Pacific Aria in Brisbane for maiden visit

The Pacific Aria is in Brisbane today. Fortunately I had scored a day off work, so my hubby and I high-tailed it out for a look-see, take some photos and then had a leisurely lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants. 
The ship looks fantastic from the outside and we can't wait to board in 10 days to have a really good look around. Looking forward to relaxing and putting my feet up.

Here are some photos from today.

Pacific Aria in Sydney Australia

Since my last post, the Pacific Aria left dry dock in Singapore and arrived in Sydney on the weekend. Tonight she is out with a heap of travel agents overnight, returning Wednesday for the naming ceremony and 5 ship spectacular in the harbor. Hopefully I'll catch a glimpse on some of the harbor cams before I head to work.

Only 8 days of work to go before I'm on holidays. Yippee!!

Noumea, New Caledonia

Noumea: Our scheduled arrival in the afternoon at 3pm makes it hard to decide what to do in Noumea. Most things close at 5pm. 
I've heard the Aquarium is good but it closes at 5pm so by the time we get there we won't have time to have a good look around.
Apparently there is a Hop-on-off bus but again I'm not sure how late it operates.
We probably will get a bus to some shops around Lemon Bay to have a browse. 
Otherwise, the other option is possibly the museum. 

On searching for museums I have found a couple within walking distance of cruise terminal.
The two closest both close at 5pm. Neither look huge so I think that is the best option.

Museum of WWII

14 Ave Paul Doumer, Noumea

Maritime Museum of New Caledonia

11 Ave James Cook, Noumea

Another option is a limited time display of WWI posters. It's open until 6pm but looks a bit of a walk from the cruise terminal.

WWI Posters

Maison Higginson

7 Rue de Sebastopol

Nouméa, New Caledonia

If anyone else is looking for ideas try the New Caledonia Weekly website

Other museums are

Museum of New Caledonia

45 Avenue Foch, Noumea, New Caledonia

and

Le Musee de la Ville de Noumea

39 rue Jean Jaures,Noumea, New Caledonia

...and finally from a tourist website

FREE WIFI ACCESS IN NOUMEA

Marina Port Moselle

Place Courbet

When we eventually get there I'll report back what we ended up doing.

For Mare I have decided to book the shuttle to the beach. Apparently the ships book all the transport on the island so there are no options to go sight-seeing.

Our Champagne Bay tour is still going ahead to the blue holes.

In Port Vila I'm thinking we should go to Hideaway Island for some snorkeling. We have a second day there so not sure how we will fill the other day in other than shopping.

Mystery Island we will probably just go to the markets and have a swim.

Overall I feel we are finally getting a plan together so that time isn't wasted on arrival at each port.

Ryndam arrives at the drydock

The HAL ship Ryndam has arrived at the drydock for it's refit to be transformed to P&O's Pacific Aria. The Pacific Eden apparently has been refloated and continues to be refitted for it's sail to Australia. There are heaps of photos on instagram by staff and construction people. Just search for #pacificeden or #pacificaria.

Only 36 days until our cruise. We are so excited. I'm sure it's going to go really fast now.