We have a surprising demographic on board this cruise. Although just a two-week journey to New Zealand and back, we’ve met fellow-passengers from many countries – most of them flew over from the USA and Europe just to go on the cruise. The ship’s capacity is only around 500 guests, and there are as many crew. So we tend to meet up with the same people in the same places. We’ve currently been friendly with a group of four from the US and a couple from Germany. Also, a couple from England and we’re always, always, bumping into a few of the crowd from Noosa Waters.

So far, we’ve explored most of the eight restaurants on board, from the Silver Note (our favourite venue after dark with a singer from South Africa and an accompanying pianist from Hungary). Great atmosphere, even though the food is very hybrid so to speak. But so good. Then there’s the Indochine with lovely Asian food, the Italian restaurant on the top deck terrace, the ‘main’ dining room, Atlantide, with surprisingly wonderful menus that change every day. La Dame – French of course, with cuisine to match. There is a Japanese restaurant we’ve not been to yet, and a top-class gourmet buffet as well as the ‘Arts Café’ where, at any time of day you can go and top up with delights that would put an English afternoon tea to shame. All that, and in-room dining choices if you don’t feel like going out, or are a bit under the weather. It’s all a good walk from our forward room.

The small-ish theatre has very professional entertainers, as well as morning and afternoon lectures, and there are lots of groups like bridge and mah jong one can join for the duration.

We’ve been sticking to going ashore as much as possible, but now we’re in Windy Wellington, the weather is rather brisk. I opted out of going to meet up with one of Peter’s old colleagues from Fleet Street days, but yesterday in Napier we did rendezvous with a dear old friend from our time way back in South Africa and then England.  She just happens to be Godmother to one of our sons, long lost but now found again. We lunched at The Mission winery, the oldest vineyard in the area. And the day before that, friends we know in Tauranga with whom we visited last year. Memories are so good.

Tonight, we cross the Roaring Forties, (it was a bit rough coming into Wellington harbour this morning and we’ve just had an announcement from the captain it’s going to be a bumpy ride once we’re outside the harbour.

Tauranga with friends for lunch on the top deck…

Napier with long lost friends…