NSWP

I had no check in time as I was unable to complete the medallion stuff. No worries, I just turned up at 10.30am, they opened priority lane for Elites etc and was in cabin less than half hour later. Disembarking yesterday moring, I was travelling light, so booked a walk off time at 0730. I turned up at the Wheelhouse Bar @ 7am and they sent me straight off.

Julie, you would have noticed OPT staff all had masks on when we disembarked yesterday morning and 90% of pax did leaving the ship and in terminal.

If you can find this, it is excellent, firey. A tomato sauce but firey chilli within, not for the faint hearted.

Good morning Cruisers... So Uncle Les got off Coral yesterday morning. First on my own as a solo pax. It worked out ok as I met up with a few familiar faces, Julie/Rolf, Mic/Rosie and a few more, thank you my friends for your support and social interaction. So morning of embarkation I roll my case down down the hill from Marriott Hotel to OPT @ 10.30am. 10 minutes later they open the priority lane, I show my vacc cert, verbally attest to negative RAT, show my ID, directed to medallion lady, then on to security. Everybody says I am first on, I kid you not I am in cabin by 10.55am. Super fast. All staff at the OPT great. I had been on Coral before, doing Alaska and Panama Canal, so knew my way around the ship. Cabin C333 was fine, big balcony, tiny shower, but what's new? I took Princess standard fare, no drink/wifi package and paid $2500 when I booked it 3 weeks ago. I got $100 military OBC, $100 speshul OBC from Princess cruise planner and got another $50 for missed ports. So the $250 OBC covered my booze. As mentioned elsewhere we got 20% of cruise fare paid back in FCC, so I got $500. Adding it all up my daily rate was about $175, fair for a solo I thought. Being Elite also got my mini bar and put in a couple of small bags of laundry. First time I ever disembarked a ship owing nothing, lol. I had done all the speshul restaurants before, so I ate at the Bordeaux and Provence MDR's plus the Horizon Court. All good, some meals better than others, had some tough fish and steak, but not too bad. I had different table mates each night, but all good. Drink service good, just call the waiter over and zap the medallion. All staff I encountered were very good from Cabin Steward to Buffet/MDR staff. Senior staff were rarely seen. I did not go to the Cocktail party, had enough of those. Took no formal clothes, so ate in Buffet on the two formal nights, as I did not want to embarrass myself or others with my casual wear. Saw the two shows, Motor City and Bayou, seen them before, they have been running for years. I did no shorex but as we spent 3 days in Melbourne due to weather, I went in on the 109 bus and looked at a few things. Penneshaw on KI, went ashore and wandered the town. We sure did have some rough seas and rain/winds on the cruise. To be truthful it was strange travelling alone, would I do it again? Not sure, I was uncomfortable and a bit lonely at times.

Thanks, about to hit the keyboard for my little review.

Same now, last week I bought a Myki Card at the terminal for the bus (109) to city, tap on showed $2.30. No cash for card purchases they will only take cards. Very convenient now 109 goes from actual terminal not for end of pier. Very good service.

Just off Coral, went to PES lounge in Explorers Lounge twice, no speshul drinks, normal prices, but a decent array of snacks.

Another Classic Mark. So remember never book a hotel anywhere without checking Tripadvisor ! Onwards !

She has arrived.

Thanks Sandi, been on her before, Alaska and Panama Canal. I like the size. Dont like the bigger Princess ships like Majestic and Royal. Stay safe it is a jungle out there.

I have my binoculars, lol.

Just checked into Marriott, nice vew of Opt forthe morning.

I fear some cool weather and rocking and rolling around South Australia. I have booked into 6pm dinners, suit me so I shall be able to watch the funeral, but probably will not, rather do other things, like what time does karaoke start ? lol

PNG had a 7.7 earthquake a few hours ago, a fair shake that.

It will be on MUTS for sure in the early hours, but will be cold and rocking and rolling probably, looking at the wave forecasts around the coast of Southern Australia. I just finished packing, put in some Travelcalm tablets, lol. Drive up to Sydney tommorow precruise.

Great pics, I will be down there Monday night precruise, I wonder if the illuminations will still be on?

Will there be popcorn?🍿 Will be chilly on deck under the stars.

Geoff no doubt the funeral will be beamed live on MUTS on Coral whilst I am on it. Yes the UK soccer was suspended but the test match cricket at the Oval commenced.

Break out the Duty Free, Willis Island nears.🍾

Are you going to take a pic of Wilis Island? Ship should get in close, often the 4 person Weather Bureau Team give the ships a wave.

Just woke up to hear HM Queen Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle, Scotland. 70 years of magnificent service to the UK and the Commonwealth. Queen of Australia, rest in peace.