26 days to go!

What an actioned packed few weeks until my cruise. I retire from work on the 22nd, I made that decision a week ago. Well more signed on the dotted line last week. I had been contemplating it anyway as I turn 55 next Feb anyway.

So while I finish up things at work I also have to concentrate on making sure I have everything under control for this cruise......

Two days after I finish work its off to Sydney to fly to Singapore for 2 nights before cruise.

So am getting excited and can't wait to explore and compare the Diamond to the 3 girls.

Booked another two

Still not final payment time for my Singapore trip, that's in about 6 weeks....but in the meantime I have booked another 2 cruises!

They are actually back-to-back (B2B). When I heard that Princess was bringing another ship to Australia next year and one I've never been on The Golden , I thought here is my chance to bring the new ship home to Oz  for her season here.

So I booked the cruise before she sails here which is a 10 night round trip to Alaska from San Francisco. Followed by 28 nights across the Pacific via Hawaii and New Zealand (and others) to Sydney. Golden Gate to Harbour Bridge. With Alaska being a long time dream of mine.

All up it is 38 nights on board, I'll see how I go with my 19 nights alone from Singapore :) If I hate it I can cancel.........

On the Alaska leg I have booked a Window Suite.......which means for the first time I won't have a balcony but I will have the suite perks. I'll see how that goes. And for the trip across the Pacific I have another Emerald deck mini suite (like Singapore) but this time its the farthest aft with an extended balcony.........

Hope I don't get too addicted to these mini suites and window suites! But I'm sure I'll be happy going back to a balcony,  and pretty sure I could never do an inside, even if it meant more cruising .

Home and booked another

I managed 10 days solo, and towards the last days thought yep....don't want to get off! The Sun was beautiful after her refit, and the addition of the International Cafe is a big plus. I didn't get lonely and ate dinner nearly every night in MDR and shared the table with another solo girl from New York. There was originally 4 of us but 2 gave up after 2 nights , no big loss. It was nice to chat to Renate and hear how her day went and her views of her excursions and life in general. We still are keeping in contact via email every week or so.

The same as all previous cruises there was plenty to do or not do if that is what I felt like at the time. I could read/sit on my balcony and watch the world float by, actually saw some dolphins. I was on deck 10 port side forward, a nice spot to be. But then all spots are nice!

I shopped a bit (lot), watched some shows, walked the promenade, didn't take the lift. Actually I have only done that once on Princess in 78 days, pretty good. Not sure how that will be in 5 or 10 years time though!

I also checked out the spa a couple of times, I needed to see how it was in comparison to my other cruises......and the answer is as relaxing as ever.

I had a swim or two in the pools, sat in the hot tubs, in Port Douglas I had the aft pool all to myself :)

Decided to buy 2 future cruise credits whilst in board just in case......and sure enough after a week back I was checking out other cruises.

Booked the brand new Regal maiden trans Atlantic from Venice to Fort Lauderdale, but after a week or so or looking at 4 flights and 2 lots of hotels and combinations in between, I decided to cancel that and book The Diamond from Singapore to Sydney.

That way I can fly there and shop all the way home without worrying about luggage weights!!

I have booked a mini suite on Emerald deck as I discovered they are fully covered just like I am used to. And also am much closer to the water than I am used to.....so excited to be on a different ship to explore. But am thinking it will feel like home again when I set foot on her......now just have to wait 10 months!