BTimmer's Almost Live Downunder 2022 - (10/2/22 to 12/6/22 on the Westerdam)

[Btimmer]

Covid Report as of 11/2/22 @ noon

 

The Captain just announced that our Covid numbers are down 2 people:  47 passengers and 3 crew.

 

Tomorrow we arrive in Cairns, Australia and have a face to face Passport inspection.

[Sallyandtex]

45 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

There have been multiple trivia sessions per day and many different topics.  Last night was Beatles trivia.

Oh I am so pleased! Thanks again 

[Btimmer]

Covid Report as of 11/3/22 @ 4:30pm in Cairns

 

The Captain just announced that our Covid numbers are down 7 people:  40 passengers and 3 crew.

 

We have a decreasing trend which is very good.

 

We did a crocodile tour and visited Port Douglas today. It was a great time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hogladyrider]

@Btimmergreat pics!

[Btimmer]

We have arrived at Arlie Beach.  The first tender was used for a medical emergency.  We're just about to tender ashore.

 

As 5 Star Mariners we have a nice waiting room in the BBKing lounge with refreshments.

Edited November 4, 2022 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

On the Airlie Beach tender.

[Btimmer]

It's a bit rougher at sea today after leaving Airlie Beach yesterday.  We're on our way to Moreton Island.

 

As of last night's departure message from the Captain, the Covid count was down again another 2 passengers .  He reported us to have 41 cases comprised of 38 passengers and 3 crew.  The recent reductions all have come from the passenger count. 

 

I appreciate receiving hard numbers for the Covid count rather than vague statements.  We'll get another update in about and hour and a half at the noon "Voice from the Bridge" message.

Edited November 5, 2022 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

At the noon report today, we are down to 30 total cases (28 passengers and 2 crew).  That's really good news.

 

There's been a lot of motion to the ocean today, and the Captain set us up for some probable tender challenges for tomorrow.

[ozcruizer]

Good luck with tendering to Moreton Island tomorrow.  We missed it because of rough seas.

[Btimmer]

9 minutes ago, ozcruizer said:

Good luck with tendering to Moreton Island tomorrow.  We missed it because of rough seas.

When was your attempt?  Based upon what I see outside and the Captain's careful wording, I'm not optimistic.

[ozcruizer]

2 hours ago, Btimmer said:

When was your attempt?  Based upon what I see outside and the Captain's careful wording, I'm not optimistic.

This time three years ago.  It was all part of our PNG cruise.

[Btimmer]

Tonight we received another change of itinerary letter cancelling our stop at Kaikoura, NZ on 11/14/22 and substituting an additional day in Wellington.  For this change we will receive $250 each as a non-refundable shipboard credit AND 10% of our cruise fare paid as a Bonus Future Cruise Credit.  The terms and condition of the credit were erroneously not included on the reverse side of the letter. We'll probably learn those tomorrow.

 

[Btimmer]

It's 7:35am and the Captain just announced  that due to wind and swell conditions the Moreton Island port call has been cancelled.  The anchor will be raised, the test tender be raised and stowed, and we'll continue our cruise on to Sydney.

[NorthWestPassage]

Just now, Btimmer said:

It's 7:35am and the Captain just announced  that due to wind and swell conditions the Moreton Island port call has been cancelled.  The anchor will be raised, the test tender be raised and stowed, and we'll continue our cruise on to Sydney.

I spoke with the first officer, on deck, a few minutes ago. He told me the captain is now working on getting us to Sydney a day early… so that we will have an extra day in Sydney, at the Quay (the preferred convenient docking location) on November 7. However, they would have to move overnight to the other White Bay location overnight. Pending plan news should be announced soon. Personally, if it happens, I think this could be good news (since I would rather have an extra day in Sydney).

[Btimmer]

2 minutes ago, NorthWestPassage said:

I spoke with the first officer, on deck, a few minutes ago. He told me the captain is now working on getting us to Sydney a day early… so that we will have an extra day in Sydney, at the Quay (the preferred convenient docking location) on November 7. However, they would have to move overnight to the other White Bay location overnight. Pending plan news should be announced soon. Personally, if it happens, I think this could be good news (since I would rather have an extra day in Sydney).

Thanks for the info!  That would be very cool news as the Quay is a much better location.  Those who might want to visit the Blue Mountains could easily do it as the train is walking distance from the Quay.

[Btimmer]

A giant cheer just went up in the Lido at the Captain's announcement about arriving in Sydney tomorrow a day early and docking at Circular Quayl

[NorthWestPassage]

The captain just told me that we will have until midnight in Sydney tomorrow (at the Quay). Everyone must be on board at that time for immigration purposes and repositioning. An announcement will be made soon.

[Btimmer]

Tonight we broke a 2 month streak of not eating in the Main Dining Room.  After the very funny Jim Short Comedy show on the Main Stage, we decided to try the Main Dining Room.  We were warmly greeted and assigned to table 202 which would hold 6 people.  However nobody else showed up, so it was just the two of us.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  I had tortilla soup and a Caesar salad, a meat loaf main course and a fruit plate for dessert.  Angela had the tortilla soup and salmon as her main course along with a chocolate dessert.  The portions were an appropriate size.  Tomorrow morning will be the telltale sign of how it affected my blood sugar reading.

 

Below are a few pictures of my meal.

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Today around noon we arrived a day early into Sydney, Australia and were able to dock today at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay which is in the heart of Sydney.  We're able to leave the ship but we have to be back on by midnight. We elected to catch a ferry to the Toranga Zoo and spent the afternoon there before walking out to the Opera House and back to the ship. Today we gave to ve back on by midnight. Early tomorrow morning the ship will move to the White Bay terminal which is not nearly as great of a location.  Here are a few pictures from today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Here are some night views of the Sydney Harbor area.  It was stunning.

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Tonight Patrick Roberts delivered a terrific show.  Here are a few pictures.   He's coming back to Sydney in two weeks to play with Air Supply and later on touring with Sting in Australia.  He's of that caliber.

 

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Here's a few more pictures from the Taronga Zoo trip today.

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Today we transitioned to the new style program which is on the right.  We also moved to White Bay overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

[SusieKIslandGirl]

Loved your photo of the opera house at night. That one is worth framing! Thanks for sharing! And enjoy the sun. Seattle has been wet and gloomy plus wind and power outages.

[travelnap]

Great pictures.  I have enjoyed following along with your voyage.