Embarkation Day - Golden Princess Melbourne

Our boarding time was 12.30pm, so we had the hotel concierge book a Maxi Taxi for us.   The taxi arrived early, which in hindsight was a blessing.

Off to Station Pier to board the Golden Princess.   What we didn't know was how long this would take!!!   We got close to the wharf and encountered a horrendous traffic jam - cars and taxis trying to get onto the wharf.    We had an agonizing 30 - 40 minutes queuing on the wharf to drop the luggage and get out - a real shambles that Princess and Port Of Melbourne needs to sort out and sort out fast.   My personal feeling - no private cars should be allowed access and perhaps there should he an off site luggage drop and shuttles buses to get passengers to the wharf.

Once unloaded the bags were whisked away and we went upstairs by lift to start the embarkation procedure.     We were shown to the Wheelchair Embarkation area, which really could have been organised a little better.  We just 'pushed in' and completing the process was actually quite quick.

With Cruise Card in had we headed to go through Immigration and scanning.  Happened quite quickly and we declared our wine. As we went to board our timing was perfect - managed to get around the photographers and board without having that pesky boarding photo!

We were on board at 1.45pm - 1.45 hours from the time we left the hotel and actually had our feet onboard - terrible.  And we missed having lunch in the main dining room - dam!

As we had missing the MDR lunch we decided it was better if we went straight to our Cabin E716 and leave our hand luggage and see what was what.   We met our cabin steward - Eugene a very polite young chap.  (Forgot to get a photo)   Amazingly our bags had already started to arrive so we unpacked what we could.   And took photos of the cabin.



Entry - wardrobes to the right, desk on the left and bathroom.



Lounge area - TV opposite two tubs chairs, second TV above drawers (6) on the left.



Bedroom area - drawers on each side huge



Lounge view - more storage including cooler (fridge)



Accessible bathroom

On Sea Day 3 we asked our wonderful cabin steward to change the disabled toilet seat for a standard seat as it was proving too difficult.   He did this very professionally staying up to 9pm to ensure the Maintenance Engineer had completed to our satisfaction.   Well done.

Our thoughts on cabin/stateroom:
Very large - 310 sqft

Inside, so no window of course

Good bathroom - standard Princess accessible bathroom although the seat was rather small.
No noise from Vista Lounge at all

But noise and vibration when thrusters in use on arrival and departing a port (most of the aft of the ship would feel and hear the thrusters, so not a deal breaker.

Comfortable, but we did miss the balcony!

One down side is accessible the common areas of the ship when reliant on a wheelchair. You need to to down to deck 7 for access to the mid located dining rooms on 5 and 6.   Also the elevators banks aft were a little tricky - to outside two elevators covered 6-17 but the inside only 7-14!

Flight to Melbourne and Vibe Savoy Hotel Melbourne

Officially on holiday as we need to get up early - what's that about!!!!

Up at 5am to be at the airport for 6am with plenty of time for our 8.30am flight.   I like to have plenty of time especially as we are travelling for the first time with my LevoC3 power-chair and in a large box a portable shower commode.

We always park at Auckland International Airport Parking and this time when I booked only covered parking was available which was that much more expensive. Parked in Car park D which is a 2 minute walk to the terminal. (Had a map inserted but things keep changing at the airport so may not be up to date - Aug 2016)


Arrived early so had to wait until 6am when our parking time started!   Access is by inserting the credit card you paid with - easy.     Found a park at the end of a row under a light.

Check in was easy as we had Premium Check-in.   No problems with the large box.   Took our two carry-ons with us to the plane.

Our carrier of choice is Air New Zealand and we were booked on a 777-300 and upgraded to Premium Economy.




Wow - great seats!  We are totally converted to this class as it was so much easier for me to lifted in and out of the seat.   Heaps of room, great service and very nice food.



Plus:
The vast selection of activities on the inflight entertainment will keep even the most fidgety of flyers engaged for the whole flight. Enjoy over 1,700 hours of content - including latest movies, TV box sets, video games, and a dedicated kids section - all on a 10.6” personal touch screen in widescreen format. If you need more, there are always the USB and iPod connections to plug in to


Our flight over was fast and we were told there was a window of 15 minutes for our arrival on the new flight time.    Alas that did not work as we arrived early then had to wait on the 'apron' until our gate became available - 1/2 hour.     Due to the wheel chair passengers (me and others) we could not be disembarked on the tarmac which could have been an option.

