Another cruise booked!

I said I was taking a break from the long cruises, which is true. But our sons were very keen to do a repeat of last year's family cruise. So we're doing 10 days on the Pacific Pearl out of Auckland, to Tonga and Fiji. And that takes care of who's going to organise Christmas Dinner!

So now Christmas Day for us will be spent lazing away on Dravuni Island, Fiji, followed by Christmas Dinner on board the ship. Wonderful! No shopping, no cooking, no dishes, no hassles... Anyone want to join us?

It's a wrap folks...

Quote of the Day: "Well we survived this trip. Now all we have to do is survive the Rugby World Cup and the elections!"

The last day of the cruise was the usual flurry of activity, as people finished their packing, said farewell to cruise friends, exchanged email addresses knowing it's unlikely they'll ever write, worried about how much to tip the room steward and the waiter, and generally psyched themselves up to re-enter the real world.

I attended the last last Cruise Critic lunch, while BJ sulked away back in the cabin. He knew he was just a few hours short of being stuffed into the suitcase, then at home being chucked back into the draw until the next trip. Lunch was a fine affair, with appropriate speeches and thank yous. I've really enjoyed the company of this jolly group, and will hopefully meet some of the folks on other cruises...

I had an early night, planning on getting up for the sail into Auckland. I woke up in time for that, but on seeing it was only 10C outside, decided not to venture out onto deck! A final breakfast before a seamless disembarkation (The Americans could learn a thing or two here), and I was out of the Princess system, and all abandoned and alone in downtown Auckland. Strange thing is, there were many others disembarking who I'd never seen before. Where had they been hiding for the last 7 weeks?

I met friends in Esquires Coffee Shop, opposite the cruise terminal, and after the first decent coffee since Hawaii, and a good old natter, was whisked off to the airport. Back in Wellington, it was a stunning day: sunny and calm. Jenny and I sat down on the edge of Oriental Bay beach, and watched the boats on the harbour and the children playing. It's great to go away, but it's always great to get back home. Especially when you live in one of the finest cities in the world! It was like another port visit really, but this time I get to stay.

So that's it. All done and dusted until next time. Thanks for following my ramblings, and for the emails and comments along the way. It's nice to know people are enjoying what I write... In closing, for those who didn't read last year's blog, I'm going to repeat my final comments from that (with a few minor modifications), as I think they are still the best suggestions I can make to anyone contemplating a similar trip:

To finish, a few random observations and comments, which others thinking of a seriously long cruise may find helpful:

1. To be successful, it requires effort and commitment. If you are traveling with a partner or spouse, make sure you both have the same level of commitment. Compromise might work for a 7-day cruise, but not for over 3 months. If you are going solo, avoid sharing a cabin with a friend - if you do, chances are fairly low that you will still be friends by the end of the cruise.

2. Do breakfasts in the dining room. The omelets are to die for.

3. Avoid lingering in the laundry. It’s a hotbed of unfounded rumour and discontent!

4. Talk to the crew. Talk to everyone, from the officers right down to the cleaners. Talk to them as equals, and get to know them. They are lovely people, and over time you will hear some amazing stories.

5. Try to make friends with people who are different to your friends back home. This will enrich your experience.

6. Take some tours from the ship where they are the best option, but do you own thing sometimes too. Do your homework before you leave so you know what you want to see and do. Tourist sights are great, but if you get the chance to talk to the local people, they will provide you with special memories.

7. Chill. You’re on a cruise ship, and at sea. Shit will happen, as it would over the same period of time at home. And once you start moaning, it’s a downhill spiral…

8. And if you do need to complain about something, do it with a smile, and you may well find you get a better result.

Bon Voyage!

Temperatures going down...

Quote of the Day: “My husband takes heaps of photos. He says it jogs his memory. But if you need to jog your memory that much, maybe it’s time you forgot it anyway.”

For the first time there’s a bit of a cold bite in the wind. If you’re in a sheltered spot it’s not too bad, but out on the open decks it’s time to ditch the shorts and t-shirts. Some of the crew are already in long trousers and jumpers, while the sun worshippers are busy trying to get that last bit of depth into their tans.

Today I had a new experience: Trivia Rage! Quite a number of people got grumpy because the passenger talent show ran overtime in the venue we use for afternoon trivia. I couldn’t believe it. And we’re rushing where after this??? Chill, folks… Definitely time get back to the real world.

Tonight is the last formal night, and I’m hopeful of getting there. I think I’ve missed dinner in the dining room 4 nights in a row now, through dining at other venues with friends, and this bloody head cold… Last night I slept right through dinner, and had to resort to the buffet late at night. Too sad… My regular dining companions will be thinking I’ve abandoned them – which is only half true!

Last port before Auckland: Apia

Quote of the Day: “Our marriage was a good partnership. Once he was man enough to admit that a woman could have brains.”

Two days ago I went down with the ship’s bug, dammit. Cough, cold, sore throat, generally feeling like sh*t… much like manflu really. So the thought of going ashore in the heat and humidity of Apia did nothing for me at all. After breakfast, I collapsed back into bed, and mentally wrote the day off.

Surprisingly, I woke a couple of hours later feeling much better. Thank you Uncle Lemsip… Too late to link up with anyone else, I set off by myself for a look around. I had noted a coffee shop advertising that they did good quality coffee, so vaguely headed in their direction. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it – something to do with no street signs. Finally ended up at the main market, where there was a farewell underway for the Samoan rugby team heading for the World Cup. Big affair, complete with Police Brass Band, and team parade. Go Samoa!

People here are very friendly, and I ended up chatting with a couple of locals. One had spent time working in Christchurch and Auckland, as well as spending some time in the States. Gave me a lecture about lazy Samoans living overseas! Oh well…

On the way back I found a large number of people from the ship holed up in Aggie Gray’s, famous restaurant and bar. Always strikes me as a little odd that you would arrive in a foreign port, only to head for a bar, and sit there for hours drinking with people you’re on the ship with…

I found a lovely little park across the road, on the edge of the harbour, where I parked myself under a palm tree. A couple of locals plucked up enough courage to come over and talk to the strange white guy sitting by himself, and we had a good old chat. Turns out they were barmen from Aggie Gray’s, who were just chilling until it was time to start work. Kind of ironic I thought… One said he could never go and work in New Zealand, even though his brother was there – he’d be too frightened! Puts a different perspective on things, doesn’t it?

Lovely sail away, then a sudden 180, and we were heading back to Apia. The captain announced that there was a medical emergency on board, and a lady had to be taken off via the pilot boat, and taken to hospital. This afternoon he announced that she was doing ok, so that was a relief all round. Just as well we were only 30 minutes from port.