New Years Day - Akaroa

Our planned sleep in was disturbed by the constant PA in the corridor for people tendering ashore, so eventually at 8.45am we conceded defeat and decided to get up.

One thing we really liked about Celebrity is the lack of announcements.   The only annoucements were the Captains at midday each day, and those advising restrictions when going ashore.   As we had a huge number of spanish speakers aboard all announcements were made twice.  Tender ports meant extra PA annoucements due to the tendering process, but these generally only lasted a couple of hours.

I tried to stand, but found my feet slipping on the carpet as they still had oil on the soles from the massage!!   Hmm - what to do - grab a towel and use that to stand on to create some friction.

The shower was wonderful!   My back was still giving me a bit of jip, but once I got moving and had a nice long shower the twinge subsided.

The ‘Celebrity Today’ had showers on the weather forecast, but upon opening the curtains a beautiful sunny day with only a few wisps of clouds was revealed.  The forecast was wrong yet again.

Again we only just made it to the Buffet in time! We had missed breakfast in the MDR completely!.

We are not going to go ashore by tender as we think it would be too hard.    Just not worth the hassle.   They are using four tenders to go back and forth.

After breakfast it was a good time to have a walk right around the ship and for Pete to take more photos of venues and of Akaroa of course.

It is a spectacular day, hardly a breathe of wind.   It was lovely walking around the decks in the sun - just soaking up the ‘ray’s’.   The ship was being constantly circled by speed boats, yachts, and jet skis with waving passengers.

 Obviously some passengers and crew had too much lunch ashore!

Time for a coffee fix in Cova at 2pm.   It is deserted except for two staff, who both just about fell over each other to serve us!     My latte was lovely and hot.   Pete had his coffee and went back out on the Promenade to watch the tenders.   I kept blogging - seems to take an hour or so each day.   One of the waitresses bought me nice iced water - tap water, so having to buy water is a big myth.   In our cabin the water jug and ice is topped twice a day at least, so there is actually no need to bring or buy water.   The two 1.5l bottles we bought on board and still in the fridge unopened.

It is interesting talking to people - there are a few who are finding fault and complaining about the smallest of things which astounds me. (Including Ccer’s)  The main complaints are the coffee in the Buffet (we can’t fault it - it’s instant sure, but it is nice and hot), the toilet paper - get over it, it needs to be a special type for the sewage system, one had complained there are no flowers on the dining tables in the Select Dining area -WHAT???     I am on holiday and life is not perfect, and time to precious to waste on such insignificant issues.

We have had the occasional glitch, and if it is of interest or importance I mention it, but mostly these things are so minor it is worth writing about. 

Anyway - time to return the Netbook to the cabin to charge.  I seem to manage to use most of the battery each day.

The day has been beautiful, with a bit of wind, which has been easy to escape.  There is always somewhere to be sheltered.    We had a late lunch of hamburgers by the pool then went and sat on the Sunset Bar to read.    Before long Yvette went past, and so stopped and chatted for a bit, then shortly after Rosemary and Robert joined us as they were having a late lunch/afternoon tea snack.    They are keen to have a chat about Rotorua, so Pete said we would get maps etc when in Wellington.

After coffee, we watched the tenders from the port side on Promenade as Pete wanted to capture the lifting of the tenders out of the water.   As time moved on it was obvious there were still people onshore as the tenders kept unloading and heading back to Akaroa.   The Black Cat Dolphin pulled alongside and unloaded and disappeared.    We were amazed that a short while later it returned with a load of passengers.   (We found out the next day it was passengers from a shore excursion).

Eventually they staff started lifting boat 9, and Pete managed to get a prime spot to video the whole sequence, which we will upload onto You Tube.  Now uploaded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSjrBJbiSNo

We didn’t bother to watch the other three but instead went to the Sunset Bar to join Patty and Colin.   

The ship had been holding position in the Akaroa Harbour on the thrusters, and as the day wore on more and more mud was being stirred up by them.   Departure was supposed to be 6pm, but it was 7pm before we finally got under way.

