Yaya_in_Oz

I wouldn't be concerned if unvaccinated people were on board as its awhile since some have had vaccinations so they'd be low on immunity but the thought of Covid positive passengers just being allowed to roam around the ship infecting other passengers and crew horrifies me. Not everyone does the right thing by isolating but most do, thereby reducing the spread. The ship wouldn't need to report cases. It would be all over the media.

My luggage tag came off in Yokohama and despite having a name tag, I was told my surname was common so they did not have time to find the owner. They just left my case near the passenger services desk until some hours later I came looking for it. I then took it myself half way round the ship to my room to be sure it didn't go astray again.

On my last 2 cruises, Grand and Coral, my steward organised the swapping but there was a shortage of brandy 😃 so whisky it was with diet coke. I don't drink much these days anyway but its nice to have.

I don't think much of the Crown and its my least favourite Princess ship I've been on. I had an interior cabin on Deck 11 and the walls were paper thin. No need to turn on my TV, I could hear next door perfectly even though they didn't have it loud, among other things! They didn't party so my sleep was not disturbed and luckily it was on a UK cruise where I spent most of the day off the ship. But RTW, forget it. I think they should send the Sapphire on a world cruise. I did London to Dubai, the ship was full and plenty of room for everyone.

As far as I can recall, Princess have always e-mailed out a survey at the end of the cruise and if I haven't filled it out I get a reminder about 5 or 6 days after the initial e-mail. Sometimes they also ask me to write a review on some of the shore excusions. Sometimes I do them, sometimes I don't. I always give staff a 10 unless I can think of some reason to deduct points.

First world problem. Slow news day.

Got off the Coral in Feb after a cruise to PNG. BICT was set up like an airport. You had to go through Passport Control and then into another room where if you had goods to declare you were directed to the right, if not straight out the door. I imagine there would be lots of people with wooden articles etc. to declare on that cruise.

I just got off the Coral to PNG and we had Russell Twomey, the maritime history lecturer on board. I always enjoy his lectures and all lecturers are put on the TV so you can watch them if you miss any. Same with the port lectures. The presenter gives an overview of the ports, bit of history, things to see and do and will answer questions after the lecture or you can visit them at the desk sometime during the day. Again its put on the TV if you miss it or just want to go back to refer to something. These are my favourite part of sea days 😊

I'm pleased to hear they gave people the option to jump ship. If I paid all that money to go to the South Pacific, I wouldn't want to spend it in Sydney/Hobart. I'm a destination cruiser and any shipboard life I might enjoy is a bonus, not a major reason for cruising.

My general rule of thumb - less than a week, interior is fine. More than a week, forget it. Isolating in an interior cabin would create mental health issues for me. Others may find it Ok. I’m not prepared to risk it. I’d find it impossible to do a risk assessment on who might get Covid. Perhaps the face shield may add an extra layer of protection although I haven’t seen anyone wearing one on board.

I was in NZ in Nov. I had $80 left over from last time I was there and I spent about $30 in cash. I like to have some money so if I go in a church for example, I like to leave a donation or buy a postcard. Everything else I bought, some for as little as $4, I used the tap and go. My bank here in Aus recommended a certain bank in NZ that I would charged the minimum fees, so to go to one of their ATM's if I needed cash. I didn't and I've got plenty left over for next time 😊

Delays and lack of service are an inconvenience but not a concern to me. I like to think the plane is well maintained mechaniclly and isn't going to fall from the sky. Delays and cancellations seem to go with the teritory in Australia at present. I am flying to BNE on Q tomorrow arvo on a 737. After yet another turnback caused by engine trouble, lets see how far I get. Its all a bit of a worry as they have had so many problems in the last week. My favourite aircraft is the A380, I could go round the world without getting off one of those. Just made for me but being phased out unfortunately.

Are there other people in your original cabin? On a recent cruise I was not happy when my cabin was changed from Deck 8 aft to Deck 12 middle a few days prior to boarding. I like being lower and down the back where its quiet. I had my room marked no upgrade. While I was on the ship I wandered down to my orignal cabin to find the entire back section of the ship enclosed in cyclone fencing with sheets or whatever draped over. They had turned it into a quarantine area. I'm glad they moved me but Princess could have notified me.

I like the theatre and the show costs $20 on P and O. It all mounts up.

Well thats good to know. When people were talking about transport, I took that to include ports of call. I'll be on the Coral again shortly so I'll chat to the crew so perhaps things are slowly improving. While the QLD govt may not gain financially, passengers do spend and that keeps businesses happy.

