DavyWavey70

Not at all V8 babe. I’m a huge V8fan too. My 3favourites are all v8s. lovedecruise, There seems to be hardly anyone that sticks to times or restaurants, especially if you turn up early. Just rock up when you’re ready and you’ll be fine. Don’t worry a jott and have a fabulous time xxx

Nice to hear from you M and glad you’re having such a fab time. Hi lovedecruisr, yes Tauranga tomorrow and Hobbiton. I’ll look out for you as we sail in. You are going to have such a fabulous time in 4 weeks! Anything you’d like to know, feel free to ask away xxx

One side of them still works fine JB! I’ve been trying to book the Oaks since April but they just won’t take one night over Aus day weekend😔 I’ll only be there a few hours anyway, I’ve a charter flight out of Redcliffe at 7am. I take my daily medicinal quinine with a little Tanqueray each evening before dinner.🥳

Thanks StopTheWorld. Such a talented young man, he’ll go far! Quite literally.

Well there was a very rare occurrence yesterday. My first ever sea day that I actually enjoyed! Realising on day 7 of the cruise when putting my shoes on that even they had shrunk, I decided to go on a health drive. It was either that or be cut out of my cubin in Sydney in a Jerry Springer style rescue and craned into port. So I decided to embark upon a health spa day. I started with a very enjoyable brunch, a mango daiquiri at the sunset bar. Following on from that I went on a health bar crawl to see which of them would make the best Pina colada’s. Several episodes of brain freeze later I decided it was definately the pool bar. There was a matinee show on at 2.30 with the hugely talented Stephen Barry that was standing room only (I shouldn’t have told so many people how good he was) and then off on a tour to find a decent strawberry daiquiri.(Sunset bar won that one). A pleasant hour was spent in the bowl of human soup that they call the hot tub. Feeling a litttle peckish by now the only mid afternoon heated fruit to be found onboard came in the form of a slice of pepperoni and a slice of pulled lamb Pizza at the stern of the ship. The nutritional value of tomatoes is often overlooked. After squeezing myself into the lift I was lucky enough to come across some delicious peaches. They were previously frozen mind you and served in a tub with a little wooden spoon. Got caught in a hooly in the man made wind tunnel known as the cabanas and had my raybans fly across the deck. Dinner last night was superb. It was a set menu so I was spared the dilemma of having to find fruity things on the menu. I Was provided with my own personal 1” high chef who cooked my meal to perfection. Unfortunately he was French but nobodies perfect. It was the 4 seasons menu at le Petit Chef. What a wonderful experience that was. A Couple of nice Martinis, a grumble at a croupier that they never open the European roulette table (the only thing European that I prefer) and a quick trip to the club for some people watching then I was off back to my cubin. Portions of fruit consumed 132, Casino haul $325+ Rayban lenses -1. All in all life is good

Thank you Lois. Glad you’re enjoying. The bad news is…. Open sea tonight and the clangers are back. All clothes are now on on the cubin Floor.

TTS you never let us down. I Think she/they already has.

Haha, I’d love to! I’m only there for a short stopover as I’m on a 7am charter from Redcliffe to Lady Elliot the next morning but if you’d like to have dinner I’m at the Best Western northern lakes that night. It would be amazing to meet you both if you’re up for it. I Was trying to get into the Oaks momkomombo or whatever it’s called but gave up in the end. Happy to travel if you know somewhere for a decent dinner.

You guys (girls or those in between) are just the best. You all made me smile when I retreated to my cubin (not a typo but something between a cubby and a cabin) tonight after sorting the world out with my fellow cruisers. Rojaan are you both anywhere near Brisbane on the 27th? Sweet dreams y’allxxxx

Can I just apologise to my fellow coolers if I’m posting a bit much in the cooler, I Was doing a live from on the Celebrity boards until Nurse Ratched turned up.

No probs, it’s worth checking regularly on the sales on Celebrity. If one comes on you can cancel and rebook at the new price. Hope you enjoy your cruise as much as I have.

Hi Boatharber. I just think we we were all disappointed because it wasn’t at all like the description. It was definitely mis-sold. The jet boat part of it was superb but the rest sadly lacked. If you go into it knowing that your 4x4 mountain top adventure is nothing more than a trip to 2 viewpoints on a jalopybus you’d be less disappointed than I was. I hadn’t paid full price, I paid just over £200 gbp in the sale and feel cheated, had I paid the original 430ish gbp I’d be even more miffed.

Well it wasn’t the best start to a tour I’ve ever had but it did redeem itself. Today was the small group high Country off road adventure and jet boat experience. 38 poor souls were crammed onto a 40 seater coach and off we went. We wasted the first hour trundling through Christchurch with guided commentary. The only 2 highlights were the partly rebuilt Cathedral and a BP petrol station. 2AND A HALF HOURS LATER we arrived at our destination. The brochure was fabulous. All the talk of going into the mountains in a 4x4, the thrillls, the excitement, the splendour and majesty of the landscape….. In reality we were shoved on another bus almost asphyxiated with diesel fumes and driven to the top of a hill to look at a cloud whilst avoiding stepping on gorse and cow Patts. not quite the adventure we signed up for. After driving to the 2nd viewpoint we were taken for lunch in the Woolshed. Perfectly good lunch. One of the highlights of the day was meeting Peggy, their pet lamb who was wandering around in her pearl necklace being petted by everybody. Now I know things are said about sheep in Wales but a ewe in a necklace was a first for me. A Quick traipse around the worlds only Jetboat museum and we were away. After lunch was the Jet boat adventure. That was a lot more fun. We were split over 2 boats and off we went bumping our way through the most incredible landscape. I must say that the outfits weren’t the most flattering but they did at least cover a multitude of sins when 6 days into a cruise. The sea air has already shrunk several of my tops. No idea where dinner is yet but there’s a G&T back at the ship with my name on it. IMG_4715.MOV

Hi there! It certainly is Lirio.

