Home Sweet Home

No other city can beat this view!

Our final sea day delivered quite the dramatic farewell. Big swells and stronger-than-expected winds meant plenty of exhilarating motion on the ocean! With the open decks wisely closed and evening shows cancelled, it was a perfect excuse for some enforced quiet time in our cabin, catching up on truly "relaxing" activities like reading, watching Netflix, and, of course, napping!

The feisty weather also nudged our arrival back into Sydney by an hour and a half. The silver lining? We were treated to the iconic, stunning Sydney views as we sailed in with sunrise, rather than at some dark, ungodly hour. There’s truly nothing quite like sailing back into this magnificent harbour – I absolutely love it! However, this beautiful entrance also brought with it the bittersweet realisation that our cruise had sadly come to an end. While this particular voyage won't rank among my "top" cruise experiences, I genuinely cherished the time spent with my fantastic cruise buddy, and I managed to tick off many exciting "firsts" from my travel list!

Final Thoughts: Has Princess Cruises Redeemed Itself?

So, after this voyage, has Princess Cruises managed to turn the tide and fully redeem itself? The answer, I'd say, is a nuanced yes and no.

This cruise experience was undeniably an improvement compared to our previous sailing on the Royal Princess. The food, for one, was generally better. While it never quite hit the "excellent" mark, it was consistently good and never plunged into "bad" territory. Being on a longer cruise also changed the dynamic among passengers and how they sought to spend their time. People were more relaxed and friendly, spaces felt less crowded, and there was a wider array of activities on offer. Our waitstaff also appeared noticeably happier, and getting to know the crew emerged as a genuine highlight of the trip. And let's not forget, the drinks offerings remain a strong point for Princess! 

However, some aspects remain unchanged. The ships still felt old, dated and tired. Our cabins were tiny. Whilst there were many offerings in terms of activities, they weren't outstanding.

Would I Sail Princess Again?

The answer remains the same as before! I would consider sailing with Princess Cruises again, but only for the right itinerary and at the right price. It's a balance, and while this trip showed definite progress, there's still room for improvement to truly elevate the overall experience.

Stormy weather

Last chance to enjoy the bars

What a way to come home!

Thank you to my cruise buddy for an amazing trip!

Brisbane

 

Brisbane skyline

Finally our last port stop, Brisbane. Another city, another cousin of Fiona's. This time Clem. 

Relaxing day exploring Southbank. Cultured day went into the Queensland Art Gallery pretending we appreciated art. Quick gyoza lunch as we were craving good Asian food. We finished off the day visiting Mount Coot-tha. Beautiful view and afternoon tea.

After days of sailing and exploring, our final port of call arrived: the vibrant city of Brisbane! Another city saw us finding another one of Fiona's wonderful cousins! Clem picked us from the port, ready to show us around. It's truly amazing how a local guide can transform a visit, adding layers of warmth and insight you'd never get otherwise.

Our day in Brisbane was all about relaxed exploration, beginning with the iconic South Bank. This sprawling cultural and recreational precinct along the Brisbane River is a fantastic hub of activity, offering everything from lush parklands and swimming lagoons to a diverse array of eateries and cultural institutions. Feeling suitably cultured (or at least pretending to be!), we ventured into the Queensland Art Gallery. While I won't claim to be an art connoisseur, there's a certain quiet pleasure in wandering through galleries, soaking in the different styles and stories, even if some pieces leave you scratching your head! 

This was part of an exhibition showcasing photography of Australian streetscapes. One one hand, I'm thinking I could take a better photo...on the other I loved the subject as it was probably what I would take a photo of!

For lunch, we chose a spot serving up fancy gyoza. After weeks of cruise ship fare, a serious craving for authentic Asian cuisine had set in. The little parcels of savory goodness was exactly what we needed to satisfy our yearning.

To cap off our Brisbane adventure, we headed up to Mount Coot-tha. This elevated perch offers simply breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city, stretching from the glittering CBD skyline to the distant ranges. We arrived just in time for a serene afternoon tea, sipping on coffee while soaking in the stunning vista. It was the perfect end to our time in Brisbane, offering a moment to reflect on the beauty of the city and the incredible journey we've been on.

