bubbles2014

pancakes

waffles - with all the expected toppings

not to mention

muffins

yoghurts

toast

bacon snags

eggs anyway you wish

Please don't be afraid to ask nicely and servers will assist where possible.

I don't think the kiddy-lids will be hard to please in finding what they enjoy!

My grandie just munched on pancakes for brekkie and she was very happy.

come on back after the cruise and let us know how things went

enjoy your cruise :D

The mosquitoes are NOT a problem but be aware of the other many deadly animals that frequent Australia.

From the red back spider to the white pointer shark and everything in between. From the salt water crocs to the deadly drop bears not to mention the Blue ring octopus to Eastern Brown snakes

Enjoy Australia :-)

If you only want a small amount - 50US? - I'd just do it onboard. The hassle of shopping around, finding outlets with the right denominations, some with minimum order limits aren't worth the savings of say $5 at most.

 

Of course, if you're talking $500US, it may be worth it. So depends what sort of amount you're considering.

yep only about that much....thanks for the confirmation :-)

Can anyone tell me what the exchange rate if purchasing USA$$ on board for taking ashore. we will be on the Dawn Princes next week and only require a few USA $$$$$ spending money

Trying to decide if to purchase a few $$$ before we go or as we need it onboard?

thanks B

personally it's horses for courses

Qantas you pay in the fare - so all inclusive

While Virgin, Jetstar & Tiger are budget carriers and you pay as you go.

We have travelled with all and find nothing wrong with the budget carriers if you stick to their sometimes strict limitations

As far as food and drink...personally won't care about their airline food. I'd rather wait until I got to my destination and had a lovely meals outside airport.

LINKS:

Qantas

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/home/au/en

Virgin

http://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/

Jetstar

http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/home

Tigerair

http://www.tigerair.com/au/en/

I wouldn't be too concerned about the cruise line but I would be concerned if you haven't got clearance from NZ Biosecurity people. I would go to the NZ Bio security website and get appropriate clearances and declare the ashes with the appropriate approved documentation to Customs when leaving the port. I would hate for you to have unnecessary problems on such an important day. I would however be a little circumspect about identifying exactly where you intend scattering them. It may cause some people not involved a degree of angst and that should be avoided where possible

maybe?

I'm sorry to hear of your loss and it is lovely that your husband wants to do this for his father.

 

I think your idea is the best. This could be something that if you brought it to official notice, would have to be refused.:) All the best.

having handled my mum's ashes. It comes with documentation. I'd have that in your cruise document file too

Well done and remember the good time :)

not sure about the Golden but I assume you'll still get ice cream with your meals in the dining room so all won't be lost hopefully....lol!

:)

Reaaaalllly goooood Buffalo wings.... and the fake liquid cheese you can get on everything.... velveta cheese for mac and cheese..... Hmmmm.... Yummy New York Pizza..... I know you can't bring any of that.... but I just thought I would add what I loved about US food.... :p

 

Here's hoping that Radiance of the Seas has US style pizza!!!!!!!!! :D

And the ridiculous size portions too? My daughter said that she would have enough for more than one meal from them

No wonder obesity runs riot in the USA :rolleyes:

I read repeatedly about problems after a refit.

NEVER do it personally for that reason

Try to enjoy :) You just might great some credits for the situation? :confused:

Having been warned.

 

Most processed packaged foods, sealed in their original packaging will be fine, just declare it.

 

I presume you mean for American friends living Down Under, if so ak them what they're missing.

 

If you mean to give Aussies and Kiwis as guests I'd say don't bother.

Oh my goodness one would think this person knows such but the good advice about packed foods apply :)

And when you get home the molecules jump to the clothes that didn't get to go on a cruise and instantaneously shrinks those too.

yep called cross infection.......lol!

sounds GREAT!

better than the "pig trough" as before spreading all those communal germs

Yeah! a BIG tick from this little black duck :D

the salt air shrinks MY clothes...ROFLMAO :) :) :) :)

A THOUGHT

taking grandies without their parents I advise you get a letter of authorisation from their parents to take them OUT of Australia ? ? ? ?

Just explaining their acceptance of them going overseas with you - signed and witnessed

When I check in online before my flight, it gives me the seating arrangements - not sure if this is what you require. Just follow link below but you'll need your booking reference

http://www.qantas.com.au/mobile-travel/airlines/domestic-checkin/global/en#body

We booked a "mystery CBD hotel" deal through a large online hotel booking system which was at the Grand Hyatt. Very nice room, good location and nice views.

