stki

1 hour ago, snag said:

Hi, can anyone tell me if the excursions booked on the princess for an australian cruise are priced in australian dollars or us dollars. Thanks Snag

Australian $, if booked in Australia. 

49 minutes ago, arxcards said:

Somewhat different process in North America to what it is in Australia. Since covid restart on Australian bookings, the local office would only look at requests within 90 days. I don't know whether that was due to lack of staff or just an overall policy.

We used the Stockperks app last year for our April cruise, and it went through without a problem. Previously when we had to email the info, we could only do within 3 months of the cruise.

We did the 2023 world cruise on the Coral Princess. Because we didnt have any luggage restrictions (Syd to Syd), we took 2 large, 4 medium and 4 carryon size bags. 1 medium bag had our medicines and toiletries and 1 medium bag had our winter clothes. (which stayed under the bed till we reached Scotland) Note, did not take enough cold & flu tablets or cough medicine. No covid, but we both ended up with the Coral cough 🙂 Ended up restocking in Europe and the US. 

Laundry was taking 4-5 days for Elite, and the weather in Europe was really hot and humid, so glad I took extra summer clothes

I also wanted to have choice for such a long cruise, but could of taken less.

Our next trip is 9 weeks, but includes 3 flights, so will have to make do with 2 large bags and 2- 3 carryon.

The world cruise is amazing -enjoy every moment 🙂

Tanya

No vaccinations or testing  required in Australia

On 11/27/2023 at 7:32 AM, Capt Krunch said:

Today, I received an email that my brokerage account was confirmed and I could go to the Stockperks app and submit a request for my perks.  I did that and requested my perks and received an email back that my credits would be posted in 5 days or they would advise me on what to do next.  So the new system seems to be working OK.

Yes, this is what hubby did. Got an email this morning from Stockperks to say OBC had been applied. Logged into the personaliser and it is there. Quite easy and cruise is not until April 2024

Cheers

Tanya

2 hours ago, Ondine said:

 

The current deal does not seem to include grats.  I see on their webpage that grats are US$20 per standard ocean/balcony cabin and more for the suites etc.  A bit pricey but you just have to allow for these on some lines.  I don't drink and couldn't care about internet so I might just have to wait for a different offer.  Current offer is a Black Friday thing.

Thanks for all the contributions.  Just what I need and I know you will all pass on good info.

If you book a NCL cruise from Australia (even if travelling overseas), the tips are included in the price (both daily gratuities and on the drinks package)

That has been our experience for the past 3 NCL cruises.

Tanya

13 hours ago, fairywren said:

No restaurant at the Rendezvous, room only.

We stay there often in the studio or 1 bedroom apartments (they have a kitchen or kitchenette)

Lots of cafes nearby too and a short walk to the cruise terminal

Hi

I am from Sydney, and there is no way I would risk a 10.25am International flight.

The recommendation in OZ  is  to be at the airport 2 hours for domestic and 3 hours for International flights, which means you would need to be there at 7.25am.

It also depends when you are travelling. If a weekday , it will be peak hour, so busier on the trains or road. If school holidays the airport will be very busy.

Travelling via airports pre and post covid is very different.

Cheers

Tanya

6 hours ago, icat2000 said:

I'm seriously considering cruising RCL at Xmas or I might even go Carnival. I haven't cruised RCL for ages as I always used to be happy with Princess.

 

Its Grats included in fare with RCL when cruising out of Oz? We always give on top even when it’s included in fare but just want to check. And they still operate AUD for sailing out of Oz.

daily Grants are included  on RCL if cruising in OZ, but it is USD on board . Also 18% grats  on drinks, unless you have the beverage package

Tanya

We like NCL, they have great overseas itineraries. When booking through Australia all the tips for drinks, dining and daily service charge are included in the price 

on board will be USD, but last year we were able to buy OBC before we left at a good rate. Any we didn’t use they gave us back in USD on the last night

Tanya

Hi Sarah, any chance you could ask if there will be a Circle Pacific cruise from Sydney planned for 2025

Thanks

Tanya

7 hours ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

I really wish I had seen your post before you arrived in Noumea. For others who might find themselves in the same situation, you can take the HOHO bus to the dock for the boat shuttle to Duck Island.  Duck Island has a snorkel trail which is quite good. Combo HOHO / Duck Island shuttle tickets are sold in the visitors center where the free bus from the ship drops you off. It’s a fun day in Noumea. 

We were in Noumea in January, and all the tours are now sold outside the visitor centre. We did the yellow HOHO which cost $15.00 AUD and swam at Lemon beach, and then had lunch at a cafe. It is expensive for food in Noumea, but they did take credit cards

We did 55 day overseas in November/December . 

Flight to Athens via Dubai, 4 days in Athens, 38 day cruise from Athens to Capetown, then 11 day Gate 1 tour through South Africa and Victoria Falls, before our flight home to Sydney from Johannesburg.

