Australia/NZ bucket list trip 2023

 January 5, 2024 Sydney, AU Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 we docked early back in Sydney, AU. It was a little strange seeing buildings, like the Opera House, that now seemed familiar and like coming 'home.'  From the dining room at breakfast, I could see a carnival set up along the harbor, with a great big sun sculpture. Seemed a good omen (ha!) for our trip home. Carnival at Sydney Harbor After breakfast in the Allegro Dining room we reported to the Princess Theater to wait for our luggage group to be called. Brown 2 was the group for those with a Princess transfer to the airport, Apparently, the buses were delayed because of downtown traffic (not surprising for Sydney) and it was close to 10 am before we got off the ship. Before boarding the buses we had to clear AU customs and claim our luggage. Both went surprisingly smoothly. The bus ride to the airport took 20-30 min. and suddenly we were back where we had arrived 3 weeks ago!  There were hundreds of us all needing to find o...

 Jan 4, 2024 Well the trip finally wound down. Typing this on Jan 15, 2024. There's a reason for the long gap, but I'll get to that later. The last day aboard the Majestic Princess was pretty relaxed as we chugged back to Sydney, AU. We spent time up on Deck 17 at the Hollywood Pool and the hot tubs as had become our custom. Small noisy children arrived around 11:30 am so we decamped for our final lunch aboard ship. We decided to try lunch in one of the formal dining rooms (the Allegro) for the first time,  We got seated next to a couple from near Brisbane, AU - Loretta & Michael.  Loretta was a hoot and we chatted all through lunch.  She is a breast cancer survivor with lots of stories to tell. We commiserated over the problems with trying to get coffee served and refilled in a timely manner throughout the cruise!  See - it wasn't just us! The afternoon was spent packing up our suitcases & carry-ons. Our assigned luggage group was Brown 2. We had to hav...

 Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The cruise is winding down.  Tonight we'll have our last big production show by the Princess entertainment crew, called "Encore."  Should be fun. It's been a good cruise - we've seen lots of New Zealand and covered lots of nautical miles - I need to ask the front desk just how many miles we've sailed on this cruise.  The ship's passengers have been mostly Australian, a small contingent of Kiwis (New Zealanders), and a smattering of British, Indian, Japanese, and a group of about 100 of us Americans!  As I've mentioned before, I've felt rather outnumbered all week.  Don't get me wrong, most everyone has been pleasant and friendly (except for the hordes of young children onboard who have no sense of a "quiet voice" or of personal space).   During our time on the cruise, we've actually managed to run into ALL of the folks who were on our Australia tour ahead of the cruise, at least once.  The last couple w...

 Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Yes - I'm writing this post on January 3, but it's all about yesterday, Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and our cruising through New Zealand's Fjordland National Park around the southern end of New Zealand's south island.  In Maori it is called "Te Rua-o-te-moko" (the Shadowland) and includes 14 fjords on the western coast of NZ.  the fjords reach up to 40 km inland, along 200 km of rugged western coastline. Rain falls in Fjordland over 200 days each year and yesterday (January 2) it was certainly cloudy, rainy (a bit) and very cool and windy!  But the views - oh the views were spectacular! First views of Fjordland National Park from Deck 17 of the Majestic (windows are a little streaky) Sailing by the fjords Majestic fjords from the "Majestic" Waterfall at the fjord Leaving the fjord We cruised in/around the fjords all day, but getting there presented its own adventure, as our ship's captain was really bookin' to get us...

 Monday, January 1, 2024 Today was our last port of call for the cruise - Port Chalmers/Dunedin, near the southern tip of New Zealand's south island.  We began our entry into the port around 9 a.m. and were docked sometime after 10 a.m.  This was the only port of call that I didn't book any excursions for.  The big attraction is actually the city of Dunedin which is about 10 miles from the port and features some lovely victorian homes and a castle - Larchmont Castle.  Instead, Carl and I decided to just get off the ship this afternoon and walk into/around Port Chalmers.  Being New Year's Day, quite a few of the shops in town weren't open.  It really is just a little port town.  But it was fun to walk around.  The views were very pretty.  This day also started out like in Picton, with sort of gray skies and very cool winds.   Coming into Port Chalmers  - view from the Majestic Approaching Port Chalmers - as seen from Deck 1...

 January 1, 2024 I am writing this blogpost on Jan 1, 2024, but it's all about our fabulous New Year's Eve yesterday aboard the Majestic Princess on an at-sea day.  I'm happy to report we had no more medical emergencies requiring evacuating any passengers! We had the 2nd of our two specialty dining dinners last night at "The Catch" by Rudi on Deck 7 midship.  It's a wonderful fresh seafood restaurant. The Catch by Rudi Dinner was early at 5:30 p.m. and the restaurant is open to the Piazza below that starts on Deck 5.  Because it was New Year's Eve, there was New Year's Eve headwear handed out as we entered the restaurant and the chef, Rudi, was offering every diner a complimentary glass of champagne.  We both also ordered a champagne cocktail from the bar that had a slice of apple floated in it. The dinner presentation (all the courses) was elegant!  I had a giant shrimp cocktail on ice, served in an octopus-shaped silver bowl holder and Carl had the s...