CRYSTAL Cruises’ Kiwis & Koalas itinerary, involves a lengthy
crossing from Sydney to New Zealand, so it’s perfect for the
traveller who enjoys the indulgence of days at sea.
Boarding Crystal Symphony on Monday, we won’t see land
again until Thursday, when sailing through Milford Sound, and we
won’t step foot on it until the first port of call, Dunedin, on Friday.
As a big fan of staying onboard, I’m pleased to find the luxury
ship’s daily programs brimming with complimentary activities
and entertainment.
As an example of ways to pass the time, this is how I spent
Wednesday.
8am – Travelling with my mother, we start the morning with a
light breakfast at the ocean-view Lido Café.
8.45am – Yoga class with the excellent instructor, Lisa Goodwin,
who has two decades of experience.
(My mother, a total beginner, loves it so much that she ends up
attending classes twice a day for the whole voyage.)
10am – I find a poolside cabana and read a book I borrowed
from the library. A waiter brings me iced water.
11.30am – The Grand Gala Buffet showcases the culinary
creations of the executive chef, with amazing ice sculptures, fruit
carvings and cake displays.
This food festival is held in the sun-filled atrium, where
passengers are served by crew at each station.
Mum finds me next to the desserts. Of course, we eat far too
much of everything.
12.30 – Team trivia is too hard for our holiday brains so we head
back to the pool deck, where the Crystal Sextet is performing,
and take over the huge Jacuzzi.
1.30 – I go to the destination lecture about the fjords of the
South Island while mum disappears for 12 laps around the ship’s
promenade deck, obviously feeling guilty about lunch.
2.30 – Wine-tasting is taking place in the dining room but I’m
saving myself for martinis so I decide to watch the tango lesson
upstairs.
3.30 – Afternoon tea, served by white-gloved waiters and
accompanied by a jazz group, in the beautiful Palm Court lounge.
4pm – I rush down to Luxe nightclub for the martini
presentation, which is highly educational.
5pm – Meet mum back in our penthouse suite where our butler
has left us some canapés, so we relax on the balcony, watching
the sunset over the ocean, and then get changed for formal night.
7pm – Pre-dinner drinks at the Avenue Saloon with some friends
we’ve made during the cruise.
8pm – Dinner at Silk Road by Nobu Matsuhisa. We sit at the
sushi bar so we can chat with the chefs as they work.
10.30pm – Hilarious show, Diva, by a vocal impressionist in the
Galaxy Lounge.
Then we are very ready for sleep – we need to replenish our
energy for tomorrow’s day at sea!
Crystal Symphony returns to Australia and New Zealand in
February 2014 – for bookings, see www.wiltrans.com.au.
