Friday 30 June Gulf of Aden

 Overnight we have progressed into the Gulf of Aden on our way to the Red Sea. I woke up after 6 and as I am laying in bed, a shudder goes through the ship. It feels quite, no wind and little movement. I get up to have a look from the balcony. It is a beautiful morning, 31 degrees, slight seas and no wind. However the ship is barely moving, I do not think the engines are turning over! We head off to the gym just before 7.30 and we are just crawling along. About 50 minutes into my walk I realise my Fitbit is still on my wrist and not in my pocket - 6000 steps unaccounted for! 

By breakfast our speed has increased to 20 knots and we are making good time. At breakfast one of the head waiters decides he will start singing. He has a portable speaker and soon has the passengers clapping and singing along. I hope this is not a distraction while we dodge pirates? 

At 11.30 the captain makes an announcement that the engine repairs have progressed well and we are now able to increase speed subject to weather conditions. The wind has picked up but the sea is moderate with a 2 metre choppy swell, nothing like the swells of the last couple of days. The captain will try to make up some time but expects to be late getting into Aqaba by a few hours. As we have a late departure from Aqaba, we should still be able to get the snorkeling and glass bottom boat done. At trivia with Leo and Cathy back we got 18 out 20. There were 4 winners on 20.

Towards evening the winds  have died down as has the sea and we are making good time. The clock goes back another hour tonight.  We stayed up late and had a after dinner drink in the bar before heading off to bed.

Horizon court for breakfast

Breakfast pastries

Breakfast buffet

Breakfast buffet

Breakfast buffet continued

Thursday 29 June At Sea

 Last night we drank one of the bottles of wine we brought on board at Dubai. We have been very disciplined with our alcohol intake as it is too easy to drink all day every day which appears to be the norm for a lot of people on this cruise. As it was another formal night we thought we would let loose! 

It was a rough night with the ship moving around quite a bit. I estimate the swell has increased to around 5 metres. While it was somewhat noisy with the cabin creaking as the ship hit the swells, both Ann and I had a great nights sleep. It was either the rocking of the ship or the wine, or a combination of both. Our trivia team is still not back together as Leo and Cathy are cabin bound until they get clearance from their gastro. We have spoken with them over the phone and it sounds like it was an exhausting and uncomfortable trip in India, but Cathy says it was still worthwhile to see the Taj Mahal. Based on what they have been through it must be impressive. Hopefully they should be cleared by tomorrow. 

Our laundry was returned last night, it only took three days. With the number of elite passengers on board we thought that was quite speedy.

It is 27 degrees this morning, strong winds, rough seas and overcast skies. The water has been drained from the indoor pool and the outdoor pool is closed. We have tried to stay indoors as the wind is very strong. 

Cathy and Leo turned up for dinner tonight which was good and they are glad to be out of “quarantine “. The wind is howling outside and hopefully it is expected to die down overnight.

Heading into the waves

The outdoor pool this afternoon

Aft view of the rough weather

Our dinner dining area

Wednesday 28 June At Sea

 The wind has died down overnight and is now less than 10 km. The swell however has deepened and is at 3 to 4 metres and the ship is moving up and down, but our cabin is quite stable. Every now and then there is quite a shudder through the ship as we hit a big wave. It is only 27 degrees, almost cool.

At 11.15 the captain makes a general announcement that the repairs to the main engine have been progressing well and are expected to be completed by tomorrow. However because of the sea conditions he has had to reduce speed to just 17 knots otherwise it would become too uncomfortable. He expects conditions to deteriorate over the next 12 to 24 hours, with increased wind and swell size, but as we move out of the Arabian Sea into the gulf of Aden he is hopeful the conditions will improve and he will be able to make up time.

Our curse has struck again with Matt Rendell passing away.

The wind has picked up and the swell also with occasional rain periods. The temperature has dropped to 25 degrees and Ann is wearing lightweight jacket!

