arxcards

It cuts both ways. I can walk out of Central station and find 3 cabs at the rank waiting. The only time I will pre-book a cab is to go from home, as I don't often see cabs waiting out the front. Uber trumps that when there is a car nearby.

I think they will work it out. After all, ships already travel between Europe and Cape Town, and ships already travel between Cape Town and Asia, Australia, Dubai.

Convenience? Buy one to pay for all drinks vs get all your drinks then pay once on your credit/debit card.

I am not even considering interest, just about spending your money when it is due - better in your pocket than someone else's. For balance, if my local pub wanted me to prepay for my drinks, they would need to have a worthwhile incentive.

The prices on that specials list are not the price you pay. On top of that price, taxes, port charges and non-commissionable charges are added. Same with all US agents, you need to get a full quote to know what the "real" price is. Australian pricing is inclusive of all those added charges.

I would still figure if you need to calculate to the nearest decimal point, you don't need a package. Getting a package is also pre-paying your drinks. Paying per drink on the ship is paying up to 55 days after disembarking.

As a bit of balance, drink packages cover for more than alcohol for espresso coffee, bottled water, fresh juice, soft drinks. None of those items are included in your fare, and while not as expensive as a cocktail, should be factored into your decision. As a bottom line though, if you are wondering will you find value in getting a drinks package, it is generally a no. Those that will get proper value out of a drinks package don't need an abacus to help decide.

I agree that Royal does suite perks better, or they did compared to the older Princess ships. The Royal class Princess suites have a concierge lounge pretty much the same as Royal Caribbean, and the concierge is usually more attentive. For these Princess ships, we are back to having base suites with standard fare.

Are you leaving the airport in Auckland? If you are staying airside in transit, you won't need to clear NZ customs.

Especially apples. They are particularly sensitive about apples.

Sold out = unavailable to all. Any agent that shows as available at the same time is unlikely to be able to secure a booking. Yes, you can waitlist. Even when waitlisting, it pays to go back and check regularly and put a hold on anything that becomes available. The waitlist isn't automated. There is also no way of knowing if there are 10 or more waitlisted ahead of you. To waitlist, contact the cruise line or agent as if you were going to book. When they say it is sold out, request to be waitlisted. The odds of an upgrade from inside would be slim, considering everything above is sold out well before final payment. It is possible to mark the final payment date on a calendar, as that is the most likely time that passengers will cancel due to change of mind or circumstances.

All of those are worthwhile to anyone who wants to make a day of it. Chill out by the pool or hotel lounge. Room would be just for shower, nap, catching-up on TV news.

A nap, if you need one, is a good thing. To adjust back to US time zone on a late night flight, it is better to sleep the 2nd half of the flight and not the first.

Welcome. Yes, Unlimited "casual" restaurants with premier package. No reservations, just walk-up. You are unlikely to encounter much of a queue. Your Casual restaurants are Alfredo's pizzeria Ocean Terrace seafood bar Vines (crudites, charcuterie board, truffles) For most of the world, medallions are picked-up at check-in. Passport not required, yes enter your DL number.

I have the opposite. I don't want to pay an extra $120 each per night for the same sized cabin in a different location - yet I get 3 emails per week reminding me that I should.

I guess it depends on the location of the cabin. A midship BA balcony is more expensive than a forward, aft or obstructed deluxe balcony, so on a dollar value it would be seen as an upgrade. It is one of those technical upgrades, and not worth pursuing if it isn't an improvement to you. The Princess upgrades silent auction is largely bollocks for minis and suites, as it often appears that you are bidding on sold-out cabin categories.

Welcome. Yep, that is $US15 per cocktail.

Quantum Class max passenger capacity is 4900, Majestic Princess is max 5600. That is a significant issue at our tender ports. Compared to Diamond Princess, or RCI Radiance class ships, tenders aren't required in places like Cairns, Eden, Port Vila and tendering becomes much less of an issue.

I think all those involved have since retired.

One mega ship replacing another.

Luke Mangan Salt Grill is one of the best meals you will have at sea. From someone who has dined there more than a dozen times on 5 of P&O's ships, it is excellent and worth the price. Personally, I find it a close race between Princess Crown Grill and P&O Luke Mangan. Luke's has nicer desserts, Crown Grill has better starters. Suites have enhanced room service for breakfast, and nibbles throughout the day. They don't do MDR menu room service like they do on other lines. Suites do not have alcoholic drink packages, the same as for other cabins the cruise needs to be 7 nights or longer to have grog packages. Breakfast options are dining room, buffet, or continental room service. Dining room is included, unless you want eggy benny & that is $10. There is a charge for non-suite room service breakfast, and it is a limited menu. On a 3 night cruise, Luke's Bar & Grill will book out quickly. I would recommend that the first thing you do after boarding is to make your reservation.

By 80's, I mean on the main road, convenient for an overnight break from driving, basic rooms, resident owner/manager, 30 to 60 rooms, pool - a good old 80's Motor Inn. The Kingsford Smith and the Kingsford Brisbane (mentioned above) are two different hotels, but both have been reno'd since we last stayed on the strip. Some of the others look really tired in comparison.

We used to stay at a few of the hotels along Kingsford Smith Drive. Yes, it does get consistently good reviews. They are very much 80's style, and the price reflects that. For a good feed nearby, I can recommend the Hamilton Hotel just under a block away. Woolies isn't as close as it would appear on the map - seven lanes of a busy main road with a skinny median strip and no access into the shopping complex from Kingsford Smith drive.

Alas, they will continue to sell cabins until they are 100% sure those cruises wont be going ahead, as would every other cruise line.

I doubt the call centres will have any information, as nothing has been decided by the powers that be. This may all hinge on the practicality of relocating to Australia if the Red Sea is still unsafe to navigate. Ships of various lines are yet to confirm what they are doing over the next couple of months, let alone November. The relocation of Resilient Lady back to Europe in March/April is likely to face major changes, and I believe that there has been no decision made for that yet.