Join Pete and Judy on their FIRST World Cruise on the Amsterdam

[erewhon]

Thanks for the updates and photos.

[erewhon]

Heres Amsterdam arriving yesterday morning. Its from the timelapse feature of this webcam..only available for the past 3 days , so I grabbed it for you while its still there.:)

 

http://www.webcamsydney.com/webcamsydney_timelapse.htm

 

 

 

Great photo, thanks for sharing.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Beautiful Beach!!!!

 

Bondi

 

 

 

 

 

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[The-Inside-Cabin]

Leaving Bondi Beach for Ken Done Gallery in the rocks

 

 

 

 

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[MMDown Under]

Yes - we enjoyed it very much. Anna Dowsley was amazing as Rosita

 

We were on the other side and couldn't see the Harbor bridge during interval..unless there was another balcony we missed

 

Sorry, you were in the second largest venue on the eastern side. I was referring to the view from the largest venue, the Concert Hall, on the western side.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Back Ship!

 

 

 

 

 

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[The-Inside-Cabin]

Today's GPS track.

 

 

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[MMDown Under]

I hope you get in to Mooloolaba, one of our beautiful Sunshine Coast Beaches, by tender, on Saturday. Not many ships visit this port.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I hope you get in to Mooloolaba, one of our beautiful Sunshine Coast Beaches, by tender, on Saturday. Not many ships visit this port.

 

 

That is our next port. I am renting a car. Suggestions appreciated!

 

See my blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com under world cruise reference for our complete schedule along with dinner menus and the on location guide

 

 

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Edited February 11, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin

[MMDown Under]

That is our next port. I am renting a car. Suggestions appreciated!

 

See my blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com under world cruise reference for our complete schedule along with dinner menus and the on location guide

 

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Depending how long you have in port, and your interests, you might like to consider -

 

Take Away Fish and Chips from one of the seafood shops on the Mooloolaba Spit (where the tenders come in).

 

Coastal drive north to Noosa/Noosaville, stopping at whatever beautiful beach en route takes your fancy. Sunshine Beach SLSC, which has a spectacular location, is a favourite stop.

 

http://sunshinebeachslsc.com.au/

 

This whole area is a foodies paradise.

 

Eumundi Markets, which are held on a Saturday, are very popular, but the markets can be hot and crowded in summer.

 

A round trip through the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, which is a tourist area known for its arts and crafts.

 

http://www.hinterlandtourism.com.au/towns/montville-flaxton/

 

Montville is the creative heart of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, with lots of small speciality shops.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Here is my original plan Thanks for the tips!

 

 

 

 

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Edited February 11, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin

[teamflames]

Sounds like a good day, beautiful part of oz. there is a short nature walk on the headland at the end of Hastings st.

Second visiting the slsc (like the rsl clubs a truly Australian experience)

 

 

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[The-Inside-Cabin]

Day 37, Sydney, Australia

 

Exhausted from the late night on the town after the Opera, we slept in and relaxed in our cabin until noon. We had planned to take the HoHo bus in the morning, but resting seemed far more inviting and it was good to recharge our batteries.

 

Refreshed, we headed off the ship and summoned an UBER to take us to Bondi Beach. Another pretty day was in store as we drove thru the Sydney streets, taking about 30 minutes to get to Bondi Beach. The beach was absolutely stunning. Having spent my adult life in and around beach towns, having lived in Hawaii, Florida and California, I have seen hundreds of beaches and Bondi is very close to the top. The sand is the perfect color and contrasts nicely with the blue water and white surf. Sitting below the main street, the beach has a beautiful crescent shape that is quite stunning, especially from the vantage point of an observation deck at the beach’s south end.

 

 

Perfect temperatures, comfortable humidity and a gentle breeze completed the package as we walked from the south end to the north and enjoyed a wonderful day in a wonderful spot. We had about an hour and ½ to walk and do a little shopping. Near the center of the beach is the Bondi Pavilion which has a few shops, restaurants, restrooms and free Wi-Fi, which was surprisingly fast for a free hotspot.

 

It was now 3:15 pm and we wanted to go back to the Rocks to visit the Ken Done Gallery before heading back to the ship. Another UBER and another 30 minutes and we were getting out of our car in front of the gallery. Judy has been a fan of Ken Done’s work since she bought a shirt with one of his designs in the early 80’s. Many of his pieces are about the beach or feature the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. http://www.kendone.com

 

We wanted to get back to the ship by 4:15 pm giving us a buffer before the all aboard at 5pm and the ship’s departure 6pm. While Judy was shopping I found a mailbox to mail some post cards back to friends and family in the USA.

 

Our final UBER for Sydney arrived within a few minutes and we pulled up to the White Bay Cruise Terminal in about 20 minutes.

