So this is it, the final day of the cruise. There are some things that I will be very glad to leave behind - the horrible carpet that was like a combination of grass and sand to wheel on, the low ceilings and dim lights, and most of all the crowds. Other things will be not so easy to leave on the ship - my deliciously warm bed and super comfortable pillow, the warm, friendly and humorous crew and staff, and I must not forget to mention the outrageously good looking DJ Rehmidi (you sir, should be illegal!). I'll be taking a lot of amazing memories with me when I leave the ship today, but at this point, I am unsure of if I will cruise again. I would love to if I was a different person and things were easier, but only time will tell if it will actually happen. At least now I know what to expect if there is a second time though. It was a wonderful experience that I will remember for a long time, and I am extremely grateful to Tanya and Tina for accompanying me as I experienced my first cruise. :)
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
A dramatic start to the day
I woke at 7am to a voice on the loud speaker that I didn't even know existed until now: "Good morning ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. I hope you all slept well. Apologies if your usual services aren't running as smoothly as you would like them to this morning. We have had a medical emergency and are currently looking for a safe area for the rescue helicopter to land. Please remain in your cabins until further notice. I repeat, please stay in your cabins until further notice".
WHAT??!!! This wasn't supposed to happen! Not on a 4 night cruise... I wonder what it could be? We stayed in bed until we were given the go ahead to leave our cabins, then gradually got up, dressed and trudged down to breakfast, curious about what had gone on.
During breakfast those who were lucky enough to be able to get internet on their phones (not me - I could get Facebook, but that was it for some reason) scanned the newspaper to see what they could find. Sure enough, the "medical incident" was quickly making news, and a heard a man at a table read "Elderly lady with 2 broken legs evacuated off the Pacific Jewel". Wow... not nice at all. What a way to end a holiday for some unlucky person. But at least we knew it wasn't a drunken fight or fatality, as mutterings in the lift on the way down to breakfast had suggested.
Tanya, Tina and I spent most of the day relaxing in the sun outside while the majority of passengers went to shore on Moreton Island for the day. I had really wanted to, and had got my hopes up by reading all the things that Moreton Island had for people in wheelchairs, but there just wasn't the right equipment to get us off the ship and onto shore, so much to my disappointment, on I stayed. I foolishly hadn't brought anything to do while I was away, so I just spent the day soaking up the sun on the outdoor deck, while it lasted.
Lunch was a pasta salad with fish, and a light pear crumble with custard for lunchtime dessert. What a treat! I could have easily gone back for a second serving, but knew I shouldn't so didn't.
After lunch we played Scategories, one of my favourite games from my childhood which I hadn't played in years. We played 3 rounds and I proved that I hadn't lost my touch getting through the categories at lightening speed.
After diner we had 'The White Party', another party that I had done a desperate dash around the shops to prepare for. I bought a beautiful white blouse with gaps in the shoulders, which was complicated to put on, but looked great. At one stage during the night there was an Indonesian cocktail juggler, who was fascinating to watch as he poured cocktails and then juggled them. We were then asked to nominate ourselves if we thought we were best dressed, and go up the front. A guy came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder and said "Go up, go up. You'll win! It's you!!", so I reluctantly went up. There were 3 winners, and much to my surprise and embarrassment I was one of them. When I went back to where I had been, the guy who had told me to go up the front smiled and said "Told you so.". A nice way to end the night.
WHAT??!!! This wasn't supposed to happen! Not on a 4 night cruise... I wonder what it could be? We stayed in bed until we were given the go ahead to leave our cabins, then gradually got up, dressed and trudged down to breakfast, curious about what had gone on.
During breakfast those who were lucky enough to be able to get internet on their phones (not me - I could get Facebook, but that was it for some reason) scanned the newspaper to see what they could find. Sure enough, the "medical incident" was quickly making news, and a heard a man at a table read "Elderly lady with 2 broken legs evacuated off the Pacific Jewel". Wow... not nice at all. What a way to end a holiday for some unlucky person. But at least we knew it wasn't a drunken fight or fatality, as mutterings in the lift on the way down to breakfast had suggested.
Tanya, Tina and I spent most of the day relaxing in the sun outside while the majority of passengers went to shore on Moreton Island for the day. I had really wanted to, and had got my hopes up by reading all the things that Moreton Island had for people in wheelchairs, but there just wasn't the right equipment to get us off the ship and onto shore, so much to my disappointment, on I stayed. I foolishly hadn't brought anything to do while I was away, so I just spent the day soaking up the sun on the outdoor deck, while it lasted.
Lunch was a pasta salad with fish, and a light pear crumble with custard for lunchtime dessert. What a treat! I could have easily gone back for a second serving, but knew I shouldn't so didn't.
