World Cruise 2025 – BYE SYDNEY, BUT NOT AUSTRALIA!

We had a good sail away party as we were leaving Sydney by the Aquarius pool. The entertainments team were giving it their all, dancing to the groove. Bryony was our DJ for the evening. The sights we were sailing away from were just as amazing as they had been when we arrived. The sun was setting and it was “Here we come Brisbane” Another place ticked off the bucket list!

We had a day at sea before arriving at Brisbane and it was a day filled with activities on deck, quizzes, bridge and cricket. Followed by a session in the gym to get the steps up and then to the Thermal Spa for a chill.

The evening was a Black Tie event where people would dress to impress. The food was amazing and the service first class.

Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia and one of the most desirable places to live.
We made our way across beautiful terrain to a wine producing company and more importantly wine tasting! Passing through the rainforest was great.
The wine actually wasn’t to our taste but it was very interesting that they mixed grapes together trying to make their own tastes and flavours.
A visit to a small cave to see the glow worms in action.

We made our way back to the centre and to the beach. It went on forever!
Walking along this beach we noticed popping sounds around us. Washed up from the sea were lots and lots of small stinger jellyfish and as the sun heated them they swelled up like balloons. Of course we were then stepping on them! Eurrrgh! It was gross! Moving away from these little creatures the beach was beautiful.

There was an ANZAC memorial just off the beach and a sandstone statue of a Vietnamese Veteran. Everywhere was clean and cared for.

The next port of call was Airlie Beach and we had booked an excursion over a year before including a boat ride to the Great Barrier Reef along with a snorkelling experience once we were there. You can imagine our disappointment to be told it was cancelled due to bad weather! It was another bucket list adventure and we managed to change the following days excursion we had booked to do the same trip in Cairns! Thank goodness for that!
The weather was great in Airlie Beach and a small HoHo bus took us into town. The high street was full of kiosks offering adventures. Mainly to young backpackers not oldies like us.

We tried to book something but no luck on that score so we decided to take in the Airlie Beach Lagoon. A beautiful man made lagoon perfect for the warm summer days, a great spot to sit and enjoy reading a book or going for a swim. Picnic areas, bathrooms and changing rooms, all free for your use.

A walk back to the ship at the Cruise Whitsundays Terminal was really enjoyable and Andy loved looking at the yachts in the marina as we passed.

Here we are at Cairns. It is so exciting as the weather is good over the Great Barrier Reef and our excursions is on!
Just offshore lies the natural wonder of living coral forming the Great Barrier Reef and we are going to swim over it!
The boat was spacious and very comfortable. We took seats inside and started the form filling duties to cover our experience. Then equipment collection, first of all our stinger suits ( such designer wear! ) these are to stop those little jellyfish getting us. Flippers and buoyancy aids too. We had our own snorkel’s to use and we were ready.

The whole process was very organised and it made you feel safe even though as you lowered into the sea it was quite choppy! We were soon settled and off on our adventure. The colours were so amazing to see. Fish of all sizes swimming around you. Just an awe inspiring adventure! There were tears rolling down my cheeks inside my mask! (I know, Andy laughed at me too.)
Lunch served onboard our boat was gorgeous and then after a chill it was back in the water. Andy went snorkelling with one of the tour guides to see further afield and had a great experience. The sail back was relaxing and everyone was telling their tales of adventure. It was definitely a “pinch me moment”
I tell myself every day how lucky we are.

Back onboard Arcadia and our entertainment for the evening was a Tribute to Neil Diamond with Peter Byrne. A brilliant tribute to this iconic artist. Singing all the favourites from Sweet Caroline to Red Red Wine. What a voice!

A few days at sea and heading for Darwin. It was very hot, but the sun lotion was smeared on hourly as the outdoor activities were a big part of our day, both for exercise and socially. Then a dip in the pool between each session was just what was needed.
Then we arrived at Darwin, closer to Indonesia than any other Australian city. It is the capital of the remote vast Northern Territory. Man eating crocodiles, tropical monsoons, searing heat and bush fires that burn for weeks are all part of every day life.
We took the HoHo bus to see the city. I’m getting used to the senior price tickets now. People were happy sitting downstairs rather than the open top as it was air conditioned! But we braved the top deck not wanting to miss anything.
First a drive through the city centre and on to Cullen Bay. This was a lovely area and the marina was full of luxury yachts. We wandered along the waters edge and by the many restaurants there.

Then back on the next bus and go to Mindil Beach where on a stroll along the tree lined sea front you come across a BIG crocodile! Luckily made of bronze! The beach was deserted and went on for miles. It was so hot and we would have loved a dip in the sea but we read the sign that said no swimming because of sharks and crocodiles, There was a sailing club sign just by it too, so obviously you need to be good at sailing and no capsizing allowed.

We then went on to East Point, calling into the Darwin museum on the way. East Point was a vast open area where the wallabies were chilling in the shade. They were watching us closely as we watched them closely and it was lovely to see them in their natural habitat. It was soooo hot! When the next bus arrived we took downstairs seats to cool a little!