Let's go on a virtual NZ and Australia cruise

[OzKiwiJJ]

Flames of the Forest is an amazing experience indeed.

[OzKiwiJJ]

We did the Outer Reef snorkelling on the first day.

 

It was a bit choppy getting there and back. DH was not impressed. He doesn't fare well in small boats unfortunately.

 

As the tide went out some of the coral was exposed.

 

 

 

 

[OzKiwiJJ]

Next day we did the Daintree Forest trip.

 

We saw some unusual road signs.

 

Horse riders on the beach at Cape Tribulation.

 

This tree has been around for a very long time. It's virtually an ecosystem in itself.

 

We walked through lush tropical bush.

 

Then we did a short boat trip on the Daintree River and spotted this monster taking a nap.

 

And these two getting cosy on a tree branch at the side of the river.

[MicCanberra]

On the second day we went to the Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge.

[OzKiwiJJ]

On the final day we just pottered around the town.

 

We stopped for a look at the beautiful little St Mary's Chapel.

 

And went for a long walk along the beach - the main part of the town is under the hill at the end of the beach! It's such a lovely unspoilt beach. Kudos to the local council for not allowing any buildings to spoil the look of it.

 

The downside of not having any development on the beach is not having a cafe or kiosk to get refreshments at when walking. A little cafe tucked behind these palms would have been perfect, with a few tables in the shady spots. Still, I'd rather see the beach unspoilt by civilisation.

 

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

On the third day we were just going to relax around Port Douglas, but ended up doing a fishing trip on an impulse.

[possum52]

Day 1. We went on the Low Isles excursion. We made sure we were on the first tender into Port Douglas. We boarded Sailaway, a beautiful catamaran at Crystalbrook Marina where the tenders dropped us off, so convenient. As we sailed out to Low Isles we were served morning tea, with lovely muffins and fruit. The snorkelling at Low Isles was wonderful, so many different coral and fish. I was pleased to see the coral was in really good condition. Lunch served was a buffet including seafood. Fantastic. We snorkelled in a amother spot before returning to Crystalbrook Marina. 

 

       

       

      

 

 

[OzKiwiJJ]

The Sailaway sunset cruises are fun too. It's lovely out on the water at that time of day in a sailboat. Very peaceful.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Itinerary Item 33 – Cairns.

 

We’ve stopped in Cairns for the day to maximise the time available for those who want to do the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail. You will be transferred to Freshwater Station for a spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls within the World Heritage listed Barron Gorge National Park. Morning tea will be served on the train. On arrival in Kuranda you have a few hours to explore the village which has many attractions including  the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Don’t leave it too late to catch the SkyRail back down as there are a couple of places where you can get off and explore the rainforest - it’s worth doing. From the Smithfield terminal you will be transported back to the ship.

 

Alternatively you can visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and visit beautiful Palm Cove.

 

Next we have a Sea Day on our way to Airlie Beach.

 

If you’ve just joined us, please read the first post which contains the rules for this thread. Note this is a luxury all inclusive ship - all drinks, restaurants, internet, excursions, spa, beauty salon.

[boeckli]

Skyrail (going up though)

 

 

[boeckli]

Quirky Kuranda

 

[boeckli]

Kuranda Scenic Railway (heading down)

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

We took the trip up to Kuranda, had a lovely day, checked out Birdworld.

and also the butterfly sanctuary

 before lunch and then exploring the area.

[Sarnia 432]

We went to Palm Cove.  We took kayaks out for a paddle and spent some time just relaxing on the beach.  Lunch was at a small cafe, where the fish and chips was perfect for us.  We then wandered round the shops before heading back to the ship.

[possum52]

We went on the Kuranda train. Beautiful scenery everyehere. Rob did the skyrail but I wasn't too keen. Kuranda Village was an interesting place to visit. I wandered through the village and found a couple of things to buy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[By The Bay]

They are a mean looking bird, not to be crossed.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Itinerary Item 34 – Sea Day

 

Discussion Topic – Enrichment Lectures, Port Lectures etc.

 

Is that port lecture really about the port or just a guide to the “best” places to shop? Do those wellbeing lectures actually give you good advice or are they just sales pitches?

 

Reveal the good, the bad and the ugly of lectures you have experienced on cruises you have been on. Do some cruise lines have better lectures than others, or are they all much of a muchness?

 

Our next stop is Airlie Beach.

 

If you’ve just joined us, please read the first post which contains the rules for this thread. Note this is a luxury all inclusive ship - all drinks, restaurants, internet, excursions, spa, beauty salon.

[OzKiwiJJ]

It looks like not many people are interested in any of the lectures the cruise lines offer.

 

I must admit we prefer to be outside in the fresh air when cruising, especially on warmer days, so we rarely go to any of the lectures. But one we did go to on our last Celebrity Cruise was Captain Tasos Kafetzis' account of how Celebrity Solstice was built. It was a two hour presentation, and Captain Tasos added his own brand of charm and humour to it. It was very entertaining and very informative. If you ever cruise with Captain Tasos and get a chance to go to this presentation, do it. You won't regret it.  

[Sarnia 432]

We rarely go to lectures.  On an Alaskan cruise wth Oceania, we did enjoy a talk on the wildlife.  The talk was interesting and relevant to the area we were visiting.  There was no sales promotion, and the speaker was very knowledgeable.  Unlike other cruise lines where the bulk of the talk seems to be promoting partnered shops in the ports.  We stopped going to those a long time ago!

[OzKiwiJJ]

We haven't heard from Blackduck59 for a few days. I hope we didn't leave him behind somewhere.

[MicCanberra]

It depends on the cruise and where the cruise is, what region, etc,  as to whether we attend a lecture or not.

Over the years we have had some really interesting ones, a series of lectures on:

• personal security, especially when travelling.
• forensics,
• architecture,
•  archeology,
• geology and natural disasters, (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, etc),
• dogs,
• wildlife (some while cruising an area, like Antarctica).
• countries (history and customs) that we are visiting 

Obviously, there are port guides but I find these a bit boring but it depends a lot on the presenter. Some are like shopping guides, some are like adverts for the ship's shorex s, but some, which I prefer, are just good information and relating some of the highlights in port and how to best get there and experience them.

 

We have also enjoyed some great guest lecturers, David Campese and FW De Clerk are two examples.

[MicCanberra]

3 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We haven't heard from Blackduck59 for a few days. I hope we didn't leave him behind somewhere.

Hope he hasn't gone overboard, there are some lovely islands to stay on around the GBR.

[Bubbeh]

Always go to the lectures, just love the feeling of intellectual superiority it gives.  😜

[possum52]

We rarely go, well Rob never but I have been to the odd one or two. One of our cruises to the islands, there was a presentation on WW2 in the South Pacific, so I thought I would go. The presenter was an American so concentrated on how the US won the war in the Pacific. It was so disappointing as we know the role the Aussies and NZers played, and there was little mention of our military efforts. 

 

Leigh

[OzKiwiJJ]

45 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Hope he hasn't gone overboard, there are some lovely islands to stay on around the GBR.

He was last seen during the Torres Strait transit.