"Live" Majestic Princess, 33-Days, Apr 10th to May 12th, Sydney to Seattle (+6 Nights Sydney Pre-Cruise)

[c-boy]

2 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

The Saks Fifth Avenue pillows, comforter, blanket and fully flat bed did help!  And the slippers were nice too!

 

 

 

 

business class, the only way to fly 👍. Especially when your flying half way around the world.

[azbirdmom]

Looks like the Polaris lounge has upgraded their menu!  The one in SFO still had the old menu in December.  And I like the onboard menu you had too - haven't seen that one before either.

 

I'm with you, I don't like the pajamas, well at least the new blue "shiny" version.  The last ones were very soft and I actually wear them around the house when it's cooler here in Arizona.

 

Lay back, relax and enjoy the flight!

[LACruiser88]

We have arrived!  The service and food on the flight was outstanding.  And we both were able to get a few hours of sleep, a rarity for us.

 

The Passport Control is all automated and took us all of 5 minutes.  Our bags came out quickly and we exited Customs via the "Nothing to Declare" door.  From the time we exited the plane and exited Customs was 20 minutes max!

 

Our Blacklane driver was waiting for us just outside Customs (he had texted us as soon as we landed) and we were off to the hotel.

 

We arrived at the hotel at 9:30 and were praying for an early check-in. Bingo, our room was ready!

 

Now, unpacking before we go for a stroll and lunch.  Btw, the weather is very overcast and about 70° F.

 

Our room has a nice view of the Opera House.

Bottle of Shiraz waiting for us!

 

 

 

 

Bathroom has separate tub and shower.

 

 

[EDVM96]

24 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Our room has a nice view of the Opera House.

 

Is this the Four Seasons?

My Sydney pre-cruise hotel 3 weeks ago was the neighboring Shangri-La.

 

 

With Bridge, Opera & Royal Princess view.

But only from 7th floor ... 😭

 

Edited April 4 by EDVM96

[LACruiser88]

1 hour ago, EDVM96 said:

Is this the Four Seasons?

Yes.

[Host CJSKIDS]

That's great that the vacation got off to such a great start!  Enjoy.

[aussielozzie18]

Welcome to Sydney!  Hope you’ve got some indoor plans for tomorrow (Friday) - there is a severe weather warning for Sydney/NSW coast tomorrow.  Expecting very heavy rain & flooding.

 

 

[LACruiser88]

2 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Welcome to Sydney!  Hope you’ve got some indoor plans for tomorrow (Friday) - there is a severe weather warning for Sydney/NSW coast tomorrow.  Expecting very heavy rain & flooding.

 

 

Yes, we have indoor plans for tomorrow.  All the forecasts show lots of rain.  A good day for R&R!

[LACruiser88]

@c-boy  Tom, this post is especially for you mi amigo!  Our Concierge recommended the "Fish at the Rocks" for dinner.  It's not too far away from 6 Head. 

 

It was outstanding!  We shared a grilled octopus appetizer.  Debbie had the Seafood Spaghettini and I had the Whole Baked Barramundi accompanied by a really nice Shiraz.  The owner was our server and provided great service. 

 

It is not a tourist destination, mostly locals.  We made a reservation for Sunday night for a chance to try some of the other specialties.  They have several nightly specials not on the menu.

 

Btw, it rained on and off all day long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4 by LACruiser88

[Host CJSKIDS]

2 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Yes, we have indoor plans for tomorrow.  All the forecasts show lots of rain.  A good day for R&R!

Well the rain just means that Debbie has plenty of time for shopping!!!

[c-boy]

6 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

@c-boy  Tom, this post is especially for you mi amigo!  Our Concierge recommended the "Fish at the Rocks" for dinner.  It's not too far away from 6 Head. 

 

It was outstanding!  We shared a grilled octopus appetizer.  Debbie had the Seafood Spaghettini and I had the Whole Baked Barramundi accompanied by a really nice Shiraz.  The owner was our server and provided great service. 

 

It is not a tourist destination, mostly locals.  We made a reservation for Sunday night for a chance to try some of the other specialties.  They have several nightly specials not on the menu.

 

Btw, it rained on and off all day long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like that 😃. I'm just trying to think how it will fit on my head stone.  It reads a lot better than "I told you I was sick" .

[LACruiser88]

6 hours ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Well the rain just means that Debbie has plenty of time for shopping!!!

Carolyn, that cracked me up!  🤣    She has her eyes on a mall that is right next door to our hotel.  I just hope we don't need to buy another suitcase!  It won't be the first time!!!

[Yehootu]

On 4/3/2024 at 7:03 PM, call_your_mother said:

Wow!  We flew United but didn't have those options. Although, our dinner was pretty good!  Thought the seat & bed were very comfortable.  Enjoy your flight, we did!

Menu must of changed in April. Ours was different also.

[LACruiser88]

We received the below notice from Princess yesterday.  It sure seems like New Zealand makes you jump

through hoops!