By the time we head off to bed the ship is now moving considerably. Ann took a pill and she is feeling ok. I have included some photos of the ship’s interior.

Part of universal lounge where we go to Trivia

Another view of universal lounge

Princess theatre where all the shows take place

View of lifts from our cabin

Corridor of cabins

Tuesday 27 June At Sea

 Last night we left Dubai and headed out of the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The wind has picked up to 25 km per hour and the seas are quite choppy with a 2 metre swell. It was 31 degrees at 7 am. We now have a few sea days ahead of us until we reach Aqaba our next port.

The wind has strengthened during the day but where our cabin is there is not a lot of movement. The temperature has stayed at 31 all day, sky has been a bit overcast. With doing two walks per day we are now averaging nearly 20,000 steps per day. Ann is very pleased with herself.

Tonight we went to the show. It was a pre dinner show for us so it fitted into our itinerary. It was a comedian, Ivor Richards. He was very funny and it was very entertaining. The wind has picked up even further tonight but the ship remains steady. The temperature at 9.30 pm is 30 degrees. 

Monday 26 June - Dubai

 I had cranked the air con up last night and we both slept well. It is 31 degrees when we get up at 7 am. 

Figured out the air strip beside the terminal is for light planes taking up sky divers! At breakfast we can see a group of 7 or 8 sky divers working their way down and landing on a grass area between the terminal, the beach are and the high rise buildings. When the first few land and the others are about half way down the plane comes into land. It is getting very warm.

We sort out our first free laundry with our cabin steward Peter, who also informs us we are entitled to pre dinner canapés each formal night. We have not had our bar stocked yet, but that is sorted by guest services and we are able to select what types of drinks are supplied. It is a once off at the start of each leg. On our visit to immigration yesterday we noticed a duty free liquor store in the terminal, so we head over to see what is available. We are entitled to bring one bottle each on board at the start of each leg, and anything above that attracts a $15 corkage charge. With bottles in the restaurants at $74 plus, it is cheaper to bring more on and pay the corkage. We did find it was cheaper to order wine through room service ($57) and then take it with you to the restaurant.

At the liquor store we settled on a Jacobs Creek reserve Chardonnay at $28 per bottle (probably twice the amount if purchased in Australia),while there were  cheaper wines from overseas countries and labels we had never heard off, we decided to stick with what we know. We did not go overboard, buying only three bottles expecting to pay corkage on one of the bottles. In the end we just walked back on with no checking of bags!

After lunch we decide to go to the gym, it is just before 2 pm and the temperature is 41 degrees or 105.8 Fahrenheit! After our walk in the gym we head off to the indoor pool. When you walk out side it is like as a crew member said a microwave. After the pool dip we stay in the area as we have a nice spot in the shade where it is probably 10 degrees cooler. 

I have been reluctant to claim recent deaths for the Hoy travel curse, as most have been very ill already. But I can claim Simon Crean as that was unexpected. 

The temperature has dropped to only 25 this evening but it is still uncomfortable outside. We received our bar stock and we are allowed to change the contents. We can swap the lot for one bottle of wine or we can swap all the spirits for beer, so we can get another 8 beers for the spirits. We can also swap the soft drinks for diet ones. It has been a good day.

Sky divers

Plane. Coming into land

Sunset

Refueling 

Our bar stock

Party Boats

Sunday 25 June Dubai

 Woke up early but had a good nights sleep. We are approaching Dubai and there are quite a number of cargo ships coming and going. We decide to go up early to the gym at 7.20. It is 31 degrees with little to no wind. There are few people up up at the gym. As we arrive we start to see the Dubai skyline. We are now in the Persian gulf.

It is an amazing sight. Tall skyscrapers appear across the horizon. Our entrance to Dubai takes us past the Palm Jumeirah, which luckily for us is on our port side. The buildings while not skyscrapers are incredible. We pass by the Atlantis hotel/resort which looks like a Disneyland entrance. There is a building that looks shipping containers have been stacked up. As we berth you can see the “fronds” of the palm tree  on which the houses have been built. When we get to look out the other side more amazing sights await. 

