Mareblu

I completely agree, LittleFish, New Zealand authorities simply wish to retain the pristine environment of these waters. Now, more enlightened contributors may be able to confirm these details, but my understanding is that Australian authorities this year announced the implementation of identical requirements. I'm unsure as to when these would take effect. I truly believe that Cunard made a commercial decision that complying was not cost effective, hence the announcement to remove its vessels from home porting in Aust/NZ waters.

This was taken from a tiny "loched" plane

I believe you are correct. Our three-week January cruise on QE to New Zealand almost ended in passenger mutiny, when our lovely vessel was denied entry to the waters of Milford Sound, and Bay of Islands, because the hull did not pass inspection. We were then denied the opportunity to visit Dunedin, in NZ's south, as we sailed directly to the North Island (from Sydney). Cunard was aware of this eventuality, as the previous cruise had been disrupted for this very reason. A diving team attempted, while we drifted in the waters off Tauranga, to cleanse the hull, but the conditions were deemed too treacherous. We felt rather guilty admitting that we were not too disappointed, because we had visited all regions except Dunedin on previous trips to NZ, but many passengers were Brits who had made the long journey specifically to visit these beautiful and interesting areas. An onboard outcry ensued. We didn't see it, but apparently a petition was presented to the Captain, and before we knew it, each stateroom and suite received a letter from Cunard, apologising for the situation, and announcing that each passenger would receive fifty per cent. of the fare in FCCs. The Captain also addressed the passengers in a special broadcast. We confess that we enjoyed our QG accommodation and service so much that we would probably repeat the entire cruise, even sans the designated cruise-by and port omissions. I should add that several other vessels, Viking for one, encountered the same entry denials from NZ authorities, but subsequently attended to hull cleaning (Viking diverted to South Australian waters to attend to this). I'm unsure if their renewed entry efforts were successful.

Mic's done it again: gotta be Daly Waters Pub😂

Remember his voice? Distinctive.

You will be fabulous🎉

Actually, the January 2024 maiden voyage has been moved to May. We will be on her 3rd voyage in the last week of May. You won’t know how you’ll look in pearls till you try them.

We enjoyed Cunard immensely, and loved dressing for dinner, as we do on every voyage. It's part of the cruise experience. Gala evenings were especially enjoyable, and it's not at all onerous for gentlemen to slip into a jacket and attach a bow tie, which is what my husband did on those evenings. Each other evening, he simply wore tailored pants and a less formal jacket, usually with a tie. I simply wore black pants and different dress tops. Theme nights were fun: a headband and feather for Roaring 20s, a mask (available for purchase in QE's shop) for Venetian Masquerade, etc. Black and White was easiest of all: black pants, a black top and pearls. You only need a touch. We are very sad Cunard will not be home basing here for the season.

Les, you are hysterical. Les and I have been chatting on the phone today about polo shirts and Cunard. Is that you in the safari suit (in the future, of course)?

Truly awesome. We seriously considered one of the units in the complex close to the stadium, but were relieved we changed our minds when the car park went up next to the units. Discounted membership and close proximity to Royal Pines Golf Club was the lure

I love it!

It does indeed look restful and peaceful...a cemetery somewhere while waiting for "wings"?

How incredibly myopic and subjective, to judge the culture of an entire population by one very personal experience on one voyage thirty-nine years ago. My cultural studies units at university years ago reinforced the academic acceptance that nations the world over do indeed exhibit, to a degree, common traits and attitudes, and sadly in many cases, prejudicial observances of "other". Fortunately, despite the terrible upheaval in our world at present, contemporary communication and awareness is hopefully moving our planet's population towards an acceptance that people are really the same, despite an immersion in tradition, history, and the resulting culture. I wouldn't dream of labelling all Americans as loud, dressed in gaudy clothing and ignorant of any history, geography or traditions beyond their shores. Many, sadly, do label Americans that way. It's an example of the errors of embracing a sweeping view. I'm sure most Americans would be horrified to realise that. It is not correct. With very few notable exceptions, the Americans I have met and bonded with on and beyond the many cruises we have enjoyed, are warm, intelligent and educated fellow humans, keenly interested in our life, as we are in theirs. I reiterate: sweeping statements are unwise.

I meant to add that I will be sad to see Cunard abandon its season here. We enjoyed our three weeks on QE this year immensely. We are sailing on QA next year (“British Isles” in May) and will reserve judgement on this new vessel till we have actually sailed on her. We are looking forward to another enjoyable Cunard experience.

Well said. For the record, my husband and our male family members and friends wear polo shirts on the golf course, for casual daytime outings, but never to dinner, and rarely, if ever to even a very casual lunch. Sweeping statements and judgments reflect more on those making them than their imagined targets. And life in “the antipodes” (read “colonies”)? Perhaps the millions of British immigrants settled in this beautiful land over many decades could answer that one. For the record, we love the UK, and are happy to travel to the land of my ancestors frequently.

We have only last week upgraded from the House Select to Prestige. With a small allowance for glitches in converting currency from $AUD to $USD, because here in Australia we pay for all parts of the cruise in our Australian currency, I can vouch that it is indeed approx. $US30 per person per day to upgrade from the House Select to Prestige. We had already chosen House Select as one of the included options when booking some months ago, still under OLife. To purchase the Prestige outright, the cost is indeed approx. $USD70 per person per day. We calculated we are way ahead with the Prestige Package, not only for the important (to us) reason of not having to purchase each drink individually, and not having to worry about what we order, with the exception of a few very expensive single malts and cognacs, which we probably wouldn't order anyway, because the covered single malts are really palatable (Talisker, etc.). Another consideration, and an enticing one, is that here in Australia, it is $AUD17 cheaper per day to pre-purchase, rather than waiting till we're aboard. We enjoyed having the Prestige Package on Sirena last September, and it worked perfectly.

So, out on a limb here: maybe Fernando Botero bronze statue in Pietrasanta, provence of Lucca, in northern Tuscany? Our daughter and her family have just returned from Lucca.

North or South?

Hmmm…Myanmar perhaps

No, i defer to you. You graciously forfeited. Ask Rosie to choose one🥰

Being fairly new to this fantastic thread, I was wondering how long we allow a winner to claim next turn?

Yes, I agree. The only Cunard itinerary (apart from the short themed cruises) which would now entice us is the Australian circumnavigation, or legs of it. We have this year enjoyed the NZ and Tas legs, and were actually looking forward to the circumnavigation, but not yet, as we have two cruises in Europe booked for next year. We really like the idea of the repositioning cruises, but if Cunard will no longer be home berthing here, that will be out as well. We loved the Cunard experience, and the food (admittedly in Queens Grill) was superb. So glad now that we bit the bullet and tried it.

Sorry, Orkney Islands are to the north of the Scottish mainland. Definitely part of Scotland.

Close enough, Korimako 👏. Actually on Lamb Holm, to the east of Scapa Flow, but certainly Orkney Islands. It's incredible to stand inside and marvel at what are actually two Nissen huts, joined together and then transformed by craftsmen and artisans, with the most rudimentary of items they could get their hands on, into something resembling the Sistine Chapel. It's actually situated where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea, above Scotland, Lyle. Your turn, Korimako.