MMDown Under

They showed games live on Carnival's Luminosa. Right screens Soccer World Cup, left side Ice Hockey (no viewers).

Also Air Canada, who would only give credits when flights were cancelled due to Covid. After a very long time they eventually gave refunds to my friends. Elderly people are unlikely to use credits!! I've lost respect for Qantas even though I'm a frequent flyer. It is no longer national carrier.

Oh I'm guilty of filling thermos with boiling water to make tea. Usually first of day!

Disembarked on Sunday, 11/12 from 7 day cruise to Great Barrier Reef Absolutely loved my cruise on Carnival's Luminosa, a medium sized ship (I'm usually a small ship person). This is a really beautiful ship well decorated for Christmas - big Christmas tree with tree lighting ceremony, stationery for letters to Santa, ginger bread village by catering. I never tired of going up and down in the glass lifts over the atrium. I didn't have to wait for a lift up or down. Used my balcony every day perfect sunny tropical weather smooth seas all the way met the nicest friendly passengers and crew at all levels spotless ship Food on ship was excellent, if you were selective - freshly made thin pizzas from 4 to 4 am by the happiest staff member after a twelve hour day. (Are you going to visit port? No, I'm going to bed with a smile.) freshly made omelettes to order from 6am/6.30 am by bright as a button cook breakfast in restaurant/brunch on sea days from 8.30 am to noon. I ate a lot of Indian meals which were always good. fresh fruit - bananas and grapefruit were my choice pancakes and french toast normal breakfast meals etc. Note buffet meals are on both sides of ship. Only discovered Asian meals after commenting I was disappointed there was no Asian food. (Should have signs). There was also another delicious section, next to Asian, where I had yummy orange chips, etc. Discovered their delicious croissants on second last day, And I was reading "One More Croissant for the Road" by Felicity Cloake. Suggest passengers walk all around ship and check out food on first day. I didn't get around to $$ food - no need! Loved the three ports of call in the North Airlie Beach (morning walked to markets and lagoon. Picked up at 11am from wharf for drive to Cape Gloucester Resort, Whitsundays, for fresh seafood lunch from 11.45 am on beautiful white sand beach) Cairns (splurged $4.80 on day bus pass cash only. Spent day at Palm Cove. All beaches closed due to stingers. Had lunch at Surf Life Savers overlooking ocean.) Port Douglas (walked to town then along main street to Four Mile Beach. Paddled in crystal clear surf after I saw man check for stingers. Don't swim near edge of enclosure. Signs for stingers and crocodiles. Bottles of Vinegar on beaches. Had a refreshing gelato tropical juice drink on way back. Bought birthday presents at book shop for my daughter (beautifully gift wrapped) and chimes for me. Three port visits - Cape Gloucester was highlight, with cold drink at Dingo Beach Hotel, on way back to wharf.

I agree with this suggestion of an enjoyable day trip. If the weather isn't agreeable, I'd visit the excellent Auckland War Memorial Museum for fun history and Maori culture.

Just off Carnival Luminosa. Bring your own masks. I wore KN95. If you are cruising to the tropics, you'll need a supply of masks as they get sweaty.

That is better for passengers. A promenade deck you can walk around is a big attraction for passengers.

Seems like it is no longer a good idea to book flights in advance. How frustrating!

Brisbane is as great a tourist destination as all other Capital Cities. It has so much on offer. Roma Street Parklands (Went there this week for Enchaned Gardens) Southbank with swimming lagoon, restaurants, gardens Queensland Performance Arts Centre, Qld Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, State Library, Qld Maritime Museum, Qld. Art Gallery, etc. Botanical Gardens Mt Cootha Mt Coot-the for a fabulous view of the city Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Day trips to Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island, Gold Coast and hinterland, Sunshine Coast and hinterland, Australia Zoo.

Shuttle busses to Portside to catch the City Council ferry there could be an option.

Thank you,

But not as scenic. It is a beautiful trip along the Brisbane River.

I can't believe I missed your blog. A lot of blogs stopped during the pandemic. Could you please give me the link? Your name is familiar, so I may have followed you at some stage.

They wanted you to buy two huge sandwiches. From memory, it was $10 extra to share one sandwich.

Brisbane City Council certainly needed to do something. It couldn't afford for passengers to just stay on the ship instead of spending money in the CBD. The current situation is bad publicity for the City, which has so much to offer tourists.

I'm not familiar with the capacity of the City Cats. I would assume the services would operate outside peak hour.

Seniors mightn't be on the pool deck, but many will be outside in the fresh air enjoying being on a ship, not indoors. I agree with the comments that Seniors follow health guidelines seriously.

Second hand news My girlfriend just emailed me that there was a report on the radio that the City Cats will pick up passengers from Brisbane Cruise Terminal. What a lovely scenic way to cruise in to the City along the Brisbane River. That is a wonderful common sense decision, if it is true. (Sorry I don't have time to research at present, but it was too good news to not share.)

Pleased to hear wind and seas are up but not too bad. Hope we have smoother seas this afternoon on Luminosa, heading North.

Have fun planning your cruise next year. I'm departing on Luminosa today on a 7 day cruise from Brisbane to Great Barrier Reef. I have my soap, shampoo and conditioner packed, also Earl Grey tea bags, so I'm set. There is shampoo in a wall dispenser. Happy to answer any questions on my return.

Thursday, 1/12 - 1st day of summer - 15-17c unbelievable!

Did you have an enjoyable cruise prior to the rough weather approaching Brisbane? Yes, the weather has been unseasonably cold for Queenslanders this last week. Now GC beaches are all closed because of the wild conditions. Hope seas are smoother tomorrow.

Maybe because we only ordered the one huge sandwich and the extra cost to share was on the menu (two delis near Broadway). We never went there again because they were for tourists.

I often find two entrees appealing but rarely two mains. I can always fit in dessert if it is a favourite.

I wonder how much of the $500, the train company (?Private/Govt) gets?