On Friday 17th November 2023, I booked the Queensland cruise (take two) after my original cruise was cancelled due to the pandemic. The International borders eventually reopened, all the restrictions have lifted, and the opportunity came to attempt the cruise again. The cruise was booked, and this time I made it.
THE DEPARTURE HAS FINALLY ARRIVED:
Two years after our original cruise got canceled due to COVID; our departure day has FINALLY arrived. I woke up at 8 o’clock for my usual morning walk with Bella (my greyhound) before having breakfast, and do the final preparations before meeting my sister, who drove mum and I to Station Pier wharf to meet the Grand Princess Cruise Ship.
We left at 12:15pm, and my sister drove us to the wharf. When we finally got to our cabin, we unpacked and headed up to the Horrizon food court for lunch before our Master station drill and the departure. After dinner we return to the cabin for a short time before leaving for the Princess Theatre for the Showtime performance for the cruise with Comedian ‘Jay McGee.’
NEWCASTLE, NEW SOUTH WALES:
I’ve lived in Sydney my whole life, and although I’ve been past Newcastle several times, I’ve never actually been to Newcastle. I’ve also never been to Port Stephens… until now. A Dolphin Cruise was our shore excursion for the day, and it included a ‘swim in the nets at the back of the boat’ via a waterslide. Dolphins are beautiful animals, and I loved every moment.
The ship was supposed to leave at 5:30pm; but we left late during our 6:20pm dinner seating. It was country in western night on board the grand Princess, and some of the passengers got dressed up for the occasion. After dinner, mum and I went out separate ways. I went up to the pool deck to watch ‘the Ant movie’ at movies under the stars.
BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND:
We woke up at 7am to a room service breakfast, and the ship was already docked for the day. Unlike at Newcastle; mum & I did things a little bit differently. Instead of doing a shore excursion; we met up with an old friend who originally wanted to arrive early but she got a bit lost, and finally came at 10am to take us to South Bank Brisbane for the day followed by lunch at Whynem before returning us back to the ship in time for the 5pm departure.
I then had Dinner in the main dining room, and went to the Explorers Lounge for the famous cruise game ‘Are you smarter than a cruise director (and FYI ‘the Cruise Directors won). 😢. This was followed by the comedian in the Princess Theatre, and the dance party at the piazza before return to the cabin for the night.
AIRLIE BEACH, QUEENSLAND:
We woke up at 6am and the Grand Princess was still arriving. The ship anchored off the coast of Airlie Beach at 7am; this was when we left our cabin to meet our group at the Princess Theatre.
It was so rough on the trip to, and from the pontoon to go snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef but it was worth it because I saw so many fish and coral; I was also able to swim with my GoPro. The time eventually came to return to the ship. Shortly after we came on board, the ship departed for Cairns. I was still feeling a little bit seasick so I had dinner with mum up on the horizon food court, and we enjoyed our meals in front of a big screen watching a bit of the AFL game (swans versus ESSEDON). I’m originally from Sydney, and I’ve got one thing to say, “Go ya Swannies!”
When we finished eating, we went to the Princess Theatre for Lisa Woodbrooks showtime performance; which was really entertaining. We then went to the wheelhouse bar for the event (which I was featured in), followed by the Elton John quiz in the Vista lounge. It was a very very full day, so mum went to the cabin and I went up to the nightclub to Dance the night away before returning to the cabin for the night.
CAIRNS, QUEENSLAND:
At 7:40am I awoke because the room service breakfast had arrived early. Mum was already awake on our balcony, and the ship was moving very very slowly. Now like someone I know ‘I also like to start with something funny’ so here it is: “two beans were heading north from Melbourne. They ended up in Cairns.” 🤣 It’s both funny and true. Anyway, on with our day.
The shore excursion contained three things: ‘a visit to the butterfly sanctuary, A bushwalk through a rainforest, and a gondola ride over the mountains.’ Although it was an amazing experience; it was so hot, and I couldn’t wait to get back to the ship because I really wanted to go for a swim to cool off before the departure.
Once at sea, I had dinner and sang ‘Music by Madonna’ at Karaoke @ Sea. I then enjoyed some of the ships night life before returning to the cabin for the night.
PORT DOUGLAS, QUEENSLAND:
Although we were having a great night sleep; we woke up at 6:40am because the crew was lowering the ships tender boats for the day. Visiting Port Douglas has been on my to do list (especially since the lockdowns) because of the location, and because it’s ‘the Aussie version of Fiji.’
Port Douglas is a beautiful place, and I enjoyed my time there, (especially the hummer ride which I was able to get for free using my on board credit). The only thing that wrecked it for me was ‘the heat, and the fact we had to wait on the mainland for several hours before our shore excursion actually started.
WILLIS ISLAND, QUEENSLAND:
Willis Island was the final Queensland port for our cruise, and it was time for some ‘Scenic Cruising.’ Willis Island is actually ‘Queenslands Weather Station.’ For more information go to:https://www.portplanner.com.au/port/willis-island-au.
On Tuesday 26th March, we arrived at 9:30am. During the one hour stay the local tour guide spoke to us from the island via the ships bridge, and the Grand Princess turned around twice (to give us some good angles of the island before sailing into international waters; bound for Sydney, NSW.
It was so hot up on deck and the seagulls were still flying around because we still need land. When the tour ended, I found a deck chair in the shade, and watched back to the future (part three) in the ships pool. I then had lunch, returned to the cabin for a break, and then went to the ships Vista Lounge for some cruising fun before returning to the cabin to get ready for the ‘80’s Ultimate Deck Party.’
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES:
I woke mum up at 7am when I looked through the curtain in the cabin and say ‘Sydney’ in front of our cruise ship. The tender boats were getting prepared to take people ashore for the day, and the ship was turning as it anchored sideways at Athol Bay, Sydney along with two other cruise ships (the Royal Princess and the Pacific adventure) that were in town on the same day. After catching up with my auntie and uncle, we sold out to Abbotsford and met up with Jan (our ex- neighbour) for a drink at the Sydney Rowers club before catching the River Cat back to Sydney harbour.
SAILING BACK INTO MELBOURNE:
Although the ship was due to dock in Melbourne at 7am; it was already docked when we woke up at 6:30am; to be out of the cabin by 8 am, and it was a real struggle disembarking because we had to take all our luggage off with us due to not getting a luggage tag. Despite this issue, and the Queensland heat; it was a fantastic cruise, definitely the best one, and (from the words of the movie ‘the Greatest Showman’); I was definitely dreaming with my eyes wide open.
Special thanks to: ‘Cruise Director Sophie Gideon, Assistant Cruise Director Nick, Jossif, Abigail, and the Princess team. I look forward to cruising with you again soon.
Happy cruising
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