Only disappointment was how long we had to wait for my power chair to arrive at the plane - think we waited another 1/2 hour.

Finally we were off and able to get through Immigration - airport helper insisted we use the fast track system, but for some reason it would not let me.  Pete went through and I was taken to the front of the queue to be processed.   Off to get the luggage - all relatively easy.  

I declared 'nuts' on the Agriculture form as we had taken Whittakers Chocolates with us.  Good move as we were sent to the red line which was completely empty and we got straight through!    Actually the Officer was annoyed with me.....    Tough worked for us!

We had been told there was no need to order a wheelchair accessible taxi, so we found the taxi area and the taxi rep ordered up a maxi taxi.    Didn't have to wait long at all.

Ride to to Vibe Savoy Hotel, on corner of Spencer Street and Little Collins cost around $66.00.  So we were glad it was a Sunday and not a week day.    The recommendation came from:
http://havewheelchairwilltravel.net/category/melbourne/




We had an Easy Access Room - not strictly fully accessible but did work for us.  Huge room although bathroom a little small, but no issue when using the shower commode.




Room overlooked the Atrium - bonus being no road or other noise!



Entry to bathroom




Shower stall - portable shower commode fitted.

Across Spencer Street there is an Outlet Store Centre, Foodcourt and Coles Supermarket.   Got our wine and water for the ship from Coles.    Pete had a neck and shoulder massage at one of the shops in the Outlet Centre.

On arrival in Melbourne it was a hot 35 degrees.   We walked into Coles it was that temperature and when we walked out 20 minutes later the temperature had dropped 10 degrees and was really windy.   By 6pm it was raining sideways.

We stayed in the hotel for drinks and dinner and were joined by our brother-in-laws cousins for dinner.   A jolly night was had by all!

Counting down to cruise day

Well summer had finally arrived in Auckland with a sunny day and 26 degrees - straight from a miserable week, with 18-21 days and wind!

Must be a sign that our cruise is fast approaching.   The Golden Princess is in town today, but not sure we will get down to see her.    The third time she has been here and we have still not seem her!

Cruisecritic Roll Call is quiet and uneventful which is a pity.   Not a deal breaker though.

Speaking of deals - how is this for a MoveOver Offer:

5601 - FREE MOVEOVER OFFER

Princess is extending a special offer to guests booked on the 21 December 2015 Golden Princess sailing.  Move to any voyage up to 15 nights worldwide and receive:  * 100% of cruise fare back (as refundable onboard credit)  * Free cruise up to 15 nights * Free cabin upgrade (pending availability)  * Air change fees covered up to $150 per person (Princess Air protected)  Suggested voyages include: * 13 night New Zealand sailing roundtrip Melbourne- 11 February 2016  * 14 night New Caledonia & Vanuatu sailing roundtrip Melbourne- 8 March 2016  * Any cruise worldwide that is 15 nights or less  This offer is only available by calling 13 24 88 Customer Solutions but please act quickly as this offer will be accepted on a first come,  first served basis.  Needless to say we did not accept as we have non-refundable air tickets Auckland to Melbourne, besides who would give up a Christmas New Year cruise.   We are in desperate need of a holiday! Final shopping today - new shoes for DH, and a few tee-shirts for me (boring)

We have done it again

---

Watched the Celebrity Solstice back into Princes Wharf yesterday morning in Auckland, then had a coffee while we waited for her to be tied up and the disembarkation process start. I know, wrong ship, but good to get us excited about cruising all in 9 weeks 

We were down there to meet a couple and their son who we cruised with on the Celebrity Century 2011.

Anyway while having our coffee we put a hold on the 2016 Christmas New Year Golden Princess cruise - 13 nights Auckland Auckland in the same cabin  
Not many Auckland return cabins as the main cruise is Melbourne Melbourne!

We had a great catch up with Rosemary, Robert and Scott despite the grey cold day.  We went up to Mangawhai for a late lunch and visited Sarah C 

http://www.sarahcdesign.co.nz/

Final Payment

Final payment date was 7 October, 75 days from sailing.

