Day 137: Scenic cruising Oyster and Wineglass Bays

We had a very easy and relaxing day, cruising by Wineglass Bay and into Oyster Bay in Freycinet National Park. I love it when the scenery comes to us, and it certainly did today. We skipped breakfast in the Concerto Dining Room, grabbed some coffee and a few items from the World Fresh Marketplace, and found the warmest place on deck, near our cabin and the hamburger grill area, to sit back and watch it all go by. Occasionally we’d run up one deck and take photos  where there was no glass blocking our view, but mostly we were happy to just stay put. We already have plenty of photos of this area. 

We were a little disappointed that we never came close to entering Wineglass Bay, that horseshoe-shaped bay below Mount Dove (above). I don’t know if it was a weather- or ship size- related issue. 

We then cruised through Oyster Bay, crossing between Freycinet National Park and Schouten Island, with beautiful scenery on both sides of the ship. 

Where in Tasmania are we?

The view from our breakfast table

This granite...my favorite colors. Gorgeous!

Schouten Island

 

Schouten Island

This area reminds me quite a bit of the Maine coast, but features endless pure white sand beaches that don’t exist on the North Atlantic coast. We saw a few pleasure boats today, more than we’d ever seen here before, but it is the height of summer, after all. 

We stayed in that area long enough to get a seafood noodle soup from the Noodle Bar (me) and a burger and fries (G). By the time we finished eating, we were past the best of the scenery and returned to our cabin. I took advantage of the time to remove my glitter polish; another clear sign that the season is coming to an end. I didn’t want to wait until the last sea day, when we’ll be busy packing, to take care of that. I also wanted to get the last of the polish remover I had purchased at the Target in Honolulu to steward Eldrich to dispose of. 

We went to the Elite Lounge in the Vista-less Lounge and then to dinner where Headwaiter Francesco continues to spoil us rotten. Today it was sundried tomato and black olive focaccia right from the oven. Never have I ever tasted bread that good. Perfection on a plate. 

Day 5 dinner menu, page 1

Day 5 dinner menu, page 2

Day 5 dessert menu

Still, we should have skipped dinner altogether; tonight was the Most Traveled Guest cocktail party for this cruise, and the food served there boggles the mind. It was held in the Hollywood Conservatory, which was a rather different venue for it. We missed having small tables on which to set plates as we ate, but the view from up there, Deck 17 at the front of the ship with floor to ceiling windows, couldn’t be beat. We were able to meet this cruise’s Most Traveled Guests, Ray and Barb King with over 2300 Princess days. They are from Hobart, and are on this cruise with their young grandson (also from Hobart).  Joyce, they said to tell you Hi and made some remark about your skill as a trivia player that I won’t repeat here. I know it was said in jest.  ;-)

Clockwise from the upper left:  

Crab margarita, mango coconut shrimp, ahi tuna poke, and an oyster shooter. 

Life is good. :-)


Just part of the dessert table

When we finally made it back to our cabin at 9pm, the front of the ship cam still showed that beautiful twilight that we love so much down here. It helps to know that the days are getting longer at home, and daylight savings time is not that far away. 

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 1

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 2

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 3

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 4

Day 43: Scenic cruising Oyster and Wineglass Bays

It’s 11pm as I start this post, so this is going to be super speedy tonight. Our glorious Tasmanian weather continued today...at least until this evening. We had perfect weather and calm seas for our scenic cruising of Oyster and Wineglass Bays around Freycinet National Park this morning. We had been told by Captain Lewis last night that the Ruby Princess would be entering Oyster Bay around 7am this morning, and, sure enough, at 7am Destination Expert Hutch’s voice came into our cabin through the ship’s webcam channel. He was on the bridge, and for nearly the entire morning broadcast information to us in the cabin and to the outside decks. I was very impressed with the depth of his knowledge about every mountain, every rock, every beach and the history, flora and fauna of the area. 

Scenic cruising on the eastern side of Tasmania

Île des Phoques Nature Reserve

The granite walls of Schouten Island

The ship repeatedly blew its horn to urge this fishing boat out of its way. 

Rock islets known as the Hen and Chicks

A closer view of the Hen and Chicks

Schouten Island

Mt. Freycinet and Mt. Graham in Freycinet National Park

Cape Forestier on the left 

Long expanses of beaches in Freycinet National Park

Wineglass Bay and Wineglass Bay Beach

Link to more information and photos of Wineglass Bay

The pilot boat approaching to retrieve the pilots that had been on board all morning

The Hazards

Our last look at Wineglass Bay

Captain Lewis told us tonight that it was one of the best days he has ever seen in the area. It felt warm in the sun, and the outside decks were full of people enjoying the views. Every so often we get lucky with weather, and we certainly have been on this cruise. 

Just as we were leaving Freycinet National Park, Cruise Director Aaron made an announcement that there was space available for a new Discovery at Sea Planetarium experience in the Princess Theater. Not knowing what that might be, we decided to check it out. And inflatable ceiling covered the stage of the Princess Theater and was illuminated like a planetarium.  Fifteen people at a time lie in their backs on the stage and gaze at the stars while hearing about...planets. That’s right, not only is the talk not about the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere, it’s not about the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere either. It’s about the planets. Maybe there is more than one topic available; we’ll check it out if it’s offered again. But right now, it kind of misses the mark. It’s also tough for most people on this ship to climb the narrow steps to the stage of the Princess Theater without a light or handrail, and then lie down on the hard wood floor,

We went directly from the Princess Theater to lunch in the DaVinci Dining Room. Not seeing anything that would work for me on the menu, I had special ordered a veggie curry, and was served a huge portion of it custom made for me. Nice!

Veggie curry made for me

Day 5 lunch menu, page 1

Day 5 lunch menu, page 2

G was busy all afternoon with the veterans get together in the Wheelhouse Bar and then the Grapevine Wine Tasting, but I sat in a lounge on the Terrace Deck and read, wrapped up in a blanket. It was chilly in the shade. We were dressed for formal night and went to the DaVinci Dining Room for dinner at 5pm. 

Day 5 dinner menu, page 1

Day 5 dinner menu, page 2

Day 5 dessert menu

Tonight was the Captains Circle party for Platinum and Elite members and once again we were the cousin handing out the wedding programs at the back of the church. Yep, fourth most traveled, and I’m not certain it will change anytime soon.  It seems everyone is on this ship for multiple cruises. We totally get it; these varied itineraries are perfect for back to back cruising. The third through first most traveled had between 1200 and 1500+ days. 

Though we missed the 7:30 Princess Theater show by Australian comedian Tahir, we stayed up for his 9:30pm performance. It was tough.  He was funny, we could tell, because the Aussies loved his show, but we faced two issues:  understanding him, and understanding his humor. Still, we gleaned enough to make it worth our while. 

We’re a bit bouncy tonight and the weather forecast for tomorrow isn’t great, but the forecast for Sydney on Friday looks perfect. Another turnaround day in Sydney, Australia...these cruises were made to be strung together for back to back cruises. It simply doesn’t get much better than this. 

 

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 1

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 2

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 3

Day 5 Princess Patter, page 4