Live from Sapphire 3-12 AUK-SYD

[mringenoldus]

We have just boarded and need to head to muster drill - the highlight of any cruise!

 

I will take more time to detail daily events later. Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer.

 

If your debating on a hotel - definitely chose the Hilton. We say quite a bit of congestion for those disembarking and embarking. The bellman simply rolled our suitcases down to the gate and we walked right up to the ship!

 

They're callingfor muster...need to go

Maureen

[kaseyoz]

glad to hear you are on board safely. hope you have fun meeting all your fellow cruisers.

i was with friends yesterday lamenting how wonderful the weather has been in sydney the last couple of days and what a wonderful start it was to some friends starting their cruise. she was amazed i didnt even know you at all. Then i realised this morning you all left from NZ.:D

 

Never mind we had a good weekend here!!!!!:D

 

One question, On the australian cruises they have a few dress up nights such as island night , country and western, do they have them on this ship?

 

enjoy, enjoy enjoy

 

karon,(getting closer to my turn!)

[aussie down under]

Hi Kaseyoz,

Yes they do have theme nights, but passengers dont dress up, only crew! Enjoy your cruise, wish it was us again,

Michele:)

[jonsey]

We have just boarded and need to head to muster drill - the highlight of any cruise!

 

I will take more time to detail daily events later. Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer.

 

If your debating on a hotel - definitely chose the Hilton. We say quite a bit of congestion for those disembarking and embarking. The bellman simply rolled our suitcases down to the gate and we walked right up to the ship!

 

They're callingfor muster...need to go

Maureen

Hi Maureen thank you very much for going to the trouble to email your travelling experiences when on holidays Its close and Geoff and I will be on sapphire syd to yvr Would you please tell us what the the weather is like and if it is Tee Shirt or wooley jumper weather esp when you travel further south.

 

Also what type of shore exc are you planning? Geoff and I wonder how long it actually takes to get on and off the ship at ports of call. Some of our shore exc depend on us getting off the ship nice and early to make the best of the day available to us.

 

Have a pleasent first night hope it is not too rough. sarah:D:D:D

[kaseyoz]

Hi Kaseyoz,

Yes they do have theme nights, but passengers dont dress up, only crew! Enjoy your cruise, wish it was us again,

Michele:)

 

 

thanks michele, wont pack the dressup clothes then:D :D

 

karon

[Coral]

Have a fabulous cruise!

 

I am pretty jealous :)

 

-Theresa

[Colo Cruiser]

Enjoy!! :)

[mii]

Have a great cruise. We were on the Sapphire in 2004 and she is a gret ship. She is a bigger ship but o.k. in my book.

 

marilyn

[mare s.]

Maureen...thanks for posting...we'll be boarding the Sapphire when you disembark in Sydney...hope the weather is good for you all the way. Leave some money in the casino for us!

[cowprintrabbit]

Hope you are having fun! Can you report if the conservatory roof is open or closed over the indoor/outdoor pool? That's one of DH andmy favorite places to hang out, but only if it's shut...

[CruisinAlaska]

Wow, Thanks for posting. I've been trying to find out if balconies are covered on the Lido deck - we'll be there in August - would love to be there NOW! Have a great time!

[cowprintrabbit]

Wow, Thanks for posting. I've been trying to find out if balconies are covered on the Lido deck - we'll be there in August - would love to be there NOW! Have a great time!

 

check out this website, he did a really good job:

http://mysite.verizon.net/res76zxu/princessbalconies/

 

Maureen:

 

I'm so glad to hear about the Hilton! That's where we picked too :-) I'm going to have to live vicariously off your posts for a while; 23 days still seems waaay too far away. Have fun!

 

I too, am anxious to hear about temperature variations along the way...

[matmar]

Hope you are having fun! Can you report if the conservatory roof is open or closed over the indoor/outdoor pool? That's one of DH andmy favorite places to hang out, but only if it's shut...

Christine, just recently off the SP, the conservatory roof over the pool was closed the whole cruise even with almost perfect weather.

 

Hope you have great trip, we did

 

Mark & Matt

[cowprintrabbit]

Christine, just recently off the SP, the conservatory roof over the pool was closed the whole cruise even with almost perfect weather.

 

Hope you have great trip, we did

 

Mark & Matt

 

Thanks! Being from Seattle we need glass between us and that bright yellow thing in the sky, it scares us :eek: :p

[JBSmomof2]

Hi! Could you tell us the pool hours?Thanks Janet

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Auckland 12 March,looking back to Hilton

 

 

Tauranga 13 March....

 

[JLC@SD]

check out this website, he did a really good job:

http://mysite.verizon.net/res76zxu/princessbalconies/

CruisinAlaska is going on the Sapphire, this web site is for the Coral and Island which are considerably different.

