Epiblog

 Sydney is a wonderful city. It is clean and safe to walk around. It seems to be a wealthy place.

Stayed at Sofitel Wentworth but there is also Sofitel Darling Harbour which might be even better

Everyone we saw was well-dressed

Australians are very friendly, nice, helpful people.

We didn't see any anti social behaviour

It can get very hot

Getting about on the ferries in Sydney is easy - just tap a credit card at the start and end of a journey like the London underground

We didn't see anyone smoking and only one vaping

Only saw 2 people begging in Sydney.  We saw a few rough sleepers in Melbourne

Some Christmas decs up after twelfth night

It took a very long time to get over the jetlag - at least a week

Melbourne is sports heaven

Free sunscreen and water are available at sports venues

Trams were free in Melbourne Central Business District (CBD)

Google maps took us on several merry dances in Melbourne

Our Last Day: 25 January 2026

 We came in as the sun was rising over Sydney Harbour ....

Days 21 to 23: 22 to 24 January 2026

The last three days of the cruise were sea days.

The first one was supposed to be a sail by Willis Island but we missed it completely. We know it’s very small, we were in our cabin at the time and I think it must have been on the other side of the ship.

Our sea days really consisted of a leisurely breakfast in the dining room, the morning trivia quiz, reading or blogging, a hot chocolate in Cafe al Bacio and dinner.

We had a Senior officers' cocktail party and on the last 'chic' night the chefs and waiting staff paraded to ‘Sweet Caroline’.

There was a little bit of rocking as we cruised the Coral Sea and then the dreaded Tasman Sea. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time ‘Down Under’ but are now ready to get back to our normal routine and attempt to lose the cruise extra pounds!

Cruise Director