Bay of Islands (last port and day aboard)

Our last day on board in the Bay of Islands.   The ‘Celebrity Today” forecast was showers again, but even so we want to get up early for breakfast and be on deck as we sailed in.

So we work at 6.30am and pulled back the curtains to reveal a wonderful sunny sky with hardly any clouds.   We were still some way off, so we decided to have our last breakfast in the MDR.   This time we got to the restaurant, and it was still closed, so we had a little wander out on deck while we waited the few minutes until it opened at 7am.

Again we were the first into the dining room, and we were given a table for two near the entrance but so we could see out the window.   It was very quiet and all the waiters were ‘waiting’ for passengers!    

Were finished and out of deck by 7.30am.   We went straight up to Deck 12 (above the pool) and although slightly chilly it was the most spectacular morning.     There were fishing boats and yachts everywhere, just beautiful.     Pete even spotted a pod of dolphins.    We stayed up there for quite sometime as tendering was not due to start until 10am.

Being a tender port, we were not able to go ashore, so this morning we opted for massages in AquaSpa!!!   Another indulgence.   My massage was for 10.15am – a 75 minute shoulders, back and legs massage.   Pete the 55 minute hot stone massage.   I have to admit I was nearly asleep during the last part of the treatment!       By the time we finished it was nearly mid day.

The Staff advised we should stay out of the sun and drink plenty of water.  I felt a little light headed after the massage so we went back to the cabin and started packing.    That was quite easy really, one suitcase full of dirty clothes and the two bottles of water (doesn’t matter if they break!!) and everything else in the other bags.   The wine, duty free rum and the last days clothes and toilet bag in the carry-off bag.  Easy.

Our last lunch was in the Buffet – self serve pasta again, so yummy.   I had to have a huge helping of shrimps!

It is a day of ‘lasts’.  A nice coffee was in order and I have a lot of Blogging to catch up on so we hear Cova Café calling.    I was virtually the only one there for a couple of hours.  I had a latte and then Lara gave me iced water after that (by orders of the spa treatment).  Meanwhile Pete was wandering the ship taking photos and chatting to people.

It was such a beautiful afternoon having a beer and wine on Sunset Deck was a must.   Sitting under the Sail Shades was most pleasant.     We have a busy evening ahead, so we will miss our usual Sailaway on the aft deck with everyone.

I suddenly realised I hadn’t told a couple of people of the dinner time for our Post Cruise Dinner we had arranged.  So we scooted off to the cabin to get write notes for Amy and Larry, and Stuart and family, which we then dropped off to their cabins.   On route to Stuart’s cabin we came across a flurry of activity by a number of cabin attendants, which necessitated us stopping as mattresses were being moved and a large amount of linen.   When we finally able to proceed we went past a cabin with a terrible stench!   Someone had been dreadfully ill.    The smell was right along quite a bit of the passage.   Simply awful for all the crew and passengers in the area.

As we were about to drop of Stuart’s note he arrived – Annemarie was dropping the girls at the Fun Factory after being ashore for the day.    The girls absolutely love the Fun Factory, which leaves Stuart and Annemarie to enjoy time together, including dinner.

We had arranged to have our last dinner with David and Chris in Select Dining and to meet with them in the

Rendezvous Square

at 6.45pm.    So off back to the cabin to change this time, as once we were underway we had some shopping to do for Fiona, and a photo frame to exchange as the one we had got the night before had a mark on it.

By now it was time to go for our last pre-dinner drink, so we got to the bar a little early.  Chris and John (more CCer’s) joined us as well and of course David and Chris just after 6.45pm.  

Our last dinner we were served by Raymond in the dining room – we couldn’t get Jimmy unfortunately, however Raymond was fine, as he was by now a lot more relaxed and friendly.   We had a most enjoyable dinner with David and Chris, who are from Philadelphia.    David works for the ‘Food in School’ Programme we had quite a discussion on the differences between how America and New Zealand schools, taxes etc work.   

Dinner finished at 9pm, just in time for the final Show – Danny Elliot and Ben – the pianist.  It was probably one of the better shows.   They are both very talented.

