Home, Sweet Home

 Disembarking off our ship was an easy process at the port of Melbourne and we had a short wait for our driver as we were running early.  Time for a couple of photos.

The drive to Tullamarine Airport takes around half an hour but the Priority Check-in at Virgin seemed to take forever.  There were a couple of trainees on the counters so that didn't help matters.  We have a stopover in Brisbane on our way to Cairns, and we thought our suitcases would just be re-loaded in Brisbane for the connecting flight to Cairns but because Silversea booked the flight from Melbourne to Cairns and we booked our own flight from Brisbane to Cairns, they would not marry up on the computer system.  Seems ridiculous but all the complaining does not change the fact that we have to collect our suitcases in Brisbane and check-in again for our flight to Cairns.

Onboard Virgin Airlines,  we find it is about three hundred percent better than Qantas.  The planes we flew on were  737-800, and they are relatively new with leather business class seats that have all the bells and whistles including reclining seats with footrests! Win, win for me with my knee…..

Brisbane is cloudy as we fly over but the city skyline is always a lovely site.

We have around three hours to kill in Brisbane Airport so what's a girl to do except airport shopping!  It's was more like "window shopping" but I did end up with a nice top (on sale) from Witchery.  By the time I got back to Philip, waiting patiently in the Virgin Lounge, I only had time for a Macchiato and quick toilet stop before they called our flight to Cairns.  About an hour out of Cairns we went through quite a bit of turbulence that stayed with us almost all the way to Cairns and when we reached Cairns it was a very cloudy wet day.  But the clouds parted enough for me to get a great shot of Palm Cove!

It is lovely to be home again and I took full advantage of a sunny morning to do a slow walk around my home.  The water is calm after raining almost all night and the Palm Cove Jetty looks very picturesque against the stormy background offshore.  

Thank you everyone who followed along on our journey through New Zealand, Hobart and Sydney.  This was a very short cruise for us but one of the more enjoyable ones.

Day 18 at sea en route to Melbourne

 I love it when we have a day at Sea and the sun is shining over a calm ocean, and that was today.  No breakfast again this morning, opting instead for lunch and dinner tonight.

We started the morning with an hour long walk around the deck before heading back to the suite to change into our bathers before once again heading to the Jacuzzi at the rear of the ship where it is secluded and warm.  After a quick lounge in the hot tub we lay in the sun.  Only a short time for Philip who is slightly sunburned from the last time but I stayed for about an hour.

As we disembark tomorrow morning in Melbourne we have to pack our suitcases that have to be outside our suite tonight.  I don't much like packing suitcases and wish I could click my fingers and a magic genie would appear and do it for me but alas I don't have an Aladdin.

By the time we had finished packing it was time to head to lunch.  We decided on the pool grill because I was craving a tuna salad sandwich.  Philip decided on the Fish Burger.  During lunch the captain announced that in the next hour or so we would be heading past Wilsons Promontory - the most southern point of Australia.  This place is stunning and is well known for its diverse wildlife, pristine beaches and stunning walks. 

The day had passed us by very quickly and in no time at all it was time to get dressed and head downstairs to the theatre for the final show for the cruise, "Motown", as well as a farewell speech by our captain. A selection of the crew also came on the stage to say goodbye.  No matter which cruise line, they always have this show and it is always great to watch.

The show went for around an hour that made us very late for our dinner reservation at The Grill, but the staff didn't seem too worried by that.  This is our second time dining here and we quite enjoy cooking over the hot rocks, even though it took quite awhile to cook by fillet steak.  I just kept cutting pieces off it to eat with my baked potato and skewered vegetables.

It turned into rather a late night for us who usually end up in bed before 9, but this is the last night so why not.  Tomorrow morning we will arrive into Melbourne to end this fantastic 18 day cruise.

Day 17 New Years Day at Sea

 After our very late night we slept in till around 8am.  The room is cosy and dark so it's quite easy to do that.  After our showers, we decided against breakfast, instead we made our way to the Observation Lounge at the front of the ship to watch as our ship departed Sydney.  It's a drizzly morning so we were both very grateful that when we sailed into Sydney two days ago the sun was shining brightly over the Sydney Harbour.

Once we headed through the headland and out into the open seas the sea became very rough with huge swells that made walking around quite uncomfortable.  The captain came across the speakers and apologised but he has to keep the ship at a steady 13 knots to make it to Melbourne on time.

In La Terrazza the chefs had prepared a New Year's Day Brunch so around 11am we headed there.  I was feeling a little squeamish from the rocking of the ship and an empty belly was not helping.  The brunch was substantial but we didn't feel like eating too much as we were headed to S.A.L.T. restaurant tonight.

