First port of call…… Brisbane…… 105 Days to go

Waking up to the vibration of the ship as she maneuvers into position at the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.  Certainly didn’t need a window to know that we had arrived as the aroma from the neighboring sewerage works had already permeated into the cabin.  Later in the day you can see the sprinklers in use to try and keep the stench to a bare minimum when ever there is a cruise ship in port.

We had a notice in our rooms that ABF (immigration) had agreed with the ship that transiting guests did not have to leave the ship for the obligatory zero count.  They only specified that if we did we would need to do so before 11am, then understand that we would not be able to reboard until after 11.30 am to coincide with those boarding the world cruise in Brisbane.

Today we were catching up with our wonderful friends, Ros and Arnold.  Arriving in two cars they ferried us to the nearby Stargate Centre where we embarked in some retail therapy at Dan Murphy’s.  Then it was across the road where we shared a lovely lunch at the Novatel Hotel.

With more wine in tow, we were back on board by around 2.30pm.  Just like our first day, squeals of joy could be heard as friends reunited after so many years of no cruising.  If the figures I heard are correct, I believe that approx. 800 people disembarked with only 400 world cruisers boarding which would mean it is not a full ship… but let's wait and see.

Now it was Brisbane’s turn for its sail away party.  Same ship, same show just a different background.  Not as gloomy as Sydney, the setting sun behind the scattered clouds gave us a dramatic vista, as we left the lights of Brissy behind us.

Another delicious dinner in the Bordeaux dining room with our newly assigned waiters that will have to get used to our antics once again.

Tonight’s guest entertainer had us tapping our feet to his repertoire of Johnny Cash Hits.  Dressed in black he made for an excellent night's entertainment.  And with that I close off another day of our exciting world cruise.

Somewhere beyond the Sea …. 106 days to go

We awoke on our first sea day with the gentle movement of the sea lulling us in and out of consciousness.  The biggest challenge with an inside cabin that is constantly blanketed in darkness, is deciding whether it is morning or still some time in the middle of the night…

How easy is it to fall back into our routine, not a question but a statement…  Poached eggs for breakfast, blogging out on the deck, chatting to passers-by that recognize you from previous cruises. 

As Duncan calls it "The Command Centre"

Today's highlight was lunch with many of the friends we have made over our years cruising the high seas. The names you might forget, but the faces you will always recognize.  Not all of the guests at our lunch are doing the world cruise, but they are still on board as they finish their Hawaii cruise back to Brisbane tomorrow.

That night dinner in the dining room was followed by the Princess production show Encore.  Although we always say that we have seen it enough times, we couldn’t help ourselves and we sat through it once again.  

We enjoyed it as we always do, but once again made the decision that we won't go and see it again…..Ha Ha…. till next time...