valantine80

Also limited cruises in Australia over our winter months if looking at that time, except for some small cruise ships.

We are one 80year old and one under, both with pre-existing. We have recently used NRMA, but Allianz will also cover you with competitive pricing and also Qantas. I found Aust Seniors to be more expensive than others and loading for pre-existing can vary somewhat between different companies for the same conditions. You could also try Insure and Go. Unfortunately once you hit eighty it is expensive.

We did a cruise to Vanuatu and New Caledonia in January and February from Brisbane. One was on Luminosa when we were asked about insurance and one was on Quantum of the Seas and we were not asked about insurance. Neighbour who works at BICT says check in staff supplied by different companies.

No passport checks in Brisbane after two recent cruises to South Pacific. Told only incoming passenger cards needed. These were checked after one of the cruises and after the other they were collected and stuffed in a plastic bag.

On our cruises on Royal, November and January, and Carnival two weeks ago, we asked room steward for paper copies and they were delivered nightly no problem.

We cruised last Sunday on Luminosa to South Pacific and had similar experience as willsaway but we did speak to one passenger whose paperwork was inspected and they were not happy with it. They tried contacting the insurer on normal contact number but that was only staffed Mon to Fri. They then contacted their daughter who was able to sort it out somehow. So it seems a bit hit and miss, a bit like Border Force today not even looking at incoming passenger cards and with cruise from South Pacific lots of people with wooden items etc.

We have taken out comprehensive cover with NRMA and they have actually provided a separate letter which states "our International travel insurance policy issued to .....for travel dates from.... to.... includes "Covid-19 Benefits". This letter was provided without us requesting it.

Am not sure of time frame in November but when we were upgraded were selling balconies for about the same price we had paid for interior. On our last sailing on 20th January the upgrade offer came in on 9th January. We were in a balcony so not interested in upgrading. Not sure about having to sign up for offers but probably so as last upgrade offer had the "unsubscribe" option.

Have received offers to bid for an upgrade on Royal twice this season. The first time we booked an interior with virtual balcony and bid minimal amount to upgrade to ocean view which was successful but we were then upgraded to balcony.

As a matter of fact by the end of the cruise we noticed fewer crew were wearing masks and believe that it was optional whether crew wanted to wear masks or not.

We got off on Quantum last Monday. No masks required on board but are supposed to be worn on tenders and shuttle buses. The fist day using tenders they were handing them out and most people wore them. The next day on tenders maybe ten percent wearing them and even fewer on shuttle buses in Noumea.

I think it is rather difficult to get those local currencies here but can access ATM's I guess. As suggested businesses are prepared to take AUD

Am trying to find this but am only coming up with Season 19 as most recent.

It does state in Passage Contract that OBC cannot be used for casino credit and medical expenses but as we know rules don't always apply.

Thank you for confirming what I thought, but he was so adamant that he made me doubt myself.

Not exactly on topic but we are having a discussion with a friend who is a long time cruiser re using OBC. He is telling us that on P&O and Princess you are not able to use OBC to pay for alcoholic drinks on board. Can anyone confirm if this is the case?

We were on Quantum in November and agree with these comments. I always find ships cool and 23 degrees in the stateroom too cool for me. A light jumper or pashmina definitely needed.

China currently requires all incoming passengers to present a negative covid test and has mandatory quarantine in hotel for 5 days and then 2 days at home. These conditions are in place until 8th January.

Thank you very much for this good information. Very helpful

Several years ago we boarded a ship in Southampton which was sailing to Australia so had a lot of international travellers with no easy means of attaching luggage tags and one handler particularly was not happy with the number of passengers turning up needing to have luggage tags attached.

Thank you all for your replies and information.

Will be interesting to know if you are successful in having a kettle provided. Enjoy your holiday.

Does anybody know if free wifi is available in Noumea or Vila?

We are doing a similar cruise to you later in January. Will be interested to hear about your experience with tendering.

My husband used Metamucil for years but has now switched to Coloxyl with Senna tablets, much easier to manage when travelling and is happy with results.