After lunch we played Scategories, one of my favourite games from my childhood which I hadn't played in years. We played 3 rounds and I proved that I hadn't lost my touch getting through the categories at lightening speed.
After diner we had 'The White Party', another party that I had done a desperate dash around the shops to prepare for. I bought a beautiful white blouse with gaps in the shoulders, which was complicated to put on, but looked great. At one stage during the night there was an Indonesian cocktail juggler, who was fascinating to watch as he poured cocktails and then juggled them. We were then asked to nominate ourselves if we thought we were best dressed, and go up the front. A guy came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder and said "Go up, go up. You'll win! It's you!!", so I reluctantly went up. There were 3 winners, and much to my surprise and embarrassment I was one of them. When I went back to where I had been, the guy who had told me to go up the front smiled and said "Told you so.". A nice way to end the night.
Day 2 - What adventures lie ahead today?
I woke up refreshed after a much needed good night sleep, ready to confront the breakfast stampede. I opted for scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee - quadruple strength, killer coffee, as I discovered. That stuff was steaming hot and rough as guts. I think the crew must have designed a special brew to keep them awake, alert and to prevent them from going insane from spending long periods of time on the ship. Claustrophobia, which usually doesn't effect me, set in pretty fast. Despite the enormity of the ship, the dim lights, low ceilings, crowds and endless corridors were starting to drive me crazy - and it was only the beginning of day 2...
After breakfast those who wanted to gathered for a game of trivia, which I really enjoyed. I soon discovered that another way that the crew pass the time is to develop dirty minds - one trivia question was supposedly "very, very hard" ... it turned out to be a question about when Viagra was invented. At the end of the trivia we were told that there were a few "ship prizes: to be won, and a number of people cracked up laughing. The guy who said it looked up and repeated "ship prizes", emphasising the P in ship.
Lunch was some kind of soup - pumpkin, I think, and a roast beef, ham and cheese roll, and then we went to watch a live comedian. Comedy doesn't really amuse me, but I got a few laughs, so it was worth going to.
For dinner I had a blue swimmer crab cake with a lime vinaigrette and some julienned vegetables followed by a fruit platter for dessert.
After dinner it was time for the Gatsby Party - something I had been looking forward to since booking the cruise. I had bought my outfit - a reddish purple satin pants suit which Hannah unstitched to make a dress - the day before the cruise, and was looking forward to wearing it, along with a sequinned purple strip of stretchy material, which I wore as a headband.
The party was fun, and it was interesting and amusing to see people dressed up in all their different elaborate outfits. After a fun night of dancing, I was more than ready to tumble into bed as soon as it finished.
Day 1 continues
Lunch must not have been very impressive because I didn't make any notes about it. I do remember being very impressed (and somewhat intimidated) by the size of the dining hall, as well as the huge selection of different foods to eat. There were kitchens serving food from different cuisines from around the world everywhere you turned, and when people began lining up for food it was difficult to work out where one queue ended and another one began. It was equally frustrating, trying to find a table to sit at.
Dinner was far easier on the brain. We had reserved a table at the restaurant for every night of the cruise, to make things easier and avoid the mind boggling crowds. At the restaurant we were presented with a menu which had entrees and main courses on it. For my entrée I had a satay chicken skewer, served on a bed of glass noodles. The chicken was very tough and difficult to swallow, but the noodles were very tasty, soft and delicious. I had spinach and cheese ravioli served with a bechemel sauce as my main course, and for dessert I had a very light and delicious chocolate and beetroot tart, with a thin slice of pear jelly.
After a huge and rather overwhelming day I was very happy to finally get into bed. My pillow was luxuriously comfortable, and my bed was deliciously warm, and I fell asleep immediately, ready for the next big day.
Dinner was far easier on the brain. We had reserved a table at the restaurant for every night of the cruise, to make things easier and avoid the mind boggling crowds. At the restaurant we were presented with a menu which had entrees and main courses on it. For my entrée I had a satay chicken skewer, served on a bed of glass noodles. The chicken was very tough and difficult to swallow, but the noodles were very tasty, soft and delicious. I had spinach and cheese ravioli served with a bechemel sauce as my main course, and for dessert I had a very light and delicious chocolate and beetroot tart, with a thin slice of pear jelly.
After a huge and rather overwhelming day I was very happy to finally get into bed. My pillow was luxuriously comfortable, and my bed was deliciously warm, and I fell asleep immediately, ready for the next big day.
Monday, 24 April 2017
The holiday begins
We were taken upstairs to our cabins on level 8, where we were introduced to our deck steward - Mark, and given our cabin cards, which we were to use to lock and unlock our cabin door, just like a hotel. Tina and I were sharing a cabin, and Tanya had her own.
