December 28, 2025 Sea Day #3

   This is Sea Day # 3 according to our original schedule, but really it is Sea Day # 5 due the cancellation of Phillips Island and Kangaroo Island visits.  At 8 a.m. the temperature was 14°C, wind NE 26 kph, humidity 85%and a sunny sky. The ship was just passing the northwest tip of Tasmania. By the afternoon the highest temperature was 18°C.

   We cruised along the west coast of Tasmania all day. At noon yesterday, there was 666 nautical miles to get to Hobart, Tasmania, by 8 a.m. tomorrow. The captain was able to receive permission to dock two hours earlier than originally scheduled. The ship was cruising at about 17 knots.  At noon today, there were still 268 nautical miles to get to Hobart. We were just northwest of the town of Straman.

   In today’s news: Taiwan experienced a second earthquake in a week at 6.6.

In the Sydney to Hobart yacht race 33 yachts have now pulled out of a field of 128. The  first sail boat, Master Lock Comanche, won the race in 2 days, 5 hours and 3 minutes. The boats arrive at a marina close to where the ship docks tomorrow in Hobart.

    We ate breakfast in the dining room with Australian couple, John and Helen. They enjoyed last evening’s Orange Party in the Rolling Stone Lounge. Yesterday they had watched the test tender trip at Kangaroo Island and said the tender had a rough ride with waves going over the top of the tender - the captain made the correct call in cancelling the port. We then had a nice walk on the promenade deck.  

    Berny Barona, the Travel Guide, gave a presentation about the ports of Hobart and Port Arthur in the World Stage attended by hundreds of passengers. We have excursions in both places and will have plenty of free time to explore the towns. Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that conditions on Tuesday in Port Arthur will allow a successful tender operation.

   We had lunch up on Deck 9 at the Lido Market which was featuring a Pavlova Corner. There were dozens of Pavlova desserts of different sizes.

   After lunch there was a free wine tasting in the Main Dining Room for 4 and 5 Star Mariners. There were over 80 people in attendance. We sat with a couple from Denmark. The sommelier presented four Australian wines which are available on this cruise on a separate wine list. The wines were a Chardonnay Pinot Noir sparkling wine; a Pinot Gris which is called Pinot Grigio in Italy; a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Shiraz, called Syrah in France. They were paired with four cheese made by the ship’s Executive chef. They were all white cheeses - Brie, Swiss, Gouda and Cheddar.

    Ballroom dancing was scheduled for 4 p.m. today in the Rolling Stone Lounge. The music was recorded and a good variety. We were the only couple dancing during the 50 minutes. There were around 20 people scattered through the lounge and sometimes we received applause after dances. We were a bit rusty on some, but only we knew that.

    We had a delightful dinner again with Elizabeth and Colin. 

    After dinner the ship was cruising in the South Australian Basin of the Southern Ocean along the west coast of Tasmania about where the southern boundary of Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers meets the northern boundary of Southwest National Park slightly south of the 43rd parallel.

    Today’s entertainment on the World Stage was the singers and dancers presenting Feeling Groovy. The band in the Rolling Stone Lounge played sets this evening on the same theme.

     Total steps  12,903

part of the promenade deck
Pavlova Corner for desert


wine tasting in the Main Dining Room


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