MMDown Under

It is sad really how the food in the MDR is no longer seen as the highlight of cruising, as it used to be. Now one is meant to pay extra for special occasions at cover charge restaurants. I think passengers have lost the plot when they pay these extra charges, which are no longer token charges!

What is extra % for solo? Maybe cruise lines will realise they will get more money from a solo passenger than an empty cabin. Small ships offer no single supplement on remaining cabins.

Yes, Ireland is a gift which keeps on giving. It continues to bring a smile to my face.

I understand how your 16 year old granddaughter must be feeling, plus her mother, which is why your daughter should email the PM to expedite her passport.

Suggest your daughter send an urgent on line email to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, advising her situation re needing a passport for her daughter prior to Monday, when they are booked to fly to NZ. I would also send a copy to her Federal Member of Parliament.

I agree a stroll around the gardens and the small houses of Port Chalmers was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours, after touring elsewhere. We also visited Careys Bay Historic Hotel on Otago Harbour nearby.

That is so funny. Did you eat your English breakfast? I've had some funny experiences ordering tea. In London, I ordered a cup of tea. It arrived a cup of milk tea. When I said I wanted black tea, the lady snapped I should have said back tea. Lesson learned. In Louisiana, USA we ordered a cup of tea. Imagine our shock when iced tea, with ice cubes, arrived! On my first trip to UK, I was the sole driver, with two non drivers. I also drove from Scotland to Belfast. Being a tiny car, they squashed my car on last, partly on the flap! Being the time of the Troubles, it was less expensive to leave our car in Londonderry and hire another car to tour Ireland. Getting used to the new clutch, I kangaroo hopped into Ireland. I always remember picking up an elderly gentleman, who kept saying "begorrah, tis the end of my days". We ended up going to a local show with this old man, such a fun day. The joys of independent travel. We've driven around Ireland a few times since, the last for a daughter's schoolies. The last cruise I seriously looked at booking was around Ireland, but I got cold feet because of Covid.

What a good idea. Little white dogs adorable.

Well done! That is interesting that the price for Christmas 2023 cruise with Celebrity has dropped $1500 already. How does it compare with Christmas 2022 cruises costwise?

Bon Voyage, Linda, for your Baltic cruise. What is ship and itinerary? I loved our Baltic cruise. I thought I'd love to go back, without St Petersburg. I loved St Petersburg but not the expensive visa and Russian control. Now of course, they probably no longer stop there.

I didn't like beaver tails either, as mine had cinnamon on it!

What is bald prairie? I googled it, but it came up as a town in Texas.

So cute. Pity they have to grow up so quickly.

Once we stayed at the Empress Hotel, one of Canada's grand railway hotels. It was very expensive and not worth it for the basic accommodation we chose. However, we loved the waterfront location and the feeling of being part of history. So we used to eat there every time we visited Victoria. The High Tea wasn't worth the price, but they used to have a wonderful "Indian" restaurant at the back with stuffed animals on the walls. The food was good and it had a fabulous atmosphere like being a guest at a historic home in England. We found another place down town which had a fabulous High Tea. Victoria is very popular with Americans because it is just like being in England. I'm not surprised the decent value hotels, where we used to stay later, have been bought by the Government to house the homeless.

Glad you are cruising with a lot of CC'ers on this thread. Will be nice to have company. Bon Voyage!

I didn't like Poutine in Quebec.

Just remember the aim is for you to loose at the Casino.

Yes I cancelled a domestic cruise from Cairns prior to Covid, when Insure and Go wouldn't give me insurance more than four months prior to the cruise. I had insured with them for years with no claims.

I hadn't heard of chips with curry sauce, nor gravy. However, I've seen chips with mayonnaise in Europe and vinegar in England. Ive had haggis in Scotland.

oops balti (spellcheck)

When I was last in Glasgow I had a delicious curry lunchtime special at an Indian Restaurant. I didn't realise that Glasgow was known for good Indian food. Whilst Birmingham is well known for its many baltic restaurants.

Thanks but it didn't open again. Reading your summary cruising under those conditions didn't appeal.

Attachment wouldn't open.

I used to be ignorant about the difference in costs charged in Australia and overseas for the same overseas cruise, until I used to travel with my daughter who lived in London. I booked overseas cruises direct, so no Commission involved.

Because $1Aus currently is worth $.69c US!