LIVE from the Sapphire Princess - Sydney to Los Angeles

[mississauga]

Paddys markets are a permanent market setup located in Haymarket area ,not far from central railway station.They sell all sorts of things from fresh foods to t-shirts.The Rocks markets are a temporary setup using a section of blocked off road selling mainly arts and crafts-better quality than Paddys,

 

Peter

 

PS:Paddys is a long walk from Circular Quay,much better to catch a train , bus or cab.

 

Thanks. It's always great to hear from the locals and get the scoop. :)

[Pia1913]

Monday morning, at sea, and getting colder. Good news is the seas are still calm and we have hopes of going through the fjords tomorrow. Bad news is we lost another hour of sleep. (yawn, yawn) :)

 

 

I know someone will ask, so here is the “important” info. No, we will not be in the top three most travelled. There are 346 Elites on this cruise and the cutoff for most travelled luncheon is 407. This is the highest number of days I’ve ever encountered.

 

 

We really enjoyed the forensics lecturer yesterday and will attend today’s lecture which is “How can a cigarette, perspiration and a latex glove catch a crook?” It’s also a small world, since my daughter worked with this gentleman some years ago in L.A. The other lecture du jour is “How do scientists know that?” Today’s movie is Green Zone; Matt Damon & Greg Kinnear.

 

 

Tonight is formal night and also the champagne waterfall at 7:15. I’m thinking about it. In the theater will be the production show Stardust and in Explorer’s the Australian magician. In our cabin will be us. ;)

 

We have just been advised there may be satellite problems the next two days. Forewarned doesn't always occur, but now you know just in case I get quiet.

[regnig]

We really enjoyed the forensics lecturer yesterday and will attend today’s lecture which is “How can a cigarette, perspiration and a latex glove catch a crook?” It’s also a small world, since my daughter worked with this gentleman some years ago in L.A.

Wow Pia, it is a small world. The lecture sounds as if it would have been very interesting.

 

 

We have just been advised there may be satellite problems the next two days. Forewarned doesn't always occur, but now you know just in case I get quiet.

 

We'll just expect you to take detailed notes to fill us in on all we have missed.

 

Barb

[mmyorkston]

We will travel with you vicariously again on this leg. Like another poster mentioned, we also have friends who joined you in Sydney so your reports will help keep us up to date with their adventures, as well.

 

Wishing you smooth sailing

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Monday morning, at sea, and getting colder. Good news is the seas are still calm and we have hopes of going through the fjords tomorrow. Bad news is we lost another hour of sleep.

 

 

Hi Pia,

Looks like your hopes will be realised.

That sea looks lovely and calm and looks like a clear sky for sunset tonight.

Signs are looking good for a great day in the fiords tomorrow.

Enjoy.

 

 

[Colo Cruiser]

[onthelake]

Pia, If you see Captain Carlton, please ask about his son James. We made this crossing with Capt. Carlton three years ago - James was 3 or so and a bundle of energy. He was the 'mascot' of the other children. Captain Carlton presented my son with one of the navigation maps (signed) for my son's BD. It is mounted on the family room wall. Capt. Carlton is a very nice man and his son was a real little doll.

 

Also, on another thread, a NZ mom is wondering what video games are now in the teen club. If you walk by the club, could you take a moment and ask? I will post on the other thread - (Family).

 

Thanks, have a wonderful return trip and regards to Capt. Carlton from my son John!

[MGnut]

Pia, thanks for taking me along on the first part of your cruise, and I look forward to following you back home.

[Toto2Kansas]

Pia, hoping the seas remain calm and you have warmer weather on the return trip. Thanks for taking us along with you. ;)

[freetocruise]

I am so keeping my fingers crossed that you are able to sail into Fjordlands. We missed it on our cruise from Aukland-Sydney and it is my one regret of an otherwise great cruise. Lucky you, getting a second chance.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

In Milford Sound as I post.

You will have great views for breakfast today Pia..:D

 

 

[Pia1913]

Good Tuesday morning and welcome to our day of Fjordland scenic cruising. There is very little organized activity scheduled, enabling the passengers to look and listen to the on-deck commentary on the various points of interest in Fjordland National Park by ranger Ross Kerr. Mr. Kerr will be giving live commentary as the ship visits numerous fjords such as Milford, Thompson and Dusky Sounds. Unlike our last cruise and the Fjordland cruising that wasn’t, it certainly looks like all is well with today’s itinerary. In fact, Mr. Kerr has already started his description. All I see are big rocks. Verrrrrrrrrry BIG!

 

 

Meanwhile, as stated, not much going on today. The movie du jour is “Leap Year”, which will be shown at 9:00, 3:00 and 10:00. The first pub lunch of this cruise will be held today in Club Fusion and it’s the original menu that’s being offered. The casino is closed today because of maritime rules in fjord areas. Will re-open at 6:30 PM

 

 

Tonight’s entertainment is another performance of Stardust in the theater, and comic Mike Harris in Explorer’s; preceded by (you guessed it), the Vintage People.

