Yellow Fish cruises: Day 40: At Sea

Before I get started telling you about how I did (almost) nothing today, one thing I did do is remember that I neglected to mention last night about this cruise’s passenger demographics. Cruise Director Aaron takes a minute during the first night show’s outro to tell us about who our fellow passengers are. From LA to Sydney, there were more US passengers than Australians, with Brits, Canadians and New Zealanders filling out the top five places. Then last cruise, the 10-night cruise to Queensland, Australians took the lead, but only by about 200 passengers or so. There were a lot of US passengers staying on from the transpacific cruise to that one. But this 6-night cruise to Tasmania, it’s all changed. There are about 2000 Australians, then New Zealanders, Brits, Americans (about 200) and - this is different- 44 passengers from China in 5th place. Even more notable: this short cruise starting on a Saturday has a significantly younger passenger demographic. It’s a nice change.

We continue to meet fellow passengers staying on for multiple cruises. For the Americans, it’s likely because once one gets down to Australia, it makes sense to spend some time here. But even Australians are staying on for a month or two. We didn’t see that as much two years ago on the Golden Princess. We enjoy sharing ideas and stories with these other similarly-minded (ie., slightly crazy) extended cruisers.

As for today, there really isn’t much to report. Kind of surprisingly, especially given yesterday’s great weather in Sydney, today was cool and rainy until early evening when we finally saw some sun (and it is still twilight-y out at 9pm...love these Southern Hemisphere cruises!). I slept in today. I really needed to; I was wiped out last night. G went to the International Cafe early (he is missing his Liars Club buddies, but will eventually find new comrades, if not on this short cruise, then on the next cruise which is two weeks long), and then went to the DaVinci Dining Room for breakfast. Meanwhile, I slept on until 8am or so, and then spent most of the rest of the morning in the cabin. I was seriously behind in responding to emails, so I enjoyed getting caught up, doing some hand laundry and then reading. Simply reading.

G, meanwhile, went from one activity to another. He went to the Hobart port lecture by Destination Expert Hutch (still on with us since LA), attended the Cruise Critic meet and greet for this cruise (and was able to meet our new captain, Stephen Lewis, our third captain in three cruises) and finally met me in the DaVinci Dining Room for lunch at noon. I hadn’t eaten breakfast and had only my usual Floret Family (the broccoli and cauliflower entree topped with sun dried tomato vinaigrette) for lunch. We had big dinner plans for this evening.

Day 2 lunch menu, page 1

Day 2 lunch menu, page 2

The ship felt packed today, probably even.more than those rainy sea days in New Zealand. These cruisers want to see and do everything in the short time they’re on board, and the rain forced everyone inside. I walked through the Calypso Pool (MUTS) area and the movie The World’s Fastest Indian, a darling movie we saw several times two years ago, was playing on MUTS. It was pouring, and everyone was forced under the overhang of the deck above, wrapped in pool towels to stay dry and watching the movie standing up. No, thank you. I retreated to the cabin again after lunch and spent the afternoon reading. I loved it.

G went to Club Fusion to play the Quest game, and had a great time. Apparently, he was one of only two American guys participating, and one of the things that teams needed to bring to the front was an American man, so he was being pulled in all directions by young women who all wanted to claim him. Do you see how he suffered? ;-)

In lieu of a Most Traveled Guest event on this short cruise, the top ten couples were given vouchers for Crown Grill, the specialty steak restaurant on board, and we went this evening. It was very nice- even I had a filet mignon, likely my only meat for this year- and the service by Julia was fantastic, but we enjoy our little table for two in the DaVinci Dining Room and me my salmon and broccoli just as much. Still, it was a nice change.

Crown Grill menu, page 1

Crown Grill menu, page 2

Crown Grill dessert menu

My favorite part: the smoked salt at the Crown Grill

The Grill Salad

My filet mignon

We weren’t in the dining room for dinner, but this was the menu for tonight:

Day 2 dinner menu, page 1

Day 2 dinner menu, page 2

Day 2 dessert menu

We finished our dinner just in time to pass through the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Champagne Waterfall in the Piazza and then get seats for tonight’s Princess Theater entertainment, duo Pearson and Harvey (again). We know their show as well as they do by now, but we get the bigger kick out of how much the Australian guests enjoy their humor. They always love this act.

And that was our day. For me, it was as low key as it gets, but the good news is that the serious discomfort I had yesterday and last night with “that” foot is much better tonight as a result. We have no firm plans for Hobart tomorrow, but G said that Destination Expert Hutch mentioned three good museums in town. If the predicted rain showers materialize, one of them might be a good way to spend the day.