mystte
September 14th, 2006, 12:07 PM
At last, I am feeling guilty and worried I may forget details as it has all gone by in a whirl!! It was the most amazing experience and one that has done me a world of good as I was so worn out and tired before I got on board and now everyone at work including my partner says I have become my old self again.
I totally encourage people to go on a cruise especially if, like myself. you need to rest and relax. And that is just what I did - I don't know where the time went???? It all seemed to slip by and yet I wonder what I actually did on that cruise, as I didn't participate in too many activities and yet each day just sped by - on the last day we were both saying we wish we could have another couple of days!!
Firstly we boarded at Darling Harbour, we had stayed in Sydney for a couple of nights and had had a lovely time walking around and catching a ferry to Watson's Bay to Doyles for lunch. That was definately worth it.
It was about $7 or $8 taxi fare to Wharf 8 and the drver knew exactly where to go as one would assume. He drpped us off at the front and we dragged those horribly overloaded suitcases in to find that we should deposit them to the left of the building in what I could only term as a large warehouse. We checked everything was tagged and proceeded back inside to stand in a very long queue. It was about 12.30pm.
The ship looked so enormous and elegant to say the least, it really was quite beautiful.
It was a little wait until they started processing us through but there were sooo many people waiting and one of the staff was telling people at the end to not waste their time waiting and to come back in an hour!!! As if anyone would do that when we are eagerly awaiting getting on - I certainly wasn't going anywhere but on that ship!!!
Went through scanner and my partner was told he had alcohol in his bag - interesting that it comes up. He had a few stubbies left when we left the apartment and one was still in his backpack. I remembered and apologised as we had forgotten and left it. The guy there asked what it was and then said if that's all it is then go ahead take it onboard as he feels we really should be able to take what we want. I was amazed and quite grateful to find someone so understanding.
Went through all the official stuff of cards, credit cards, sorting out duty free etc and onto the ship.
Up a few flights of stairs and onto Empress deck. I vowed I would not take one lift on board and I didn't not even when we disembarked all loaded up. I am totally glad I did as I actually don't think I put on any weight as we really walked- it's a long way from front to back and bottom to top:D
Our cabin was at the back portside E194. We was totally surprised and delighted when we walked in as we had no high expectations and I was expecting something to not be quite right. Totally the opposite!
Everything was so clean and organized but maybe that had something to do with being in a top deck as the previous owners would have been one of the first to leave. I once dropped a pen between the bed and wall, a very narrow space and baulked at having to retrieve it because of dust etc - surprise! It was totally dustfree and VERY clean. Bathroom like one would imagine in a caravan but bigger, enough for one person at a time.
Which reminds me a good thing to bring is a deodorant spray which works like room freshener, my partner was grateful I had brought it:D
We had a four bunk bed and the 2 lower were made up into one large bed. THe only criticism I have is that the mattresses kept slipping apart and Ross would end up sleeping on my side, a tight squeeze. Room aircon we turned down and never needed extra blankets although they were provided. I bottle of water and ice were waiting on the bureau. Lots of wardrobe space especially as it was designed for 4 people. I was delighted.
I really enjoyed having a window as often I would sit on the ledge and just look outside. On our last night we had a thunder storm and the lightening was amazing to watch from bed.
Luggage arrived soon after but we headed off to explore. Now if you all recall, P&O said thee was no lunch on board for the first day but I dragged poor Ross around to find it - all he wanted was to sit and enjoy his beer! I wanted to see what the deal is about with the food and I found it in the outback grill. Little rolls made up, sandwiches, I can't remember everything as most of the time a was recording on camcorder! It was so good as we were a bit hungry.
It was really nice sailing under the Sydney harbour bridge and we stayed up on board until we passed the heads, it was so nice but a bit chilly. For those leaving while weather is still cool do wrap up. I get cold very easily.
Went down to unpack - boy did I take a lot of clothes but I really didn't know what I would need.
Next we came up to the Legends bar for a pre dinner drink and off to dinner in the Burgundy Room at 8.15. Met our really lovely waiters - Jojo and Rick, and our new table companions. One thing I will say is that they couldn't have picked better companions for us if they were hand picked.
We really enjoyed eachothers company and after a few nights said that none of us wants to try the outback grill steakhouse because we wee having so much fun together. We didn't often see eachother during the day unless we were in the same place at the same time but the evening were hilarious with each of us relating our fiascals to the others.
The waiters were really great and the service impectable. Rick was still young and he was learning party tricks from the other waiters and would try them out on us and it was sooooo much fun so we wee always the last to leave.
Dinner on the first night we chose a rib eye steak but it wasn't what we expected, as it really wasn't a steak more like roast beef and therefor a disappontment, the wine we chose we didn't enjoy and so our meal was just ok. That was fine as we didn't know what to expect. But progressively night by nigt we chose more wisely, asking the waiters opinion if needed. On the 1st nigt in all the excitement you don't really see the menu.