View of Brisbane

Honeycomb and fig dessert!

Yuzu mocktail with lunch

I must be old. I enjoyed the Buddy Holly show!

Willis Island

That is it. That's Willis Island!

Willis Island? Where? Yup we had never heard of it either prior to today. We cruised to look at said island, in the Coral Sea past the Great Barrier Reed, which was home to an Australian Bureau of Meteorology weather station. Fortunately the commentary was provided by the resident meteorologist on the island rather than the ship's expert! She provided an outline of daily life and what they do. There's a great article on the ABC with photos if you were interested in reading more.

The rest of the day was another enjoyable sea day. We did have dinner at Sabatini's tonight which was one of the specialty restaurants onboard. The Italian fare was nice enough but for my tastes not worth the $80 extra charge. Enjoy our silly photos!

We get asked every day if we were sisters, or twins. We just say yes now...

A full very intense rainbow!

The camera couldn't do the colour pop justice!

We finished our book club discussions!

Napkin folding

Time to channel our inner Picasso

Our own sip and paint session

Pre-dinner drinks. Loch Ness Martini, and Bangkok mule

Dinner at Sabatini's

Tonight's show Encore, the same one as on the Royal Princess. They had better singers, this cast didn't knock the candelabra over lol.

 

Good Spirits At Sea

 

Apples Delight inspired by Madeira

Ahoy cocktail connoisseurs! Today was the day we finally tried: the "Good Spirits at Sea" cocktail experience – a cleverly named destination-inspired craft cocktail journey held, fittingly, at the "Good Spirits at Sea" bar. The burning question, you ask? Why on earth did we wait so long to partake in this alcoholic adventure?

Led by a mixologist, the experience offers a curated menu of cocktails, each a liquid postcard inspired by a different corner of the globe. Before the magic begins, a short, engaging video unveils the key ingredients that tie the drink to its featured destination. Then, the mixologist takes center stage (with a camera projecting as he mixes), explaining the role of each component to the final flavour profile as he expertly crafts the cocktail before your very eyes. I can happily report that both Fiona's concoction and my own were absolutely superb – a true testament to the art of mixology!

Today we finally made it to the Good Spirits at Sea cocktail experience, a destination-inspired craft cocktail experience (at the bar Good Spirits at Sea hence the name). Why didn't we go earlier? Led by a mixologist, guests can choose from a menu with a list of cocktails inspired by destinations around the world. A short video explains the base ingredients linked to that particular destination and then the mixologist explains how each component adds to the flavour profile as he makes the cocktail. Both Fiona and my cocktails were excellent! 

Christopher crafting the cocktail right in front of us.

My choice out of the menu

Ta-da!

Fiona's Key Lime Pie Martini

On a completely different, today marked the completion of my crochet kangaroo! Now, let's be honest, my woolly creation was anatomically challenged. It was cross-eyed, with thalidomide arms, uneven legs a crooked tail, and a head leaning to one side. But hey, it was FINISHED!

Progress photos. The head had so much potential

The "bits" I had to put together...

Here he is!

We also made origami butterflies today!

Darwin

 

Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park

Welcome to Darwin, the vibrant heart of Australia's Top End! Today marked a significant milestone as we bid farewell to the vast landscapes of Western Australia and crossed the border into the Northern Territory. Darwin, a city renowned for its unique multicultural energy, its breathtaking natural beauty and its laid-back, adventurous spirit, welcomed us with open arms. 

Adding an extra layer of warmth to our arrival was the incredible fortune of having Fiona's cousin, a long-time local of 27 years, and her wonderful husband as our personal tour guides for the day! Their infectious enthusiasm and incredibly generous hospitality truly made our Darwin experience unforgettable.

We were whisked away in the comfort of a private car to Litchfield National Park where we swam in their pristine and picturesque swimming holes. Later, we enjoyed a delightful short city tour, gaining invaluable local insights along the way. Our evening highlight was a scrumptious feast at the famous Mindil Beach markets, followed by the iconic spectacle of the Mindil Beach sunset. As cliched as it may sound, it was a truly magical way to end the day.

