Aussieflyer

It would be good if auto-correct didn't - the pastry chef's name is Darren Purchese. (https://www.burchandpurchese.com.au). He demonstrated Gin and Tonic scones. Mark Olive (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Olive) demonstrated barramundi in paper bark.

We have just disembarked and are home again after the shorter Culinary Cruise. We enjoyed it but probably won't be rushing back to QE. The ambience just wasn't there and she is not a patch on her bigger sister QM2. Like Mareblu we were Queens Grill but our actual waiter was very meh. He was on the way home after this cruise and whilst service was efficient, it seemed perfunctory. The chap who was to take over from him was much better in relating to diners. One of the main problems we found with Cunard and Grills is that you do have your own individual table, but you really end up eating in the same restaurant for most of the time, which gets a bit tedious (compared with Silver Muse which has many included restaurants). Our butler and assistant were fabulous and kept our tonic and ice topped up and the cabin immaculate. Unfortunately no hot water on the first morning and a toilet that didn't flush on one day didn't help. We thought the shows were average - though it was lovely to bag a box where you had the area to yourself. For the actual culinary cruise, whilst it didn't affect us, there were many angry passengers who had booked the Matt Moran degustation only to find that an IT glitch had wiped all the bookings. This was only available on 2 nights so there were people who thought they had bookings who missed out and others who made a very late booking who got in. Darren Purchase and Mark Olive both did demonstrations which were excellent. Matt Moran did not which was a pity. There was also a meat demo by one of the Cunard people with a rep from Meat and Livestock Australia, who did not shut up. We didn't do the wine tasting or gin experience but we did go to some panel discussions which were so-so, mostly because of the person hosting them. Unlike Mareblu, we tended to visit the Commodore Club after dinners rather than the Garden Lounge. Lovely to watch the sunset. The Grills lounge was packed on the only occasion we visited and like many of the bars, there seemed to be a lack of staff to both take and order and then make the drink itself. Service was generally pretty slow (but probably was better than the lifts which were woeful!). But then again, a day on the water beats my lounge room hands down and we did have a good time.

Not sure if things have changed since we visited Hobbiton (and it was great) but you may need to book a time for the tour. We were on a day trip from Rotorua and had a dedicated bus to the site and guide but saw lots of people waiting for their bus and tour guide. I would make that the first activity as it’s about 1 hr 30 from Tauranga and you will spend a few hours there. The port of Tauranga is a bit out of the way - Mount Maunganui near the port has walks.

From what I have seen recently for cruises over 2023 (AU based) it seems to be only suites and AQ that have the 'always included' included.

Agree Concierge doesn't look like the extras are worth it unless the difference in cost with the balcony is small. Aqua class is different though as they have their own restaurant. Haven't done concierge - usually AQ or Suite in the past though SIL and her son had a concierge next to our cabin on one cruise and our butler would sling them a few extras like priority tender etc which was lovely for them.

We do fly QF for the most part internationally, though sometimes more for convenience than anything else. We usually do not fly economy internationally so some of the pain is lessened. The dinner experience looks like it was the 'supper' service, designed as a small meal before sleep. I know that QF was doing this ex SIN before the pandemic (and even business did not have a full dinner menu). It sounded like a very unpleasant experience though and a terrible end to your cruise.

As noted above, apologies. And yes some free drinks between 5 - 7 at any bars according to the X site.

I stand corrected - apologies

I am Elite but haven't been on X for a while. In the past there was no dedicated lounge on most ships but free cocktails and canapés in one of the big areas in the evening. Looks like they have followed RCI and the free drinks are now available at all bars between 5 and 7pm (RCI had a max of 4 when I was last one them some years ago). I wondered why you were suggesting resordanis pop into the lounge when they looked like they weren't elite at all. That was just my question.

Which lounge are you referring to - I thought only Elite and above had a few free drinks included between 5 and 7pm. Although gratuities are included in $AU pricing, this does not include bars or spa (18%). resordanis - assume the 'gratuities included' in the drink package refer to bar grats not the daily service ones.

That sounds exactly the same as the Princess cruises I was on last year (three between August and November). No mask needed on the outside decks though recommended where it was crowded. Cunard seem to be the same as the others.

Re the drinks package - we looked (briefly) at it though at $US70 pppd, even though our cruise is only 5 nights, that would make it over $A1,000 for us. There is no way we could get through that much booze, specialty coffee etc. 🤣

You were very fortunate. We did a similar itinerary in 2019 and it was very cold. I bought a puffer jacket and a new thermal in Christchurch. Eating at the Hot Rock grill (which did have plastic covers) we had rugs supplied and we were well wrapped up. The only times the weather was warm was the first couple of days out of Auckland and when we reached Burnie.

From memory last time I disembarked in NZ, there were quite a few passengers lined up after having been sniffed out by the quarantine dogs - and I saw many had food stuffs they were trying to bring off the ship.

No, that is incorrect. The ABF site notes specifically that some foods can be brought in without declaring them - chocolate and confectionery and (some) roasted coffee are included: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/goods-without-declaring

That's all you can do. There is no 'playbook' of how any one reacts to treatment. Thinking of you.

A check in to say hope you are travelling OK (pardon the pun) Uncle Les. Not sure if treatment was kept up over the Christmas break - a bit of a two -edged sword as if it was, you can feel pretty ordinary but if they gave you a rest, whilst you might feel a bit better, it prolongs the course of treatment. Hope you are managing OK and family and friends can rally round for you. All the best J

Though there isn't a spot to declare many foodstuffs. Unless what a passenger is bringing in fits into one of the categories the answer will be 'No'.

Though only as a transit stop on the way, not if cleaning customs.

The best airline will depend on how much luggage you are wanting/needing to take. The LCC airlines are often cheaper on first look but once you start adding extras like checked baggage, seat selection and food, fares increase quite a lot. Looking at Virgin Australia, Jetstar or Qantas for flights between Cairns and Sydney. Suggest you check their websites for indicative pricing.

Interesting how people differ - a pool of over 2m is too deep for me (even though I can swim I like to be able to touch the bottom).

Yes they were. Better than on Majestic a few weeks later were the Asian restaurant.

I don't like buffets on cruises generally - I think they become a bun fight - so didn't go to the buffet on a very short November cruise. We had a Window suite and it was great - close to the club dining area and very easy to get around. On a longer cruise not having a concierge lounge or thermal spa like on Majestic would be a bit of a drawback. On the plus side there is a Crooners which is our preferred bar on Princess.

Not on the short Grand P cruise as we were in a Window suite anyway - great location and not having a balcony was no loss given the weather was pretty poor. Did bid and was upgraded on Majestic P to Tasmania in mid November - went from a mini to a penthouse so was pretty happy as not a heap of extra $.

We disembarked on 25 November and received the cheque in mid December so yours seems a bit late - I wonder if it related to being in isolation (with additional calculations required)