LC1950

I've just been reading through the daily newsletter and OMG, look who's playing in the show lounge tonight!

I'm onboard and I have to say I love our beautiful suite.  The bathroom is to die for - all marble, dual vanity sinks, plenty of storage and a large walk in shower with glass door - no dreaded shower curtain here.  But best of all, proper lighting so a gal can see to put her make up on without straining her eyes.  The living area is very spacious and I especially love our large leather armchairs, lovely soft leather couch and the dining table which seats 6.  I can see a few dinner parties happening here.  The balcony is big enough for a party - oh WOW, but most of all I love our super duper king size bed with fluffy pillows, silk quilt (inside a proper quilt cover not a silly wrap around sheet - are you taking note Princess???) and that built in "massage" function is soooo delicious. 🤫

Jeeves, our butler is busy unpacking our bags so we've decided to head down to the MDR for a light lunch and a nice glass of bubbly to wash it down.  There's a charcuterie platter on the menu that has my name on it. 😉

I've only seen a small portion of the ship interior so far but it looks divine - stylish and sophisticated without that feeling of poshness or do not touch about it  but with a comfortable and welcoming feel to it.

After lunch we will do a quick wander around to check out the various areas and what is available.  Then it'll be time for muster drill.  Am I correct in thinking we don't need to bring our life jackets to this? 

Oooops, my apologies OzKiwiJJ.  I got a little bit carried away with my precruise ultra-luxury preamble. 🤩

Correction ....

The magnificent Ocean Pearl ... here we come!

Incidentally, do we know at this stage who our Captain will be?

We are flying up to Sydney the day prior to the cruise and staying overnight at .... oh, the Shangri La?  That's $$$$ right?  We're flying business class on Virgin - thought they could do with the business at this point of time?  Check in, and a breeze through security and into the Virgin Lounge for a double shot espresso.  We board out flight (bulkhead seats with ooodles of leg room) and enjoy a very nice Australian sparkling wine prior to take off.  Lunch is served shortly after we are in the air - very nice chicken satay and a cheese platter with another glass of sparkling wine.

Arrive in Sydney, collect bags .... they both arrived with us!!!!  Then into a taxi to the hotel.  Check in and our suite is ready.

Uuummmm, this is a 'virtual' trip and won't be costing us a cent, right?  Yeah, go for broke LC!

We head out for a wander around Sydney and decide to head to Darling Harbour for a light dinner then back to the hotel to gaze out the floor to ceiling windows watching the sun go down while sipping a glass of Veuve.  Well, it's daylight saving so still very light at 9PM.

Up with the birds and first look out the window ... our beautiful, gorgeous ship is at the OPT!  Such excitement and so much anticipation. 

We hurry to shower, throw on some slap (me), dress and head to the lounge for a morning coffee.  Too excited to actually eat anything, so a second coffee and we're wired and ready to rock and roll.

Beautiful Queen of the Seas ... here we come!

Errrr, some poetic licence here with the name of our gorgeous virtual ship.  Can anyone suggest a better name????

I think they would be a wee bit more desperate than fights over toilet paper!

OK, I'm about to gather accoutrements and head down to Uncle Dan to camp out for the night.  Don't tell anyone else what I'm doing cruisers ... OK?  Ssshhh, secret stuff.

7 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I don’t care about unnecessary things but what about bottle shops???

DH and I have already made plans to visit our dear old Uncle Dan tomorrow morning at opening time.  Well, their door better be open and their shelves stacked!

Or there'll be trouble.

Our daughter and SIL have been working from home since last Wednesday.  They have 2 small children that we care for 2 days a week.  Daughter requested that we stay home ... she's not concerned about us infecting them but more about them infecting us.  *sigh* Haven't had a grandie hug for some time but thank the Goddess for 'Facetime'.  LOL lots of virtual hugs happening on Facetime.

Aus Traveller I've been following a blog by a young woman who has been on Boudicca for the last several months.  Here's a link to the blog.

https://cruisemiss.com/

Lots of info and photos of the ship.

Just my 2 cents worth ... the supermarkets are not being restocked.  When was the last time any of you actually saw a very large Woolworths/Aldi/Coles truck on the roads?  I haven't seen one for weeks.  They used to be fixtures on the roads.  Not any more.  I haven't seen a "Coca Cola" large truck for a while either.

Have the transport companies all gone into lock-down?

The Aussies onboard can now breathe a little easier ... just heard on the 9 afternoon news that ScoMo has climbed upon his white horse and is galloping to their rescue via a Qantas plane.  If further quarantine required then maybe Christmas Island will perhaps be the one, seeing as that is reported as being cleared now.

1 hour ago, DownByTheSea said:

Well, no luck so far getting info to the passengers-only facebook page about the free ebooks. I'm in touch with another passenger, but she doesn't know how to get into that facebook group. Anyone know the name or url of it? I tried searching and couldn't find any private group like that. I assume they don't want even the name known publicly, but if someone could text me the details at 720-466-3288 so I can pass it on to her, that'd be great.

