dingoboy

To all friends of Dorothy on this voyage.

Please feel free to send me an email at sirjameshardy

at me dot com

There is a group of us who have been chatting and getting to know each other via email.

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Hi I am Jane and I met James sometime in the eighties at a nudist colony. I am an eccentric rich old widow, I can't tell you how my husband died. I have a hippo in my dam, and a dog called Ronnie and a cat called Kev. Can't wait to meet you all.

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Ok I'll kick off.

That's Jack and me (on the right).

Jack is 43. I'm 50 and this is my birthday cruise. And I'm bringing 6 of my best mates. More of them later. We are doing this cruise specifically to have my birthday lunch in bora bora.

We have been together for 18 years having met in Hawaii. Jack moved to Melbourne where we live. He is now a resident and citizen. We live in a tiny little miners cottage in Melbourne. Only added that bit as I love seeing how people live all over the world.

We are both cabin crew: jack for Virgin, me for Qantas.

We discovered cruising a few years back and celebrity is our fav line and this itinerary we have done several times in different directions.

We have two stupid little mutts.

señor eta chi chi la la

And Wally.

We are staying at Pullman Quay Grand in Sydney. Arriving the day before. And will be in Hawaii until about the 10th of May. Staying at the ilikai in Waikiki.

We are on deck 6 stern cabin.

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G'day all.

Welcome. Getting close now.

Jack and I have started packing.

Time to kick things up a notch.

I'm normally all over CC prior to a cruise but have been so busy with work and moving a house to the country that I simply haven't had time.

All my mates call me Vicky (from the Love Boat) because I organize stuff. That's just how I roll.

I've conversed with some of you privately via email.

Thought it might be timely to share some general info about who we are, traveling companions if any, short bio, dogs/cats, cabin numbers etc and anything you might be interested in doing on the cruise.

I know that there is normally a friends of Dorothy most nights on the cruise but often the times and locations are woeful. So if that is the case we can easily organize our own and leave a note on the notice board and in the daily compass.

Also I thought it might be fun to have a regular shuffle board comp. Thats a great way to meet people and break the ice.

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I'm coming in on the morning of the 10th on the 380 from LHR. Anyone on board?

Bryan

No sorry we are flying up from Melbourne.

Who are you flying BA?

Hi haven't been on here for months.

 

Only just seen this. Will reply when time permits.

 

James.

OMG.

I haven't been on here for months and I've just read this post and completely forgotten to get back to you.

I feel awful. Sorry.

If you still have questions sing out but I realise it's prob too late :((((

feeling bad

How have I missed this posting? hhhmmm. I wonder. Anyway.

Hi Bryan here. ;-)

Hi Guys,

James here from Melbourne.

We have a group of 8 on this cruise.

And this night in a month we will be in Sydney staying in Circular Quay the night before our cruise.

Can't wait.

Welcome aboard.

Hi all. Happy new year.

Sorry I've been missing in action these last months.

We have been moving a house from the Melbourne to the country - what many of you might consider the outback.

It had to be cut in half and for the last month we've pretty much been living in a caravan.

I realize many of you are knee deep in snow - where as down here in oz we are suffering the most extreme heat wave.

Temps this week are all up over 40 degrees - for the next 5 days. Ugh.

And as yet we don't have power water or sewage. But that is all being connected as I write this. Going to be 43 today although for the guys on the tin roof it will be more like 55.

Anyways thought I'd explain my a sense.

Boy are we going to need a cruise by the time April rocks on.

We are all fully paid up now.

Can't wait.

James.

James, our foursome, Mark +Jim, Paul + Allan are on six port side forward. We'll be almost neighbours!

Hey guys could you please contact me sir james hardy at me dot com

James,

 

I really appreciate all the time that you have put in to make our map and all the help that you have given about Australia. My friend Barbara and I are going to arrive about 10 days before the cruise. We are thinking of spending time in Sydney and Melbourne and then going to the outback or maybe The Great Barrier Reef. We realize we can't do all that. What would you suggest that would give us the best Australian experience? My email is mbullmaster@juno.com if you would rather email me.

 

Thank you for all of your help!!!

 

Mary

Hi haven't been on here for months.

Only just seen this. Will reply when time permits.

James.

James, our foursome, Mark +Jim, Paul + Allan are on six port side forward. We'll be almost neighbours!

That is friggin awesome. We have four cabins on the starboard side.

Going to be party central. Pity we don't have family in the middle one so that we could open all of the balconies across the entire aft deck.

Hey I remember reading somewhere that some of you had a group booking on deck 7.

We have booked 4 cabins on deck 6 running from the Port side to midships.

Just wondering if your cabins are directly above ours?

Cheers, James

What's up - guess it's because of time of year - the Christmas crazies ugh !!

Can't wait until it's all over and we are finally sailing away to Bora Bora.

