Regatta - December 2023 - Post 1

In December I joined Oceania's Regatta (an identical sister to Insignia which I cruised in last May) for a 35 day round Australia and Bali cruise. As with Insignia, the service and food were excellent and the ship very uncrowded and comfortable. 

Pre-cruise, I stayed at the Australia Club in Sydney, Very comfortable, friendly and with great food.

Arriving in Melbourne, a screencap from a video by Burn Burnie Pictures.

A lovely warm day at anchor off Mooloolooba, but the storms are about to roll in.

Backing up to the berth in Townsville.

Cairns

Breakfast on deck.

About to sail.

Darwin

Coming alongside, from my cabin.

Dinner on deck while sailing.

Darwin sunset.

Regatta - December 2023 - Post 2

Rodrigo, the extremely talented pianist from Brazil.

The fabulous Martini Bar staff.

Benoa, Bali.

Coming alongside in Benoa, Bali, just now. I’ve been here several times before but on much bigger ships so always at anchor.

Sailing past Celebrity's Millennium, on a program of SE Asian cruises.

Officers vs passengers deck games. Great participation from all and good fun (naturally, I just watched).

The main restaurant.

A typical dinner menu.

The bar list - all inclusive and unlimited for those with a drink package.

The fabulous pool bar team.

My deck office.

Regatta - December 2023 - Post 3

Setting up for dinner al fresco in the tropics.

Beautiful fresh fish, cooked a la minute.

Broome

Arriving in a sweltering Broome.

Sailing from Broome.

Arriving at Geraldton

Fremantle

A German ship on a world cruise, sailing.

Sailing from Fremantle.

The Fremantle pilot disembarking.