sayaguru

Keep an eye on drink package prices. Ours just dropped to under $100aud  a day ($96? cant remember). Feb 14th.

No need to get Reil. Everything has both prices, $US and Riel. If you pay with US$ you get change in Riel close to the current rate.

Just pend that when you get a bit. . Bring small US$ notes to make it easier. 

I would drop bags and explore. You can also leave bags at City Extra restaurant Circular Quay for $8 a bag, if you want to leave them earlier.. 

On 11/21/2023 at 3:37 PM, lyndarra said:

I was disappointed with the MDR Italian pasta dishes on MSC. They tasted  somewhat bland except for one dished up a few times  in the Lido in a huge wok-like dish which was excellent.

We ordered the fish one night (second sitting). It came out almost raw and lukewarm. We called the waiter over. He said "yes, everyone is complaining about that!" Never again!!! 

On my last Princess cruise on Coral (last November) I found booking to be a total waste of time. You turned up and were told to wait, same as whether people had booked or not. Hopefully they've sorted that by now. 

Carnival was much better with that. Booked then got a message when table was ready. 

Better than the Greek Urns on Legend. horrible. Although they did refurb after we went on her last. Hopefully better now.  

First time I went on Splendor I thought "Why have they got black fried eggs on the ceiling". Then I realised they were supposed to be pearls. Haha!!!

On 11/9/2023 at 6:37 PM, mum and son said:

Guess what ship I ended up booking? Emerald Princess 🤣. I was so confused about ships and destinations and flights, and making it all come together - but it finally did and I'm super pleased! Paid in full today.

Only just saw this thread. So glad for you. Princess is great.

like Norwegian in that price point. I think they have the best entertainment of any of the cruiselines.

HATED the one MSC. I did. Crap food, crap service. Never again. 

Ejoy Princess.

Even though we are not a tipping culture I find tips are expected. When on a tour I see it written in most countries that "even though tips are not customary in this country. etc etc". Of course it is still up to your own discression. 

I was surprised in Vietnam that people didn't tip (well on the day trips I did). 

The travel industry does expect tips. It annoys me a bit in countries where the wages are good. I'm wondering if tour companies get an amazing price BECAUSE the company knows people will tip? 

Sometimes the suggested amount is ridiculous. 

On a river cruise of 150 people the suggested tip for the lady organising the tours (not doing them) was 1-2 Euros per person per day. While that doesn't seem a lot. That's 150-300Euros a day TIP. That's 1050-2100 Euros a week.

Some people wouldn't earn that as a wage. 

Depends where you are from. Some countries have free entry for 15 days. Some longer. 

On 10/24/2023 at 11:20 AM, mum and son said:

Thanks, yes, I do understand the risks. This is why we're looking at US cruises because we believe if we give ourselves enough days prior to the cruise that we should be able to get on a plane somewhere out of Aus to somewhere in the US. It depends a lot on status - years of service, why you're travelling etc. The A380 flies Syd-LA so it seems a reasonable backup and all flights are currently wide open. We can actually wait and book the cruise last minute too so that's our safety net.

 

We'll pay for the domestic flights we need. My friend actually worked in the international ticketing area at Qantas so understands the system pretty well. I have no issues with the return flight as it wouldn't matter to me if I was offloaded in Timbuktoo, I just need to get there pre-cruise!

Hi, based on past experience I would not book standby within USA. The flight looks great but anyone can turn up hours early for their booked flight and check in for a earlier flight. They get priority over you.  Had flights LAS- HNL. Told to fly to LA. No flights. Drove to LA. No flights. Overnight.

Internal flights are often not that expensive. Of course holiday period will differ. Good luck. 

I'm assuming you are booking Staff for cruises? Great last minute deals. You also have the option of removing or reducing the gratuities if you think it is too much. It is very expensive by the time you convert to $AUD, especially now with the low exchange rate. 

Wow! thank you so much. I'm on my phone so difficult to read. I'll look when I get home to my computer. Cheers! 

Just now, Teeara said:

It would help if you let us know which ship you're booked on.

Sorry. Forgot. Edited. Thanks. 