 

The all aboard time in the On Location guide was listed as 5:30 pm but the sign by the gangway said 5pm. This is why we always take a picture of the sign when leaving the ship as the sign will always have the most accurate information.

 

About 150 guests joined the ship here and they had their lifeboat drill at 5:15pm. They divided the new arrivals into two groups, with everyone who had an even lifeboat muster on one side, while the folks with odd lifeboats mustered on the opposite side. I went down to see the new arrivals and say hi to any familiar faces from our cruise critic roll call. I did notice that Orlando Ashford, HALs CEO, and his family were participating in the drill and paying close attention. They will be here thru Cairns, Australia.

 

Since this was the start of a new segment, they held a special sailaway at the Seaview pool with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks. The weather remained spectacular and the views incredible as we made our way out of the harbor. As we passed under the Sydney Harbor Bridge, we returned the wild waves and cheers from a group of bridge climbers waiting at the top of the bridge. The sailaway party continued as we passed by the Opera House, Watsons bay and the other familiar sights we have come to know in our brief time in Sydney.

 

 

Before we had left the Harbor, we coasted to a stop and the Captain announced that we had to evacuate a person with a medical emergency. They lowered the tender platform and the person was picked up by a small boat and they were on their way ashore – not sure what the nature of the problem was – but we will probably find out later.

 

At this evening’s dinner, three people at our table ordered the Prime rib and the portion sizes were HUGE. I suspect that since we were on late seating they realized they were going to have plenty left over and started to get more generous with the size of the cuts.

 

The entertainment tonight was the latest Bond movie – Spectre. Anticipating a huge turnout they scheduled the showing in the Queens lounge, but both shows were lightly attended and probably could have fit in the Wajang Theatre which has a better screen and can get darker than the Queens lounge making it the preferable venue for movie watching.

 

More pictures on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com

 

A copy of the Segment 1 Cruise Log and information on the Barber of Seville is available on the blog under World Cruise Reference

[teamflames]

Ken done is still going!? Fantastic.

Very few cities in the world are blessed with such magnificent beaches so close to the cbd, Rio is another that comes to mind. Sounds like u had a great visit

 

 

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[The-Inside-Cabin]

Another great day at sea coming up! Big Australian BBQ on the schedule this evening. So big they cancelled our late seating dinner.

 

[RuthC]

Big Australian BBQ on the schedule this evening. So big they cancelled our late seating dinner.

Were any provisions made for late seating diners who didn't want to eat at the BBQ?

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Were any provisions made for late seating diners who didn't want to eat at the BBQ?

 

 

The Australian party is tonight and it is called a party not a BBQ. Those were my words.

 

Your dining options today:

 

The lower dining room will be "open dining" only all night 5:30 to 9 and the LIDO will be available. Will check out the menus in all venues and report later.

 

Level 5 dining room closed as all waiters will be working the pool area and Lido.

 

Food is expected to be "off the charts" good. With Orlando's Boss onboard, I am sure they will spare no expense ! Or will they see this as an unnecessary extravagance cutting into the bottom line?

 

The inside Cabin will have all the details later.

 

 

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[The-Inside-Cabin]

Tender 9 Hull is repaired. Still waiting for props to be installed

Edited February 11, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

The details about tonight's party and the dining room closing is described in today's On Location avail on the Blog. http://Www.theinsidecabin.com under world cruise reference where every on location guide is posted and linked to the applicable day.

 

 

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[RuthC]

The lower dining room will be "open dining" only all night 5:30 to 9 and the LIDO will be available.

Thanks for filling in the blanks. I fully understand now how it works.

 

We had something similar on one of the first E-dam cruises: there was no main fixed seating, but open seating was held as usual. Since I was with several people, who filled a table, we just went to cocktails and dinner as usual, but were seated at the lower level.

At least we didn't have to miss being served.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Thanks for filling in the blanks. I fully understand now how it works.

 

 

 

We had something similar on one of the first E-dam cruises: there was no main fixed seating, but open seating was held as usual. Since I was with several people, who filled a table, we just went to cocktails and dinner as usual, but were seated at the lower level.

 

At least we didn't have to miss being served.

 

 

Apparently the food available by the pool will also be served in the LIDO.....

[Topsham]

Good to see that HAL President is sailing for a segment the WC. First hand experience. Only way to go!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Nice set up in the Crows Nest for a Mariners Lunch.

 

 

 

The LIDO is closed all day as they set up for the big Party

 

Edited February 12, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Good to see that HAL President is sailing for a segment the WC. First hand experience. Only way to go!

 

 

I spoke with him for a few minutes at the sail away. Seems like a nice enough guy,,,

[erewhon]

Thank you for the updates.

A smarter set up for the Mariners Lunch in the Crows Nest, than for Mariners Lunches on shorter cruises.