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Our Cruise SAPPHIRE PRINCESS January 2005
12-Day Auckland to Sydney
Above photo and information thanks to Princess Website
The Story Of The Sapphire Princess...so far
Swapping Princesses - The 116,000 ton Diamond Princess was damaged by fire on 1st October 2002 at the Japanese shipyard where it was under construction. The sister ship Sapphire Princess, also under construction, was not damaged. For whatever reason...the Sapphire Princesses name was changed to the Diamond Princess. The original Diamond Princess then becomes the Sapphire Princess and will commence service in June 2004.
Booking The Cruise Fred and I decided to book this cruise in January 2004. We are retired and live on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. For both of us it is our second cruise. We have booked an inside cabin. We plan to fly to New Zealand a few days before the cruise and stay at the Sky City Hotel. We travel to Brisbane to catch our Qantas flight.
Getting Closer It's almost to the end of October and the final payment has been made on the cruise. Since January, I have been in contact with "Cruise Critic" members ( from all over the world) who will also be joining us on the 6th January.
Meet the "Spangles"...
Sapphire Princess Australia from New Zealand Globe-trotters Laughs Ends Sydney.
Painter.....Marleneann
& Fred.....Australia.....Sky City Hotel.....B246 upgraded to E325 bnbinsd.....Betty
& Bill.....U.S.A.....Copthorne Harbourcity.....L253 Improz.....Lisa & Jeff.....U.S.A......Hilton.....D740..... Bev.....Trudy…..Canada….. C210 mummsie.....Gayle & Gary.....Australia.... Copthorne Harbourcity.....C720 Flipper133...Flipper & Shirley The
Rocks welcomes the Sapphire Princess
 LISA & JEFF were married on Sunday 21st November 2004 CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE "S.P.A.N.G.L.E.S."
Get together on the Wednesday 5th Jan. at Rebo Cafe & Bar, Skycity Hotel, Auckland. at 8.00.pm
MEET & GREET Thursday 6th Jan. Sapphire Princess 3.30pm in the Skywalker
A Blessed and Happy Christmas to all "Spangles"
28th December 2004 One week to go before we leave for Auckland. I am just about finished packing for the cruise. New Zealand is having a very cool summer. Temperatures are below average and this is creating a headache as far as deciding on the type of clothing to pack. I am getting very excited and I am looking forward to meeting all the "Spangles".
18th Jan ....We're back!
REVIEW OF OUR CRUISE Sapphire Princess Cruise 6th
– 18th January
2005 We have arrived home from our wonderful cruise. Yes… the Sapphire Princess cruise ship is a magnificent venue for the holiday or a lifetime. First of all price…We paid
for an inside cabin. When we got on board we found out we had been
upgraded to a window cabin….can you imagine how
delighted we were! After checking our prices against the
Princess smaller ship in the Pacific…our cruise was the “special” of
all specials. Embarkation: I don’t want
to remember this as it was not what I expected….long lines of people
standing in the rain …just waiting for some movement. No cover! Auckland
Port is not geared for a large ship like Sapphire. However…I think by
the time the Sapphire has to do this again, things will have improved
because of all the complaints that would have been received. The Princess Sapphire: A
beautiful and wonderful staffed cruise ship. Cleaning goes on around the
clock so everything is spotless and polished. Our Cabin: We paid for an
inside cabin and enjoyed a window cabin. We didn’t know about the
upgrade until we went looking for our cabin. Wow!…I felt like a Queen.
Our cabin steward Victor was great. We tipped him
$20.00 as soon as we meet him and during the cruise. My hubby and I were
amused as to how he arranged my “nighty” each night. It was so pretty
I didn’t want to spoil his artistic efforts. As
the weather wasn’t the best in New Zealand a cabin with a balcony wasn’t necessary. The chocolates on the pillow at night
were appreciated. Dining: We choose early
sitting in the Traditional Dining Room. We had a table of eight fun loving
cruisers. Our waiter Alex and assistant waiter Ceceileo were the best.
They joined in the fun and were always eager to please. Our table did get
a name for having the most fun. We ate our breakfast and lunch in the
Santa Fee, Pacific Moon or
Horizon’s Buffet. All the food was excellent. The steaks were the best I
have ever eaten. Don’t forget to go to the Horizon’s Buffet between
3.30pm and 4.30pm for free ice cream. This is not advertised and a lot of
people only find out about this when it is too late. Early
dinner sitting fitted in with our early show times. Everything was timed
to perfection. Entertainment: This is as
good on the Sapphire as what you can find anywhere in the world. The four
dance productions were amazing. My grand-daughter just finished a
university course in dance so I have viewed some of the best along the
way. The magicians and comedy entertainers
were outstanding. One comedian DON
WARE was the writer for the Cosby Show. Music by Julie Wallace in the
Crooners Lounge was delightful.. Alistair Greener was our fabulous cruise director with Frankie his very funny fall
guy. I could go on and on….. Ports of Call: Wellington: I could recommend Rover Tours $35.00 for two hours or all day (Hop on hop off) We got the shuttle to town ...then walked to Information Centre. We boarded the cable car back to the city. Shuttle to ship. However ...if you can get someone to share a taxi...it will be less expensive and you will not have to wait around for transport. Christchurch: The Antarctic Centre is a must. We got the shuttle to town… then a local bus to the Antarctic Centre. An all day bus pass is the way to go. I pre-booked the Hagglund Ride and it was lots of fun. You must go into the Snow Storm Room. This is for real. Warm clothes are supplied. Fred could barely last the distance as it was SO COLD! Dunedin: The Cadbury Chocolate Factory is in the town centre. You must have a booking if you want to do a tour. I did this by email. Fiordland National Park: Up until now the weather hadn't been very nice....then we cruised into Fiordlands. A perfect day greeted us as we entered the Park. The cameras were clicking away and some beautiful scenery was captured in the many photographs taken. One could see a little snow still on the high peaks. Hobart: As we walked to the city centre we stopped at Constitution Dock to take some photographs. Then a visit to the gardens and Salamanca Place. A local bus will take you around the area for a small cost. Melbourne: We had family
pick us up and take us to Geelong for the day. There is a free tram for
the city tour. Disembarkation: The port at Darling Harbour was well organized. We waited in the lounge until our colour was called and then walked straight off the ship. Collecting luggage was a breeze...it is lined up in colour code and a Porter is there to help put it onto a trolley. Taxi service is arranged if needed. Our Taxi to the domestic airport cost $30.00 for the two of us. Anyone going on this cruise
ship is assured of a wonderful time. Things like seasickness …. I had
this for one night when the sea was very rough…. can be fixed by going
to the desk and buying some Dramamine. I felt better in two hours. There is much to do onboard...the swimming pools and hot tubs were popular. There were so many people onboard and yet it never did seem crowded. I just viewed the video of
our cruise we purchased onboard. The SPANGLES: What a great group of people. These friendships were formed on the Cruise Critic - Roll Call Board ...up to a year before the cruise. It was like going on cruise with the family. In Finishing: We must thank
all the staff onboard the Sapphire Princess for making this cruise a
wonderful never-to-be-forgotten time for us. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! If you wish to email me just combine the next two lines ...(this is to prevent spam) marleneann1 @iprimus.com.au
Please mark the subject line - Sapphire Princess
Happy cruising! By Marleneann for Marleneann & Fred
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