Blog 2 

Having sailed with Princess cruises for over 10 years, we have witnessed the evolution/devolution of the Brand. Of course, the fact that we keep coming back is that the brand remains a comfortable fit for us, ‘classic style’ ships, fantastic crew, great food selections and well laid out cabins. No matter, which ship it happens to be, you can feel ‘at home’ very quickly. This is almost the case in 2026, as after 2 nights on board, things that were previously ‘effortless’, in that they ‘just happened’, seemed to have hit obstacles on this cruise. Previously, and I mean up to 3 years ago, when we entered the cabin for the first time, it was all set up ready for us; clean, tidy, shore excursion tickets, minibar set up, all waiting for us. This being the major starting off point for the World Cruise, the ship did take on a full resupply, but our cabin (and most others) didn’t have the mini bar. I enquired, and was informed it should come tomorrow. I was ok with that for a one-off enquiry, but this type of response was to become the standard one. 

After boarding and dropping our bags, we went for a drink in the Piazza. Princess had recently discovered “Coke Zero”, after many years of just offering “Diet Coke” as the sugar-free alternative to Coke. Great, we both had one. We then returned to the cabin, and whilst unpacking ordered some Room Service drinks – Coke Zero, as there were no drinks there; “Sorry Sir, we don’t have; maybe tomorrow”. I ordered a frozen 24K Margarita, my staple on previous cruises; “Sorry Sir, we don’t do that anymore”. “But its on the app, for ordering exactly as I used to….”. “Sorry Sir, we don’t do that anymore”. 

The following afternoon, the minibar setup did arrive; and, as I usually do, I phone Room Service to exchange some items. In the past, this was done within the hour …. “Sorry Sir, we might get around to that tomorrow or the Day after”. We lowered our expectations accordingly and carried on with the day.

Our first post stop was Melbourne! I decided to play ‘tourist’ for the day in my ‘Home Town’, but then Ross started developing a shopping list. I therefore decided to go to Chadstone: no sooner had I planned my jaunt, then one of my besties messaged me that she was also going to Chaddy! Ok, so less ‘tourist’ and more ‘local’ then. She picked my up at Oakleigh Train Station and we did our ‘usual’, hot chocolate at Mőrk, with a long chat, followed up by ticking off the shopping list. By the time we left, it was getting close to sunset and I still wanted to play tourist albeit for an hour or so before it got dark. I took the train to Anzac Station and walked up to the Shrine of Remembrance, where one is afforded a great view of the City skyline. I would have liked to have walked in the Botanic Gardens, but the sun had already set, and I needed to trapse back to Port Melbourne for Dinner. I wasn’t expecting problems getting back, but rush hour was playing games with the trams and so the journey was beset with delays and packed carriages. I texted Ross when I realised I wasn’t going to make our booked Dinner time. This all worked out fine as we ate in the Buffet instead. 

A little more about Station Pier: 

Originally known as Railway Pier, it was officially opened on 12 September 1854, along with the Port Melbourne railway line from the City to facilitate the transport of passengers and goods, and hence this was the first significant railway in Australia! In 1861, the pier was extended to a length of 661 metres, in order to accommodate the ever-increasing traffic associated with the number of people settling in Victoria due to the Gold Rush. The current pier was built over the top of the original supports, in 1922; the new pier was designed so that passengers landed at the terminals above, while goods traffic moved underneath, in what was quite forward thinking for the 1920s. Electric trains used to run onto the pier as a westward extension of the Port Melbourne line, known as the ‘Boat Train’, running for only 3 years, it was discontinued in 1939 as it was uneconomic.

A little more about Melbourne Town Hall:

With Melbourne being officially incorporated as a town in 1842, the first Town Hall was completed in 1854. However this was the start of the Gold Rush, and almost immediately there was a call for a grander building! A competition was held, and the design was awarded to Joseph Reed, of Reed & Barnes. The foundation stone was laid in 1867 by Prince Alfred, the then Duke of Edinburgh. The new town hall officially opened on 11 August 1870 with a lavish Ball. 

Joseph Reed, the architect, was born in Cornwall and moved to Melbourne at the early stage of the Gold Rush era. He is considered the city's greatest; his prolific works include many of the city's most loved buildings and significant heritage listings, including the world Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building (used as the first Australian Parliament until Canberra was established in the 1920s), the State Library, the grand Wilson Hall at Melbourne University, as well as plethora of Churches in differing architectural styles along a stretch of Collins Street, nicknamed “Holy Hill”. He could design in Neoclassical, Renaissance Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Baroque, French Second Empire, Romanesque and Queen Anne, and of course as typical for 19th century architects, designs that blended more than one historical style. An example of the Gothic style is the Scot’s Presbyterian Church; here an Australian icon, Dame Nellie Melba, started her career by singing in the choir, her Father was one of the Builders of the church. Across Russell Street is the Romanesque St. Michaels Independent Church, famed for its brickwork. The Victorian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects recognises Reed's contribution to Melbourne and the architecture profession with the annually awarded Joseph Reed Urban Design Award.