Our cabin was very dimly lit, even with all the lights on, and we had a small rectangular window, which was just a bit too high for me to see out of. There were 2 single beds which bigger than my bed at home, a small desk, and a bathroom. The door of the bathroom kept swinging and slamming every time the ship rocked, which together with the thick carpet made it slightly difficult to access, so we put a towel in front of the door to keep it open. Problem solved.
There was a safety check at 3.30pm, where we had to follow the instructions we were given, which included putting on life jackets that like rectangular witches hats and then all the passengers and crew got into party mode for the evening party - the Sail Away Party! We danced to loud party music on the outside deck, and I enjoyed a Midori Splice - my absolute favourite cocktail. The holiday had begun.
Our cabin was very dimly lit, even with all the lights on, and we had a small rectangular window, which was just a bit too high for me to see out of. There were 2 single beds which bigger than my bed at home, a small desk, and a bathroom. The door of the bathroom kept swinging and slamming every time the ship rocked, which together with the thick carpet made it slightly difficult to access, so we put a towel in front of the door to keep it open. Problem solved.
There was a safety check at 3.30pm, where we had to follow the instructions we were given, which included putting on life jackets that like rectangular witches hats and then all the passengers and crew got into party mode for the evening party - the Sail Away Party! We danced to loud party music on the outside deck, and I enjoyed a Midori Splice - my absolute favourite cocktail. The holiday had begun.
It's cruise day!
The day has finally come - it's cruise day at last. I woke up, showered, had breakfast and threw a few last minute items into my suitcase. Having never been on a cruise before, it was difficult to know what to expect and what to pack, but I did my best with the packing side of things. I was lucky enough to be going with one of my closest and oldest friends, Tanya, who I have known since I was about 5, as well as one of my most liked and trusted carers, Tina. Tanya is a very experienced cruiser having been on 8 cruises before this one, so I knew I was in safe hands and felt grateful for that.
Tina arrived with her suitcase at about 11.30am, and the cab came to take us to White Bay Cruise Terminal, where just by coincidence Tanya arrived at exactly the same time, at 12.30pm, so that we could board the ship by 1.30pm. The terminal itself was down the bottom of a long and windy road, and I was stunned by the size of it. It was like an airport, and I had no idea it was going to be so huge either. The check in process was very similar to that of an airport too. We placed our luggage on a conveyor belt to be scanned, and proceeded to walk through a metal detector. I was even asked to take the bag from under my wheelchair out and place it on the conveyor belt. Then, because the metal detector had detected metal on me (my wheelchair, as well as the metal in my body), I was given a pat down. I then reluctantly lost control of my wheelchair as someone took me to board to ship. I began to protest this happening and demanded that I push myself, until I saw the incredibly steep hills and large bumps ahead of me. Even the motor in my wheelchair wouldn't have been able to tackle them. P&O: 1, Elana: 0. Grrr...
I almost slid out of my wheelchair as I was pushed down a short but very steep ramp, and felt glad when I finally got on board the ship. Humongous doesn't even begin to describe the size of the area I could see in front of me, and that was just a small part of the ship. My already racing heart sped up about triple the time - a combination of excitement and anxiety. There was no turning back now. I had wanted a holiday like this for a hell of a long time, and now it was happening...
Tina arrived with her suitcase at about 11.30am, and the cab came to take us to White Bay Cruise Terminal, where just by coincidence Tanya arrived at exactly the same time, at 12.30pm, so that we could board the ship by 1.30pm. The terminal itself was down the bottom of a long and windy road, and I was stunned by the size of it. It was like an airport, and I had no idea it was going to be so huge either. The check in process was very similar to that of an airport too. We placed our luggage on a conveyor belt to be scanned, and proceeded to walk through a metal detector. I was even asked to take the bag from under my wheelchair out and place it on the conveyor belt. Then, because the metal detector had detected metal on me (my wheelchair, as well as the metal in my body), I was given a pat down. I then reluctantly lost control of my wheelchair as someone took me to board to ship. I began to protest this happening and demanded that I push myself, until I saw the incredibly steep hills and large bumps ahead of me. Even the motor in my wheelchair wouldn't have been able to tackle them. P&O: 1, Elana: 0. Grrr...
I almost slid out of my wheelchair as I was pushed down a short but very steep ramp, and felt glad when I finally got on board the ship. Humongous doesn't even begin to describe the size of the area I could see in front of me, and that was just a small part of the ship. My already racing heart sped up about triple the time - a combination of excitement and anxiety. There was no turning back now. I had wanted a holiday like this for a hell of a long time, and now it was happening...
