ozziepost

With the incident on the Aria all I wanted to do was to dry some clothes as they were taking a bit to dry in the cabin. I put the clothes in the drier and I wasn't going anywhere until they were dried, halfway through the cycle a lady came in and started going through my drier and my clothes and then the clothes basket I was using disappeared in front of my eyes. The result was I couldn't get out of the joint fast enough.

I have heard many stories about punch ups taking place in ships laundries and on one eventful trip on the old Pac Sun saw one group get kicked off the ship at Mystery Island due to a fight that started over a drier or a washing machine that got completely out of hand. P&O arranged for a twin engine light aircraft to land on the island as a result of that incident.

Like I said I try to avoid ships laundries like the plague.

I avoid the ships laundry like the plague and do our washing in our stateroom bathroom on the ship and I don't care if it looks like a Chinese laundry to our steward when he comes in to service the room. I've heard too many stories about incidents in ships laundries and got involved in one when I used the laundry on the Aria earlier in the year.

With only two sea days before we go elite with Princess I cant wait so that I can get the ship to do our laundry under the benefits of the Captains Circle scheme.

When we use go to Noumea if the ship docks at the Commercial port we get the shuttle over to the cruise ship terminal and then purchase a HOHO bus ticket to go to the Bai de Citrons which incidentally is the only patrolled beach we have come across and is safe to swim with some shade. Other local tours are available and these can be purchased with AUD the price of these are generally much cheaper than you can get on the ship.

Its a good idea to get off the ship as soon as you can and for the return allow plenty of time to get back to the ship.

Mystery island is only about 1 - 2k long with an airstrip down the middle and takes around 45 minutes to walk around. Some local tours will be available and the ship will generally set up a bar on the island and the locals will have a market set up and freshly cooked lobster may also be available to purchase.

Essentially this island is a beach day with good snorkelling just be careful as one side of the island is prone to strong currents and when we were there in January there were blue bottles around

We have been there a few times and its a nice spot to visit.

We just got back from our cruise on the Caribbean Princess and used the Citi Bank Plus card for the land component of our trip withdrawing cash and making purchases when needed without any problems and am delighted with the product.

The Aust post load and go product is a reasonable product and is ideal for those who want a non bank issued credit/debit card just be aware of any fees and charges for the card the post website or staff at your local PO will be able to provide more info.

Enjoy your trip.

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You would be far better off getting a Citibank plus card which is a visa debit card. There are no charges and the exchange rate is close to the official rate. You apply on line and take the form to any Aust Post office for processing. This product gets great reviews on trip advisor and is worth looking.

When you travel overseas just let Citibank know the countries and dates you are travelling there is an app for the product so that you can monitor your transactions.

Because it is a debit card it's a case of loading the product with sufficient cash for your trip.

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I can't believe how timely your report is as we board the Caribbean Princess for the same cruise on Friday great photos and a fascinating review.

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I think it is time for a cocktail or two, anyone up for a Pina Koala?:p

Yes but just don't stand under one while enjoying your drink.

More proof that drop bears do exist.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-25/australia-dropbears-win-quidditch-championship/7658246

Just don't stand underneath one especially around Cape Otway.

If you do a Google search for the topic "dynamic currency conversion" you will find the topic relevant. I'll post a link later as the others have indicated far better to get your bank to do the conversion.

This is the link I promised earlier it certainly makes for interesting reading.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_currency_conversion

If you do a Google search for the topic "dynamic currency conversion" you will find the topic relevant. I'll post a link later as the others have indicated far better to get your bank to do the conversion.

Yep me too I'm enjoying this thread [emoji23]

Just to add to the silliness of this thread we visited Broken Hill (you know the joint where BHP was formed) recently and went out to iconic Silverton where we had a latte and a pie at the pub. Mind you there were about a couple of dozen Toorak tractors parked outside covered in bull dust with the occupants swilling VB's inside and getting stuck into monster burgers and steak sangers.

