Ozwoody

Further to @Relaxing Robbies re cruises going in the wrong direction, yes in reverse as a Queenslander, I would rather head south in the summer for cooler weather, not further north for more humidity.🤷‍♂️

Could not agree more. I don't think they understand Australians, I feel we are different from Americans due to our geography, and life styles, basically we think different, I can't explain it, but I believe our mind set is different.🤔🤷‍♂️ I just don't think they get us?

I don't know, we have done the Diamond Syd-Auck twice 2010 & 2015 it was full both times, and evidently on the return trip to, as we looked at doing the reverse trip fly there and return by ship. Customs did not strike me as much different. Maybe times have changed?

Hmm, that seems to me, like they don't think NZ worth the effort? Wonder if hull cleaning is getting too difficult, with no all weather location to do the cleaning, making cruises there a bit hit & miss?

Is it just the cruises out of Auckland that's cancelled, or to other NZ ports also?

All joking aside, does anybody carry coins anymore? I haven't carried coins for years, always feel bad passing buskers, don't really carry any cash with me, just rely on my plastic. just carry a $50 note for emergencies. Do buskers have efpos these days?

If a couple of thousand odd people feel like sending me all their shrapnel, I assure you I will not feel offended. 😁

Actually gratuities that are included in the fare, are not tips, gratuities on non Australian cruises are the American way of paying a persons wage. I think the rational is if you really do your job well people will pay you more. Here in Australia and many other places we pay a reasonable base wage. Tips are for outstanding service here. On the ship, as cruises from here include a working wage we do not pay the gratuities. Tipping is very optional, depending on what you feel like giving, and what is within your financial means to give. If you feel that someone has made your trip special, a tip is appropriate, if you can afford it. Other wise as lyndarra has said make a special effort to make sure princess knows that they made your trip special. It also helps them having their contracts renewed. Regards John and PS: Yes welcome to CC

Quite possibly customs have asked to flow people through slowly, instead of having people waiting standing in que for long periods. Happens on World Cruise, have experienced a couple of times during previous WC's. Better sitting down in the dining rooms than standing in a hot shed.

Can you reduce the size of the screen? ie: zoom out. Its a bloody annoying add, all it does is irritate me, not make me interested in seeing what there offering. Maybe CC have been paid a bonza for the ad, but think most probably, so smart arse hijack of the site.

We're on the Crown Princess 26th Oct around Australia. Really looking forward to it, did the same cruise back in 2012, and really loved it, perfect weather all the way round. This time we're doing at clock wise, hopefully the bight is still the same as we will run through it about three weeks earlier than last time.

You over packer you.😄 I only take three pair, my trusty walkers, boat shoes for around the ship, and a formal pair.

That is a beautiful spot, we dined there twice in 2019, when we stayed in Capetown for a week prior to catching the QE back to Australia. Great menu selection too, was hard to chose which to have.

Oh it was, with out doubt one of the best cruises we have done. Thoroughly recommend if you can do a WC.

Oh so true, especially for a world cruise. What follows will probably put some of you in incredulous horror.😵 For our last WC in 2018, once we finished packing we had 6 check in bags..... Don't get to excited yet. We also had two carry-ons each as well. But when your away over three months, there is a lot of other stuff, yes there was extra clothes as most of the cruise was in warm regions, but there was a reasonable trip through the artic circle, requiring warm heavy clothes. And then there was Hil's art gear, brushes, paints, canvases, etc. Plus heaps of, health stuff for three months, electronic stuff like charges for shavers, phones, tablets, tooth brushes, hearing aids, trimers, etc. And I won't go into shoes, women will know what I mean. When I seen the line up, my eyebrows were just as high as some of you are now.🤣 By the way, never used any of the cold weather clothes, it was warm barmy weather all through Iceland, Greenland, and northern Canada.😄 Oh there was a few bottles of wine went with us as well. Thank Goodness It Was A Home Port 15min from Home.