MMDown Under

Good advice. I didn't realise the airport train had a surcharge.

You could catch he train from the GC to the Airport, but you would then need to catch a taxi to the new Brisbane Port.

good

thank you Specialty Restaurants are overpriced, considering the cost of meals are included in cruise cost.

When you book direct with Kingsford Smith Motel enquire about their cancellation policy and their transfer to the new Brisbane Port.

There are a lot of 3 star and 4 star motels near the old Portside wharf. I drive past them and they look well cared for. Google "motel hamilton brisbane". You could walk to Portside which has cafes, a small supermarket and a movie theatre. This is a much nicer area to stay and take a taxi to the new Brisbane Port. Basic accommodation like Ibis at the airport would be suitable if you just wanted bed and breakfast before catching a taxi to new port.

Interesting that menu prices pre covid didn't have gratuity added. I thought plus 18% gratuity must be an anomaly since Australian cruises include gratuities.

Yes Federal and State regulations for Covid must be followed by cruise passengers. Then cruiselines can add their additional requirements for passengers, which is why you must get written rules from Azamara. I would wait until closer to date of departure in February, because rules are changing all the time at a rapid paste. BTW I've had all vaccines, including the booster for my own benefit,

I say that because we had to detour off the main highway from Brisbane to Sydney three times, due to bad car accidents on the highway, but we still were able to drive from GC to Sydney in one day!

Wow well done. Can't beat your own car, then storage! If there are traffic delays, you can always leave extra early as it is not a long drive

Bon Voyage! This will be a good time of year to cruise NZ and Tassie, Just take your rain jackets and layers. All my sweatshirts say Tassie because Queensland winter clothes aren't warm enough in a Tassie summer.

You do now! They can't fill the ships from Brisbane. Passengers are currently booking Christmas, New Year and school holiday 2022 cruises at discount prices. There are a number of reasons - they advertised availability of cruises late and people had other plans - people no longer have passports letting them lapse due to Covid (I don't) - delay in reissuing passports for passengers on overseas cruises, etc.

Competition from Carnival's Luminosa, based in Brisbane, which is now on its inaugural cruise to Great Barrier Reef. This is good for Aussies and Kiwis, who haven't had serious competition before. Now they will be able to cruise more often like Americans,

That must be disappointing. Nice that you still have January to look forward to. Where will you be cruising? I hope the ship gets a good farewell from Freemantle.

Thank you

Thank you

Oh I hope not. I wondered if you were exhausted from your cruise.

Thank you. I just worked out she would be in Cairns today on her inaugural visit. I'm excited, as I'll be on her there in December.

Hers, after only 8 nights! Imagine her entitlement after a world cruise!

Thanks. Water sounds good.

Surely cruise lines understand that a large proportion of their passengers are seniors and not all have smartphones or are not proficient in their use.

I doubt you'll be penalised in such a way. If Diamond Princess didn't go into lockdown, you and your husband would have gone of the cruise. They owe you!

I have a smartphone but do not carry it with me. When I worked, we were expected to take our phone with us. When I was told to take it to the toilet, I knew it was time to finish work. Surely cruise lines won't expect me to carry a phone with me! They certainly didn't when I last cruised.

Do you have to pay to use this machine?

Hard to believe that someone would have the audacity to request a table you were already using.