[cowprintrabbit]

CruisinAlaska is going on the Sapphire, this web site is for the Coral and Island which are considerably different.

Thanks, that's what happens when I try to multitask to excess.. Mea culpa!

[mringenoldus]

Since we are Platinum, boarding went fairly quickly. However, we were on tour with some first time Princess folks and they were also impressed with how smoothly things were handled. We have an aft-facing corner BB cabin. It's an amazingly private spot and quite nice. DH and I bump into each other once in a while - but no big deal. I do miss the sofa on RCCL. Our cabin steward is a smiling and pleasant young man named Rudy.

 

We headed off for the poolside grill for a bite to eat. Since hambugers are about $18NZD - I really appreciated this one. Then we headed off to play trivia. A lot of fun but didn't win - darn!

 

Then it was time for sailaway which is Garrit's favorite part of any day. It became windy and started to rain a bit - so there wasn't a typical sailaway music and poolside crowd. The weather here changes from warm and humid to cool and windy in a flash.

 

We were still very full from the burgers so we decided to skip dinner (we have personal choice dining). We headed off to the casino. It was a lot of fun as they had .25 roulette and $3 craps and blackjack. I looked over and Garrit was receiving a handpay by the casino staff - but apparently $55 on a 2 cent machine gets you that so we won't be paying off the cruise with our winnings.

 

By this time, I was a little hungry and very tired so we headed to the buffet for a quick bite. There was a great deal of ship motion and during the night we rocked and rolled during a thunderstorm.

 

Day 2

This morning, we awoke to blue skies. This is the first time we found the ability to add the tip for the room service steward on the card. I think this is much better than me fumbling for the tip in my pajamas!

 

We had arranged a tour with one of Ian's drivers to go to Rotorua and the Maori cultural center. Ian was in the lot as we disembarked and I had the chance to thank him for all the good advice he had been giving prior to being removed from the boards. We had a wonderful day with Michelle and saw a great deal of the area. We even found out that they are now producing yellow, smooth skinned kiwis that are very popular in New Zealand. Being a geologist by training, DH found the thermal geysers very interesting. Lunch at the Fat Dog Cafe was terrific - but now I'm too full for dinner again! The only disappointment was a bad turn in the weather at the end of the day which cancelled my husband's surprise WWII aircraft flight.

 

Tonight we plan to go see the comedian and try our luck in the casino again. We are really looking forward to our day at sea tomorrow to just relax.

 

Now your questions:

I believe the question about dress up nights has been answered. There are two formal nights (one is tomorrow)

 

Jonsey - as I mentioned, the weather is very unpredictable so far. When the sun is out short sleeves and capris are fine but when the clouds or wind starts a jacket is definitely needed. I was off and on with a light jacket all day. There hasn't been much rain in NZ for thepast 2 months, so I can't begrudge them the precipitation.

 

Our excursions to come are:

Christchurch - the Antarctic Centre and Flight Museum on our own with $10 all day bus pass.

Dunedin - Arthur's Tour to town, penguins, albatross and the Speight's Brewery.

Hobart - Princess tour of the Port Arthur penal colony

Melbourne- Princess tour of Healesville Sanctuary and a Melbourne Greeter tour in the afternoon.

 

Disembarkation is fast and easy as there are no tender ports.

 

Cowprintrabbit - the conservatory is also one of my favorite and the top has been closed.

 

JBSmomof2 - last night the pool water was sloshing around so much it would have been impossible to go in the pool. I think it's open until 10PM but I'll double check for you.

 

Coral - don't be jealous! As I recall you just got off a luxury ship :)

[jonsey]

Since we are Platinum, boarding went fairly quickly. However, we were on tour with some first time Princess folks and they were also impressed with how smoothly things were handled. We have an aft-facing corner BB cabin. It's an amazingly private spot and quite nice. DH and I bump into each other once in a while - but no big deal. I do miss the sofa on RCCL. Our cabin steward is a smiling and pleasant young man named Rudy.

 

We headed off for the poolside grill for a bite to eat. Since hambugers are about $18NZD - I really appreciated this one. Then we headed off to play trivia. A lot of fun but didn't win - darn!

 

Then it was time for sailaway which is Garrit's favorite part of any day. It became windy and started to rain a bit - so there wasn't a typical sailaway music and poolside crowd. The weather here changes from warm and humid to cool and windy in a flash.

 

We were still very full from the burgers so we decided to skip dinner (we have personal choice dining). We headed off to the casino. It was a lot of fun as they had .25 roulette and $3 craps and blackjack. I looked over and Garrit was receiving a handpay by the casino staff - but apparently $55 on a 2 cent machine gets you that so we won't be paying off the cruise with our winnings.

 

By this time, I was a little hungry and very tired so we headed to the buffet for a quick bite. There was a great deal of ship motion and during the night we rocked and rolled during a thunderstorm.