The mud being stirred up as we finally leave 1 hour late.

Colin and Patty went down to the Show; however we decided not to go.    They had invited us to join them again for dinner at the Late Sitting at 8.30pm as two from their table were in Murano for dinner.    This meant we needed to return to the cabin and change.   The show normally finishes about 7.50 to 8pm, so we agreed to meet in the

Rendezvous Square

before dinner.   At 8pm a Passenger Singing Talent contest was being held.    A panel had selected 5 people over previous nights that had been very good at the Karaoke Nights.  Now these were all older people - not one was under 50 at least!!      They sang reasonably well, but we did not wait to find out who was the winner.  

The table Patty and Colin have in the Grand Dining Room is a ten seating - three couples plus a family of four Americans- who also happened to the Ccer’s!    The other two couple were American.   And they have a premium spot - at the rear of the room right by the large aft windows.   We had a most entertaining.   There was much laughter and interesting discussion.   Dinner didn’t finish until well after 10pm, so we did not stay on for any further entertainment but headed for the cabin.   

On the way we bumped into Hunter who wanted to arrange to have a chat about what to do in Auckland before we arrived in port.  Pete’s skills and knowledge of New Zealand as a ex-tour coach driver has got around the Ccer’s, so they are picking his brains constantly.   Where was he when he was needed on the Roll Call - absent and lurking only.   He has his own profile but prefers to remain incognito!

The night sailing was extremely smooth again - We must be taking the fine weather north with us.

Boxing Day in Melbourne

Today we finally slept in, and when Pete drew back the curtain we discovered it was 7.45am and the ship was being turned around for berthing at Melbourne Station Pier.   He quickly worked out we were to be backed in, meaning our cabin would be on the wharf side, so he abruptly closed them again, so we could shower and change in private.

When we did reopen the curtains we found the gangway was right outside our window!!!  

Photo Taken from the Gangway!  Our cabin window is the centre top one.

Time for breakfast, and as we were so late there was no way we could go to the MDR as that was closing at 8.30am, so off to the Buffet again.     Being a port day the Buffet was busy, but we managed to find a seat with a lovely couple from Christy and Eddie from Canberra who were on their first cruise.    An hour and half of chatting later we finally parted on our separate ways.  It is always amazing how often you start chatting to strangers and end up having something in common and a great conversation.    Turned out Eddie is a printer by trade, an industry I use to work in as an Accountant. 

The weather forecast was for showers/rain high of 20 degrees, and it looked rather gloomy outside.    We had Martino hunting around the cabins nearby for an umbrella, which is supposed to be in each cabin (Thank you to the residence of 5053 we pinched yours!)  We got ourselves together and disembarked onto the gangway and then I felt the chill and sent Pete back to the cabin to get my wool jacket.    We had originally thought about going into the city to experience the Boxing Day sales, but decided against that as it was 11am by the time we were ashore and the city would be bedlam.    Instead we thought we would walk along the waterfront to Bay Street, the main street of Port Melbourne.  At the end the Pier we bumped into Myra and Louie who were on there way back having walked to Bay Street.  They had discovered a large wine shop ‘1^st Choice Wines, and had a couple of ‘cleanskin’ wines stashed in their backpack.   

Not far from the pier we came across a beautifully restored 1954 FJ Holden two tones black and silver (grey).   Pete could not resist knocking on the window and getting the owners attention to have a chat.   Turned out the owner had purchased the car 3 weeks ago, but had only taken delivery of it an hour ago.   Of course he was very proud of his new acquisition.  (Sorry Pete didn't get a photo)

The walk was quite chilly until we got into the main street.   Only the cafes were open plus the Supermarket and Pharmacy, which was good as I needed tweezers.   The chatted to the shop assistant who advised us against going into the city as it would be total madness.     We walked a little further then turned back and decided to find one of the nicer cafes to have a coffee.    We found one doing a deal - coffee and muffin for $5.30.     Boy the muffin was a meal in itself!!!   On the walk up we had heard a father telling his two four years old they had created the world record for the most mess made with a muffin!!

