getting older slowly

Thanks Barry club class deck 6 starboard side part of the Di Vinci MDR... no shared tables except for those travelling together. only saw a group of 4 a few time. Since arrived home have lost appetite only but on a Kilo on the cruise but need to lose weight the doc says so.... A glass on wine over dinner it still a must bu \t no G&T's at the moment.. soon and yes we did wear our masks all round the ship... no shows... only time masks were off was to partake in food and beverages and in cabin. did use stairs most of the time Cheers Don getting ready to dinner ( chicken tonight )

Thanks all for the good wishes.... the lounge in very comfortable... I would just like to say a this time.... we did enjoy our cruise Loved all the staff at Club Class... they were great We did go to canapes each night for ones G&T. and the better half's sauvignon blanc, before dinner... overall.. the crew were great Price of wine has gone up &53 per bottle... but our OBAccount was still within the budget More good point to follow Don Lie down time

Right continuing on..... Covid so far cold, runny nose, a little cough, acies and pain..... and did i say cold sitting in lounge heater on 25 deg trackies and windrcheater... other things a bit like old age....lol Slight rough crossing a bit of pitching but nothing bad... got into Milford sound toally calm... very nice..... so far have had lunch adn dinner at Club Class.. service very good likewise with the food... one is happy. Breakfast in Crown grill food it good.... But for us to order to order bacon and eggs.... you had to ask for everything Each Day... Bacon English ( not burnt to crisp Bacon ) Eggs over else or sunny side... Tried for not runny but they didn't manage to do it.... Toast ok but you have to ask to butter... something little, but not up to previous times.... as stated on the first dinner at the Crown Grill.,, Breakfast a littie luck luster.. Day 4. Dunedin. still a lot of unmasked passengers... seams the going rate to bus into town is $35 per head return.. Canape is still busy but not as bad as first night drinks on but food id below par... By Wellington started noticing Food trays outside door fro breakfast lunch and dinner in our area on 16 cabins including cabin next door by Auckland 6 cabins Due to a storm we missed Napier... AT Wellington went to alferdo''s for lunch.... great pizza... to the point the next 2 port day did the same thing.. Did i say great pizzas with Cabernet Merlot Right the continuing saga of food at Canapes got half thought server at 6pm.. found the warming plate under the hot food was OFF thus cold food... not good enough... After asking found the Captain Circle host was the one the see...... so after lunch went to see her... notice on door stated open 2pm so only 5 mins away so waited... at 2.30pm the FCD lady arrived still no CCH... at 2.35 she arrives we follow her in.. and she tells us she will be back at 3pm and walk out.. grabbing noticed off the door and pulling it in the bin,, and left us standing there without us saying a word ( note all she had to say was she had an urgent appointment, I am sorry about your wait, what it your cabin number I will give you a ring as soon as I am Back ) Don not happy... went to Guest Services.. explained what happen,they were not impressed and told them about the cold food, food in general, bar going outside to talk photo while servicing.. etc... Outcome.. the CCH rang about 40 mins later you could tell she'd be spoken too... to smooth thong out... also got a bouquet of flowers and free drinks a canapes and calls from both food and beverage mangers Time for lunch Don

Hi All.. Only had internet for one day... so not live ( after the fact ) ( today tested positive to covid just to top it off ) Right boarding..... arrived at noon.... started check in at 12.30.... everybody seamed to be priority check in found out later over 500 elite about 350 platinum we were platinum and in a suite..... It seam like chaos... and had one carry on bog... a lady at the scanner got quite factious of have two bottle of wine in one the bag finally lets go. AT 12.50 walking down to the gangplank... board deck 6 head straight to Club Class Dining sitting at the table by 1.00pm have a very nice lunch Red snapper and a sauvignon blanc. make it to our room cases waiting unpacked and relaxed Dinning at the Crown Grill that night, but first canapes at One Five...... totally crowded serve overrun ... food well more about that later Crown grill food ok asparagus was dead... chips and steak ok overall a bit lack luster.... Also the tasting plate was off the menu for dessert.. end up at the buffet to dessert not bad.... The Grand overall seamed to be well maintained and clean ( crew always cleaning ) one thing missed was the central stairwell from deck 7 to deck 14 this is crew only unlike the Golden use to use these stairs to drop down to go to dinner without going down along deck 7 Mask on boarding and for the first few days some staff and a lot of passengers not wearing masks Demographics on passengers mixed.... a few younger couples with children... lots of walkers.....a quite a few testing the SWL of chairs .. but mainly retired I would say.. Time for a lay down will continue after nana nap Don on lounge soon to be laying on

on 4 th Nov arrived noon waited in line until 12.30pm arrived seat 12.35pm check in though customs sceening slow 12.55pm on board in club class dining 1.05pm Cheers Don on the Grand

