MMDown Under

We both deserved these cruises for determination! Happy Boxing Day and New Year!

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They are private ferries. Government ferries run 7 days a week. If you have spare time you can catch the public bus from the zoo to Balmoral Beach for fish and chips on the beach. You can return by bus to ferry to city, or catch a bus direct in to the City, There is a beautiful walk (6.5 klm) from the ferry to Balmoral Beach with spectacular views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

The residents of Portside are only there because of the construction of the port. I understand, why having cruised on small ships. Their attraction is that they can berth closer to the more attractive centres of places. Once you've cruised up a river to Bangkok, Saigon, etc you'll never want to berth miles away from the city nor take long bus trips to reach famous cities again.

How long is your ship tendering off Mooloolaba? Mooloolaba is a beach beautiful suburb of the Sunshine Coast. Australia Zoo is close to Mooloolaba, a short drive about 35 mins depending on traffic. If you have a long stopover, the Sunshine Coast hinterland of Maleny/Montville is a beautiful drive combined with AustraliaZoo. Unfortunately Mooloolaba can be unreliable for tendering, due to unprotected rough seas.

If you are in port long enough, you could do a car trip to beautiful Cape Gloucester for lunch at the resort at Hideaway Bay, with a stopover for a cool drink at Dingo Hotel en route.

No just the 4th, Where does 4e night sailing go?

BTW I got a Samsara Outside Cabin with balcony SB on 6th deck for people who know about such things. They threw in a handicapped cabin without asking. Guess my age gave them a hint!

Woohoo!! I'm pleased to say I was able to make a successful booking on this cruise today.

Woohoo. Want to know what I've been doing all morning? I have been making a successful booking, with great difficulty, on Luminosa from Brisbane from 4th December to 11th December, 2022. Anyone else cruising on Luminosa from Brisbane on 4th December?

You need to go on a ship excursion to the Great Barrier Reef because they are not in port long enough to do independent GBR tours. You don't have to go into the water as they have glass bottom boats. Check what ship tours are available from Port Douglas as it is close to the Daintree National Park (rain forest. If you are in port long enough at Port Douglas you could visit the Daintree rain forest independently.

Thank you very much. I was wondering what the food would be like. I'm happy with basic food but am a good cook. I enjoy Indian food. I just went to the Festival of Lights in Parramatta and ate Indian all weekend. I'm from the Northern end of the Gold Coast. Where do you live on GC?

What a fabulous long cruise to NZ and Aust to look forward to. Have fun planning!

Usually parents go with young children and stay nearby on the street.

Freemantle must be happy today. I wonder if they'll get an impressive farewell like Coral.

But was it real ice cream or that terrible soft stuff?

That was nice that their good behaviour was recognised by another couple. I taught my girls to ignore rude people.

I've never been tempted to photograph a meal period. I don't expect fine dining, but I do expect edible food. Street food in SEAsia is absolutely delicious, at low cost. Do they have fresh fruit, if you don't enjoy the food?

You don't hear of that here often, but Americans do it regularly from Florida.

Some drugs can give you tremors. (I was in intensive care with a suspected heart attack. Pain was in the middle of my back. Doctor said it was from stones. One student backtracked and asked me did I tell Specialist that, but I said no, it was a process of elimination from a determined specialist.) I hope to visit UK for a last time next year, with a cruise from there. I'm pleased I travelled overseas annually when I was young, because I'm now happy to travel and cruise in Australia. Just waiting for some decent itinerary choices.

Yes two B2B cruises can be very different depending on the passengers. That is so sad. Some people aren't used to the normal noise teenagers make just having fun. I was taught you don't check other people's children!! (My friend's SIL and husband won't join them for Christmas because it is too noisy.)

I agree November is too early in the Season for an Antarctic Expedition. $25,000 is too expensive for off season.

It is special how the train picks up passengers from the ship on the wharf. I agree, if it is something you really want to do, it is worth the high cost. ( I learnt my lesson early when I didn't do an expensive ship's excursion to a resort to see the unique high cliff divers at Acapulco and missed seeing John Wayne in person.)

Oh yes, Americans love Christmas decorations, in fact all holiday decorations. I did a rail trip from Florida to Canada at Christmas once and it was wonderful to see all the Christmas lights and decorations on the houses en route.

Love the Koala Family. It must be a new thing as I haven't seen a decorated door, except for birthday.