Quick addendum

Courtesy of Princess Cruises, we were able to book another (yes, folks, one more!) cruise in September — Sydney, Melboring, Port Lincoln, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Sydney. All right. We hadn't really unpacked from the last one, so a quick suitcase refurb and we're off. After all, we're heading south this time, AWAY from the storms and rough seas.

Wrong!

The cruise to Melbourne was the way a cruise should be — languid days, relaxing nights, food, wine, meeting "old" staff again. Bliss.

A-a-a-a-nd, just before Melbourne we hear, "Due to inclement weather, we will be staying in Melbourne a little longer than scheduled".

No probs! We jumped on the tram that, fabulously, terminates at the cruise terminal, and spent the day in town. Found a wonderful little lane jam-packed with cafes and had a brunch/coffee. Back to the ship, where we hear, "The weather has worsened, and we'll be staying in Melbourne a little longer". Oh.

Two DAYS later, still in Melbourne, we are talking to a couple at dinner. After the usual small talk, I ask how they're enjoying the cruise.

"We're not! It's bloody boring!"

"Oh. Why?" I ask innocently. "Where are you from?"

"Melbourne", comes the reply between clenched teeth.

Yep, they had got all prepared, flown to Sydney, got on the ship, cruised to Melbourne ... and sat there for three days!

So, with Adelaide and Port Lincoln off the menu, we finally departed for Kangaroo Island. What a beautiful place. And the wines were superb. (Guess how we know!)

Then it was back to Sydney and head for home.

OK; fast forward to now and we're offered a cheap cruise on P&O (Plain and Ordinary) Australia up to New Guinea and back. Terrific. We get to call into the Island of Love ... Kiriwina Island. EXCEPT, last week it was reported there was a tribal massacre there, and 30 people were killed! OK, might stay on board there.

Then, out of nowhere, we were offered a cruise on Royal Caribbean from Sydney to NZ and back ... free, gratis, no charge, not even one red cent to pay. Of course we considered it carefully. For long nanoseconds. Then Di elbowed me aside to get to the phone. Done. Booked. Only problem, it leaves from Sydney the same day we sail back into Brisbane.

Pfft! We dock at 6.00 am and the next cruise doesn't leave until 6.45 pm. Oodles of time. Then came the email saying we wouldn't be docking now until 8.00 am ... and our boarding time for the next cruise is now 4.30 pm. And there's a time difference.

I know, I know, first world problems.

But if anything goes wrong, and we DON"T make it on time, my next post could be quite ... ummm ... acerbic.