fire eater

Yes

Muesli for breakfast, sushi for lunch, Dungeness crab cakes in the PG, lobster in the PG, um, mostly everything really. Bonus - no cooking for me! Come on, December!

Bon voyage, erewhon! We hope the seas are a little kinder than our circumnav. on the Maasdam last year. Although, it was exciting, wasn't it!? Susan and John

Hullo from Downunder! We sailed into Venice in 2014 and had two days there. I commented in my diary that the city is 'sinking'. Are the cruise ships tendering into port now, or still causing all those waves? Sorry, I do not mean to hijack the thread. Thank you.

fe

Whoops! Became so excited, I used the Mother Ship instead of my ipad to reply, so the response came under John's CC name, instead of mine.

Silly me. Susan

Thank you for the link. I understand his crew having such admiration for him. Captain Bos was the man who got us 'hooked' on sailing. That was in 2013 on the beautiful Volendam and we are now 4 star mariners. (Sorry, but once again ... Yay!)

Thank you once again! Yippee, we have 'The Boss' again. He is a brilliant Captain and a wonderful wildlife spotter and at the end of each announcement always says, 'Wash those hands.' One day he made his usual 'where we are and what's happening' chat and then turned off his mike and we wondered why he hadn't finished ... Then he came back on and simply said, ' Oh, and don't forget - wash those hands.' He is delightful!

Thank you.

Susan

Hullo again, Sir. Thank you for the info. on the Noordam. Will Captain Draper still be the Master on Jan. 5 when we board in Sydney? Thank you for your best wishes for our crossing, anyway.

Susan

Good morning, Sir. Would you be able to tell me who will be bringing the Noordam Downunder this year. Thank you.

Susan

Ancient Mariner Joe, Bridge climbers are not allowed to take cameras, but the staff will take photos of you, which you are able to buy. Have fun!

fe in Oz

Hullo, Fern

I think you are having a joke with us Aussies, or someone else has been 'pulling your leg', (having a joke). To have a look at the weather, go to the Australia BOM site.

Happy sailing!

fe

Thank you all for posting information about HAL's dress code.

 

In addition to that,

can anyone tell me what the "level of dress up" is on transpacific and Australia cruises? I was in Australia several years ago and noticed that people seemed to be well dressed. I'm wondering whether on HAL cruises to and around Australia, the "level of dress up" might be more formal than on Caribbean or Alaska cruises.

Sorry, island woman, I misunderstood. On Australian cruises we wear the same sort of clothing as we have in Europe. Long sleeved shirt (some nights a tie and jacket) and dark trousers for my husband and usually black pants and a casual blouse for me - not tee shirts. He wears a suit and tie on formal nights and I wear either a long black sleeveless dress with a dressy blouse over the top or (again!) black pants and a dressier top. We feel comfortable with this choice. Enjoy your trip!

fe

Dress code is the same Downunder as everywhere else. I am not sure why you would think otherwise? Enjoy your visit to Australia.

fe

From my diary, 2016

ms Maasdam 43 day circumnav. and NZ

Wednesday 26 Oct, 2016

10am - 8pm

CAIRNS

Tropical Rainforest & Aboriginal Experience 10.45am - 5 hrs

"This excursion was excellent! Comfortable, air-conditioned coach and a scenic ride up to the Rainforestation. It was a very winding road with beautiful scenery.

We watched Aboriginal dancers and didge players in a covered amphitheatre in the rainforest, which was funny when four people volunteered to dance Aboriginal style. Then we had a go at boomerang throwing and did pretty well, (although the shorter person did better than the taller!). (Smirk!- that would be me!)

We had lunch in their restaurant (this was not included in the blurb, so was a surprise and very tasty.) We had 'roo (being patriotic, ha ha) and salads etc. Yummo. And they had food such as vegemite damper, so they make an effort to keep it very Aussie for the visitors. Clever people.

