January 8, 2026 Sea Day #2

   Today is Sea Day #2 of 8 scheduled. There are seven more tender ports which if there  is bad conditions one could be cancelled. There were two island tender destinations on the December 21 to January 4 cruise that were cancelled.  Also about a month ago we were advised that the stop in the Conflict Islands Group on a private island was cancelled and a second day in Cairns was substituted.

    This morning at 8 a.m., the temperature was already 28°C, we are getting closer to the equator. The wind was strong ESE 42 kph the sun was shining, but the usual line of fluffy white clouds hovered just above the horizon. There were white caps on the two meter high waves.

   We began the morning by ordering specialty coffees the Library Café before going to the Rolling Stone Lounge for Coffee with Robbie, the cruise director. His guests today were from the Food and Beverage Department. All passengers had to turn in their passports by noon, so that staff could make final preparations for the passengers, crew and the ship to officially leave Australia on January 11 when we depart Cairns.

   Then walked 71/2 laps of Deck 3’s Promenade Deck, about four km, to fill in the time before going to the presentation Queensland and Its Secrets in the World Stage theatre. Queensland was part of the New South Wales colony until June 1859, Queen Victoria approved the separation. 

  For the captain’s noon announcement, we have travelled 290 nautical miles and will travel another 355 nautical miles to arrive in Townsville by 10 a.m. tomorrow. The waves are three meters high with white caps, sunny and 29°C. He mentioned that a tropical low is approaching and we could see some rain tomorrow. It will be windy with the velocity 30-36 knots (56 to 65 kph).

   We had lunch in the dining room. At 2 p.m. there were many activities to choose. Oceania Up Close presentation, that we saw last cruise; Wine Tasting of Australian wines; and Line Dancing, but it was a repeat of last cruise and more than 70 people squeezed into a space about the size of a badminton court to name a few activities.

  Berny, the travel guide, presented his port talk, information about Townsville and Cairns sightseeing and shuttle or walking information.

   Our usual dinner routine - dinner followed by the six of us chatting more at the Library Café before dispersing to see the show.

   Tonight’s entertainers were vocalist, Rebecca Harkin and Pianist, Kurt Russell

     Steps today   9,704