Live from the Diamond Princess Jan 28 - Feb 9 Sydney to Auckland

[DonahCBrown]

Well, I did a long post last night that got lost in the electronic ether when the internet connection dropped, so I'll keep this one a bit shorter.

 

We're sailing with my mom on her first Princess cruise and our first experience in a suite. Very special on both counts. Embarkation was a breeze, and the wheelchair we requested for mom was provided promptly and made our embarkation much easier both for her and us.

 

We had a full briefing from our charming room steward on all the goodies that are part of the 'suite life'. Our sailaway wasn't until 9 PM, and was spectacular. The lights on the bridge, Opera House and Luna Park were lovely and the nearly full moon finally peeked out from the clouds and light drizzle. We stayed on the balcony until the lights faded.

 

Didn't partake of the entertainment last night as nothing much started until 10 PM and mom was pretty tired. Tonight is formal night, the show is Piano Man.

 

More later.

[Colo Cruiser]

Bon Voyage!!

[earljr]

Hey Prior Cruise Pal ----

 

We have this cruise on our agenda and will

be following your posts with great interest.

Great you can take your mom with you

on this adventure.

Does DH still dress up in the kilts for

formal nites? I always thought that was

way cool.

[Francine]

Hi Donna,

I was hoping you were going to do a "Live From..." thread. Enjoy your cruise with Dennis and your Mom. :)

And keep Diamond in good shape for us. We will be boarding in Bangkok on April 14.

Fran

[scmexico]

We will be boarding the Diamond on Feb 21. Looking forward to your posts.

[Lynda90]

Hi Donna, thanks for doing a "live" for us. Will be looking forward to sharing your cruise with you! :p

[DonahCBrown]

Aloha to all our friends out there! Had a very nice CC get together with somewhere over half of the roll call in attendance, as well as a look in from our Cruise Director Lee Childers who is last minute filling in and joined the ship yesterday, the Hotel Manager Heather Harries, and the First Pursers for Administration and Food and Beverage, Leonardo Pavan and Riccardo Capraro respectively, as well as our charming port lecturer Ronelle Adams. It is always fun to get to put names and faces together, and it is a very nice group.

 

So far, Dennis is doing less than stellar with the penny slots, mom did better, and I quit first, so did best. Mom sat in and I played the morning trivia - didn't do that great, 13 out of 20, with the winning teams in a three way tie, at 18. Then mom decided we needed to do the bingo. Didn't do well at that either - maybe we should stop with the gaming activities!

 

This morning we took advantage of the Sabatini's breakfast - very nicely done - far cry from the Horizon Court! - and REAL coffee. This is a winner! Too bad this is probably the last cruise we'll ever get the chance to go, but I plan to enjoy while I can.

 

We also had the 2-fer on the coffee cards like Pia did on the Crown, and so I went to get ours this morning, expecting to get the 'new' version that Pia described on her live. Much to my surprise it was a new version of the "old" playing card style, so it may be that the ones on the Crown were fill ins while these new ones were printed. They seem a little more substantial than the old playing card ones. Designs are pretty much the same but the colors are more intense looking and the stock seems heavier.

 

Tonight is formal night, entertainment is Piano Man, other headliners are Maurizio, Marguerite Nering, and comedy vocalist Toni Stevens. Piano Man and Maurizio we know, the others we don't. We'll be doing Piano Man, I expect. It is also the first heat of Princess Pop Star, and the Captain's Welcome Champagne Waterfall, so a busy night. The movie of the day is, perhaps predictably Australia.

 

I think that about catches everything up. Tina asked about the drydock and I'm trying to find someone who knows and will post the particulars. For sure they will add MUTS, but the CD wasn't sure about the Atrium, International Cafe, etc.

[DonahCBrown]

Hi Earl - missed the question about the kilt - sadly it is a victim of the weight limits and lately Dennis is doing a nice dinner jacket rig we had made for him in Bangkok - much lighter than the 8 yards of wool and all it entails in addition but we both miss it.:(

[Painter]

Hi Donna

 

Can you please tell me how long Lee Childers will be CD. Is he only filling in for someone on holiday or will he still be on the Diamond sailing from Sydney to Bangkok Feb 21st?

Thanks.

[DonahCBrown]

Hi Marleneann,

 

I'll ask - sounded like he was going to aboard for a while, though. He mentioned being in Singapore later in the season.

 

Piano Man was a good show, first show was very well attended. The principal singers are a very strong foursome, better than most, quite talented and well balanced. I expect we'll be doing all the production shows as a result.

 

Stopped by the Explorers and caught a bit of Toni Stevens act - she's an old time style entertainer - very engaging, terrific job of getting the audience involved, so we'll put her on the list as well. Maurizio was doing his thing in the Crooners Bar to a good sized crowd. Princess Pop Star first heat didn't seem to be drawing much of a crowd, and both the CD Lee and Assistant Mark are making jokes about the lack of crowds in Skywalkers for the late night activities.

