Day 2

Day two: somewhere between Newcastle and Byron Bay.

We started our 'holiday of a lifetime', by boarding a Qantas flight to Sydney. Did we think Row 13 would be unlucky?…..somehow we ended up with a free glass of Tasmanian Sparkling to drink on the flight. The cabin stewards asked why we appeared so happy and our response to them was that we were going on a world cruise. This ensured a conversation about cruising and overseas travel and an offer to celebrate our happiness with a complimentary glass of 'bubbles'.

Upon arrival at the Sydney Cruise Terminal we were processed fairly quickly through and onto the ship. Whereas some passengers after us had a 2½ hours delay due to strong winds knocking out the relay system for the Australia Immigration Computer. Scheduled departure was 4pm but the ship didn't sail until after 6.30pm due to a delay in taking on fuel for the voyage. Hmm… the ship sailed under the Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House and through the Heads in darkness and rain. Once we hit the open waters of the Pacific the ship had a little bit of rocking and rolling till the early hours of the morning.   There were white caps on the sea when we woke but the ship was fairly stable.

We walked 3 laps of the decks first thing but decided to curtail our exercise to attend the Cruise Critic 9 am meeting. We did promise ourselves to continue again this afternoon but various activities have kept us away. Complimentary Gaming Lessons on Black Jack, 3card Poker and Roulette, Bingo playing and Veterans Get-together took a presidence over a lecture on The Haves and Have nots: Economic Inequalities in countries from Sydney to Dubai, Line Dance Class, Ceramics, Table Tennis Challenge, Beginners bridge Lesson, Secrets to a Flatter Stomach Seminar, Quiz Challenge, Lecture on Capt. Cook, Beginners Ballroom Dance Class, Golf Putting Challenge, movie 'Toy Story 3',  Arts and Crafts…and the choices go on.

I have finalised this Blog as we sail somewhere off the Sunshine Coast.