MMDown Under

What age were your children? What a wonderful experience for your family, We did the same with our girls but we went overseas. It was the best thing we ever did as a family. We have only driven to Kalbarri WA and back along the south from Queensland.

On Hurtigruten, they had separate lectures for English and German speakers. On MSC, In addition to all the dfferent languages, it was difficult to understand the English speakers for things like trivia. When there was a mini mutiny on board with passengers not following directions, I knew I'd never want to be on a ship with many different languages in a real emergency. I haven't cruised with them since (2010).

I loved flying around staying a week at each place.

I always thought they were good value. I think they would be wonderful in Australia with just a couple of main languages, say English and Italian. Too many languages brought out the worst in people (rude and arrogant). I loved the itineraries, the spotless ships and the quality entertainment).

Good idea. I did two cruises on MSC but don’t think they included flights. They have so many cruise ships I thought they could do a trial of a medium ship based in Australia. There is a large population here of Italian descent. We shared a table with an Italian lady on one cruise where we ate like Kings on her recommendations.

I must admit I didn't think cruising around Australia would be as popular as it is. Could it be because we are an ageing population and people are getting too old to drive around?

My younger daughter is currently driving around Australia in a van. She fell in love with SA, the Nullarbor and SW WA. She said there was so much to see and do along her route, she could have spent twice as long. Australia is a big beautiful country best savoured at a slower pace. I flew around Australia once on an air pass but always dreamt about driving around. We have driven the bottom half.

Trouble is Australia doesn't have many safe harbours for shipping.

I agree. Our local bakery fits in that category. Often a sultana scone or two will be added to my order for free!

Dont use commercial tomato sauce Use home made tomato sauce and you'll be hooked We bought a small jar of bennys real tommo sauce, on our recent travels, tomatoes, capsicum, red onion, brown sugar, sherry vinegar salt and spices. i buy home made whenever i can as it is so much better.

It was an Italian ship with many Italian passengers, Some were sick at the dining table!!

Not when passengers are sea sick. On my first Australian cruise from Sydney to Fremantle most passengers were sick in the Great Aust Bight. Turned me off cruising for 30 years!

The cruiselines won’t change unless we change. Same old ships, same old itineraries, etc. I used to fly to the US/Uk annually with stopovers on South Pacific islands. Currently looking at the Cook Islands and Tahiti.

Maybe it is time for fly/cruise packages from Melbourne during the winter.

I agree it is buyer beware. I was surprised at the cost of accommodation. When we recently wanted accommodation stopover en route from GC to Canberra, I didn't prebook because I didn't know how far we'd feel like driving. When our choice was full, I'd ask friendly staff at reception for an alternate recommendation. Works every time. We stayed at Foreshore Caravan Park Nambucca Heads on way down ($140 fr 2). It was two bedroom well equipped spotless waterfront cabin (No.1). On way back we stayed at a spotless well equipped motel at Karuah, off the highway Karuah Motor Inn ($132 for 2). (There was a waterfront caravan park there, but we arrived on dark.) Both had excellent friendly staff. (The worst motels we have ever stayed at were in southern USA. We used to check room before we booked room.)

That must have been when I was cruising overseas.

I feel sorry for Melbourne/SA/Tas people who want a warm winter. When I visited Hobart in January, I lit a wood fire most nights!! Yes it was a shock to me too when I discovered cruises north in our winter just don't exist. When I last visited Sanctuary Cove, everyone enjoying a coffee in the sun seemed to be from South Australia. Seems the airlines understand the need to offer specials north in the winter, It was a beautiful warm sunny Queensland winter day, which we take for granted,

Sounds good. Is that for a window cabin? How many ports? The cruise I quoted has 17 ports.

I know it sells out because that route is very popular, as well as to Europe similar route return. I was waitlisted once, but had made other plans when it came through. (Later I jumped on one with Hurtigruten)

My friend who is going on this cruise sent me the details.

I don’t know. I haven’t been on any 25 day cruises from Aust. Recently. But it seemed reasonable to me for peak season.

I did the same on my recent camping trip. But put my warm pjs, dressing gown, scarf and beanie on, as it was 1c and 2c min at Easter in Canberra.

Not greedy! I would just like one quality medium sized ship based in Australia during our winter. I have had American friends ask why they can't cruise in Aust during their long summer school holidays! Diid you notice the 25 day cruise I listed cost $US 3499 Ocean View?

Love how you call it "the Coast", like we do. Used to be South Coast or North Coast to differentiate. Enjoy your few days.

ha ha! Hope you didn't get the gale force wind in Perth!