MMDown Under
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Posts posted by MMDown Under
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4 hours ago, Port Power said:
I did this one with my mother when she was 90. She loved it! We had an accessible cabin due to her walker. She went on all the excursions; there was a mini bus for transferring to two events. We did the 7-days, but if splitting, the 4-day was more interesting that the 3-day cruise.That is an excellent suggestion. I knew there was a reason for me saving the Murray River cruise to later!
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11 minutes ago, CDaze71 said:
I am booked on the Royal Princess to NZ in December, and as I'm booked on a standard fare I would like to know current pricing of the extras. Plus any tips specifically related to Royal.
I didn't book the PLUS FARE because I'm travelling with my teen this time and didn't think it'd be worth it. Hubby will join us in Sydney for Christmas on disembarkation. So it'll just be 1 Adult and 1 Child. Plus I am Elite and get those benefits too.
So with that in mind, what are the current costs of:
* Bottles of water (only needed if the tap water is not nice).
* OceanNow $ per person.
* Cheapest bottle of house white wine
* Is corkage for my bringing on more than the first "free" bottle $30 per bottle now?
* Cans of Soft Drinks - was thinking it'll be too heavy to bring some onboard with me in Sydney as we are flying in.
* Cocktails - Anyone have AUD price lists?
* How much is an Alfredo's Pizza? I need to be able to order a no cheese pizza, and was hoping the pizza by the slice place would allow special orders, but can't be sure on this.
* Cocktails prices and lists.
* Elite Lounge (5pm to 7pm in the Vista Lounge - how much are the discounted cocktails (list)? I had Plus previously, so I didn't look for the discounted drinks.
I am sure as this thread gets going I will have more questions, but the could also help others now that Princess ships are returning to Australia for the summer. Thanks.
The small cans of soft drink aren't heavy, so might suit you.
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You might find less sweet food and more salty food on Australian ships. For example, less sweet teas and more traditional tea. Less sweet breakfast food, no grits.
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23 hours ago, Taykee1 said:
Sydney if full of so many beautiful restaurants, I have eaten at quite a few of them. If you want within walking distance from your hotel, Try Aalia in martin Place (middle eastern). Mr Wong (asian), Ragazzi (Italian), Lotus (asian) down at Barangaroo. Also nice to catch the Ferry from Circular Quay across to Watson bay and have lunch at Watsons Bay hotel right near the pier (bucket of fresh prawns and a beer not better way to spend a nice lunch on Sydney Harbour). If you want to catch the bus or train up to Surry Hills try Chin Chin's. If you are looking to have lovely views over sydney at night head up to the O Bar for a cocktail. These restaurants are designed to share food, this makes it more affordable and you get to try some really great food. I hope this helps.
Whenever I'm in Sydney, I catch the ferry to Watson's Bay and have sole and salad at the cafe on the pier. Of course you can gave fish and chips. Nice view of harbour with ferries coming and going.
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2 hours ago, arxcards said:
Yes. It doesn't need to be new, just empty. To make it easier, place it in a tray at security screening. This applies to Australian cruises for both Carnival and P&O Australia.
I noticed lots of people take an empty water bottle in their hand luggage and fill it up at a water cooler once they pass through security.
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On 10/5/2024 at 2:32 PM, Blackduck59 said:
So, we went to a presentation last week from a Holland America rep that was arranged by our local travel agency. It was quite informative and of course there was a sales promotion. There was some great deals with low deposits and large OBC values. We decided to sit down with our TA today and we booked an Alaska cruise tour for next year, in the end of August. We will actually be on land longer than at sea. Lynn has wanted to see the Yukon and this tour works well. I spent 7 weeks in the Yukon in the summer of 1977 and we are going to places I remember from that time. We will actually be in Dawson City for my birthday. We will be on Koningsdam this time.
Sounds like a great Alaskan cruise tour you have booked for August next year. You might like to check the weather because when we were in Alaska, at the end of the tourist season, it snowed in the Yukon. Like your wife, I'd love to spend more time in the Yukon. We only did an overnight trip.
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On 10/8/2024 at 5:11 AM, Muffinz said:
thanks for all the advice - looks like we'll pack for hot and not so hot weather 🙂
good idea I'm a Queenslander who regularly visits Tasmania in summer. Queensland warm weather clothing is not warm enough for Tassie summer cold weather. So all my warm sweat shirts have been bought in Tassie. I didn't realise how many until people overseas asked me where I lived in Tasmania. Tassie has great warm weather clothing which go in my overseas box.
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1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:
So far our cruises have been relatively unaffected by any of the hurricanes, Helene delayed our boarding but otherwise, good weather and smooth seas.
Fingers crossed it remains so.
You are lucky with two hurricanes so close together.
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If cruise ships don't visit my favourite South Pacific islands, I fly. I'm visiting the Cook Islands - Aitutaki and Rarotonga for 7 days in May for a special birthday. The package includes a day cruse on the lagoon at Aitutaki with a visit to One Foot Island. This was a highlight of our first visit.
We are flying to Lord Howe Island from the Gold Coast in a small plane in November for another special birthday, The scenery on this island is spectacular.
I fell in love with the South Pacific islands when we used to stop over on the islands en route to the USA/UK.
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46 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:
There were a few events.