After lunch it was time to choose a movie from the extensive library and relax until dinner.  The movie was an old Keanu Reeves movie and was fantastic.  It was called Chain Reaction. 

We had time for a wee nap after the movie and then into the shower to change and head to dinner.  I forget to get photos of dinner but I had Gratineed Mussels followed by Pork Spare Ribs and then a very unusual  but delicious Avocado Cremé Caramel.  The meal was light and flavoursome and we weren't left with overfull bellies as we headed back to our suite to prepare for bed.

Day one of being a non-drinker has been easy.  So far so good!

Day 16 New Years Eve, Sydney

 CONDENSED BLOG POST

Sydney treated us to perfect weather for our Walking Tour around the Rocks. We caught the bus at 9:30, arriving in the city buzzing with New Year’s Eve activity and heightened security after the recent Bondi attack. Our tour, starting and ending at Circular Quay, took a couple of hours and revealed new insights into the area’s heritage sandstone buildings, now high-end residences. The guide even treated us to ice cream on this warm day.

Back on board, we indulged in another pizza at Spaccanopoli—our love for pizza is clearly unstoppable! Tonight, we dined at La Dame, enjoying exquisite French cuisine: amuse-bouche pumpkin soup, scallops and lobster starters, duck and lamb mains with artistic vegetable presentations, and pistachio soufflé and passionfruit crêpe for dessert.

After dinner, we joined friends on the pool deck for the New Year’s party. Dancing through the countdown, we were stunned by Sydney’s fireworks—the display was incredible, seemingly everywhere we looked, lasting over half an hour. I toasted midnight with my last glass of champagne and have officially joined the non-drinker club—wish me luck!

Happy New Year! Wishing all my followers peace and love for 2026.

THE LONG VERSION

Sydney really turned on the weather for us today and we are grateful because we had chosen a Walking Tour around the Rocks area of Sydney.  The bus was waiting for us at 9.30 and the drive took around 20 minutes to reach the city centre.  It is NewYears Eve and the city is abuzz with activity in preparation for the world renowned fireworks display at midnight.  Security is extremely high after the Bondi terrorist attack just a few short weeks ago.  I have read that there will be around 2,500 armed police ready for any potential threat.  

The walk started and ended at Circular Quay and took us a couple of hours with many stops along the way.  It was a different route to the one that we had walked in previous years but our tour guide was knowledgeable and we learned a few new things about the area.  This area of Sydney contains a lot of old heritage sandstone buildings and warehouses that have now been turned into very high end housing that is well sought after, with the price tag to go with it!

As I mentioned we finished the walk around midday right where we started.  Our tour guide "shouted" us a ice-creams that went down a treat on this warm day.

Back on board we again headed to Spacanopoli for yet another pizza.  Our love of pizza runs deep and our waistlines are telling us we have to stop this trend.  We have really given ourselves a "get out of jail free card" on this trip so there will be some serious work to do when we get home!

Tonight we have dinner reservations in La Dame restaurant.  This is one of two restaurants where you have to pay to dine but it is also the ultimate in French cuisine. We had pre-dinner drinks in Panorama Lounge that was decorated in a black, silver and white theme.  Everyone was given a plate of caviar with their drinks that was a nice Silversea touch.

La Dame certainly lived up to its reputation as course after course of fine dining was delivered to our table.  We started with the Amuse Boućhe and this changes daily but today  chefs choice  was a pumpkin "soup" and it was a beautiful start to our meal.

Next for me was the scallops and Philip chose the lobster.  Both dishes were delicate and the accompanying sauces were winners.

For main course I chose the duck and Philip the lamb.  The vegetable selection was a work of art that was beautifully plated to complement the protein and both dishes were divine.

Our dessert choices were pistachio soufflé and passionfruit crepé.  The soufflé was a little on the dry side but the crepes were perfect.

After dinner we headed up to the pool deck where a New Years party was underway.  Our friends Vic and Lorri had a table so we joined them for the wait until the fireworks commenced. The music was our era so we danced our way to midnight.  The captain started the countdown for us and just as he reached midnight the sky exploded!  I had no idea of the magnitude of the Sydney fireworks display.  Whichever direction you looked there were fireworks.  In my mind I thought the fireworks were only around circular quay.  Boy was I mistaken.  It was the most incredible sight I have ever seen and I am so pleased that we made the effort to stay up.  The display just goes on and on.  I would say for half an hour and I can only imagine how much those fireworks cost!

I had my last glass of champagne at midnight and have now placed myself in the non-drinker category.  I have been working towards being a non drinker for a while now as it has been making me feel very unwell so it's time to stop. Wish me luck.

Happy New Year to all my loyal followers and my wish for you is peace and love for 2026.