BrissieB

10 hours ago, NSWP said:

 $25,000 travel insurance costs.

Ouch.    Mine better not cost that much.

13 hours ago, BrissieB said:

I've given up hope 😞 It's ok though I only got the go ahead to book it yesterday from the Specialist, so it's really only one day of dashed hopes not weeks.  Hopefully they'll return again in future years. 

I think I've done it.  It appears I have a reservation but it won't process the deposit payment.  For now I call that a win 🙂  

5 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

i'm sure they will.  Americans love Australia/NZ and they love Disney.  It is a winner for Australia, esp if it is one of their older ships.  Count this one as practice.  

 

In the meantime, if you like long haul flights, have a look at WDW, Florida.  Disneyland is only one of their Kingdoms  it has four theme parks - EPCOT, ANIMAL KINGDOM, HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS,  MAGIC KINGDOM  PLUS BLIZZARD BEACH AND TYPHOON LAGOON WATER PARKS, plus Disney Theme shops galore.  

 

WDW Theme Parks closed for 2 days due to Hurricane Ian.  

I've been to Disneyland 3 times and I would totally go back again.  Unfortunately my health took a hit this year and international travel is off the cards, hopefully not forever, but a short Disney cruise close to home 12 months or so away was an ok risk esp when I could refund should spanners get thrown in the works.  Travel insurance is now a nightmare.

4 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

  Hope you're successful making a booking. 

 

I've given up hope 😞 It's ok though I only got the go ahead to book it yesterday from the Specialist, so it's really only one day of dashed hopes not weeks.  Hopefully they'll return again in future years. 

I was in a line and then I got booted.  Then it went to site unavailable.  Now I'm back in a line.   

47 minutes ago, curry767 said:

Anyone getting in to the booking website, I thought it opened at 8am AEST

 

Website crashed.  Apparently bookings opened early this morning around 2am.

1 hour ago, NSWP said:

Like who empties ye olde tips jar? Owner takes it or waitstaff plus kitchen staff get it? 

In my case business owner. 
Also would not have risked my job for tip in hand in case they thought I'd helped myself to the till.

1 hour ago, BrissieB said:

In case you are unaware.  Just because you tip someone does not mean they will get to keep all, some or any of that extra cash.  Been there done that 😞

Oh and just so my position is clear.  A big no to tipping. 

In case you are unaware.  Just because you tip someone does not mean they will get to keep all, some or any of that extra cash.  Been there done that 😞

5 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

With the thousands of Aussies trying to get home and the high cost of flights at the moment, the OP might find that coming to Australia in the near future isn't something they can reasonably do.

Absolutely agree but the original poster said desperate to see family and they do fit in the immediate family category.   Those other issues don't negate the fact they fall in an exemption category so could possibly travel here without waiting for borders to open.

Although our borders are closed, you might be able to get a travel exemption and do the 14 day quarantine on arrival because you are immediate family members.  Check the current federal government advice.  It's not a cruise but it may allow you to visit your families soon.

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-international-travellers#travel-into-australia

19 minutes ago, NSWP said:

You would not like Batemans Bay then, in June/July we get -3 some mornings. Beautiful and crisp, crunchy frost.

I'm sure it's beautiful but a bit on the chilly side for this Queenslander.  
We're funny creatures aren't we, our Canberra friends and family visit in June and complain about the heat and humidity.

23 hours ago, getting older slowly said:

 electric heater for a while

And finally a gas heater.....

 

I don't understand, what is this heater you speak of? 
We keep some windows open pretty much all year and close them if it gets a bit cool.   Interestingly if we travel south when it's cold my voice packs up and moves back to Brisbane until I return.  It happens every time.  Not sick, just no voice.  I'm sure hubby doesn't mind.

16 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

I think if you are a born Queenslander, you can live without air conditioning.  In my youth no-one had air conditioning.

Totally this.  No aircon here.  A $12 fan on each side of the bed for hot summer nights and that's about it.  But I must say I don't do so well down south when it gets cooler.

It varies from state to state and year to year and school to school but generally Australian school kids go back around the last week of January/first week of February. 

Would not recommend.  We don't know what flights/airlines will be in place after this current situation passes.  What was possible pre-COVID may not be an option in the future.  In the past I have been terribly delayed coming from Sydney to Brisbane and completely bumped to the next day.

14 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Re masks, I went into IGA at Batehaven this morning, even the deli staff did not have masks on.  We are still wearing masks, gloves and using hand sanitiser for packing commercially prepared frozen meals and delivery of meals at my Eurobodalla Meals on Wheels Cooperative. Safety first for a few more weeks yet.

My husband's company asked him to get a covid test even though he's working from home (his allergies kicked into overdrive with the season change and they were concerned with all the coughing and sneezing during conference calls).  I think the concern is nice, anyone with allergies is feeling the glare at the moment.

2 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Perhaps propoganda is coming out of Qld re Covid numbers, know what I mean? 

We've got an election coming up in a few short weeks.  Nothing would surprise me. 

29 minutes ago, By The Bay said:

Confirms the ABC report as correct.

Yep.  I just don't trust the media will have always have the correct information.  Link to your quote was for backing up your statement as much as anything else.

12 minutes ago, By The Bay said:

That is interesting, as I have read on the ABC website today: "Queensland has recorded eight new cases of coronavirus suspected to be linked to existing clusters."

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/statistics
See link for official figures.
Five of the 8 new cases are from the one family and linked to existing case.
Definitely more mask wearing happening in Brisbane with the recent increase in cases.

I have an Aunt and Uncle who were on the Sea Princess sailing around Australia when it was cancelled earlier in the year.   They use the round Australia cruise to visit their friends.  Flying has become very difficult for my Uncle so they get the chance to have a bit of a holiday on the cruise and visit their friends at the various port stops.  I think it's a great idea and one I'll steal at some stage in the future if I find myself in the same shoes.

 

5 minutes ago, patch nine said:

what about the Batavia in the Shipwreck Museum in Fremantle?

Bingo.  Tag you're it.

This is the second oldest shipwreck in Australia found at the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Frementle.

4 minutes ago, ilikeanswers said:

It's not Greek but any chance? 

Not Greek

4 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

There is the Vasa in Stockholm, but this doesn't look like that one.

Not in Stockholm

8 minutes ago, Docker123 said:

The Mary Rose?

Not the Mary Rose but that is totally on my must see list.