St Pete Cruiser

Napier was our third port, another beautiful and enjoyable call. The Noordam turned around and backed into what looked like a lumber dock with a huge supply of logs awaiting export. We had courtesy shuttle buses into the historic city with its Art Deco buildings. Three Packard automobiles were there for you to look at, and ride in for a fee as well. A 1937, 1938 and a 1940 model, all built in Detroit but assembled in Windsor across the border in Canada as right hand drive. A 1938 Buick Special was at the dock on return along with a 4 member band playing 1930's music. The Buick was built in Flint, Michigan. Sailaway was easier as like most Holland America Captains prefer, we were headed out after backing in.

No, not yet.

Tauranga on Sunday was a beautiful port. We walked "The Mall" from the ship to Mt Maungatui, which is the mountain at the port entrance. We walked around the base and then climbed up to the top which was indeed difficult. The views were rewarding. Our first Gala night, our shirts hadn't come back from the laundry, so we were gala attired. Captain's Toast by Captain Peter was enjoyable with his witty remarks. Lots of toots as we left port for the season.

Upside down of MDR ceiling, oh well, we are down under. Crow's Nest pics:

A bucket list destination of mine has been New Zealand and Australia. When covid shut down these countries, I realized I would need to put them on the top of the list if I was to actually make it happen. Although this itinerary is short on Australia with just Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney, it does New Zealand quite well. Plus it put the dreaded long flight first, allowing us to return from North America. Maybe a circumnavigation of Australia will come later. The Grand Australia, at 94 days, was sure tempting except for the price tag! We booked 4 nights in a Airbnb in Auckland and embarked the good ship Noordam Saturday, the 25th at the rather ancient Queens Wharf pier. I had taken the Noordam in 2012 from Ft. Lauderdale to Civitvechia and liked it very much, although I was still partial to the S and R class ships. Noordam was just 6 years old then and the newest of the vista class with only the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam newer. Now onboard in 2023, she looks quite dated compared to the Pinnacle class ships of which I have more recently been on. Already on day two, she is winning me back with her wide promenade deck and deck chairs, her classic look dining room and Ocean Bar and theater. Maybe beat of all is her Crow's Nest without EXC and her Oak Room just off of it. At the ripe old age of 17, she is still a beauty. A few picks of the Noordam:

Good Friday morning from Auckland, New Zealand. We embark Noordam tomorrow. My first time in NZ, it has been a bucket list item! We took the ferry to a name most of us know from Holland America cruising: Half Moon! Beautiful sea side community with huge homes overlooking the bay. Quantum OTS, too large to dock at Queens Wharf, at the cargo port.

Good morning from sunny and warm (high 78F) St Petersburg. A triple ship day in Ft Lauderdale today for sailaway; it should be nice. Our St Patrick's Day potluck social had 50 in attendance last night, an enjoyable night. I've been to Corrinto twice. First on the Rotterdam 2011 and on the Volendam in 2018. The first time just walked the city which was just ok. Then in 2018, we got a small van with driver and guide who drove us by the volcano and onto Leon. I remember seeing horses and donkeys along the side of the road keeping the grass trimmed! We were told the country encourages their owners to bring them there for exactly that reason and then return them to their quarters by evening. I highly recommend venturing on such a tour there.

There are good ships, and wood ships, and ships that sail the seas, but the best ships are the Dam ships and may they always be.

Actually, we docked in both Saguenay and St John, NB, last October on the Nieuw Statendam. I liked both ports as you can walk off the ship and see the communities without needing transportation, unless you want to venture further. The Volendam can get under the bridge near Quebec, thus allowing it to dock in Montreal which the vista class and larger can not do.

Reflection with 3 long toots. Very good! Thanks for a nice sailaway everyone.

Caribbean Princess with four long toots. She doesn't have the love boat tooter, being almost 20 years old (2004).

Three long and five short. Excellent. Score 10. Roy, we had Itzhak Perlman play last night at the Florida Orchestra. Schindler's List was his best number. A very nice concert.

Nicer profile than the Pinnacle class IMHO.

I don't think so as she has a fairly high-speed run to Aruba and Curacao this week.

My picture froze after the first horn. Was there more? Nieuw Amsterdam backing now.

Camera looking for the bridge officers, probably the female Captain? I think she is on the Beyond. I don't recall Princess using pier 18 before. Does that happen occasionally?

Got on just intime to see Regal sailing out. No love boat today? Bah humbug to the Regal!

I will be home soon. Don't leave yet!

Will Noordam toot and she leaves Auckland and Sydney?

As those of a us of certain vintage know all to well, time moves along too fast as we near the end. Here it is mid March, and our sailaway season has only about a month to go from Ft Lauderdale. I, for one, am so glad to see the ships sailing again with guests.

Looks like we are next.

Three grumbled toots.

Happy Saturday sailaway fans. Apex backing into position. Hopefully NS will be next. It is a delightful 75F and sunny here.

Pitures from our ferry today. Starting with St Petersburg bayfront and touring the old Henry Plant Hotel in Tampa.

Good morning from sunny and warm St Petersburg. Today is our annual ferry to Tampa day. Taking the ferry from downtown St Petersburg to downtown Tampa, it leaves from the beautiful Vinoy basin and past the new pier, it follows part of the same channel the cruise ships follow into port there. We will walk the Tampa Riverwalk past the historic Tampa University Towers to a lunch spot and then return to St Petersburg. This morning's ferry is sold out. Enjoy your day wherever you are.