ckl001

Sea princess was overnight in Picton. Left st 8am this morning heading for Brisbane. We are expecting bad weather in the next few days. Fingers crossed ut us nit too bad. Today seems nice, jyst a but cool.

chez

A FB friend who is on the Sea Princess at the moment posted a couple of hours ago that their itinerary had been changed for the next few stops. I'm not sure why yet. The fires maybe?

 

This is their replacement cruise on the Sea Princess as they were supposed to be on it when it overstayed drydock. She is a little disappointed but enjoying her holiday all the same.

I am currently on sea princess and it is not the fires but bad weather.. they are expecting gale force winds. they had to stop the tenders yesterday and today we are in Picton. We are sailing back to Brisbane tonight. We miss out on the Fiords.

Chez

I think it will ve a sliw trip back to Brisbane.

I am really enjoying all the blogs and running commentary. Keep up the good work all.

Can not wait until next year when I will be back on QE for some legs of the World cruise.

Chez

All,

wondering if anyone can recomend a good seafood restaurant in Auckland. We will be there for the day at the end of this month. We will want lunch so any were with a great view woukd be nice.

Chez

On the noon announcement the captain said we had 40 knot gale force winds. The temperature was 13C/55F. Winds should decrease to 30-35 tomorrow and the temperature will increase to 14-15C/58/59F. We are heading south to just north of the Azores and will then turn west. Captain Clark promises smoother seas within a couple of days.

 

There are a number of people who are queasy. I try to refrain from telling them it is not as rough as last year.

 

I have found deck 8 (I am below the Pavilion Pool area) to have more creaks and groans than on deck 7. I have also heard heavy footsteps (not sure why as there cannot be many people out on deck - maybe they were moving deck furniture).

 

First Captain's Cocktail Party and formal night tonight.

 

 

 

Thanks, Salacia, for your suggestion.

 

Kathi

HI Kathi,

I hope you have a great cruise. I wish I was on it with you. Say hi to Maggie for me.

I am enjoying reading your blog. Is there much difference from last year?

Again have a great time.

Chez

On our very first cruise on Rhapsody seven years ago, RCI impressed us with their routines of hand washing, there were staff at the door of ALL restaurants with the instant wash for everyone at all mealtimes and you couldn't escape - they were good!! During the drill it may have been we were all told about the importance of washing hands after leaving restrooms, of using paper towels to open restroom doors AFTER using the restroom!! Of washing hands with soap for twenty (20) seconds people!! And even then RCI have cases of noro sometimes.

Last year we cruised on Voyager and they are nowhere near as pedantic now - but I continue with these same OTT practices because I know others don't - people cause the Norovirus - not the cruise lines!! But maybe the ships should return to the annoying handwash station attendants being everywhere that people eat??

I agree with you. I do find Princess are very good about the hand washing and also they have the message repeated on the channel on the TV in the room. There is no excuse!

Chez

We picked our daughter and her husband up from Sea Princess this morning and they were delayed in is disembarking as there had been Noro virus on board. They were fine except for the usual head colds. They said they couldn't believe people were complaining about being confined to their cabins. Noro is NOT the cruise lines fault but selfish people who go onboard with it and happily spread it all around. Can't believe the number of passengers you see just giving their hands a short wash. We always remember the old saying "sing a verse of Happy Birthday" when washing hands.

Noro is not good. I do hope they clean it up for the upcoming cruises.

I must agree about people complaining. It is only for their own good!

Chez

My thoughts go out to everyone caught up in the Sydney seige. I hope it all end soon with everyone safe.

chez

Has anyone here been to San Francisco before??

 

We are flying to San Francisco to join the Queen Elizabeth.

 

I have never been to San Francisco before, and it has been a while since I have been in the USA ( I think the last time I was in the USA was between 1995 and 1999!!).

 

What would you recommend doing in San Francisco??

 

We got 3 - 4 days there before our cruise.

I was there earlier this year when I joined Queen Elizabeth. By the way it was a great cruise.

while I was in SF I did a Napa valley wine tour which was great and I purchased a few bottles as no limit to take on board. Also spent some tine at fishermans wharf. A tour of Alcatraze is also great. You can do a cable car ride and check out lombard st.