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
The day before departure
It's the day before departure and my anxiety level is pretty high. What am I anxious about, exactly? I'm not really sure. But that's the thing with anxiety - sometimes there is no reason, and its cause is a mystery. Maybe its because its my first cruise and I don't know what to expect, maybe its because I'm worried about not being able to sleep at night, or maybe its because I'm worried about forgetting to pack something essential. I haven't even started packing yet. I think I know what I'll be doing today.
My flatmate Hannah's mum came over a few days ago. She's a hairdresser and often comes over, and sometimes does things to our hair when she is here. I've wanted brightly coloured streaks in my hair since my early 20's, and I decided that since I had the opportunity, and for a bit of fun and something different I'd take the plunge. Because my hair is so dark it had to be bleached first. That was interesting. I was really surprised how well the bleach worked, and instantly had 2 streaks of egg yolk yellow hair. Then the pink went on. Bright, hot pink. I couldn't stop smiling. I had wanted this for so long and it made me feel like a new person. The colour only lasts 6-8 washes, and I'm planning to do purple next, and turquoise if it works. At some stage I will go back to pink because I have a few packets of the colour and only used a little bit of one and it looks really good, but I'm looking forward to seeing what purple looks like too.
I'm not really sure how much internet access I will have on the ship, so I might end up writing this whole thing when I get back, lol. That remains to be discovered...
Anyway, I'll leave it there for now. See you tomorrow! :)
My flatmate Hannah's mum came over a few days ago. She's a hairdresser and often comes over, and sometimes does things to our hair when she is here. I've wanted brightly coloured streaks in my hair since my early 20's, and I decided that since I had the opportunity, and for a bit of fun and something different I'd take the plunge. Because my hair is so dark it had to be bleached first. That was interesting. I was really surprised how well the bleach worked, and instantly had 2 streaks of egg yolk yellow hair. Then the pink went on. Bright, hot pink. I couldn't stop smiling. I had wanted this for so long and it made me feel like a new person. The colour only lasts 6-8 washes, and I'm planning to do purple next, and turquoise if it works. At some stage I will go back to pink because I have a few packets of the colour and only used a little bit of one and it looks really good, but I'm looking forward to seeing what purple looks like too.
I'm not really sure how much internet access I will have on the ship, so I might end up writing this whole thing when I get back, lol. That remains to be discovered...
Anyway, I'll leave it there for now. See you tomorrow! :)
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Why a Cruise?
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome aboard the Pacific Jewel. I hope you enjoy your 4 days cruise to MORETON ISLAND...!
Well, not quite yet. I'll be leaving in 8 days time, but today was my last day of work, so I'm definitely getting in the mood.
I'll start by telling you a bit about me - which most of you would already know - and why I've decided to go on a cruise.
I'm 28, turning 29 in 4 months, and moved out of home for the first time a little less than 18 months ago. Why so late in life, you may ask? Well, everything is just little bit more difficult, and takes a little bit more time and planning when you have a disability.
I've achieved a couple of pretty huge personal goals in the last couple of years, and towards the end of last year started thinking about what 2017's goals would be. I had 2 in mind. Goal A didn't work out, so I decided to set my sights on Goal B, and make sure that it definitely happened. I had been told numerous times by my friends with disabilities that cruising was the best way to have a holiday when you're in a wheelchair. A lot of the hassle that comes with flying (transferring out of your wheelchair, booking hotels, etc) has been taken out of the equation, leaving more room for fun and relaxation.
The more I heard about the upsides of cruising, the more I wanted to do it. And so, slowly, Plan B started to become a reality.
Well, not quite yet. I'll be leaving in 8 days time, but today was my last day of work, so I'm definitely getting in the mood.
I'll start by telling you a bit about me - which most of you would already know - and why I've decided to go on a cruise.
I'm 28, turning 29 in 4 months, and moved out of home for the first time a little less than 18 months ago. Why so late in life, you may ask? Well, everything is just little bit more difficult, and takes a little bit more time and planning when you have a disability.
I've achieved a couple of pretty huge personal goals in the last couple of years, and towards the end of last year started thinking about what 2017's goals would be. I had 2 in mind. Goal A didn't work out, so I decided to set my sights on Goal B, and make sure that it definitely happened. I had been told numerous times by my friends with disabilities that cruising was the best way to have a holiday when you're in a wheelchair. A lot of the hassle that comes with flying (transferring out of your wheelchair, booking hotels, etc) has been taken out of the equation, leaving more room for fun and relaxation.
The more I heard about the upsides of cruising, the more I wanted to do it. And so, slowly, Plan B started to become a reality.
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