 

 

Very crowded up here now. Weather remains clear and we’re hardly moving. Satellite warning given again, so hopefully this will get posted.

 

We are not allowed into teen club; haven't even seen any kids except very little ones.

[trikeman]

I guess one good thing about a b2b is you get to see what you missed the first time around.

[Bucky3]

Glad to hear you will be able to enjoy the beautiful fjords on this leg. How was the M&G?

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Heading into another fiord....

 

 

Here's a map of the region ,showing the fiords they visit.

 

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

 

[Toto2Kansas]

Lovely pictures David, thank you, it looks like they have smooth sailing. :)

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Lovely pictures David, thank you, it looks like they have smooth sailing. :)

 

Yes it looks like they had a great day. The final capture is as they are leaving Dusky Sound, the last fiord for the day , and it looks like grey clouds are gathering again.

[LRDR01]

Lovely pictures David, thank you, it looks like they have smooth sailing. :)

 

 

David- Thank you so much for posting the photos, maps and additional commentary. It is very much appreciated.

[Pia1913]

Just jumping in because I can. Seas are getting choppy, besides skies getting gray. I'm hoping for decent weather tomorrow because we missed getting off in Dunedin due to our colds and the bitter outside cold.

 

We were a bit disappointed with the fjords because we wanted to see snow. No snow. Just green. Like Alaska w/o the white stuff.

 

To answer the previous question, out M and G was very well attended.

 

Bye until tomorrow.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Just jumping in because I can. Seas are getting choppy, besides skies getting gray. I'm hoping for decent weather tomorrow because we missed getting off in Dunedin due to our colds and the bitter outside cold.

We were a bit disappointed with the fjords because we wanted to see snow. No snow. Just green. Like Alaska w/o the white stuff.

To answer the previous question, out M and G was very well attended.

Bye until tomorrow.

 

Thats why most NZ'ers now live up here in ,or around , Auckland ..:D

[caribill]

We were a bit disappointed with the fjords because we wanted to see snow. No snow. Just green. Like Alaska w/o the white stuff.

 

 

With some snow

[regnig]

Pia glad you had a moment to check in. Got fingers crossed that you get to get off today and that the weather isn't too cold.

 

David again so many thanks for the maps and pictures as my stateroom doesn't have a window. ;)

[CruzinNoony]

Hi Pia,

 

By any chance is the forensic lecturer a man named Dr. Jerry Labriola? He was on one of our TA's and we didn't miss any of his talks. Bob bought his book and said it was fasinating. David, thank you so much for the great pictures! We are going on a NZ cruise on the Sun next February, so I find them really interesting. :rolleyes:

[captainron]

Good Tuesday morning and welcome to our day of Fjordland scenic cruising. There is very little organized activity scheduled, enabling the passengers to look and listen to the on-deck commentary on the various points of interest in Fjordland National Park by ranger Ross Kerr. Mr. Kerr will be giving live commentary as the ship visits numerous fjords such as Milford, Thompson and Dusky Sounds. Unlike our last cruise and the Fjordland cruising that wasn’t, it certainly looks like all is well with today’s itinerary. In fact, Mr. Kerr has already started his description. All I see are big rocks. Verrrrrrrrrry BIG!

 

 

Meanwhile, as stated, not much going on today. The movie du jour is “Leap Year”, which will be shown at 9:00, 3:00 and 10:00. The first pub lunch of this cruise will be held today in Club Fusion and it’s the original menu that’s being offered. The casino is closed today because of maritime rules in fjord areas. Will re-open at 6:30 PM

 

 

Tonight’s entertainment is another performance of Stardust in the theater, and comic Mike Harris in Explorer’s; preceded by (you guessed it), the Vintage People.

 

 

Very crowded up here now. Weather remains clear and we’re hardly moving. Satellite warning given again, so hopefully this will get posted.

 

We are not allowed into teen club; haven't even seen any kids except very little ones.

 

 

Hi Pia,

Hope once you round the South Island past Invercargill that the winds will be favourable for you to get in and out of Port Chalmers (Dunedin).

 

On last year's voyage on Star, winds were so strong while alongside in Port Chalmers that she broke free and Capt Perrin had to radio for two Otago tugs to hold her alongside until new lines could be strung ashore. Regrettably the winds did not subside and we were unable to depart until 0700hrs the following morning requiring a miss for Lyttleton (CH-CH).

 

The channel in and out of Port Chalmers is extremely narrow and very tidal in nature. The profile of the ship tends to act as a sail, thus Capt Perrin's decision not to cast off in such dangerous weather.

 

Hope you enjoy Wellington and AKL and as you get up to the Samoas if you see Tisa at Tisa's Barefoot Bar in Alenga Beach (Pago Pago) give regards from Ron & Kathy to her and Candyman.

 

Look forward to hearing more from your voyage.

 

Ciao for now!!!