From Port Melbourne - we took a similar picture of the Diamond on 24.12.2011

The rear bottom two rows of large windows are in the Grand Dining Room

The weather seemed to be clearing on the way back about 12.30.    We dropped our bits off at the cabin and I thought is was time I did some walking, so walked up to Cova Café (the long way) which felt so good.    A bit of a walk but my calf muscles needed stretching.    Pete had a cappuccino and I opted for a mint citrus tea.   My Naturopath had recommended I have mint and lemon as a stimulant to improve my absorbency of nutrients.   It was very refreshing.   The Cova Café is a good place to hang out and do my Blog, but as with last time, we had Ccer’s come along and join us for a coffee and chat - this time ‘noisy nanny’ Jo and hubby Graham.   Despite the temperature Jo was in a sun frock!  But that is what this holiday is all about, is chilling out and doing little.

After my walk we went back to the cabin and changed to the chair from the walker.  Somehow we had had lunch so we called by The Grill and got an Angus Burger, at 3 in the afternoon!

As it was getting closer to Sailaway we decided we might as well get a table on the Sunset Bar - Aft of the ship as the rain had moved off and the weather was clearing and the sun came out.     I sent a text to Patty, and she and Colin were walking along the beach having been in the madness of the Boxing Day Sales.    Merilyn called by at one point and we had a long chat while Pete was elsewhere.

Before long Jo and Graham reappeared so joined us at the table, so then we extended the table so there was room for Patty and Colin.  Pete being a tiger for punishment ordered a bucket of beer, in readiness!!  

View of Melbourne from the Sunset Bar Aft.

A Bucket of Beer - 6 for the price of 5, in this instance Grolsch

When Colin and Patty turned up they arrived thirsty and hungry.   The Sushi Bar in the Buffet is close by so Colin returned with a pile of sushi!!!!  (and went back for seconds)   The first bucket of beer disappeared so Colin purchased a second, at which point I put Pete on rations

Sailaway out of Melbourne was spectacular.   The Spirit of Tasmania came in just before we departed.    Although the weather had improved it was still very windy.     We stayed on deck until just before 7pm, when it was time for the first show in the Celebrity Theatre - An Illusionist.     I was not that enamored to the idea, but the show was actually quite good, and only lasted 50 minutes.

Being buzzed by the Police Helicopter

Dinner time.  We had a table for two in the dining room tonight, but the couple who came to the next table were rather chatty, which was nice.    The meals have been very nice and the service good, although I was disappointed in the small number of wines sold by the glasses, with one being ‘out of stock’.     We don’t normally eat so late, so it was 9.30 by the time we finished dinner.   We did a detour to the jewellery shop as Pete would love an expensive Citizen watch.   The prices are quite good but…..

As we wanted to rise early we went to bed with the curtains open.

Time to embark the Celebrity Century

Christmas Eve and Embarkation on Celebrity Century.

After waking about 4am and dozing until 5.30am, we got up after watching the 6am news in TV.   We were able to get more news on Christchurch and the damage yet again.

For breakfast we decided to give the hotel restaurant a big miss and a cooked breakfast was $34 each.   We left the hotel at 7.15 (had to ask to get the ramped access door open!!!) and wander out to front and turned right towards  Margaret Street .  I had spotted a place the night before which had a sign advertising breakfast and lunch, so we thought we would see if they were open.   The great Organic Café we discovered last year does not open at the weekends.   

Sure enough “The Met Café” was open.    A lovely Asian couple were just opening, and quickly opened the ramped access and welcomed us in.     We had a lovely coffee and breakfast for $33 total!   I had scrambled eggs with spinach and mushrooms while Pete had scrambled eggs with chorizo sausages - both extremely nice and very well priced.   A great alternative to the Organic Café.    

We took the long route back to the Hotel as Peter had seen a sign for Woolworth's Supermarket so went to check that out.  What we found (and didn’t find last year) was the underground shopping area to Wynyard Station complete with supermarket.  But of course being Christmas Eve NOTHING WAS OPEN!