We did wear masks in Athens before the cruise (no testing required to get on the ship), where we couldn't social distance

Not one mention of Covid, RATS, Masks or ISO the whole trip. 

We are fully jabbed (4) and had mild Covid back in July.

The rest of the world has moved on, and its time Australia did too.

Tanya

2 hours ago, aussiecruiser66 said:

I have just successfully opened a Citibank Plus Debit Account. They say that I will receive a "Welcome Pack". Just wondering- will that include a designated PIN for ATM withdrawals (or can I choose my own PIN) and do I choose the "credit" option when using the ATM or the EFPOS option seeing that it is my money that has been loaded.  Sorry but it has been a while since I have taken money out of an overseas ATM.

Thanks in advance

 

 

Download the Citibank app onto your phone. You can then set your pin for your card after activating your card

15 hours ago, Nang said:

You might want to look into the possibility of loading a 28 Degrees card with cash prior to getting one. I have had one for over 10 years and used to preload with cash and then get interest free cash from an ATM but they now discourage that by charging 3% of the amount even if your account is loaded up with cash.

The only problem is if your card is in credit, and it gets scammed, the bank is not liable for any credit balance

I would definitely have a separate card card to get cash from ATMS. We use the Citibank debit account

Tanya

Thanks for doing this. We will be following along as we are on the World Cruise in June from Sydney on the Coral Princess

Cheers

Tanya

4 hours ago, beach bunnie said:

We stayed at the Hotel Phidlias.  Close to the port -- shuttle to the port.  They were very nice.  They stored our bags for 3 days between cruises.  The beds are hard but I like a really soft mattress.

http://www.hotelphidias.gr/#

 

We also stayed there in November, reasonably priced, breakfast included and shuttle to the port.

We are also doing these cruises (rebooked since March 2020)

Cant wait 🙂

We have gifted ourselves the maximum of $1000. Reason being that we are from Australia and the rate worked out better than what we could get if we charged expenses on board to our credit card

So the options of taking out cash is using the casino(and pay 3%), or wait till last night and they would give us cash or any unused credit - Is this correct? We also have $250 shareholder credit, which I believe is non refundable

Booking via Australia, all our tips are included in our price.(Beverage, restaurants and daily service charge)

Thanks

Tanya

31 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Am I right in saying Complimentary Credit Card Insurance doesn’t include domestic travel or domestic cruises. 

Westpac  Altitude is the one of most interest.

 

ANZ Platinum or Black cards cover Domestic travel and also domestic cruises. As well as International You have to spend $250 on the card before your trip for it to activate.

But read the PDS to make sure it is right for you

We have sailed on the Coral 3 times, since cruising resumed in Australia in June this year.

We wanted to test out our cabin for the 2023 World cruise from Sydney

We loved the size of the ship, plenty of places to relax, and a walk around Promenade deck is  excellent.  No smoking is allowed inside at all

Staff have been wonderful and so happy to be back at work

The Coral is going to be based in Australia indefinitely, so if you want to sail on her, you will have to come Downunder 🙂

Cheers

Tanya

3 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

What time does embarkation usually start on a Princess ship leaving from the OPT in Sydney? Is it around midday?

Evon, if this is for the world cruise, I would book an early flight (especially with so many cancellations and delays)

 You can always drop your bags from about 8.30am, and then go for a coffee or a walk around the Rocks

We have been able to arrive around 10.45 and be on board by 11.00 for our recent Coral cruises

Tanya

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

We have bought a few over the years, but only ever used one. When they have promos these days, Princess often throws up a $99pp deposit, although the rest of the deposit is usually payable sooner than it would be for FCD booking.

 

For a while, I felt like it locked us into booking Princess, regardless of what else was on offer. I might head that way again soon though, if Majestic is anywhere near as good as Coral was last month.

 

I guess it would be too easy, but I gather we wont be able to purchase our FCD's with OBC? We have a fair chunk of OBC for 11 nights on Majestic.

No you can’t use OBC to buy FCD. Just go to the Casino to take out OBC and put cash onto your CC when you get home

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

Yes, they are available, but they weren't really promoting them much. I didn't look too closely, but believe you can buy them via the medallion app as well as from the future cruise rep.

Yes, we bought them via the app. Email received a couple of hours later with details and $100 pp charged to our credit card

Benefit to us is  getting OBC and being able to use the FCD as the deposit (rather than having to pay a huge deposit)

6 minutes ago, resordanis said:

So no lounge with nibbles and drink at special price? Not the end of the world, but was nice at times. We don’t have the drink package but a sizeable OBC. Enough to  purchase your wine recommendation every day! 🍷🍷

Lounge was in Explorers from 4.30-6.30pm daily with nibbles. Didnt see any special drinks