OzKiwiJJ

Maybe they're giving the coral a bit more time to recover from being trampled on by idiots.

We've finally reached warm weather. We're currently anchored off Airlie Beach and it's a glorious warm, sunny day. We didn't go ashore today, just had a relaxed morning and are now in the Sanctuary for the afternoon. I'm not sure if we'll risk the pool though, it might be still a tad too cold.

I'll tell Rosie you said that! 🤣🤣🤣

Sydney rain can be weird. We're on the Lower North Shore and quite often have rain storms pass to the south of us, north of us, and sometimes both at once, while we stay dry.

Cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge is something special. The time we did that the sun created a pathway to the bridge. Pure magic, especially accompanied by the sound of Louis Armstrong singing Wonderful World.

Either there aren't many Elite passengers currently onboard or Coral has an exceptionally efficient laundry. We left a bag of laundry to be done on our bed last night. The clean laundry came back around 5:30pm today.

It's possible there are some drop and go fares but they never publish them and I'm keeping away from the Future Sales Office - I don't trust myself!!!! Seriously though, we have some stuff we need to do over the next few weeks so no matter how tempting it is to avoid the Sydney weather it just isn't possible.

Of course I looked! 🤣 Only guarantee balcony cabins left at well over $11,000 per person. We're already booked on that cruise next October so I think we'd better wait until then. We'll just have put up with the lousy Sydney weather.

Those were formal dress nights not fancy dress! 🙄

No, too expensive!

The medi-vac has been completed successfully so we're resuming our course to Airlie Beach. No word on how the patient is faring. I hope they do OK.

SHUT UP!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

Medics have boarded and are prepping the patient for transfer to the helicopter in a few minutes. It's circling the ship at the moment.

Except summer is not a good time to do the circumnavigations - too hot and humid in the north with the risk of cyclones. I recall seeing a documentary about Celebrity Solstice doing a circumnavigation in summer and the problems they had cooling the engines as the sea water temperature was too warm. I think they also had problems getting the air-con cool enough too. Princess does their circumnavigations in late spring and early autumn when it's more likely to be cooler up north and not too wild down south.

So far we haven't had to show the photo but it's better to have it than not.

The ship has slowed and the Captain has just announced the helicopter is approaching.

Ugh! I'm very happy we decided to book this extra cruise. I am so tired of the crappy weather Sydney has had for most of the year. Hmmm - I wonder if there are any last minute cabins on the upcoming Round Australia cruise? I don't think I'd better look, I'm in Good Spirits at the moment and the Future Cruise Sales Office is too temptingly close! 🤣🤣🤣

There are still quite a few people who dress up, including us, especially those who dine in the MDR on those nights.

Usually I'm not awake for arrivals but did make an effort for New York. It is indeed very special. Sydney is also stunning, arriving and departing. I love leaving Otago Harbour with its narrow channel that crosses from one side to another. Kotor is spectacular and fun, especially on a Princess Royal Class ship with the multi-tone ship's horn. The way the Love Boat theme echoes off the side of the fjord is quite special. Then the ship goes through a very narrow channel where cars line the sides and toot their horns. Then it's a gentle cruise through the Bay of Kotor to the Adriatic Sea as the sun sets.

I saw a Country and Western theme on one cruise way back but it was later in the evening. There haven't been any theme nights recently.

We were advised this was required earlier this month.

Very clear! He sounded very stern. Definitely the voice of command.

Yes, first we had one announcement that there would be a medi-vac. Then another advising the helicopter was on it's way, crew to flying stations, passengers on the port side stay off the balconies. We should get another announcement once the medi-vac is complete.

Just those that have cabins on the port side this time, which is presumably the side the helicopter will approach from. Stay off the balcony and keep the balcony door closed. Plus, of course, no-one is allowed on the upper open decks. It makes sense. If the worst happened and the chopper crashed they don't want passengers getting injured. Luckily the weather has improved. It's been cloudy and rainy most of the day but it's cleared up just in time.

The Captain has just announced there will be another medi-vac this afternoon. The helicopter is expected to arrive in zbout an hour. The Captain also had some very stern words to say to those who disobeyed orders and went out on their balconies during the last medi-vac despite being told not to do that. Hopefully those people will listen this time!