Cruise #11: Tasmania

We just needed eight more days to psych ourselves up for that looooonnnnngggggg flight home. 

Cruise #10: New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji

One final run back up to the islands. We are ready for some lazy beach days interrupted by bouts of snorkeling, with lens defogger and ear drops properly utilized for a change. 

Because I received at least 20 emails wanting to see the new haircut.

Y’all are HARIOUS. 

Cruise #9: New Zealand

We had talked about perhaps dropping off for two weeks, to explore more of Australia, but the allure of a new ship and our desire to keep it easy this year have us Crossing the Ditch again. Besides, we will never tire of the scenery of New Zealand.

Cruise #8: New Zealand and Australia on the Majestic Princess

A nearly identical itinerary, in reverse, but on a totally different ship. The opportunity to “cross-ship” was too good to pass up!

Majestic Princess

Source:  iCruise.com

Cruise #7: Australia and New Zealand

Two stops in Australia before Crossing the Ditch and a turnaround in Auckland. This one’s a little different.

Cruise #6: New Caledonia and Vanuatu

A short run back up to “the islands”, on a special cruise that’s billed to be a “Traveling Film Festival at Sea”. We have no idea what that means...but we’ll soon find out!

Cruise #5: New Zealand

Crossing the Ditch to one of our favorite countries in the world. The mid-cruise pace is fast; we’ll have to work hard to keep up. I hope the weather is a lot better this time around!

Cruise #4: Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu

Beach tarp?  Check.

Cooler bag?  Check.

Floatie? Check. 

Snorkel gear? Of course!

We’re so ready for this one!

Cruise #3: Tasmania

Short but sweet, with some of the most beautiful scenery of the season. 

Cruise #2: Queensland, Australia

Another return to the Great Barrier Reef area, and we’re hoping to see its famed gorgeous weather this time around.

Cruise #1: Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific Crossing

Much, much easier than a 20 hour travel day!

Cruise #7: New Zealand

Celebrating another Christmas and New Years with Princess Cruises...and a lot of Aussies who know how to have fun!

Cruise #6: Tasmania

Even a repeat offers us one new port. It's all good.

Cruise #5: New Caledonia and Vanuatu

A milestone cruise!  A new embarkation port! Three new ports to explore!  This one feels special already.

Cruise #4: New Zealand

Three ports aren't new for us, but Fiordland National Park is a highlight of the cruising world we could repeat again and again. Besides, who can resist those friendly Kiwis?!?

Cruise #3: Fiji and South Pacific

Almost completely new for us, and a major reason we're cruising down under this season.

Cruise #2: Tasmania

We've been to Hobart once, on a transpacific cruise, and I am 100% certain of one thing. It will be warmer there on this visit than it was on our last, when we each wore one of the pair of gloves I'd packed and shoved the other hand in a pocket. It was freezing. 

Cruise #1: Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef

We're starting off with a good one. All new territory for us, warm temperatures, beaches and the GREAT BARRIER REEF!!!

Once again, the map is slightly wrong. We’ll be visiting Yorkey’s Knob in lieu of Cannes. 

Cruise #7: Panama Canal Connoisseur

Because, baby it's cold outside (at home)!

Cruise #6: Caribbean Connoisseur

We know we love the Caribbean and we certainly loved Christmas on the Pacific Princess when it was in French Polynesia.  This cruise provides a chance to combine the two, and this small ship and 14-night cruise means fewer kids, the only way G could get me on a cruise over the holidays this year.  The highlights are two ports that are new to us, Bequia in the Grenadines and Tobago in Trinidad and Tobago, and we get to tender directly into St. John, USVI and Virgin Gorda, BVI.  Sounds like a private yacht experience, doesn't it? Plus Fort James Beach on Antigua and Lobster Alive on Barbados...Merry Christmas to us!