Honolulu 28th March Honolulu Our return visit so no hike to Waikiki beach today. Another beautiful day so a walk around to the Aloha Tower. This is where we docked in 2014 so bought back some memories. It has been or seems to have been taken over by the Hawaiin University. It is being redeveloped so there were loads of empty units and no stalls in the concourse which we had remembered. So a walk into Downtown, not far, a good coffee and people watched. Lots of other things for passengers to do including a visit to Pearl Harbour, Diamond Head or Pali Lookout which we have done before. So back on board for the next call to the Big Island, Hawaii... read more

Wellington 19th March Wellington A small city with a big reputation, we had bypassed here on our North Island tour so it was good to see New Zealand's capital city albeit briefly. It is infamous for its weather and also lies on a major fault line (those pesky earthquakes again). Passengers disembarking here were transferred to the West Pac Stadium because of damage by the latest earthquakes and new passengers were held in the same venue. The weather could not have been more benign, arriving on a glorious sunny morning, the city is draped around bushy hillsides encircling the harbour. The first Europeans arrived here in 1840, a Colonel William Wakefield bought and acquired land from the Maoris. Later the land purchases were deemed illegal and as in many parts of New Zealand land right struggles ... read more

17th March Dunedin FOG and more FOG The first major disappointment of the Cruise, I think the picture says it all. In fact it's the only picture!!! Onwards to Akaroa... read more

13th March Melbourne It is always difficult visiting these cities on the other side of the world and deciding how to spend the time effectively and efficiently. Today was going to be no exception and then coupled with meeting friends make it doubly difficult. We berthed at Port Philip a half hour shuttle ride into town. This was a Bank Holiday in Melbourne, Labour Day and there was also a festival with floats and fancy dress everywhere. We arrived in the centre to be dropped off at the Eureka Skydeck, one of the tallest residential buildings and you can take the lift from ground level to Level 88 in just 40 seconds. The Skydeck gives a 360'degree view of the city. As we arrived on the Southgate side on the river Yarra, there were flocks of ... read more

7th March Bay of Islands Well, back to the Bay of Islands and the weather when we arrived was in New Zealand parlance 'Custard' We had planned to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds but with the wet stayed on board. So a few pics from the ship and surrounds.... read more