"Live from" the Majestic Princess November 7-27 with pre- and post- cruise adventures

[PescadoAmarillo]

14 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

@PescadoAmarillo, is this "your" Darko?  Not that I know the fellow, but just curious since you spoke so highly of him, I would not be surprised to know this is him with a job promotion.

@Steelers36, not that it matters to this post, but you’ve just brought back some great memories for me. Thank you!  I looked through my blog posts for these pics I knew I’d posted there. These were of Darko almost ten years ago, from those wonderful halcyon winters on the Emerald Princess in the Caribbean. 

[Lady Arwen]

3 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

@Steelers36, not that it matters to this post, but you’ve just brought back some great memories for me. Thank you!  I looked through my blog posts for these pics I knew I’d posted there. These were of Darko almost ten years ago, from those wonderful halcyon winters on the Emerald Princess in the Caribbean. 

Well, someone is looking very dashing in his tuxedo!  I love a well dressed man!

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

@Steelers36, not that it matters to this post, but you’ve just brought back some great memories for me. Thank you!  I looked through my blog posts for these pics I knew I’d posted there. These were of Darko almost ten years ago, from those wonderful halcyon winters on the Emerald Princess in the Caribbean. 

 

All G needs is a name tag and they are a matched pair of handsome guys.

[Astro Flyer]

1 hour ago, jwattle said:

And now, PE(they treated us really well)

 

 

Delightful meals, snacks and service,  plus we had the bulkhead,  so the legroom was beyond!

Thanks for your report & for sharing photos. 😊

 

Next year they’ll have a new type of PE seats on their 787 jets but didn’t know if any of their 777 jets had been retrofitted with the new version of PE seats. They state that since the fixed shell design doesn’t move (seat slides down & forward) there is no reduced legroom for the passenger seated behind. I’m hopeful they’ll be flying the 787 with new PE seats when we fly to BNE via AKL from LAX in early 2025. 🤞

 

 

Edited November 3, 2023 by Astro Flyer

[jwattle]

6 hours ago, 1emerald1 said:

Are adult drinks still complimentary?

Yes, and delicious! 

[jwattle]

the amenities on our overnight onAir NZ, PremiumEconomy: toothbrush, toothpaste, pen, earplugs, hand cream and socks (which can double as eyeshades 😀)

Edited November 4, 2023 by jwattle

[jwattle]

First day-ish in Sydney:

We traveled through the night and landed at Sydney Airport around 11:30am local time. Not bad... yet.

Let's get our luggage...easy peasy, great, right? Sure...no! Get your passport "okayed" by a machine, get your luggage and join the 10 mile march because...

Everybody familiar with the fun little orange form that you film out prior to landing? "Name" "Are you bringing over 10k?" "Any criminal past?" "Any possible medicines that we might not like" "Any foods"

Wait, slow your roll, what medications do you not like? We're a touch on the downhill side of 50, so there are a few in the bag. Thank you, we brought the original bottles and a listing from our doctor, but the checkbox bought us a new line in customs. We got sent over to first one who looked, then another, then another, etc., finally one who actually looked at our doctor's list and pointed us to a queue. When we got there, they had several of us stand in separate lanes with our luggage carts. One of the officers asked us (of course, it would be us) if we minded if he placed the "bait" on our cart as he was training his dog to expect a reward when he caught a find. Of course we didn't mind. 

So of course the dog hit on the bait the first time,  but then he paid an inordinate amount of attention after,  hoping there'd be something for another treat (we all laughed,  but... really glad I was squeaky clean😉) . For those who say don't bring your bottles or a list of your meds,  fish made a believer out of me. 

After an exhausting flight and the drama of luggage and customs,  it was a joy to see our car service waiting, and Riaz holding a sign with our name. I literally hugged him and collapsed into the car. 

He was a great guide through the beautiful city, showing us the sights on the way to our hotel,  the Radisson Blu Plaza. Soooo glad we have him for the rest of the journey!

Check in was a breeze to our business class room,  then off to a light lunch at 6Head at the Rocks, where we sat on the terrace sipping champagne and enjoying the view of the Majestic who was in port for her the day cruise prior to our embarkation. 