Boarding passes and Luggage labels now available....

So it is happening!

92 days until we depart

Time is passing rather slowly to say the least!!!

I have update my original post regarding the up coming cruise to include cabin location and details for comparison purposes.

We have changed Cabins:

Stateroom Number: E716
Type: Interior

Category: IE
Location: Aft
Deck: 8 (Emerald)
Bath Type: Shower
Connecting Room: N/A
Total Size: 310 sq. ft.

Special Notes:
WHEELCHR ACCESSIBLE

This cabin is considerably larger than C252 we had originally booked and only a few square feet smaller than the Accessible Window Suite.   So we get nearly a suite without the perks and expense.   Bonus is it is handy to the MDR from breakfast and lunch - down 2 decks, and 5 decks to Lido Deck for the Horizon Buffet.   No traipsing the full length of Lido deck for breakfast.    That is something I dislike on the Diamond Princess, especially having to past through the smoking area.      Downside is we are above the Vista Lounge, so fingers crossed the evening events noise does not disturb us.  And we won't be far from the self service laundry.

Cabin is the purple interior on the left.

Our Roll Call on www.cruisecritic.com is extremely quiet, as most have done NZ before and Christmas/New Year.   Most are looking at the ship being a destination, as we are.

Portable Shower Commode

Managed to find a well priced ($NZD375.00) portable shower commode from Independent Living Services -http://www.ilsnz.org/

Will be perfect for travelling as it breaks down.   We won't need the foot plates or the potty or seat cover, so that will save some space and weight.

This a website showing the product  aidapt  

http://www.aidapt.co.uk/homepage.aspx?com=product&productid=1089&pg=1012&tl=1008 

Finally off on another cruise - Golden Princess Christmas - New Year 2015!

Finally after a four year drought we are off cruising again.  This time on the Golden Princess departing Melbourne 21 December 2015, 13 nights to New Zealand and back to Melbourne.

Day	Port / Date	Arrive	Depart
1	Melbourne, Australia  Monday, December 21		4:00 PM
2	At Sea  Tuesday, December 22
3	At Sea  Wednesday, December 23
4	At Sea  Thursday, December 24
5	Auckland, New Zealand  Friday, December 25 Christmas day at home	10:00 AM	8:00 PM
6	Tauranga, New Zealand  Saturday, December 26	5:00 AM	4:00 PM
7	Gisborne, New Zealand  Sunday, December 27 tender port unfortunately	8:00 AM	4:00 PM
8	Wellington, New Zealand  Monday, December 28	8:00 AM	6:00 PM
9	Akaroa, New Zealand  Tuesday, December 29	7:00 AM	5:00 PM
10	Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand  Wednesday, December 30	7:00 AM	5:00 PM
11	Fiordland National Park, New Zealand  Thursday, December 31	7:00 AM	5:00 PM
12	At Sea  Friday, January 1
13	At Sea  Saturday, January 2
14	Melbourne, Australia  Sunday, January 3	7:00 AM

As you can see we will be home in Auckland for Christmas Day - a real bonus

We will fly over the day before on Air New Zealand on the new 777-300 configuration and we have treated ourselves to the new Premium Economy Spaceseats!

We have booked to stay at Vibe Savoy Hotel 
https://www.tfehotels.com/brands/vibe-hotels/vibe-savoy-hotel-melbourne 
which was recommended by 

http://havewheelchairwilltravel.net/accessible-accommodation-and-transfers-melbourne/#prettyPhoto

And for getting from the Aiport to the Hotel we will use Skybus as the City Terminal is virtually across the road from the hotel.
https://www.skybus.com.au/skybus-express-service/mobility-access/

We have booked an Accessible Inside Cabin on Caribe - C252 - a mid-forward cabin (behind the stairs), close to the elevator and the self service laundry.

Stateroom Number: C252
Type: Interior

Category: IB
Location: Mid-Forward
Deck: 10 (Caribe)
Bath Type: Shower
Connecting Room: N/A
Total Size: 237 sq. ft.

Special Notes:
WHEELCHR ACCESSIBLE

Booked a car park at Auckland Airport - covered close to the terminal for a reasonable price, meaning we only have a 2 minute walk to the international terminal for a quick arrival and departure.