New Years Eve we spent on the Ship with dinner on deck, followed by dancing in the Plaza to the music and singing with The High Rollers Band. Sydney was so busy in the city with many people arriving early morning, to pitch tents and reserve spots anywhere they could find space to watch the midnight fireworks. When we left the city at 3pm it was so crowded that we could only imagine what it was going to be like by evening. Roads had been closed, the ferries all stopped running by 2.30pm except the Government operated ones and security was very high. If we had stayed in the city the earliest we could have got a ferry back to the ship would have been 1.45am so decided to see in the New Year onboard.

 We had it all. Lovely food, beautiful views, great music and Fireworks at midnight with great friends.

 A New Year photo with our favourite resident musician.

 Fireworks from on and around the Sydney Harbour bridge. They lasted over 10 minutes and were spectacular.

 I would doubt that anyone would come to Sydney with out getting a photo of the beautiful Opera House.

 Ready to sail out of Sydney. Always memorable. It has to be one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

And off course we had to sail back under the Bridge and its goodbye to Sydney.

Christmas Day/Boxing Day in Melbourne

 Happy New year to everyone. Its so hard to believe that Christmas and New Year have come and gone. We had a great time on the Ship with our friends Lynda and David. There was hardly a minute wasted as there was so much to do. Above is the Island display of Gingerbread Bures on blue (water ) jelly. The ginger bread smelt divine and the scene the Chef and his team had created was very impressive.

 Coming up to Christmas Day each department entered a competition by making their own version of a Christmas tree from materials from their particular departments. There were some excellent creations and we particularly loved the one above which was made from paper by one of the Cashiers on the Ship. It was so clever and must have taken many hours to put together. Next to that and almost out of the photo is a chocolate Christmas Tree which won of course.

 And then of course there was the main magnificent tree in the Plaza. All the decorations and numerous trees around the ship were beautiful. There was no getting away from the fact that it was very definitely Christmas.

 Christmas Day there was carol singing and of course Santa arrived with a present for each child.

 This was all that was left of the chocolate Christmas tree the Galley staff had made. Broken down and consumed by all within about 10 minutes. Well I guess it had to be done.

 Egg Nog, hot roasted nuts and other sweet treats were on offer on Christmas Morning after Santa left.

 All dressed up ready to head into dinner on Christmas night. Very good it was too, even if it wasn't the traditional Christmas day dinner we are used to at home.

 Boxing Day we went to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch Australia vs Pakistan. Quite an experience as the atmosphere was amazing. Just a shame that the days play was rained off in the afternoon.

Mind you the boys had to pay for it the next day as it was off to the Shop Sales for the girls. ( But they Loved it )!!!! I think !!