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Some pretty dramatic scenery as we sail along New Zealand coastline. Weather conditions looking favorable for our 3:30 PM arrival in Milford Sound today. Ate in Aqualina last night and enjoyed the new menu. Not sure if it’s fleet wide or just here on Onward. Lot’s of different Chefs Table themed meals along with Indonesian and Indian Rice Tables. Culinary team has lots of freedom on this cruise and is very creative and they have such passion in their presentations. Life on Onward is a very special experience.

Pretty dramatic scenery as we sail down the coast to Milford Sound.

Good morning/afternoon. Today we have our fingers crossed that we get to sail into Milford Sound later this afternoon. In the meantime I have a haircut appointment in spa. Yesterday’s visit to Port Chalmers and Dunedin was special with an off road ride at a ranch where we saw stunning views along with wildlife. Albatrosses with their 11 foot wing span, seals, black swans and burrowed penguins.Not allowed to photo penguins in their burrows. Just amazed by how many logs awaiting shipment at port. The decision at present is do I head for coffee or roll over and go back to sleep? Tough decision. Thanks for the reports and Daily. Bruce

Good morning/afternoon. We will shortly be arriving in Dunedin and another excursion and adventure. Busy times. Yesterday we toured around Christ Church and yes they are still rebuilding from the great earthquake of I believe 2011. Epicenter was right below their business center. We then drove 90 minutes out of town to a a station (ranch) where we had a thrilling jet boat drive and a four wheel drive ride around the station and beautiful scenic overlooks at higher elevations. Such beauty. Like previous days it is time to rise and get ready for another excursion. Staying busy but so enjoying and absorbing the beauty of New Zealand. Have a great day. Bruce

Good morning/afternoon. This Tuesday morning finds us nearing Christ Church, New Zealand. The high winds have the ocean churning and the ship is responding. Our excursion today in four wheel drive vehicles and ride up a river in a jet boat may be a little cool as it currently 52 degrees! We attended and enjoyed an Indonesian dinner last night. So good and so much food. Following dinner we were entertained by a guest harpist. Some pics from our excursion out of Picton where we did scenic cruising in Queen Charlotte Bay visiting mussel farms. We were treated to eating fresh New Zealand Green Mussels and grilled Chinook Salmon. Best tasting mussels ever and they went well with the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanche. Time to get moving. Thanks for the reports and post. Bruce

That was one part of a good tour that I do not need to revisit.

Kia Ora. It’s Monday morning and we will have early excursion in Picton, New Zealand. Beautiful day yesterday in Wellington and some scenic travels to some vineyards. Arrived back to ship around seven had dinner watched a magician and went to bed. Dawn is just breaking and can see some beautiful mountainous terrain along the shoreline and we are chugging along close to shore. What a beautiful country. Wish I had time to read through all post but this intensive itinerary has me needing to get ready for today’s excursion. Phone pics have not yet synched with IPad. Have a great day. Bruce The view off my balcony.

We are presently on Onward World Voyage and having a wonderful cruise experience. When you ask such a question on CC there will always be replies from some who find fault with everything or set their expectations so high they never can be reached. Come aboard and find out for yourselves. I’m betting you will be happy with the Azamara experience.

Good day. It’s Sunday and we will be visiting Wellington later today. Yesterday our day in Napier was a trip down memory lane as we did the same wine tour in 2015- The city was celebrating it’s annual Art Deco Celebration so there were many vintage cars and folk dressed in 1920 styled clothing. Many streets in town were closed off for the occasion. Didn’t take many pictures yesterday so not much to add other then Mission Winery and Vineyards, logs for export and the “building.” The Celebrity Edge was also in port yesterday but that was the last time we will share a port call with what our Captain refers to as “the building.” Time to rise, shower and seek coffee. Have a great weekend. Bruce

Pretty shots. We probably won’t catch up as we are in New Zealand but having great cruise and experience. The same wishes to you. B.

Saturday 6:00 AM. At sea will arrive Napier early afternoon. Will do some wine tasting excursion and we’ll be in Napier til after nine tonight. Last day we will share port with Celebrity Edge. We had a lovely and memorable visit to Tauranga yesterday which ended with an ala carte dinner onboard under the stars. Tauranga is the largest and busiest port in New Zealand. The country is the largest exporter of dairy products and logs. China is one of their main customers. We saw many things on our tour yesterday from the first home of missionaries to beautiful scenic vistas and kiwi groves. One memorable event was watching the sheepdog’s move a large herd of sheep and then getting to pet these loyal and obedient dogs. Coffee awaits. Thanks for all your post. Bruce

It’s Friday at 6:00 AM and we will soon be docking on Tauranga, New Zealand. We have a pretty intensive itinerary this segment so not much time for Cruise Critic in the morning and by the time we get back from tours you’re all headed to bed. It was a beautiful day in Auckland and we did a Tours By Locals with John showing us around Auckland and its beautiful parks and scenic views and surrounding countryside. Just beautiful scenery and narration by our tour guide John. Today we have another Tour By Locals. Had a nice reunion with Cruiser Bill and his wife Dianne. Had cruised in 2018 with them on a Holland America cruise. They are on for this segment. Okay it’s time to get up and ready for touring. By the way just want you to know that we are having a great time.😁 Bruce Some pics of Auckland.