Mother Nature apparently thought we missed home and treated us to rain showers throughout,  so e were thankful the terrace was covered as we sipped and noshed...and sipped (hey, don't judge,  we're over 21 and on holiday,  and it's been a hard 48 hours, what with customs and flying and time travel 😀 not that we need a reason).

After that,  we came back to our room for a quick nap before supper... that turned into bedtime. See y'all in the morning!

[Astro Flyer]

The Australia Border Force strictly enforces their rules about food being brought into their country. On a flight to Sydney met another American couple who like us brought trail mix containing nuts for the flight. We declared our remaining trail mix with ABF & it was approved because the nuts were “blanched/roasted/fried/boiled nuts”. The other couple did not declare their trail mix which ABF located & they were led off to a room for further scrutiny.

 

Here’s a link to the procedure for bringing food into Australia: Bring It; Declare It; Don’t Bring It

 

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/food#

 

Edited November 4, 2023 by Astro Flyer

[azbirdmom]

4 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

The Australia Border Force strictly enforces their rules about food being brought into their country. On a flight to Sydney met another American couple who like us brought trail mix containing nuts for the flight. We declared it with ABF & it was approved because the nuts were “blanched/roasted/fried/boiled nuts”. The other couple did not declare their trail mix which ABF located & they were led off to a room for further scrutiny.

 

Here’s a link to the procedure for bringing food into Australia: Bring It; Declare It; Don’t Bring it

 

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/food#

 

They are also strict about wooden items brought into Australia.  When we came back from our Fiji cruise we had to declare some carvings we bought.  Our's were purchased from Jack's and had stickers on them so we were waved on.  Others weren't as fortunate and bought them from local vendors.  They were confiscated.  We also knew to put them in our carry-on luggage, can't remember if Princess told us beforehand or if it was something that I picked up while preparing for our trip.

[Astro Flyer]

6 hours ago, jwattle said:

For those who say don't bring your bottles or a list of your meds,  fish made a believer out of me. 

Thanks…a great reminder to easily clear ABF inspection. 👍

[c-boy]

Today's weather, light cloud cover with an occasional break, clam winds, temprature 22* . Good climate to meet the rellies in.🤞

[c-boy]

I was lied to !  My weather app. Is still working back home while we're on the other side of the planet. 

[jwattle]

So, more on the lodging, for those who are curious:

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney, Business Class Room is a short jaunt (aka cab or car service) from Darling Harbour and the OPT (Overseas Passenger Terminal) in the CBD  (Central Business District, not Canabinoid for my California contingent, myself included, who may get confused). Our room is literally right next to the Business Lounge which provides a tasty brekkie each morning, noshes all day and cocktails each evening with "snacks" which could double as a light supper. They also have the Lady Fairfax for heartier food at a buffet, with cook to order omelettes and a tremendous buffet, french press coffee and very nice service with small-jar condiments, to include Australian honey, dijon mustard, etc.

Our room includes pillow spray, personal slippers (okay, is there any other kind? ewww!), robes, completely stocked mini bar with liquors, nuts, 375l of wine, glasses, nuts, sewing kits, shower caps, iron, torch, emery board, q tips, facial pads, shoe polish kit, and many more. 

I really have to give this room and hotel highest marks. 

@c-boy has a picture of the car that our service uses. I had some trepidation over using a service again after a negative experience with Opoli in Southern California (the limo was called off the night before due to "overbooking, and we're so sorry; we'll take $20 off your $130 bill, and send a minivan instead"); they sent a minivan instead of Escalade to pick up at the airport, with no explanation. 

This experience was total opposite; the driver texted his information a week ahead, another text was waiting when we landed at New Zealand, asking me to turn my phone on when we landed and apprise him of our status as we cleared baggage and customs. AMAZING!

So...going great, and so relaxed!! Loving Sydney, the people, the mix of architecture, the beautiful purple jackaranda trees everywhere. 

Ta for now!

[jwattle]

Preview of coming attractions: tonight we're going to supper at 6Head The Rocks. Stay tuned for food porn! 😋 

[Lady Arwen]

14 hours ago, jwattle said:

So, more on the lodging, for those who are curious:

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney, Business Class Room is a short jaunt (aka cab or car service) from Darling Harbour and the OPT (Overseas Passenger Terminal) in the CBD  (Central Business District, not Canabinoid for my California contingent, myself included, who may get confused). Our room is literally right next to the Business Lounge which provides a tasty brekkie each morning, noshes all day and cocktails each evening with "snacks" which could double as a light supper. They also have the Lady Fairfax for heartier food at a buffet, with cook to order omelettes and a tremendous buffet, french press coffee and very nice service with small-jar condiments, to include Australian honey, dijon mustard, etc.