1 We had to switch gates and planes just as boarding commenced. So slightly delayed as bags had to be transferred.
2 Our shuttle was pushed back 3 hours due to the shop coming in late and we had a bus full of Buddy cruisers, it was fun though.
I have been wondering how you were managing at the tail end of Hurricane Helene. Lots of damage and some loss of life. Came across land as level 4, with storm surges later etc .
Are you out at sea? If so, how is the ocean?
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4 minutes ago, SKSMIKE5 said:
BUCHHALM thank you for the recommendations - they sound great!. We enjoy Greek so we will definitely give PLOOS a try as well as check out the others to see what we are interested in. Good to have options! Also big lovers of gelato! Had it at least once if not twice a day on our 14 day visit to Italy.
Australia has excellent gelato because we have a large Italian population.
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2 hours ago, getting older slowly said:
Nice to see,will be on her in four weeks to NZ
Cheers Don
Bon Voyage, Don, Nice to see you cruising to NZ.
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On 9/6/2024 at 11:12 AM, arxcards said:
Good news.
I just assumed they would provide a refund if they were no longer cruising in Australia. I will apply to Virgin for a refund, as there is no sign at present they will be returning to Australia.
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14 hours ago, getting older slowly said:
Hi Leigh
Not much holidaying 2 cruises soon one to NZ and the other to south Aus on the Daimond and have 2 booked late 2025 on the discovey.
have been very busy with care for mum whom is 98 and living at home, along with myself having some health issues, poor balance, slow walking .doctor has some ideas but we will see
Cheers Don with Coffee on the lounge,
good to hear you are still cruising. wow 4 cruises is impressive. Bon Voyage!
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On 9/22/2024 at 10:32 AM, arxcards said:
Not so much that. It would be unfair for "us" to use up all the savings for the kids to have to support their remaining parent. Yes, they aren't entitled to an inheritance, but not deserving to be financially burdened either.
That is everyone's worry. My friend's mother, 100 plus, has had all her funds eaten with daily nursing home charges and now, by necessity, the family home, which she didn't want to sell, is on the market to meet future nursing home charges. What happens when this money runs out, if she continues to live a longer than expected life?
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20 hours ago, NSWP said:
Good photo which demonstrates just how close the Marriot is to the OPT, which is why it is so popular with cruisers from USA in particular.
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18 hours ago, Ozwoody said:
Only became aware of the increase recently, as we're doing a cruise with then in about 4 weeks.
Had been planning to take several bottles with us, but $30 bucks makes me think twice, may go tea total for the cruise.☹️
That is, except for the one each we take for cabin use.🤣
Good idea. You can always buy an occasional drink in port. $30 corkage is ridiculous. Who is making these rules? Many people in Australia buy a bottle of wine to enjoy with their meal for less than $30!!
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It would make life much easier for Seniors, if cruise lines had their own insurance policies. On my last cruise, from memory, Virgin offered insurance.
Qantas has its own insurance policy which makes it easy to fly Qantas.
Finding insurance for cruising turns me off cruising and I'm a tick under 80. Cruising including USA is now off limits. I flew to NY this year for a holiday, as a last trip to the USA prior to turning 80. I will continue to travel to the UK and other countries which offer reciprocal health coverage.
I still have nightmares of my husband's serious asthma attack, whilst driving en route to Canada one Spring. This was due to the high pollen count shown nightly on the news, not age related. We couldn't drive into Canada from USA quick enough, even though we were both insured. Getting insurance, as Seniors, shouldn't be like this, it should be a simple process to give you peace of mind, just like car insurance. You pay it, hoping you never need to use it!
Fortunately I travelled a lot overseas during my life, and have a lot of Australia/NZ yet to see.
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On 9/23/2024 at 9:26 AM, NSWP said:
Your family has an interesting selection of dogs, Les. Irish Wolfhound (daughter), Irish Setter and English Setter (grand daughter), You'll have to attach a photo of your grand daughter's dogs. Les.
Is your grand daughter still living in the Sunshine State? You certainly live in a beautiful place for them to visit. Like living on the Gold Coast, no shortage of visitors! Keep well and enjoying life!
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7 hours ago, Mycruiseobsession said:
That's lucky! We have pre existings that always hike the price up (including Qantas)
Looks like I need to get a lot more cruises in before I can't afford "seniors" insurance!!
I'd read on cruise critic about insurance premiums going up at 80, so had a serious year of travel prior to 80. .
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i had a bottle of ginger cordial removed. i take it everywhere to prevent nausea turning into sea sickness. Took me awhile to get it back before anticipated rough seas.
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Who came up with such a clever idea? Imagine having the World as your base and flying off wherever you wished.Then return to cruise your favourite parts of the world.
Has anyone on here cruised on it or live on it?
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1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:
Warning, Warning,
For all us cruise addicts, please do not go to the Sydney harbour between 7-10 October.
Apparently the World will be in port and we wouldn't want to lose any of us to such a ship.
If you did book on it, when would you enlighten us with your anecdotes here on CC.
How wonderful for guests to spend 4 days in Sydney. Hope the city puts on good weather for them.
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Live From – Crown Princess 26 Oct Round Australia Cruise
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Posted
Adelaide has a lovely zoo with pandas.