Last day at sea

Feeling a bit poorly this morning but will dose up on cold tablets and soldier on. Looks like we are in for a fine day for our last day at sea and our last day of the cruise.

After a late breakfast in our cabin, we had out for coffee. Julie is then happy to work on a jigsaw but I prefer to walk around the decks. I have bought some cough syrup and chug that down. As I still have a credit balance (mainly due to the $250 I was given by the cruise line for my military service) I have one last look in the shops and see a bag and scarf/shawl that I like the look of.

I go and watch how the bingo is being run. It isn't cheap and I was surprised that the games were played for a line and when that line was won,they then started a new game! The cruise is almost over and I haven't spent a cent in either the casino or at bingo. My mum would be very disappointed with me... Time for lunch and I have arranged to meet Lauris at Kai Sushi. It was a lovely lunch and good company.

Time to head back to the cabin and pack as we have to put our suitcases out before we head to dinner tonight. A bit of a quandry as it is a formal night when you are meant to dress up a bit but I don't want to also wear my ball gown in the morning so what to wear for dinner and what to leave out for the morning??? Problem solved. The ball gown, glass slippers and tiara are packed! Time for a pre dinner cocktail. Last one, and a good one.

Dinner was especially good. The crab cake probably should have been a different shape, or at least placed on its side, but was very tasty. The steak tenderloins were the best, and I always love my veggies. No dessert for me, but I did have a Drambuie which finished the meal well.

Now to the Wheelhouse bar to enjoy some music and then to the karaoke.K from A didn't disappoint but enough is enough. Back to our room for a cuppa and lights out. Has been a great trip but all good things sadly have to come to an end. Adelaide here we come.

Phillip Island

About 6.15 we are rudely awakened by the sound of noisy machinery outside the balconies. It is the tenders being lowered as we are not anchored in a deep sea port so anyone going ashore will need to use the tenders. Anyone in wheelchairs or motorised scooters who can't get themselves in and out of their mobility aid are not able to access the tenders, so looks like I will be surrounded by all the lame ducks today as I don't intend going ashore. LOL! Julie has a coach tour booked so she's got an early start to the day. There is a motor bike race being held here today so I have no interest in attempting to deal with crowds everywhere. The sun is shining though and no hint of rain or cold so that's a good start to the day.

After breakfast in the cabin I head to the library and grab another book and then it's morning trivia session. Once again I continue to be amazed at the trivia I don't know. Time for a read of my book in a sunny spot. Thankfully it is fairly easy to get a seat away from the main line areas where large numbers of people are waiting for their ticket number to be called for the next tender. typically there are a few complaining loudly that they have to wait. Maybe I could assist by pushing them overboard and they can swim to shore if they think they are so special that they have to be first! There's always this in the crowd that you know are going to demand attention for the get go. I have my mocha coffee and a book so I'm sorted for the morning. Julie is the back from her coach tour around Phillip Island, which of course isn't an island. Time for lunch. As we are deemed to be in a port, the International dining room isn't open so the only choices for a meal are the petri dish buffet or pizza and burgers. We opt for pizza. Cant remember when I last ate so much pizza but it really is very good and cooked fresh in front of you. Julie tries to get me to have one of the special icecream desserts but I'm able to fend off her badgering. I see a friend from Rotary and his wife who got on the ship yesterday. They are heading to the buffet for their lunch and are doing the penguin tour tonight so we have agreed to try and catch up tomorrow. I head to the afternoon quiz and ptove that I know even less than I did this morning. Julie tracks me down and we decide an afternoon cocktail would be nice and then head back to the cabin to watch a movie. Taken 3. Have seen it before but it fills the time. Then off to dinner. Entree was a disappointment. I was expecting prawns in a seaweed butter similar to how the garlic prawns were served. What I got was a little pot off green glug with tiny prawns scattered through it. A sliver of garlic bread sat on top of the pot.Suffice to say I didn't eat much. Main however was much better, crumbed chicken and vegetables.

No dessert for me but Julie had a small vanilla slice. I'm not interested in the main show so instead we head to the library area and work in a jigsaw for a while. Time for karaoke wand we now have some new 'talent' from those who got on in Melbourne. K from A and Tony are the regulars and now Rob the rocker keeps getting up to singing Eric Clapton stuff. I reckon I'm coming down with a head cold due to the Air conditioning in the ship, but his singing is doing my head in, so time for me to head back to the cabin. Julie is starting to cough too so we both order got water, lemon and honey and hope it does its magic overnight. Our last day tomorrow so need to get my head around packing and settling the onboard about. The invoices they send us are not in the least self explanatory and I've already been to guest services twice to get them to explain it to me without success. my account is showing amongst amount , but apparently that means I'm in credit! Go figure. Lights out, and I'll get it sorted tomorrow.