Cost Buses as of 9th Nov 20 one way 35 return per person Don Grand Princess

thanks for the update.. will be boarding on friday with masks just to be safe Cheers Don packing tomorrow

Very nice to read all the updates many thanks Julie...... Will wave from the Grand on the opposite side of Station Pier on Friday... Can't believe it is only 3 sleeps to go.... better start packing....lol Cheers Don

thanks all for your replies...... got to love CC for all info.... All one has to do is pack our bags .. which are open airing in the spare room Cheers Don ( 7 sleeps to go )

Hi All Will be on the Grand in a week... I presume due to the medallion app there is no Printed patter ?? Or this it still printed or viewable on your TV ??? Many thanks Don

We will be enjoying this cruise.... no matter what..... as long as they have Food and Wine we will be happy I remember on our 1st cruise to NZ (Early Dec) we started at Auckland and got as far as Wellington.. then headed home missing the south island due to two big storms... The only saving was a quick stop at Picton before many seadays Cheers Don

Nice to see.... getting on her on the 4th Nov in Melbourne.... finally our 1st cruise since dec 2019 Cheers Don

Are There only two colors for check in ? Blue and Green or is there other ones ? Cheers Don

Thanks All, By the sound of it... we will see what happens..... Print things out on ""paper"" and don't thing about lunch on boarding Cheers Don

Hi All Will be finely going on our cruise in 2 weeks.... Having No Smart Phone... have filled in all detail via the web app.... and can find where to print luggage tags....... but what about a boarding pass As travelling in a suite the boarding pass always had Priority Boarding across the top.. which gave us access to drive onto Station Pier in Melbourne to be dropped off... Thanks in advance Don.... who likes paper things

@NSWP We are thinking of you Les....Hope the Doctors can wave the magic wand... Look after yourself cheers Don

So just reading .. what you upload as proof means nought at the termial ?? It that right....... If so ...so what's the point ??? All one can do it take the photo with camera and print it out...... hopes that's ok Cheers Don with now only 16 days to go

Well Snails are a no-no The worse thing I have had in the MDR is french onion soup it was a shocker... Overall very happy with the Food on the ship Cheers Don ( 3 weeks till next cruise )

Agreed... had done almost 100 nights on her until she transferred to P&O... On the Grand in 3 weeks... will miss Skywalkers... Looking forward to It Cheers Don

Thanks Julie @OzKiwiJJ... this will we our 7th cruise to NZ.. I know one should just chill out.... I think it is a getting older thing.... I just like everything sorted..... Looking so forward to relaxing for 13 nights... with the biggest thing to decide what to eat ( and no kitchen duties ) So only 22 days to go... it's hard to believe it is finally so close. Cheers Don in rainy Melbourne

Thanks..... All I want is get on the ship and relax with food and wine and a few G&T's Oops I better say say the better half before food and wine... At home me cook and server of wines...as well as dishwasher stacker so sort of like Food and Beverage Manger for the residence Cheers Don with 2nd cup of coffee

Hi All. Cruising on the 4th November 1st cruise since December 2019.... and wondering now to do this RAT test info for check in without a smart phone ?? Also does this Medallion thingie come is a plastic pocket so one can clip it a lanyard ? Also does check-in work pretty much the same as it was without a smart phone Looking forward very much to go cruising again...... and would have proffered a cruise card... but will be happy with anything to open the door and a buy drinks... that''s about all one needs.... beside going to canapes , and club class dining and amazing suite breakfasts .. Cheers and thanks Don

Another point.... fromr down under... here tipping is not a given.... One tips for great service not mediocre service Just saying Don.

internet cafe yes please... a library would be be nice... but i bring my own real books on a cruise..... Do not have a smart phone or tablet,,, do have a computer... which stay at home... one likes to disconnect while on holiday..... our next cruise a 13 nighter.... will check emails twice..... and somebody can text me..... that is enough...... I like a bit of tech.... but it does not rules my life.... a use me to remember .. Cheers Don