Diamond Princess - 12/22/10 - Australia/New Zealand

Hi again everyone,

KVI's agent in Vienna, Austria - Elisabeth Gesell - has just returned from a cruise 'Down Under' aboard the Diamond Princess. Here's her review...

Ship: Diamond Princess
Date : 22 December 2010 to 3 January 2011
Cabins: 2 balcony cabins
Area: Australia / New Zealand
Shore excursions: took only two, but both of them excellent, well organized, very good tour guides.
Entertainment: The Princess Dancers and Singers are top entertainment.
Dining: No matter where you are - very good
Favourite restaurant: STERLING STEAKOUSE
Favourite bar: SKYWALKER
Service: Impeccable, very friendly, efficient, whenever you need anything they are there. Especially the cabin stewards - outstanding.
Fitness Centre: Enough machines, interesting training classes.
Jogging Track: yes, outside.
Shops: Not so good, selections poor

We had planned to leave London on the 18th December to spend 2 days in Sydney before going on board. However, due to snowstorms crossing over Europe resulting in flight delays and cancellations we only arrived in Sydney 4 hours prior cruise departure.
Being stranded at an airport halfway around the world, trying to get hold of someone to arrange for a late transfer service from the airport in Sydney to the ship was the first very pleasant surprise. Princess put our mind at ease confirming that we would be met at the airport even though we did not sign up for transfers at the time of booking.



22nd December: FINALLY !! we arrived in Sydney. We were met by Princess as confirmed. Great service! After more or less 4 days on the road with hardly any sleep this felt very good.
Check in went smoothly, we were in our cabins 20 minutes after arriving at the port, which gave us 1 hour to see a bit of Sydney. Very worthwhile, the port area (right next to the famous Operahouse) is lively with lots of entertainment, great crowd. With beautiful weather, and a great sunset we departed.

23rd December, at sea: We got to know our ship, our fellow travellers, check on restaurants
1 main and 5 optional plus 2 with extra charge (US$ 20 per person) - the STERLING Steakhouse and SABATINI. A 24 hour Buffett, several hot dog and hamburger counters, coffee places galore, great bars. Special recognition goes to the SKYWALKER - perfect setting any time of the day and night and a very cosy WHEELHOUSE Bar for late hours.

24th December, Melbourne: Our first shore excursion MEL - 210 Kangaroos, Koalas & You Yangs Park. Lots of animals, had a great tour guide with excellent explanations.

Being Austrians we celebrate Christmas on the 24th, therefore dressed up and had a lovely dinner at the Sabatini. Great service, delicious Italian food.

25th December, at sea: formal dinner - dinner jackets, black tie and long evening gowns are seen everywhere. Dinner at VIVALDI, very good.

26th December, Hobart : Wonderful. We had tour HBA 145 . What a mythical forest, old unbelievably high trees with lots of moss, flowers, birds - absolutely stunning. Excellent introduction to sheep farming and winery by our tour guide. Dinner at the Buffett - we enjoyed the wide variety to choose from.

27th and 28th December, at sea: Weather is not too good, cool to cold. However the two days on board were not boring at all, just the opposite. My husband and I took dancing lessons, which was lots of fun, we sat at art auctions (unbelievable amount of money spent there). At the art trivia my son's girlfriend won a piece of art woth US$ 500!! We watched the Movie in the sky (which is a great thing) - big screen right at the main swimming pool for afternoon family entertainment. We had some time at the adults-only space (own swimming pool , comfortable leisure deck chairs) very relaxing. Dinner at the Sterling STEAKHOUSE. our favourite - Situated on one side of the all day buffett area people obviously think it is part of the buffet, which it is not at all. Small, intimate setting, outstanding service and the best steaks we ever had. Service outstanding.

29th December, New Zealand: whole day cruising Milford Sound, Dusty Sound, Doubtful Sound. Weather was cool, bit of sunshine, which added to the mythical setting of these outstanding sounds. Great explanations by the ships excursion director, while one cruises along. Dinner at the Pacific Moon: beautiful, serene.

30th December, Dunedin: Rented a car (Pegasus car rental) which we had arranged already from home. Pegasus is the only one who delivers the cars to the port. Good cars, helpful, friendly people and on time service. Drove around, beautiful scenery, dolphins, birds, just nature, wonderful. Dinner at the Savoy: great food, great service.

31st December, Christchurch: We leave early (by Pegasus car again) and drive up to Arthurs Peak, beautiful ride through the Alpine region, (aprox. 4 hours). Then on to ANTARTIC Centre - very interesting, also a good thing to do with children. Evening - the ship gets ready for a big, big party. Lots of music, fun, there is dancing everywhere. We love it and stay up until 1.30am , our young ones I think until 5am.

1st January, at sea: we all need a day of doing nothing after this party.

2nd January, Tauranga: Here is Maori country. We have again our Pegasus car waiting and drive out to the Maori village, we learn a lot about their culture. Then on to Rotorua, the thermal reserve (hot springs). What a place! Temperature ranges from 96.8 to 107.6 degrees F. Dinner : Second time at the Steakhouse. Everyone gets now ready to disembark next morning.

3rd January: We leave quite early (no problem for Princess). Our departure absolutely with out any hassle. What a great vacation for mind and body. Last but not least thanks to the staff of Princess, each and everyone.

Elisabeth Gesell

KVI Travel
elisabeth.gesell@gesell.com