Day 23 At sea - again - Dec 17th

Today started a new cruise on two counts.  Firstly, it was in the Princess system as a new cruise not a continuation and secondly, our Australian quizzers had gone!

Just for a change, we headed for morning trivia (we usually only do the afternoon session) to join Greg & Cathy who we’d met previously and are from Florida, plus Joe & Heather, also from the USA, though Heather is Canadian.  Our team name was “Trying for 10”, which gives you some idea of our expectations...  We managed 15/20 which was a good start, but not enough to win.

To the atrium for coffee and a real bonus.  Notwithstanding the sugar(s) in my coffee, I don’t normally go too much for the sweet stuff, but I do have a Princess chocolate doughnut addiction. I managed one delicious mini doughnut – but that was it.  First appearance and a suspicion it may also be the last.

After warming up on the deck, we headed to the aerobic studio for a talk by Phil, the fitness trainer on foot alignment.  Whether it was his convincing sales pitch or brilliant presentation, we are not sure, but after seeing our own footprints and the slight alignment needed, the money saved from cancelling the Port Douglas trip ended up spent on hard plastic inserts for our footwear!  Expensive, but we do have to look after our feet.

Afternoon trivia was a less impressive 11/20 – but at least we reached our target.  We stayed and chatted to Greg & Cathy for a long time, then dressed up for one of the two formal nights.  Anytime dining and back to the Santa Fe dining room where we were seated promptly as a ‘honeymoon table for two’.  Did we miss our table companions?  Sure did. After a show in Explorers (another repeat artist) and a coffee, we retired, not at all sure whether or not this leg is going to be anything more than a pleasant way to get home with Paula’s carving!

The good news is that at least we are not assailed by fag smoke from next door... Melbourne tomorrow, one of our favourite cities but as it is Sunday, hopefully somewhere will be open.

Day 22 - Sydney finish and restart - Dec 16th

Our original plan was to disembark in Sydney and fly home, but as no one had invited us for Christmas dinner and we hadn’t invited anyone to feast with us either, (plus Paula’s plan to purchase a large dolphin carving...) we made a very late decision to stay on the ship all the way to Auckland.  We managed a good deal cost-wise and the extra 12 days with Princess just puts us so much nearer Elite status (with free laundry!) and an itinerary that included one of our favourite cities – Melbourne, plus a first time visit to Hobart Tasmania, made this an attractive proposition.

Sydney put on a fine day for us and although I had the usual uncomfortable night’s sleep and I was up 6:40am, but we had already docked at Circular Quay.  This has to be one of the best ever ports as the bow of the ship is almost in the city.  We managed a farewell to Ros and Arnold, Colin and Jude in the buffet before they disembarked, with a promise that we’d find out about the 2013 trip in NZ dollars, as today is supposed to be the day the prices are released.  Well it was, but it has been delayed a day...

We missed saying Hi to Joanne who was going to pick up Ros & Arnold but parking is impossible, so she was apparently just going to slow down whilst Ros and Arnold leapt aboard!

We did our usual amble off the ship when we were ready and apart from purchasing two fantastic R2E2 mangoes (our favourites) for $5 from  a street vendor, we didn’t exactly enhance the local economy by very much.  A decent coffee, a ride on the Monorail to the famous Paddy’s Market and we headed back to cabin 706.  An initial panic attack showed that one of the new residents shared the same named as Paula’s estranged sister but we soon met them and found that 704 & 706 were occupied by 3 sisters and a friend who are not related to Paula.  They  don’t smoke and the two suffering in 704 had to leave the cabin door open all day to try and get rid of the stench.   The couple in 708 don’t smoke either and we are not sure about the cabins below, but initially, it is looking good!  Hooray.

We caught up with our new American friends, Greg & Cathy and chatted away until quite late.

The sailaway was just brilliant (unlike the Dawn Princess in May, when it was cold and wet) as the weather was just about perfect and the city lights photographed well.

So, here we go, on to Melbourne after a day at sea, with a new travel chapter – though the blog continues until the end of the year, when I’ll start a new one...