By the time we finally made our way back to the ship, the clock had ticked past 8:30 pm, and we were well and truly pooped! Thankfully, the prospect of three glorious sea days stretching before us offered the promise of some much-needed rest and rejuvenation.

A few logistical pearls of wisdom for those planning a Darwin adventure:

• Port of Darwin: Be prepared for a somewhat leisurely disembarkation process at the Port of Darwin. Despite our early arrival just past 6:00 am and being docked well before 7:00 am, we didn't actually step onto Darwin soil until 7:30 am. Patience is a virtue!
• Litchfield National Park Logistics: Keep in mind that Litchfield National Park is a good 1 hour and 45-minute drive from Darwin. If you're planning a visit, factor this travel time into your itinerary. Also note there are no rubbish bins within the park, so please ensure you're prepared to take all your rubbish out with you to help preserve its pristine beauty. Last but not least, please check the signs for crocodile risks before going into the water!
• Florence Falls Fitness: The descent to the breathtaking Florence Falls involves navigating a significant number of steps. Remember that what goes down must come up...
• Mindil Market Musings: Mindil beach sunset markets opens from 4pm on Thursdays and Sundays. However, please note that they are seasonal, so it's always wise to check their official website before planning your visit to avoid any disappointment.

We arrived early and was docked quickly

One of the first to get off the ship at around 0730

Litchfield National Park Termite Mounds

Massive one right at the car park

Florence Falls as viewed from just off the car park. Note that one has to go DOWN to swim

Water temp was amazing! Our super guides

Their service included bush morning tea!

complete with danish selection and portuguese tarts

Buley Rockhole

Cascading falls with multiple pools. Locals would pick a hole and just sit to cool down

Lunch!

Wangi Falls. Closed for swimming purposes because of high waters from the end of the wet season. This unfortunately means high risk of crocodiles

Darwin as viewed from East Point

Mindil Markets

Sunset to end the day

Rhythm on the Seas

 

Today's craft was making a Mothers' Day card...for ourselves

Having now been on the ship for a while, the sea days have picked up a comforting rhythm or routine of sorts. We'd start our day with a gym session, followed by a breakfast as healthy as we can muster, followed by a swim on a still empty pool deck. We'd watch the big screen show a montage of beautiful world destinations, peek at the tai chi people do their thing before heading back to our cabins for a shower ready for the morning activities which can range from zumba to crafts. We'd sneak lunch in, attend the all important progressive trivia. Have a nap, a read or work on our crochet craft before heading for dinner and a the evening show. Rinse and repeat!

Ah, the gentle sway of the ship and the endless horizon – by this point in our voyage, the sea days have settled into a wonderfully comforting rhythm, a predictable yet pleasant routine.

Our mornings typically commence with a sunrise pilgrimage to the gym, a valiant effort to counteract the inevitable caloric indulgences. This virtuous start is then followed by a breakfast as wholesome as we can realistically manage, fueling us for the day ahead. From there it was a short stroll to the still-empty pool deck where we had our choice of loungers. A tranquil time for an early morning swim.

This quiet time by the pool also offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of the ship: the dedicated staff going about their duties with purposeful efficiency, the early-rising passengers just beginning their day, and the serene movements of the Tai Chi practitioners nearby. Once the pool deck fills, it was cue to retreat our cabin for a revitalizing shower, ready to embrace the morning's activities.

These mid-morning pursuits are a delightful grab bag of cruise ship life, ranging from Zumba sessions (the pace of which unfortunately had to match the cruise demographic), to craft activities where our attempts at creativity are… well, enthusiastic! Lunch is often a strategically timed affair, a brief interlude before the intellectual battleground of the all-important progressive trivia. Update: we have clawed our way from 7th to 4th...

The afternoon unfolds at a more leisurely pace, often involving a restorative nap, the turning of pages for our book club, or the continued progress (or occasional unraveling) of our beloved crochet Aussie animal project. Sunset on our balcony signals the start of our evening rituals: a satisfying dinner followed by the nightly entertainment in the theater.

Rinse and repeat!

Ta-da!

Variation in today's routine...formal night! Dressed to Impress

Yup we even have a regular table in the dining room