I'm booked on a 34 night cruise on Brilliance of the Seas.

I haven't been on Royal for years. 

Normally I like sea days but was recently on Carnival and was bored. 

What activities do Royal have?

I like Trivia. Not interested in bingo. On HAL I like the lectures and crafts. Princess sometimes have good lectures too. 

Would anyone have a daily program they could share? Or just info about the types if activities.

Thanks. 

Interesting. I just got off a Carnival cruise. We got told as we boarded that we would miss a port. They gave $100 OBC to every cabin. 

Yes there are taxis but sometimes the line is quite long. I'd want to be at the airport an hour before (40 min is the minimum). . 

I'd book after 10am.  Maybe 11am will be less stressful. Still get there by lunch. 

I got mine with COTA. But I was 64 when taken out. Check the age  on their website. Was cheaper than my quote for my 6 week trip. 

OK change in protocol today, effective immediately. 

I got an email about my Carnival cruise on Monday. 

Govt advisory for all cruises departing Australia. No Covid vax or test required. 

On 8/24/2023 at 9:57 AM, JohnGc said:

Would really like to do the one from Honolulu to Brisbane, maybe in 2025 as we have already booked two cruises for 2024. Did you enjoy all the sea days? As the wife and I are into our 80s I feel the sea days would suit us fine.🙂 

Yes. We liked the sea days. I do the exercise classes, and trivia, lectures etc. And we like reading, playing games. Its quite relaxing. 

Cruising homer is very nice. We cruised home from Honolulu to Sydney. 

We've done Sydney to Vancouver too. That can be timed with an Alaskan cruise. 

And Singapore to Southampton.

All good.  

On 8/11/2023 at 4:23 AM, yogimax said:

And those of us who do not remove the tips are subsidizing those who do.

 

When people are given a choice they are entitled to make that choice. Make the system the same for everyone then it's not an issue. Australia started including tips for this reason.

Thanks for the report. And the heads up on Brunch. I normally eat breakfast late so that's perfect. Also the reminder about the Indian food. I love it but hubby doesn't (except my butter chicken) so I rarely have it. 

We went on Splendor many years ago in America. We thought it was a lot of fun. For the price point I think they are good. 

I generally like the Comedy Club but last year on the Melbourne Cup cruise they weren't up to par. Pity. Hopefully our Sept 4 cruise is better.  

Looking forward to relaxing onboard. 

I just got an email about my upcoming cruise on Carnival. I have yearly insurance. The PDF states Covid is covered but it doesn't specify it on my printout. Nor does it specify cruises. It's just The World. 

Are they really going to be that picky?  I need to get Insurance for my hubby still.

It states 

NOTE: Guests traveling on a South Pacific cruise that calls on New Caledonia (Noumea or Lifou) must present printed proof of travel insurance at time of check-in. The selected international travel insurance must have both cruise and COVID coverage. Guests may also be requested to present it during the cruise. Any guest who is unable to provide proof of holding suitable travel insurance will be denied boarding. 
 

On 6/28/2023 at 1:42 PM, ceeceeDee said:

Although I lived in Sydney for 20 odd years, I am definitely not a city mouse. Really enjoy our little corner of the Gold Coast and of course the weather.

However my absolute favourite place is Upper Crystal Creek NSW. Only an hour or so drive from the Gold Coast but a great get away from it all spot.

We lived in Sydney our whole life. We moved from Sydney to the Gold Coast in 2020. Absolutely love the lifestyle and the weather. I do love that rural places are so close. We have a motorhome and go away every month for 3-5 days. Will definitely look at Upper Crystal Creek. Thanks

On 6/13/2023 at 8:34 AM, MMDown Under said:

I'm sorry I don't understand your answer.

 

Inside cabin fare for 16 day Azamara Norwegian Cruise from $3392 pp plus $500USCredit, with no gratuities.

 

I got $1.45US for my Australian Dollar on my first trip to the US, so I understand the effects of the current weakness of our dollar.

It's calculated into the fare. Some cruiselines have the option to include gratuities or not. There is a price difference. It seems Azamara dont give you a choice. I love Azamara.