| Our second day heading to New Zealand. The weather was horrible and many were wrapped up again. It wasn't that cold - just wet! The Windjammer was pretty busy but I eventually managed to find a table and was later joined by two elderly crazy Aussies called Noel and John. They were hilarious. There was an origami lesson in the afternoon but I didn't go in the end and French lessons. Some jokes there! The TV had changed so we lost Aussie Sky News, Fox Sports News, Fox Sports and other stuff. We had some more decent channels, which is good when you're resting your knee ready for a busy few days ahead. The usual Diamond Club, where one of the waiters brought my drink before I'd even seen him, and I persuaded JJ to let me take her photo. We were rocking a bit and I'd heard if we had bad weather we wouldn't be going into Milford Sound so hoped it wouldn't be so bad. After all, it was the main reason I was there! Dinner and tonight's laughfest was, if they were famous and having a blue plaque where they were born. Howard said it would have to be a blue streak since he was born in an ambulance between Dorking and somewhere I've forgotten. Ann said she was born in Southall before quickly changing it to Isleworth. Carol complained the cannelloni was "too cheesy" and isn't keen on cheese, so obviously ordered it just to moan. She also complains her room creaks in rough weather. The entire bloody ship creaks, you stupid cow! You really would never believe these have cruise before. Her hubby Dave, whose favourite phrase was, "It's beautiful" really loudly admitted he irons his cabin number into his clothes for the laundry. Wonder if he does the same with his name???? Does the number stay on permanently? Would could enormous confusion on other cruise if it doesn't come off. Well his bright idea didn't stop them complaining stuff was missing from their laundry. An early night afterwards and I'd skipped the show, which was Colleen Austin, yet another bloody singer. Does Australia and New Zealand not have any comedians or anyone doing something other than bloody singing??? Or are they just cheaper? |
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| The 3rd April was the day we arrived for our toe dipping into New Zealand, beginning with the beautiful Fiordland. I was up at 5.45am and went to the Windjammer, which opened at 6am. We'd been told by the Captain we would pick the pilot up at 6.30am and enter Milford Sound half an hour later. Surprisingly, there were many having breakfast in their coats! I got mine afterwards and went to the Prom deck. A few braved the helipad, only to return shortly afterwards complaining it was too windy. One came to the door on the Prom deck, went, "Oh my goodness" then promptly returned into the warm. It was also pouring with rain, which is great for future waterfalls in Fiordland, but rubbish for us so I hoped it would stop at least while we were in there. Another annoying thing was it hadn't begun to get light. Now this is fine for the summer cruises but we were in autumn, on daylight savings, so you couldn't even see a mountain when we entered it. Many of us were on deck 12 huddled under shelter as dawn began to break while the hundred and five, or whatever, who were doing the overland, overnight to Queenstown, disembarked. The crew were selling hot chocolate in flasks, which you could have with or without Tia Maria. I bought without, and it not only kept my hands warm but it was VERY hot chocolate! Despite the dismally cold weather, the atmosphere was great as Lady Bowen Falls was our main view until we did a 360° turn to give everyone a chance to see the gorgeous surroundings, then we moved towards Stirling Falls. I'd considered going on the helipad but stayed where I was as we slowly eased as close as we dared. The rain came and went but it didn't spoilt anything. Afterwards we headed back out to the Tasman Sea to sail towards Doubtful Sound. |
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| Our arrival into Doubtful Sound was supposed to be noon, exiting at 1pm but for some reason we had left Milford Sound after 10am instead of 8.30am. Radiance of the Seas was fast becoming Roller coaster of the Seas as we hit really rough sea and she was going up and down like a mad thing! She was also sending waves crashing over her helipad so they closed it at sea. It was difficult staying upright even when healthy, so I was struggling with my crocked knee. As I was chatting to an ex-pat, now living in South Africa whose name I've forgotten, we hit a hailstorm! It lasted several minutes but the weather was chucking all sorts at us. I decided to skip lunch, finding my assistant waiter, Jesben, in the Park Cafe, and went to get a drink from the Pool Bar. Egdouardo, from the Diamond Club, was working in there. It was so cold and often the water would pour out of the pool. I've had many rough seas, including 85 knots winds off Greenland, but this was the worse for roller coaster motion in the ocean. Loved every second but my poor back and knee suffered. We'd had quite a bit of bumpiness since leaving Fremantle and Radiance showed she was more than capable of handling anything chucked a her. I was in love with this ship! Though it was a relief when we reached Thompson Sound, which was the way to Doubtful Sound, and around Secretary Island, as the wind dropped until we approached open sea again. Due to our lateness, we arrived at 1.30pm and exited an hour later. I bumped into an American who I'd spoken to at Milford Sound who told me he's been on the helipad, they got sprayed but it was fantastic. Egdouardo was selling hot chocolate flasks, this time with or without Baileys, so I bought one without and went back to the cabin to warm up. |
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| Bloody hell! Roller coaster of the Seas made is extremely difficult to stay on furniture as well as the Tasman Sea became worse. The waves crashing over the helipad became more prolific but it took people being half-drowned on several occasions before they closed it again. We were supposed to enter Dusky Sound at 2.30pm and leave at 4pm but we were still running an hour late. I went back up top as the webcam showed us closer to Breaksea Sound. Once we'd gone around Resolution Island, we turned the corner and there was a gorgeous rainbow. We had all weathers again, minus hail, and it was the coldest it had been all day. Afterwards I went in to defrost, sleep then had dinner. The restaurant manager asked why I was eating and running so I explained it was those idiots on my table. He said he could move me so I pointed out I'm staying because of my waiters who are brilliant. He understood. Tonight, Joyce complained she had hiccups prompting Ann to say she did. Neither of them did! It's unbelievable how desperate this oneupmanship was becoming between them. They all enjoyed Fiordland and Ann mentioned she has a trappers hat at home and Long Johns. "Thermal ones," she smugly announced. Aren't they all???? How the hell did this woman become part of our education system???? She'd had her hair and nails done then proceeded to complain about how bad her nails were. Do them yourself then! Only wanted them done to show off. Sad cow. I went to bed after I'd escaped their latest oneupmanship drivel. |
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