Here's the Skinny on our Land Itinerary

 Friday, November 24, 2023

We're less than 3 weeks out from the start of our epic journey, so I thought I'd use this post to provide a brief overview of the schedule for our Princess cruise/tour adventure.  Technically, that should be tour/cruise adventure, since we'll be doing the land tour portion of the trip first, but in any case, here goes with info on the land tour portion of our trip:

Wed. Dec. 13 - we fly out of Harrisburg, PA at 12:39 p.m. on Delta airlines, with airport/airplane changes in Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA (LAX) to arrive in Sydney, AU at 8:36 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15 (we "lose a day" traveling across the dateline to Australia).

Friday, Dec. 15 - upon arrival, we'll be taken to our hotel for 2 nights - the Amora Jamison in downtown Sydney.  Here's a link to info about the hotel: Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney | 5-Star Hotel in Sydney (amorahotels.com).  It's a 5-star hotel within walking distance of Sydney Harbor.  After 26 hours of travel, I expect we'll be exhausted.  Princess recognizes this so the only things planned for this day is a talk about luggage (some will stay behind and go directly to Princess and we won't see it until we get on the ship on 12/22) and a welcome reception for the land tour participants at the hotel later in the day.

Saturday, Dec. 16 - our land tour begins officially with a 4-hour tour of Sydney and its environs.  We'll see the harbor, the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge, the opera house, Bondi Beach, and Watson's Bay among other things.  The afternoon and evening will be "at leisure" which means we can do whatever we want, and lunch & dinner will be on our own.

Sunday, December 17 - After breakfast, we pack up and head off to the airport to fly to Ayers Rock (Uluru).


Once there, we'll get an aboriginal culture tour as well as a chance to actually see Ayers Rock.

Monday, Dec. 18 - We get a sunrise tour of Uluru before packing up and heading back to the airport for a flight to Darwin, AU.  The rest of the day in Darwin is "at leisure" and we're scheduled to be staying at the Darwin Hilton Hotel (maybe a chance for a dip in the pool and a little on-our-own sightseeing).

Tuesday, Dec. 19 - After breakfast at the hotel, we're scheduled for a "jumping crocodile cruise" on the Adelaide River, followed by a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum.  Our evening will be "at leisure" back at the hotel - more opportunities to explore or take advantage of the hotel's amenities.

Wednesday, Dec. 20 - After breakfast we pack up and head back to the airport for a flight to Cairns, AU.  Once there we get a twilight tour of the Cairns Aquarium followed by dinner. We'll be staying at the Riley Carins Hotel. See website at: Luxury Hotels Cairns Australia | Crystalbrook Riley (crystalbrookcollection.com)

Thursday, Dec. 21 - This will be a highlight of the land tour as we get a catamaran ride out on the great barrier reef.  We'll have options to view things in a glass bottom boat, via snorkeling, or by diving (no diving for us). Then back to our hotel for our final night in Australia

Friday, Dec. 22 - We fly back to Sydney (and change time zones - Sydney is an hour ahead of Cairns) and transfer from the Airport to the dock to board the Majestic Princess for our 14-day cruise to/around New Zealand.


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