Cruise D016 - 28 nights - Departing Melbourne 10/11/2010
D-Day started at 5am, some roadwork and detour on the way to Brisbane Airport, a slightly bumpy flight and no-kiss landing (!) on the QF609 flight to Melbourne. I met a lovely couple joining me on the cruise at the airport and we shared a maxi taxi to Station Pier. The boarding was officially starting at 12.30pm, but by that time, I was already seated in my cabin.
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| Oceanview Stateroom Aloha 541 deck 11 starboard midship |
Efficient departure procedures with live classical music played to welcome us into the Grand Plaza and my three pieces of luggage already delivered by 2.30pm. After a lunch at the 24h buffet, Horizon Court, we started our Treasure Hunt, gathering stamps from 10 different locations throughout the ship. The cabin steward, Briccio Bandiola from the Philippines, welcomed me on board and we were taken back to reality with alarm bells and the traditional Passenger Muster Exercise with life-jacket. I have been surprised to have an escape path through the crew staircase, facing my cabin door, direct into Muster Station B.... between the casino and the night-club! Excellent!
All aboard! Cocktails are served around the pool for the Treasure Hunt prize Draw, and yes, I got a glass of bubbly... and a prize! A free 30 minutes internet voucher! Can never have enough internet access!! Thank you to Internet Cafe Manager, Florin Poposui, who drew my card!
The live band, Brodband, is playing on the outdoor stage for the Sailaway Celebration. I love that sound: The Dawn Princess calls three times, and gently starts sliding away. "We come from a land down under" now comes out of all the speakers on the open decks, yes, we are departing for an Australian roundtrip! More emotion suddenly with "Con te partirò" and a beautiful fleet of at least 90 sail boats joining our beautiful white lady for her departure.