Melbourne...again

Back in Melbourne and it's cloudy but that's no surprise for this city.

We all have to be off the ship by 9.30 so Julie and I finally head to the International dining room for breakfast as we weren't able to have it in our cabin. There's a good reason we don't go to the Dining room each morning. The choice is limited and no say in who you have to sit with. I know I'm just a girl from a blue collar working class family from Blair Athol, but I do have good table manners and unfortunately many of our travel companions have clearly dragged themselves up in a cave! Now time to get off the ship so I queue with the great unwashed to board a shuttle to DFO which is like Adelaide's Harbour Town but under one roof on 3 levels. Julie has gone to catch up with family so I wander about the centre but there is nothing that takes my eye so it's time to stop for a cuppa and then time to wander again until I'm feeling a bit peckish and have a tuna subway for lunch. A bit more wandering but then I've really had enough so head back to the meeting point for the shuttle buses. We have been allocated times for our return buses but I can't cope with another hour plus, so am lucky enough to get a shuttle straight away. Thankfully it was a seamless entry back onto the ship.

Our cabins aren't ready yet but the public lounge areas are so, I am very happy to score a seat in the Good Spirits bar and order myself a Dirty Banana which is like a chocolate banana smoothie but with alcohol.

Julie arrives back on board and we are able to go to our cabins. The sun is out and it is actually quite warm out on the balcony. We decide we will have a few nibbles before dinner so I order a cheese plate which hits the spot nicely. Oh and we ordered wine too.

We start watching a movie 'Desperation Road'. The movies and TV series offered are pretty dated and nothing has particularly interested us to date. I keep telling Julie that the movie we are watching is not likely to have a happy ending but she won't have it so it will prove interesting who is right. We start heading out from Port about 6ish. We aren't going very fast and clearly don't have far to go as we are in Phillip Island in the morning We have booked to have dinner in one of the 2 specially restaurants and so head off to Sabatinis Italian restaurant. the ship has 2 speciality restaurants. You have to book for them and they are an extra $68 per person each. As soon as we were seated we were offered a glass of sparkling wine but as we had already started drinking wine we chose not to mix varieties and so stick with our preferred wines. The food was excellent and so much of it.

We are given complimentary Aranci balls and cheesy garlic rolls while we decide what we want for the next 4 courses.

We both start with the salad which is light and we are both feeling good that we've chosen something that isn't too filling. By the end of the meal we can't say the same thing.

Being a seafood lover I have the grilled prawns which were excellent followed by the seafood linguine. I did leave some of the pasta but made sure I ate all the seafood first. We asked our lovely waist Joseph to give us 15 minutes before the next course. Thank goodness I was wearing elastic waisted trousers.

The veal scallopine was my final choice and it was a huge meal so I could only manage one piece of the meat.

We were then presented with a desserts menu and Joseph suggested that we try the combination of all the options to share, so that's what we did. The desserts were our least favourite and we really only had a teaspoon or 2 at most from each. To finish the dinner on a high though we had cocktails.

We are officially stuffed! Time to head to karaoke as the other option is to go to the theatre where a comedian is performing but assuming he is of the same calibre as the other acts I've seen to date, I'm happier watching amateurs sing. Then it's time to head back to the cabin to watch the end of the movie which has a happier ending than I saw coming. Time for bed.

Another sea day.

Awoke to grey skies low visibility and potential rain. Bit of a swell too.

After breakfast in the cabin we went for a wander. No one in the main pool and large netting over the pool in the Lotus Spa area. Less people around and more wearing masks.

Big advantage of less people around is that it is easier to get seats in the general loung areas. Time for a coffee and a read. Pizza for lunch up on deck 14, in the open air. Julie insists that she has room for desserts and wants me to have some too but not being a big icecream or gelato fan, she can't convince me.

With the package that we have on this cruise, we are entitled to 2 of these desserts each day! This is now Julie's third for the cruise. I shall say no more on this... After lunch we went and listened to the impromptu choir formed by passengers. No, K from A wasn't there.

Time to treat myself to a massage at the Lotus Spa. It was heavenly! Finished reading my book and time for dinner. Fisherman's soup, followed by Chicken tandoori and then I indulged in a caramel pecan baked cheesecake. Couldn't quite fit it all in, but gave it a good try. A nip of Drambuie finished the meal beautifully.

