Regal Princess - December 2016

I joined Regal Princess in Fort Lauderdale on December 4th for a seven day cruise. She's almost identical to the Royal but only one year old. Like the Royal, the ship was very comfortable with great staff, service and food. I was pleased to be able to perform a magnetic compass adjustment on departure from Montego Bay, Jamiaca.

Regal Princess sailing from Fort Lauderdale on her previous cruise. I took this from Caribbean Princess.

 A typically busy Sunday for cruise ships sailing from Fort Lauderdale.

Holland America's latest ship, Koningsdam.

My cabin.

Late afternoon on my balcony.

At Princess Cays, Bahamas.

On the wharf at Montego Bay, Jamaica.

 

On the bridge, preparing for a magnetic compass adjustment after departure.

The bridges on these ships are so large that they look like a new house waiting for furniture.

The crew pool, spa and sunbathing deck. Cruise ship MSC Opera in the background.

Waiting for the last stragglers.

The Jamaican pilot (left) and Captain (second from left).

The gunport doors status display,

A ship particulars display on the bridge.

At anchor off Grand Caymen.

Tendering ashore.

  

Approaching one of the gunport doors in a tender.

Back in Cozumel, Mexico,

Waiting for the evening departure.

 
 

Christmas decorations in the ship's atrium.

Evening entertainment in the Atrium.

A relaxing lunch on deck, at sea.

 

The ship's track on my cabin tv.

The Retreat pool and bar.

A sign I'm always pleased to see!

In one of the galleys.

My lovely cabin  stewardess, Olivia from the Philippines.

Barman Sawat from Thailand. He's a dear friend from several earlier cruises.

Another dear friend from several earlier cruises, bar waiter Milica from Serbia.

With my head waiter Gabriel and senior waiter Daniel.

Dawn Princess - September 2016 - Post 1

On August 15th. I joined one of my favourite ships, Dawn Princess, in Fremantle for back to back cruises firstly to south east Asia and back, then to Sydney via northern Australia. I finally disembarked on September 27th. and flew home to Melbourne. As always, the highlights were consistently excellent, cheerful, friendly and efficient service in all the restaurants and bars, very good food, tasty with a wide variety and the overall welcoming ambience from officers and staff who always treat me like one of the family.

Early morning in Fremantle.

 

Approaching the berth at Port Kelang.

Other shipping at Penang.

I had lunch at the Penang Club. A pleasant spot to spend a few hours.

Alongside at Langkawi.

A rainy start to the morning, arriving at Phuket.

   
 

The food at the stalls on the wharf at Phuket is authentically local, very tasty and cheap. Always a favourite with the crew.

 

In Singapore I had lunch at the Singapore Cricket Club, a club affiliated with the Athenaeum Club in Melbourne.  A very enjoyable afternoon.

 
 

Delicious!

There are many of these Maersk Triple-E style ships built for various companies around Asian ports, This is at Phu My.

The Vietnamese pilot and ship's Master while berthing the ship at Phu My.

Local shipping.