Was he Welsh!

Well after such a long day I hadn’t made plans for dinner so at one point tonight I thought I’d be going elbow to elbow with the plate pilers in the buffet. I Was so wrong. I Got into Fine Cuts. My favourite cocktail to start with, a Singapore sling, Crab Cake starter which was beautiful with a nice Sancerre, I really fancied Surf and Turf which was easily accommodated with Fillet steak and Lobster Tail. The crowning glory was a glass of Inniskillin Vidal, Canadian Ice wine with dessert. It is beyond words. Fabulous evening.

Kia Ora Otago! What a day! Arrived into Port Chambers around 8. Took a little while to clear immigration as it’s our first NZ port. Had breakfast deliverood to my cubin and made my way to the meeting point for todays tour (Taieri Gorge railway and Dunedin tour) All very well organised. 20 minutes bus ride to Dunedin Station and all aboard quite quickly. I wasn’t sure if I’d got my days mixed up as we were clearly in the Hobbits carriage. A lovely train ride through beautiful countryside that was very similar to Wales. In fact the place felt more Welsh than Scottish to me. I Was presented with a vegetable wrap for lunch which obviously went straight in the bin. Spent a pleasant half hour at Hindon Station (think Dolgarrog but quieter) before returning to Dunedin for a city tour. Spent some time around the Octagon and St Paul’s (smaller than ours and less pigeons) before passing an hour in the Museum. A Quick stop at the worlds steepest street (only 10 mins there so obviously wasn’t able to climb it) and a stop at the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Altogether a really beautiful city and a fabulous day.

Kia Ora Otago! What a day! Arrived into Port Chambers around 8. Took a little while to clear immigration as it’s our first NZ port. Had breakfast deliverood to my cubin and made my way to the meeting point for todays tour (Taieri Gorge railway and Dunedin tour) All very well organised. 20 minutes bus ride to Dunedin Station and all aboard quite quickly. I wasn’t sure if I’d got my days mixed up as we were clearly in the Hobbits carriage. A lovely train ride through beautiful countryside that was very similar to Wales. In fact the place felt more Welsh than Scottish to me. I Was presented with a vegetable wrap for lunch which obviously went straight in the bin. Spent a pleasant half hour at Hindon Station (think Dolgarrog but quieter) before returning to Dunedin for a city tour. Spent some time around the Octagon and St Paul’s (smaller than ours and less pigeons) before passing an hour in the Museum and Butterfly jungle. A Quick stop at the worlds steepest street (only 10 mins there so obviously wasn’t able to climb it) and a stop at the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Altogether a really beautiful city and a fabulous day. Excuse the photo dump.

How very correct you are DrRon. Still it adds a little authenticity to the fact that my iPhone can’t currently tell the difference between Tuesday and cabbage.

Thanks TM and Lola. I Believe we’ve really lucked out on the weather. It was a stunning day and despite blowing a hooly that made me wish I’d packed a better bra it was just incredible. Had a wonderful meal at the Normandie this evening despite my dislike of anything too French (you started it). Coqcille St Jacques, French onion soup, Beef Wellington and Mille Feuille. Swished away with Champagne, a Louis Jadot Chardonnay and a little Moscato to finish. A Couple of Martinis at our local and then off to see an Excellent Rock Violinist show. An Extremely talented young man that talks too much. I Dodged the silent disco in Eden and plumped for a lovely chat at the Martini bar with some new friends. First port day tomorrow so I went for the option of breakfast in bed ($11.94)just to make sure I’m awake in time. Service around the ship is excellent with the exception of the girl at the coffee place with a moustache that Tom Sellick would be proud of. She finally looked up after 5 minutes and told me I was in the wrong part of the counter and to go to the back of the queue. The queue wasn’t there when I’d arrived as the guy behind me confirmed. I Politely informed her that she could keep her coffee. The crew on here (with the exception of the bearded lady) are incredible. Especially in the Martini bar. Anyway, off to explore Dunedin in a few short hours. G’night all xxx

Last night was lots of fun. Dinner at the Tuscan which was quite lovely but didn’t quite have the same sparkle as the previous 2 restaurants. Tuscan Shrimp Soup, Pork Cutlet and a rather unphotogenic but quite lovely Bananas Foster for desert. Onto the Martini bar for a fabulous night. We entered Milford sound this morning which was utterly incredible. A Very civilised breakfast in Cosomplotain. Doubtful sound was at lunchtime andDusky Sound shortly after 3.00 what an incredibly beautiful country this is. First Port of Call tomorrow, yeah! Dunedin. 3 days at sea is not for me!

Last night was lots of fun. Dinner at the Tuscan which was quite lovely but didn’t quite have the same sparkle as the previous 2 restaurants. Tuscan Shrimp Soup, Pork Cutlet and a rather unphotogenic but quite lovely Bananas Foster for desert. Onto the Martini bar for a fabulous night. We entered Milford sound this morning which was utterly incredible. A Very civilised breakfast in Cosomplotain. Doubtful sound was at lunchtime andDusky Sound shortly after 3.00 what an incredibly beautiful country this is. First Port of Call tomorrow, yeah! Dunedin. 3 days at sea is not for me!

Milford Sound this morning. IMG_4417.MOV

Land!

Empties? We’ve never met JB but if we had you’d know there would never be empties😁 I don’t travel light. thanks for the tip though. I Was quite impressed at the Shangri La, my luggage had its own superb view.