DavidCarole

Hi Russell21, I have not been on our cruise yet, we leave Wednesday 11th, 12 days around the South Pacific. I shall give comments on return. We can not comment dislikes yet, my question is the absense of a 'beverage package' the 15% on sales, and $12 a day gratuities, I am just a curious person. I have contacted Carnival awaiting reply. I would rather pay one upfront fee.

David.

We took this cruise because it was offered at a good price, we have had one previous cruise with Princess and loved it, they set the bench mark, if you could recommend another line which would it be.

David.

Thank you all for your responses, So could I go to the "Discrimation Board" about this(only Joking)

Hello to all the wise posters here, my question to all is,

Why does Carnival offer "beverage packages" to the travellers out of the USA and not to us from down under

David.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask but I am cruising to Fiji in November on the Emerald Princess. I have coeliac disease and need a strict gluten free diet. Would anyone know if plenty of gf food available as I think the food on a cruise is one of the good things.

If this is not the right place to post could you please point me in the right direction :)

Harrietanne

I think Harrietanne, when you "check in online" they ask if you have any deity conditions and if so let them know in that section. We sailed on Diamond in Jan/Feb 16 and I am sure I saw that option. Hope this helps.

David.

Thanks Jim, I am with Telstra, but will check with at our local store.

Thanks again Jim. Very good info. The info i received was wrong. We have already linked our account to our bank account and also have did as you have "checked in online".

Jim, did you use the internet at all whilst in port ? If so was it any good and where did you find it.

The above question goes out to all that have cruised to the ports we are going, which are,

Isle of Pines, Mystery Is, Suva, Port Denarau, Noumea.

On our return I shall post here to tell of our experience.

Regards David.

Thanks USA2016Holiday and Tigerlily75. my information must have been wrong.

I would rather pay my way with cash and give gratuities and tips to those which I have contact with. 15% on top of my drinks to all the staff within that sector is, I believe wrong. I prefer to give to those that I come in contact with. We sailed with Princess in Jan/Feb and we tipped ALL those we came in contact with. Some more than others.

The other thing that my wife has just asked is. Is the Casino, totally "cashless" ?.

Regards David.

Isle of Pines: Walk off the ship and head to the left. There is a beach on one side where you can still see the ship and on the other side is a beautiful beach with great snorkelling. Around the rock in the middle is schools and schools of fish. After a few hours, husband found a bus that would take him to the Natural Aquarium for a few hours. He loved this. For memory, there was small sign and $20 fee for the bus ride and entrance to the Natural Aquarium. Tender port.

 

Mystery Island: Beach day, can walk around the island easily. We hired kayaks for $5 for 30min I think.....it was cheap. Little market in the centre with the school children singing. It is a tender, but very quick one so come and go as you please.

 

Suva and Nadi have no info, but that Jewel of Fiji tour looked great so I booked that for our stop there in October.

 

Noumea: you will dock at the industrial port and be taken into the "normal" port by coaches. Here you will find the port office, tourist office and lots of tours to book. 1st visit: we bought the hour tour that included a hop on/hop off bus ticket for use after the tour. Bought this once we got off the coaches. After the tour, we went to Lemon Bay for a snorkel then a park for the kids to play, great use of the buses.

2nd visit: google gateway tours. Alfred has some great tours. We did the Escapade Island Tour. Great day and price was well worth it. Sorry to the last poster who was unable to get there due to weather.

3rd: visit: Hop on/Off bus ticket again. Caught the us to the Morning markets....yes only in the morning! Then back on the bus to the Aquarium. Nice little one, took about 2 hours at a stroll as we weren't rushed and I think about $20 for a family of 4. Then crossed the road to Ante V... (argh cant remember the beach name!!!) for a swim and back on the bus back to port

Not sure if you care, but the port office has an official passport port stamp.

 

We have only booked one ship tour and that was because on our first ever cruise, we had an change in route due to a Cyclone. I tend to see what the ship has to offer and see what else is around.

 

Love the Spirit, have been on 3 times now! Haven't been on since the referb though.

Thanks for information 2016USAHoliday I will show my wife,

Hi Big_Jim_61,

Your detailed account is fantastic, it has got my wife's head spinning trying to work it all out, she likes details,

I have a question for you and maybe other readers.

Do you know or did you see cash being used onboard ship ? I am hearing bits that it is or was used at the bars.

Regards David.

Thanks lagoon380 for your reply, if I may ask what sort of price for the tours thru the cruise company ?

Hello everyone, This will be our second cruise. The first being with Princess around New zealand in Jan/Feb 2016, we had a ball. The rung was set high by them. We have since had a grandson cruise on Spirits sister, the Legend. He did a similar cruise to us around the South Pacific, visiting the normal ports of call. He recommended it it highly. Our friend is on it now, waiting for thier return so we can hear their response.

Has anyone from here done the 12 day cruise from Sydney ? We are leaving on the 11th May.

The ports we are visiting are Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Suva, Nadi, Noumea, has anyone been to these ports and have time to share their experience, good or bad. Did you book things privately or thru the ship, even on the island(port).

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Regards David.