Golden Princess - December 2017 - Post 1

 I rejoined, yet again, Golden Princess on November 28th. for her repositioning voyage to Melbourne (unusually, a leisurely two days at sea, down the coast) before her first Melbourne based cruise for this season, which I stayed aboard for. As always, the service was excellent, the food very good and the ship comfortable. We had hot, sunny weather with calm seas for most of the voyage. Coincidentally, I bumped into a colleague and a true gentleman from my JDE days, Charles Hughes on board. Charles and I worked together on and off, in Australia and Japan, for about twelve years and I hadn't seen him for nearly twenty years since. It was great to catch up. Another great cruise.

Late afternoon sailing from Sydney on November 28th.

As a lovely surprise, Maitre d' Carlos Justina organised this beautiful dinner for me, prepared by a Goanese chef.

Calm, evening seas between Sydney and Melbourne.

Sailing from a rainy Melbourne after the first turnaround for the season, December 1st.

These musicians, by far the best on the ship in my book, are from the ship's orchestra and occasionally played jazz in the bars and Atrium.

Mare, New Caledonia from my balcony.

A hot morning in Vila.

Berthing at Noumea with the tug standing by.

A hot day in Noumea.

Arriving at Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu.

Tendering ashore. 

Two of the Front Desk staff heading ashore for duty on the jetty.

Although I'm not generally a beach person, Champagne Bay is probably my favourite South Pacific stop. Warm, crystal clear water, beautiful sand, cold beer and fresh lobsters available and gorgeous scenery.

It was another hot day in Luganville, Vanuatu - I stayed aboard.

Back in Melbourne on December 15th - a warm, sunny day this time.

Golden Princess - December 2017 - Post 2

Some of the wonderful people around the ship - many are shipmates from past cruises.

With Cherry and Armando just prior to sailing from Sydney.

With Carlos Justina, the excellent Maitre d' on the Sydney to Melbourne leg.

Barman Kilton and a delicious Mojito he just made for me.

Barman Erwin and his assistant in the Wheelhouse Bar.

This cruise's wonderful Skywalkers Nightclub team - Arman, Ariel, Cherry, Kilton and Jacob.

The Vines Winebar ever friendly and obliging team, Ranjeet, Michaelangelo, Andrew and assistant.

My wonderful restaurant waiters Bobby and James.

Another excellent Maitre 'd, Carlos da Rosa, joined the ship in Melbourne. Carlos hosted a most enjoyable private lunch with a few of the senior hotel officers for me. Much appreciated as always.

Golden Princess - August 2017 - Post 1

I rejoined one of my favourite ships, Golden Princess, in Sydney on 2nd. August for a 35 day cruise to Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand and back. As always, the service was excellent (friendly, efficient and obliging), the food very good and the ship very comfortable. It was also great to enjoy the cruise with old cruising friends Tim and Elaine and new friends Rob and Deb. Another great experience.

Golden Princess arriving in Sydney at 0600 2nd August.

My very comfortable cabin.

With friends Steve and Dianne Pelecanos in Brisbane.

Suva harbour.

At Suva.

A delicious goat curry lunch with Tim and Elaine at the Tradewinds Hotel.

Ship's tenders at Savu Savu.

Arriving at Honolulu.

Other shipping in Honolulu harbour.

At anchor off Maui.

Alongside at Nawiliwili.

Sailing from Nawiliwili.

 

Golden Princess - August 2017 - Post 2

Arriving at Papeete, Tahiti. Moorea in the background.

James Packer's yacht, Arctic.

The Papeete based cruise ship Paul Gauguin.

At Moorea.

 

At Bora Bora.