MMDown Under

Yes I agree. I am currently on holidays for 17 days on the Sunshine Coast. I bring all my own linen, towels etc and some basic food supplies. however, the accommodation company will be providing linen from August so there must now be a demand for that service. When my daughter lived in London we travelled together annually. She always paid less than I did for insurance also cruises than if I bought it in Australia.

Thank you. I’m pleased you enjoyed your cruises with Viking. They sounded appealing to me. I extended my long haul flying by flying business class so have one long flight to UK left in me!

I understand your problems. If your group has your heart set on GBR your only choice is a ship excursion because of timing. I would research to see if some of other required activities are on elsewhere independently. No, I haven’t cruised on P&O. The Indian meals were so good I ordered them often. The Asian food in buffet was very good. I only discovered the food was different on each side of the ship in the buffet half way through cruise. I had an omelette made to order fresh every day. You just need to be selective and visit buffets before they have been messed up by passengers.

I enjoyed Luminosa to GBR as a Senior Solo last year, so don't have comments relevant to family cruising. However, You mentioned a negative was the excursions were super expensive. You can travel independently less expensively. My favourite place from Airlie Beach is Gloucester Resort. You might like to consider hiring a vehicle (for 7) like I did (for 1) to have a delicious beachfront seafood lunch at Gloucester Resort and a cold drink at Dingo Beach hotel on the way back. They will pick you up at ship and return you to ship in time. ( I walked to the Markets prior to my car trip.) There are paid beach activities at Dingo Beach which teenagers might enjoy. In Cairns, you can get a day bus pass cash only ($4 for Senior) and travel all day. I went to beautiful Palm Cove in the Northern Beaches (signs no swimming due to stingers, but swimming in two beaches south of there). There were activities to rent on the beach, when there are no stingers. In Port Douglas you can just walk to town and beach. There was swimming there in swimming enclosure because a worker was skimming for stingers. Just stay away from the edge of the enclosure. There was a small boat tour available from the wharf. Luminosa is a beautiful ship. Food was good. Loved hand made fresh pizzas until 4 am.

I would love to cruise to Darwin annually, but cruising regularly is not available, so I fly there. Last year, I cruised with Coral Expeditions, on a small ship, to Darwin, which was redeployed because WA closed their borders due to the pandemic. It was a wonderful cruise from Cairns, with stops at Cooktown, Lizard Island, an island which sold pearls and pearl shell ornaments, an island with its own Robinson Crusoe and my favourite island, which supported fishing charters.

It receives a lot of coverage by small and some medium adventure ships.

Would that cruise be after the charter?

The smaller ships usually offer more ports as well as longer stays in ports. Would be interested on your comments on Viking. They must believe in the future of small ships, as they built a fleet of them.

And receiving publicity worldwide. I’ll be watching all day as I fell asleep last night. The British are in a class of their own for Pomp and Ceremony and organisational skills. I went to Windsor for Harry’s wedding and to see it first hand is impressive. I’ve also enjoyed events for the Queen in London.

Thank you

Coral Expeditions. This small company has expanded from the Kimberley to Tasmania and the small islands of the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Now they are cruising the wild islands of South Australia and Raja Amat and the Spice Islands. www.coralexpeditions.com

I am with them also. Can someone explain why I would need to change my Drivers License and Passport (which both have my photo on them)? The Govt must be making a fortune in charges.

Yes that could be the answer. I remember my daughter being astounded that her flatmate in Toronto, Canada had never seen the ocean, something most Australians and Kiwis take for granted. Australians are used to driving long distances to see what they want to see. We just drove to Canberra for its National Folk Festival. A daughter is currently driving around Australia in her van. Another daughter is planning a visit to Thailand and the USA this year. Neither is interesting in cruising despite me giving them a cruise each.

Yes that is what I meant, but didn't express well. In my opinion, Aust and NZ have it all - friendly people, beautiful unique scenery, interesting unique wildlife, good healthy food, etc. I feel cruises could be more successful by spending longer time in ports encouraging visitors to meet locals. Eg a short island cruise from Brisbane to Moreton Island, Mooloolaba, Fraser Island and Stradbroke Island. I have holidayed on these beautiful islands plus Heron Island and Lady Elliott Island (Lady Musgrave Island to go). In addition, there are many beautiful islands in Central/North Queensland which maybe could be visited by smaller ships. The disadvantage of smaller ships are they are expensive.

Agree. I've seen passengers wrapped in blankets! i always take a merino neck warmer which I can pull over my nose in the cold wind.

Yes I agree limited. Maybe I should have said "desirable". I used to stop over on South Pacific islands annually en route to USA or UK. Planning these visits always excited me, with the journey being as enjoyable as the destination. I don't feel that way when I consider most cruises on offer in Australia or not on offer north during our winter.

I should have clarified my comments didn't refer to small ships which are world class, based in Cairns.

Yes, cruising from Australia and NZ. I can, and do, cruise often from overseas, so know what we are missing in selection.

My cruise from Germany to NY had quality entertainment. too many languages brought out the worse in some passengers. Shared a table with a Dutch chef and his Italian wife so we ate well!!

True. But beach holiday houses are booked out so they must be doing something right!

Why do you think cruising isn’t as successful in Australia as it should be? AFTER ALL- Australia is an island Australians and Kiwis are great adventurous travellers Australians have generous leave entitlements (.recreation and long service leave) WHY - Australians are not the focus of cruise planning in Australia Cruising here is to fit in with the northern winter not to complement our climate Some cruiselines charge in US$ when the Aussie dollar is weak Some cruise lines spend too little time in port etc. what do you think?

Accom Caloundra is a three generation success story. They offer holiday accommodation at different price points depending on the season. Not everyone wants top shelf, priced accordingly. The cheap season allows me to holiday with two dogs at Caloundra annually. I think cruise lines could do the same.

I think MSC should base a 2000 ship here before it goes to the wreckers. Just try for one whole year. You need to hang in there to create a market. MSC should research how many people of Italian descent live in Australia. plus how many people like me love Italians!

Do you think Luminosa might cruise from Brisbane to Sydney for Music Cruise charter?

I’m so glad I did GBR Cruise on Carmivals Luminosa. It was a fabulous cruise on a beautiful ship. I’m happy to cruise again if a GBR cruise aligns with my holiday free time.