After that we would have all the course - I always had soup, then entree as they are tiny, main course sometimes with added fries (I'm allowed indulgences on holidays!!!!) Ross always added a salad or steamed vegetables etc. Sometimes just cheese and biscuits or often we preferred just plain vanilla icecream - I don't know where they get it from but it was fabulous, and we don't eat desert!!!!:D
Off to the show where they welcomed us on board but we came quite late and missed half of it. Demo was the cruise director hand he is quite a laugh. I can see why some people get offended by his jokes although he always apologise - no stone is left unturned and he is a bit risque. I loved his jokes and loved watching other peoples expressions. We often sat together as a group but sometime we found our own perfect perch on the window sill on the RHS, that way we could see everything!
Some of the other guests were Dave Burke and Morgan Kent and they were fantastic. Dekada was the band we followed around most nights as I prefer live band to DJ. We sat in the speakeasy bar some nights before dinner for cocktails.
I learnt to drink cocktails!! Ross tried mine and found it so refreshing that in no time the two of us were sipping the cocktail of the day each day. It was so much fun!
Normally we would get up I would insist on checking out the breakfast buffet. I always made my tiny concoction of cereal and Ross would have his bowl of fruit and tub of yoghurt. Sometimes I might try a small sample of what they would serve in the hot buffet and then we would waltz off to the dinig room for our 2nd breakfast:D .
Here Ross would usually have his omelet and I might try whatever they had as the special of the day. I had eggs benedict one day but didn't realize I could have asked for one egg only, bacon on the side - when it arrived I groaned!!! I just ate half if at that. Try the omelets as they are very good.
Lunch we would do the same check the buffet then off to the dining. Even managed a couple of times to sit on our own, just sometimes you don't want to have to talk to otherpeople.
The waiters were lovely but you really could see the difference in service between these 2 meals and the sevice at dinner - it didn't compare. Here it seemed more casual laidback and even sometimes more of I could care less attitude or hurry up...
We tried the afternoon tea twice and were disappointed, service was bad, some tables were served better than others. What I would do is take a few rolls etc from lunch and put in them into a zip lock bag for Ross to consume in the late afternoon, he usually got peckish about that time whereas I was still full from lunch. This way we got to go back to the cabin and try to watch a bit of the movie we may have started earlier on in the day and have a bit of a rest.
Unless of course there were dance lessons!
They were hilarious and lots of fun. I don't think we did much else apart from that.
What we would do is sit outside in a warm place that wasn't too windy then go for a walk drink a cocktail, go for more walks, eat something, go for a walk drink another cocktail.... can you see how busy we were!!!!:D
It's a hard life... now I am tired. I will try to write some more tomorrow
Luci
I totally encourage people to go on a cruise especially if, like myself. you need to rest and relax. And that is just what I did - I don't know where the time went???? It all seemed to slip by and yet I wonder what I actually did on that cruise, as I didn't participate in too many activities and yet each day just sped by - on the last day we were both saying we wish we could have another couple of days!!
Firstly we boarded at Darling Harbour, we had stayed in Sydney for a couple of nights and had had a lovely time walking around and catching a ferry to Watson's Bay to Doyles for lunch. That was definately worth it.
It was about $7 or $8 taxi fare to Wharf 8 and the drver knew exactly where to go as one would assume. He drpped us off at the front and we dragged those horribly overloaded suitcases in to find that we should deposit them to the left of the building in what I could only term as a large warehouse. We checked everything was tagged and proceeded back inside to stand in a very long queue. It was about 12.30pm.
The ship looked so enormous and elegant to say the least, it really was quite beautiful.
It was a little wait until they started processing us through but there were sooo many people waiting and one of the staff was telling people at the end to not waste their time waiting and to come back in an hour!!! As if anyone would do that when we are eagerly awaiting getting on - I certainly wasn't going anywhere but on that ship!!!
Went through scanner and my partner was told he had alcohol in his bag - interesting that it comes up. He had a few stubbies left when we left the apartment and one was still in his backpack. I remembered and apologised as we had forgotten and left it. The guy there asked what it was and then said if that's all it is then go ahead take it onboard as he feels we really should be able to take what we want. I was amazed and quite grateful to find someone so understanding.
Went through all the official stuff of cards, credit cards, sorting out duty free etc and onto the ship.
Up a few flights of stairs and onto Empress deck. I vowed I would not take one lift on board and I didn't not even when we disembarked all loaded up. I am totally glad I did as I actually don't think I put on any weight as we really walked- it's a long way from front to back and bottom to top:D
Our cabin was at the back portside E194. We was totally surprised and delighted when we walked in as we had no high expectations and I was expecting something to not be quite right. Totally the opposite!
Everything was so clean and organized but maybe that had something to do with being in a top deck as the previous owners would have been one of the first to leave. I once dropped a pen between the bed and wall, a very narrow space and baulked at having to retrieve it because of dust etc - surprise! It was totally dustfree and VERY clean. Bathroom like one would imagine in a caravan but bigger, enough for one person at a time.