We have also stayed in the Holiday Inn on Flinders St. Very reasonable bed and breakfast deal. Very close to all transport - trams, buses and opposite Southern Cross Railway Station. Not as classy as Grand Hyatt but perfectly adequate and good value.

One thing for sure Melbourne has plenty of nice 4+ star hotels, just depends on your location of choice.

I second the Holiday Inn on Flinders - good proximity to transport, reasonably priced for what you get. Just wanting the basics with the extra $$$ going to trip............IDEAL!

It is so easy using the website I don't know why folks don't do it

US Customs & Border Protection https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

it will cost you A$14

think I better go and see if fellow passenger have got their yet...thanks for the post

Thanks everyone, sounds like Carnival is the go. It's a pity I missed the sale but they appear to have another on at the moment for up to 35% off.

 

Does anyone know the difference between Carnival Spirit and Legend?

tigstar email me

your suggestions are all good but at each of those ports you can pick up independent tours at the gate.

Snorkelling at the Isle of Pines is fantastic and has a good local market and if your early enough......buy the lobster from the beach-yummo

PLEASE don't forget your aqua shoes, as a cut from the coral is terribly painful and dangerous

....from personal family experience

Walking tour around Mystery Island is fun- have your photo take in the cannibal pot for a few $$$$ - fun and a good keepsake

Bay of Islands - plenty of local tours at the gate

Auckland - Dock right in town so go for a jump from their Skytower, if you dare....lol! If not, go to the top to see the views-wonderful. If your lucky you can take a photo of the ship from there.

HAVE FUN :)

With the falling Australian $$$

- where is the best place (value for $$) to buy some US$$$ please. We are only needing a few $100 :-)

Any recommendations? Advice gratefully accepted

I love jigsaw puzzles and was thoroughly delighted when I sailed on Royal Caribbean Majestic. They had a wonderful place set up right in front of a window in the library where puzzles could be "played" by whomever came around. Unfortunately, of all the cruises we have done on Princess, there isn't any place that is really set up for them. All the tables around in the library or internet cafe are really too small to put a puzzle of any size on. Since their selection is quite meager usually, I am bringing a few 1000 and 2000 piece ones onboard on our future 15 day hawaiian cruise on the Grand in November and plan to leave them with the librarian. Does anyone know of someplace other than the library that a table could be used where the puzzle could be left out for anyone to work on when they want, that the staff wouldn't pick up?

Provide your feedback on this issue. I'm sure PRINCESS will take it onboard :-)

a fully equipped hospital ready for any emergency or to sustain you until medi-vac helicopter arrives or ambulance at the nearest port.

Rest assured if you have appropriate travel insurance then you can go with ease of mind

have a wonderful trip :)

"On a ship, the bucket normally will contain a 100ppm bleach solution, which with a contact time of a few seconds will actually kill the virus, so the rag does not need to go back to the bucket to dispose of the virus. And the buckets are checked every 4 hours to ensure that the bleach concentration is still acceptable."

chengkp75

you have made me feel a little better with this explanation

thank you :)

Glad to hear about the sanitising of the ship when it docks.

 

FWIW I am not convinced your pharmacist is correct in regards to Benzalkonium Chloride. Whilst it is true it can be used as a preservative, that is usually in eye, ear and nasal products. In fact it is common in eye product - this I know as I am allergic to eye drops with preservatives in them LOL. However it can also be used as an active ingredient in products such as alcohol based hand san. In fact Benzalkonium chloride is classed as a Category III antiseptic active ingredient by the United States FDA. In regards to the gels being bad for you I do think there may well be some truth in that statement. Or to be fairer my understanding is that there have been no long term studies to show the effectiveness and safety. I did also see on the web the reason the US FDA classifies it as cat 3 is that is means available data are insufficient to classify as safe and effective, and further testing is required.

 

Food for thought anyway :p

 

And I do appreciate the info on this thread as it prompted me to do further research as I have been a huge hand san user esp on our last cruise. I think we may head towards the Hands First option as well. Thanks again for that info as I had not heard of that one either.

 

geblues ...do you have the brand of the natural hand san you use? That sounds interesting as well.

 

:):)

 

ETA ....LOL @ me ...I just went to check the ingredients of the hands first and the primary ingredient is our friend Benzalkonium Chloride

 

Dang I am confused. What to use? LOL. I know soap and water is fine & will focus on that but we have a child and as much as we try to get him to not touch hand rails etc I would feel better to do a hands clean prior to him eating even if we go cabin straight to table. I am going to do more research on this over the weekend

BUT please don't rely on what you read on the WEB!

It does not always tell the whole story or even the correct info.

Personally I'd rather talk directly to an expert like a chemist and be advised by their professionalism and knowledge