 

Dress standards for formal night seemed about average - more ladies dressing up than guys - guys were mostly in suits, sprinkling of tuxes, a few in sports coats and the fixed seating dining, at least, were all appropriately dressed. Saw a good number of folks in informal attire later in the evening.

 

Thats about it for this evening - we're watching the Melbourne port talk on tv as our bedtime entertainment. Quite a good presentation, and should be very helpful to anyone who is planning to go out independently. The presentation is reminiscent of John Lawrence's style and presentation on the Baltic. We're doing a Princess tour and given that it is the Australian Open final weekend, it is probably a good thing. Will give an overview of that tomorrow.

[coo359a2]

Hi Donna and Dennis

 

Have minutes to spare so found this. Will follow you along when I get home and it will be like a precruise for next Feb. Find lots of good place to see for us:).

[Pia1913]

Morning Donna. Just finished my LIVE post dujour and Tina told me you had started yours. What Tina didn't mention is that we're doing ok with trivia, but we need you to do better. :)

 

Take notes for me in your NZ environs and kiss kiss to Dennis. From Mike, not me. ;)

[Girl from Oz]

Hi Donna

 

Can you please tell me how long Lee Childers will be CD. Is he only filling in for someone on holiday or will he still be on the Diamond sailing from Sydney to Bangkok Feb 21st? Thanks.

 

Hi Marleneann,

 

I'll ask - sounded like he was going to aboard for a while, though. He mentioned being in Singapore later in the season.

 

Hi fellow cruisers. I just disembarked the Diamond Princess in Sydney last Thursday (boo hoo) as you embarked Donah.

 

Adam Goder was CD on my last 2 cruises on the Diamond (Nov 22 & Jan 16) and has gone on 6 weeks vacation. He didn't say which ship he was returning to, so maybe it's the Diamond in Asia in March????

[triple7tahoe]

Thanks for the updates-We will board in April

Is hubby happy with Bangkok tailored jacket? If so, would you mind sharing name of Bangkok tailor.

Thanks

[DonahCBrown]

Thanks for the updates-We will board in April

Is hubby happy with Bangkok tailored jacket? If so, would you mind sharing name of Bangkok tailor.

Thanks

 

He's thrilled with it. Jesse & Victor at Rajawongse and we arranged the whole thing ahead of time via their website and emails. Stopped there on the way to our hotel for his initial measurements, went back the following day in the afternoon after sightseeing for a fitting, picked up the outfit (jacket, pants, formal shirt, plus reversible cumberbund, two handkerchiefs, bowties) on the way to the ship. Great service and very good quality.

[DonahCBrown]

Melbourne - a much nicer place than we had been led to believe. We did a ship's tour - the half day city tour with the river cruise on the Yarra - which was perfect for our needs - not too strenuous for mom, good overview of the sights of the city, and a couple of stops - the gardens and the war memorial. We had a really good guide who provided an excellent narrative.

 

Melbourne would be a really easy place to do 'on your own' as there is a shuttle from the ship to the tram - 109 is the number you take from the port and back to the ship. Our guide said it was around $4 to $5, but you need coins to purchase from the driver on the tram. You can use paper money if you purchase the tickets at one of the shops. Once you get to the city center, there is also a free tourist tram - look for the brown 'lollipop' signs - that goes through the CBD and to most of the tourist sites. There are several large gardens, the Royal Botanical is huge and, again according to our guide - second only to Kew Gardens in the UK. There are many art and historical museums, and it looks like the shopping would be really good as well.

 

The ship is very quiet this afternoon, as most everyone is still ashore, but there is a movie in the Explorers - the new Star Trek. Not much else to tell as my little group is either reading or napping. Tomorrow is 'mom and me' spa day, and we are pledged to George and Fiona to be be 'honorary Scots' and cheer for Andy in the finals of the Australian Open.

[degarr1]

Melbourne - a much nicer place than we had been led to believe.

 

Oh Donna be nice! The Economist's number 3 vote in the worlds most liveable cities 2009!

(Behind Vancouver and Vienna )And Andy thinks it is worth turning up to to have a hit! and how was the weather today?

 

Just kidding when you get off in Auckland on the 9th , I will be getting on (and showing some O/S visitors some of our highlights) but chilling back on what is ahead of you. Have a great cruise

[degarr]

Oh Donna be nice! The Economist's number 3 vote in the worlds most liveable cities 2009!

(Behind Vancouver and Vienna )And Andy thinks it is worth turning up to to have a hit! and how was the weather today?

 

Just kidding when you get off in Auckland on the 9th , I will be getting on (and showing some O/S visitors some of our highlights) but chilling back on what is ahead of you. Have a great cruise

Oops wrong log-in

I will be following your thread with anticipation

David

[Ruste]

Hi fellow cruisers. I just disembarked the Diamond Princess in Sydney last Thursday (boo hoo) as you embarked Donah.

