Aussieflyer

BOM rain radar is showing much better conditions across the east coast - bucketed down in Canberra overnight but it looks like it's cleared very quickly, Meteorologists did say it was was fast moving front this time. Hope the weather improves for you. Sorry to hear about the lack of masks - agree that the staff don't want confrontations but just wish people would do the right thing.

There is a definite reduction in the number of people wearing masks at the shops etc - we try to (though occasionally forget) but seem to be in the minority now.

Lovely to follow along. Unless it's changed, in Australia we can't have the medallion posted out and have to collect it at boarding.

Yes, I and son are on her towards the end of November (rolled over from cancelled cruise) - would like to think COVID is a bit of a non-entity by the time we board, like we had with Coral P - only very few cases on that cruise.

Sigh - don't think I can make it but would love to QM2 is just such a special ship. We have a 5 day Culinary cruise on QE in January but not expecting quite the same vibe. We are QG though which should be special.

Silversea has Silver Muse and Silver Whisper for main cruises (mostly to NZ) and of course the expedition ones in the Kimberley. Oceania will be here as well. And some Viking ones.

Thanks for the info - I did buy some new RAT as we are down to our last. The new ones don't need the UV torch mercifully as last time the photo was very purple and difficult to read. And didn't have licence with it. Surely the timestamp on photos would be sufficient as it shows when the photo was taken. Otherwise a bit of a juggle to use hubby's phone to sit next to it. A friend may have difficulty though as she is on her own so no spare phone - might have to look at going to Syd the day before if that is the case.

I was on the lookout for pearls in August but they had nothing that I could see - a few freshwater ones I think but not in Effy (and not particularly good ones I think). Suggest maybe a good jeweller before you go.

Similar to you Uncle Les when I boarded Coral P in August but agree - who knows - might get an email with updated info if lucky.

Apple definitely did an update (3 days ago) but I have found accessing the second of my upcoming cruises is a bit of a pain - before it was just select the date but now can only see it if I go to profile then click on the Personal Info. And when I log out and in again to access it I can't get into my next cruise - not particularly user-friendly.

A bit off topic but just confirming the current RAT requirement for Princess boarding in Australia - is it still attestation (as in they ask and you confirm you have a neg test) or is it like noted on the website (which I thought was US): "For guests who opt to use a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), a photograph is required which includes ALL of the following: 1) the RAT result; 2) a government-issued photo ID; and 3) a device showing the time (e.g. watch, mobile phone lock screen, clock)."

Cruise ships are 'more dangerous' in that they have a large number of people in a small area for an extended period of time. People are mixing in this environment and it is quite different from being at a restaurant or even the football. Given the age of many passengers they would be more akin to a nursing home or aged care facility 🙂

Yes we were in Syd on Sunday through to Tues - weather was pretty good though the wind was a bit cool - not really T shirt weather. Thought we would cop it on Tues going back to Central station but missed the rain altogether. Several heavy downpours on bus back to Canberra though. And a bonus - Coral P was at the OPT when we were there - sigh - could easily have slipped aboard.

Interesting info on Beerenberg as TBH I have never checked the sodium content. I don't like the flavour of the salt reduced ones at all. Good to hear you have some self-catering in the hotel. It might be considered sacrilege by some but we routinely microwave pies (sit on paper towel) and usually don't even bother trying to crisp the top at all. Possibly it's laziness 🤑

We flew into the SYD D terminal in July with an overnight at Rydges then an international flight the next day. We ended up using the train to get between terminals but there was a hefty surcharge.

From memory the senior OPAL card for out of state people had 2 week eligibility - it wasn't worth it for us so we just got the adult ones although now we could change them I suppose. As we don't use NSW public transport very often we just stick with the ordinary ones but suppose some people would either not be in a position to do that or not want to do it as a matter of principle.

It is all what we know anyway so nothing new but good that DOHAC has included info on its website.

Are you in an apartment where you can self cater? Otherwise if you buy a pie at a shop/cafe it is luck of the draw what sauce the shop uses, certainly no choice of brand. That said, we use Beerenberg but that is not low salt.

That's interesting - we are in a mid boarding time in early November - the earlier slots were gone when I remembered.

Though the best early times will be gone by then 🙃

I have had that happen on different pages of the app - seems to get stuck in loading.

I've done ours for 20th this morning as well at about 7.00am. Disembarkation never seems to work and we still get the form in the cabin to fill in - suspect that feature is not set up for Australia.

Ok. so have checked: Music: Madame Butterfly is on the Harbour for all of April and no operas on at the House itself during April March 9 and 11 - La Boheme March 10 - Chorus of AO performing a variety of pieces March 16 and 18 - Roberto Devereux (in concert style of performance) Plays: Bell Shakespeare 1 March - 2 April - Macbeth Contemporary Music: 2 April - Elvis Costello

We go to the Opera several times a year normally and I have just received the Opera Australia season guide for next year. You have said you will be there in March/April? We are on the way out at the moment but I will come back and list what is on for you. Madame Butterfly on the Harbour could be wonderful but as others have said, the weather is always a risk so we are not taking the chance.

Maybe your neck of the woods as well - though perhaps closer to the lake if you can hear Stage 88?