Once the show was over and of course we were now ‘back at sea’ the shops were now open.  Time for the last minute shopping, as I needed to get the product Fiona wanted.   We only managed to get one, which was a pity as the stock was slightly different, but still it was a savings for her.

We couldn’t resist one last look in the Jewellery Shop, and as luck would have it I spotted some lovely earrings – 50% off which had not been on display before as they were new stock.    Pete relented and I tried on two pairs and the second were perfect!!  Of course this meant Pete could now look at watches, and again new stock and Pete found a very nice Citizen Eco Drive Watch, which was 40% off and a very reasonable price too!

So now our final bill was somewhat more than we anticipated – but aren’t most holiday bills.

Just as we were leaving we meet Rosemary who had tracked us down, as she had received a second set of menus, and wondered if I wanted them.   I declined as I had enough paper work collected to ‘sink a ship’.    She was about to head back to the cabins and pack, and she had 3 sons to pack for as well!   Rosemary was quite thrilled to show us that her youngest son, Scott (10), who had been helping the waiters in the MDR during meals, had received an envelope with a tip!!  Scott had a lot of fun helping them.

Off to bed now at it was closing on 11pm, when we should have had our bags out for collection!   A made flurry of activity for do the final pack and check all was in order.  The bags were out by 11.15am.    I have no idea what time Rosemary would have finished, with two cabins to pack…

New Years Eve - Dunedin

What a lovely sleep in - work up just before 9am.   Opened the curtains as we were docked starboard side, which meant we were looking out towards the Silver Shadow, which we will see a few times from now on.

The weather forecast on “Celebrity Today” was for showers - we couldn’t see a cloud in the sky let alone showers.    Again the weather forecast was wrong, but we won’t blame the ship as that is probably the information they have been given.

We made it to breakfast just in time, because at 10am they closed a lot of the stations in the Buffet and go to a “Late Breakfast” selection.   I am becoming addicted to the Granola and berries with yoghurt!!!!   This morning it was mostly blueberries.    We had breakfast with Patty and Colin.   Again, when Colin went to get coffees one of the waiters said “No I will get them, what would you like” - great service again.

We decided just to go into Port Chalmers and have a walk around the village. 

First stop was the local Library, which offers free Wifi, so we were able to use the Netbook to check our emails and make a couple of postings on http://www.cruisecritic.com/  Very friendly locals.  We had a quick read of the paper - poor Christchurch has had more strong earthquakes.  The New Years Honours List was out also - Sir Graham Henry which was very predictable.

We went to a small memorial park across the road from the library, where it was quiet so we could ring family at home in Auckland.    They have been having horrible wet weather since Boxing Day.   So we had made a good choice!

Memorial Park where the following photos were taken from

The Port Chalmers Library

It was getting warm by now, the sun out and the clouds dispersing, none of the predicted showers in sight.      Above the village is a lovely old stone church - Iona, and from there we could get good views.    I would have loved to go up to the lookout above the wharf but it was a steep road and I needed to watch the battery on the chair.

Taken from the rear of Iona Church 

 One of the cars doing tours.

We returned to the ship via the Lotto shop.  Maybe Port Chalmers could be lucky for us!  Back at the wharf we had a great chat to the security staff.  They even waived looking at my photo ID as they remembered me leaving the wharf secure area!!!

Once back on deck we called into the Aqua Spa to see if we could still get the Port Day Special from Melbourne - Five steps to Heaven for USD $129.   A body brush, a neck and shoulders massage, a back massage, an arms and hands massage and finally a foot massage.   They were happy to accommodate us and booked us both for 3pm.    This meant we had time to have a leisurely lunch etc and before coming back.

Our massages were wonderful.   My masseuse skipped the body brush to allow extra time on my feet and calves.  50 minutes of massage was just the ticket.   Due to my MD I have a lot of small knots in my shoulders and neck, plus very poor circulation in my ankles.   For Pete his masseuse was horrified how tight his back was - mainly due to lifting me all the time.    We didn’t finish our treatments until 4.30pm, by the time Pete helped me to dress etc.    Unfortunately when I got up from lying I pulled a muscle in my lower back, which was incredibly painful and made dressing really difficult!   Not what I was expecting post treatment.