Our room includes pillow spray, personal slippers (okay, is there any other kind? ewww!), robes, completely stocked mini bar with liquors, nuts, 375l of wine, glasses, nuts, sewing kits, shower caps, iron, torch, emery board, q tips, facial pads, shoe polish kit, and many more. 

I really have to give this room and hotel highest marks. 

@c-boy has a picture of the car that our service uses. I had some trepidation over using a service again after a negative experience with Opoli in Southern California (the limo was called off the night before due to "overbooking, and we're so sorry; we'll take $20 off your $130 bill, and send a minivan instead"); they sent a minivan instead of Escalade to pick up at the airport, with no explanation. 

This experience was total opposite; the driver texted his information a week ahead, another text was waiting when we landed at New Zealand, asking me to turn my phone on when we landed and apprise him of our status as we cleared baggage and customs. AMAZING!

So...going great, and so relaxed!! Loving Sydney, the people, the mix of architecture, the beautiful purple jackaranda trees everywhere. 

Ta for now!

I see you also got the Premier Package at your hotel!  lol. Sounds awesome.  Looking so forward to each day’s instalment.  Thanks to both of you for taking us along.  Cheers!

[jwattle]

Last night we went to 6Head at The Rocks for supper; it did not disappoint.  To order drinks,  they give you an iPad,  and you scroll through,  touching what you want,  and "save". Caution: ordering a glass of Port,  etc., they assume one for each of you 😀 

Here is my version of photos or it didn't happen: Drinks, caviar, steaks and salad (they offer wagyu beef like it's growing on bushes), and dessert with port

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[charliedalrymple]

23 hours ago, jwattle said:

a tasty brekkie each morning,

 

Look at you, speaking like an Aussie already!  😄

[Lady Arwen]

1 hour ago, jwattle said:

Last night we went to 6Head at The Rocks for supper; it did not disappoint.  To order drinks,  they give you an iPad,  and you scroll through,  touching what you want,  and "save". Caution: ordering a glass of Port,  etc., they assume one for each of you 😀 

Here is my version of photos or it didn't happen: Drinks, caviar, steaks and salad (they offer wagyu beef like it's growing on bushes), and dessert with port

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your photos are gorgeous!  What a professional job, guys.  My mouth is watering just looking at them.  The adult beverages look quite inviting, too. lol  Cannot wait til you board Majestic……we have to wait til 2025….darn!

 

[Host CJSKIDS]

@jwattle @c-boy Happy Anniversary! 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

[jwattle]

We went on a wee walkabout this morning,  as we needed to find a chemist and bottle shop for "essentials". Those who know us well will translate bottle shop essentials into fruit of the vine...along the way we went through a park where we paid tribute to @Ken the cruiser by getting pictures of an Ibis, a Rogue pigeon, and the Stealthy Sydney Steel Sea Turtle. Notice how still the turtle is? Almost like a statue! 😆 

 

 

[jwattle]

After that we made our way to the beautiful St. Mary's Cathedral. I didn't get many pictures,  but what I did get was a gift...a moment of peace and closeness with my Dad who we lost 2 1/2 years ago. This Cathedral was that kind of place... you could just feel it. 

 

 

 

[c-boy]

ya Ken. Jo and were thinking of you and took a photo of this poor guy who was recovering from adventures he had the night before 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, c-boy said:

ya Ken. Jo and were thinking of you and took a photo of this poor guy who was recovering from adventures he had the night before 😁

I love it! They do have some cool wildlife down under that’s for sure! 😂

[c-boy]

29 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I love it! They do have some cool wildlife down under that’s for sure! 😂

yes,  we met some yesterday.

[PescadoAmarillo]

2 hours ago, c-boy said:

ya Ken. Jo and were thinking of you and took a photo of this poor guy who was recovering from adventures he had the night before 😁

On our 2006 Australia trip, we stayed down in The Rocks area for a week pre-cruise. While police certainly had the area cleared of any drunk people by the next morning, we got used to seeing drunk seagulls stumbling about.