NSWP

We were on a cruise way back in 2003 when the cruise industry was very quiet due to the war in Kuwait. We discovered on board our HAL ship, that three quarters of the passengers had paid under $1000USp.p. for a 14 day cruise whereas we had paid just on $4000AUDp.p.

 

From then on we decided never again to book with an Aussie TA. Since then we have had approximately 10 cruises and none of them have been out of Australia. We have cruised on Princess, HAL, Oceania and Azamara and have only used U.S. online T.A.'s.

 

There was a rumour going around at the end of 2005, that Aussie passengers would be denied boarding on Princess ships but that died a natural death. We have two cruises booked in the next year and I would be very surprised if we cannot board the ships when the time comes.

 

We always get decreases in our fares if the prices goes down. We have low deposits and of course they are refundable and we can use our FCC's for bookings. They just need to be made out in U.S. dollars.

 

Why should we as a nation, pay out many more thousands of dollars for a cruise where the rest of the world have paid a lot less.

 

Jennie

Take your point, but then why are the warnings on the BIG US T/A sites 'Princess will not permit non American customers to book with US T/A's (or words to that effect.

I was knocked back by two big US on line T/A's, pity we cannot name them, because of the above. All a bit sus to me. I tried to book my Star Princess - South American cruise next year with two large US on line T/a' and was refused. Yes I am confused.

In recent weeks have tried to get quotes on a HAL cruise through HAL site, my search was frozen and got flicked back to HAL's wholesaler in Sydney. Yes, further confused.

I hear all these stories about Aussies booking with US T/A's but I have no such experience or maybe luck.

I think these US T/A's are verballing the Aussies and giving them a US address.

In conclusion, why don't we hold our Aussie T/A's to ransom, quote the price we got from the US and say 'MATCH EM or BEAT EM. !! I am going to try that strategy shortly. I have had enough of being ripped off by our T/A industry here.

We are in E209 on Star for 30 nights anyone have a pic of view through E209 or on otherside E210?

Had to chop our cruise in half, now doing Star Princess 16 nights - Santiago to San Francisco, as per my signature. Been moved to E211, (next door to E209) which looks ok. Sorry I cannot now give the promised pic of E209, but will take one of E211, that is if we don't get moved. LOL

Apparently there is no Travel Agent Compo Fund in the USA to cover T/A's going bust and customers doing their dough, unlike the UK and Australia.

And I reckon Carnival Corp is protecting Aussie T/A's and Princess Australia and P&O Australia and Holland America by not permitting big price reductions for Aussies.

What about Holland America..are American T/A's able to book Aussies on HAL ?

All I can say again is a month or so ago I tried to book my South American Star Princess cruise in 2011 with one of the biggest US on line 't/a's, the reply I got back from their Chairman was 'Princess will not permit us to make reservations passengers other than US or Canadian citizens.'

Someone is playing ducks and drakes.

I have rebooked the South American cruise below in my signature with a large UK Cruise agent, (hopefully safe!) for GBP2000 (pounds) each, (AU$4000) compared to the lowest price available within OZ of AU$5500 quoted by one of the largest on line t/a's in OZ. Now for a couple that is a saving of AU$3000, there is the air fare saved.

A big UK cruise agent has quoted me 2000 pounds (AU$4000) for the same 30 night Star Princess cruise quoted here at AU5500. That is a saving of AU$3000 per couple. So the poms are getting much better deals. I reckon this story shoud go to ACA or Current Affair. Has anyone proof of Princess refusing boarding because the booking was with a US t/a.?

Down - Unders if that is the case , why did I get knocked back by a large US on line T/A only 2 weeks ago 'Quote - Princess do not allow us to sell to Australiant Residents.'

A bit of funny business going on.

We are in E209 on Star for 30 nights anyone have a pic of view through E209 or on otherside E210?

Having ben to Lima a couple of times and stayed in the City for a month or so..the traffic is chaotic, out of control, better off with a ship's shorex. There are some wild drivers in Lima, trust me, many of whom do not possess a drivers licence, let alone registration and insurance on their vehicles.