Just a few ideas.

chez

We will be arriving from Canada on Jan 23, 2015 for a 5 day cruise on Jan 24th from Melbourne to Tasmania. This is our first time to Australia and so I need some advice on where to stay in Melbourne the night before our cruise (we arrive 10:30 am), perhaps mid-way from the airport to the port.

I would book fairly quickly as the Australian Open Tennis is on then and most of the hotels will be booked out or close to it.

chez

Does anyone have any updates on the issues with Sea Princess? Is the issue going to be resolved when they spend a few days in Singapore?

Any updates would be greatly appreciated.

Chez

Chez -

 

Thanks a bunch for the pic! Which deck was that?

 

Brian

We were deck 7 AFt on the Starboard side. We did not notice any vibration and there was no soot on the balcony in the mornings. Also we hardly had any movement at all. We did Singapore to Capetown and there was on 2 nights when there was a bit of movement and one was going around the cape which we expected. I normally do get sea sick but had no problems on this cruise. I actually travelled with my father and slept on the foldout bed in the lounge room and it was comfortable for me.

I could not complain about the suite.

Chez

I did not notice any vibration at all and I spent most days on the balcony.

Chez

I was in a Owners Suite on Deck 7 on Ocean Princess and there was no noise and the balcony was excellent with lots of room.

chez

Earlier this year I did San Francisco to Sydney on Curnard (Queen Elizabeth) and a few people on this cruise then did 3 days in Sydney and then caught Queen Victoria back to San Francisco. That is another thought for you. Both of these were sections of the World Cruises.

Chez

This is so sad and chilling. I have often flown MH and done this route a few times as well.

I agree and hope there was no CC family or friends on this flight. Some countries have a lot to answer for!:mad:

Chez

been on that website and its not the visa I need, I am thinking that a person staying not longer than 75 hours in australia does not need a visa, can anyone confirm this

Hi Adelve,

As you are staying overnight in Sydney, you WILL need a visa.

Chez

I doubt she will be fixed (probably at dry dock Sept 2015) so look forward to some leisurely cruising and the posibility of a little compensation.:D

That sounds nice.:D:D Leisurely crusing and compensation.

Chez

I do hope she is fixed by 27th January 2015 as I am booked on Sea Princess then. but then again I would not mind if they give me $100 for any ports missed as I am not really planning on getting off anywhere.

chez

I am so proud of how well our socceroos have done so far in this tournament. Admittedly, they didn't play well for the first 15 mins against Chile, but since then they have really shown they can compete on the world stage. With a little bit better concentration in the back four and some better finishing up front the team would have won both of the games.

In any case, well done boys, you have done me proud.:D:D:D

I 100% agree with you MicCanberra. We all should be so proud of the boys. Lets now hope they either beat or draw with Spain and then we will not finish bottom in the group.:D

Chez

Love price drops. Booked the Royal T/A over a year ago and got a nice discount and OBC from my TA. Princess dropped fares to close to what I was paying, got refared plus additional $100 OBC. I'm now paying $1,500 less than the current Princess pricing for a cabin down the hall.

Great Saving Pam.

I also checked the price for my cruise yesterday and it had also dropped. I called my TA to see if I could get it and expecting an answer of "This is only for new bookings" and Suprise Suprise. Got just under $700 off the price. I am one happy bunny!.

Chez

We prefer the Oyster Bar on the other side of Circular Quay. Much better views, really good food but not cheap. But then neither was Doyles.

 

I highly recommend it next time you're in Sydney.

 

BTW what's the best place for seafood and views in Auckland these days?

Have to agree. Just love the Sydney Oyster Bar. I always make sure I go there for a meal when in Sydney. The food is just great!

Chez

Hi, just a suggestion, why not do a search on CC for your cabin number on either Sea/Sun/Dawn Princess, all sister ships, you might get some comment there.

 

Above all, enjoy !!

Thanks Les,

I did do the search on Sea Princess but did not do Sun or Dawn. I will try that as well

Chez

Just wondering if anyone that has sailed on Sea Princess lately can let me know what cabin A535(or any cabin around it) is like. I know it is under the pool area and was wondering how noisey it would be.

Chez