As we enjoyed the pampering so much we booked in for another treatment each while in the Bay of Islands on the 5 January, our last day aboard.    Pete will have a hot stone treatment to try and warm up and loosen is strong back muscles, and I will have 75 minutes of the same!

Sailaway is later than normal - 7pm, complicated by the fact it is a Formal Night and the 7pm Show was the Acrobatic Duo - not to be missed.   We joined Patty and Colin on the Sunset Deck, and after much deliberation it was decided that Patty, Colin and I would go to the Show, while Pete went to Sailaway.   As we were joining Patty & Colin for the second sitting dinner, we need to change, which we thought we would do after the Show then we decided we would be better to do this before Sailaway.  

What a made dash to change into formal dress in half an hour!   At least we did not need to shower like the others who had been walking all over Dunedin! 

The Show was brilliant and very well attended.   A pity that Pete missed it.  Just as the Show was about to wind up Pete found us.  Patty wanted to see the Albatross Colony and was extremely disappointed to be told we were already out past ‘The Heads”.   We did however have time for pre dinner drinks on

Rendezvous Square

.   For once the venue was busy.  I think as we have been going to dinner at 7.30 to 8pm most people are either in a show, dinner or getting ready.

 Iona Church on the hill

Baby albatross on their nests!!!  (Pete took this not really knowing what he was looking at!)

One thing I have found disappointing, is the gaps between music being played in the different venues.  It is not staggered, but rather all seems to be on at the same time, then there can be a gap of ½ hr to 1 hr before the next session.   Doesn’t make sense.

Dinner in the downstairs of the Grand Dining Room on New Years Eve second sitting can only be described as madness, rushed and incredibly noisy.   Whoever decided that horns and clackers should be on each table should be shot.   There was no way you could heat anyone let alone have a conversation!!!!  It was a pity as I was looking forward to having dinner with Patty and Colin’s table.

The “Main Event” for the evening was to be held by the Pool on Deck 11.    As it was now rather cold we returned to the cabin to put on warm clothes and we thought the best place to be would be above 11 on Deck 12.   We used the forward elevators, and when we got out we met Jo and Graham.   They had just been in the Hemisphere Lounge and had left as it was full of ‘old people behaving badly’!!!   A couple of minutes later Pam arrived to check out what was happening - Merv was still in the cabin.   We agreed to meet there shortly, then Colin returned saying he had found a sheltered spot on Deck 11.

Eventually we all managed to gather on Deck 11, and Colin had found blankets, so had gathered a few.   There was hardly anyone on Deck 11 at this stage - 11.30pm. But gradually people arrived grabbing blankets, except of course the young ones, who although dressed scantly did not appear to notice the cold.

In the build up, one of the chefs came out and did a ice carving.  Turns out he had the world record for carving a bald eagle - very impressive to watch.   As Midnight approached the place become very busy and noisy.  And just before the strike of midnight waiters came out with free bubbles for everyone.  Colin was so funny, grabbing drinks from every tray he could and stashing them on our table!!!  

Midnight was signaled by “The Bridge” by a long blast of the Horn and the ship stopped for about 5 minutes, during which time the cold chill disappeared briefly.

Once the countdown was over, the big ice carving of 2011 on the Poolside had the 1 pushed off the end into the pool and replaced with a 2.   Then there was hand shakes, hugs and kissing galore!   Mind you I had to line up for a kiss from my DH - he was busy hugging and kissing others - what the heck????   I even got to shake the Captains hand - poor man must have shaken hundreds of hands by the end of the evening.   Pete even found an American Marine in full regalia - Alex Bush who is currently stationed in Japan.

It was looking like it could be a long night, but we were both tired, so headed for bed.    We slept like logs, until we were woken at 3am by some teenagers making a huge noise outside in the corridor.   Pete went out and told them to quieten down, a which point to two boys did a runner.  A couple minutes later the noise returned so he went back out and told the girls ‘To shut it’ and they finally got the message and left.   Goodness knows what they were doing.