MMDown Under

Sorry I was typing in bed. Too lazy to turn capitals off.

Has anyone heard a date for Virgin to return to cruising from Aust/NZ? Is it worth holding on to advance deposit? If not, how do you apply for a refund? I will not be cruising with them from overseas.

THAT IS GOOD TO HEAR I LOVE SMALL SHIP CRUISING.

PERFECT PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS - ENJOY!

THAT IS GOOD TO HEAR, AN ITINERARY IMPROVEMENT

THAT IS GOOD TO KNOW THANKS!

THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY DREAM WA CRUISE SINCE A LADY AT LOMBADINA, WHO TAUGHT AT THE ISLANDS, TOLD ME HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS TELL ME MORE!

By the way, everyone I spoke to was happy with their small cruise ship and raved about their itinerary and the food. I am thinking of doing a Kimberley cruise, from Darwin, plus a further cruise from Broome to Freemantle. Anyone done the latter cruise?

Sounds great with an interesting mixture of Asian, East Africa and South Africa ports Two nights in Cape Town would be a highlight. I think a balcony cabin on that cruise would be well worthwhile.

Yes they were mature couples, but fit and experienced travellers.

That is a shame, as both would have been highlight visits. Surely they have a responsibility to inform passengers. When my cruise ship rerouted via South Africa, due to the closure of the Suez, the amended itinerary became a highlight, East Africa, Kenya, Bombay, Ceylon, Perth, ?, Sydney to Brisbane, This is why I don't like current world cruises. I feel local cruises, with more interesting ports, are better value, My two half world cruises formed the benchmark for all future cruises.

I recently holidayed at Novotel, Darwin, NT. It had a bar in its Antrim with plants falling from the ceiling. There was a friendly bar where people gathered at the end of the day swapping tales of that day's adventures and future plans, They would make room for me to join them with my walker. They were such an interesting bunch of adventure travellers Many were taking various small ship cruises to Broome, or arriving from Broome. Darwin was the hub. In addition, passengers arrived on the Ghan or left on the Ghan. They also went on coach trips to Arnemland and the Kimberleys. Many did both train then cruise, or land travel. I had such a good time in warm Darwin, I plan to return for the Darwin Festival in August 2025..

Woohoo! The magic of making decision to make booking! Well done! Sounds like a perfect itinerary to do on Cunard. What are your ports of call?

I have always wanted to go on a cruise liner. I missed the earlier versions. So I may one day go on Cunard. I would be satisfied to eat in the buffet when necessary. I know I would enjoy the lectures and the library. I could take one dressy dress for dancing. Do they have dancing hosts for single passengers?

Your cruise experience is meant to be a happy experience. Clearly yours hasn't been. I hope Fair Trading puts pressure under this cruise line to do the right thing by its customers. This is clearly unexceptable! I, for one, wouldn't book a cruise with this cruise line. You can't beat word of mouth!

I'd love to read of your NZ travels. My first visit to NZ was a long car trip. I met a Canadian in Canada, in a mobile home, who kept a mobile home in NZ for his NZ travels. bazzmuche@hotmail.com

I have just booked a holiday in November on Lord Howe Island flying from GC on a small plane. On our last visit, the flight from Brisbane was able to land on the second attempt, but the Sydney plane had to return to Sydney,

I'm happy you and all the other passengers got to land on Easter Island. What a highlight to your WC, especially as so many past passengers have been unable to land. Looks like flights from Santiago to Easter Island is the way to go for guaranteed landing. Assuming all flights land.

Thank you for the great photos.

You were fortunate to be able to spend so long on Easter Island. Fireworks over Hanga Roa would have been a memorable experience.

You were fortunate to have two three/four night visits to Easter Island. Sounds like they were perfect visits to meet some locals, see the island and break the long haul journey. We used to do the same with other South Pacific islands en route to the USA. Those stopovers were the highlight of my overseas travels. Aitutaki, Cook Islands remains at the top of my return visit list.

What I don't like about world cruises is the lack of excitement. On my first half world cruise, the ship travelled from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, with a farewell ceremony at each. Then we cruised across the South Pacific islands via Panama Canal, to New York, then Rotterdam, to Southhampton. They held Greek dance classes every morning from 11 am, which I used to get up in time for. This cruise and the return cruise set the benchmark for all future cruises. When I look at current World Cruises most don't excite me.

My favourite airline to UK is Eva Air which flies north from Brisbane. I love their business class with tablecloths and find china. During its stopover in Bangkok we always have a shower and enjoy the delicious tropical fruit.

Recently I flew Economy Sky Couch with Air NZ from Auckland to JFK, and Houston to Auckland return I slept all the way to NY and most of the way back. Whoever thought of these seats in Air NZ deserves a medal. i was surprised how good the food was, served with alcohol. The short stopover in Auckland was a bonus to stretch my legs and look at the shops. Look a Air Nz website to see how it works.

GREAT ATTITUDE1 The only time I resented visitors were drought times when they wasted precious water in free public showers on the beach, when locals were restricted to watering gardens by hand by bucket.