Australia and New Zealand Bound

 
Between Christmas 2018 and the New Year 2019 I applied to be a cruise director and expected some contact to be interviewed for the position at the North American Bridge Championships (NABC) in Memphis in March of 2019 and then get word weather I would be a bridge director on cruises. Instead I received an email on January 18 notifying me of a cancellation  on not one but two cruises in Australia. They needed an emergency fill in. Bonnie and talked it over and after getting a little more information we told them we would be there.

We were planning on visiting those two countries some time later but I guess the Lord works in mysterious ways and we are now off to Sydney on the 16th of February. The funny thing is we have never been on a cruise before and we will be doing two in the span of 19 days. This was just an opportunity that we could not pass up. We were able to get mileage tickets on Alaska Airlines and the agent we talked with was so patient with our questions and changes. I do love Alaska Airlines. We will be flying Alaska, American, and Quantas on the trip. I upgraded our seats to exit rows to and from LAX so we should be more comfortable than in the regular coach class seats.

Queen Elizabeth

We are still working on the papers we need for the trip. We have the tourists visas for Australia. Don't need a visa for New Zealand. I also have also applied for a Maritime Crew Visa for Australia. That should be ready by the end of the week with a little luck. We are still in contact almost daily with the cruise agents in Florida. There are just so many questions to be answered and still don't know some that will need to be asked.

Both voyages will be on the Cunard Cruise Lines, Queen Elizabeth. 2000+ passengers and 1000+ crew will make for a lot of people to meet. Both Bonnie and I will have to buy a bunch of new clothes because we can't wear jeans, t-shirts, or shorts on the cruise except in very special cases. Slacks, collared shirts, skirts, and dresses will be the daily attire. We will also have to dress for dinner. Should be an interesting trip.

More later as more information becomes available.