arxcards

For us, the perfect steward is one that we don't see, but can see where they have been. By that, they are not trying to clean our cabin at the same time we want to use it. We have had some awesome stewards. In the main, stewards know when you came and go. The good ones are like the shoemakers elves. That said, we have always had an intro with our steward between boarding & sailaway. If we drew a line through every cruise line we had a charge discrepancy with, we would be just about landlocked. We have been erroneously charged for mini-bar a couple of times on P&O, but thankfully not on the last night. Turns out for both that the wrong cabin number had been charged.

The prices were available when I posted the itineraries to a different thread here. I chopped them off so that the itineraries would show clearly from captures. The release files and brochure have both been attached over at the Princess forum, where you can see what files have been uploaded. And now that release is imminent anyway, here are the direct links to them: Standard Fares (add $65 per day for plus, $95 per day for premier) https://book.princess.com/pdf/onesource/au/destinations/australia_nz/2025-2026/AU25-2626RWCAUDStandardFaresasat13Nov.pdf Mini Brochure https://book.princess.com/pdf/onesource/au/destinations/australia_nz/2025-2026/23376_Mini-Brochure_25-26_AU_3.0.pdf

We cant see attachments in this forum - only visible to the poster.

It was good a way, but for 50 over cricket to survive, it needs to be played on a batter friendly pitch. The pitch that was provided was meant to be one that would make it more difficult for Australia, but the BCCI scored an own goal. There was a moment when India lost their 3rd wicket and the camera panned in close on Kohli's face - priceless.

I think they see it as a cost, and I see their point. All other ailments require the "patient" to pay for the required medical services, and then recoup the cost against their travel insurance policy. The cost of those tests is over the top, unless it also includes having a nurse assist/supervise the test. Barb had a blocked ear from diving some years back, and the ship shop didn't have any drops so directed me to the medical centre. Wondering about how much this was going to set me back, I was charged $US12 for ear drops and a syringe/catheter as well as advice from the nurse. Fair to say I was rapped at how HAL Oosterdam handled it.

Virgin Travelbank holds issued credits from them, for cancellations around their previous ownership and covid. If you have no credits with them, a travelbank number is irrelevant. That level of customer service is still available by walking through the door of your local travel agency.

If you squint, those lions look like llamas

A tie would be more of a winning bet

I wouldn't bet My Cow on it.

The crew on every cruise ship around the world are in mourning today.

Not personally be me anyway. 😁 I said to a guy one morning after being regaled about their wonderous travels, then asked if it was our first cruise - your card should be clean by now, it only says 17. The medallion doesn't have that number displayed, am happy with that and aren't fussed with numbers. I don't see people polishing their medallions in public. 🤣

Interesting, and I always wonder how things change from year to year. The Cunard FAQ says: On occasion, promotions are available on World Cruise fares which include complimentary hotel and dining service charges, however this will be notified to you at time of booking. Pre payment of the hotel and dining service charge It is not possible to pre pay this charge prior to boarding the ship, however should you wish, you may pre purchase on board spending money which can be used to cover the cost hotel and dining service charge, bar, wine and salon services charges added to your on board account and other costs you may incur on board.

Are they the same ports? A cruise that only does Australian ports also has GST in the fees.

Yes, you can pre-pay them as part of your booking, but it isn't automatically included.

Rewards has targeted boost items that give bonus points. It is good that my fave tempura nuggets, beer batter chips & Clix crackers are often on the list. We get cat food listed on the boost list regularly as well, which is a sad reminder of a pet that died of old age in February - perhaps they will drop off the list at some stage. I will be adding the app soon, as it seems to be the sole way of getting worthwhile OBC down the track. Track is the key word though, and any surge in stock/bit of coin related ads will be a bit a bit of a giveaway. I wonder though, does that mean no smartphone = no shareholder OBC?

They are extra. Only those Carnival brands with $AU ships have the grats rolled into the fare for $AU cruises.

Ahh, OK. Makes more sense than all the other ones I was trying 🤣

Every app shares data from your phone, which on its own is innocent enough. If the company is legit and doesn't store any of that data - that would be a tick. If they have the highest security on their server that protects that data, that is another tick. However, they are now a middle player between you and Carnival, so it is just another potential vulnerability. If Carnival had their own app that had the same function, I would be much more confident. It isn't about stealing passwords, but part of that unwritten profile about you that is gold to marketers. Have you ever browsed an item on Harveys or JB only to see the same item drop into ads on Goggle & FB?

I have a couple of friends that have had arguments with glass atrium stairs, and another that has issues with rolled-up towels on the floor of a cabin bathroom. Hard to imagine that breathing in the aromas of a lift could also be a lower risk than the stairs in bumpy seas.

I tried out a few words, and none quite fit.

A definite dilemma for those with immaculate conception 😉

They won't let me play at kids club, so I go to bars instead. 🤣

I hope you are both well and truly on the mend. I have pretty much been a buffet dodger since day dot. I am not OCD about it, but I am very wary of the tongs & spoons, so take the plate to our table and go back and sanitise again before eating. Clean tables are also difficult to find during busy times, and will only get cleared instead of proper cleaning. You can only do so much though, and have to leave enough mental space to drop barriers to relax and have fun. Hypothetically, do I touch the handrails and risk getting gastro, or do I avoid them and risk falling down the stairs and breaking my leg. Hmmm. You have much to look forward to with your next cruise, and I hope the circumstances are healthier for you.

It isn't about account access, but that your phone is giving over personal information to a (presumed reliable) 3rd party via the app. Until now, you would only be passing on proof of a shareholding to Carnival shares via email. Now you have an app, it isn't about the stock account, but what data can be gained via the app if it was being stored inappropriately. In these days of hacking of apparent trustworthy companies, we are funnelling our personal data to an extra entity that wasn't needed last month. It should be all good, but it is another crack in the footpath.

Curious, where you dine. Buffet, dining room or other?