Six Women on a P&O boat

Towards the end of last year one of my best mates suggested we go on another ‘girlie’ cruise. Four of us went 18months before on the Pacific Dawn leaving from Brisbane cruising up and down the coast of Queensland for 7 nights. We did have bad weather which was unseasonal; unfortunately that is the only thing you can’t organise.

We all had a good time anyway but decided this time we would go 2up in a room not 4 (4xwomen & 1 bathroom for 10 nights is never a good idea). So the word went out – emails, phone calls, Facebook messages and it wasn’t long before we had our six. We finally decided on the one leaving the 18^th March, Pacific Sensations Cruise, mid ship balcony cabins – booked – confirmed – paid! Easy. 

Then my mate decided having t-shirts made up would be a good idea. The first idea for the front was ‘the old girls’ (5 of us had know each other since we were teenagers & three had gone to primary school together) a resounding NOOOOOO to that title so we finally settled with ‘Twisted Sisters’ with a boat on the front, the date (typo on one that 2010 oops!) and twisted nicknames on the back (e.g. ‘Pie Shell’ – the pie being the first part of her surname and shell short for Michelle). After numerous messages and phone calls (three live in Sydney, one Canberra, one in Newcastle and the other Queensland) the day arrives. The boat has been delayed for hours but eventually we set off (a shame it was dark going through the heads of Sydney). 

The Jewel is the sister ship of the Dawn so it was sort of familiar but we were a little disappointed with the ship. Due to the late departure our schedule changed and we visited Mystery Island first but due to bad weather (I’m starting to think I somehow cause it) we could only look at the Island from the ship. They got the tenders off to check it out but it was too rough, then they couldn’t get the tenders back on (Hydraulic problem) – we knew this because we could see it not cause we were told by our dear Italian Captain (which after the Concordia ‘incident’ was a concern in its self). The rest of the trip went relatively well except Isle of Pine where shore tours were cancelled without explanation but the water was so beautiful we thoroughly enjoyed our swim. We ate, drank and were merry with every second person asking where they could buy our t-shirts thinking they were an on board purchase. The staff were all wonderful and made our experience a laugh a minute. Special thanks to the Photographers for firstly putting up with a bunch of 50somethings annoying them and sorting through what seemed like hundreds of photos to find ‘the right ones’ (that made us look younger & thinner – a big task) and also keeping us entertained. Also a huge shout out for our dining room attendants for also putting up with us and our jokes.

All in all we had a wonderful time! My mate that started this all off has just organised a trip to Thailand in August and has ‘talked me into going’ (I took such a lot of convincing haha) this time there will be four of us including her partner (poor guy has to put up with three women). We have a Hotel booked with Wi-Fi so I will be posting and working from there. This is the joys of ‘working from home’ 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!