Which reminds me a good thing to bring is a deodorant spray which works like room freshener, my partner was grateful I had brought it:D
We had a four bunk bed and the 2 lower were made up into one large bed. THe only criticism I have is that the mattresses kept slipping apart and Ross would end up sleeping on my side, a tight squeeze. Room aircon we turned down and never needed extra blankets although they were provided. I bottle of water and ice were waiting on the bureau. Lots of wardrobe space especially as it was designed for 4 people. I was delighted.
I really enjoyed having a window as often I would sit on the ledge and just look outside. On our last night we had a thunder storm and the lightening was amazing to watch from bed.
Luggage arrived soon after but we headed off to explore. Now if you all recall, P&O said thee was no lunch on board for the first day but I dragged poor Ross around to find it - all he wanted was to sit and enjoy his beer! I wanted to see what the deal is about with the food and I found it in the outback grill. Little rolls made up, sandwiches, I can't remember everything as most of the time a was recording on camcorder! It was so good as we were a bit hungry.
It was really nice sailing under the Sydney harbour bridge and we stayed up on board until we passed the heads, it was so nice but a bit chilly. For those leaving while weather is still cool do wrap up. I get cold very easily.
Went down to unpack - boy did I take a lot of clothes but I really didn't know what I would need.
Next we came up to the Legends bar for a pre dinner drink and off to dinner in the Burgundy Room at 8.15. Met our really lovely waiters - Jojo and Rick, and our new table companions. One thing I will say is that they couldn't have picked better companions for us if they were hand picked.
We really enjoyed eachothers company and after a few nights said that none of us wants to try the outback grill steakhouse because we wee having so much fun together. We didn't often see eachother during the day unless we were in the same place at the same time but the evening were hilarious with each of us relating our fiascals to the others.
The waiters were really great and the service impectable. Rick was still young and he was learning party tricks from the other waiters and would try them out on us and it was sooooo much fun so we wee always the last to leave.
Dinner on the first night we chose a rib eye steak but it wasn't what we expected, as it really wasn't a steak more like roast beef and therefor a disappontment, the wine we chose we didn't enjoy and so our meal was just ok. That was fine as we didn't know what to expect. But progressively night by nigt we chose more wisely, asking the waiters opinion if needed. On the 1st nigt in all the excitement you don't really see the menu.
After that we would have all the course - I always had soup, then entree as they are tiny, main course sometimes with added fries (I'm allowed indulgences on holidays!!!!) Ross always added a salad or steamed vegetables etc. Sometimes just cheese and biscuits or often we preferred just plain vanilla icecream - I don't know where they get it from but it was fabulous, and we don't eat desert!!!!:D
Off to the show where they welcomed us on board but we came quite late and missed half of it. Demo was the cruise director hand he is quite a laugh. I can see why some people get offended by his jokes although he always apologise - no stone is left unturned and he is a bit risque. I loved his jokes and loved watching other peoples expressions. We often sat together as a group but sometime we found our own perfect perch on the window sill on the RHS, that way we could see everything!
Some of the other guests were Dave Burke and Morgan Kent and they were fantastic. Dekada was the band we followed around most nights as I prefer live band to DJ. We sat in the speakeasy bar some nights before dinner for cocktails.
I learnt to drink cocktails!! Ross tried mine and found it so refreshing that in no time the two of us were sipping the cocktail of the day each day. It was so much fun!
Normally we would get up I would insist on checking out the breakfast buffet. I always made my tiny concoction of cereal and Ross would have his bowl of fruit and tub of yoghurt. Sometimes I might try a small sample of what they would serve in the hot buffet and then we would waltz off to the dinig room for our 2nd breakfast:D .
Here Ross would usually have his omelet and I might try whatever they had as the special of the day. I had eggs benedict one day but didn't realize I could have asked for one egg only, bacon on the side - when it arrived I groaned!!! I just ate half if at that. Try the omelets as they are very good.
Lunch we would do the same check the buffet then off to the dining. Even managed a couple of times to sit on our own, just sometimes you don't want to have to talk to otherpeople.
The waiters were lovely but you really could see the difference in service between these 2 meals and the sevice at dinner - it didn't compare. Here it seemed more casual laidback and even sometimes more of I could care less attitude or hurry up...
We tried the afternoon tea twice and were disappointed, service was bad, some tables were served better than others. What I would do is take a few rolls etc from lunch and put in them into a zip lock bag for Ross to consume in the late afternoon, he usually got peckish about that time whereas I was still full from lunch. This way we got to go back to the cabin and try to watch a bit of the movie we may have started earlier on in the day and have a bit of a rest.
Unless of course there were dance lessons!
They were hilarious and lots of fun. I don't think we did much else apart from that.
What we would do is sit outside in a warm place that wasn't too windy then go for a walk drink a cocktail, go for more walks, eat something, go for a walk drink another cocktail.... can you see how busy we were!!!!:D
It's a hard life... now I am tired. I will try to write some more tomorrow
Luci