Cruising with our parents has become a great option to see one another. Living on opposite ends of the globe, we met halfway in Sydney for a 8-day, 7-night cruise on the Majestic Princess. We stopped at three ports, Melbourne, Hobart, and Port Arthur. The Majestic’s crew provided excellent service and entertainment, especially appreciated during the four days at sea.
Docking at the heart of Sydney, the Majestic Princess welcomed its 3,500 passengers on board, many of whom were Australians on our cruise.
Melbourne
British explorer Captain James Cook made three Pacific voyages, becoming the first to record Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and the surrounding lands. Visit Fitzroy Gardens and see Cooks’ Cottage, the home of Captain Cooks’ parents in Yorkshire, England. The 1750s two-story cottage was transported in 1934 and rebuilt in Melbourne.
Southbank Footbridge, a pedestrian crossing over the Yarra River, keeps Melbourne connected and easy to traverse.
Trying on UGG slippers made of Australian sheepskin. In the 1970s, an Australian surfer founded the UGG brand in Southern California. In the 1980s, the brand became a symbol of the casual, relaxed beach culture. Although UGG means “ugly,” it took New York Fashion world by waves in the 2000s, evolving from boots and slippers to stylish haute luxuries. More over, UGG slippers are perfect for keeping the toes warm in the chilly cruise rooms.
In Melbourne, the Shrine of Remembrance is a tribute to Victorian soldiers killed in WWI.
A loyal act of caring for your ‘cobber,’ Australian slang for ‘mate’ or ‘friend.’ Wartime requires sacrifice and heroic acts.
Hobart
The second cruise stop, Australia’s southernmost capital, Hobart is a port city, buzzing with old pubs alongside innovative restaurants, eclectic markets, and festivals. Tasmania’s abundant water, clean air, stress-free pace, and cool climate are delights.
Mt. Wellington (or kunanyi in its Aboriginal name) gives sweeping views of Hobart with snow flurries not unheard of during the summer time (Dec-Feb). Hiking and biking are popular all year.
Hobart’s waterfront on Victoria Dock is a working fishing harbor. Order crispy fish-and-chips from one of the floating takeaway-seafood punts.
Friends Kay and Tony from Hobart give us a delightful tour of their hometown in Tasmania, affectionately referred by “Tassie.”
Toured INCAT, an Australian shipbuilder internationally renowned for building high-speed crafts, catamarans, and ferries. Our friend, Tony introduced us to the founder and owner, his brother Robert Clifford.
Ferries are constructed in pieces and then secured together. Peeking over and observing the busy, noisy construction.
Port Arthur
The third cruise stop, Port Arthur, on the southern coast of Tasmania near Hobart, was chosen by Governor Arthur in 1830 as the ideal place to confine prisoners. The peninsula was a “natural penitentiary,” connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, which was guarded by ferocious dogs preventing escape. The historic site with ruins of the prisons, church, and lodges is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict site.
Flowers in the colonial garden are bright and hopeful, a delight in the sombre, grim place compounded with a mass shooting in 1996 at the community.
Port Arthur ruins. Cruise ship and tender in the background.
Aussie meat pies are flaky, hearty hand-sized pastries filled with savory meats (sausage, beef, bacon), cheese (ricotta, cheddar), and vegetables (spinach, tomato).
A mid-December cruise means spring and early summer in Australia. Blooming flowers overflow in gardens and yards with classic pink, yellow, and red roses, elegant blue and purple hyacinths, lavender, and iris, and warm orange snapdragons.
Cruising
Cruising at sea gives expansive views of the ocean interspersed with rugged rock formations.
On board, we delight in local food, including Australian barramundi, a firm, moist white fish, and Tasmanian Atlantic salmon.
Dad and Mom, the best conversationalists.
Indulge in the daily (!) antipasto platter with meats, like prosciutto, Genoa salami, and sliced coppa, and cheeses, including blue cheese, sharp cheddar, harvarti, and olives, almonds, and pickled vegetables.
Comfortable cabins with private decks, a couch, and a desk offer rest from the cruise activities.
Excellent musicians, Dad and Mom learn to play Ukulele and perform with their class during the last day cruising.
