rugbypopsie

You wont see much from the train to Alice Springs...I would suggest you fly to Alice Springs and hire a campervan to get to Ularu and the wonderful areas around there...camp out in the desert. Be aware the temperatures are very very hot in the summer..and nights can be cold. Our Spring or Autumn is probably best. The bus from Sydney to our Capital Canberra is cheap and quick..plenty to see and do there. Including more kangaroos than you are likely to see anywhere else in Australia.

I would suggest a cruise to the islands from Brisbane or Sydney is the best way to incorporate them into your holiday plans..probably at the end of the holiday..you'll be tired..its big place and your plans are ambitious.

Heres a link that might be useful

http://www.australia.com

Its good to remember while we are enjoying a luxurious holiday many of the places we visit could do with a helping hand. We make a point of purchasing something made in the village, plus taking something along if we are visiting a school or orphanage. Pencils, reading books, sporting equipment like balls etc are always popular..plus money!

If you are organising a private tour for your roll call think about including a visit to a school or orphanage..I have happy memories of having to reciprocate by teaching school kids the "hokey pokey" in Thailand after they had sung a danced so beautifully for us. In reality it was an opportunity for the children to practise their english skills...to a bunch of highly untalented tone deaf aussies.

Some of lifes best memories did not cost a lot..Travel well and leave smiles behind you..it'll make you feel good too.

Sue

Yes.

 

They use the specialty restraurant that is not open that evening.

Thanks Cheryl and I will look forward to it...hope we get to cruise together again sometime. I was looking longingly at the Diamond again this year..but as you can see a bit busy..Keep well.

Sue

I really enjoyed meeting up with cruisie mates in the elite/platinum lounge on the Diamond..food varied...but in any case it beats the hell out of the Captains Cocktail party.

Do they do it on the Ocean Princess?

Sue

Senior moment that would be the 2 dayer on 15th November (unless I stow away) LOL

Sue

Another shortie for me Radiance Syd/Syd 17th Nov 12

Sue

That is interesting. As I've never heard of a two for one offer with Princess. Are those offers sent to existing clients?

 

I was recently briefly excited by a two for one offer with MSC from Venice to Copenhagen. However, the dates didn't quite fit, and many of the times in port were short.

Yes it was Princess but they already had a booking so they cancelled that paid the fee and made a new booking...its easier in the US than it is here. Still came out many thousands of dollars in front. They were US cruisers.

The offers didn't go to existing bookings but they saw it anyway. Same as I saw the $4000 drop on my Cherry Blossom cruise because they sent it to my son...boy was I unhappy.

Sue

Full page spread in todays Sunday paper on the Sun Princess World Cruise for this year.

Big savings on the full cruise and the half world cruise.

Still a lot of money though , and for that lengh of time away , it would need a lot of planning in advance.

 

Much as I would love to do a world or at least Southampton to Sydney I want a different ship from the Dawn or the Sun. Recently met cruisers on the Pacific Princess which starts from Fort Lauderdale...that ship appeals...come on lotto. By the way they got a two for one offer....so cancelled their original booking and took the offer.

Sue

By the way the "hotel charge" was billed to my account last week on the Dawn Princess...I thought there was no hotel charge on ships based in Australia??? Could it depend on where you booked your ticket US vs Australia?

Sue

No Rick please dont do that..... ask away...we are actually nice (well 99.9%) of us are. They say there's one in every bunch and we have one here too..:(

Sue

Thank you to all who answered my query accordingly.

 

 

 

Was that directed at me? If so I find it highly offensive that you would derive at that with my simple question of tipping practice on ships based in different countries in order to do what is most appropriate :mad: I did not expect such behaviour to be displayed in a cruise forum full of seemingly mature adults, shame on you :mad:

It was certainly NOT directed at you and my apologies if you took it that way.

Your question was fine and I hope you got the information you were needing.

I am sure you will enjoy your cruise on Celebrity its on my list to try in the near future too.

Sue

Australia enjoys one of the lowest percentages of unemployment in the developed world...check it out.

Why do the fruit and vegetable growers here use students, backpackers and overstayers to pick fruit...because most Australians dont want menial work...because we have choice...something workers on the cruise ships don't have in their home countries...they are not taking any jobs from Australians...at all.

