightlife. Traffic is very busy in the City, especially motorbikes. Crossing the streets needs to be done with intent and quickly as there are very few traffic lights or stop signs.

SHIP SHENANIGANS - CLUE PARTY

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
It's never a dull Sea Day on the Odyssey! We have such creative residents, that are always coming up with new ideas to entertain ourselves and have a good time. This plot was the calculating of Eddie and Michelle - a Game of Clue! The rules were simple - find the party venue at 8:30 pm, come dressed as a character, weapon or room from the game and solve the mystery of who stole the Ship's bell.

TERRACOTTA ARMY - XI'AN, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
In March of 1974, some local farmers outside Xi'An, China are digging a well and accidentally hit one of the great archaeological sites in the World! They were paid one day's wages for the find, roughly 4 USD! The Terracotta Army was dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World by France's President in 1980 when he came to visit and wanted to meet the farmers, the oldest was then, 89 years old.