Once back at the hotel we finished rearranging the packing and called the Porter to take our bags to the lobby.    Fortunately just down the road from the Hotel was a pharmacy as I needed a couple of things, and this did OPEN at 10am - spot on.    By the time we walked back the front Taxi in the rank was a Station Wagon - perfect for our entire luggage.    The traffic was quiet and we headed for the Overseas Passengers Terminal at Circular Quay, as we had been told they would be accepting luggage from 10.30am.  It transpired the taxi driver had been sitting outside the Hotel for 2 hours, and we were giving him a fare of less than $10!!  As Pete is an ex- Corporate Cab driver we felt awful, so paid him $15 for his trouble, after all it was Christmas Eve.    There were already quite a large number of people assembled and handing in luggage.

I was being paranoid about our luggage as we had been told on Cruise Critic Forum of gangs of thieves operating at the terminal and not to let any of the bags to be out of sight.   Not easy when you have three bags, a power chair in three pieces which has to be assembled and a walker (and no luggage trolleys!!)  But we managed.   I trundled the small bag and Pete man handled to two bags and walker.   Pete had already tagged the bags, so it was just a matter of handing them in!

As the queue to board seemed quite large and a bit disorganised we decided to go for a walk around Circular Quay as the sun was out and there was plenty of activity.  We wanted to find somewhere to get water and a couple of bottles of wine.  We found the liquor store which was tiny and we could just get the chair inside!

Photos from Circular Quay

Our cabin window is top row third from the left

We continued around the Quay to where all the cafes were so we could take photos of the Century, and that side was in the shade as the sun was quite intense.    There was a chap from A.W.A.R.E. with four assistance dogs raising money for the organisation, which of course we were compelled to check out.  One small dog - a long haired Pekingese decided he wanted to be with me! The others were just relaxing on their blankets.   

Later while standing under a palm tree and suddenly started getting debris showered onto me - even down the front of my shirt.   Moving back out from under we discovered a couple of rainbow lorikeets digging for grubs in the trees and making a real mess.    I then noticed a gentleman taking a photo of his wife with the ship in the background so I suggested to Pete he offer to take a photo of them both.    He did this and we then stuck up conversation with them.    One thing about travelling - be it at home or overseas we enjoy the opportunity to engage with strangers which adds to the flavour of a trip.    It transpired he would love to cruise but the attraction of all the food would be his downfall (and he didn’t seem to have an ounce of excess on him) and they were happy to spend the English winters in sunny Sydney, enjoying the waterfront.     Before long another couple approached Pete to take a photo to which we all laughed about making a few bucks on the side!

We walked back to the ship and found the queue was much shorter, so we located one of the staff with the departure cards and medical forms to complete so we could embark.     As we had been through embarkation before we went up the lift on our own, and through to customs and immigration without a hitch.  In fact there was no queue for immigration at all, but when we got to registration there was a bit of a back log, but as I was in the chair we had our own queue.   While standing there a lady came up to me and asked if I was Margo - and it was Myra from Sweden with her husband Louie, (From http://www.cruisecritic.com/ a Cruise Critic which I will refer to as CCer’s throughout this Blog) who had joined the Roll Call only a couple of days ago.      There must have been 20 plus check-in staff, and the process of checking in and getting our Seas Pass cards was speedy.  Embarking necessitated not one but two photos!    We skipped the champagne and headed to Customer Services to get our Sea Passes punched.

As it was only 12 noon and the cabins were not ready we headed for the buffet.    We were very impressed with the Buffet as it was much nicer and better laid out than on the Diamond.  The floors were mostly carpet, so much quieter and genteel.   As we were looking where to sit Myra waves us over, so we had our first meal with them.

As the cabins were not to be ready for some time we decided to check the whole ship out, because on the Diamond we never actually did that!     We checked out all levels and got our bearings.   We found that although the cabin was on Deck 5 we were close to both the forward and central elevators meaning access to most places was easy and quick, especially for dining.