Then we drove through the rainforest and down into the waterway on an army duck, looking at plants and birds and snapping turtles and that was fun, very informative and interesting, too.

Wandered around the wildlife sanctuary, listening to the non-Aussies (lots) getting excited about the roos and koalas, Tassie tigers etc, and their enjoyment of all these new sights is such a joy to watch. It was a really good place to visit."

We have had some wonderful trips ashore. From Istanbul to St Petersburg and many ports in between, over a few years. I agree with other posters that in future you do as much research as possible.

Best wishes for happiness on your next trip.

fe (from Aus.)

We have walked around to Carey's Bay Pub and enjoyed a coffee/drink/food there and then wandered. We loved the Maritime Museum in Port Chalmers, too. Spent a couple of hours there. Have never been able to get into the Church - will try again next year. fe

There is a wonderful op shop in Port Chalmers main drag. Lots of goodies. Actually, there may be two?

So true, SeaDog. One example ... we left home on NSW south coast and arrived in Istanbul 36 hours later. Had a wonderful cruise, though. :-)

fe

We were on the Maasdam for 43 days, Oct. to Dec., 2016. Circumnav. of Australia, then to Auckland. Our cabin (337) was directly opposite the laundry and we did not have a problem with excess noise. There were more people around the area, but that was ok. They were just doing their washing, not partying. We rarely used our allocated deck chairs, as it was either too cold, blowing a gale, too hot or too wet. We enjoyed watching the huge seas through our 'big window'. We liked the cabin. But, we were on a Dam ship, so we were happy.

Enjoy your voyage!

It was certainly an interesting journey, wasn't it. Lovely to meet you both. Happy 2017!

Saturday 12 Nov

8am-11pm

ADELAIDE

Very cold and dark and windy this morning as we sail into Port Adelaide. The sun is trying to get through, but dark clouds everywhere. I was up about 5.30am. Had muesli and fruit and am now in the Crows Nest having a cup of tea and watching as the pilot, who just boarded, guides us through the shipping lane. Very narrow and we are going very, very slowly.

Took a long time to get through the lane. Then we spun around, which took a while to do, with tugs pushing and pulling, as well as the engine revving fairly hard. Then we tried the sideways movement to the dock and because of the extreme winds, it took about half an hour to get there. The distance was about as wide as the ship, but we just did not budge.

Today is the Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Sad for all the people who come into the city from out-lying areas to watch it, as it will definitely rain on their parade today.

2.20pm and feels like gale force winds. Albatrosses having fun in the wind.

Wondering what will happen as we head for Kangaroo Island tonight. Tenders to shore are required for KI, so the Captain may decide not to go there and just sail very slowly for Burnie. Don't know. Lucky he does.

Sunday 13 Nov

7am-6pm

PENNESHAW, KI. TR

We left Port Adelaide at 3am.

Cannot go to K.Island- too rough. We have been sailing in a wide circle in Gulf St Vincent all morning. The Captain just told us that he will be turning shortly and there will be a list to starboard. What fun!

We just had coffee in one of the lounges and have come back to our cabin for the turn against the wind. I can watch the sea from our cabin. John is having a pre-lunch snooze on the bed and I am on the lounge. No sharp things to fly around in here. We have seen videos of dining rooms on ships during heavy seas, with everything just flying off tables. Feel more secure here.

Mon 14 Nov

At sea.

We finally stopped going back and forth up and down the S.A. coast and have turned towards Tassie. We will be there tomorrow morning.

Master Captain Ane Jan Smit

Cruise Director Jeremy Whited

Enjoy your cruise. We would do it all over again at the drop of a hat, even with all the weird weather. The Maasdam is beautiful.

This is a bit long-winded, but we were on the 43 day Circumnav., and this is from my diary. Thought you might be interested. It was a wonderful, amazing cruise and we loved it.

