lyndarra

I wouldn't do that too soon. COVID is still around. I'm keeping mine in case I need to check if I have flu or COVID. It will make a difference for medication.

"Screech In" ??? I had to Google it. Sounds like fun. From yer futtocks to yer top gallants.😉

Lack of spice in spicy food seems to be endemic on most cruise lines. On my first HAL cruise I ordered a Malaysian dish (can't recall the name) knowing that it should be spicy - it wasn't. I mentioned this to the waiter. He disappeared and soon returned with a small dish of sambal which solved the problem. If there is gumbo on the menu I always order it but I'm usually disappointed by blandness, but I keep hoping. Seems that anything spicy on cruise menus gets dumbed down.

You can use a card. I used Visa.

I caught last ten minutes of NRL Knights V Sharks to see them win their eighth consecutive game to make the finals. Big turn around from last year coming 14th of 16. Go Knights.

You have the option of maxi taxis from the terminal. Both types will arrive and be allocated by taxi ushers(?) on a needs basis. That was the case when I disembarked Westerdam last January. There was a massive queue for taxis on that day as it was raining.

Random searches can act as a warning to travellers not to cut flight times too close.

Was the same on NA last June. No waiters except for Happy Hour but, for me, no problem walking a few metres to the bar periodically otherwise my knees start to sieze up.😟

I paid single supplement on an MSC cruise only to find, on boarding, I had a, tiny, single cabin into which they had squeezed a double bed.

I have heard of, conveniently positioned, ship CCT cameras catching people out.

I was pulled aside for a luggage check after my suitcase went through x-ray in an airport in China. It turned out I had left a spare lithium camera battery in its charger instead of taking it through in carry on. The camera was already in my carry-on.

Doing the E visa is the way to go. Although Komodo is not an entry port for visas it was still ok when we went there in January with our E visa completed online prior to departure.. We then went to Lombok next then Bali.

Looks like the canal needs it. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/09/panama-canal-shipping-pileup-due-to-drought-reaches-154-vessels.html

Wish I was there. All my favourite music.

Pepsi Max and SF Ginger Beer are my usual go to. Just now finished a bottle of Burrandy Diet and had Pepsi Max with my fish and chips for lunch today.

An Olivia wanna be?

Bon voyage mate.

Is there a selection of sugar free soft drinks?

Only for available to Australian resident Seniors Card holders.

Thanks Chili. I already have the senior Opel. I just wondered if the CC could do it so that I don't have to worry about doing top-ups.

Observations of problems a cruiser experienced when trying to get around in a strange city perhaps?

Can sympathise Lyle. Had a similar problem when Tony and I arrived at LAX in last June. Not a cab to be found. A kind parking garage attendant phoned for cab to help us out. When we wanted a cab to return to LAX from the city we had to go to a nearby hotel to try an snare a cab that was dropping off guests as there were no cabs on the streets. Ended up asking the hotel concierge if she could call on for us.

If you are a senior who would normally qualify for the Opal discount, how would the card reader know this if you want to use a credit card?

I have seen this on HAL but not X.

If you mean this one - title is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary https://lonepinekoalasanctuary.com/ You will most likely get the information you're after here; https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/564-australia-new-zealand-cruisers/