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.

We are sailing… again…. Day 107

We are sailing, We are sailing…..

world again, cross the sea

We are sailing, out of Sydney waters

To explore you, where we want to be….

Ok maybe not as good as Rod Stewart, but it is the song that is sung over and over again in my head as we pulled away from the wharf in Sydney

On this cruise, we have lots to thank our travel agents,  #cleancruising, and yes I know none of it's free but  I  should use the term included.

It started with a lovely Hamper not long after we paid our final balance and now as part of our package, we had a private 10-seater sprinter come to whisk the four of us and all our luggage to the overseas passenger terminal.

Embarkation was seamless despite all the angst about what paperwork had to be produced…  As long as you followed the very clear Princess Instructions all was good.  Online forums are an excellent resource, but leave the technical stuff to the experts.

Dragging along our 2 carry-ons full of liquid contraband, our longest wait was at the Alcohol declaration desk, but it wasn’t too long before we walked upon the deck with our wine safely stickered and ready to consume.

Spending most of the afternoon turning our cabin into a home for the next few months. Realizing that we may have packed just a little excessively, we won't have to worry about it again until we try to pack it all back up again.

The entertainment staff did a great job with the usual sail away performance …..  But this is the first world cruise out of Australia after so many that were cancelled after covid, maybe something a little extra like the banners or the Muts screen acknowledging that this cruise was a little more special to all the others….

But these were just my momentary thoughts and quickly forgotten with the excitement of sailing out of Sydney Harbour.

Thanks to my man on the ground, oops I mean ship…. Our good mate Dunc organized our set tables for the whole cruise before we boarded. He has done a great job for me.  We have 2 tables of 8 next to each other, and yes we may be confusing our waiters a little as we swap between tables each night, but there is a lot of fun and laughter along the way…

In continuing with our routine, our evenings are rounded off with the show in the Princess Theatre…. 

Tonight's entertainment was with comedian Andre King, a comedian from New Zealand….  An indicator of a good comedian is when everyone laughs out loud, and he certainly achieved that..