Thanks for asking Dave. Laurie got a big surprise. We actually ran into him just before embarkation as we were going for a coffee and they were returning from coffee. "Another one" he said or something like that. There were five extra couples that went along for the surprise.
Weather wasn't too great - don't believe those QLD ads - THEY LIE! It was wet and cloudy the whole week. As far as the ship went, it was big - really, really big. Over 2000 passengers and 710 staff and 13 stories high. We were on the 11th deck. Cabins were a good size, staff were brilliant and the food to die for. But, sitting around on a floating motel is not really my thing and I won't be doing it again.
I met Dave Delaney briefly in Cairns and had a cuppa with him which was great. Couldn't go that far and not meet him. Marty, you will just have to wait until next time!
I didn't get off the ship at Airlie Beach or Port Douglas due to bad weather and the time it took to get off.
We ate at the restaurant most nights (as opposed to the buffet) and the food was incredible and the waiting staff lovely. We had the same two tables and same staff every night.
I read Laurie his poem on the stairs outside the restaurant one evening. He seemed to enjoy it. I'll see if I can rustle up a photo or two.
We hit heavy seas the last two nights. We were supposed to go via Willis Island from Cairns but the swell was expected to be 6 to 8 metres and the captain very kindly decided to skip that bit and go via the Whitsundays which was a bit more protected but it was still pretty rough. The whole ship was creaking during the night and woke me up a couple of times. I wasn't well the last two nights and had to miss dinner which didn't impress me any. Just had to lie down to stop feeling any worse.
Pirate theme night.
Pirates reduced.jpg
Hawiian night cropped reduced.jpg
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