Ocean Cruising… Is it for me?
I recently set off on my second ever cruise, a two week return journey from Sydney to New Zealand. This time, I was on board the Australian maiden voyage of Discovery Princess, fresh from her journey from Singapore before docking in Sydney.
I boarded with no real expectations. My only comparison was a South Pacific cruise I did three years earlier with P&O, a relaxed ten day escape to Noumea and New Caledonia, complete with warm days, calm seas, and classic holiday weather.
This cruise turned out to be a completely different experience.
Although it was officially summer, New Zealand sits well south of the Tasman, so cooler temperatures were always going to be part of the adventure. After two blustery and chilly days at sea, we arrived at Milford Sound. An early morning on deck to watch the ship glide past towering mountains had us bundled up in winter layers, gratefully wrapped in the ship’s cosy blankets as mist curled around the peaks.
Our next port was Dunedin. While slightly warmer, it still felt nothing like the summer conditions I was used to. Picton, however, was a delight, with a beautiful day and much milder weather, made even better by a visit to the gorgeous Lochmara.
As we cruised up the east coast of the North Island, the weather finally began to feel more familiar. Tauranga and Rotorua welcomed us with sunshine, and we were blessed with a perfect day in the Bay of Islands, our final port of call.
The three sea days on the journey home were a different story. We had hoped for warm, sunny days spent reading on deck, but instead we were met with cool winds and on and off showers. It made those days feel particularly long, especially if you are not someone who thrives on constant onboard activities. Which brings me to an important realisation.
After two cruises, I have come to understand that ocean cruising in this part of the world just isn’t for me. With so many sea days, I found it challenging to stay engaged, both physically and mentally. Princess Cruises does offer a wide range of activities, and they do it well, but line dancing, karaoke, quizzes, and the casino simply are not my thing. I spent a lot of time reading in my cabin or trying to find a quiet corner onboard, which was surprisingly difficult with music or activities always happening somewhere nearby.
The demographic on this cruise was noticeably older than I expected, with a significant number of walkers and wheelchairs on board. That said, I genuinely admire the determination of older travellers and those with mobility challenges who continue to explore the world with such enthusiasm.
What truly stood out, though, was Princess Cruises’ exceptional service. The staff were consistently warm, attentive, and professional, and the food was fresh, varied, and genuinely enjoyable.
If I were to cruise again, it would likely be on a smaller ship, and most probably in Europe, where you are visiting a new port almost every day and spending far less time at sea.
