Mareblu

What a fantastic idea!

FWIW, the “espresso” and “cappuccino” options on the Executive Lounge machine dispense a watery version of the real thing. Certainly okay for a wakeup hot drink if you’re near the Lounge and can nip out early in the morning, but it’s definitely Baristas for the genuine article.

The website, under itinerary and pricing, has a drop-down under each suite/stateroom showing privileges for that particular accommodation. No reservation needed for GDR, just arrive and register with the desk at the restaurant door, although our butler has sometimes (in the past) made GDR reservations for us. A way to skip the queue, but it did make us feel too uncomfortable so we afterwards declined offers for that privilege. The poster above is correct on all counts.

There are several cruise lines we love to sail with. None are at the more economical end of the pricing scale, but we cruise far less frequently than most on the Aust/NZ threads, maybe once a year, or even once every two years. This year is very different as we are doing two cruises only three weeks apart, using substantial cruise credits for one. My usual strategy is to search each individual line’s site, and compare, always destination driven. We are flexible for dates and seasons. so destination first, but also, certain ships are important. If Oceania, we prefer the larger Marina, Riviera and now Vista. These are still very much “smaller sips” by any standard. Then, after we’ve mulled it over together, I ring our Canberra TA we’ve dealt with for many, many years, and after discussing with her, ask her to book it. She has amazing pulling power with and good contacts within the lines, and airlines. She’s scored us so many amazing deals, even getting half fares if sales on our choices pop up months after we’ve booked at full rates, and twice had us upgraded to the top suites on specific lines. We have her private number for any after-hours problem while we’re out of the country. I wouldn’t dream of not using our TA for our trips; she’s become a valued advisor, and a friend in every sense.

If you click your a/c under your id at top of page, then go to “my trips” (or similar, without looking) you should be able to edit or cancel every single item. I did this just the other day. Sometimes, when you make the original reservation, Booking.com advises that a particular hotel may draw down the funds closer to the booking date. Maybe that’s what happened here, but you should always be able to get a refund from Booking.com, which is the original purchaser.

Not Bratislava, either.

Not Prague. Rosie has it correctly.

Correct, Rosie. Beautiful city. Your turn…

Yes to both above posts. We never select the “non refundable” option, and opt to pay at the hotel. We're also careful to advise our bank of overseas travel in advance

No, not Poland, but closer.

Actually, correction: it’s really closer to north. Sorry. Just checked.

Not Austria…further west/north west

Couldn’t agree more. We’ve consistently used Booking.com for years. Easy to control your account, too. Lately, we’ve actually used this platform for transfers, too. On occasions, though, the room/suite we really liked was not available through Booking.com, so we’ve gone direct to the hotel’s website. With this platform, you can choose to pay on arrival, usually.

Not Cologne, but I love 711, my Grandma’s favourite ❤️

Wow, thanks. We loved our Hawaiian adventures. Looking for images….

Byodo-in Temple, Oahu, seems familiar, and I missed it!

Hawaii

Japan?

A couple at the next table in Toscana (Sirena) 18 months ago graciously shared a spectacular birthday cake with all in the restaurant who accepted. It arrived at their table accompanied by 5-6 singing waiters.

Caviar: sustenance of the gods for us. Enjoyed it immensely in QGrills on QE during a marvellous Cunard experience a year ago. We’ve sailed twice with Seabourn, and absolutely loved it. Oceania is also wonderful, and in April we embark Oceana’s new Vista for three weeks, followed by two weeks on Queen Anne in May for her maiden circumnavigation of the British Isles, and her naming ceremony in Liverpool. It will be truly interesting to compare two new vessels.

👏 and goodnight

Yaaaay! Our Canberra girl👏

Distressingly, not right now😔

Good suggestions