ALL ABOARD!

Our week at Karyn & Carl’s was somewhat relaxing after the hectic weeks prior to leaving New Plymouth on the 1st July. We were pleased that we could help out with meals and getting kids to swimming training etc. Mason managed to get all personal effects stored safely until we can move into our house on our return. We are very grateful to Karyn and Carl for having us stay and to Carl for getting us to our plane in Wellington on the 8th.
What a business it was, the last minute packing and trying to keep within the weight restrictions. In the end we had to leave some things behind so hope they haven’t caused you a problem, Karyn?
It was an early start on Wednesday – we were mindful of peak hour traffic in Wellington so up at 5.30am and left at 6.30am. In the event, it was a good run through and we arrived with time to spare. The flight to Auckland was great and we were met at the airport and transferred to Princess Wharf arriving just in time to see the Dawn Princess arriving from Sydney. 500 passengers boarded in Auckland and we finally got onboard at about 4pm. Got told off by our cabin steward because we tried to get out of going to the safety drill. After receiving our bags (Mason had to explain what he had in his!!) and unpacking, we went to the buffet for a meal, I had a hot spa and then to bed. Our cabin is great with lots of storage space and room for the four of us to have a drink or two!
Yesterday we got up not too early and went up for breakfast – so much choice – but at this stage we are being GOOD. Spent the morning finding our way around the ship and getting the laptops onto the Dawn Princess network. Just hooked mine up and was about set up Glen’s when there was John from Perth, on Skype, asking us if we had caught a fish yet!! Amazing!!! The world is certainly a small place. The beauty of the laptop is that we can have it in our cabin and use the internet so kids, we will sort out a time and will be able to talk to you and show you just what our cabin looks like. We also found out that after San Francisco we get free internet as we will have reached Platinum status with Princess Line. After so many days cruising/cruises you qualify for various different benefits/discounts.
Last night was the first formal night and Captains cocktail party and gosh was everyone dressed up!!! The scene was like a scene out of Titanic!! Went from dinner – the food was great- to a show and then to bed. We have almost caught up on sleep although I photographed Alice asleep in one of the lounges today!! Promised her I wouldn’t post it on my blog!!
Today is Thursday 9th July again today – we have crossed the international date line- and I was up early for my swim and aqua jog with one of my NP swimming mates, then to breakfast and to a digital photo talk where I signed up for three classes while Mason went to a talk on what to see in Apia. We had lunch with Mason and Glen’s cousin then checked out the shops on board and tried to find where they were showing how to edit photos –went to the wrong place and instead had a lecture on golf – that was where Alice went to sleep!
Have had drinks in our cabin – Mason has gone to sleep and Glen and Alice back to their cabin to do the same. Nearly time to get ready – just smart casual tonight – and then it’s off to the feeding trough again!! Will see another show and might go to the casino for a while.
People are really friendly and most everyone starts up a conversation with you – attended a “meet and greet” yesterday afternoon where I was able to put faces to the people I have been chatting to on cruise critic over the last year. There are about 1500 passengers who embarked in Sydney and 500 in Auckland. Some getting off and on in San Francisco, New York, Southampton and Dubai. The weather has been quite cold and windy but the sea relatively calm, I love the gentle movement as you go off to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow, as we get close to Samoa the weather will be warmer.