Rather than attempting to beautify the Port area, I would like to see them attend to basics like transportation to the Port. I can't say I've been to another major city anywhere else where there is such a lack of transport. When I was there in July, they had split my cruise into two, so Brisbane became a port of call. They put on a shuttle to the CBD for $25 return. From what I've read here, It seems that is no longer an option. I'd like to see a shuttle either into the CBD or nearest train station so passengers on cruises with Brisbane as a port of call can actually get out and enjoy their day. I have family in Brisbane so have seen many sights but there is always something new and I was able to spend the day at GOMA. Crew on board have also mentioned they hate Brisbane port as its "so damn expensive to get anywhere". Perhaps the government will wake up if a lot of people are indeed staying on the ship rather than spending their money in Brisbane.

I was on the Grand in Nov to NZ and came down with Covid 2 days after we returned. I could hardly get out of bed for 3 days and was still testing positive on Day 9. I had 4 shots, was vigilant hand washing and mask wearing. I only took my n95 mask off to eat and drink. I wore it on all shore excursions and in indoor venues while out. I sat at a table for 4 by myself for dinner. I was on deck 9 so was able to use the stairs a fair bit. I did go to the theatre but they reduced numbers so it wasn't as crowded. If I saw someone without a mask I'd go the other way. My next doors had come done with Covid and I had been in the lift with them the day before, so I tested my self daily just in case as I had my own supplies. The good news is I didn't get it until I was home but I don't see what more I could have done to avoid catching it other than stay in my room for 13 days. I'm cruising again in Jan and am a bit apprehensive but hopefully just having had Covid, it will be a little while before I get it again. This trip was booked and paid for before I went NZ so changing my mind isnt an option. My next cruise wont be for about a year so I can see how things go. I wouldn't go in an interior room as isolation would do my head in. Non compliance of Covid protocols by some passengers is real issue.

Eden and the surrounding area is a lovely place to visit with great views as you sail into Twofold Bay. I've visited a number of times but I don't think its necessary to call in there unless I'm sailing north from Melbourne or south from Sydney. I'm sailing from Sydney later this year and fortunately the short trip down to Eden preceding my cruise is being sold separately, as I'm going NE.

Totally agree. I was looking at a Princess cruise to Tasmania from Melbourne and instead of going straight to Tassie, it goes to Eden first, adding 2 days to the cruise. I find it totally unappealing to have to spend the extra money for the extra nights on board etc. Same, if I wanted to go to GBR from Sydney then I wouldn't want the expense of going to Eden first. The cruise lines must have enough passengers interested to run the itinerary in the first place.

Thanks for the tip. I only have one 100K note (which I may spend in the PO!), the rest 5K and 10K.

Wonderful descriptive writing @cruiser3775. Its like I'm there already. Did you see any postcards and places to buy stamps in the ports of Alotau or Rabaul? I like to send a few cards on my travels. Thanks for the heads up about the Conflict Islands. About a week ago I was refunded my money for the Turtle Sanctuary excursion (not quite sure of the title). It must have closed for some reason but Princess didn't say why so I've booked on the lagoon cruise. My Kina arrived today, so I feel I'm almost there. Thanks again

This happened to me in Nov. I was booked for 8am and the booking just disappeared one day. I rang them and after quite a discussion we got down to the "operational" reasons and she agreed to put me on a waitlist. She told me the 8am was cancelled even though it was still showing on the website. I left it at that and expected to be doing something else. When I boarded I found I'd been put on the noon bus for the tour. Great. I attended the Port lectures and Sue who was presenting said they usually have 6 buses going to Hobbiton and now only 3. This was also mentioned by the guide showing us around the movie set. It was busy at Hobbiton, it would be crowded with twice the number of people! Oddly enough the 8am tour still went ahead so perhaps I was bumped off as people who were on a later tour had signed up before me. I knew it would be popular so I signed up early. Its a great day out, so I hope you get to go there. Of course, I bought a souvenir 'Hobbit Hole'

I tend to think that if you are in the headspace to jump from a cruise ship then you are probably incapable of thinking through the consequences your actions will have on others. Whatever happened, I hope the young lady is now at peace,

The charge for an entire voyage plan on my upcoming Coral cruise is $158 for 11 days. For four devices its double that at $316. If you are Platinum or Elite you get 50% off those prices ......$79, $158. I was also on the Coral in July on a 12 day cruise and the prices were $162 and $324 for 4 devices. I don't use the Internet a lot and before I was Platinum, I just used the free wi-fi in the ports. Text messages get through, maybe not always straight away so if there is some emergency I must know about, back home can always text as you can to them.

Love your report @cruiser3775. I'm on this tour in Jan and your information has helped a great deal. Many thanks. One question, I've booked on the ships Volcano Excursion and in the details it states no restrooms available for the whole 3.5 hrs of stops. Long time. How is this handled? Do they make bush stops?or are there pits in the village?