South Pacific Cruise

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Trip start
January 4, 2019
South Pacific Cruise The Shifting Spanners
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Day 1
Friday, January 4, 2019 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 4 m
Australia Boggy Creek -27.39409, 153.1273227°23’39” S 153°7’38” E
Day 1 - Brisbane
January 4, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
We stayed overnight at a motel opposite the Cruise Terminal, and they gave a complimentary lift to the dock this morning.

Embarkation was very smooth, and we were onboard and sitting down for lunch at Waterfront restaurant by noon. Beautiful 3 course meal with wine all inclusive...we will return many times to this one I'm sure.

Had a bit of a walk around the ship, booked dinner at the specialty restaurants for the first three nights, and then settled in to the adults only Oasis Pool deck at the stern. Met a few people including a couple from Ingham who knew Tony Panzenbock.

Had dinner tonight at Angelos Italian Restaurant...very swish then caught the show at the Marquee. Had a few more drinks at various bars around the ship before retreating to bed as Marg was a bit seasick.Read more
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Day 2
Saturday, January 5, 2019 UTC
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Coral Sea -24.92612, 161.7663324°55’34” S 161°45’59” E
Day 2 - Sea day to New Caledonia
January 5, 2019, Coral Sea ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Marg woke up feeling a lot better today, so we had breakfast at The Pantry, took our seasickness tablets, and continued exploring the ship. Quite rough seas today...38 knots and 4 metre swells, but we both feel ok. It's amazing how much calmer it is in our cabin on the lowest 4th floor in the middle of the ship...there's a lot more movement on the 12th floor front of the ship!

We booked some shore tours for Mare and Lifou Islands, then caught the Bollywood dancing at the Oasis Pool deck.

Had dinner at Dragon Lady (Asian) restaurant before heading to the 7pm show. Marg still not feeling great, but we persevered on to a piano bar for a couple of hours before catching the 10pm adults only comedy show.

Looking forward to getting off the ship tomorrow at Noumea...Read more
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Day 4
Monday, January 7, 2019
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 85 m
New Caledonia Nénigèce -21.5519, 167.9084821°33’7” S 167°54’31” E
Day 4 - Mare
January 7, 2019 in New Caledonia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Travelled overnight from Noumea and woke up at Mare Island. Had to negotiate a gangplank to board a lifeboat (Tender) which then took us to shore. We then caught a shuttle bus to Yejele Beach where we snorkled on the reef. Marg bought a sarong from the locals on the way back.

We went back to the ship for lunch, cocktails and a spa before having a nap in the arvo...this cruiselife is really catching up with us!

Had more cocktails at the Dome (Deck 12 front of ship) watching as the Captain raised the anchor and set off for our overnight destination of Lifou.

Had dinner at the Waterfront restaurant at 8pm before catching the 9pm show which was great.Read more
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Day 5
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 49 m
New Caledonia Hapétra -20.94261, 167.1949120°56’33” S 167°11’42” E
Day 5 - Lifou
January 8, 2019 in New Caledonia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Woke up at Lifou Island to the news that, due to high winds, only 1 tender at a time could dock safely. That meant it took a couple of hours for everyone to disembark the ship.

We chose a cultural type tour here which took us to a 19th century church, a High Chief's Hut, and also to a traditional Hangi where we tasted a chicken meal and a coconut water.

Didn't swim or snorkel here, so went back to the ship for a late lunch, followed by some cocktails and an afternoon nap.

We did more cocktails at the Dome as we departed Lufou and started our journey back to Brisbane.Read more
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Day 6
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 UTC
🌙 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Coral Sea -21.7699, 160.5305621°46’12” S 160°31’50” E
Day 6 - Sea day
January 9, 2019, Coral Sea ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
Sea day today on our journey back to Brisbane. Slept in till 9am, had our usual breakfast before heading to the cooking display given by the Head Chef. Marg was called up on stage to taste and endorse the creme caramel which was beautiful. We then got a tour of the ship's galley...very interesting to see how they cook for such large numbers.

We've taken a liking to Midori Splices, and Toblerone cocktails, so we've already had about 5 of these by early afternoon as we head to the dome for Gatsby dance classes. Pretty hard to do this whilst the ship is lurching around but we made it.

Got dressed up in our Gatsby regalia for the black tie event and thankfully we remembered most of what we learned earlier in the day.Read more
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Day 7
Thursday, January 10, 2019
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Coral Sea -25.27757, 157.4781525°16’39” S 157°28’41” E
Day 7 - Sea day
January 10, 2019, Coral Sea ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Had a big sleep in till 10am then headed for a quick brekky. Lazed around various parts of the ship with a few cocktails and had a relaxing day.

We caught the Farewell Show at 7pm, had dinner on the deck then went to the Farewell Party on the Lido deck. This was fantastic as every musician on board the ship took turns in playing, as well as various crew members who got up to sing. Amazing how talented some of these people are!

We have to be out of our room by 0630 tomorrow so went to bed about 11pm.

We've really enjoyed our 1st cruise and have already started planning our next one.Read more
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Trip end
January 11, 2019

Day 1 - Brisbane

Day 2 - Sea day to New Caledonia

Day 4 - Mare

Day 5 - Lifou

Day 6 - Sea day

Day 7 - Sea day