Brisbane Friday 28th April 2023

We decided not to disembark the ship but stayed on board to enjoy the amenities. Princess offered a $39 odd shuttle service into Brisbane. As we had already enjoyed this service on a previous cruise and Paul was happy to stay on board, we saved $80 to put our wine bill. 

I am appalled to see the new Overseas Passenger Terminal is alongside the effluent treatment works of Brisbane! What! the first impression for our overseas passengers was the steam wafting off the black paddocks of the sewerage farms alongside the brand new building. I am not sure if it is noticeable from ground level but from the deck of the ship, yes most certainly. What a shame. But then maybe with the hype and rush of getting off the ship to go on a tour, most people could miss it. 

Brisbane River with Gateway Bridge in background.

View of the city of Brisbane from our balcony with Brisbane River and sewerage pipes crossing to the treatment works in foreground.

Map of Brisbane River and location of Overseas Cruise Terminal.

Micat- The Morton Island car ferry.

Sea day, Thursday, 27th April 2023.

We experienced considerable 'movement' of the ship and rain. I couldn't resist taking these photos of the pool water in the inside Lotus Pool. There were nets over the pool to deter passengers using the pool.

The decking around the pool was very wet and the worse thing was we had to walk very carefully to have our soft-cone from the 'swirls' ice-creamery!

 

Willis Island

Wednesday 26th April, 2023

Blink and you may miss it! Our sail past Willis Island occurred between 9.15am -9.45am, a whole 30 minutes! We had a special broadcast from an Australian Meteorologist  who was living on the island. He mentioned he had been there since late last year with 3 other meteorologists taking data on temperature, wind, sea and tidal statistics in the Coral Sea for around 6 months. One of the jobs was maintaining the equipment involved cleaning off the build-up of seabird guano (I goggled guano to find it is eggshell, excrement and carcasses).  He explained staff provided wildlife sightings and behavior for scientists studying these animals. Willis Island is a nesting ground for green turtles. He described his living conditions, amenities for entertainment and hobbies and the lack of fresh food, giving cause to a lot of work preserving and repacking the fresh fruit and vege. they bring onto the island. 

Close-up of the island

A little further out from the island.

Willis Island, its pristine reef circling the island and lagoon. 

Map of the ship's sail-past and distance from Cairns. It was shortly after our sail-past that the ship was in international waters. 

Map just after we sailed past. I don't know what the other land/reef was just south of the island. 

Cairns Tuesday, 25th April 2023

Arrival into Cairns occurred whilst we attended the Dawn Service, so when we left the theatre the ship was docked at the passenger terminal. I used this time to disembark and walk to the nearest letter box, which I was informed by the Information Volunteers offering their services in the terminal, the closest happened to be the main post office in Cairns. It was almost eerie walking through the streets as being Anzac Day it was a public holiday and most people were attending the Dawn Service or still in bed, enjoying the opportunity to sleep in. Letters posted, I returned to the ship to see more movement as passengers were joining their tour buses or being picked up by private cars. 

The weather forecast for our time in Cairns was showers and temperatures ranging between 28C-30C. Just perfect for a walk in the rain! Paul and I decided to explore the marina precinct of Cairns which offered a good pathway spaced with artworks from the terminal to the restaurants and bars lining the marina. We stopped at one of the last restaurants, Salt House, which overlooked the entrance to the river to enjoy a pizza and wine. (the wine was a least half the price of what Princess was charging on board!).

Map showing the marina and esplanade of Cairns.

Photo of our balcony on Portside of the ship.

Close-up of our balcony.

 View of Cairns from our balcony.

A collection of three boats moored alongside each other to form the Pawn Star Seafood Restaurant. When we walked past there were several patrons using the facilities but I can imagine it could get quite busy on weekends and in the 'dry season' when Cairns is in the peak tourist season. 

Salt House restaurant with the view of Coral Princess through the window.

Thursday, 25th April 2023 ANZAC DAY 

The 6am Dawn Service for Anzac Day was re-scheduled from the Lido Deck to the Princess Theatre due to inclement weather. Thank goodness! I am sure Paul would not have been able to stand during the 3/4 hour service! And to be frank, I doubt I would have either!. When entering the theatre there was a lovely gesture by Princess of fresh rosemary (for remembrance) and a pin to secure it to our clothing. A lovely service conducted by veterans and the Cruise Director, Karen. Anzac Requiem, poems 'for the fallen', 'in Flanders Fields', 'Please wear a poppy' and 'Who are these Men' read by veteran passengers, with 'The Ode' read before The Last Post, minute silence and Reveille sounded by the ship's trumpeter, then the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems lead by vocalist Lisa Woodbrook. 

Princess Cruises did themselves proud to support Anzac Day. 

All day long we could find platers of Anzac Biscuits scattered through the dining areas and atrium. There was also a cake to commemorate Anzac Day on display in the atrium. 

Sitting in the Theatre for the service. 