There are a couple of galleries in the town and works by one artist by the name of Howard W Steer from Broken Hill at one art gallery caught our eye. With that we decided we needed a bit of kulture and headed back into Broken Hill to seek out his gallery.

He goes by the name of "the flying doctor" and his paintings depict a satirical look at life in the outback. He has published a book featuring examples of his work and is full of iconic Aussie idiom called "just what the doctor ordered" which will bring a chuckle to anyone who reads it.

http://www.howardsteerart.com.au/

Media reports today indicate a military coup has taken place in Turkey looks like it is going to be a difficult time for everyone in that country.

Maybe we need a thread on Aussie inventions.

Speaking of the invention of the Wine Cask aka (Chateau de Cardboard) A local from Leopold in the Bellarine Charles Malpas invented the Airtight tap for the cask and a link to his biography is attached. Yes and I just wonder if a thread on Aussie inventions would be appropriate after all we did invent the Victa and the Hill Hoist amongst other wonderful inventions.

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/malpas-charles-henry-14891

I really appreciate everyone's advice about this. Getting to Southampton from London and return to London following our cruise is still something I am working on. The hotel we are staying on in Southampton is within walking distance to the station and bus terminal.

In so far as getting the National express bus from Victoria Station can you just walk up and purchase a ticket?

What are people's experiences with cruise lines converting onboard accounts to AU$ or leaving it in US$ and having your own bank convert it?

Let your bank do the conversion for you. Have a look at this article about dynamic currency conversion and you will understand why its a bad idea to let the ship do the conversion for you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_currency_conversion

Many thanks for that getting to Southampton is the only part of the trip I'm still not sure of with our trip only a few weeks away.

Cheers.

We are staying four nights at a hotel in the Kensington area not far from the Earls court station and then will be going to a hotel in Southampton for a night pre cruise.

We are looking at getting the train to Southampton and on our return to the port following our cruise will need to make our way back to Kensington for another two nights post cruise prior to flying home.

Is it possible to catch a train to Southampton from Earls court or a nearby station or will we need to go into Waterloo station which I suspect we will probably need to do.

Any input on this would be appreciated.

I think the lines have a duty of care to some extent, but sometimes accidents happen, even with safe tour operators

I agree when you take a ships tour you would assume that the protocols would be in place if an incident took place and that you would be looked after.

On the other hand if you do your own independent touring its up to the passenger to exercise due diligence and make sure that any DIY touring that they undertake is safe.

On some of our visits to Santo I have watched passengers returning to the ship from the upper decks. On most of these I have noticed passengers riding in the back of utes and out of curiosity on one trip zoomed in on the utes with the camera and was astonished to see in many cases two whole families riding in the vehicles.

If an incident took place resulting a passenger falling out of the ute or heaven forbid a vehicle rollover took place the carnage would have been horrific.

It would be fair comment to assume that the Travel insurance companies could consider that this practice was in breach of their T&C's and not cover the passengers for the incident with the resultant consequences catastrophic for all concerned.

What an awful way for what is a dream holiday for many to end. I just hope that everyone gets the care and treatment they need and recover fully from their injuries.

My thoughts are with those impacted by the accident.

You will find the price of beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and coffee's on board is very similar to what you would pay in bars, clubs and cafe's at home.

Is this in respect to a new terminal at Port Melbourne?

Just a quick comment on this when we did our trip on the Aria earlier in the year there were a number of passengers that obviously got the drink package as part of a promotion P&O had towards the end of 2015. The passengers with the package often appeared pickled and if they had had an accident on board while intoxicated it is likely they would have breached the T&C's of their travel insurance policy and would not have been covered.

For some passengers the drink package is worth it but IMO its a much cheaper and sensible option to pay as you go.

The other thing you need to consider is most packages are around the $70 - $80 a day mark - would you spend that much each day at home on booze?

I've got fond memories of our only trip on that ship even if is only for the number of passengers that got booted off including one group at Mystery Island. Despite it being a rust bucket it had a great vibe sad to see it going the way all good ships eventually end up.