When they announced all the ’Staterooms’ were ready we headed down to check it out and unload the water bottles and wine which was starting to become a pain.    So far no bags had arrived.   We eventually found the safe - it was a mystery hunt as it was located behind the large desk mirror!

Muster was at 4pm in the Celebrity Theatre at 4, so we wandered along early and listened to the tale end of the Ports Talk.      As everyone filed in for Muster we had to identify our cabin and be seated where directed, and being disabled we were at the back of the theatre.   This meant we managed to meet up with more CCer’s.   Steve and Beth walked down the aisle and I saw Steve say to Beth “that’s Margaret’, and shortly after another couple came up and asked if I was Margaret - it was Bronnie and Stewart from Oamaru.   They nearly didn’t make it because of the two earthquakes in Christchurch where they were at the airport waiting to fly over.  Fortunately they were flying Emirates, as Air NZ cancelled all their flights!!! 

Once Muster was completed the theatre was to be dismissed row by row.   BUT as we were disabled we were given an early run!   So we were off, back to our cabin to see if any bags had arrive.   One turned up after about 20 minutes, so we unpacked that.   We found the packing cubes fitted nicely into the draws - of which there were plenty.   Pete’s nicely folded shirts stayed folded and straight into a draw, as there were not actually that many hangers.  TIP If you are set on hanging clothes pack hangers.

As 5pm Sailaway was fast approaching we headed for the meeting place for CC - Sunset Bar on Deck 11.   We didn’t have our Santa Hats, as that bag had not arrived, so went without.    At the bar we found a lot of the chairs were already ‘taken’.   We went over to the smokers’ side and found Beth and Steve had snared a table.

Over the next wee while a good crowd of CCer’s were found and stopped at the table, despite the lack of chairs.     There was new members arriving every few minutes, most of us without our Santa Hats or Reindeer Ears, as most had not got their luggage in time.   A number of us had put up photos on http://www.cruisefellows.com/, which meant easy identification.  

Sailaway Photos

Karen's grandson Chase in full outfit

Sailaway went really well even without the identifying hats and ears!    There was lots of laughter and drinking.   Amidst this a very distressed Gwyneth and Reg arrived, announcing they had a disaster on their hands as they had lost a video bag containing the video, a camera, all their documents and Spanish money (they are an English couple living in Spain in their retirement).  Patty thinking quickly said have you rung the hotel and as Gwyneth didn’t have the number Patty pulled out her Iphone and searched for the hotel and phone number and dialled.   Gwyneth spoke to them and asked should they find it would they come back to her.   Probably less than half an hour later Patty’s phone rang and they Hotel advised they had found the bag, but Gwyneth and Reg had gone.   I had my ship plan with everyone’s cabin numbers, so Patty found a phone and rang them, much to their delight.

Meanwhile Pete had disappeared to see if our bags had arrived.   He was gone ages and when he eventually returned he announced he had been called to the "Naughty Room” as he had side cutters ( to cut cable ties) and a spanner and Allen key in case he needed to adjust my chair.  The side cutters were confiscated but he managed to let them keep the others.     While he was down there, he was actually with Sandra (which he found out later) as she had been summoned.   They were having a good laugh as one woman was denying any restricted items, then it turned out she had handcuffs (and she was not young!!!!)   

After all the laughter and comparing of stories it was time to disperse for dinner and the evenings activities.  There was a mixture of people on Early Late and Select dining, some heading for shows etc.    At a little after 7 we headed for dinner and were assigned a table for two, in a good spot, quite close to the entrance.

We had a lovely dinner served by Jimmy Luz and his assistant, whose name I didn’t quite get.   They were both very cheerful and attentive without intruding.      The meal sizes are good, not too large at all.   We both had lamb shanks in filo pastry for a main and banana & blueberry crepes for dessert.   

After dinner we decided not to attend any shows.   We bumped onto Colin and Patty who had been to the main show and were rather nonplus about it, and they were off to dinner.   After such a reaction we decided to return to our cabin to finish unpacking and organising ourselves.

Once completed we turned in for the night, as neither of us had a decent sleep the night before.