Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Pacific Pearl - October 2014, 10 nights Pacific Islands

Finally, we booked another cruised! This was a VERY last minute booking. Booked and paid for on the Sunday and left on The Pearl on the Wednesday, talk about spur of the moment! It was a bargain we couldn't (well I couldn't) resist! $549 twin - 10 nights. Booked through OzCruising.

It started off like our last couple of cruises, on the train from Wauchope and this was the dreaded overnighter! We splurged and booked 1st class - much quieter and a bit more roomier. Still took just as long and arrived just as early (7am! - we left at 12.29am!).

1st class all the way baby!
Seeing as our cruise didn't leave until 4pm and our boarding time was until 12.30pm we decided to drop our luggage off in the locker room at Central station - $10 per bag for 4 hours. It was worth it!

Our cruise left from White Bay Terminal which we hadn't been to before so we thought we'd see if there was a shuttle bus - very difficult to find out any information but we were told that there was a P&O bus at bay 13 which usually turned up around midday on cruise days. The lady at the bus terminal said that they didn't seem to be too organised! I had heard that the bus was $15pp. We decided we wouldn't bother with the bus and would just catch a taxi (ended up being $25).
Before we did any walking or sight seeing we both need a cuppa of tea (well coffee for me) and mum had some solid gold toast. Food is very expensive in the eateries at Central Station.

After we'd had our caffeine hit we headed off into town and a bit of a wander around. So busy!


Martin Place - Sunrise and the Cash Cow
We had brekky at Maccas at the Ent Cent - what a rundown and dirty looking area this is, including Chinatown. It needs a good CLEAN. Although, I do believe that the ent cent is being torn down soon. Probably for the best.
Back to Central we headed, grabbed our suitcases and went looking for a taxi. There are a heap of them lined up outside the station. It's about 15-20 minutes depending on the traffic. It was very exciting to see the Pearl waiting for us.
The new cruise terminal isn't very fancy but I guess it is nicer than the big tent that they use to use at Barangaroo! Checkin was easy peasy and before we knew it we were heading on board. I did get in trouble just as I stepped onto the Pearl for using my camera - apparently it is a no no for security reasons! I pleaded my case, as he wanted me to delete the photo, and he allowed me to keep my video as I had turned it off just as I reached the security area, phew!


Before we went to find our cabin we got a hole punch in our cruise card - normally they already have a hole (so it makes it easy to attached to your lanyard) with this done of in search of our cabin we went. Deck 6 - 6112 inside, This was our first time in an inside cabin!

The cabin is basically the same as an outside just with no window. We did find out that it is VERY dark when the lights aren't on. No idea what time of day or night it is!
Our bags hadn't arrived yet so we thought we'd best checkout the buffet (Plantation) - it is lunchtime afterall!

The Dome


Sailaway was 4pm and the weather was great except for the wind - very windy!
And we are off!


We just fitted under the Harbour Bridge

A Celebrity ship docked at Circular Quay


I said it was windy!

Sailaway drinks - cheers mum!


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