aussielozzie18

Arrived at Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) Circular Quay at 11.30am. I had selected a 12noon boarding time, when options opened 2 weeks prior. After dropping off my suitcase, I was permitted to go through. Probably because I was a solo and there was a short space of time with no-one going through. Currently, travel insurance that covers Covid is mandatory if you are cruising to the South Pacific. So signs up everywhere reminding us of this plus announcements as well. Also, until two weeks ago, Carnival Australia cruisers were not permitted to take alcohol on board. Thankfully this rule was finally changed so cruisers are now permitted to carry on one bottle of wine or champagne on board. Yay! And you do need a self administered negative RATS test taken within 24hrs of boarding, with photo proof of ID and time (passport & the time displayed on another mobile phone). So all boxes ticked, it was onto to border control, short wait of 10mins or so while they cleared the queues ahead, x-ray of your carry on and then you were on board the ship. Nice seamless process. Next step was Muster Drill. Lifejacket demo with staff member on outside deck in very small groups of 8 or so. Then time for lunch in MDR. Cruise - the only place to can have two slices of cake with no guilt. Got chatting to a lovely couple seated at the booth next to me. I find cruisers very friendly to solos.

We usually cruise in our Australian summer. This cruise was to be my first cruising in our autumn. This was a packing dilemma. Having not cruised the Splendor before, wasn’t sure how cool the inside of the ship would be and expected the two sea days getting to Noumea (our first port) to be cool. Luckily, I live relatively close the OPT because I was still “packing” or if I’m honest - cramming stuff in my suitcase and hoping for the best - at 9am on the day of departure…

Thought I’d do a mini review of my recent 9 day cruise and throw in a few photos - for anyone who might be interested. In Australia at present, you have the option of Carnival Splendor sailing out of Sydney and Carnival Luminosa sailing out of Brisbane. Guests are still required to be vaccinated and the Luminosa (new to Carnival from Costa) hasn’t been selling well due to the lack of water slides for families. There have been some ridiculously cheap deals as a result. Last December, my daughter and I did 7 day cruise from Brisbane on the Carnival Luminosa to the Great Barrier Reef. Prices were so cheap I booked us adjacent solo balcony cabins and we had a great cruise and loved the Luminosa. If we lived in Brisbane, we would have happily booked more cruises on her. As a result of cruising on the Luminosa, I got an offer too good to refuse for 9 days sailing out of Sydney to the South Pacific on the Splendor for this month.

Boarded 10 days ago.. Check in time was 12. They let me through at 11.30am. Probably helped that I was solo and there was a gap in cruisers going through when I dropped off my suitcase. There was a slight delay with border control so once we arrived upstairs they asked us to be seated until the queues ahead cleared. Probably sat for 10mins or so. All very organised & orderly. in case you weren’t aware - you can now take a bottle of wine or champagne on board per person (like Royal & Princess)

Lovely that you and your mom both enjoyed early mornings together.

Good morning. Been up since 3.30am. Always seem to be awake for the sail in and it’s always been worth it. Had a lovely relaxing cruise and enjoyed our four ports very much. First time cruising in our Autumn and would happily do a South Pacific again at this time of year.

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Congratulations to your granddaughter. Wishing her a long and satisfying career. Fingers crossed for the weather to be lovely for the graduates & their proud families.

Good morning from the South Pacific. Yesterday, we cruised to one of my favourite islands in the South Pacific - Mystery Island. (I got one of the first water shuttles/tenders so that’s why the island looks deserted) Beautiful day of snorkelling and swimming. Sure beats working.

This is why I love cruising out of Sydney. Fingers crossed for a decent sunset photo in the South Pacific….

Not long if you use all your Kraken recipes & host a “Dani cc” Dinner party 😀

@TravelGirlinDallas Happy 13th Birthday to Andrew and congratulations on his musical achievement.

Happy Birthday @Sea Dog

I think this little guy plans to join us on our South Pacific Cruise. After a gloomy day, the sun is finally shining and it’s going to be a beautiful sail away. Interesting that having travel insurance for the South Pacific that covers Covid is mandatory but a verbal confirmation was only reqd at check in. Same with negative RATS test. Just verbal confirmation that your test was negative. They didn’t ask to see the photo. Whales were seen off Manly yesterday. It’s the start of the season. Going to keep my eyes peeled…

Lovely photo of you both & a wonderful Anniversary celebration.

Lovely photos & such a wonderful yearly Christmas gift.

My next two cruises are 3 nighters. Mainly because I am running out of annual leave so booking over a long weekend is the best way for me to keep cruising. 3 nights with one port is better than not cruising 😀

Such a lovely photo of you both. Daughter will be in London next month. No high tea there for her but she is looking forward to a picnic on a Primrose Hill that has been organised by her friends. I did say to her yesterday that next time we are in London together, High Tea at a posh London hotel is something we will need to do.

Daughter surprised me with high tea at The Tea Rooms at the QVB in the city. Neither of us had been before and it was just delightful. Daughter is a coffee drinker but she very much enjoyed her tea choice of Red Roses Infusion. DS FaceTimed us and videod while he walked past deer and towards the lake whilst wishing me a Happy Mothers Day ❤️ Started with a mimosa & enjoyed all the food that was on offer. Finished with my English Breakfast Tea. Very nice & very filling. Wishing my American & Canadian friends who celebrate Mother’s Day a lovely day. For those who find Mother’s Day difficult please take care of yourselves. I know it can be a difficult day for a variety of reasons.

Happy Mothers Day. Enjoy your pops.

@lenquixote66 cant edit this reply. Meant to say -hope they stay SAFE.

She’s a cutie!

@QueSeraSera thank you for adopting a rescue dog. We have adopted two dogs that suffered trauma in the past and seeing them living their best lives after being given love and security from our family is a wonderful thing. I am surprised though that your puppy was not examined if he had a limp before being offered up for adoption. I know all the rescue centres here do that. Maybe you adopted privately.

Hope your grand-daughter & her college companions stay.

Corrie is a beauty and love the flowers in her hair. (I’m sure there is a song about flowers in the hair)