Category Archives: cruises

The Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Posted on February 17, 2016 by travelbynatasha

Today is a full day in Tauranga, New Zealand, a favorite holiday spot for those from Auckland and Wellington.  Monday is a local holiday in Auckland, so people have come in early for a long holiday weekend.  In the Bay … Continue reading →

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Hobbiton, New Zealand

Posted on February 16, 2016 by travelbynatasha

After a day at sea, we are scheduled to arrive in Tauranga, New Zealand at 5 pm.  Most guests will be staying on the ship tonight for the evening’s entertainment; we have chosen an evening excursion to Hobbiton.  Hobbiton is … Continue reading →

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Napier, New Zealand

Posted on February 15, 2016 by travelbynatasha

We are now on the north island of New Zealand and visiting the town of Napier in Hawk’s Bay celebrated for its Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture.  Napier is a town of 50,000 and it will be our base … Continue reading →

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Akaroa, New Zealand

Posted on February 11, 2016 by travelbynatasha

Southern New Zealand is an adventurer’s paradise with wonderful hiking, water sports, and amazing scenery. Today we are in Akaroa, a French-influenced seaside town that is a home base for hikers and animal lovers. There is just a small pier … Continue reading →

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Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia

Posted on February 5, 2016 by travelbynatasha

Tasmania! We are anchored in the bay off Port Arthur, Tasmania. Port Arthur was developed as a penal colony. The historical park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we made land is a day’s visit in and of itself, but … Continue reading →

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Natasha Goes Walkabout and sees Koalas and Kangaroos

Posted on February 3, 2016 by travelbynatasha

Today we are in Melbourne, our only other mainland Australian port, and I couldn’t visit this country without my koala and kangaroo fix. It was a hot day for a walkabout with temperatures reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Boris and I … Continue reading →

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Sydney, Australia

Posted on February 1, 2016 by travelbynatasha

Natasha is cruising again; this time to Australia and New Zealand, including stops in Tasmania.  We flew in yesterday on Air New Zealand directly from Houston to Auckland, New Zealand.  After a short layover, we flew to Sydney, Australia where … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh, Scotland: Royal Yacht Britannia and the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Posted on August 2, 2015 by travelbynatasha

For our second full day in Edinburgh, we have plans to see both the Palace of Holyroodhouse with the adjoining Abbey Ruins and the Royal Yacht Britannia.  We walked over to the Ocean Terminal to see the Yacht when it … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Posted on August 1, 2015 by travelbynatasha

Getting into our last port, Edinburgh, Scotland was not so easy.  Our boat fit in the lock at Leith harbor with only two feet to spare.  We went up in the Lookinglass Lounge to see the pilot take us in. … Continue reading →

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Invergordon, The Scottish Highlands

Posted on July 31, 2015 by travelbynatasha

Today we are docked at Invergordon, Scotland in Cromarty Firth (Fjord), a narrow inlet from the North Sea.  Cromarty Firth is called the “seaway to the Scottish Highlands”.  We are very close to Inverness and Culloden Moor.  Invergordon’s port was … Continue reading →

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