MMDown Under

Delighted to hear that you are enjoying your cruise Down Under. I feel that way about Americans I meet in the USA.

What a smart idea. Your tour guide would have appreciated that you went to the trouble to buy a gift card.

My first cruise overseas was on two half world cruises in 1969/70. Chandris Lines' Queen Frederica to UK and P&O Chusan return to Australia. My next cruise from Sydney to Perth in 1971 on Lauro Lines' Angelina Lauro turned me off cruising for thirty years.

I did a cruise on Superstar Leo from Sydney to Darwin in 2003. The ship was returning to Asia after the SARS Epidemic twenty years ago.

I missed Israel's warning to citizens not to travel to Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

She has a stopover in Qatar. I had the same stopover in the past, when Qatar was being excluded by other Arab Countries, so I understand her concern.

Smile! I can relate to that!

Unfortunately there are a number of countries involved behind the scenes as well as Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Qatar. I agree five months is a long time in cruising, so hopefully there will be peace by then. In the meantime, there are a lot of cruise ports in the western Mediterranean.

One option would be for Aussies to fly to NZ or Fiji and round trip on medium size ships and cruise from there. I'm not as keen on long haul flights overseas to join cruises there as I used to be. My daughter is flying Qatar Airlines next month to NY and is worried about the current situation.

Cruise Lines start to cancel Middle Eastern Itineraries. CC News

I wonder how the fighting in the Middle East is affecting cruises. On my first cruise overseas, the Suez Canal was closed. Our ship from UK to Australia cruised home via South Africa, India and Ceylon.

I take quality coffee and tea bags.

6 Dollars for a coffee!! Premium "Hot" Tea is a better deal.

I was asked by an American why there were no cruises from Aust/NZ during their summer. Why indeed? Not all Americans want to only cruise in their winter. Some want to escape the heat of their summer. Think of all the snowbirds who return north in their summer. Maybe, if they knew about our cyclone season during their winter, they'd be less likely to cruise from Australia in summer. The season is until April, with the first cyclone this year in October. Americans don't cruise in the Caribbean during its hurricane season. There is an opportunity for other cruise lines, like MSC, Viking etc., to fill the gap of winter/spring cruising north in Australia.

I'm sorry you didn't have time to enjoy the Business Class Lounge, Julie. A pet hate is a rush, when you have been looking forward to the benefits of relaxing in the Lounge.

Would the 300 guests be travel agents and people in the cruise industry? Would be nice if representatives of children's charities and the fire brigade are included.

We were last off a ship once, with the announcement for all who are still on board to leave. We had a big balcony overlooking the Opera House and the busy ferries, which we wanted to enjoy as long as possible. We are happy to be close to last on board as well. On my last cruise in Brisbane, I was in last grouping on board with excellent service all the way.

Good to see you back!!

Always nice to be home again sleeping in your own bed, Les. Good to hear you can breathe with no pain.

When a ship can get under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Used to be a big ship before mega ships.

(I was thinking further afield South Sea islands like Tonga, Samoan islands, Cook Islands, Tahitian islands, Hawaiian islands, etc. Of course, smaller and mid size ships would be required.) Looking forward to hearing how you find the Regent cruise ship experience, Julie.

Bon Voyage! What an exciting adventure and wonderful trip you are going to have. You have demonstrated just what is missing with cruising opportunities from Australia. Yet we have beautiful South Sea islands and PNG passengers from the Northern Hemisphere can only dream about. If you have time in Laem Chabang, you might like to visit the beautiful Khao Kheow Open Zoo. We arranged for a private car to pick us up and return to the ship for a day at the Open Zoo.

White Bay Cruise Terminal - 4.30 to 18.30 Friday, 27/10/23. PortauthNSW.com.au

Oops Disney Wonder Disney Magic at Sea cruise. (Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida was a favourite family holiday place.)

Are you improving under the care of Batemans Bay Hospital, Uncle Les? Your CC friends are all wishing you well.