MMDown Under

Yes Milford Sound cruises were recommended to me. There used to be overnight cruises in Bay of islands.

NRMA sells its policies in Queensland. NSW people travel in Queensland

Thank you. Who can recommend any of these pie shops? Interesting limited to NSW Pies.

I realise I could never book early because I change my mind all the time. I'd hate to be locked in and something I liked better came up. At the moment, I'm researching - London Norway Tahiti North Island NZ I'm also following my younger daughter driving her van around Australia. My older daughter is researching Thailand and USA for Thanksgiving. I guess that is why I can book last minute, because I've done all my research.

Has anyone been on an adventure cruise in Fiji?

What adventure cruise ships operate in NZ. I recall there used to be small ship cruising in the Bay of Islands.

I know about cruising in the Kimberleys because I'm an Aussie. There has always been cruising there but on a smaller scale. Now I'm wondering what is available in NZ for adventure cruising, so I'm making another thread.

That applies everywhere in Australia. When I was in Hobart in January, they had sniffer dogs checking all the passengers getting off. Then they took the dogs to the automatic carousel with luggage coming off and dogs checked the ports as they came off.

I agree the ferry back to Sydney is the perfect relaxing end to a long day. I travel independently in the Blue Mountains but always end with the ferry back to Sydney.

If you don't want a particular cabin, I'd wait.

I'm intrigued with the name Samuel Gee Pies and Pastries. They won with a Vegetarian Sweet Potato, Spinach and Caramelised Onion Pastie. How times have changed, but it sounds delicious. I would love to try it!

Bon Voyage for your cruise!

The men in my circle were businessmen, who were tradies, so that might have made the difference. They were used to dressing up for social occasions. Whereas the men who had to dress for work every day, enjoyed not having to dress on holidays.

Sorry to hear there is a large fire on Vancouver Island, in addition to BC and Alberta.!

Thank you

Nova Scotia has worse wildfires on record. The fires are causing air pollution in the USA. How are the wildfires in the West?

You might want to consider the CWA at Toorak, bed and breakfast, where you would meet other older country and interstate ladies. I used to stay there every January for the Australian Tennis Open. It is in a beautiful neighbourhood, close to tram and bus public transport.

British Bites - Biscuits and Sweets plus Fray Bentos steak and kidney pies $8.99 Aldi on sale 7/6. also HP sauce and Lea&Perrins Sauces etc. Frys chocolate creams are favourites.

I went on Coral Geographer from Cairns to Darwin. We went on daily trips in small boats on board. Highlights for swimmers were snorkelling on two Great Barrier Reefs. Highlights for me were visits to Lizard Island and a number of small islands.

Worth asking. coral expeditions does sometimes. I’m cruised with them with no single supplement plus upgrade. You can register your solo interest. Register with Heritage Expeditions they have $1000 discount and upgrade at present. These two I’ve checked recently. It helps if you are happy to book close to sailing date so register with companies which appeal to you.

Silver Explorer will cruise the Kimberleys in 2023 and Silver Cloud in 2024 = Silversea (new). Kimberley Explorer in 2023 and 2024 - Heritage Expeditions (new). Le Laperouse and Le Soleal and Le Ponant sailing yacht in 2023 and 2024 - Ponant True North and True North II - True North Adventure Cruises 2023 and 2024 Coral Expeditions - Coral Geographer, Coral Adventurer and Coral Discoverer in 2023 and 2024 (based in Cairns).

That is impressive service! I had no idea we had liquefaction problems in Australia. First I heard of it was in Christchurch NZ. Have a wonderful holiday. How long?

I find men who don't have to dress for work, love to dress up on cruises. Whilst men who have to dress for work, with long sleeves and ties (in Queensland summer), love to dress casually on cruises. Now luggage limits are less on overseas flights, and passengers are flying with hand luggage to avoid luggage going missing. We used to fly with eight medium large suitcases (4x2), which we would fill with purchases - those were the days! Our luggage never went missing!!

Yes, when the ship is within the GBR the coastal views are beautiful. The cruise from Singapore to Sydney has a lot of beautiful coastal views. Enough for me to recognise well known features. I spent the cruise along the Coast on the deck with binoculars.

It is only when you read this, you realise what we have lost - the magic memories of cruising. No mention of the age or condition of the ships, just wonderful memories of cruising experiences. Auckland is being featured on Channel 9 Today Breakfast Show this morning, with a prize for families. Only three hours from Brisbane to Auckland, so I'm going to check cruises from Auckland, plus South Pacific flights.