Queen Elizabeth - December 2023

 A good friend of mine very kindly arranged for me to have lunch aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth this week. It's a ship I've cruised in before, in beautiful condition and very much to my taste. 

Queen Elizabeth (right) and Regatta (left) at Station Pier, Port Melbourne on 17th. December 2023. 

The ship has a full wrap around promenade deck, something most new ships no longer have, unfortunately.

The main pool.

The Croquet Court - I suspect this is more symbolic than anything else.

The ship's atrium.

The Garden Lounge (Conservatory).

The Grill Lounge.

The Commodore Club (lookout bar).

The Ballroom.

The Royal Court Theatre.

The English style pub - a very popular lounge.

It's interesting to see lots of memorabilia from the transatlantic heydays displayed  around this ship.

The main restaurant.

The two-deck library.

Christmas decorations.

This beautiful painting of the original Queen Elizabeth is by renowned maritime artist Stephen Card.

I wish other companies like Princess had maintained dress standards instead of now allowing ferals a 'dress code free for all' across the entire ship, including in the main restaurants at dinner. 

Those who insist on dressing like 12 year olds in the evenings are still catered for.

My next ship, Oceania's Regatta. I'll be joining her in Sydney this week.

Resilient Lady - December 2023

 I spent an afternoon aboard Virgin Voyages' new ship Resilient Lady, at Station Pier, Port Melbourne recently. It was very different to the ships I'm used to, obviously aimed at hip young things (relatively) in their mid-twenties to mid forties, not an old traditionalist like me. The dinner I had was excellent and the service very good with friendly staff. However, to my taste, the public areas were either garish or bland. The swimming pool (only one) was surprisingly small for a ship this size. Someone told me it was more 'a place to be seen at' rather than swimming in. Hmmm. Anyway, it was an interesting visit. I doubt I'll ever be sailing aboard her. 

The surprisingly small pool.

This Dining Room is quite attractive, in a modern style.

One of the suites.

A predictably flamboyant deck party. The younger folk obviously enjoy this sort of thing.

Coral Princess - September 2023 - Post 1

 On September 20th. I rejoined Coral Princess in Sydney for a 35 day cruise to Fiji, American Samoa, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand and back. This is a favourite itinerary of mine, which I've cruised twice previously. To add to the enjoyment, dear friends Jules and Phil Garvin and Barry Cowdell were also aboard. It was a most enjoyable voyage with great weather, good food and excellent service throughout.

The view from my hotel room at the Four Seasons Hotel before the cruise.

Sailing from Brisbane.

Pago Pago

Me concentrating on a crossword at my deck office. Photo by Phil Garvin.

With lovely stewardess Pam. Photo by Phil Garvin.

Photo by Phil Garvin.

Ship's complement photo call.