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Thanks, Mic! Hope you are recovering from your injury. Cheers CeeCee

I don't as a rule look at new prices for a cruise I've booked, but after reading several posts on this forum, I decided that this time I would. Definitely paid off this time around with a saving of $1,000! Thanks Cruise Critic posters for the advice!

Absolutely. We loved Little Havana

Thank you Sinbad and John for ALL the trouble/research you have done to assist me. I honestly didn't expect you guys to go to these lengths. Absolute legend! Cheers CeeCee

Quite possibly, John. I'm really appreciating the feedback from you and Sinbad. Hopefully someone will have photos of the actual Owner's Suite.

I've always been a bit skeptical, however ............... We booked and paid the small initial deposit on a 10 day cruise for Christmas 2024 around 3 months ago. I've always found the best deals are for super early bookings. I've been monitoring the price of our cruise and two days ago noticed that the price of our room category with the same benefits had dropped by just over $1,000!!! I immediately rang the cruise line and cancelled our original booking and immediately re-booked on the same phone call. Got exactly the same cabin with all the same benefits (except the onboard credit was reduced to $200, originally $400). Only stipulation was that we were required to pay the deposit in full rather than finalising it in April next year. Happy to do so.

Thanks, John. Didn't even think of that. Duh!☹️ At least now I have some idea. Would still love to see current photos, etc if anyone can help. Enjoy your cruise to FNQ next month, John and Hilary, and wishing you a very happy anniversary. Cheers CeeCee

Yes, I'm curious about that also, aussienellie

Does anyone have photos/video of this suite they could upload, please. I have been googling but haven't found anything. Thanks in advance.

Hope you have fully recovered before your upcoming cruise, Mic.

Seriously, I feel very sorry for those people who had no option but to disembark. And I'll be very interested to know what compensation P&O offered/will offer. A full refund and a future cruise credit would be fair. Also transportation back to Brisbane. We'll see. Brace for a new wave of P&O haters on the review websites. You're probably right, Geoff. A blockage seems far more likely and seems to be a common occurrence mostly due to pax putting things down the toilet they shouldn't. People just seem to ignore the signage. I find it really difficult to get my head around that. Plumbers on land tell you that the only things that should go down any toilet are what nature intended and a modest amount of toilet paper! Why should a ship be any different?

That really sucks, Charlie

I must admit I have NEVER come across a cheerful/pleasant customs official. I get the impression that you're considered guilty until proven innocent!😂 I always try to be polite and pleasant regardless of circumstances but invariably feel like a recalcitrant sheep being herded by a team of sheep dogs who got out of the wrong side of the kennel. On our last embarkation from Brisbane Cruise Terminal the officials were literally 'barking' at everyone. I realise they are processing a couple of thousand people and I suppose the job can be stressful, but from my observations no passengers were causing any problems to warrant the attitude. I think there must be a training module dealing with the various degrees of surliness and the application of same.🙄

You'll be on board in no time, Mic. 469 for us, but 3 days to our next land based getaway.

Good question. Maybe call P&O and/or stick a couple in your carry on and see what happens?

The only bad experience I've had was at Houston airport. Felt very intimidated by the customs officer who queried in a highly suspicious tone absolutely everything I said. For example, he asked reason for visiting and I replied we were taking a cruise out of Miami. The words barely left my mouth when he jumped down my throat with "Who's WE?!!". I was somewhat taken aback and pointed to my husband and two friends who were in another line. Honestly, I was made to feel like a drug mule or terrorist. For the record, I obviously chose the wrong line, because hubby and friends had a totally different experience.

What a lovely way to celebrate your anniversary, John. October must be a good month, our anniversary is then also! Don't forget to let the crew know it's your anniversary. Who knows, you might get something. 😀

Off the P&O Australia website: To ensure the safety and security of all guests, and in line with Responsible Service of Alcohol guidelines, the following beverage items cannot be brought onboard any P&O Cruises’ ship: Plastic and glass bottled drinks (opened or unopened), including water; Slab packs (cartons) of canned drinks; Tetra pack drinks (including fruit juice poppers). Each guest may bring onboard a maximum of 12 non-alcoholic canned drinks loosely packed in carry-on (hand) luggage. All luggage, including checked in luggage, will be x-rayed at embarkation. Hope this answers your question.

Hi Calicakes. Sinbad's comments are right on the money, particularly the weather. I lived in Cairns for 15 years and February is hot and humid. Think Miami in September and that will give you an idea. It also can be wet but should be tapering off in February. BTW, I never experienced a full blown cyclone (was on the fringes a couple of times) in those 15 years so 'occasional' is a fair comment.

Hi John and Hilary. We dined at Luke's late May. I had three courses (from memory crab pancake, barramundi and licorice parfait) for $58. Hubby had two courses (too busy inhaling mine to remember what he had) for $48. Amazing food, great service, relaxing ambience and well worth the price. I think those prices were average for the menu. Hope this helps. Cheers CeeCee

Even pre-covid, P&O was very big on using hand sanitizer before entering any of the restaurants and had staff stationed at all entrances sanitizer bottle at the ready. I have a small, travel size bottle of sanitizer which can be clipped to belt or handbag and used it regularly on our last cruise. Perhaps do likewise if your ship is not providing sanitizing stations on board. From memory, Big W sells them in their travel accessories section.

When we sail with P&O, I generally put the credit card details on Cruise Control a couple of days before sailing and then watch my credit card account on line like a hawk. Never had anything 'dodgy' happen. Same goes for the onboard account. Check it daily, so far have never had a problem. I agree, banks seem to be more vigilant with credit card fraud and it can sometimes take days after the completion of the cruise for the hold on debit cards to be released. If you keep your wits about you, the credit card option is fairly safe. Don't forget to inform your bank where you will be going so they don't freeze your account because the card is being used overseas. Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

I do that when I hand wash items in the bathroom. Works a treat.

I'm a dry martini girl. Occasionally I'll opt for a 'dirty', but mostly just go for lots of olives😁

Well, P&O must have heard me......... Just this minute received an email with updated protocols and RATs are only necessary if symptoms are felt from 5 days prior to boarding.