Hey All, we are so looking forward to this trip! Allan, Paul, Jim and I are sharing an apartment in the sky for 4 days in Sydney. Fun Fun Fun!

Couple of questions:

 

1. Seems to me that Celebrity will host a cruise critic get together. Does someone need to arrange this?
   
2. There is also usually a party for Captains Club members. If I remember we find out about this when we board?
   
3. We were thinking about having a pot luck at our apartment for "friends of dorothy" and supporters on the cruise but it looks like there is a limit of 2 guests. Wondering if we can have a picnic somewhere? Suggestions?
   

We will be in Sydney the day and night before. Haven't made plans yet but a BBQ or happy hour somewhere might be fun. Just have to wait until closer to nut out plans.

Hi Every one been away in Europe for a few weeks did I miss anything????

 

Just wanted to say Hi hope everyone is doing well:)

 

 

Lilly

Very quiet on here, but confident things will start to heat up as departure looms closer.

James, (Dingoboy), you mentioned in a previous thread your reservation of staying in north Sydney. I have my eye on one property for our foursome from Monday to Friday and was wondering if I could pick your brain on it. I've sent you a friend request to initiate.

 

Thanks in advance,

Hey only just seen this - haven't been onto CC for ages.

And hence haven't seen your notification.

my email for direct contact sirjameshardy at me.com

Hi Mate

Rob here from Sunshine Coast.I will be on this cruise with my partner Geoff.We have also booked an Aft cabin on deck 7

Cheers Rob & Geoff

Hey we lived on the sunshine coast for 7 years.

We have 4 aft balconies on deck 6.

Hi All,

Sorry that I've been missing in action !! Currently demolishing our house and rebuilding.

So what with getting council approval and dealing with builders and trades - UGH !!

Anyway we are all finally starting to turn our mind to this cruise getting excited.

Will try to go back and answer questions as I find them.

Cheers,

James

I was checking into the main thread (have you ever seen such drama?!) and saw that there was another specialized one... You all sound like great folks! I have booked two pre-cruise excursions from Sydney, April 7 - blue mountains and April 9 south coast rain forest and waterfalls. Into scenic & photo ops! I booked for a party of 6 and have space for two more on each. Email me for details if interested!

 

Sherri

Hi ya,

and welcome, I haven't been on the main thread for ages but got a whisper about drama on there - how friggin silly.

It's meant to be a cruise for god sake. people should lighten up.

Makes me want to have a look and se what has been going on.

Well this thread has not been active in a while so I thought I would move it up and also ask for some help from the Aussie boys. We are staying in Sydney for 8 days before the cruise, we are on the cruise before from NZ. We are looking to rent a small, inexpensive apartment in Sydney for the 8 days. Any suggestions as to what part of the city or where to find them would be of great help. We are looking on Airbnb but....

 

Thanks Jeff and Bob

HI Guys,

Sorry I missed this as we are rebuilding at present.

OK Sydney is one of the world's great cities up there in the top ten by my reckoning.

As to where to stay there are lots of options that will give you a very different type of holiday.

I'd personally be looking around kings cross and surrey hills.

Check out airbnb and you will likely find something much cheaper than a hotel. Sort list some stuff and flick it on to me and I'd be happy to give you feedback.

Thanks James, I'll create a group over the next couple of days.

great!

Hi James, I noticed you have a walking group listed on the cruise map. Would you consider creating a runner's group as well? By the way, I added our four people from Toronto to the cruise map. When you have a moment, please check to ensure I haven't buggered up any rights, I had to sign into my Google+ account to see the red edit button you referenced in your instructions.

 

P.S. Downundermatt, this thread is indeed for April 2014, not 2013. Don't despair! We're everywhere, with good luck there will be lots of other FOD's at the Martini Bar just as there were on the Equinox TA in 2011.

Absolurtely if you want a runners group DONE. add it yourself if you want, otherwise I'll start a group for you.

Personally the only running I do on a ship is to the bar for happy hour.

we are going to have a ball on this cruise.

Thrilled to have your party on board too.

James

Dont suppose any of you guys are cruising on the trip next Monday from Sydney ? (and posted here in error)

 

Posted a Roll Call months ago and not a response,so a bit jealous of the 2014 crowd, particularly with the liquor package thrown in.

 

Dingoboy - a shame as we are both QF Ground Staff in Sydney

Andreas,are you doing the 2013 trip or 2014.

 

Otherwise Looks like Juan and myself will be the only Gays on the Cruiseship village ...

 

Safe cruising......

Hi Guys, as per my email one of my mates is on board along with some other qantas hostess. Wish it was us. Enjoy and want to hear your tips when you get back.

Hi All,

Don't forget to add your details to the other map I've made on the main thread for this cruise where you can all drop a pin won your home town and sign up for other things like cabin crawls etc.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=208802348947012870224.0004d52013accbd1355ee&msa=0&ll=-12.726084,159.257813&spn=120.918201,265.253906