muddles@sea

We being  tightarses decided to catch a bus from Santiago to the port, about an hour's trip. First the taxii driver tried to drop us at a bus stop not the bus terminus. Eventually arrived with minutes tot spare. Getting along the motorway think should by be there in 

plenty of time. There was. a huge bus accident that held us up to nearly 90  minutes.

Arrived at the bus depot could see the ship but couldn't find the entrance nto the port, carting s carton of wine . Eventually some port worker pointed us in the right direction. Nearly an hour later than the departure, fortunately there was a Princess  bus caught up in the traffic jam. The photo taken wasn't flattering, very red and stressed😞

Viator has stout to Tobruk Sheep Station just outside of Sydney at Maroota 

I am still waiting for the cash refund for our cancelled leg of Majestic Princess Sydney to Singapore cruise.  We had to get off in Fremantle on Feb 22..Were told we would receive 50 percent of the cruise price back plus 50 percent of cruise price in FCC.  The FCC came through immediately,  which I applied to an existing booking for a cruise to Fiji in October.  At this stage it looks like Australia will remain with closed borders til the end of the year

so not too hopeful that this one will come off.  Waiting to see if Princess will cancel or amend itinerary to remain in Australian waters.

On line travel agent was looking into the refund but no joy yet. 

On 2/22/2020 at 2:13 PM, MicCanberra said:

I wonder how many will be staying on for the extra night or two.

Off the Majestic yesterday.  Most were leaving during the day but  a few planned to leave Sunday and Monday.  Still activities on board,  restaurants open for dinner but the ship felt quite empty and a bit eerie.Most of the staff were staying on to Singapore when 800  contractors come on board for the dry dock and have to be fed and and  housed. 

Our cruise back from NZ was slow due to high seas,  and couldn't dock til 9.30 due to ferry traffic and waiting for the pilot. Many passengers could not make their flights.  We didn't disembark til after 10.30.

I wouldn't risk it. Have the extra day in Sydney and fly out the next day. 

Just off Majestic Princess NZ cruise and bought the Classic Soda Package for 199 AUD and the Coffee package for 39 AUD.  There was a push to buy the Soda and More for 299 AUD  because of the unlimited coffee and teas but I don't drink more than 1 per day. 

Certainly got my money's  worth with the mocktails - Strawberries on Fire is recommended if you don't mind a bite of jalapeno in your drink! 

On 10/30/2019 at 12:23 PM, The_Big_M said:

Are you sure you got the beverage package? Those have normally been excluded on the Transpacifics...

Had me worried so checked with TA and we have the classic package.

I rebooked the 2021 Solstice Sydney to Hawaii cruise that I saw was $300 cheaper than when I booked in January through an on line agency.The booking had a $10 non refundable deposit. Called same agency, lost my $20 but saved $600 and scored a classic beverage package😁. Very happy as lots of sea days on this cruise.

1 hour ago, GUT2407 said:

Do you know who it was from Wangi that got to fire it?

 

Members of the sub branch committee,  Leigh,  Ian and Gail.  First time we met them,  we were on invited by a friend who belongs to the club who thought my husband, ex RAAF would be interested. 

1 hour ago, GUT2407 said:

Look like George in the blue top.

That's my other half, not George whoever he is. 

2 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Did they do it?

Yes,  I was there with 3 members of Wangi RSL sub branch that fired the guns.  Unfortunately didn't catch the flare in the photos. 

Can recommend  Black Rose Limos. The drive up to to The Peak

was great. It is a one lane road near the Peak and the van is escorted up by a motorcycle  rider.The views are spectacular,  can see along the coast and inland to Lake Taupo.

The berry ice-cream stop was a highlight. 

I was on the Majestic cruise to NZ last November. Dress was pretty relaxed, women in black slacks, skirts and nice tops. No evening dresses.I don't recall many tuxedos, mainly jackets or nice shirts and ties.

Mostly Australians on board and we tend to be pretty casual. Needless to say but we are doing the same cruise this November and the other half is taking his tux , the few times he actually enjoys dressing up. Must miss wearing his RAAF mess kit😄

We did a repo  from Sydney to Japan last year on the the Diamond , then a circle Japan as a B2B.They ran down the inventory on the first leg as they were restocking the cellars in Yokohama for the Asian season. There were a lot of Aussies on board and they ran out of a lot of Australian wines by the time we reached Darwin.

After Yokohama there were some Australian and NZ wines but mostly US and European .

The Japanese aren't big wine drinkers, preferring tea,  so there was no problem getting a bottle. 

The Diamond is a lovely ship and the ports were very interesting.  Japan is great country to visit. 

Yes it is adult only. 

Was off the Majestic last week.  The Hollywood Conservatory was a lovely place to sit.  Had no trouble getting a cabana or lounge,  though probably  harder on sea days. Found the chlorine  smell  around the pool was a bit overpowering, but the area  at the front was very nice.  No charge at all. 

16 til the Majestic Princess to NZ

On her 5 Nov. Very excited. Also booked for her return to Asia in Feb 2020.

I do :). The band was Men at Work and the song was Down Under. Now did I win a bottle of that Great Princess Champagne that the boys make fresh every Tuesday in the boiler room. LOL

Tony

Great song. For years I thought the words were "where women grow and men chunder (throw up) :D;p

We were on the Pacific Explorer ( old Dawn) and asked for the cabin no every time. The servers had an iPad that showed our photos from the check in on it. Each night we were greeted. by name.

H

83 days til our Diamond repositioning cruise to Yokohama. Counting down the days:cool:

After a month in Spain after boarding the Regal in Barcelona I headed to the laundry after lunch. It was busy but managed to do a wash that gave us clean clothes for the cruise. Great having a cabin near the laundry.

We are spoilt for choice here in Australia. Plenty of great wines in the 15-20AUD range. Going upmarket Penfolds Bin 389, known as the poor man's Grange is 64 AUD and would leave most of Princess's expensive range for dead. We are on a 22 day cruise to Japan and will definitely BYO. Only problem is how much we can manage to get on board- catching the train to port.

I did an overnight train from Goa to Cochin about 10 years ago and am still traumatised. I think it was 2nd class sleeper, I didn't book it..

Boarded at midnight and fought my way to seat.I was with a group of women travelling together and we were leered at by the men in the carriage

The sheet on the bunk was disgusting, luckily I had a sarong to wrap myself in.

I tried to hold off using the toilet but eventually had to face the ordeal. The toilet looked like it had never been cleaned!

Took own snacks and bottled water, hawkers got on at stops selling banana fritters and chai tea.

It is not an experience I would repeat:loudcry:

Yes, we are there in time for the cherry blossoms. The local Japanese garden in Sydney has its Cherry Blossom festival at the moment but it won't be a patch on the real thing.