After breakfast we did a last look around The Rocks. Checkout time was 11. We were at the desk at 10:30. We were told that there was no need to call for a taxi. They patrolled the area regularly, even on Sunday morning.
Sure enough after wheeling our suitcases down the hill to the curb, a taxi made a U-turn to pick us up. At 11:00 he dropped us at White Bay Cruise Terminal. We had been a bit concerned because our boarding documents said we were scheduled for checkin between 1:00 and 1:30. Not to worry. There was not another soul there for checkin. We walked right up to the counter and four ladies were eager to help us. At 11:30 we were in our cabin. Delightful!
We went to the dining room at noon
for the Mariners' luncheon, and had a very good lunch. At 1:00 we went to the
Crow's Nest for the new arrivals reception. There we met David from Sydney and
Helen. We had interesting conversations with our fill of wine until 2:00.
When we returned to our cabin, the
luggage had arrived. We efficiently unloaded it and got everything
situated on hangers or in drawers. Although we seemed to have packed
more than last time, we still had unused drawers and some hanging space
available. Must be for the stuff we will be buying.
At 4:15 we participated in the
briefest lifeboat drill ever. It was for just the 58 of us who boarded here in
Sydney. It consisted of checking in with the safety warden, listening to
the explanation of the safety warning system and watching him don a life
preserver. We were finished at 4:25.
At 5:30 we left our cabin for the
rear deck sail away program. We were offered lamb sliders and drink specials.
That was not special drink, but drinks at special prices. In 2016 as we left
Sydney the snacks were copious and the drinks were free. Everything seems
to have a price tag now. We left the dock at 6:00, and sailed under Harbor
Bridge and past the Opera House at 6:30. Shorty after 7:00 we exited the
harbor at the Heads.
Now it was dinner time. At the
dining room we met David. He was in line ahead of us. We were not assigned
fixed seating, so we were in open seating and he asked to join us. We
gladly agreed. As we were being led to our table, Sharon and Alan
Johnson entered the dining room. We know them from other cruises.
They joined our group. We were led to a table for eight. As we renewed our
acquaintance and introduced David another couple was seated with us. Alan
and Hillary were from Tasmania. Alan was onboard to present the Astronomy
lectures one the next three weeks. We had a delightful time and a
delicious meal. The fish is outstanding.
After dinner it was 10:00 and time
for the entertainment, a comedian. He did his best to entertain us even though
the main floor of the room was almost empty. He played to us in the
balcony. We at least seemed to be alive.
Sleep came quickly this evening.
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