MMDown Under

Remember when we used to send lots of postcards when we cruised? The cruise line would give you some postcards of the ship, plus stationery and a pen in a compendium. You used to put written postcards in a box for the ship to send on our behalf. Well today I posted a light 9g card to USA - cost $3.50, if you please. If you sent 10 that would have been $35! I asked the man at the post office for stamps please, but he still gave me a while postage sticker. I said I asked for stamps please. Children want to see letter came from Australia. He didn't blush when he said he didn't have any $3.50 stamps. I replied I would get them in the city. Then he reluctantly pealed off the sticker, gave me my money back and got me to sign a refund docket. When he saw I had put I wanted stamps under reason for refund, he decided to ask someone out the back. He came to the front desk and showed him where the stamps were in the drawer, so he put $3.50 stamp on letter and stamped it and I gave him money again for stamp and he gave me change. Now you know why stamps cost $3.50.

Well done. We drive ourselves in hire cars in NZ. Love the tiny distances compared to Aust.

Agree with you. All the long cruises, which I have done, were on big tables of well travelled interesting people. I would hate to change tables every night and go through the introductions all over again. You can always ask to be shifted if you aren't happy with your tablemates. In fact we had one middle aged couple who joined out table because we were obviously having fun.

90 mins on hold well spent! Well done!

Just make sure you declare your duty free purchases as they keep a record.

I was surprised recently when I booked an Ibis in Adelaide with a credit card hold, I could cancel without penalty until 6 pm on day of arrival. I then paid by credit card on arrival on the day. I think this is a great initiative, as people are reluctant to book ahead because of Covid.

What would the ship be with the least number of passengers?

I was thinking the same thing.

Thanks Yvonne. I do have friends in the US.

I thought if I ever booked with that TA again I could ask them to use the money as a deposit, but I never booked with them again. Possibly too late now, but their records should show cheques weren't cashed

I have found if you book accommodation too far ahead you get the rack rate. But that mightn't be the case with your booking. I do a dummy booking through hotel, booking.com and trip advisor to compare rates.

I remember I was annoyed at the time because I bought them on a credit card and thought they would be funded in the same way.

No I don't think I went on the same cruise line on any future cruises. However, I'll check. It was with a private TA.

I lost two I bought because I didn't use them in the time period. They sent US$ cheques refund but I didn't know what to do with them.

How nice to be able to join friends on your next two cruises in October and November. I wish there were small and medium size ships cruising from Australia, then I'd cruise more often.

When my daughter worked in London, for a number of years, I used to do day trips by train to lots of different places. Brighten was one I enjoyed because I missed being on the ocean when I was away.

Anglers Paradise, Runaway Bay I notice there are a number of cruisers from the GC

Sorry, I meant a longer period where you didn't loose your deposit eg 2 months in lieu of 6 months. I usually don't book until after final payment when fares come down or specials, like no single supplement, are offered.

What suburb do you live on the GC Queenslander?

Sorry to hear that you lost your only son to cancer recently as well as your husband. I was taught to count my blessings and it helps to have a positive outlook on life. I find older people who are still fit are the best dancers and love to watch them dance. My girlfriend's mother used to always have to be the boy when she danced with her sisters. They were beautiful dancers. May you continue to cruise for many years yet. I'm researching travel to England for the King's Coronation next year, so have started researching cruises which will be on then.

That is good to know. There is a movie theatre in Brisbane and GC where you can apply to win theatre tickets. I have won two free tickets every time. However we always buy a drink to have at my seat in appreciation.

Agree you need to know the answer before you phone.

Yes $2.50 all day travel in Sydney. Free senior travel in Adelaide. Concession theatre tickets. Certainly stretches the travel budget. Too bad about all the aches and pains, which I don't remember my grandmother mentioning.

Whilst I'm happy to travel on my own, I'm basically shy. There was no way I could get up and dance with those dance partners they had on ships to dance with single travellers. And I used to adore dancing. I also couldn't get up and speak on a microphone! One advantage of getting older, I find people are kind to older people and happy to offer assistance.