 

[azbirdmom]

1 minute ago, LACruiser88 said:

We received the below notice from Princess yesterday.  It sure seems like New Zealand makes you jump

through hoops!

 

 

That first paragraph is something new.  It definitely wasn't a requirement in December.   So now there are two apps required for NZ travel???

[LACruiser88]

21 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

That first paragraph is something new.  It definitely wasn't a requirement in December.   So now there are two apps required for NZ travel???

Yes, a second app!  I feel bad for the folks that are not smart phone savvy.  You would think the ship would just give us a form to fill out and hand to officials as we disembark in our first NZ port.  🤷‍♂️

[LACruiser88]

We just had our first breakfast at the hotel, which was included with our stay.  The buffet is amazing!  The server takes your coffee and egg orders, everything else is self-serve.

 

We are now waiting for a friend that is currently on the Celebrity Edge and on a port day in Sydney.  It is really a small world!

 

 

 

 

 

[LACruiser88]

We had a very nice 3 hour visit with our friend at our hotel.  We had not seen each other since our Med/TA this past Nov/Dec on the Enchanted Princess.  

 

Afterwards, we took an Uber to the downtown Westfield shopping center.  It was pouring koalas & kangaroos!!!  🦘🐨🦘🐨

 

That did not stop Debbie!  I was very lucky though, only one small purchase at H&M!  

 

It is still pouring, so we are having dinner at the hotel tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

[pryce_tag]

Just for everyone's info, my son Greyson is planning on hiding pigs on the cruise ship rather than ducks.  It really was just to give him something to do in case he got bored.  We have created a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/215689998145737 where you can go to post a photo if you find one and so he can keep track.  Looking forward to 'meeting' those that are lucky enough to find a pig.

[LACruiser88]

Tonight, dinner at the hotel was a big hit!  Debbie had one of her favorite dishes, Spaghetti and Clams.

 

 

 

I had the roasted Barramundi in a wood burning oven.  Fantástico!!!

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

For our vinophile friends, tonight's vino.  I gave it a solid 92 points! 

 

Side note: While traveling we always seek local wines that are not exported.  

Edited April 5 by LACruiser88

[c-boy]

5 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Tonight, dinner at the hotel was a big hit!  Debbie had one of her favorite dishes, Spaghetti and Clams.

 

 

 

I had the roasted Barramundi in a wood burning oven.  Fantástico!!!

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

For our vinophile friends, tonight's vino.  I gave it a solid 92 points! 

 

Side note: While traveling we always seek local wines that are not exported.  

Thanx ! I chose to forgo my usual morning cup of coffee for a glass of Penfolds Bin 407 and retreated to the back porch. Jo  came out and saw the wine glass in hand and said " don't you think it's a bit early for that"   I replied.  " It's Rafeal's fault. His post gave me a hankering" 😅

[LACruiser88]

3 hours ago, c-boy said:

"   I replied.  " It's Rafeal's fault. His post gave me a hankering" 😅

I'll take the heat for that one!!! 🤣🤣🤣🍷🍷🍷

[LACruiser88]

The sun is back!  And it is warm and humid.  I believe it's the Royal Princess in port today?  I'll confirm in a bit when we go on our walkabout.

 

[EDVM96]

36 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

I believe it's the Royal Princess in port today? 

Yes, the Royal is back in Sydney today.

Next is the repositioning cruise to Japan and then onward to Alaska.

1    Sa. 06.04    Sydney (AU)    Australia        16:00
2    So. 07.04    At Sea            
3    Mo. 08.04    Brisbane    Australia    07:00    17:00
4    Di. 09.04    At Sea            
5    Mi. 10.04    At Sea            
6    Do. 11.04    At Sea            
7    Fr. 12.04    At Sea            
8    Sa. 13.04    Darwin    Australia    09:00    18:00
9    So. 14.04    At Sea            
10    Mo. 15.04    At Sea            
11    Di. 16.04    At Sea            
12    Mi. 17.04    At Sea            
13    Do. 18.04    At Sea            
14    Fr. 19.04    Hongkong    Hongkong    07:00    22:00
15    Sa. 20.04    At Sea            
16    So. 21.04    Taipei (Keelung)    Taiwan    07:00    18:00
17    Mo. 22.04    At Sea            
18    Di. 23.04    Kagoshima    Japan    07:00    17:00
19    Mi. 24.04    Kochi (Japan)    Japan    09:00    19:00
20    Do. 25.04    Osaka    Japan    07:00    19:00
21    Fr. 26.04    Shimizu    Japan    12:00    21:00
22    Sa. 27.04    Yokohama (Tokyo)    Japan    06:30    

 

 

Edited April 5 by EDVM96

[treesah]

1 hour ago, LACruiser88 said:

The sun is back!  And it is warm and humid.  I believe it's the Royal Princess in port today?  I'll confirm in a bit when we go on our walkabout.

 

You dragged the California sunshine to Sydney.  Thus, we ended up with snow in the Laguna mountains.  Have a fabulous trip.