We were picked up in the early afternoon by a driver who is deputizing for Gavin. We depart at 1.45 pm and we enjoy a ride into the city and then through the back streets of Port Melbourne to arrive at Station Pier at 2.15 pm. A beautiful new BMW 750.

We then find our driver can deliver us directly to the Terminal building bypassing the long queues. However, this confidence in the departure process is short-lived as we then find that the check-in is a muddle and the security processes are shambolic. With long queues, little or no information, and a totally disorganized process it is a frustrating and disappointing start to our 14-night holiday and cruise..

We are elite Princess Circle members and are supposed to receive preferential boarding through the Blue line. Whilst there is a Blue line it still is long and snakes around several areas of the terminal. We subsequently find that the security imaging equipment broke down and caused a major delay. None the less it is disappointing.

We board after some 90 minutes, and this represents the worst and longest time in a departing cruise terminal process, that we have experienced anywhere in the world. Disappointing that it has occurred in our home city.

Nonetheless, we reach the gangway with excitement and a sense of expectation.

The crew is friendly and caring and we are then quickly in our cabin. Surprisingly the Luggage arrives within 15 minutes and we are unpacked within 1 hour. We then have to complete the revised security and lifeboat practices. This is a totally different framework. However, it works well.

We then go for a walk and become familiar with the ship’s layout..

Dinner tonight is in the Main dining room at 6.20 pm and then we will attend the first show. We do stop at the Wheelhouse Lounge and have a drink and toast one another.

The ship departs to a fanfare of activity, both on the main decks, together with a party on the 15th floor by the pool. The musicians played a string of broadway music upon the piazza.

The ship is comfortable yet even on this first day it is apparent that this is another Princess Ship that is nearing the end of its service life. It is a little and tired, facilities are somewhat old. We then find out that this is its last season before going to P & O for a refit. We will enjoy ourselves and

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We are excited even after the difficult boarding processes to board the Grand Princess and proceed to our cabin.