A year that rocked
This was a year of firsts for many Australians, particularly in travel: it was their first trip overseas since the pandemic or the first trip out of their state since lockdowns. It’s hard to believe it has only been 12 months since we began travelling widely again, and for those who have, we’ve unleashed on much-dreamed-about experiences.
This year for the first time I forest-bathed in Malaysia, sailed into Seville via the mediaeval route of Magellan, set out on safari to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka, checked in to the glamorous new W Sydney and experienced Athens, a long-held dream. To top it all off, last week I caught Saturday-night fever and shamelessly boogied the evening away in my first silent disco aboard Celebrity Edge as we sailed from Sydney to Auckland. As the ship rocked while we crossed the slightly bumpy Tasman, I too rocked out (via headphones) with my fellow passengers of all generations (also in headphones), swaying, stumbling and shimmying in silent sync in the Martini Bar. I thought I was hallucinating when I spotted Captain Jason from Below Deck Down Under dancing animatedly beside me, and I was about to tell him to get back to the bridge when I remembered we were on a different ship.
It was also the Edge’s inaugural voyage in Australia and the first time I had sailed on a cruise ship that size (2900 passengers) out of Sydney Harbour. It was a scorching 44 degrees, in the heart of a heatwave, so we didn’t stand on the deck, but waved at passing boats and ferries from the glass-walled Eden lounge as a tugboat nudged us towards the Heads. The ship’s captain, Matt Karandreas from Greece, later told us it was the most spectacular port he had ever seen, while cruise director Guiseppe agreed it was so lovely he was tempted to “chuck a sickie”, delivered in a charming
Italian accent with a large smile – he was clearly chuffed to have adopted this local phrase.
Thankfully he didn’t – I saw him around the ship, leading pool dance classes and outdoor Zumba (another first for me). What I love about ships like this is that everybody leaves their inhibitions at the door. While there are elegant restaurants (such as Luminae by celebrated chef Daniel Boulud) and stylish ”retreats” designed by interiors guru Kelly Hoppen, nobody thinks twice about shaking their booty on the deck, shouting at trivia nights, and loudly singing off-key at the “silent” disco. Everyone seemed to be living their best life.
It wasn’t my first time at a buffet, as eagleeyed readers may note, however the Edge’s was a spread of the highest variety and up there with the best I’ve encountered. While there are plenty of specialty restaurants on board (which cost extra), I found myself drawn back to the buffet (called the Oceanview Cafe; with 700-plus seats, it’s a lot larger than a cafe) as my dining of choice. The midnight pizza counter was a drawcard, no doubt.
As we wrap up the year when travel found its mojo again, our last edition is all about looking forward to 2024 (and I can highly recommend a silent disco). From the entire team at Escape, we wish you a happy, fun-filled and adventurous new year.
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