Sun Princess Review Part 1

[surfoz]

Is it just me or do the bedside lamps look like toilet role holders that are loaded??:D

 

yes that was my first thought when we stepped into our inside cabin, in fact we left the light on dim during the night so we could get out of bed without colliding into anything.

[kazzacruise]

Sun Princess Review Day 16

Arrived in Fremantle Easter Monday for an overnight stay. We had been to Perth 2 years ago so decided to do our own thing instead of a Princess tour. It was a beautiful day so had a good walk around Fremantle, went to the markets there,and had a nice lunch in one of the restaurants on the waterfront. That night we went to the Pizza place as we didn’t feel like another big dinner. As we both had a bit of a cold we had lots of garlic cooked extra in the pizza which were quite nice for a change. Only had 4 pizzas to choose from and we also found the wine there was cheaper per bottle than the restaurant. Show that night was comedian Mike Harris who we have seen on other boats.

Next day we had already booked a tour on the internet to go to Fremantle Prison, the tunnel tour. This was terrific, something different to do if you have already been to Perth and done the usual touristy things. The tunnels were interesting and were the original water supply for Fremantle. You had to be suited up a bit like the Harbour Bridge Walk and reasonably able as there was a long ladder to climb down and you were quite hunched over walking through the tunnels. You then hopped into little boats and pushed your way through the water. See pics below. That night there were 2 shows.We went to the early one being Phoenix, a comedy magic show, and after dinner we saw the acrobatic family Cameo Rascale who were fabulous!

Day 18 Today we reached Bunbury and were booked with Princess for a Bunbury Sights tour .I have to say this was the only tour I wouldn’t recommend. Bunbury was a pleasant regional city a few hours from Perth but what the tour showed us wasn’t much at all. We went for a long drive out of the city and ended up in a place called Gnomesville, then went to a very small wildlife park and then the Dolphin interactive centre, all of which had not that much to see or do .Don’t know if we missed some good sights but next time over that way will probably do Margaret River area. Show that night was singer Elizabeth Lord. I went to most of the shows on the cruise as I think it’s a big part of the nights enjoyment and you have to stay up for awhile after such lovely 4 course dinners !! Yes ,every night I had at least 3 courses, sometimes all 4! I love my food!! The casino remained closed at this stage as we were still in Western Australian waters.

Day 19 Reached Albany today and went off on a long day tour with Princess called Denmark and the Treetop Walk. This was a great tour, good weather, and a terrific guide on the bus. Amazing walking in the valley of the Giants, then had a nice lunch at a resort and a visit tothe beautiful coastline called Greens Pools(I think).We also stopped at a winery and had time in Denmark township to have a look around. All in all a very good day!!

Docked at Fremantle

Tunnel tour Fremantle Prison

[kazzacruise]

Gnomesville

Tree top walk

Greens Pool

[kazzacruise]

Is it just me or do the bedside lamps look like toilet role holders that are loaded??:D

Ha ha! I can't believe I was in that room for 28 days and never noticed them! At least if I was cranky I could blame getting out of the wrong side of the bed!!

[Cinnabel]

Really enjoying your review! Keep it coming please.......the photo's look terrific too.

[mickalex]

Great pics, enjoying every second of the review!

[starskyfan]

Hi Kerrie,

Once again thanks for your review, it's very helpful. Since you've been to Fremantle before, what do you recommend? With 2 days there I figure we will take one of the longer tours, but there is so much time spent on the bus. The Bunbury Sights tour was definitely one we were considering. I'm sorry it was a disappointment to you, but I will take that into consideration when we book. I thought about swimming with the dolphins but would love to hear from someone who's actually done it. Might have to start a thread on that someday. Plus, I want to "see" some of the area too. The Treetop Walk in Albany is top on our list as well, unless we decide to squeeze in 2 shorter excursions instead. But I have a hunch this will be our choice so I'm glad you thought it was worth it.

Brenda

[kazzacruise]

Hi Kerrie,

 

Once again thanks for your review, it's very helpful. Since you've been to Fremantle before, what do you recommend? With 2 days there I figure we will take one of the longer tours, but there is so much time spent on the bus. The Bunbury Sights tour was definitely one we were considering. I'm sorry it was a disappointment to you, but I will take that into consideration when we book. I thought about swimming with the dolphins but would love to hear from someone who's actually done it. Might have to start a thread on that someday. Plus, I want to "see" some of the area too. The Treetop Walk in Albany is top on our list as well, unless we decide to squeeze in 2 shorter excursions instead. But I have a hunch this will be our choice so I'm glad you thought it was worth it.