The marina full of large luxury boats, an airstrip and an enormous number of skyscrapers. It is bloody hot though. We head off to the terminal at 10.30 for immigration clearance. Having passed through there we are undecided what to do. The hop on off bus is available, but it is too hot. We decide to go back to the ship. I think we will spend the rest of the day on board close to the pool - probably the indoor one. It is 39 degrees.

After lunch we have another session in the gym but limit it to 50 mins. We have increased our walking to an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. However the heat in Dubai may cause a rethink. After the gym we intend to go to the indoor pool, but on the way we check on our membership status and we are confirmed as elite level. Off to the pool, it is hot but there is some airconditioning in the indoor pool. We both have a swim and then an ice cream!

After dinner we view the lights of Dubai from the ship which are fantastic but it is 33 degrees!

The Atlantis Hotel

Saturday 24 June at Sea

 Today we were supposed to be in Muscat, but it is another day at sea. The wind has died down considerably and the sea is only a slight swell. Strange it is still 28 degrees but overcast and cloudy. Tomorrow we arrive in Dubai. We have entered the Gulf of Oman.

By lunch time it is 32 degrees! After lunch we go to trivia the King (Elvis) versus Queen.

It is being run by Kelvin the Entertainment director who is very funny. He plays a few bars of an Elvis song and we have to guess the name and then follows up with a queen song. We end up with 14 out 24! We got 5 Elvis and 9 Queen right. After the trivia we did an hour on the walking machine while watching freeo and Essendon. As it is a Saturday we decide to order a bottle of wine for a pre dinner drink and then take it with us to dinner. We have been very disciplined with our drinking and are managing it quite well. It is amazing to see the number of people who drink every day and night.

We had a table of eight tonight and the atmosphere was great and an enjoyable night was had by all. We are due to arrive in Dubai at 9 am, three hours early. Not sure what we will do as the temperature is going to be 38 plus. As I am writing this it is 10 pm and 31 degrees!

Friday 23 June somewhere in the Arabian Sea

 Slept well last night despite the ship’s movement. Ann was a bit restless. I am feeling a lot better this morning. The wind has strengthened and is around 35 kms per hour with quite a rough and choppy sea. Both pools have been closed and Ann has taken a Dramamine. It is still 29 degrees, the temperature never seems to change. We had 16 out of 20 for trivia, Ann was on fire! Winners had 19.

Sick bags have been put out at the stairs. Both Ann and I are feeling ok.

Tonight we had the Captains Circle cocktail party where they acknowledge their loyal members. The top couple on board had 179 cruises with over 1800 nights cruising with princess! The vast majority of people on board are elite category (850), which we will achieve once we arrive in Dubai.

Dubai is predicted to be 42 on both days we are in Dubai. We may stay on the ship!

Had a lovely meal tonight, we were on our own again but two ladies (sisters) joined us, Lynne and Bev. They were two remarkable ladies, older than us, who had caravaned across northern Australia for seven months and plan to continue after this world cruise!

Surf and Turf

Ann’S dessert

My dessert

Thursday 22 June - At Sea

 Did not sleep well last night, my cold has come back with a cough and sinus issues. I am feeling ok after breakfast, so hopefully this is the last of it. Ann slept well though. The wind increased during the night and the sea is now a moderate swell.  The temperature is 29 degrees but it is cloudy which only increases the humidity. We are being very careful in opening and closing the balcony door. The indoor pool has quite a swell running this morning.

Feeling better this afternoon, hoping I am on the mend. The wind is still strong and sea is very choppy but the ship is reasonably steady. Still 29 degrees. 

Clocks go back another hour tonight.