Good Thursday morning. A peek out the window shows me we are arriving soon in Auckland. We enjoyed a nice ride around the beautiful countryside of Bay Of Island. Saw the first wooden built house in New Zealand. Entered into a cave which ceiling revealed glow worms. Upon our return to ship we enjoyed two tenors and a soprano which were fantastic singers who performed pool side. Last night we had a special Valentine’s dinner that was superb in one of the specialty restaurants. The venue was decorated in red hearts and rose petals throughout. Bay Of Islands was really busy as the Celebrity Edge was also in port. We looked like a miniature model while anchored nearby. We have a lengthy Tour By Locals today so must get ready. Enjoy your Hump Day. Our’s was great. Bruce

Valentines dinner in Onwards Aqualina tonight was amazing.

Land Ho! Bay Of Islands, New Zealand.

It’s Wednesday morning at 6 AM and upon dawn we should be seeing land for the first time in six days. Ocean feels calm enough that we should be able to tender and visit Islands Of Bay in New Zealand. Our day will consist of seeing the glow worms and upon our return to ship we will have a cultural destination day onboard. Last night was White Night onboard. We chose to dine in MDR instead of pool side BBQ and buffet. We did return to pool side and enjoyed the entertainment. Just stepped out on balcony and though it’s still dark I could see land and New Zealand. It will be nice to walk on terra firma and not be staggering. It’s time for coffee and to get ready for our first excursion of many. Tomorrow in Auckland the third segment ends and a new one begins. There will be 603 guest on next segment. Will celebrate our Hump Day by walking on land. Thanks for the reports and post. Will read later. Bruce

See you onboard. #8033 or our pre dinner Atlas Bar libations. Bruce & Sue

Waking up on a Tuesday morning. Another sea day unless we can’t tender tomorrow. Yesterday, the wind picked up and so did the waves so we had some pretty good movement onboard and we still have some this morning. We enjoyed watching the Super Bowl and it was a great game. Nothing really planned for today. Probably will play morning trivia and will see what else is offered. Last night our guest entertainer Tom Seals entertained with great piano and singing. He can get the piano doing some Boogie Woogie. Time to rise and check out Tuesday. Thanks for the reports and post. Bruce

Last night’s Chinese Lunar New Year was a great dining experience. Lot’s of fine Chinese menu selections to choose from and themed decorated evening with great weather added to a memorable evening. Today’s Super Bowl Monday was well attended and the culinary team did a great job of catering with some traditional game day snacks. Yes we skipped Sunday by crossing International Date Line. We started the day with the Pacific smooth as glass but an increase of wind has us staggering around with the ships movement. Another great day on Azamara Onward.

Front row seats for Super Monday Super Bowl. The smooth as glass Pacific, which started the day, has abruptly changed along with high winds. We are starting to rock. Enjoy the day.

Good morning here but good afternoon to many. Sunday didn’t happen and our on board Super Bowl Monday will start in a few hours around noon here. The Pacific is like glass this morning. They really put on a fantastic Lunar New Years last night with a huge variety of Chinese selections. Dumplings, Peking Duck, won ton soup, various fried rice and much more. The weather was perfect, pool side decorated and the waves of the pool made a special evening. Just waking up so headed for coffee and a energizer shot combo of juice and ginger. Enjoy your day and thanks for all your post and contributions. Will read later. Bruce

Karen in Windows reservations is a great source of what’s on the future dining experiences.1

On the Onward we enjoyed another Chef’s Rice Table feast last night. We followed up dinner being entertained by guest performer Tom Seal’s. What a fantastic performer. Tonight we will have a pool side buffet as we celebrate Lunar New Year. Martin and Roy will be performing in Cabaret tonight. We will be crossing International Date Line so we will be watching the Super Bowl on Monday. The Super Bowl will be aired in the Cabaret Lounge and game will start at 11:00 AM! Another day at sea and we have blue skies. Life is good.

Bon Voyage!🛳️🍾

Morning here but for many of you good afternoon. Still Saturday, still at sea and a couple of more to go. We spent yesterday mostly without internet but around five PM it returned and it has been very good since. My Kindle ran out of juice so I spent some time on balcony mesermized by the vastness and beauty of the mighty Pacific. We enjoyed another Rice Table Chefs dinner last night followed by an outstanding guest entertainer Tom Seals. Today they have something planned for Lunar New Year and I have not read the Inside (Daily) yet. The old body says it’s time to rise and get some coffee. Will catch up on Daily post later. Have a great weekend. Bruce