Having been to Lima a couple of times, don't miss a visit to PARDOS Chicken Restaurants, a few of them around the city, one out near the Gold Museum. YUM. Also try the best local beer Cusquena.

In addition to beers, is bottled wine available in the Stanley shops to take back on board?

TOWNCAR T...many thanks for the golf offer, but think I will pass up on that one. Want to see some of the City, museums etc. Also got a tour of Liverpool Police HQ organised.

Many thanks again for your advice on things to see and do in Liverpool. As I can see by the posts a lot appreciate it also.

TOWNCAR T Cheers mate, thanks again. I am only a young 60 year old whippersnapper, play golf 3 days a week and walk the beach other days, I think I can manage a 100 yard walk uphill for a pint of the local brew.

Rule Britannia

TOWNCAR T, we will be on Crown Princess in Liverpool on Monday, June 29. Looking forward to it, your advice is much appreciated.

Just one question - from the ship direct into the city, is it far to walk? The Ferry info you gave confused me a little, it read like you had to catch a ferry into the city, just call me a dumb colonial.!

Rule Brittania ! But cry god for Harry? I thought Charlie will be King !

I have looked at several deck plans for Emerald Deck on Crown Princess, many vary with actual location of cabin. Anyone have a pic of E614, our home for 27 days? I think our window will be FULL of lifeboat.:confused:

Yes, again I am a sucker for the little ceramic ship models, like the poster above my favourite one is Regal Princess (now P&O Australia's Pacific Dawn), I was on her last voyage last year, San Pedro to Sydney.

Yep..the polo shirts too with the ship and ship name on them. And the Princess pens with the little ship inside that moves around.

On last cruise of Regal there were some bargains, polo shirts 'Regal' going for $15, models for $5, pens for $1, Princess cleared the lot out, I went nuts in the ship's boutique.:o

How about July 1970 on P&O's IBERIA..cruising South Pacific, met my future wife on that one !

How about NEVASA..1956, Southampton to Hong Kong and return 2 yrs later ! Now that is a big cruise. Only it was a troopship, but OK !

How about Sitmar's CASTEL FELICE, Southampton to Sydney, 1966, another big cruise, whence I emigrated to the colonies ! That was pricey..10 quid !

Yes..and still cruising...as we all know its in the blood !:p

I came out on Castel Felice in 1 September 1966, that ship is on your list Nellius, thanks. Our family is mentioned in archives.

NOW, the IBERIA, I met my wife on a cruise to Fiji on the Iberia in 1970. I note she was a migrant ship too. When I was on board Sun Princess in June/July, in the Wheelhouse Bar, there is a lovely model of Iberia.!!

Just a reminder for you cruisers who emigrated by ship to Australia from 1966 on..and came out on a P&O or Sitmar ship..if you can provide proof of your days at sea and ship, i.e. Document of Identity which was issued to all migrants to Australia, then get those sea days credited by seeing your Captain Princess Circle Host on Princess ships or writing to Princess Australia with evidence. It works, trust me. Why only from 1966 ? ...Because Princess Cruises was born in 1965-66, they later took over P&O and Sitmar, and of course all now owned by Carnival.

Cheers..Les:cool:

My food hate on ships is the NUKED bacon Princess serves up at breakfast. Crunchy is not the word for it. SUPER NUKED is the word.

Sun Princess is currently in Australia as Dawn Princess soon will be. I am on Sun Princess next month, just hope the bacon is cooked to the Aussie style, just a little crispy, not NUKED.

Cheers..Les:cool:

I like Asian food, wife does not, looking to do a Gemini or Aqaurius cruise next year from Singapore. Do these ships serve both Asian and International food, say at lunch and dinner?

Cheers..Les:cool:

Guys, irrespective of where you came from, you are all Proud Aussies now, living in Gods Country. Welcome. Great to hear your stories.

Glory to Australia

I really sympathise with the Americans and Brits having to get visas on entering Australia. I mean we are ALLIES and both U.S. and U.K. do not require us Aussies to get visas to enter we have visa waiver. Should be the same for you people. Visa requirements are just a $ making thing in my opnion. I reckon George Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard should get together on this issue and get real.:) No visas for allies.!!! Especially in this era of passports with microchips, foolproof.:cool: