See What the Sea is About

 Nov 30, 2023 

Wow!  We're at the last day of November and our Australia/New Zealand adventure is now officially less than 2 weeks away!  I went to AAA this week to order some foreign (AU and NZ) currency for the trip.  The money came in yesterday so I went off to AAA today to pick it up.  I must say, the AU/NZ currency looks like monopoly money to this US citizen, used to humdrum green currency.  Here are some photos of the currency:

New Zealand Currency  
Australian Currency

The pictures don't do justice to the vibrant colors and the money feels very 'plastic" with a plastic strip in each currency with holographic images.

In any event, since I've outlined what the land portion of the tour will be like, I thought I'd use this post to outline the cruise portion of the trip.

Cruise itinerary:

Cruise Map

Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 - Depart Sydney, AU onboard the Majestic Princess.  Our cabin is a mini-suite on the Riviera Deck, Room R338.

Sat, Dec 23-Monday, Dec 25, 2023 - At Sea, enroute to New Zealand.  We have a specialty dining meal scheduled for the Crown Grille for December 24 to celebrate Christmas.

Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 - Auckland, NZ.  We have a tour of the Waiheke Island and wineries.  We'll take a ferry ride to the island to soak up the views and visit 2 local wineries (including tastings).

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 - Tauranga, NZ. We have a Maori cultural highlights tour booked.  At the moment the page on the Princess website for details of the tour is displaying an error message so I can't give you the summary of the tour.  However, this was the place we originally scheduled a tour to Hobbiton (a couple of hours ride away from Tauranga) but back in Sept. Princess notified us this tour was (for reasons beyond their control) cancelled - bummer.  So I rescheduled us (with great disappointment) for this replacement tour.

Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 - At Sea - we'll take advantage of the amenities aboard the ship (meaning - hope to spend alot of time at the pool).

Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 - Wellington, NZ - Finally, a Lord of the Rings excursion!  We've booked a WETA studios/LOTR location tour.  It will start with a brief ride through the city of Wellington, then we get the WETA studios tour and then a bus ride to the Mount Victoria filming site.  It's not Hobbiton, but it will have to do.

Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 -Picton, NZ.  We've opted for a Picton Seaport Walk.  This is a half-day walking tour of what is billed as a picturesque seaport town with both Maori and European influences.  Will be good to get out and stretch our legs on a nice 1.5 hour guided walk.

Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 (New Year's Eve) - At Sea again.  I think I scheduled our second specialty dining experience for this evening at the Majestic's seafood restaurant.

Monday, January 1, 2024 - Happy New Year!  We will be in Dunedin (Port Chalmers), NZ.  This was the only stop on the trip where I haven't pre-booked an excursion.  We may just get off the ship and explore the town.  We'll see.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - Cruising Fjordland National Park (scenic cruising) - we'll be on the ship all day but there should be some great views of the fjords.

Wed-Thurs., January 3-4, 2024 - At Sea.  Time to enjoy the last few days of the pampered life aboard ship.

Friday, January 5, 2024 - We disembark in Sydney, AU and begin the long haul home!  We have a flight leaving Sydney around 2:15 p.m. on 1/5 that gets us back in LAX on 1/5 at 9:30 a.m.   So weird to think we'll be arriving the same day we left, 5 or so hours before we left Australia!!!




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