Live from the Oosterdam on the Xmas cruise

[Australian family]

We have reached NZ and have cruised Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

 

The weather was absolutely delightful in Milford Sound, blue skies and sunshine. The landscape was beautiful, not too many waterfalls. We spent a long time on the bow. The only disappointment was that they didn't do the commentary on the bow or on the lido deck. A lot of disappointed passengers.

 

We had a good crossing across the Tasman, the first night was a bit rough and the sea day was better. Cold though.

 

The Oosterdam is beautiful, they spent $1 million painting the hull during dry dock.

 

Will post more shortly.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Great to hear from you Australian family :)

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and Merry Christmas!

[bobhsv]

Merry Christmas, Leanne and Co. Sounds like you are having a great time.

Jen

[marinating]

Thanks for your post Australian Family.

Great to hear the weathers been good for you and the seas calm!

Good to hear the ship is looking well.

Enjoy New Zealand, one of my favourite places in the world.

Have a great Christmas and we will look forward to further posts.

 

Marina🎄

[wildweston]

Thanks, the sounds are amazing on sunny day :)

[Keith1010]

Enjoy the cruise.

 

Keith

[rugbypopsie]

Wish I was with you...next year....at sea for me...no land Christmas stress.

 

Sue

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the live update, hope you have a great cruise.

[anandaindonesia]

Hello Australian Family!

 

Thanks for posting your review. Keep posting, I will follow with interest.

(my March itinerary almost the same, at least until Auckland :) ).

 

Enjoy your cruise, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Bon voyage!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Great to hear from you.

 

Thanks for posting.

 

[Australian family]

We have had a busy day in Dunedin, and beautiful warm weather. We went on a Back to Nature tour, along with Aussiedisneyfan. Saw penguins, seals, lovely countryside, and had lunch at a country pub, with some local beer.

 

We have recognised staff from the Volendam. The dining room staff are getting more friendly, not as busy as the start of the cruise.

 

Thank you to everyone for your comments.

 

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[Sandielle]

Good to hear from you Aus Family. Keep on enjoying and have a wonderful Christmas. :)

[SunnyinDubai]

Hey Leanne...glad to hear you are having a good time on the O...looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the ship when you get back.

 

Have a lovely Xmas and New Year :)

[Australian family]

Merry Xmas to all.

 

Santa arrived on board and delivered presents to the all the children.

 

We are anchored between the North & South Islands. Nice warm sunny day. NZ is turning on some very good weather us.

 

Leanne

[Kiwi_cruiser]

We are anchored between the North & South Islands. Nice warm sunny day. NZ is turning on some very good weather us.

 

Enjoy it while it lasts!, as its sticky and wet here in Auckland!

[silverwillow]

Merry Christmas. What is the ship like? What are the age groups like on the xmas sailing, we are thinking about this ship for next xmas.

 

Did they handle Christmas well and have activities for the kids to do.

 

Are you in Picton or Wellington :)

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Are you in Picton or Wellington :)

 

Hope you don't mind me answering :)

 

They are not in ether ;), they spent the day anchored in Cloudy Bay, which is near Blenheim:

 

 

Tomorrow (26 Dec 2012) they will be in Wellington.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Cloudy Bay would have been an ideal place to anchor for the day....

shame they could not tender ashore

to the world famous vineyards in Blenheim....

such as..Cloudy Bay

 

Cloudy Bay Vineyards was established in 1985 by Cape Mentelle,

the Western Australian winery, which today is a part of the Moet group.

The company farms 140 hectares of vines at three carefully selected sites.

Vineyards planted in 1986 surround the winery in the Wairau Valley at Rapaura,

with additional plantings at nearby Renwick and in the Brancott Valley, in the southern foothills.

Five long term contract growers also work closely with Cloudy Bay.

The main varieties grown are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir

with lesser quantities of riesling and gewurztraminer.

The average annual crush is 1200 tonnes.

 

[marinating]

Thank you for taking the time to post, really appreciate it.

I think we will look at cruising next Xmas as I have worked this Xmas.

Will be on the Oosterdam next month, yippee!

Enjoy the rest of the cruise and glad that Santa found you!

 

Marina

[Kiwi Kruzer]

GOTCHA ... leaving Wellington , Boxing Day..:)

 

 

[Australian family]

Left Napier today, overcast and drizzle. Went for a tour with black rose limos. being have an eventful cruise with cabin. Bathroom has flooded twice, once into the cabin, toilet blocking, and in Wellington, we couldn't get back into our room. They had to get a locksmith to open it. Delayed us getting off.

 

We hired a car in Wellington and headed north to southward museum. Had trouble returning the car. Where we were told to return it, they refused to take it. Lucky we had time to return it to the budget branch.

[Australian family]

We spoke to the captain last night at a cocktail party, yes we are to cruise under the harbour bridge, will be a 2.9m clearance. They have to move the workers platforms to let us through. Will be interesting.

[ceejay3377]

We spoke to the captain last night at a cocktail party, yes we are to cruise under the harbour bridge, will be a 2.9m clearance. They have to move the workers platforms to let us through. Will be interesting.

 

That's good to know, as we will be boarding as you get off on Wednesday. We have to catch a taxi from the airport, and with all the talk on hear about will she or won't she fit under the bridge I was worried we would have to drive around Sydney looking for the ship!:p

 

Sorry to hear about your cabin issues. I hope you have an uneventful cruise for the remainder of your time on board.:)

 

Cheers,

[ceejay3377]

Ooops, double post, sorry.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Tauranga..