Short review..Diamond Princess- Feb 10th

[S&D]

Woo hoo cruisers...we are back and booking already for next year....there is no doubt this is our favourite ship....(Sapphire included also)....

 

...we had a fabulous time, we left a hot Adelaide on the Wed....and flew to Sydney where we had a great night in a suite at the Stamford Airport Hotel, and caught up with our friends Shirl and John for a lovely dinner there...the next morning we caught the new Emirates airbus from Syd to Auckland.

 

 

That is one huge plane, we were at the back, near the stairs up to the cocktail lounge!!!..they brought us down cake and champagne for a treat, which was lovely. Thanks to Shirl for that!!!! Recommend this airline...very attentive and the food was lovely.

 

Arriving in NZ, we were met by our good friends from Tauranga, and we spent a heavenly 4 days there, what a paradise, they have about 3 acres of bliss there, what a lifestyle....loved it there. So very green and tranquil. A truly untouched part of our earth still.......

 

the 4 days were spent catching up and looking around the local area, had a fabulous lunch at a wharfside restaurant up on a balcony overlooking the harbour, and that was a highlight for us.... we chilled out with them there and had fun seeing the lovely area they live in, very beautiful and beachy.

 

We then all got the bus to Auckland where we had a gorgeous 2 BR apartment with huge balconies, overlooking the harbour, we spent a lovely night there, caught up with our friends Al and Nancy and Jackie and Graham, who were all cruising with us.

 

needless to say we were chomping at the bit to get to the ship the next day, so off we went, walking to the ship..only 5 mins away. Embarkation....so quick, we were on and giving the grand tour by 12 lunchtime. Very efficient. Wow..that ship gets better looking each time we sail on her...LOL...

 

Cabins were lovely, lots of storage, inside on aft Caribe deck....comfy beds, asked for an egg crate foam for the bed, lovely steward, so very friendly.

 

Public areas...so spacious and never felt crowded.

 

Serivice..5 star as always...

 

Food...well...we have both gained the usual 7 pounds in 3 weeks, so there you go...it was fabulous. Buffet food excellent, dining room the same, love anytime dining..suits us so well with our friends along.

 

Dancing, we danced in all 4 venues every night, so we were happy campers..LOVE IT!!!!!

 

We are booking the Diamond again for next Feb - Asia for 3 weeks, as we love the itinerary there.

 

We got the soda card, which was very handy each day, and the Raspberry Fizz and BBC cocktails were about $7 USD each..worth EVERY cent too!

 

Ports...we loved Christchurch, a lot like Adelaide.....but so green, did a local tram tour there, and the Gondola up the mountain for the view...gorgeous.. had the BEST fish and chips we have ever had at a little place in soul square.

 

Auckland is a lovely city, a lovely place to wander around the waterfront area..lots of shops etc.

 

Dunedin...we went to a HUGE local market there, and spentg a nice day wandering and had a great lunch in a small cosy cafe with an open fire.

 

We loved Melbourne and the markets there..will be going back there soon I hope.

 

THE SEA WAS LIKE BATHWATER the whole trip, the Captain could not believe it!!!!! Temperatures were around the 20 degree mark, except for one cold day.

 

What a glorious trip. we are notching up the days...nearly Elite now....

 

Roll on next Feb, also we may have to do the Sun Tasmania in Dec, for a quick one in between.....

 

Happy cruising to you all, as always,..best wishes CC er's...

 

S&D:D:D

[NSWP]

Welcome back Sandra & Dave, good to see Princess standards were maintained on Diamond ! Great to see you had a top cruise, any rasberry fizz mixture left? Crikey..the time went quick only seems like yesterday you posted you were going.

[Topaz_M]

Sandra and Dave,

 

Glad to see you had an awesome time. Lucky you for being able to spend so much time in Tauranga - sounds lovely.

 

It's been almost quiet without you ... ;)

 

Happy cruise planning,

Moira :)

[Ela 2]

Welcome back Sandra and Dave. Glad to hear you had a great cruise.

 

I have posted some pics of the Diamond Princess leaving Auckland. They have now 'drifted' back to page three on this board. You might be interested in looking at them.:):)

 

Evon.

[Brossy]

Hi Sandra & Dave

 

Welcome home!

 

Glad to read you had a great time. Where are the photos? How many Rasberry Fizzes did you consume (or is that a secret ;)).

[kaseyoz]

Welcome back and love that "short" review, but after your epic postings last time I guess this was short.

It must have been lovely to have a cruise plus catch up with some friends also.

[Lestel]

Hi Sandra

 

You obviously had a lovely time, could feel your buzz reading your review. Am hoping to go down to Outer Harbour to see Diamond Princess on Saturday - shame you couldn't sail home on her!

 

Lesley:)

[Izabelle]

Welcome back and I loved your review, our daughter in law's parents are on Diamond Princess at the moment doing the Asian cruise, they are from Brisbane and we are all heading down to Outer Harbour to welcome them to Adelaide on Saturday.

 

I'm also looking at the Tasmania Sun Princess in Dec to take my Mum on a cruise as she wont need a passport, it just doesn't stop does it :D no sooner back from one and we all want to book another:p

 

Sounds like you had a wonderful time in NZ and catching up with friends and having those famous Raspberry Fizz's :D

[thied]

glad you had a great cruise we are going on her later this year, hope it as good as yours

[Kinkacruiser]

Hi Sandra and Dave,

How could anyone's own cruise excitement not be refuelled after reading about your wonderful cruise and holiday. Thanks for taking the time to post. I thrive on good time reviews.

Cheers,

Anna

[Have a Good Trip]

Thanks Sandra & Dave,

Always a pleasure reading of your happy times cruising!

 

 

Love that ship - saw her leave Adelaide this afternoon

 

Tim