Cake on display in atrium

One of many platters of Anzac Biscuits scattered around the dining areas. 

24th April 2023

The ship left Darwin, N.T. on Friday, 21st April in the calm waters of Beagle Bay and into Timor Sea, sailing past Tiwi Island on our starboard side. We sailed east for three days passing the northern coastline of N.T. and across the Gulf of Carpenteria through the Arafura Sea before  rounding to most northern tip of Australia, Cape York. We experienced wet conditions and reasonable seas. The usual events for me (ukulele, arts and crafts, Grapevine wine tasting, trivia and enrichment: space rocks with Astronomer Matt Wedel or a ship's pilot to talk on his work navigating ships through the Great Barrier Reef) kept me busy apart from my morning walk and if possible a swim in the heated pool. 

The ship's course past Thursday Island, between the Great Barrier Reef. As we sailed, we could see the mainland clearly.

Darwin Friday 21st April 2023

We woke to realise the ship had already docked, gangways were in place and open to disembark. I stepped out onto our balcony to view several small 'tinnies' traversing the calm waters of the bay alternated by the occasional fishing vessel making its way out or into the bay. 

We decided to explore the newish waterfront area, just a small walk from the cruise terminal. The walkway which leads us from the dock to the shops and bars, alongside the shore/bay area is covered to protect walkers from the sun and rain. First thing was a coffee. I found the cappuccinos on board the ship to be woeful and was eager to drink something better. I was not disappointed.  A lovely couple of hours wandering around the precinct were had before heading back to the ship to sit on our balcony to witness our sail away from Darwin. 

Pilot escorting the ship out of Darwin

Walkway alongside the waterpark with interesting shops and various themed cafes and bars. 

Tidal swimming pool at the waterfront.

Plastic swimming tubes and umbrellas available for swimmers

Sandy beaches patrolled by life savers

Paul using his fold-up wheelchair as we visit the Waterfront in Darwin

Inflatable water play area at the waterfront.

 

Partial Eclipse of the Sun Thursday April. 20, 2023

Syzygy:- 3 celestial bodies in Alignment. 

The Coral Princess left Kuri Bay yesterday travelling north/northeast towards our next port, Darwin. We were fortunate to witness the partial 90%  eclipse of the sun. The moon started to cover the sun at around 11.40am ship's time (GMT+9). Maximum eclipse was about 1.15pm and ended around 2.50pm. We had Astronomer, Matt Wedel up on deck 12 narrating parts of the eclipse and demonstrating pinhole projection.

Passengers were given special Total Eclipse paper glasses to wear and were encouraged to use them to view the sun as it was eclipsed by the moon. 

The protectory of the eclipse.

Where the ship was positioned during the event

Passengers using their glasses to view the sun on the Lido deck, alongside the outdoor pool.

Kuri Bay, Western Australia Wednesday, 19th April 2023

Access to Kuri Bay is strictly controlled by the local authorities to protect the natural environment and indigenous peoples. Only passengers booked on the authorized shore tours were permitted to go ashore by water shuttle. Kuri Bay is one of the hottest places in Australia and experiences extreme daytime temperatures of 32C upwards. There are no bathroom facilities ashore. We decided not to book the hour and half walking tour of the Paspaley Pearl Farm and as a consequence we enjoyed the scenic views from the ship and the pools on board. 

View from the ship of Kuri Bay Pearl Farm

Close-up view showing the escapements 

View looking aft from our balcony

View from inside our cabin

 Kimberley Coast Scenic Cruising Tuesday, 18th April 2023

Map of ship entering Prince Frederick Sound.

Prince Frederick Harbour lies at the southern end of the York Sound in the Kimberley Region. One of the most scenic inlets of the coast. There are a number of islands lying in the harbour, Boongaree Island being the one of the larger. The islands are lined with mangoes and monsoon rainforests, set against a backdrop of ochre-hued escarpments. Extreme tides dominate this pristine marine environment. 

Sparkling waters of the sound with numerous islands in background. 

Escarpments veiled in smoke from fires created from lightning strikes from Cyclone IIsa. 

Beautiful hues from setting sun as we sail out of the sound. 

Sun setting over the many islands as we sail west, from this remote marine park. 

Broome part 2

Tidy streets with many sheltered sitting areas in Chinatown.

Bronze sculpture of A.S. 'Sam' Male, a driving force in the revival of the pearling industry during the 20th Century. He had a significant civil contribution to Broome.

Wooden sculpture of a small boat, diving helmet and equipment located in one of the streets in Chinatown. 

Collection of movie projectors at Sun Pictures

Indoor (under shelter) and outdoor seating at Sun Pictures.

Need to use protection when attending the outdoor movies.

Facade of Sun Pictures, the outdoor picture gardens. The world's oldest operating picture gardens. 

Enjoying the view of dusk over Roebuck Bay on our balcony

Gorgeous hues of dusk over Roebuck Bay.

We are sailing into the sunset as we depart Broome and Roebuck Bay.