Wednesday 21 June At Sea

 We left Colombo late and are now in the Arabian Sea on our way to Muscat. We arrive at Muscat on Saturday  so only three sea days. Had a good nights sleep but still woke up early - 6am. The wind and sea have died down, but there is still some movement. It is only 27 degrees! We decide to go up to the gym at 7.15 but all the machines are taken. With all the time changes it has thrown our timing out on when machines will become available. So we decide to walk the promenade deck for a change. It is getting windier and the humidity is quite high. We call it quits after nine laps. We are  trying to cool off on the balcony before having a shower and the fire alarm goes off again. I have left the balcony door open and the humidity is causing the alarm to go off. I will have to be more vigilant in closing the balcony door.

After breakfast a note is delivered from the captain informing everyone that they are still unable to travel at full speed and we will have to bypass Oman to pick up time. They are continuing to work on the problem and with an overnight stop in Dubai they should be able to make the necessary repairs. I was wondering how we were going to make up time after our late departure from Colombo. It only adds one more sea day. We were just two of us for trivia and we were pleased with our efforts 16 out of 24. The winners had 21!

It has become quite overcast and wind has increased to 20 to 25 knots with a short swell. The ship is moving a bit but not too bad. The temperature is still at 27 degrees. We have noticed there seems to be more people wearing masks and the cabin next door to us has a table outside!

Last night it looked like we were going to be the only ones at our table but a new couple who were late getting back on board joined us. Tonight we were on our own again and this time no one joined us. So we had a nice romantic dinner for two at a table set for ten. We feel sorry for our waiters who are keen to look after all of us. Our trivia team mates are in India and will not be back until Sunday when we get to Dubai. The other four who are nice and friendly, but unreliable when coming to the main dining room they seem to prefer to eat up stairs at the buffet.

We head off to bed and it is 29 degrees.

Photos from Colombo

 Had trouble uploading photos so decided to try it separately. Also forgot to mention we saw many beautiful old colonial buildings built by the Dutch and British during their occupations of the country.

Warship off our stern

Fishing boat

Ann getting out of the sun

Buddhist Temple

Hindu temple

Welcome to Colombo

Colombo sky line

Tuesday 20 June Colombo

 Another early wake up around 5 am. Ann still sleeping though. Having difficulty adjusting to all the time changes. Should be ok in a couple of days. The wind is still strong but the seas have died down and the ship is not rolling as much. It is 28 degrees and light cloud. There is a warship off the port side stern that seems to be shadowing us, it may be security against possible pirate attacks or it is just going the same way as us.

We are not expected to dock now before 1.30 and it is a 20 min shuttle bus ride to the main wharf gate. We are docking in a container terminal area so no walking is allowed. It will be a mad scramble for tickets to go ashore as it will be restricted by the numbers they can fit on the shuttle buses! 

I head down just after 1pm to queue for our tickets. The queue is 20 metres long. It doesn’t take too long and we are group 8. The container area where we dock is huge. We  don’t get clearance to disembark until 1.45. Our group is not called until 2.20. Then onto the shuttle bus and it does take 15 mins to get to the gate. There was no way anybody could walk through the traffic and find their way! When we get off the bus we are swamped with Tuk tuk drivers and others offering tours. We find our bus and hop on. Not everyone is there and we have to wait for people which is understandable in the circumstances. We eventually head off at 3 pm.   The last shuttle is 7.30 pm.

We head off in the bus and Colombo has a lot of high rise buildings and some 5 star hotels. There is a lot of. Construction work on hold. All the work has been financed by China and they have called in the debt and now Sri Lanka is in dire financial difficulty.  The economy is in real trouble and they are pleased to get any foreign income from tourists, so it is a shame that with our late arrival a number of tours have had to be cancelled. At least our trivia friends have had their India tour rescheduled albeit 5hey will be leaving later.

On our tour we visited a number of the main tourist spots, such as the red mosque, a Buddhist temple and a Hindu temple. We also saw the major govt buildings. We got back to the ship at 6.15 pm. It was rushed but it needed to be.  

