arxcards

And they have N/C benny in the Gold Pearl each morning. Nice looking pizza!

I believe they have withdrawn because they can't make enough profit here. The port charges are a passenger tax, and in most cases, haven't been rising as much as inflation. If they removed those passenger taxes altogether, we get a slightly cheaper fare but the cruise lines make no more money. But, if the cruise lines put their prices up to increase profits, they sell less cabins and they see no point in filling ships if there isn't much profit to be made. Less ships = less cabins to sell, so that more cruises sell out at full price. As much as we love a bargain, they only exist when they aren't selling. When P&O is fully dissolved into Carnival and their new 2026 itineraries are released as Carnival product, the prices at the bottom of the market will rise, and the more premium brands will follow suit. That is the current trajectory, but a China led recession could reverse that trend.

Thanks for your ongoing updates, as they are a great point of reference. If we weren't otherwise cruising, the Island Princess WC sector would be a nice option. Interesting that there is a fair number of "Carnival operated" P&O cruises at sub $100 p/n.

The best spots in Noumea are well away from the port. Some like Amadee Island, but the best time we have had is a kayak & swim on the Dumbea river. Apart from that, we would walk a few blocks to the chocolatier for some tastings and not-so-cheap macaroons. Many of those places will be struggling to exist without our tourist dollars. The only real annoyance I have had with Noumea is that just about every cruise called there, so the current itineraries could be considered a bit more lux than usual. Personally, PNG and Fiji are presently much more interesting parts of the Pacific, and it would be nice to see some more options heading those ways. It just seems that any Pacific cruises over 10 days doesn't sell well enough for them to become a staple.

The exception would be when pre-booking from the US. The hotel price is bound to show additional taxes to be added. The US is starting to go our way when it comes to displaying a price that includes taxes. A couple of states have legislated that way, and the cruise lines are are starting to adopt it across all states.

As with all of the P&O and Carnival itineraries that have gone into the Pacific since the unrest started, losing Noumea means losing a port, as any other ports can't be reached in the same number of nights. These are quirky itineraries, with Noumea as 1st & last port. With no Noumea (or Isle of Pines) possible, they have indeed been doing these cruises with only 2 port stops. Of your original itinerary, Lifou and Noumea x 2 are New Caledonian ports, while Mystery Island is part of the Vanuatu group. So far, these itineraries have mostly been changed to Luganville and/or Port Vila, even dropping Mystery Island in favour of those two. I would consider it will be very unlikely that Noumea will reopen this year, but Carnival & P&O have been making their call on these itineraries a month at a time. I don't expect your changes will be confirmed until early September. PS: When I look at Carnival's site, it still shows the original itinerary - Noumea, Mystery Island, Lifou, Noumea.

I think the good ones will be looked after, and pick-up roles with one of the other Carnival bands. Even to head back to the broader T/A community, the good agencies always seem to be chasing staff.

Very silty on the bottom, and not particularly deep. It doesn't take much to stir it up.

I am on my phone, so likely a fat finger error followed by an android auto correct.

Very similar level of amenity, staff & activities between P&O and Princess. Our daughter has now left the nest, but loved her kids club days on Princess. Crown Princess will be based in Austalia fulltime from October, so I expect they will develop a similar Aussie flavour on the ship that your kids would have experienced on P&O. In AU/NZ, Princess is also an inclusive fare, so the tipping culture isn't present. If they like burgers, pizza, soft-serve, these ate also included for them, not charged like P&O. Go for it.

Or avoid the steep walk down the back of the hill by taking the tram back down and walking around to the Rose Garden upon level ground.

Quay West is indeed convenient, and the top floor pool area offers sensational views of the harbour. There is an active walk needed to get up to the suites from George St. Even though the address is Gloucester St, it is easier access from the carpark/lift on the street below - Harrington St. Quay West is the tower on the right. Gloucester street runs across above the stairs at the top. Hang a right at the tree half way up to access via the carpark lift.

I won't web book via cruise line sites nor T/A sites either. I don't need to be anonymous with my T/A. I just email what I am after - 24hrs, and at his first opportunity I will get a cabin held along with a quote/pricing in the reply. If it fits, I pay the deposit via EFT, if not we will pass and let the hold lapse. Even once Carnival takes over the P&O process, we will still be booking via our T/A, as the pricing is usually 1 to 2% better than the cruise line offers, and I know I have someone looking out for any price drops. They are my favourite T/A's.

What is your budget? I would agree that staying close to the terminal in Circular Quay is an ideal spot. As well as being walking distance on boarding day, it is so handy to the CQ transport hub mentioned earlier. So many can be pricey though, especially rooms with a view of the harbour. The Sydney Harbour hotel is in the Rocks and a very close to the terminal. Not a lot of frills, but comfortable. There are nice 5-star hotels at Park Hyatt, Pullman Quay Grand, Four Seasons - each at a price. My preferred in between for price, comfort & convenience is the Sydney Harbour Marriot.

I think neck pillows are more about the confidence to fall asleep and not wake up with your head laying on a stranger's shoulder.

Some of the best things we have ever done have been in and around Banff. We have planned the Rockies twice, and loved every bit. Even then, a heli flight from Canmore was a last minute suggestion to fill in an afternoon, and it was our #1 highlight of a pretty amazing month of travel. Then there are other things that are hard to explain why you will always remember them, like In & Out Burger, bear jams, beaver tails, pickle boats.

Well, at least that won't affect me.

Good spin beats a good product, until you try to sell it a 2nd time.

I thought I had already done my last P&O hurrah, and I have such fond memories of Golden Princess I didn't want to spoil - just too damned sentimental.

Indeed. The other part is seeing how closely your experience comes to matching-up with your plans, and what unexpected highlights trump your planned highlights.

I will tender my late note. One of the very late P&O operated by P&O cruises for us in late Feb.

At the time, there were P&O staff and mainstream T/As that were telling customers that Pacific Dawn was a brand new ship. Nothing much changes when some staff only learn about cruising from internal memos.

We are having our wake on Adventure while you are on your way to Japan.

It isn't for the speed, but the sudden deceleration.

This board still doesn't allow attachments to be displayed to anyone except the poster. Maybe a link to the post on your roll call where the attachment can be seen.