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I have a sweat shirt with the legend: Coffee, Dogs & Crime Shows If I could find one that included Cruises that would about sum it up! 😂

Short answer - No. And if you buy duty free alcohol in port (such as Vila), it is taken from you when you re-board the ship and returned on disembarkation day. You can only bring 12 cans of soft drink packed loose in your checked luggage at embarkation. No tetra packs, no plastic bottles of water. All a bit bah humbug really.

Golly that certainly is squishy! I thought the balcony cabins on Encounter were small, but I looked it up and Explorer balcony cabins are 13 sq ft smaller!!! (168 sq ft and 155 sq ft respectively).

Absolutely!☹️

Like you, I often wonder when a regular poster goes AWOL, so thank you for the heads up. Regardless, have a wonderful break in the warmth. Hear from you when you return.

Does anyone have any further news on Encounter and the bedbugs? Anyone been on board recently?

Photo of the cabin, please

We'll be visiting Santo in December. Noumea is also on the itinerary so who knows? We may well have a magical mystery tour also. Won't really bother us, it's not our first rodeo in the South Pacific.

This topic is currently on the Australian and New Zealand forum if you are interested.

Yes, we actually asked that question a number of years ago. Chatting with Australian entertainers on board, they confirmed that information.

Isn't that the "Land of the Fee"???🤭

When I have a choice, I always buy a manual. Have had a couple of used cars that were auto, but I always go back to manual when I buy new. Current car is a manual Mazda 3 and I'm very happy with it. In some ways manual cars deter thieves. I read a lot of news stories where low lives have tried to steal/hijack a car only to discover it was a manual and they had no idea how to drive it.😆

Thank you. Had to admit it took quite a bit of digging in cyber space to find the information, but sometimes I enjoy the challenge!😂 To be honest, I was about to give up the forensics when I stumbled on the information you wanted.

Well put, Mic. I agree with your comments and am certainly sorry for this lady's experience.

We're due in New Caledonia around Christmas. If there is a change of itinerary, it really won't bother us. Been twice before so we know what we're 'missing'.

AND it's excellent PR

To be totally honest Suites, I preferred Dawn over Encounter but everyone's opinion is subjective.

You're welcome. May I enquire if there was any special reason for your query?

Depends on the physique, I guess, but a tux and white gloves would be more dignified.🤭

Oh, I dunno. The RCI mega ships have a car on the Promenade Deck, not to mention Bumper Cars. I'm sure they could jam at least a mini bus in. 😆

Well, give them a tip. 'Wear clean undies every day in case you can hit by a bus' or 'Lightening Flash in the third at Randwick'. 😂 Sorry, couldn't resist!

Unless you manage to catch and confine the critter to a glass jar so it can attend an identity parade.

The formal and theme nights are there for people to enjoy them. They are completely optional, no one is forced to participate. We love dressing for the occasion, but totally get it if it's not someone else's cup of tea. Having said that, however, there are certain standards particularly in the evenings where shorts, thongs, tank tops and caps are really not 'smart casual' whatever definition you care to apply to the term.

Hey Nuttyscouse. How was the cruise??

No, I'm not disparaging P&O either. They have their market niche and we've cruised with them often. However, they shouldn't be described in the media as a 'luxury cruise ship'. Everyone has their own ideas of course, but I envision 'luxury' as butler service, outstanding suites, huge balconies etc. (not that I've experienced - or necessarily want - any of those, it's just a perception of what 'luxury' would suggest to me) with a price tag to match. On a side note, I wouldn't have a clue what to do with a butler anyway!🤣