 

Day 2

This morning, we awoke to blue skies. This is the first time we found the ability to add the tip for the room service steward on the card. I think this is much better than me fumbling for the tip in my pajamas!

 

We had arranged a tour with one of Ian's drivers to go to Rotorua and the Maori cultural center. Ian was in the lot as we disembarked and I had the chance to thank him for all the good advice he had been giving prior to being removed from the boards. We had a wonderful day with Michelle and saw a great deal of the area. We even found out that they are now producing yellow, smooth skinned kiwis that are very popular in New Zealand. Being a geologist by training, DH found the thermal geysers very interesting. Lunch at the Fat Dog Cafe was terrific - but now I'm too full for dinner again! The only disappointment was a bad turn in the weather at the end of the day which cancelled my husband's surprise WWII aircraft flight.

 

Tonight we plan to go see the comedian and try our luck in the casino again. We are really looking forward to our day at sea tomorrow to just relax.

 

Now your questions:

I believe the question about dress up nights has been answered. There are two formal nights (one is tomorrow)

 

Jonsey - as I mentioned, the weather is very unpredictable so far. When the sun is out short sleeves and capris are fine but when the clouds or wind starts a jacket is definitely needed. I was off and on with a light jacket all day. There hasn't been much rain in NZ for thepast 2 months, so I can't begrudge them the precipitation.

 

Our excursions to come are:

Christchurch - the Antarctic Centre and Flight Museum on our own with $10 all day bus pass.

Dunedin - Arthur's Tour to town, penguins, albatross and the Speight's Brewery.

Hobart - Princess tour of the Port Arthur penal colony

Melbourne- Princess tour of Healesville Sanctuary and a Melbourne Greeter tour in the afternoon.

 

Disembarkation is fast and easy as there are no tender ports.

 

Cowprintrabbit - the conservatory is also one of my favorite and the top has been closed.

 

JBSmomof2 - last night the pool water was sloshing around so much it would have been impossible to go in the pool. I think it's open until 10PM but I'll double check for you.

 

Coral - don't be jealous! As I recall you just got off a luxury ship :)

Thanks Id better pack another suitcase with cool weather clothes just in case Happy travels sarah:o:o:o

[cowprintrabbit]

Thank you so much! I too, am off to add another sweatshirt to my suitcase.

 

DH wanted me to ask you to check out the wine list. Since you are personal choice and we have first traditional seating I'm not sure if it will be the same...

 

When you say ship motion, how does it compare to the Alaska Outside Passage? I can't help but wonder about the people that say they were tossed out of bed on this cruise...

 

Keep having fun!!!

[Strawberry]

Hello! Any one out there who has been on the Sapphire lately including the OP -- Just wondered if you are able to make anytime dining reservations for tables for two only? Do you have to call for reservations every day? Is it crowded if you eat there early or can you just walk in and be seated? Have you tried all of the anytime restaurants? Any comments or suggestions on how to handle anytime dining on this ship would be appreciated as I have seen mixed comments about the efficiency of the system only on this. Thanks!

[mringenoldus]

jonsey

My husband started th day in shorts and a polo - but just came back to put on a sweater and jans. When the clouds come over the wind is chilly. There aren't many people in the pools but there are a few in the hot tubs.

 

The wine list is pretty extensive. Do you have a favorite I could check for? The wine tating is this afternoon. Yesterday, some CCr's on our tour purchased 6 bottles in port and were allowd to bring them through security to their rooms.

 

The seas lat night were much calmer with hust a gentle rocking motion. We'll see how it goes on the Tasman Sea.

 

We are enjoying a nice quiet day at sea. Trvia was very well attended this morning. DH went to see The Queen in the Princess Theater - I did a bit of laundry, played the penny slots and went to a skin care seminar.

[cowprintrabbit]

 

The wine list is pretty extensive. Do you have a favorite I could check for? The wine tating is this afternoon.

 

I have a thing for Shiraz/Cabs and Cab/Merlots, DH has a better palate and is harder to describe... How does the wine tasting thing work? I think I heard you pay, but then you can buy at a discount? Is that for on-ship consumption or to take home?

[mringenoldus]

The wine tasting is free to Elite and suite holders. Otherwise it is $9.50 per person. They let you try 5-6 wines while giving descriptions. It's very informative. Then they give you the opportunity to purchase the featured wines at a small discount.

 

Since Shiraz is often made in Australia, you may want to check the port prices against Princess prices. I know our tour mates purchased 6 bottles at $10NZD each in Rotorua (down the street from the Fat Dog Cafe - definitely recommend this place for lunch - awesome menu!).

 

We have some rough seas this evening and the show had to be cancelled for the dancer's sake. They are going to do it tomorrow at 6:30 PM instead. Lots of lovely looking people in their formal night garb tonight. It's 10:30PM and the photo lines are still going strong.