The final evening aboard the Sapphire Princess and it was hugs all around. In the International dining Room, Nadia told Chris that it was OK - everything is sorted. If she was a male, someone in a strong Russian accent whispering in your ear that it is 'sorted' would probably conjure images of a couple of brutes with square jaws and cropped hair carrying out orders! Nadia was of course referring to the ‘gratuity’ she and Florin received from C...

20th October - 5am. A loud crash woke Chris and Roisin up. The ship had just rode a wave that was at least 20 feet and being right at the bow, they had felt the full force of the pitching of the ship as it crashed nose first in to the ocean. The ship had been rocking and rolling as well as pitching all night but that was by far the most volatile movement. The wind was howling outside cabin number C105 and the captain's log showed the wind strength as 45 knots...

So on to Dunedin. This will be the last port of call before scenic cruising in the Fjordland's National Park then a 2-day crossing to Australia. Once back on this ship this evening, the next time Chris and Roisin disembark will be with their luggage!Dunedin port is not big enough to take a cruise ship so the Sapphire Princess tied up at Port Chalmers and shuttles were organised to take passengers the 20-minute drive to the centre of Dunedin.Scottish settlers ...

What a difference a day makes. Chris and Roisin woke up to glorious sunshine as the Officer of the watch announced the Sapphire Princess's arrival in Lyttleton, the port that serves Christchurch.Chris and Roisin had arranged to meet Donny and Marie together with an American couple Kaye and Charlie from Kansas. Kaye is a regular quizzer in Donny’s team, the Delta Delays.The shuttle bus from the port of Lyttleton to the centre of Christchurch takes about ...

Wellington is the Capital city and administrative capital of New Zealand despite being only NZ's second biggest city next to Auckland. It may not take the gold in size but it wipes the floor with the other cities when it comes to being the windiest and wettest.A day at sea prior to arriving in Wellington and at about 4pm a message came from the Bridge announcing a POD of Whales on the port side. Chris and Roisin rushed to their balcony fighting over the binoc...