yes!yes!yes!

we put in a bid for an upgrade and didn't get it. who cares

we got an email giving us a room number a couple of days ago. for today's cruise it said to disregard any boarding times and arrive anytime between 11.30 and 3. we always go early after 10.30. if the ship has been cleared they will let you on

we encountered a nasty woman in the luggage drop off area. she was really nasty to one of the crew. yelled at him asking if he had ever been in pain, told him to f... off. called him a p...k. she had demanded a chair and there are none. he said he could arrange for a wheelchair when boarding starts. and thats when she went off. her family all hung their heads in shame/embarrassment. security were called. we spoke with the staff person and security offering to give a statement. she should not be allowed on board. we will give her a wide berth when we see her on board

my suitcase was in the hall before 1pm. mums hasn't turned up yet.

this cruise i didn't book the plus package so I paid $10 per night for internet. we have 2 bottles of wine and the elite drinks, plus the elite drinks from last cruise to help tide us over. I will pay as I go for my drinks in explorers etc. I never used the alfredos x2 meals, deluxe desserts etc on last cruise. I also don't drink fizzy or coffee, so I will cope just fine without the plus.

here's some of the stuff in your room if any one wants the shore excursions let me know

back on board. it was raining when we arrived at the port. we had to wait till 11.40 to go inside the terminal due to passport staff getting held up in a crash on the way to port. we were a couple of the first on. we went to the dining room after dropping off our hand luggage in our cabin. had our usual beef tenderloin. booked the same table we had last cruise with the same waiters. we don't use the medallion for anything so had to do that once on board

I just purchased it an hour ago. if you pay on board it goes on your account so you can use your own. if you are platinum or elite its 50 percent off. $10 per night. it came up as $11 and change on the medallion prior to boarding. $10 Australian once on board

6.30am in Botticelli dining room

we have been using Google for directions to most places. this morning we went to a breakfast place with excellent reviews and open at 7am. sadly it has been closed for a while and we sat on a coffee waiting for the kitchen to open at 8am at one of the other cafes on that lane. we just wanted a plain breakfast today. just poached eggs on toast and fruit toast.

there were many people there. we went between lunch and dinner. everyone's food looked great. bar girls were nice and friendly too

we went to Spencer st dfo outlet shopping yesterday. caught the tram there and back. got a couple of bargains

I have

she said they were sandflies. in my experience the sandflies are everywhere in New Zealand

went to charles dickens tavern for lunch. was very good. huge meals had a couple of $9 pints

my mum got bitten on the grand princess last week while going thru the fjords and also in port Chalmers. I'm a mozzie magnet, I stayed inside

I'm a saver. I always think how much money I am saving when I am on a cruise.

we are both still coping with the motion of the ocean. we always get it bad on the nz cruises. I think its because there are so many sea days, plus we don't walk much when we get in port due to mums age. its so annoying. I didn't get it at all after my 15 nights on msc around Norway etc. but was traveling with my son and walked miles and miles. also only one sea day here and there.

went to tim ho wan for late lunch yesterday. it was good but not great. I think it might be a franchise or chain. we went to Williamstown on the early ferry yesterday. its over an hour each way with some commentary. nice gentle cruise mostly on the river. $48 return for me and $42 for mum. complimentary water, tea, coffee. pay for alcohol and snacks. toilets on board, smoking allowed outside at the back. 4 return times to choose from. cheap day trip. also noticed a sign in Williamstown with ferry prices to and from Port Melbourne (where the cruise ships pull up) i think it was about $22.

it was smooth last week. I'm on Mondays cruise. its hit and miss with new Zealand weather. take some seasickness pills or wristbands with you just in case. I have never been seasick. have heard green apples help. they are always available in the buffet

I have come across many ducks, more so on royal Caribbean. when talking to staff, the cleaners hate them as their supervisors consider they haven't cleaned properly if they are found. since covid i have seen less and on coral last year I saw a cleaner throw a couple away saying they are not covid safe. I just ignore them if I see them. didn't see any last week

went to the Victoria markets this morning. easy getting there on the free trams. had a spicy brat in a bun for breakfast. bought a v neck jumper. just been out for more Chinese food. China red again. bought 2 bottles of white wine for the next cruise

went for lunch at China red. it was good and cheap.

are you having a go at the trivia or music trivia?

we have delayed going to Williamstown on the ferry till Friday due to the rain and thunderstorms. went shopping for a bit this morning. seams to be more homeless sleeping on the street. nothing like Sydney tho.