arxcards

I hope so too. Looks like a bumpy couple of days, but the seas are declining ahead of them. The timing is a bonus, but leaving 6+ hrs late might incur a modified itinerary. They may go slow and skip Picton, which would be a shame.

Good news indeed. Their AIS shows they are skipping Lifou and heading straight to their 2nd stop at Mystery Island. A blessing they are cruising via the Islands and not NZ - that would be quite a crossing ATM.

Length and beam at and below the waterline (not LOA) are the main restrictions. There is plenty of room above the waterline and the wharf is large enough to accept two of these ships at the same time. It is the width of the dredged shipping channel and the area of the dredged turning basin that restricts what ships can visit. There has been work done 5 - 10 years ago to increase the size of the channel & turning basin. Prior to that, even Pacific Dawn would tender from Yorkeys. She could physically fit in Cairns, but her design made it difficult to navigate the tight channel. Back in her earlier days as Regal Princess, she drifted out of the channel and was briefly stuck.

She has port entries that also confirm she will be docking in Cairns. Sister ships Pac Encounter, Pac Adventure and Grand Princess have previously docked in Cairns. Both Diamond and Crown will add to that list next season.

Late departure from Adelaide was no risk to their schedule. A short stroll to Kangaroo Island for today. Off to Hobart this afternoon.

Definitely. It was also considered too dangerous to navigate through Sydney Heads, with a crosswind southerly blowing a gale.

A bonus night in Sydney Harbour. Awesome! Even better if they aren't confined to ship??

If there is no pilot departing with Solstice, Majestic may not get a pilot to come into port with. She has altered course and is now showing an 11am arrival tomorrow. Majestic is sitting just 20 nm off Manly, and is reporting a SSW gale. Solstice is not showing any departure or movement details.

These late specials, rightfully, are promoted by T/A's. The good T/A's will notice the vacancies and keep an eye out for deals so they can spring them on their loyal customers and be seen as a valuable part of the chain. It is rare for Princess to broadly promote last minute fares.

Ahh, when there is a void .... If Royal announced a different ship, year-round from Brisbane, the launch of Perfect Day at Lelepa, this would be tracking on topic. Instead, it is the lament of all cruise lines are doing the same cruises as last year. It might also stay on track if the new release stuff is posted here.

See the other thread for the itineraries. Pricing looks hush hush till tomorrow, unless some higher tiers get a preview.

Yep, us too. Diamond is awesome.

There are some subtle differences with the water slide towers. Not that it confirms anything, but the one used in Royal's social media photo looks like it belongs to Voyager.

Yes, I noticed the not so subtle use of Adventures in the AMPed up WOW posts.

Not originating, but she has added a port entry in Sydney for 18th Feb 2026. Looks very much like what Island Princess has been doing, so quite possible to book a sector when it becomes available, but $US aboard.

That is the standard Carnival PNG itinerary for Brisbane. They have had it in 2023 and have it available in 2024 & 2025. Hopefully it repeats for the years beyond.

That is 2 separate cruises being sold together as a 7 night Bris-Bris Qld Coastal and a 4 night slow relocation back to Sydney via Newcastle. As a standalone Brisbane to Sydney 11 nighter, it would be a hard sell for Princess. The longer the cruise, the less passengers that can do them. The above is only practical as part of an end of season relocation. A Sydney to PNG cruise with stops in QLD on the way up and back starts to look like a 16 or 17 night cruise. Awesome cruise, but they wouldn't fill it.

If you like the WC, it looks like Coral will have another in 2026.

Yes, I wouldn't pay any more than a couple of extra dollars. There is a large menu to pick from (well, except wines by the glass), and I can easily drink between the flags.

Not much of the WOW being talked-up. Maybe tomorrow when the itineraries come out. For now: Anthem, based on Sydney port entries 31st October 2025 (3 nights) 3rd November (7 nights) 10th November (10 nights) 20th November (8 nights) 28th November (3 nights) 1st December (10 nights) 11th December (8 nights) 19th December (9 nights) 28th December (10 nights) 8th January 2026 (9 nights) 17th January (2 nights) 19th January (8 nights) 27th January (10 nights) 6th February (7 nights) 13th February (2 nights) 15th February (12 nights) 27th February (9 nights) 8th March (5 nights) 13th March (9 nights) 22nd March (12 nights) 3rd April (8 nights) 11th April (3 nights) 14th April (relocation) Voyager, based on Brisbane Terminal schedule. 13th December 2025 (3 nights) 16th December (4 nights) 20th December (8 nights) 28th December (9 nights) 6th January 2026 (7 nights) 13th January (6 nights) 19th January (4 nights) 23rd January (7 nights) 30th January (7 nights) 6th February (6 nights) 12th February (3 nights) 15th February (4 nights) 19th February (8 nights) 27th February (7 nights) 6th March (3 nights) 9th March (4 nights) 13th March (3 nights) 16th March (5 nights) 21st March (7 nights) 28th March (9 nights) 6th April (relocation)

One account is as told by staff, the other is based on what is being charged. Remy XO was $30 in February, and I think the prices are stable for now. I would presume that is a +$8 charge. Remy & Hennessey VSOP's are covered by plus at $18 each. Scary on a World Cruise - the packages and prices might change twice by the time you get back 🤣

Nice itinerary, as it has 2 stops at Conflict Islands https://www.carnival.com.au/itinerary/11-day-papua-new-guinea-cruise/brisbane/luminosa/11-days/jg2/?itinportcode=bne

They have tried them. They didn't sell very well. There is something about 4 sea days up and 4 sea days back that deters the majority of cruisers. The best ones started in Cairns. The last two of these departs next month, of which one also includes Honiara. PS: P&O is still doing short seasons from Cairns in late 2024 + 2025

And for @NSWP The final trip of the former Regal Princess in 2007, before she became Pacific Dawn. Webcam capture from a day around the bottom of NZ, with waves hitting The Dome.

I also love the rock & roll. Bad weather ends up with everyone indoors and treading on each others toes. Really bad weather is uncomfortable at best, and scary when you get bounced out of bed. I think they do a better job of avoiding storms than 15 - 20 years ago, largely due to better predictions of ocean conditions. Our worst, crossing from Sydney to Noumea through an ex-tropical storm (hybrid low) on Sun Princess (the previous one) in late 2007. Gales and 9 metre waves for a day & a half. We had the added joy of having an aft-facing mini suite for maximum see-saw benefits. Similarly, a large number of passengers hid away in their cabins, and we almost had the MDR to ourselves for breakfast. Great to know we could handle the movement, but a summer holiday with 2 days of no outside decks was a downer. I think the worst I have seen accounts for locally are for Pacific Sun on a cruise out of Auckland in 2008. It should never have left Auckland, but they thought they could dodge it. They got in a bit of trouble, as most of the stuff sliding was in breach of SOLAS as it was supposed to be bolted down. Strap yourself in 😁