http://timspages.blogspot.com.au/

I have copied this blog to http://timspages.blogspot.com.au/ where I will be making further updates.

Superstar Leo (2004)

In late 2003 when the SARS epidemic spread to South East Asia and China, Star Cruises repositioned their Singapore and Hong Kong based ships, Superstar Leo and Superstar Virgo to Australia until the crisis passed. In order to fill the ships at such short notice, very competitive fares were offered on board these ships for a series of cruises for Fremantle, Melbourne and Sydney. I took up one of these offers for a five day cruise from Melbourne to Hobart and back on board Superstar Leo from 29th January to 3rd February 2004. This cruise included an overnight in Hobart and a day's cruising around Bruny Island, Tasmania. I enjoyed the ship and would have liked to spend longer aboard her, especially on a warmer weather cruise.

Superstar Leo sailing from Melbourne on the previous cruise to mine on 23rd January.

 Melbourne - January 29

Outer West Station Pier from the top deck of the ship.

My balcony cabin.

The pool deck.

The children's pool and play area at the stern of the ship.

The lobby.

The main restaurant, overlooking the stern.

The lookout bar and lounge above the bridge.

The ship's Chinese decor is very evident in this stairwell.

This room looking into the bridge also held information and memerobilia about the ship.

Hobart - January 31 to February 1

Early morning on the Derwent River, approaching Hobart, taken from my cabin balcony on 31st January.

Coming alongside in Hobart.

The ship at Princess Wharf, taken from the Grand Chancellor Hotel.

Evening in Hobart.

Sailing from Hobart 1st February

Sailing around Bruny Island.

The shore tour guide giving passengers a commentary (left) and the Hobart pilot (2nd from left)

The ship's Captain (standing, left)

Arriving back at Station Pier 3rd February.

Regal Princess (2002)

In January 2002 I joined Regal Princess (now Pacific Dawn) in Melbourne for a cruise to Auckland, where I then joined QE2 for the trip back home. The Regal Princess cruise began in Syney on 24th. January and the itinerary was:

Jan 26 Melbourne, 28 Hobart, 31 Milford Sound, Feb 1 Port Chalmers, 2 Lyttelton, 3 Wellington,   5  Tauranga, 6 Bay of Islands, 7 Auckland, New Zealand.

Thi was my first cruise aboard a Princess ship, and while I found the ship to be a bit crowded and the atmosphere rather bland compared to QE2, the food and service were very good.

Prior to embarkation at Outer West Station Pier, Melbourne.

The pool deck by day and by night.

The bridge front.

The promenade deck by day and by night.

At Hobart.

Orient Lines' Crown Odyssey, also in Hobart that day.

The observation bar at the top of the ship was somewhat spoiled by an endless cacophany from the casino in the centre of the room.

Two of the lounges.

Milford Sound with Pacific Sky (ex Sky Princess) in the distance.

Crown Odyssey, also in the sounds that day.

Pacific Sky was in Port Chalmers, Lyttelton and Wellington on the same days as us.

On the wharf at Port Chalmers.

At Lyttelton.

At Wellington.

One of my old company's (Blue Star Line) ships at anchor in Wellington harbour. She was originally an ACT ship, a containership consortium that included Blue Star Line.

Sunset at sea off Wellington.

In Tauranga, also with Legend of the Seas.

At anchor in the Bay of Islands.

The ship's tender platform.