It is just over 15 months since we booked this cruise and it is incredible that the day of departure has finally arrived. Yesterday (21st) we yet again had breakfast on our deck watching the sun rise over Kawau Bay. For about 1 millisecond we contemplated staying put, but no, there are so many adventures in store for us. Had an overnight at Fiona & Richard's - yummy NZ lamb and early to bed to try and get some sleep. The excitement is creeping in.
The alarm going off at 5.00 was quite a surprise and the shuttle arrived as planned at 6.00. A quick trip to the airport and smooth check in. In reality we were probably an hour early, but was nice to enjoy a coffee and know that stage one was completed. The flight was about quarter hour late in leaving but we were pleasantly surprised at the weather for most of the flight. We were flying an A320, so a bit like a domestic flight - just longer. Various bumps, particularly in the latter part of the flight. A wet and blustery Sydney.
Arrived at White Bay cruise terminal about 11.00 and complete shambles prevailed. Far too many people arrived early and the facilities (& sorry to say, staff) were inadequate. Just to make it clear, these were contractors, not Princess people. Once on board we had a sandwich for lunch and chatted with an interesting German couple living in Australia. We got the surprise of our lives when they were brought to our table by Meg, who was our waiter on our 48 day cruise from Rome to Sydney a couple of years ago. When we last saw him, he was off to UK, as his wife was having a baby - she was then working in the Purser's office on Ocean Princess. Small world indeed.
Passenger Muster Drill was scheduled for 4.15 (just after our scheduled departure) yet after the drill (which is repeated every 30 days), we were still tied up. I watched as large pallets of carrots, rice and goodness only knows what else were loaded onto the ship. Happily our luggage arrived and we were able to busy ourselves in unpacking - cases under the bed, not to be seen for 98 more days!
Time went by and it got dark (& wetter) and we eventually took off about 7.00, which was really great as the Sydney Vivid Light Show started on Friday and if we'd been on time we would have missed it. Certainly a great sight with the bridge, Opera House, the Docks and all the ferries decked out with lights. The bad news however was that the rain got heavier and the wind was strengthening. Oh yes, I reckon the funnels were less than a foot away from the Harbour Bridge as we sailed under and the ship's horn sounded as we went under, to quite an echo.
The bad news Captain Kent gave us was that the swells at the heads and down the coast would be 7+ metres and that we were in for a rough night. OK, there were a few shudders and a bit of a roll now and again but really nothing significant from our perspective. Suffice to say that we slept very well as it had been quite a long day!
One thing about the ship is that it is like a favourite pair of slippers (or whatever), whereas a lot of passengers are consulting their booklets to find out where they are and where they want to go to, we don't need to as the Sea Princess is a sister if the Dawn (sailed on last November) & the Sun - sailed on her 3 years ago! Our cabin is in a great position and we are really happy with the location and our cabin steward, Noel (although apparently pronounced Noelle ☺). Just to conclude this post, the food is hugely better than the Dawn. So with sleep and eat taken care of, we can put up with anything in the way of weather........
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