Day 46 - Thursday February 29, 2024, Cooktown, Australia Arrival 07:00 All Aboard 16:30 Departure 17:00 You are always at the mercy of the ocean when tender operations are necessary to reach a port. This is what happened today in Cooktown. We arrived on schedule and the anchor was dropped. Insignia was facing directly into a strong wind although a decision had not yet been made as to what will happen today. The platform is down and the ship's extended ar...

Day 45 - Wednesday February 28, 2024, Cairns Australia (pronounced Cans) Arrival 10:00 All Aboard 20:30 Departure 21:00 We did not arrive on schedule which meant all ship tours would be delayed. Seabourn Odyssey was in port today as well. A 2024 Around the World Event was scheduled here but unfortunately it was cancelled for logistical reasons. Australia is considered to have the world's oldest rainforests with enchanting wildlife. The Australian Aborigin...

Day 40 - Friday February 23, 2024, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia All Aboard 17:30 Departure 18:00 Today is Embarkation Day - Australia's Embrace segment begins February 23 with the end in Bali (Benoa) Indonesia on March 9. The Jewels of New Zealand has come to an end with 2,852 nautical miles travelled. · Auckland to Tauranga, 141 nautical miles · Tauranga to Napier 288 nautical miles · Napier to Wellington 207 nau...

Day 39 - Thursday February 22, 2024, Sydney, Australia Arrival 8:00 Overnight in Port Wow what a fabulous sail into Syndey Harbour. I rose early again to see the entrance. Huge granite cliffs can be seen as you begin your entrance into Sydney. Australia was originally founded as a penal colony where convicted felons from England were sent. I cannot imagine what these people thought when sailing into the Harbour. When the Sydney Harbour Bridge came into view, I...

Sunday February 18, 2024, Dunedin New Zealand Arrival: 08:00 All Abroad 16:30 Departure: 17:00 This is our final port stop in New Zealand. What a great time we've had. Dunedin is tucked in at the end of Otago Harbour well protected from any storms that may arise. The length of the body of water is 21 kms with Port Chalmers located halfway and Dunedin at the end of the Otago Harbour. Janice and I had booked a private tour with Otago Water Taxis to visit Lar...