LittleFish1976

Yes, exactly. When I say 'screen shot' I'm using the term loosely. I just mean a true likeness of what's on the screen. I download the page (or segment of page) and then redact the personal information that's not required for the cruise line's purpose of applying OBC. They're easy enough to attach as a pdf or whatever to an email. I keep a pro forma email in my 'OBC' file so I just have to fill in the particular details of the cruise in question to send to them.

And it's also very easy on the CMC website to be able to take a screen shot of your holdings and your personal details. I've been very surprised at the difficulty some people here have had in managing to get proof of holding information for requesting OBC.

I'm also boarding the Grand next Monday and have been given the same boarding window of 1.30 to 4pm. I'm in a mini-suite but it doesn't seem to have affected my check in time. Could your cabin be pending due to an upgrade bid in process?

They'll be open tomorrow morning.

I thought the people on the Viking (or whichever relevant cruise line) board could be more in touch than we are as to the thinking of the cruise line and their specific rules for vaccination and testing. Sounds like the lines are happy to leave some restrictions or hurdles in place regardless of Australia's actual rules at the time of sailing as per Geoff's posts.

https://www.sonictraveltesting.com.au/order-now/nsw-pcr-travel-test/ This company will do PCR testing for travel. I can't possibly imagine this will be necessary but it's here if you want to set it up for yourself. Should cost you in excess of $100 AUD I should imagine. I would plan on having some RATs with you (lateral flow tests) so you can take that route; if you need a test at all, that would be the most likely. I would also think that people on the Viking board would know more about this than us here on the AUST/NZ general board.

I'm resigned to the fact I probably won't get the 2 included specialty restaurant bookings that come with my old premier package. Someone commented early in the year, I think it was, with these short cruises the restaurants are over-subscribed by all the passengers with our freebies. Logistically, it just can't be done - there's just not enough tables/chairs and nights for the number of 'free' dinners they've sold in their packages.

That process is what I've been trying with no luck. I have theoretically two dining credits for specialty dining and I'm sailing in 15 days. It will let me choose a day, time, offers me only the Crown Grill - okay, I have a credit card on file with them and when it goes to process the transaction (shouldn't need to charge the card anyway as it shows I have a dining credit) it doesn't complete. Previously it's just failed without notification and tonight it says an 'error occurred' and re-sets itself. Frustrating. I have two dining credits for a 5 night cruise and no way to make a booking! I hope it's going to be possible to make at least one booking on board and that the restaurants won't be booked out. I thought there was a Sabatinis on the Grand but it's not offering me any times for that one now although it did a few weeks ago - still wasn't able to book it, I could just see it was there.

Do we have differing understandings of what 'leggings' are depending on where in the world we live? I would wear leggings (spandex?*) to yoga class perhaps.

Thank you for the correction. Hopefully no-one will book a cruise on the strength of there being acrobats and magicians on board though given their lack of regularity.

Insurance by the traveller plays a major role here. And for anyone with real jewellery, it should never be packed regardless of what it is and should always be kept on your person or in your handbag when embarking or disembarking. Surely people wouldn't pack jewellery in a suitcase and check it in for air travel? I know I do not.

Offer is extended to 'old' Premier package passengers as well. I expect you'll get your email in about a week.

I've seen comedians on board, it's not a main attraction for the line though. They have a good amount of trivia, musical performances and speakers - the latter being their forte. As well as the dance lessons, exercise classes etc. The have song and dance shows but it's not their forte. They've traditionally had a professional dance couple on board who would give a brief performance on gala nights. There's a lot to do on sea days if the activities are to your taste. Think mature entertainment. And specifically I would say no, they don't have acrobats and magicians.

You can set your iphone so that the time is to be changed manually; or set it to the time of a particular time zone so that it just stays on that time zone until you give it different instructions. Just two options you could use.

Other 'British-ness' benefits of Cunard - being able to get a decent hot breakfast including black pudding. Most of their food has in the past been decent British food including desserts/pudding. Very different from my experience on a US-style 'luxury' line which had, what I would call, 'dumbed down' desserts. Cunard does a very good roast.

It seems they 'announce' every passenger as they walk (strut?) aboard - sort of a red carpet thing and applaud you as you go! Not everyone's cup of tea (even if you're sitting in the cups and they're going 'round and 'round and 'round).

Wonderful that you're off on another of your interesting voyages, Roy, and taking us with you as well. I do hope you enjoy what the 'new' Crystal has to offer as I recall how fond you were of sailing with them. I hope it lives up to your expectations. Safe travels!

I'll be really interested to hear what you think and not just of the wine list but of Princess in Japan in general. I've booked for Japan on Cunard for next year - would be fascinating to compare the two.

Ah. Thank you. I'm sure that information was embedded in the email - I should slow down and read things properly! (but where's the fun in that?)

I think the email received overnight regarding the 'enhancements' and compo is too little, too late. Surprised they even bothered explaining the changes now, after 90% of people have already heard via social media. I would appreciate the $25 for my short cruise coming up in 4 weeks' time. If, like @arxcards I had a half world cruise booked for two, I'd be insulted at their $25. Just checked my account and there is not yet any sign of the $25 - so we'll wait and see if it's all PR or if it actually materialises. The juice bar is the only 'enhancement' that might possibly interest me so I'll wait until I get onboard and see what the situation is with that, before I throw any more money at this. Looking forward to seeing how different the Aust/NZ wine list is from the Northern Hemisphere one I've been reading about!

Thank you for letting us know that. It also makes perfect sense. The transport and storage of ready-made, frozen items would be more arduous than the transport and storage of the basic ingredients. And commercial kitchens have equipment for making such products in scale; it would be a straightforward matter for professional bakers.

You are telling me I mustn't dare to give an opinion (expressed as an opinion) on the Crystal board whereas you seem to think it acceptable to present your opinions here as pure fact. I wouldn't dream of patronising the Crystal board with gratuitous denigration of its product amongst those who are fond of what they offer. But I would indeed 'dare' if I saw some point in the exercise despite your direction to me not to do so.

You're clearly in the wrong place if that's how you feel.

I agree, Victoria. I was wondering why some people are coming back repeatedly to make snarky, negative comments about a cruise line that clearly is not to their taste (but on which they seem to continue to expend considerable funds).

You only have to ask for the caviar. I speak from experience.