 

Brenda

 

Hi Brenda, We would probably suggest Rottnest Island as a full day tour as there is lots to see there ,very beautiful. Another day I would probably go up the Swan River from Fremantle to Perth on a boat or ferry then a sightseeing trip around Perth itself. Along the riverside is a nice place to stroll or you can hire cycles. Also the tunnel tour was very good at Fremantle Prison if you are looking for something a bit different. Kerrie

[starskyfan]

Hi Brenda, We would probably suggest Rottnest Island as a full day tour as there is lots to see there ,very beautiful. Another day I would probably go up the Swan River from Fremantle to Perth on a boat or ferry then a sightseeing trip around Perth itself. Along the riverside is a nice place to stroll or you can hire cycles. Also the tunnel tour was very good at Fremantle Prison if you are looking for something a bit different. Kerrie

 

Thanks, the Rottnest Island Tour was one we had highlighted as a top choice. There appear to be a lot of good choices here. I'd love to do the Wave Rock or but I'm unsure of the long bus ride. I wish we had a lot more ports like this where we get to spend 2 days. Brenda

[starskyfan]

Hi Kerrie,

While waiting (patiently) for the rest of your review, I thought I'd ask a couple of questions. No hurry on a reply if you are busy of course.

I was curious what you recommend for clothing on excursions, shorts or light weight pants, or did it depend on the port? Generally speaking I am more comfortable in pants. Were there any days that you needed a light jacket or sweatshirt?

I hate to bring up a touchy subject, but what was the dress code for the dining room? My understanding is that Princess now allows jeans but I wondered how it was worded on your Princess Patter? I'm not interested in formal nights, but I am certainly curious about the rest of the time. We typically eat in the buffet anyway, but if I can get by with my tan jeans rather than bringing an extra pair of pants, I'd check out the dining room a couple of times anyway.

Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

Brenda

[kazzacruise]

Hi Kerrie,

 

While waiting (patiently) for the rest of your review, I thought I'd ask a couple of questions. No hurry on a reply if you are busy of course.

 

I was curious what you recommend for clothing on excursions, shorts or light weight pants, or did it depend on the port? Generally speaking I am more comfortable in pants. Were there any days that you needed a light jacket or sweatshirt?

 

I hate to bring up a touchy subject, but what was the dress code for the dining room? My understanding is that Princess now allows jeans but I wondered how it was worded on your Princess Patter? I'm not interested in formal nights, but I am certainly curious about the rest of the time. We typically eat in the buffet anyway, but if I can get by with my tan jeans rather than bringing an extra pair of pants, I'd check out the dining room a couple of times anyway.

 

Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

 

Brenda

 

 

Hi Brenda,

Don't think I'm going to help much with clothes to wear as you really need a bit of everything going around Australia. Most of the cruise to about Fremantle I was in shorts. Then 3/4 pants and longer pants by the time we hit Hobart. Didn't wear a jacket until leaving melbourne.

Dress code in the dining room on normal nights was listed as smart casual in the Princess Patter but I can only recall seeing jeans about twice.I tended to wear my 2 pairs of black pants a lot as I liked to be comfortable especially after big dinners!! Kerrie

[starskyfan]

Hi Brenda,

Don't think I'm going to help much with clothes to wear as you really need a bit of everything going around Australia. Most of the cruise to about Fremantle I was in shorts. Then 3/4 pants and longer pants by the time we hit Hobart. Didn't wear a jacket until leaving melbourne.

