<p>We flew from Heathrow at 8.50 pm and arrived in Hong Kong after a 12 hr flight, we had a 2hr wait for the next flight which took 8hrs to Sydney finally landing at 7am ,immigration and customs went pretty quick and we were soon on the coach to a hotel for coffee and cakes but on the way the driver took us down to the bay to see the ship which was 5min from the hotel , the cases had already gone straight to the ship so we made our own way to the ship via a stroll by the harbour. ... http://www.cruisecrowd.com/ Sun, 20 May 2012 03:38:37 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2-ppt (info@mypapit.net) <p>We flew from Heathrow at 8.50 pm and arrived in Hong Kong after a 12 hr flight, we had a 2hr wait for the next flight which took 8hrs to Sydney finally landing at 7am ,immigration and customs went pretty quick and we were soon on the coach to a hotel for coffee and cakes but on the way the driver took us down to the bay to see the ship which was 5min from the hotel , the cases had already gone straight to the ship so we made our own way to the ship via a stroll by the harbour. We boarded the ship at 12oclock after going through immigration again and princess check in. Going straight up to the buffet to finally have a decent meal after all the airline food.<br />Then to the cabin on Baja deck 312 a balcony cabin when Chris promptly went to sleep after 2 days of no sleep .<br />At 7.45 we had life boat drill which just involved going to the designated place and being told which boat station and how to wear the life jacket and that was it.<br />We sailed at 2100 with a great sail away and the sights of Sydney at night was spectacular, so after all this an early night was called for.<br /><br />Breakfast was at the horizon court with a good selection every day. Today was a sea day so a sun bed was called for ,the pool was warm and fresh water and quite deep 7ft one end and 5ft5in at the other end with 2 hot tubs close by ,there was also a covered pool with removable roof a lap pool and 2smaller pools at the stern on different levels one being for kids only.the rest of the day was spent exploring the ship.<br />Dinner was at one of the anytime dinning and we managed to get a table for two. The meals were very good with a decent choice, then it was time to hit the casino so the slots were given a go most nights plus the roulette table, Barbara the casino host did a good job with a pleasant attitude and a hello every night plus a free drink,( at the end of the cruise she gave Chris a shopping bag which contained a jacket 2 polo shirts 2 caps and 2 wallets after the casino we went to the Horizon court buffet which was open 24hrs for a bite there was sandwiches ,hot dogs, pizza, fruit ,cakes and various other foods some of the staff used it and sometimes the captain could be found there.<br /><br />We arrived in Melbourne at about 8 am and was allowed ashore at 9, a shuttle bus was available to go the 400 yards to the dock entrance or you could walk, from there was a public tram system to take you to the city centre at a cost of 7aus dollars return ,we had a good walk round the city centre ,there was also a free tram tour around the centre but it was really full and with the temperature in the low 40’s didn’t fancy being in a hot tram. We made our way back to the ship and a dip in the pool was called for. Then it was to the prom deck for the sail away party.<br /><br />Next day was another sea day, so it was a few hrs by the pool and a wander round the ship and just a lazy day.<br /><br />Next day was Hobart Tasmania we docked at 8am and was off the ship at 9 then there was a free shuttle bus to the information centre just outside the docks . From there we caught a London double decker tour bus which was handy because it was raining.the tour was about 2hrs round Hobart and you could get on and off the bus as wanted the driver gave a commentary as we went along which was very good. We had a walk round then back to the ship.<br />I must add at this point at every port everybody was checked ,that nobody was carrying food by a beagle sniffer dog checking all bags and persons they were very efficient to get back onboard ship a passport was needed and your ship card.<br /><br />2 more sea days with various entertainment during the day ice carving ,computer skills pottery painting bridge a galley tour bingo to name but a few.<br /><br />We arrived at Milford sound Fjordland national park at 7am when we took on a pilot and a guide who gave us a running commenty through the day,and also a lecture . We stayed on our balcony all day watching the view which was interesting the day was sunny and calm which was very unusual for the area we learnt the next day the pacific sun tried to enter the sound but couldn’t because of the weather conditions.<br /><br />We arrived at port Chalmers for Dunedin the next day at 9am with the usual checks, we caught the shuttle bus out of the port .We could pay 15 us dollars and get the ships bus into Dunedin but decided to get the local bus at a cost of 10nz dollars each return .You also see more of the town using the local buses. Today was also a bank holiday so not a lot happening really so we had a walk round and then did apart tour of the Cadbury chocolate factory because of the bank holiday it wasn’t in production. Then it was back to the ship for the sail away.<br /><br />We arrived at Christchurch at 8am the next day Being greeted into port by the town crier, with a choice of ships shuttle or the local bus We took the local bus at half the price and after30 mins arrived in the centre of Christchurch ,which is as people say very much like an English town. We had a walk round visiting the town square, which had a local market and the cathedral with a visit inside .We then had a stroll and found the river were you can go punting down the river. Walking along we came across a park which had a fountain statues and a Maori totem with speakers explaining the facts about it so we stayed for an hour just watching the world go by. Making our way back to the ship we had another dip in the pool.<br /><br />Another sea day before we arrived at Tauranga because of the currants and tide you can’t always sail straight in but was lucky today as we followed the P&amp;O’s Pacific Sun into dock.<br />As you come into the harbour you pass a small hill which has footpaths all the way round it which is a45min walk. When you come off the ship your right in the town so was only a short walk to the main street and the shops. Then a walk to the hill passing a beach which was pleasant .we spent another hour just watch the world go by. Then made our way back to the ship because in the afternoon a local Maori group was giving a show in the theatre this was well worth seeing. At sail away their was a battle of the horns between our ship and the pacific sun then after that it was the chants between ships passengers in all the atmosphere was brilliant.<br /><br />Arriving in Auckland the next day we had breakfast and was off the ship at 9.45 and off to the airport for the 10 hr flight to Hong Kong. We was to have a4hr stay at the airport before our 1am flight, after an hour a tannoy message stating the flight would be at 8am approximately and would we go to the desk, on arrival they said they would try and get us on a British airways flight after 3hrs in a queue we finally got onto the British Airways flight after 13 hours flying we arrived at Heathrow and the bags being first off we was soon out of the airport and on our way home.<br /><br />The ship itself was very easy to get round, the only problem was in certain places there was heavy vibrations which was felt through the chairs you sat on, and the ship rolled quite a bit.<br />The theatre was always very full and you had to go early to get a seat .There was entertainment in a lot of the bars from comedians to karaoke.<br />Smoking was allowed on 4 tables on the lido deck and 6 tables at the stern also in some bars and also in your cabin.<br />The cruise was very good but you really also need to spend extra days ashore at the beginning or end of the cruise because of the distance and time to get there.</p> http://www.cruisecrowd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=451&catid=137#jreview_73

]]> retep13 Diamond Princess Sun, 31 May 2009 21:12:23 +0100