lyndarra

There are a few Oz TAs ( can't mention TAs here but with a little insight and imagination you may be able to work it out) that offer flights (Qatar) included for MSC cruises. For my return from Miami to Sydney (30 hours flying time) I was able to upgrade (when I originally booked the cruise) to Business for about AUD6500. It was worth every cent. While I was in Miami I went online and checked cost of a flight BC from Miami to Doha - AUD9000!

Agree. I rarely have more than $10 in my wallet. About the only time I use cash is to perhaps buy a newspaper. Anything else is tap and go. I now have a new phone and will look into using it once I've come to grips with the technology and am confident in the security.

Bugger. Find yourself a good specialist.

I thought this bit covered it unless I have read it wrong. "Onboard Credit offer is based on Promo(s) ZH*. Limit: One (1) onboard spending money credit (“Offer”) per stateroom. Offer is only applicable for eligible first responders, healthcare workers, and active, retired and veteran military service members. Offer is valued at US$100 per stateroom. "

They do. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/deals/military-healthcare-firstresponder-appreciation/cruise-deals.html

It was Sea Princess but I thought it was earlier.

Correction re New York cruise. It was this month deptarture on the 12th - 26 days $3999 inside cabin.

I think it was a New Zealand cruise.

The Puerto Rico problem is not new. I have experienced problems on MSC Divina but it wasn't the fault of the ship or crew. In my case it was processing delays by US customs - faulty computers and lack of staff. Everyone was required, by US Customs, to disembark. Full disembarkation was delayed by about three hours. Further delays were caqused when people who didn't want to go ashore wanted to reboard but had to wait. This is where the mob became unruly because there was little provision for people to sit and wait. Queue jumpers were causing problems leading to fisticuffs. It was here that there was some lack of control by MSC personel but it wasn't their fault. On MSC you can't avoid the multilingual problem(?) especially as English speakers are in the minority. The majority were Italian, German and Spanish speaking. Yes, beautiful and BIG ships but I found pax no more rude or polite than on other cruises. It wasn't my best cruise but now knowing what to expect, I would consider doing another. There was a good deal recently Genoa/New York maiden voyage this November, I can't remember the ship. Very tempting for the price which included airfares.

Have done a few HAL cruises (great itneraries) and never had any maintenance problems. Some ships were getting a little worn but that was merely cosmetic. I've had one Princess cruise where there seemed to be constant water, and by the smell, sewer pipe leakage problems. Our toilet backed up or wouldn't flush several times. That was about eight years ago and that ship, up until recently, was still part of the fleet.

I prefer the smaller HAL ships, Zaandam, Maasdam (until it was sold). Perhaps I was spoiled/influenced by my first HAL cruise on Volendam in 2012. The smallet ships seem to have slightly better itineraries but, as mentioned above, any HAL ship would be nice for Alaska. (Disclosure. My only two Alaskan cruises to date have been with Celebrity although I have one planned with HAL next June).

Good to see, thanks. Hopefully this will soon se a change on this forum from all the P&O, Princess, medallion guff.🙄

I'm not registered on FB but I could view it.

Has anyone here in Oz received benefits? A couple of days ago I registered as a veteran with HAL and was approved but unsure what to do next. I have one cruise already booked for Jan 2023 and hope to be booking another for Jun 3023.

Here's an example the entertainment at a place where we had dinner under the stars by the Garonne Canal in France. Couldn't help but get to our feet and boogie. https://www.facebook.com/100063486224992/videos/pcb.506527388140131/1150463039186259

I have only recently noticed mention in this forum of Club Orange so it is new to me. I looked at the benefits and was wondering if it is worth it. In my case I booked a 16 day cruise (Sydney/Singapore) some time ago so that equates to $15pdpp. My thought was if I applied now (cruise is Jan 23) would an upgrade cabin be available? Are some held aside? I suspect my cruise is heavily booked already. Any thoughts? Thanks.

https://www.tangalooma.com/resort

HAL have just made a change to Sydney/Singapore cruise 3/1/2023. They have deleted Newcastle (no loss for me as a local but others may be disappointed) and substituted Moreton Island which I now know will be a tender port for Brisbane. Does anyone know where the tenders drop off? (Flat earthers don't have to answer this).

A lot can depend on the chef in charge. I'd rate X and HAL ahead of Royal but have had no complaint with Royal food. My two cruise favorites are X and HAL. Hal is ahead on itineraries and X just pips HAL with food.

Not really a problem but sometimes it's an minor annoyance. e.g. An announcement in German all the Germans go quiet to listen. The following announcement in English, for excample, all the Germans start up up talking again and drown out the English. When introductions are being made at the start of a show, same thing, but it seems to drag on when, IIRC, there are six languages to get through. Other than public announcements it's not a problem.

I've never seen a ship bathroom with less than at least two towel hangers.

I've never really understood why we need a "turn down" service. Is it really that hard to get into a bed? Daily fresh towels? Don't do it at home so why on a cruise? I'lI hang my towel up after use or leave it on the floor if, as suggested, I want it replaced.

I think my GP mentioned something about 74 year olds, ladders and rooves but I can't remember what it was.🙄

Somewhere on this board I mentioned that I crashed a mountain bike (about 5 weeks ago) while in France. Someone asked how my shoulder was as I had mentioned it was stil sore. Last week I went to my GP and was sent to a radiologist for an ultra sound and x-ray. Result is I have a couple of lingering issues. "Bicep tendinosis with sheaf effusion. Subcromial bursitis. 4mm partial thickness tear of supraspinatus tendon." Roughly translated it means I have a sore shoulder. Shoulder aches when using my computer mouse and find it hard to raise my arm higher than my shoulder without support. Being a glutton for punishment I didn't help things yesterday by indulging in some much overdue home maintenance like climbing around on the roof removing rusty guttering and replacing some (veranda) gutter hangers that were sagging under the weight of all the rainwater we've been getting lately. The rust from the guttering has stained the non-slip paving paint around my pool (which was also starting to peel/flake so it needs re-doing which meant I had to remove the potted cordylines around the pool and also cut back the lilli-pilli privacy hedge and while at it remove aged and warped decking that partially covered the painted concrete and after that I hit the old paint with my Karcher water blaster pressure cleaner. No such thing a a simple job around my place. And, while I'm at it I have rusted guttering on my garage that also needs replacing. Been home a week and mowed the lawn twice. I think I'll give the shoulder a rest today.

Thank you Mr Grace.😉