Susan from Oz

Sat 26 Nov

AKAROA (CHRISTCHURCH)

Sailed into Akaroa to seek protection from the weather, but could not tender to shore, of course. Then the Captain told us that we were leaving straight away, as the anchor couldn't hold the ship as the winds were too strong, so we rocked and rolled out of there into the open water. Well, that was exciting!

We can't get into Picton and Wellington, so are sailing straight to Napier, hoping to get there by 6am tomorrow.

We will cross Cook Strait between 4 and 7pm today, which will also be very interesting!

Sat 26 Nov continued

6pm

We have been in Cook Strait for three hours. Enormous winds and huge waves. Should be through in about an hour or so. The sea water is blowing right across the deck, hitting the outside glass door of the cabin. Poor deck hands cleaned them all while we were in port only yesterday.

Someone told us that yesterday a woman took two $50 notes out of her purse, while walking down the gangway at Port Chalmers, and the money blew out of her hand into the sea. That's sad for her.

The general reminder for the captain in rocky/windy/bad weather is: one hand for yourself, one hand for the ship. Makes sense to me.

Saw landslips from the earthquake on the Kaikouras today as we sailed past.

7pm

Good Captain - Out of Cook Strait and handing north for Napier.

Sun 27 Nov

Woken up early by the Captain. We turned during the night and are heading back south to Wellington. Apparently the port boss in Napier failed to tell the Captain that we would be berthed next to a timber-carrying freighter which is to undergo pesticidal fumigation today. So, we are heading south again. The Captain was very restrained about the port officer and merely said, 'It was very unprofessional.'

His language no doubt would have been less restrained when he received the news during the night.

We have spoken since to some people who were up during the night and wondering why the land had changed to the other side since they went to bed!

So we are back in furious winds and very high seas, with deep pitching to the port side.

4.30pm

Still rocking and rolling.

PICTON

Didn't get there.

Mon 28 Nov

7am - 4pm

WELLINGTON

Tue 29 Nov

8am - 2pm

NAPIER

We got into Napier this time! Caught the Hoho bus in and walked all over as usual. Such a pretty place. The vintage car enthusiasts were on the dock as usual, to take people for rides. And before sailing at 2pm, the jazz band entertained us on the dock.

Wed 30 Nov

8am - 8pm

TAURANGA (ROTORUA)

Got off once all the excursion people had gone ashore and walked to Mt Manganui, and then wandered. Lovely port.

Last port! I don't want to go home! ☹️

The Captain told us that we are going to White Island for scenic cruising for an hour tomorrow. We will see another volcano. It will be the third one we have seen. Yay! White Island was puffing a bit of smoke when we went past the other morning.

Thu 1 Dec

Cruising Bay of Plenty - White Island volcano first - and then Coromandel Peninsula

I was up at 5.15 to go up on deck for the scenic cruising. Looked out and there was Mt Manganui! We were about to re-dock in Tauranga. There was just another woman on deck who was taking pics of the Mount and I told her that we were back in Tauranga and she did not believe it until Ron - a shipmate, showed her his pics from yesterday.

Two ambulances and a security van on the dock, with the short lower deck gangway out. I was worried that it might be for some of our new friends on Deck 6, so went for a wander and there was nobody around there.

7am

One passenger came out on a stretcher and another passenger walking. Suitcases all packed in a taxi and they left.

7.30am

Captain just told us there was a critical incident at 3am and that is why he raced back to Tauranga. We are waiting for the ship's doctor to return now, with all the specialist equipment that went in the ambulance with her and then we will leave again.

No volcano, but that's ok. Lucky we were so close to good medical care.

Home tomorrow.

Thank you for this blog, Dave and all your lovely photos. So thrilling to travel along with you as the Maasie edges closer to Oz. See you in Sydney!

Susan

Thank you for taking the time to post here on CC. Dravuni Island is beautiful, so enjoy tomorrow. We will see you at White Bay in a week.

fe

Thank you! We love our Dam ships.