 

 

 

Days 20 & 21 - At sea before Sydney Dec 14/15th

As I am running so late, needless to say, a summary of two sea days/two relaxing days.  Today, I lodged my written complaint regarding the effects of the passive smoking from next door, but the powers that be don’t seem to care two hoots.  Although Princess are banning smoking in the cabins and on the balconies from Jan 12^th, it doesn’t really help those who genuinely suffer so much NOW.  Quite why they never ask on the paperwork whether or not people smoke, then set aside a rear section for them on each level is beyond me.  They are scattered all over the place and there are certain sections of the ship you just have to avoid as best you can, but when they are right next door, or below or immediately above, the smoke gets everywhere.

When I checked at the front desk where our next cabin was, Sydney to Auckland, they had no trace of the booking!  A frantic search of our paperwork and a return to the front desk with a booking number elicited a more positive response.  We move from cabin 702 just two doors away to 706!  Hopefully the smokers in 704 are getting off in Sydney.  If they are not, I’ll probably be throwing someone overboard.

The last formal night of this leg and  a nice meal before the production show “Ports of Call”.  As good as always.

Of our table companions and even absent lobster loving ex table companions, it seems that most are serious about the 2013 cruise back on the Dawn Princess, Sydney to Venice and back to Sydney.  That is going to be a popular trip judging by the local interest. Needless to say, I can’t see us missing out, but we’ll just have to wait and see. A lot of thinking to be done over the next three days regarding future travel plans.

The ship was moving about a bit on day 21, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

We met Barb & Ken up on the outdoor putting course and it was good to get outside in clear air, but it was rather cool up there so we didn’t stay long.  Paula didn’t win the jackpot at Bingo and our trivia score of 13/20 was fairly normal.  Afterwards, and before dinner, we met once again in Ros and Arnold’s cabin to toast Colin on his birthday.  He was the proud recipient of a belt with an MG buckle from us, so when stands alongside his MG TF,  he’ll remember us!

Tomorrow, Sydney, and a sad farewell to our cruising buddies (until the next time of course – whenever that might be) and a fervent wish for non-smoking neighbours, so that we can enjoy clean air for the last 12 days of the trip so that my head clears.   Way, way behind with the blog now, but who really cares?  Hey, it is holiday time – for us anyway.

Day 19- Airlie Beach - Dec 13th

Another tender port with nothing planned, so we had our usual leisurely start to the day.  Although over the worst, it was obviously going to be  a slow return to normality so we went down to the atrium quite late and just walked straight onto a tender after the initial rush.  A very warm dockside welcome and a free shuttle showed that the locals appreciated the arrival of 2,700 passengers plus crew as potential spenders. Once on the coach the rain came down.  Oh boy, did it rain!

We arrived at Airlie beach to find cars up to their axles in rain water but the rain stopped just as we stepped off the coach and the sun returned.  This is  another small settlement well known to several of our group but with not a lot to offer the casual callers such as ourselves.  We did no more than wander up the main street looking later for refreshments and were charged a rather steep $8.95 each for a smoothie.  Nice drink, but a ridiculous price.

We were back on board about 3:30pm ready for an evening meal at one of the paid restaurants on board  - Sabatinis.  Our usual dining room round table conversation wasn’t as easy on the long table.  Our waiter was very informative and we had a very pleasant evening, but once again, I am not sure that the $20 surcharge is justified, bearing in mind the quality and range of the normal dining room food.  The soft shell crab might have appeared to be exotic, but my palate is so stuffed that I couldn’t really taste it anyway, but even so, not a dish that I would bother with again. My lobster trio dish was nice enough, but I felt it was a bit lacking in accompaniments (vegetables etc.) created especially for the dish.  Once the bright lobster shell had been removed, there wasn’t too much left on the plate. Plain steamed veg were offered but I think that something with a bit more zizz would be more appropriate.  A great evening though as our table always enjoys itself.  One of the high points of the cruise is the look of sheer amazement on Barb’s face as she encounters so many new aspects to cruising.  I think she is hooked too.

We watched Chris Cable (clarinet and sax) who we’d seen on the Dawn.  Must have been good as I even bought his CD!

Trying to email on line, the signal dropped out twice... Very frustrating.  A common problem with this cruise has been internet access, with so many passengers (and at night, crew), the system seems unable to cope.  When even the oldies have internet access, the majority of passengers now use the facility.

Two sea days to follow now then we say a very sad farewell to our great Australian table companions, but we know that (if not before) we’ll see them all in 2013.  Seems a long time ahead.  

Sorry about the ongoing long delays in posting and updating.  I think this blog may well be finished back in Auckland at the rate we are going!  My brothers have enquired whether or not I was still a) on board or b) alive...

