Aussieflyer

That was my first thought.

I am wondering if there is something up with Port Arthur. We were notified that the guided walking ship excursions were cancelled for our late Nov cruise ('for operational reasons'). Other PA activities are off the excursion list as well.

Just because a person has had COVID does not mean they are immune to future infections - in fact there are reports that reinfections are increasing and also increase the risk of long COVID or other complications. A fourth vaccination will not stop you contracting COVID - I and a number of others I know have had four (and comparatively recently) but still got COVID - luckily not a severe case but still not a walk in the park as the fatigue and cough lingered. I can see why places without top notch health systems are less keen on an influx of visitors.

I have a work colleague on the Coral this week and I and a friend board on Friday for the QLD cruise - just miss her as she is disembarking early and lives in BNE. Hope she has been having a great time - no doubt will find out soon.

We are arrival group A and start at 11am. The time, as OzKiwiJJ says, is in the travel checklist section.

The 12 August cruise is showing only a couple of minis and suites are all sold. A handful of balconies only.

As a friend and I have as well for later this week - like you arrive late and we are in the first boarding group so not spending much time there. The airport Ibis is next door to the Pullman.

We were booked on a Silversea Muse 6 day itinerary in Australia earlier this year which was cancelled due to restrictions still in place. Most of its cruises are at least 14 days so this short one was going to be a lovely little break as the ship is gorgeous. Sadly it did not happen. We did a short 4 day on QM2 (Adelaide to Sydney) when she did the first circumnavigation of Australia (that's where my avatar picture comes from). Out from Warrnambool we met the Young Endeavour and she let off a cannon volley to welcome us and we replied with a very loud ship's horn. A helicopter flew over taking photos. I remember it was a special cruise as the commodore was onboard being the first time QM2 had circumnavigated the country. It was a really big deal. The only downside was that we had an inside (something we almost never do) and it was really really dark. We have a Queens Grill coming at at the end of January on Queen Elizabeth for 5 days so that should be pretty special too.

Depending on your timings and how long Regatta is in port, you might want to look at a ship excursion. If Regatta is late for some reason you might find that you will miss the Great Adventure departure for the day.

It's funny but we prefer a table to ourselves - though they are usually so close we can chat with others around easily. I have been on shared tables on Cunard - one time was lovely as it was a 'hosted' table with an officer on formal nights and I got on so well with the other people. One though was a bit of a disaster - a particular couple (well her really) was quite unpleasant and tried to be the queen bee. My travelling companion noted later we should have asked for another table. I have booked private tables for the Coral next week to QLD as the person I am going with much prefers that and gets a bit overwhelmed.

Many of the cruises I have booked have not had OBC - it's a sort of an extra perk offered from time to time (except if using a FCC booked on board when they do throw in a bit). It's not something I ever count on. You can bet the overall price where OBC is included is not super cheap.

Oh come on Uncle Les, you know we Canberrans are tough and minus 6 - phat no problem at all. It is the thin blooded ones on the coast who feel it. Minus 1 would be short sleeves for us.😂❄️

I board in 2 weeks so have been reading along with great interest. Thanks JeanC

I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful cruise - just think when you get home the stories you can tell.

However, by the end of January 4000 Australians had died of COVID since the pandemic began. At the beginning of July the total number of dead had grown to 10,000. With the new immunity-evading BA.4 and BA.5 variants, this is set to worsen still.

Oh no, I hope you are on the mend and recovery quickly. Back injuries are so easy to do and can take a long time to resolve.

Are you saying that the cabins you saw for COVID isolation were being used or were they there in cases needed? Interested to know what sort of infection rate there was on board. I have had 4 vaccinations and been wearing masks when in shopping centres etc but still picked up COVID last week - possibly from a friend - and may have unknowingly passed it on to another friend. Seems to be widespread here. But, if I had had these symptoms pre-COVID, they would be put down to the lurgy/bad cold.

Perhaps a one day hire would be enough with something more local for the other day - or maybe you could 2 separate one day ones? And I did see that Grand Chancellor does have public parking (I think overnight by the looks of it). It might be worth contacting them to find out.

Thanks for the info on the aquarium - we are there on 12 Aug cruise so will look at that as an option. We are booked on the reef trip out of PD so hopefully the weather will be Ok for that.

And it will be pretty expensive to hire - since COVID, there are a limited number of cars available and something of a premium in cost. A couple of months back it was about $1700 though Avis for a 6 day hire of a Hyundai Kona (last year was about the same but for 10 days - so still pretty dear). And as advised, book early.

The ship has a tour that seems to be the same one - considering it for our August cruise so good to hear it seemed well organised and worth it.

And I am another one for the crispy bacon 😁

Actually I am quite pleased it isn't. On Golden P, the area filled up with people who stake a claim on a seat and stay as there is always something happening. Means that others who just want to sit down and have a coffee find it very difficult to find a seat. Hopefully being in a different place this won't be such an issue.

Thanks for the email copy - not cruising till August but exciting to see. Re user names - Aussieflyer came about as I love to travel internationally by plane (well used to anyway). On a couple of other boards I am Love_the_life. And OzKiwiJJ - my initials are JJ as well 😀

Love it 😃