Tonight the clocks go back another 30 mins! It is 9.30pm and we are still at the wharf. We were supposed to depart at 8pm. 

Monday 19 June at Sea

 We have now sailed into the Bay of Bengal on our way to Colombo. The wind did not pick up as forecast and remains at 20 to 25 knots. The seas are moderate but the ship is not moving around as much as yesterday. It is 28 degrees at 8 am. We both had a good nights sleep despite going to bed at 9.30, had to put clocks back an hour so we wake at the new time of 5.40am. I am feeling a lot better this morning.  At 6 we decide to go to the gym early, but only one walker available and both exercise bikes being used, so I opt for the promenade deck. It is quite windy, tail wind on one side and head wind on the other. On my walk I notice hoses set up to deter boarders!

I spoke too early about the weather calming down! After breakfast the wind has strengthened and the sea is rising with the ship moving a lot more.

At about 11 am the captain makes an announcement that they are experiencing some technical issues with the diesel generators and has affected the ability too sail at full speed and with the weather the ship slowed during the night and now will not arrive in Colombo until 1 pm instead of 7.30 am. That is going to stuff up a lot of tours! The couple we play trivia with are due to go to India so I don’t know what is going to happen there.

After lunch we have our gym session and we get back to our cabin and are out on our balcony when our fire alarm goes off! Then we get a phone call from the bridge! Ann tells them we were not smoking,! A few seconds later it stops - a false alarm. We think they reset it from the bridge. All I can think of is that I had the balcony door open and it is very windy and maybe some thing has blown in and set it off.  We also have a message rescheduling our Sri Lankan tour from 8am to 2pm. I suspect it will be a truncated tour.

We can’t believe that we are starting our second week and still have another 13 weeks to go 😁. We have got into a routine where the time just flys by! 

Also thanks for your comments, we are receiving them.

Water hose to repel pirates

Sunday 18 June At Sea

 Well the smooth sailing is over! During the night the wind has picked up and the ship is now rocking and rolling. It is still warm at 27 degrees. My cold has intensified so I did not have a great night. The cabin has a lot of creaks as the ship moves. I think it is better where we are (aft) than it is forward. We do not get the sound or vibrations when the ship ploughs through the waves. Ann woke up at 2 am and took a Dramamine. My issue was not so much the movement but my cold. I will give the gym a miss this morning but Ann has gone. 

The wind has eased a bit after breakfast but there is still some rocking and rolling. The couple we play trivia with have an Indian side trip planned from Colombo. They will be off ship for four days meeting up with us again in Muscat. Because of this I will not go to trivia as I do not want to pass my cold on to them, Ann will let them know.

Last night on our bed was a notice about a pirate drill for the ships staff. Apparently we are entering an area known for pirate activity. Could be exciting! Passengers are advised to stay off the decks, go to your cabins or an inside area and brace for sudden ship manoeuvres!

Ann decides to so some laundry and we are jibbed on the soap dispenser. Tried twice but it must be empty- not wasting any more money so we just wash without soap. Clothes turn out pretty clean! We then go up to the indoor pool area and decide to read/do puzzles. Another storm comes through with rain and strong winds. The water in the pool has its own wave machine. At the noon announcement we have moderate seas and 20 to 30 knot winds. The forecast is for rough seas and 35 to 40 knot winds. Could get interesting. After lunch Ann is off to the gym while I isolate in the cabin. My cold has got worse but hopefully it should start to clear up by tomorrow. 

The wind has eased somewhat but it is expected to increase overnight. We dine at the buffet again but hopefully I should be ok tomorrow night.

Cullen and Jazlyn, I had two ice creams this morning and at dinner I had two scoops!

Clocks go back another hour tonight so we will now be four hours behind Melb.

This mornings view

Prepare for pirates

Incoming storm

On our rear deck before storm hits