So, this big trip has begun. There are three main objectives for this voyage:

To celebrate Ross’s 75th Birthday, my 60th and myself crossing the threshold from Employment to Retirement!

The trip was booked 3 years ago with these milestones in mind, but in that time the Itinerary changed from via Middle East and Suez, to via South Africa for obvious reasons. We booked Sydney to Sydney at that time as that was the closest point. After the route change, Melbourne became the first port stop. I looked in to changing our embarkation, but the new price was the same for 2 less days AND there was a very limited choice of cabin. So I left things as they were.

The major obstacles left were to get Ross recovered from his Spinal and Knee surgeries, and to find someone to look after the house and cats whilst we’re away. We had already had to cancel a holiday for late March, due to urgent knee replacement revision surgery, so it was possible that Ross might not be mobile enough to travel. Thankfully he made a great recovery and can walk with the aid of one crutch. 

This is good in a way, as when Ross approaches any reception point, assistance (= fast track) gets us beyond the queues. This was the case at Melbourne Airport, as we were escorted through Security. We sat in the Lounge to chill, and I spotted a Qantas Wheelchair. The initial plan was to walk slowly to the Gate, but using spare wheelchair meant we could get to the gate a bit quicker. As soon as we arrived at the gate, pre boarding had started and a Qantas person took over my role as ‘pusher’, and we were first onto the plane! Unfortunately that would mean that we would be the last off, but as we had no deadline or connections, that didn’t matter. 

The flight was excellent, one of the best Qantas crews I had come across. This was evident during disembarkation as many glowing comments were made! Despite being last off, when we got to the luggage carousel, our bags were the FIRST to come off. I collect all 4 bags before any others came through! 

I booked an Uber Black to take us to our Hotel. This was a ‘no brainer’ as the Uber stand is right outside the Terminal Building. I had considered the train, but it transpired that parts of the City Circle Train network were closed for maintenance. 

We stayed at Ibis Barangaroo, Darling Harbour. Unfortunately, the driver took us to a different Ibis Hotel, the Ibis Darling Harbour. Luckily, I got out to check whilst the driver waited with the luggage still in the car. We then continued to the correct Ibis! The hotel was basic, but with ‘funky’ twists, but all we needed was a bed, TV and bathroom for the one nights stay. 

The hotel was well situated though, and it was an easy 5 minute walk to the water. Barangaroo and Darling Harbour are teaming with restaurants and they were all busy. There were competing bars pumping out some beats, so we walked the other way and  ended up having a great Italian meal. This was finished off with some tasty gelato. Every Saturday evening there is a short Fireworks Display at Darling Harbour, and we had timed it such that we had finished eating and were by the water at King St Wharf when the display started.

I would be lying if I said we had packed ‘light’ for this trip! I knew we could get away with 4 checked in items on the plane; getting them all into one car was ‘interesting’, Our Uber driver suggested that we book Uber XL for the Sunday short ride from hotel to Cruise Terminal. I had booked Uber Assist not Uber XL. I did have a plan to get around this potential baggage ’overload’; I would walk 2 cases down to the ship early, and then travel in the car with just small bags.

That was a great time to remember that this area of Sydney is quite hilly! Anyway, I burnt some calories with this exercise; there is a baggage drop off point at the cruise terminal, and guests are welcome to drop bags any time after 8:30am and enjoy the city until their check in time. We had the first check in time of 12:30, so I was able to make the return trip in under an hour, and our Uber Assist collect us at 12 noon.