Dress code in the dining room on normal nights was listed as smart casual in the Princess Patter but I can only recall seeing jeans about twice.I tended to wear my 2 pairs of black pants a lot as I liked to be comfortable especially after big dinners!! Kerrie

 

Actually that is very helpful...bring a little of everything I think I might need, and it sounds like I'll probably use it. Thanks, Brenda

[starskyfan]

Hi Kerrie,

Did you give up on the review? You got a few of us hooked, so I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say I'm hoping you'll come back! In the meantime I hope you don't mind another question. I'm just curious what you can tell us about the self service laundry? I'm sure they switched the coins over to Australian money, but is it as easy to get coins on board the ship as it is regular paper money? Seems like I read somewhere it's wise to bring coins, but obviously it would be easier not to if it's not a problem to get them on board. Brenda

[surfoz]

but is it as easy to get coins on board the ship as it is regular paper money? Brenda

 

Brenda, you can change notes into as many coins as you wish from the pursers office.

 

Cheers Jeff

[starskyfan]

Brenda, you can change notes into as many coins as you wish from the pursers office.

 

Cheers Jeff

 

Great, that's definitely good to know. Thanks Jeff. Brenda

[surfoz]

Hi again Brenda

 

There were plenty of jeans on our cruise in the dining room on non formal nights.

 

best

Jeff

[arxcards]

Hi Kerrie,

 

Did you give up on the review? You got a few of us hooked, so I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say I'm hoping you'll come back! In the meantime I hope you don't mind another question. I'm just curious what you can tell us about the self service laundry? I'm sure they switched the coins over to Australian money, but is it as easy to get coins on board the ship as it is regular paper money? Seems like I read somewhere it's wise to bring coins, but obviously it would be easier not to if it's not a problem to get them on board. Brenda

When we needed coins for washing, we walked into the casino and put a $5 aussie note into a machine and pressed the collect to get 5 x dollar coins. This was enough for 2 loads of washing, 2 of drying and a small box of detergent.

[Creeky]

When we needed coins for washing, we walked into the casino and put a $5 aussie note into a machine and pressed the collect to get 5 x dollar coins. This was enough for 2 loads of washing, 2 of drying and a small box of detergent.

 

Geoff! - I use to give the wife a $20 note to do the same thing and still only got 5 x dollar coins back???????? - She said that it must of been a different type of machine to the one you used?

 

Peter & Cheryl

[kaseyoz]

When we needed coins for washing, we walked into the casino and put a $5 aussie note into a machine and pressed the collect to get 5 x dollar coins. This was enough for 2 loads of washing, 2 of drying and a small box of detergent.

 

But dont you need to take lots of dollar coins for the tips!!:D :D

[arxcards]

Geoff! - I use to give the wife a $20 note to do the same thing and still only got 5 x dollar coins back???????? - She said that it must of been a different type of machine to the one you used?

 

Peter & Cheryl

LOL:D :D

[arxcards]

But dont you need to take lots of dollar coins for the tips!!:D :D

They knew we were in a mini. They would only take notes! :D :D

[kazzacruise]

Wow, so sorry its taken so long to get back to my review. It seems like this holiday was so long ago.

Day 20 and 21. We had a good journey across the Great Australian Bight, smooth seas and lots more relaxing to do. Kept busy with trivia, golf competitions (watching hubby), movies(saw Wild Hog), cooking show and galley tour. Also went to bingo and wooden horse racing and learnt to play Texas Hold Em poker at the casino

.Saw the early dinner show which was a variety cabaret show with Cameo Rascale and Elizabeth Lord with different shows to their first ones. The casino bar was a good spot to relax and watch music videos and that night after dinner I watched Cliff Richard then the Dixie Chicks. There was always something showing on there, quite a variety from rugby games, cricket, to the Eagles concert.

Day 22 Arrived in Adelaide and as we had no tour booked were in no hurry. Got off the ship and walked straight across the road to a train station and caught the train to Port Adelaide station. Had a walk around the town and went to the markets there. They also offered very cheap dolphin watching boat rides up the river but we decided to do a bit of walking instead. Caught the first bus that came along that was going to Adelaide city then had lunch there and a good look around. We have been there before so we just enjoyed strolling along taking in the sights, then caught the train back out to the ship. Show that night was a vocal group called Encore who were very good.

Day 23 At sea again doing all the usual activities,and the show that night was the production show called Save the Last dance.

Day 24 Arrived in Melbourne to a perfect sunny day. I had booked on a shopping spree bus trip so was one of the first to be off for a tour but we were still late starting. The shopping trip was just okay, a lot of the factory outlets were not that cheap or didn’t have much that interested me. Also I procrastinate when I shop and as we only had a short time in each outlet by the time I had a good look around and almost decided to buy something it was time to get back on the bus.

