World Cruise 2023

  While we were getting close to Darwin, we would not be going to Dock. We will just get close enough to have the pilot, who came on to guide us through Great Barrier Reef, to transfer to another boat Even though it was a planned port day with less things on the event listings, the staff filled the day up with activities Craft Class was a Scarf. The rough ride made all the cutting detail hard so Toni will finish up later. Later in the morning, it was noticeable when we finished transferring the Reef pilot and turned toward Komono Island They were working on the large screen (look closely at the R in Princess). And there weren't a lot of folks up on the wet top deck playing Chess (or Pickleball, or Basketball, or Shuffleboard) Somehow the team got two of Rob's three scribble's on the way to a win The afternoon WWII talk was on the events that led to General MacArthur returning to the Phillipines. And while there were a lot of whining on board about the Captain's decision...

  We are between Cairns and Darwin The Craft Class has a long line Dream catcher and already hanging in the room Morning WWII in the Pacific was on Saipan and how this was called Beginning of the End. The B-29 was the most expensive program during WWII, even more costly than the Manhattan Project. But its new capabilities and ability to fly and bomb higher than the Japanese's planes could fly was a key in turning the tide. While Rob was sitting in the theater, Toni was competing. A two part event that had "bean toss" to start and then coffee bean pick up (with Chopsticks) Rob made it to watch Toni's Coffee Bean pickup. She actually challenged Assistant Cruise Director Kimee.  The most any one else did was around 30. Toni did over 50 and with her 5 bean toss points won the whole event. And Kimee giving her the prize The door is ready for St Patrick's Day Sunday Brunch and Toni had Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Rob had a Western Omelet. The afternoon WWII in the Pacif...

   We exited the Great Barrier Reef areas and passed through the Torres Strait between Australia and New Guinea on our way to Darwin  In the morning we still had the great colors in the water that we have seen as we past slowly through the Great Barrier Reef. As we moved through the morning, the Captain came on the loudspeakers to give an update on our travels and mentioned that we would see Hammond Rock as we were going through Torres Strait. So everyone was out on the decks to see this as most of us had never heard of it.   Hammond Rock So after we saw it, did a little search. Seems like from a maritime/mapping perspective Hammond Rock and Torres Strait are synonymous. Also from a geological view, it is very interesting (north end of the Reef and tjhe rock was described as looking like a mushroom under the water and will eventually break off) We had a lot of clouds/rain come in and out during the day  Toni, along with her regular craft class, tried waterc...