Solent Richard

She sure is @sfred... I see they have changed the berth location since we flew over... ****** Have a great day in that wonderful city... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2016/01/08/one-way-to-do-brisbane/ No doubt you'll be getting into the Morton Bay Bugs in town...

Thank you.

Thank you most kindly. A comprehensive explanation.

Having recently booked my first Azamara cruise for later this year I note on the Voyage planner that I can pre-book a Dining Package by calling a telephone number. The package claims the dining packages... 'Let you plan up to five exclusive dining experiences with a delectable 6-course meal paired with perfectly matched wines at an unrivalled value' Two questions please. Is it members experience that when booking these packages one can choose the restaurants and dates one wishes to dine in them and is it as it reads and the wines are included? Thanks in advance. Richard PS The ship is Azamara Onward...

Maybe to some but it's 'oh so much the usual' if you're a traditional cruiser and want to visit somewhere new or exciting. Of the 32 ports/ canals on the Queen Anne itinerary there are just two that I've not had the pleasure of visiting ( Puerto Quetzal and Nuku'alofa). Hence the reason I've once again had to switch cruise lines later this year having found an Azamara Mediterranean cruise where three of the 7 ports will be new to me.

Nice one @cruiseluvva. We have a number of Queen Mary 2 full Christmas cruises under our belts and all have been excellent. The last occasion we did a Christmas crossing was in December 2016 though we didn't do the full cruise: we used her as a ferry to get us to New York where we stayed for Christmas. As it was post the remastering I've attached here my review: should give you a 'pictorial' feel however. https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2017/01/02/queen-mary-2-remastered-trans-atlantic/ Meanwhile, Cunard go the extra mile with the usual Christmas and New Year decor... *****

Ah yes...

Ah yes, I well remember Queen Mary 2 arriving in Darwin.... *****

Yes, the history of the Halifax Harbour explosion is also a fascinating theme for those who may be on their third or fourth Halifax visit. My wife and I took up the challenge while visiting on P&O's Arcadia in 2019. I haven't written a specific review, however, a chronicle of our day can be found, if interested, by scrolling down to the 'Itinerary' section of this review... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2019/10/28/arcadias-canadian-round-trip/ We actually found/visited 17 of the 23 historical explosion sites.... ...I'd actually bought the book on a previous Cunard visit ( Queen Mary 2's 175th Anniversary Voyage) so had time to prepare for the challenge.... This of me at the Fort Needham Explosion Memorial Bell Tower.... ...and at the Regatta Point where this 1140 lbs Anchor Shaft from the SS Mont Blanc ended up: some 2.35 miles from the explosion.... We actually clocked 12.95 miles that day, courtesy of my wife's fitbit....

Here's a somewhat different take on Queen Mary 2's Singapore World Cruise event with some pretty good illustrative photographs..... https://www.theworldvoyageqm2.com/post/singapore-finale-to-king-neptune?utm_campaign=2c2d30ea-bd31-4b21-8e6f-1c22e3cc52b3&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=132abae4-d5b0-4112-8258-e11f1a1652ae As I recall from a previous visit to the 'Gardens by the Bay', I can now associate with the bloggers enthusiasm for the venue...

Just thought some may like to see exactly the fare that was served up at the Queen Mary 2 Singapore World Cruise event...

You may wish to have a read of the review I did some years ago when we went to Peggy's Cove. https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/09/17/one-way-to-do-halifax-nova-scotia/ We found the operator directly outside the terminal. You will see he added a few more points of interest which included one to the Citadel... ****** On a return visit we dis something slightly different.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/09/11/one-way-to-do-halifax-nova-scotia-second-edition/ Take your pick.

Just picked this up on one of my Facebook groups…. ‘Just a quick update from QM2 anchored off Bali. It is too rough to tender ashore so we will now make our way to Darwin. I’m sure someone else will post about the shambolic embarkation in Singapore so all I will say is that it was a relief to finally get on board. The ship is as lovely as ever. The food has been good and I’ve met some lovely people, most of whom seems to live around the bournemouth area! I haven’t been to any shows yet. Still on the early nights - jet lag. But the Commodore is as lively as ever. Many days ahead as we all settle down on course for Sydney. Take care all.’ Not having much luck I guess.

Thank you for the update. When there last year there was only a very small ship berthed there, hence I was unaware of the larger ships using it regularly....

Good morning @Technoman2 . Out of curiosity, what ship were you on for the Sibinek stop and did you go alongside please? I was there last year but was on a much smaller ship.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2022/07/21/lady-eleganza-croatia-and-adriatic-maiden-season/ We too went to the KRKA National park as an included excursion....

Split is usually a tender port for all but the smallest of cruise ships.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2016/06/17/one-way-to-do-split/

Yes.

I know three folk who wish they had. 😂

Take your pick, I've written full reviews on both, just click on the links :- Lisbon https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2014/08/20/one-way-to-do-lisbon/ Porto https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/06/28/one-way-to-do-porto/

I'm seeing an increasing numbers of cruise ships being scheduled to call at the Croatian port of Zadar. It's a lovely place to visit so I've written a full review of how best to spend a day there as a cruise ship passenger. Here's the link to my blog where the review is... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2023/01/27/one-way-to-do-zadar-croatia/

...and Here's one for Zadar @college buddy , just click the link... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2023/01/27/one-way-to-do-zadar-croatia/

Here's one for Split @college buddy , just click the link... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2016/06/17/one-way-to-do-split/

Which ports in particular? I've reviews on three, here's the one for Dubrovnik, just click the link.... https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2013/09/05/one-way-to-do-dubrovnik/

When I was an hotel proprietor I was taken to the Small Claims Court on three occasions over 5 years. Folk used to think you would roll over at the thought of going to court. The claimants (all separate) lost all three cases and from one I counter claimed expenses. I join with you in anticipation.