Day 18 - Port Douglas - Dec 12th

Having had such a terrible day yesterday and cancelled our trip, plus a far from good night again, it was with some trepidation that we staggered ashore from the tender boat after a leisurely breakfast.  The buffet coffee is renowned for tasting like anything other than coffee, but even a Robert Timms coffee bag tasted terrible.  The Coldral and Strepsil diet wasn’t doing my palate any favours, so everything tasted terrible. 

From the pleasant pier, where they were offering half hour tours by trike, we wandered up to the main street, about  a five minute walk, to find a small settlement that obviously relies on tourism, with a plethora of bars, cafes and souvenir shops, plus the inevitable Target.

It is not  a large place so it didn’t take long to walk the length of the main drag and back.  We staggered into a cool, pleasant cafe, for a drink, mine being a welcome caffeine boost of Coca-Cola, to find the cheerful proprietor was from Grimsby, a matter of eighty or so miles from Nottingham!

We were ferried back to the ship quite early, by local catamaran, rather than the usual lifeboat.  It was only 12:25 when we returned, but at least I survived the morning with collapsing in a dribbling spluttering heap.

We were invited down to Ros and Arnold’s presidential suite for pre-dinner drinks at 5pm.

It was one of my favourites for dinner – French onion soup – which was no doubt good for me, but I couldn’t savour it as normal and was full by the end of it anyway!  The appetite has taken a bashing

One of the regular cruise items is the staff show in the theatre and on the Dawn, we were far too late to see it and the telecast on to the MUTS screen and the TV screens was dreadful, the sound quality even worse, so this time, we made sure we were in time.

There are some talented staff members and little Deasy, a popular buffet waitress, really belted out her number with a professionalism that puts some paid entertainers to shame.  Lyle singing with ukulele accompaniment was also memorable.  As usual, the cruise entertainment staff put on a couple of well received comedic skits.  Although we didn’t need to see it on TV, at least they had a camera operator this time, rather than a high set fixed wide angle camera, that only really showed the backs of audience heads, the wings and the proscenium arch of the Dawn!

Knowing that a shortage of caffeine is likely to keep me awake, we called at the atrium for a late coffee (drinking chocolate for Paula) so bed was a more respectable 12:15!  A bit nearer our normal be time.

Another land day tomorrow – Airlie Beach.  We have never been this far up the east coast of Australia before and Cairns or Port Douglas had been on our ‘to do’ list for some time, so it is all new to us.  For the Australians on our table, this is all old hat of course.  For them, Airlie Beach represents little more than the last stop before Sydney on this cruise, so they are not exactly jumping up and down with glee, but talk persists of plans for 2013 to maintain the excitement levels.

Days 16 and 17 - Oh dear... Dec 10 & 11.

Today is my brother’s birthday, so happy birthday Dave.  Sorry we won’t be dropping in.

Again, not  a good night but Paula slept like a log.  (She claims it must have been the foot massage before bed!)  We didn’t stir until 9:50am and I felt terrible.  Sore throat, heavy head, eyes that objected to daylight and the obvious signs of an extended rough patch.  Into the Coldral capsules big time, but they weren’t anything more than helpful.

Trying to get fresh air on the balcony (which is what I needed) was hopeless as the fag smoke from 704 was invasive – as usual.  A trip to the front desk to complain brought the standard response “we can’t do anything”.

We did OK at trivia but the winners were 4 better.

Dinner was enlivened by the ‘offer’ of purchasing a shot glass which would then be filled with limoncello.  I tried it but it wasn’t really cold enough - and I spilled half mine anyway... 

The production show in the theatre was “Words and Music” which was pretty good, as always.  The production shows are always worth watching, but some appeal more than others.

Bad Night, Worse Day

Terrible night and had to stay in bed most of the day. A lack of coffee probably didn’t help but all I could manage all day was a bowl of soup.  We cancelled our booked trip in Port Douglas tomorrow, which was the much proclaimed train and sky ride, as facing a long hot day was the last thing I could probably have coped with.  I bet the smokers have no idea of the misery they can cause the sensitive non-smokers.  Fortunately, the tour desk managed to on-sell our tickets so we didn’t lose out financially.  Coldral is keeping me afloat – just.

Happy birthday to Jill and sorry we are not at your BBQ...