Unfortunately, our late departure from Colombo and continuing engine issues have slowed our passage northwest across the Arabian Sea. We are currently in the Gulf of Oman making for the Straits of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. A stop had been planned for Muscat in Oman, but this has been abandoned. We will be arriving in Dubai tomorrow, 25 June for an overnight stop, a little earlier than planned. So we will have had another four days at sea.

Allthego is getting a little edgy and needs to set foot on dry land. Homealone continues with craft activities. Good progress is being made on the Physi tartan, we might be able to get a photo up soon.

The weather has remained reasonably good, although it has been mostly cloudy since leaving Colombo and the wind has picked up. Seas have been running at around 2 metres, a little rocking. Have now calmed as we are high in the Gulf. Remaining very warm but the humidity has eased as we have moved north.
Slobro has been taking the ship board life style in his stride and is wanting to share some information. Princess Cruises has a loyalty program, ‘ benefits’ accrue based on number of cruises or days cruised. Categories are Gold, Ruby, Platinum and Elite. The key ones here are Platinum (50 days) and Elite (150 days). You attain Gold after one cruise. Allthego and Homealone are Platinum. Now this cruise we are on is the first Princess world cruise from Australia since COVID, there are we believe about 1800 people aboard. The vast majority are 71 plus! It is Slobro’s first cruise ever. He is astounded that there are some 780 Elite and 420 Platinum members aboard, two thirds of all aboard. There are only 200 or so first time cruisers. Some of these Elite characters are on their third and fourth world cruises they inform us. There is one couple who will have been on the ship continuously for two years when it goes into dry dock for a refurbishment later in the year. They are transferring to another ship.

One of the benefits of being a Platinum and Elite member is we have our own little snack bar to partake of, except 1200 people can get into it! Elite people get a free laundry service, problem is there are so many that the laundry is taking 3 to 4 days to come back!

There is also a Captains Circle Party to hear a chat from the Captain. It was at this party that we were told who is on board with the most cruise days all up. The top three. Slobro can’t recall the numbers exactly but here they are in round numbers. First, 1800 sea days and 174 cruises all up. Second, 1700 sea days and 142 cruises all up. Third, 1400 sea days and 121 cruises. Something like 5-6 years cruising, apparently more or less constantly! Slobro, 17 days and counting!

So this ship is full of people who have travelled far and often, at least on ships. Slobro is going to opine on the merits of cruising in an upcoming blog, after a little more experience aboard.

One of the highlights of this leg was the win by Queensland in the second State of Origin fixture. All aboard look forward to a clean sweep at he next outing, at least the Queenslanders! The outstanding Courier Mail newspaper sums it up well.

Food and entertainment continue to be mostly excellent. One of our waiters put together a quick sketch of Homealone looking inquisitively at her plate. Certainly got the eyes!

We have had a stand up comedian who thinks he is funny. Laughs at his own jokes! Enough said.

Had an excellent hot dog today, 3 bean nacho sauce and cheddar cheese atop. Thought I was in Houston!

So we now find ourselves about to step ashore in Dubai. It is the end of Stage 1 of the cruise.