Hubby didn’t want to do the shopping thing so he caught a tram into the city, took the free tram around the circle for a look and then caught a tram out to St Kilda. He then walked back along the waterfront from St Kilda to the ship at Port Melbourne. I think he needed to burn off some of the wonderful food we had been eating.

Just before dinner that night I booked into the Lotus Spa for the first time this cruise. I had the frangipani scalp massage and hand and arm massage for $49 ,lovely and relaxing.

One of the activities in the patter that day was the One Hundred Dollar Bill Hunt where from 9 to 10am there would be 10 envelopes hidden in the atrium and one of them contained a $100. I had to go off on the shopping tour but I guess a lot of people were looking even though it was April 1.

Day 25 We made our way across Bass Strait towards Burnie with good seas again. Fortunately for us we were just a day ahead of the terrible wind storm Melbourne got.

Our tour that day was a Princess tour called Stanley and Northern Coast which was very good. By the time we drove to Stanley and the Nut the winds from Melbourne had arrived. We did not know about their storm at the time and just thought that because we were up in the north western corner of Tasmania it was just a blowy place. It rained a bit but didn’t spoil a good day of touring but as we neared the ship at the end of the tour we realized the ocean had changed to an angry rocky sea. We got back on the ship and we took some Avomine before the ship departed and by then we had bought a newspaper and had seen the fury of the wind in Melbourne so I was a bit nervous to what we were going out to sea for. The captain was terrific, kept us informed and explained that it was safer in the gale force 9 winds at sea rather than in port. It was a rocky ride to Hobart with the captain later saying the wind was hurricane 10 but we didn’t get sick and by lunch time the next day we sailed into Storm Bay Hobart and lowered seas.

Day 26 Arrived in Hobart to see snow on Mt Wellington and a cold day, Not much rain so we went for a walk around Battery Point and Salamanca place. We had been there 2 years ago but had a heat wave and it was too hot to walk so enjoyed seeing all the lovely old homes. Show that night was String fever after tea and before dinner we saw the Tasmania Pipe Band. Both were really good !!

Day 27 As we were in Hobart overnight we had a sleep in then went for a walk again to see what we could do for the day. We decided to do a boat ride called The Wild Thing and it was terrific. It went really fast and covered a lot of ground in the couple of hours we were on there. We saw a lot of scenery up close that we wouldn’t have seen on the big ship. (see pics) Show that night was the production show Piano Man and it was our last formal night with the champagne waterfall later that night in the atrium. We left Hobart to the pipe band on the wharf and it was sad to know our holiday was just about over but happy as well to know we were on our leg home to see our families.

Last day at sea I made the most of sitting on the deck and watching the Australian coastline go gliding by in the distance and enjoying the last sunset of our trip. Seas were back to there usual smooth way, we were so lucky to have a trip where only 3 days were rocky. Casual dress tonight and our last dinner had the famous pavlova parade. Went to the passenger talent show and had a last stroll round the ship after having already put my bags out before dinner.

Arrived in Sydney early the next morning so early in fact that a lot of people that had wanted to watch us come under the Harbour bridge missed it. We had a good disembarkation and were home by lunch time!!

[kazzacruise]

 

Sun Princess beside Spirit of Tasmania at Port Melbourne

 

 

 

The Nut

 

 

 

Blustery day at Stanley Tasmania

 

 

 

Wild seas

 

 

 

Calmer in Hobart

[kazzacruise]

 

 

 

Wild Thing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way home

[starskyfan]

Hi Kerrie,

Thanks for coming back and finishing the review. It doesn't take long for those wonderful trips to seem like distant memories does it? That's why the photos are so important, and I appreciate you sharing yours. That one of the wild seas made my stomach do a flip flop. That might make me a little nervous!

Maybe it's because I don't eat in the dining room very often, but what is the famous "pavlova parade?" I didn't think Princess did the whole dancing waiters thing or is that something different?

One other question. Since you guys are local were you given the option of carrying your own luggage off the ship? Some people have too much to deal with on their own anyway, but wondered if Princess gives that option? We thought we might do it if allowed since we don't have a flight to catch. The time we did that in Baltimore it was wonderful.

Brenda