Heritage Expeditions has approval to sail

[Kiwi Kruzer]

46 minutes ago, lissie said:

The ship has arrived in NZ! https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/experiences/cruises/123409397/first-ship-of-the-season-arrives-at-lytteltons-new-cruise-berth

Yes and it looks lovely .Where Will you board .?

[MMDown Under]

1 hour ago, lissie said:

The ship has arrived in NZ! https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/experiences/cruises/123409397/first-ship-of-the-season-arrives-at-lytteltons-new-cruise-berth

You must be excited!

[NSWP]

1 hour ago, lissie said:

The ship has arrived in NZ! https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/experiences/cruises/123409397/first-ship-of-the-season-arrives-at-lytteltons-new-cruise-berth

Enjoy your adventure on ye olde Spirit of Enderby.  I reckon it will be a full ship. Perhaps you might do a quick review for us ocean starved people? 

[lissie]

59 minutes ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

Yes and it looks lovely .Where Will you board .?

Bluff (the port of Invercargill) - its a 2 hour flight from Wellington - but probably because the plane is a wind-up toy 

[lissie]

40 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Enjoy your adventure on ye olde Spirit of Enderby.  I reckon it will be a full ship. Perhaps you might do a quick review for us ocean starved people? 

Be happy to - I  only have Cunard to compare it to though LOL 

[NSWP]

2 hours ago, lissie said:

Be happy to - I  only have Cunard to compare it to though LOL 

No high teas, no ballroom dancing, at least you won;t have to get dressed up on that ship, casual gear.

 

The Captain's welcome party will be vodka and more vodka, perhaps with a bit of ruski caviar on the side.

 

As Uncle Les always says...'Above all, enjoy !!'

Edited November 18, 2020 by NSWP

[lissie]

5 hours ago, NSWP said:

No high teas, no ballroom dancing, at least you won;t have to get dressed up on that ship, casual gear.

 

The Captain's welcome party will be vodka and more vodka, perhaps with a bit of ruski caviar on the side.

 

As Uncle Les always says...'Above all, enjoy !!'

There's a dress code though - didn't mention colour though - more like number of layers of polypro or merino and the desirability of water proof outer layers. And they provide shoes - they want my shoe size! 

[MMDown Under]

5 hours ago, lissie said:

There's a dress code though - didn't mention colour though - more like number of layers of polypro or merino and the desirability of water proof outer layers. And they provide shoes - they want my shoe size! 

Good that they provide boots.  Most useful items I took were merino neck gaitor and NZ possum merino gloves.  

[lissie]

Made the press today -  the bookings are looking good https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/431087/nz-only-cruise-ship-arrives-with-exempted-russian-crew That's impressive because its certainly not cheap 

[MMDown Under]

1 hour ago, lissie said:

Made the press today -  the bookings are looking good https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/431087/nz-only-cruise-ship-arrives-with-exempted-russian-crew That's impressive because its certainly not cheap 

Interesting comments in relation to the benefits to the tourism industry.  Do you go on the first cruise?

[lissie]

18 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

Interesting comments in relation to the benefits to the tourism industry.  Do you go on the first cruise?

Not the first cruise is next week - we are onboard 6 January - have to buy some wet weather gear before then! 

[MMDown Under]

1 hour ago, lissie said:

Not the first cruise is next week - we are onboard 6 January - have to buy some wet weather gear before then! 

I  guess the ship doesn't provide a parka for NZ cruises.  I had to buy wet weather pants for antarctica, but ship provided parka.  

[NSWP]

20 hours ago, lissie said:

Not the first cruise is next week - we are onboard 6 January - have to buy some wet weather gear before then! 

Does it rain in NZ Lissy?🥴🌧☔️ three times I have been there it was sunny.☀️

Edited November 21, 2020 by NSWP

[MMDown Under]

5 hours ago, NSWP said:

Does it rain in NZ Lissy?🥴🌧☔️ three times I have been there it was sunny.☀️

Whenever I've visited NZ, it has been a drought (NZ style).  

[lissie]

On 11/21/2020 at 1:37 PM, MMDown Under said:

I  guess the ship doesn't provide a parka for NZ cruises.  I had to buy wet weather pants for antarctica, but ship provided parka.  

Exactly - Antarctica is very cold and and dry -  southern NZ is wet and not that cold! Think northern Scotland or southern Chile!  

 

We have wet weather but more suitable for riding a motorbike than walking. Normally I walk in shorts - but that won't work so well sitting in a zodiac! 

[lissie]

6 hours ago, NSWP said:

Does it rain in NZ Lissy?🥴🌧☔️ three times I have been there it was sunny.☀️

You're the joker aren't you? We're having wind and rain at the moment in Wellington - and its supposed to be summer. Mind you  it never rains in Ireland - no rain for the 7 days we were there first trip. Actually the last time I was on Stewart Island it didn't rain for 9 days straight - while the rest of the county was drenched (it was Xmas time). Maybe my luck will follow me! 

[NSWP]

1 hour ago, lissie said:

You're the joker aren't you? We're having wind and rain at the moment in Wellington - and its supposed to be summer. Mind you  it never rains in Ireland - no rain for the 7 days we were there first trip. Actually the last time I was on Stewart Island it didn't rain for 9 days straight - while the rest of the county was drenched (it was Xmas time). Maybe my luck will follow me! 

I am the village 🤡Yes I know you have precipitation  on the odd occasion.🌂🌧🌊☂️

Edited November 22, 2020 by NSWP

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Marine traffic shows the  ship has just passed Dunedin today on her way to Bluff, the port for Invercargill.

 

 

[NSWP]

Thanks David, I hope the seas are kind, around the bluff is where we hit the 12 metre seas - Force 12 on ye olde Regal Princess in September 2007, LA-Syd. Last voyage of Regal before rebirth as Pacific Dawn. Scary.

Lot of shipwrecks in that area I believe, David, you would know better than I.

 

 

Edited November 23, 2020 by NSWP

[MMDown Under]

What wonderful publicity for this little ship, which is the only one currently operating out of NZ.  It has a captive audience of Aussies looking forward to when we can be part of NZ/Aus bubble.  

[NSWP]

Looks pretty smooth around the bluff now, like a millpond.  It is those Antarctic gales that whip up the big seas.  No land mass between south west tip of NZ and the Antarctic.

Edited November 23, 2020 by NSWP

[Kiwi Kruzer]

17 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Looks pretty smooth around the bluff now, like a millpond.  It is those Antarctic gales that whip up the big seas.  No land mass between south west tip of NZ and the Antarctic.

On a calm day it’s sheer magic.!

 

[lissie]

3 minutes ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

On a calm day it’s sheer magic.!

 

Oh I hope we get calm(ish). I get sea sick on a mill pond and have been continuously ill all the way of the Stewart Island ferry from Bluff!  I have lots of drugs but just hope it wears off after 24 hours or so!