Golden Princess - December 2019 / January 2020 Post 1

I rejoined one of my favourite ships, Golden Princess, in Melbourne on December 20th for a Christmas / New Year cruise from Melbourne, returning on January 2nd. It was extra special for me because my dear friends, Jules and Phil, came along as well. It was another fabulous cruise with the usual wonderful Princess staff, service and food.

Picton

Despite having visited New Zealand dozens of times over the years, this was my first call to Picton. Another beautiful New Zealand port.

Akaroa

A beautiful, peaceful Christmas morning in Akaroa.

 Tauranga

 

Majestic Princess, another favourite of mine, arriving mid-morning.

Captain Dino Sagani manoeuvring his massive ship alongside in the tight space between Golden and the tug pier.

Sailing from a very blustery Tauranga.

A photo of us from a passenger aboard Majestic Princess.

Sailing past Mount Manganui.

Sailing from Auckland, the last port of the cruise before returning to Melbourne.

Golden Princess - December 2019 / January 2020 Post 2

 People around the ship and ashore.

Me with the excellent  Captain Aldo Traverso and his lovely wife, Veronica.

Part of the wonderful Skywalkers team, Reynold, Greg and Jofy.

A lovely Moet brunch ashore in Auckland with dear friends Jules, Sheree, Arnold and Phil.

Sheree and Arnold.

I was pleased to perform a magnetic compass adjustment on departure from Akaroa. Me on the bridge with Guiseppe, the First Officer.

One of the ship's Quatermasters.

Enjoying a lovely, peaceful lunch in the ship's Sanctuary at Wellington.

It is indeed a small world in the Princess cruises family. Larry, now a Head Waiter on Majestic Princess, has been a friend of mine for many years on many cruises.

Jules and Phil during a bridge visit.

Wonderful Maitre d' Carlos Justina hosted a splendid private lunch for us with the senior Hotel staff.

A cheerful family of  Filipinos, now living in LA and Las Vegas, at the next table. Lovely people.

My delicious dinner on the last night of this cruise. Maitre d’ Carlos who, as always, has been a magnificent host throughout, organised this surprise dish (cotechino with lentils) for me which is a New Year’s Day speciality from the Modena region in Italy. It was the perfect comfort food for the last night.