We then went to the Gala show which is the final show for all those departing the cruise tomorrow. It was really poor and we left before the final dinner finished. I am disappointed at the low quality of performers on this cruise but as I haven't been to many, it clearly isn't something high on my'must see' every night lost. Tomorrow in Melbourne, we have to all be off the ship between 9.30 to 2 for an extra clean of the entire ship due to the increase in gastro cases. It is going to be chaotic as many passengers are getting off with their luggage at the same time, and then in the afternoon a whole lot of new people will be boarding. Hope the weather is okay as I will have to fill my time wandering around Melbourne until I can get back on the ship. We are apparently going to be credited $50 to cover the cost of meals and incidentals while we are ashore but it is unclear of how we access that $50 and whether we are obligated to spend it on the ship or can get it as a cash refund. Time will tell. We are back in the cabin. Time for a nightcap and then lights out as we have an early start in the morning, albeit that we have to turn the clocks back an hour, we are both ready for our bed.

Sea day

Seas are still a but rough but not as much a yesterday so that's a good start to the day. Am determined to find more to do to fill this seas day. Julie has claimed a late start day and is still asleep at 9 when breakfast arrives at the cabin. it's really 10 as we wound back the clocks an hour last night. I'm up, showered and dressed so head to the morning trivia quiz. About the only thing I got right was my coffee order! It was a very staid group who take it all very seriously, whereas if I don't know the answer I tend to make up something silly. The prize is something underrated like a coaster. But clearly winning is very important to many of the morning quiz group. Don't reckon I will become a regular attender now. I wander up to the library and choose a book to read. Thankfully there are a number of free seats to choose from so I position myself in a sunny spot near a window and am happy to read until lunch time. Nice lunch shared with Julie and her friends Rae and Dennis.

I then head to watch line dancing. There are a lot fewer on the dance floor. Not sure if it is due to sickness or too much sway at the back of the ship. Time to head to a music trivia quiz which is a bit of fun. Some more reading and then it is the afternoon quiz. As I managed to snag a good seat in the Explorer lounge, that's where I have stayed. Back in the cabin we have received a notice that when we get back to Melbourne, everyone has to be off the ship between 9.30 and 2, as the ship has to undergo an additional disinfection. Many passengers are ending their cruise in Melbourne so it is going to be chaos where 2700 or so people all have to get off the ship between 8am and 9.30 where many of them also have their luggage. And we all have to go through Immigration as we are returning from NZ. I won't be in a hurry to get anywhere but I'm not good with crowds, especially filled with dumb people... So should be interesting. The only positive is that all those remaining on the cruise to Adelaide are going to be given $50 credit to help offset the cost of any meals purchased ashore. There will be a free shuttle bus again that takes us into downtown Melbourne so I'll just have to wander the Southbank again until it is time to be able to get back on board. But back to my day. Back in the cabin to change for dinner a it is s formal night. Not everyone bothers and some go all out. We head for pre dinner cocktails and then dinner which was really nice. My only photos for the day.

The garlic prawns were exceptionally good. The beef and reef was a bit odd as the reef was some sort of seafood roulade that I didn't bother with, but the steak was perfect. No room for dessert. After dinner we headed to the Rock and Roll show which was in the main theatre. Not sure why it was called Rock and Roll because the singer covered a range of genres. It's now 10.30 and I head back to the cabin while Julie is going to wander for a while. I read my book for a while and then it is lights out.

Cruising Fiordland national park (or not)