 

Adam Goder was CD on my last 2 cruises on the Diamond (Nov 22 & Jan 16) and has gone on 6 weeks vacation. He didn't say which ship he was returning to, so maybe it's the Diamond in Asia in March????

 

Adam will be back on the Diamond after his holiday.

[triple7tahoe]

He's thrilled with it. Jesse & Victor at Rajawongse and we arranged the whole thing ahead of time via their website and emails. Stopped there on the way to our hotel for his initial measurements, went back the following day in the afternoon after sightseeing for a fitting, picked up the outfit (jacket, pants, formal shirt, plus reversible cumberbund, two handkerchiefs, bowties) on the way to the ship. Great service and very good quality.

 

I was afraid you were going to say that. I have contacted them and they will be closed for "Thai New Year from April 5th-19th-Could I rearrange my trip"? Since we are boarding the Diamond on the 14th I guess that is out:(. Thanks again-Please continue to keep us up on your cruise.

[DonahCBrown]

Oh Donna be nice! The Economist's number 3 vote in the worlds most liveable cities 2009!

(Behind Vancouver and Vienna )And Andy thinks it is worth turning up to to have a hit! and how was the weather today?

 

Just kidding when you get off in Auckland on the 9th , I will be getting on (and showing some O/S visitors some of our highlights) but chilling back on what is ahead of you. Have a great cruise

 

Oh, I'd totally agree with the assessment! I'd had people (mostly from Sydney, I'm guessing) sort of say Melbourne wasn't much, but we were VERY favorably impressed - clean, safe, modern city with really great mass transit, lots of attractions, seemed quite livable although from the look of it, on the pricey side for real estate.

 

Weather today in the AM was just lovely, warm enough to be comfortable, but a decent breeze when we were out and about, but we were back on board before the heat of the day, and the guide said it would get to 40 or so. I think that's in the 90ish range for farenheit, which is warm for us, and I understand that, while temperate, Melbourne actually has four season type weather although the winter isn't harsh. Sounds a bit like San Francisco, actually - wet and chilly but frost is rare.

 

Rest of the day and evening were fun. Had another nice dinner in the dining room, then off to the casino where mom quit when she was up a dollar or so, and Dennis - well, he didn't do so well. Neither did I, but I quit earlier again. Mom and I went off to play Majority Rules trivia - didn't win that either, but it was lots of laughs. Mark (who I remembered from 'somewhere' which turned out to be from the Pacific Princess Amazon cruise Tina & Pia - he's the really funny English guy - I don't think he was the assistant on that cruise though - just one of the staffers, so he's been promoted) We had a really funny audience and that always works well for Mark when he can banter with the group so we had a good time.

 

The Princess headliner was a comic named Tom Birscoe (we didn't go, so no commentary) and the band in the Explorers is Exotique and they are good. Maurizio in the Atrium tonight, Marguerite Nering in the Wheelhouse, and Ballroom Blitz and Allcomers Karaoke in Club Fusion. We're right over Club Fusion and I was a little worried about noise, but so far no problems with that. Some new stuff is on the Leonard Maltlin channel that has been added to the stateroom tv programming - this afternoon there was a special on the Mrs. Goldberg show on radio and tv way back when - it was very interesting.

 

Strangely, we're having the 'clearance' sale tomorrow from 10 to 1, so we'll go, of course. Can't think of anything else at this point. Am researching questions on the extent of the drydock changes, and nasty rumors that the coffee cards will be going the way of the coke card and only be good for the cruise they're purchased on. Hope that one is not true. Will post what I find out.

[Pia1913]

Good morning my friend, as I use up my remaining internet allotment waiting to disembark. A week sure does go fast. Tina and Ken left shortly after 7; self disembarking. We are in no rush; will get off about nine ish. Still need to finish packing wheelie. Nice to have unlimited internet, huh? :D Just keep copying and pasting even if you're on the site. Things have a way of disappearing.

 

TTY from home.

[cruiser02]

Hi Donna Good to hear from you again ! We are boarding the Diamond in Bangkok in April Taking her to Anchorage. Read your reviewed on your Asian cruise & all the tips you passed on.

Treated ourselves to the Grand suite "Retirement" cruise.

Enjoy reading your posts as always Have fun...

"Mike" & Tom

[Painter]

Hi Donna Good to hear from you again ! We are boarding the Diamond in Bangkok in April Taking her to Anchorage. Read your reviewed on your Asian cruise & all the tips you passed on.

Treated ourselves to the Grand suite "Retirement" cruise.

Enjoy reading your posts as always Have fun...

"Mike" & Tom

 

Could you please post a link to Donna's Asian Cruise. Thanks

[DonahCBrown]

Could you please post a link to Donna's Asian Cruise. Thanks

 

Here you go:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=36571