 

(Challenging question itself -- how to get the info to all the other pax when you can't move around, can't pass notes, and shouldn't talk with anyone at close range.)

 

I've sent a request into the giant maw of Princess corporate to find out who to connect with, but given they must be in crisis mode, I don't know if I'll ever get a response. Anyone have ideas who to reach out to?

Perhaps if you post this to David Abel's Facebook page I'm sure he could pass it on to the passengers in that group.

Much kudos to Jan Schwartz for sending David Abel a large bottle of Tallisker whisky!!!!!  And it would appear that he is loving it and is so grateful!  A beautiful gesture from the CEO of Princess Cruiselines.  Well done!

Great news, hey?

Sun Princess as at October 2019

Deck 7 (Promenade Deck) starboard side aft, near the Vista Lounge.

Deck 12 (Riviera Deck) port side forward by the Riviera Bar

Deck 14 (Lido Deck) aft Sundowners Bar (although the bar is rarely open.

Apart from the usual things such as magnets, clothespegs, laundry pods, my own shampoo/conditioner, small first aid kit, etc., I always bring a small torch.  Rarely need it but on our first cruise the ship's power failed and we were literally in the dark.  LOL that torch sure came in handy.

I did my first cruise on the Sun Princess (2013 and also my recent last cruise in Oct 2019) and it got me hooked on cruising.  *cough* There are NO secrets .... except .... a very comfortable library on Deck 7.  A wonderful and very wide promenade deck also on 7.  The IC on Deck 5 is great and plenty of seating I found.  Crooners on ummm, is it Deck 7? is great.

And I will NOT mention the secret aft deck incase a ninja in the middle of the night does me in.

You have been warned!!!

Study the deck plans and you will know exactly what I'm talking about.

We had some refundable onboard credit after our cruise in October.  The refund cheque arrived in the letterbox about 2 weeks after disembarkation.

Sam Chui, an aviation blogger was on this flight.  You might like to watch his vlog of the flight. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJP93u7n5Ok

If using the MTR to get to HK Disneyland you need to be on theTung Chung line (orange line).  Get off at Sunny Bay, walk across the platform and the special Disneyland train will arrive shortly to take you one stop to the Disneyland station.

Here's a couple of pics of the train ...

When 1st grandchild was due back in 2014, DH and I were warned by DD that if we weren't innoculated within an inch of our lives, we would not be allowed near the new baby.  So we were - and ouchie ouchie it was! 

But we were then allowed to cuddle and actually care for the new bub and we've built up a wonderful relationship with her.  LOL when her sister was in the oven there was no warning from DD.  Well of course we were fine and DD knew it. 

So no impediments to cruising as far as I'm concerned.  We're vaccinated so we've done all we can.  And the best bit is being able to cuddle and love our grandies.  LOL fellow cruise passengers have nothing to fear from us! 

Many happy returns Norris!   A bit late here, we're a day ahead here in Oz.  Hope you had a delicious birthday dinner and much good health for the forthcoming year.  Happy trails.

RTLS, I'd be going with purduemom1's suggestion, excellent advice.  Sandals in cooler weather?  LOL no way for this little grey duck.  

Reminds me of a New Zealand cruise I did a couple of years ago in the early Autumn ... several ladies had packed for the "tropics" - sandals, light weight shorts, tops, etc., when in fact the temperatures barely got into the low 20's (Celsius).  They were having to buy warm jackets in the shops onboard and then shoes and even knitwear once we got into the various cold and rainy NZ ports.

Always check the weather for your ports and pack accordingly. 

1 hour ago, Bimmer09 said:

We stopped in Parque Central opposite Hotel Inglaterra. And took a seat on a bench under the shade of a coolabar tree (for my Aussie readers). Smoke break for me and Carol got chatting to a gentleman who had been "bringing Americans to Cuba for decades". I had heard someone talk about the baseball fans who come to the park to discuss the previous night's televised baseball game...

 

 

Waltzing Matilda, Australia's unofficial national anthem.

Norris, I'm thoroughly enjoying this chapter of your Gentleman's Seafaring Journal.  Think it's your best yet!

Good coffee!!!!!  Is that too much to wish for? 

And while we're on that subject of dreams and wishes - a Brunetti outlet with their to-die-for Italian hot chocolate (hold the cream) and their chocolate cannoli.  Especially beneficial on those cold, wet and bouncy N Z runs.

2 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

 

 

Norris love your pics of the art deco buildings.  Isn't this the building they used  in the movie The Birdcage?

G'day Norris, me old mate.   Been waiting for this one - Cuba!  Fascinating!  And I know you'll be doing it justice with your excellent photos. 

Enjoy the opera tonight. 😀