Tranquility Base

Indoor smoking bans.....it's great to be in Countries / States / Cities where their legislators have enacted such laws in ALL indoor venues

Churchills on the Coral Princess on an Australian based World Cruise is a wonderful spot. Large comfy chairs, windows with a sea view over the promenade deck, next to Crooners for a drink order, and of course non-smoking. Very popular.

Their first of several cruises bouncing around the Eastern Med starts next week. They needed the time using an itinerary which only stops at essential ports in order to go from Dubai to Civitavecchia via Cape Town to make that date. The reverse cruises in Nov & Dec from Barcelona - Cape Town - Singapore which have a normal number of stops has proved popular.

Thanks @arxcards Yes, you are correct, waiting till onboard to decide on transfers is smart. I'll consider the buying direct changeable / refundable fare cost with the EZ fare and decide later. The EZ fare looks to be cheap insurance at present.

An expanded question now, but I thought I'd continue using the same thread. Looking at the Princess EZ flight option the pricing is fair. I'm considering that option as the flight is only 70 mins later than the earliest departure time that EZ Air permits to be booked. That way if the ship is late arriving I am covered by EZ Air. (Yes, I am aware of the option to stay a night in Melbourne, but want to consider all options beforehand.) 1. The previous port is Sydney, docking at OPT. Scheduled departure is 4pm on a Thursday. Due to departure restrictions from there, what are the subsequent restrictions on departure time due to the local ferries if the ship does not make that 4pm departure time ? 2. I have never used Princess airport transfers. Are the departure times of the transfers based on those earlier EZ Air flights ? 3. I can't find transfer booking info on the personaliser. Can you book online, or do you have to phone ? Thanks.

Interesting discussion. Here's a query. Does room service (non PH) include a pizza from waves during dinner times ? If not, and I order and pick up myself, can I take back to the cabin and then also a couple of glasses of wine using SM ?

A wise comment. Makes the chances of having an enjoyable and easy going holiday far more likely.

One of the advantages of the listening devices that I have found is it helps me to find the guide again inside a busy location. I sometimes wander a short distance from the group, and it can help to find the guide again by hearing what they are describing or which direction they are moving. Obviously wandering too far can lead to issues, so I'm careful not to do that.

Thanks. Yes, I also refared last week getting the new sale price (prior to final payment). That booking was just a normal booking, not a book onboard one. Have you recently ( last 18 months) received the actual sale price $ reduction on a book onboard booking which is after final payment.

Was the cruise you refared after final payment ?

Can you give examples of savings you have received under the BPG inside the period of about 3 months prior to departure. Thanks.

I guess one factor would be cruise length. Guessing a 7 day segment would be busier than a 32 day segment.

Thanks for the heads up. Your posting made me check my combination cruise booking. 1 booking, 1 invoice, 2 cruise IDs, total voyage length between 35 - 44 days as shown on the invoice. I had assumed, incorrectly as it turned out, that this booking would gain 3 credits. Nope; as each individual segment is less than 25 days so the booking gains only 2 credits.

Thanks everyone. On considering these options and timings I think we'll stay with a taxi option. It is a Saturday also.

No, I don't think it's a super bad idea, however weather that time of year certainly is a gamble. There is likely to be some rain, but one year to the next varies as to whether it's a big nuisance or merely a slight irritant. If the travel budget permits, go and get a feel for the different islands. If you like it and need to go back, then Regatta is there again in Aug / Sept next year.

Thanks.....that would seem logical & fair. As mentioned earlier, I am fine with the pre-cruise situation as you still have a choice as to how you wish to proceed regarding the remaining bookings / discount / no discount situation.

Many thanks for the transport & hotel info. That is useful. @OzKiwiJJ I don't suppose the ship will sail via "Null Island"....the buoy which marks where the Prime Meridian crosses the Equator ?

I wonder about this scenario. 1. Booked the minimum (eg 5) excursions to qualify for the package discount; 2. These all become non-refundable at embarkation as per the Ts & Cs; 3. Oceania cancels one of these excursions or the port visit; 4. If the remainder of the excursions revert to full price, do they remain non-refundable or are they now subject to the normal onboard cancelation period ...(about 36 hrs prior to arrival) ?

The whole: SM excursion credits restrictions, the 25% discount package, the pre cruise situation, the onboard situation, the voluntary onboard cancellations, the Oceania onboard cancellations, the missed port cancellations, the different timeframes when tours become non-refundable, the slow refunds, the errors in the online booking of the package, the no online pre cruise cancellation ability, the no ability onboard a multi segment cruise to access / amend excursion bookings prior to the next segment..... It certainly has turned into a mission in understanding and perseverance. One needs a holiday to recover.

Occasionally and in very limited amounts. I have in the past changed a GBP 50 into GBP 10s.

A question please: If you have booked originally with the Princess Plus fare, can you subsequently revert back to the Princess Standard fare ? For info: It is not yet final payment date. The cruise still has availability however not in the cabin category booked.

Approx taxi fare from Station Pier to Tullamarine please ? Two persons. My reading indicates about $90 ? Yes, am aware of the Skybus option, but just currently looking at timing options before booking a flight. Thanks.

Thanks. I also think I can manage that in the pre-cruise situation. Thanks. Yes, I was mainly interested about the onboard situation. Specifically if an excursion is canceled by Oceania. Eg: missed port.

Many of us booked or refared using the ESS in 2023. The cruise I just booked is for 2025. If I used past deals as a yardstick I would probably often just find myself staying at home. So I book based on what I consider is good value for 2024/2025 conditions. Same with airfares. I am wide eyed at some of the prices compared to previous deals over the years. However, when it comes to travel, for me, it is what it is.

Thanks. From the info quoted below then yes, it is the same as the old rule. Thanks. Will have to take this into account. @Flatbush Flyer I seem to recall you posting somewhere that if you have booked the minimum required for the discount, and Oceania cancels one of those excursions, then the discount still remains on the remainder. Even though you are now below the minimum. Do you know if that is the case even if there are other excursions available to book ? Either at the same port or a different port ?