kobecat

Our cruisecritic get together was on the helipad both times on a B2B out of Venice on the Constellation last year, the first cruise Kotor and the second Dubrovnik. We were also invited to the captain's table for dinner. This was definitely initiated by the Captains Club Concierge, Graeme. We were in an inside cabin.

Another vote for switching. Hot and humid on the CP balconies plus no privacy. Would never book one again.

Graft and corruption are the two words that spring to mind. [emoji849] this was during the notorious WA Inc years.

I wouldn't do it but such a shame not to go to Montserrat. Can you have an extra day in Barcelona? We caught the train to Montserrat and made a day of it.

Way too many excellent hotels in Singapore to recommend one, it really depends on your budget. Check out independent sites for reviews, after deciding which area you prefer.

Another vote for Tatyana and TJ Tours. Our group used them in 2013 and it was a fantastic two day tour.

Indian authorities are not consistent. A few years ago on the Solstice, they gave passengers without a visa, one for about $50 on arrival in Cochin. We had paid about $120 each for ours so that was just plain annoying. We had gone through the drama doing the right thing, so all the passengers who got a$50 visa were bragging. Grrrr

Cole was CD on the Pacific Eden last weekend.

We always do express and we just leave when it suits US. It definitely won't be a problem.

Because the duty free allowance now for cigarettes into Australia is only 50. It used to be a carton

Yes, unlike RCL where we never seem to be eligible for shareholder credit, Carnival always give it.

The Casino will be closed unless the cruise docks outside WA. I've done a few of these 3 day ones and they're definitely closed.

 

 

 

Parking kind of sucks. http://www.fremantleports.com.au/Visiting/Parking/Pages/Parking-at-Victoria-Quay.aspx

 

Since you're from Mandurah the train might be a better option. It's a short walk from the station to the ship.

 

Duty free - This has always been offered. I'm not really sure why but they're usually open and trying to sell off anything that's not bolted down.

Have to catch train from Mandurah to Perth, the back to Fremantle or get off at Murdoch and get bus to Fremantle. The platforms for the Mandurah line and Fremantle line are quite a distance apart if you have luggage. I'd probably drive and pay to park and this from a person who is happy to do public transport.

Yes unfortunately I heard back straight away too but they advised that as my cruise was only 9 days out, I was too late - has to be 14. Everything is electronic so couldn't really see why but that's the rules. I guess. [emoji16]

We have done one cruise on MSC Poesia in 2010, beautiful ship but ...... We are now Elite on Princess with 2 more booked for later this year. Say no more.

That's our favourite cabin [emoji3]

Not quite sure what you mean really. As far as I know all the tenders drop you at the base of the hill, you can walk up the donkey track, take a donkey or go by cable car. Some tour operators leave from the base via small boat.

My $.02 since we just returned from the Infinity going around the horn from Buenos Aires to Santiago a week and a half ago....

 

You could have never made me believe the Infinity was as old as reported. The ship was in great ship, and what issues developed maintenance wise, were taken care ASAP. In addition, I have never, NEVER, experienced more attentive, friendly, sincere seeming staff in any of our other 15 cruises. If it was an act, they deserve an award.

 

We rarely cruise the Caribbean anymore, focusing on the more unique itineraries, i.e. Baltics, Mediterranean, Alaska, etc. and due to the excursions we did, some with 2 hour drives, this cruise stands above any other we have ever done. Driving 2 hours and taking a Zodiac boat to a remote Island with the Pira Tours staff in Ushuaia to be the only 20 people to walk among the Penguins while the ship excursions anchored off the shore will be a memory I will never forget. We scrimped and saved to do this cruise and a pre-cruise trip to Iguazu Falls, and I have no regrets, other than not also tagging on a trip to Macchu Pichu after.

 

The flight from the Northern US was grueling....really grueling, but it is what it is. If we could have afforded Business class, I would do it in a heartbeat, but, we couldn't and didn't.

 

I might be a little unusual, but I was really hoping we might see Cape Horn at her meanest. It's part of the charm of saying you sailed around Cape Horn (well, not really around it as I found out, but right up to it and then back through the Beagle Channel). As it was, we had 60 MPH winds that forced the Star Princess to turn back and unless you went outside on your balcony or the decks, you would have never known. We left BA in 80 degree temps, got to Ushuaia in high 30's, and returned to Valparaiso/Santiago to 80's again. Makes packing a little interesting, but again, that's part of the adventure.

 

I can't for the life of me think of any reason that I would tell someone NOT to take this journey, but that is for each individual to decide.

You guys are so funny. Gruelling from North America to South America. Really!! Try living in Australia. We have been to South America twice, best cruises ever, don' think about cancelling. I think you would regret it for ever.

The Pacific Eden was the HAL Ryndam

Very true, and in most cases as you are only there for the day the cruise line will organise it for you as they usually hold your passport.....then charge you later:D

In all our travels the only visa I have had to get was for India,

and I know if I go to China , I will need one.

But they are strange, and each country is different.

When we went to Chile to join a cruise, we just walked through using our NZ passport, but Americans and Australians had to line up and pay an entry fee,before they went through passport control.

 

Things change all the time. Australians (and other countries) no longer need a visa if transiting through either Beijing or Shanghai AIRPORTS within 72 hours. There is talk of extending this to cruise ports.

When we went to Chile we had to pay for a visa on arrival which was about US$100. This was in 2013.

When we were on the Celebrity Solstice from Barcelona to Singapore in 2012 we got our Indian visas. Many on the ship did not even though it was compulsory?? Indian authorities allowed passengers to pay about $50 and they got a visa on the spot. We had paid about $110!!

Don't try and board a ship for Brazil without a visa, you will be denied boarding. BUT ..... I think they may be changing this for the Olympic Games.

Do not rely on random information from cruisecritic members. It is always offered with the very best of intentions but not always correct or up-to-date.

Beryl

You are barking up the wrong tree, problem is not with Celebrity problem is with the rules and laws you have in effect in the UK. You have certain protections that we don't have in the states but there is a trade off. Again, problem is not Celebrity, its your laws.

The same applies in Australia and of course the problem is Celebrity. How can you possibly say it is our laws in Australia and the U.K. What are "these certain protections" we have? Our final payment is 151 days out, it is 80 in the US. How can they justify any of that?

We are on the Dawn later in the year with an outside obstructed view cabin right outside the casino. I now see that Princess allows smoking in "a section of the Casino". Does anyone know which section this is?

I don't see free drinks (except a bottle of cheap sparkling) in the cabin, how could that possibly be better!!

We did this itinerary 2 years ago and loved it.

As Elite you will have breakfast with fresh juices and smoothies provided, plus "proper" coffee. Can't remember the location on the Solstice, think it is one of the specialty restaurants at the stern of the ship..

Our last Celebrity cruise, Europe on the Constellation in August last year, there was just elite drinks, no drinks vouchers but maybe it depends on the number of elites? You are not permitted to take drinks out of the lounge on Celebrity, unlike Royal.

The Solstice will dock at Circular Quay, not sure about the reference above about a Tender to Circular Quay.

Have a fantastic time.

Beryl

I would not take the risk and believe with the right paperwork your insurance company should pay out. I give plasma every two weeks and after a Caribbean cruise a few years ago I tested positive to malaria when testing was done. I did not remember seeing mosquitoes and did not get sick but I was obviously bitten by an infected mosquito. Your potential future baby is much more important.

Maybe it would help it you said where the excursion was going?

The excursion will be going to Bangkok. The cruise terminal for larger ships is a few hours out of Bangkok.