I survived the rough seas and am so proud of myself that I wasn't sea sick, as many other passengets were. Due to the continuing rough seas though, what was meant to be a sedate cruise around the coastline and Milford Sound, can't happen so it is instead a full day at sea watching 4 metre swells, blue skies and nothing else. An announcement from the bridge tells us that there have been cases of gastro reported. Go figure! Everyone is reminded to wash their hands and use sanitisers! Wouldn't have thought to do that until so far into our cruise and have to wait until the Captain says so... We had already seen cabins that had had a small table placed in front of their door to show that someone in that cabin is being quarantined. One cabin down the hall from us has had the table in front of their door for about a week! A second table has appeared 2 days ago, a bit further still down the hall. Julie and I have never eaten a meal at the buffet (what I have dubbed the ship's petri dish) and are very vigilant about sanitising so are hopeful we can remain sickness free. Since day one in any port we always see at least one ambulance and often a taxi that is having someone loaded into it with luggage. At one port we saw 3 separate ambulances. One morning I saw a passenger collapsed on the floor and oxygen was being administered. The medical staff here certainly earn their money with so many elderly passengers with pre existing conditions. At least I hope everyone has comprehensive travel insurance. No wonder we were being asked if we wanted to bid for a cabin upgrade. LOL! There is nothing of interest during the day so we mooch about the cabin and then go for a cuppa in the Wheelhouse bar where there are certainly fewer passengers than usual. Time for lunch and we head to the International dining room where I had the Thai spring rolls and panko crumbed seafood. Tonight they are offering a crab shack dinner which is all seafood (at an additional cost). I would have been interested in going but it is in half of the buffet/petri dish dining area and I'm not going to risk it. There is a one hour karaoke session after lunch and 'Karen from Adelaide' who Julie insists on talking to every time she sees her around the ship, belted out 2 numbers. Ive told Julie to stop telling her how much she enjoys her singing! More wandering at large until we managed to get seats in the Explorer lounge for the 4pm quiz which proved I have no idea about lots of things. More sitting around with a cuppa. We venture into the library where there are different board games but none that appeal to us, and I've already made my position clear after our Croatian cruise that I will never play Scrabble with Julie again. We do however see some jigsaw puzzles that are underway so attempt to add some more precess to them until dinner. Not particularly satisfying though as the puzzle in working on had a note on the box cover dating that there are 23 pieces missing... So, really has been a lost day ... and then we have 2 more sea days until back to Melbourne. Haven't even found anything to photograph as I doubted you wanted to see the unfunished jigsaw puzzle of cats in a garden. Time for dinner and I have s prawn cocktail and then grilled chicken breast with some vegetables. There aren't many vegetables served with a lot of the meals unless you have the vegetarian option. I had some cheese for dessert which was a nice ending to the meal. Dinner over and done with, Julie is happy to continue wandering around but I'm over it, so head back to the cabin and determine that an early night is my best bet. Maybe I'll find lots of fun things to do tomorrow, assuming the seas are a bit smoother too!

Dunedin

Awoke to a fine morning, already berthed at the port. Logging is clearly big in NZ and most of the pinus radiata is sent to China. Apparently it is then turned into paper and paper products and bought back by NZ! Today's tour takes me to Olveston house. Along the way we pass the magnificent railway station building, museum and other buildings which are each so different from the next.

We aren't allowed to take any photos inside Olveston house so you have to rely on my word that it is a beautifully preserved home built in 1906. It took 2 years to build and remained in use by the original family until 1966 when it was gifted to the council as the only daughter of the original family had not married or have children and it was her gift to the community she lived in all her life. Inside everything is as it originally was. Very Downton Abbey but a bit later vintage. The gardens were well maintained too. Azaleas and camellias grow really well here.

Lovely houses of so many different styles, but it is so steep that many of not most are build on the sides of hills.

The church building is simply magnificent, and again, is built in a very steep slope.

Next stop is the Botanic gardens. We didn't have long here but what I did get around to see was very well set out and easy to get around. Unfortunately it wasn't the right time for the roses but I can imagine how lovely that area would be when in full bloom. I noticed a sign saying free food for the ducks was available in the information centre so of I headed. Got my packet of feed. Wandered to the jetty and was soon joined by 3 ducks, which became 4 and various pigeons also fit in on the action. Not long before I had more ducks than feed left!

A light rain had begun so I was back in the coach in time to not get wet! On the way back to the ship we had a short stop at the railway station which really is a beautiful old building that has been very carefully restored and maintained.

Now back to the ship and it has gotten very cold so I'm glad to get back on board in the warm. Had been seeing what I thought were high petrol prices, but apparently this is standard. Certainly cheaper back home!

We depart a bit later than planned as the train tour that many of the passengers were on didn't arrive back until after 3 and took a while to come through the security checks to get back on board. Julie was in this group and said her tour was good but really cool while waiting to get back on board. We finally set sail and it is very pretty coastline as we leave Port Chalmers.

Once we get underway, an announcement is made over the intercom. "As we are about to head into heavy and rough seas, the swimming pools are all being drained for the safety of passengers and staff. As such we will not be cruising the Fiordland national park (Milford Sound) tomorrow in an attempt to avoid the rough seas." You can imagine the look on my face! Anyway, totally undeterred we head to a bar for our pre dinner drinks and I enjoy my dry martini. Quick change of clothes and then off to dinner where it is Italian night. My seafood antipasto was lovely but the 'Nana's chicken parmi' was boring. Dessert didn't interest me, and as it was quite cold in the dining room, we headed back to our cabin and decided on an early night.

The ship is certainly doing some rock and roll now but I'm hoping my motion sickness tablets continue to keep me well, although I am now wearing the wrist bands that hopefully keep me upright!