We live in a privileged and well supported society.. certainly for those of us who can afford to cruise... lucky us...at least we can show some compassion for those not so fortunate, not look down our noses and make idiotic statements. Personally I dont care who tips and who doesn't its a personal decision. If you are cruising on an Australian based ship the "tip" is built into your fare..if you want to tip for service above that its your choice. Some ships get you to prepay "tips" and in return you can have anytime dining, it varies from cruise line to cruise line.

But wherever you travel you represent our country do it proudly but without arrogance or ignorance.

Just remember the world looks in on our discussions...don't make us look like ill educated, uninformed twits....please.

Rubbish.....Australians would not work for the wages offered on cruise ships for the general staff like cabin stewards, laundry staff, dish washers etc.

How unkind..."if they choose to work for low wages" honestly....most of the staff come from countries where unemployment is high and social security safety nets are basic or non existent...why sneer at them when all they are doing is more than a good days work...they work very very hard, separated for long periods from their families to provide an income for their families back home.

Tip or don't tip its up to the individual we have been over this subject so many times, but for heavens sake don't sneer or look down on honest hard working staff doing their best to give you a great holiday.

Another shortie...Dawn Princess Syd to Brisbane 18th May 2012

Sue

It is obvious from this and other threads that the Blue Mountains area is heavily promoted but with limited time in Sydney there are so many other options closer to the city.

Feel free to ask away if you need more information on other things to do while in Sydney.

Sue

Rugbypopsie 14th March Melbourne to Sydney Dawn Princess

Sue

I love having room service deliver me my morning cuppa. Take a small thermos and pop up to the buffet if you want a number of morning wake ups.

Or take a plunge coffee maker and use that.

Honestly you really don't need all this extra stuff to cart around. Keep it simple and enjoy yourself.

If you are paying for a Visa on arrival make sure that you have the exact money and all notes. Do not try to pay with debit or credit cards.

What currency?

As is obvious from this thread the ship charters the train to make money I have found it better to do things independently or as part of something organised through the roll call..but...when it is something I REALLY dont want to miss and this train would be part of it...I use the money I have saved from not doing all the other ships tours and just pay the ship! No stress.

Incidentally I have been in Auckland on Christmas Day and yes it was shut apart from Tarlintons. I suppose they are trying to let the crew have some down time on Christmas Day by being in port.

Apparently its going to take a billion dollars to turn the Opera House into a decent Opera House other than that is a great building...I've an idea it would make a jim dandy cruise terminal instead.:p They could use it and maybe the Quay and put the ferries on the other side of the bridge. (just kidding).

Sutho, they could tender people off to alleviate traffic...but what about the tonnes of stores etc. that must come on semi trailers?

Also the sailors that used to arrive on the aircraft carriers did not have ten suitcases each LOL.

I am just still kicking myself I did not buy a terrace in Potts Point when I could have bought one for a song...I would have been doing a lot more cruising if I had some foresight.

At least they are still talking about what to do I guess thats a plus.

They would need to do something about traffic in the area if they were to have cruise ships berthed there.

Personally despite being a member of the "Navy Family" as they call us I think a naval base in the centre of Sydney is pretty ridiculous.

Why cant Jervis Bay be expanded? I live on the Central Coast how about a Naval Base in Newcastle...:) Anyway it seems all the action is to the north of Australia and the West..that is where we need more naval ships.

As for six new ships...I'll believe it when I see it. My boy is 3 years in the navy joined up to go on submarines (yes I thought he was crazy too ships are meant to float)..he might actually get on one before his hitch is up maybe....they have more ships out of service than in service at the moment.

I saw that one too....bugger..moving otherwise I might have been tempted to go see Navy Boy in Perth:mad:

I'm being sorely tempted by Brilliance of the Seas Dubai to Amsterdam via Suez Canal, Egypt, Gibralter etc..twin oceanview including flights, taxes and gratuties and two nights in Dubai $5239.

April next year.

but I probably wont

I can't find anything for the same price ... I give up . . . must be a sign that I am not meant to go

Hi Tamarah,

Did you look at the Diamond Princes prices for this year to NZ? time for you to cruise again. Rhapsody has some good prices for solos to cruise too.

Sue