macntosh

Sorry about the pay-wall stopping you reading the article on that earlier link.

Here is a link to the Advocate article.

https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/6767153/labor-jumps-aboard-free-spirit-of-tasmania-travel-proposal/

Locally, we are hearing that over the long weekend just gone, that many Tasmanians went to their weekend shacks and that most of the local businesses are now operating again. Yes, there may be a few changes to the way they operate, but wonderful to hear they have "tuffed" it out and are now on a long and slow road to recovery.

I say, "Bring back the tourists to Tasmania!"  We need you now more than ever.

Anyway, stay tuned for free travel, in some form, across Bass Strait.

Yes, freight is still operating on a daily basis (and returning Tassie residents). For tourists however, the drawbridge is currently still drawn up on the moat that is Bass Strait. 

There is discussion within the Tasmanian State Government that they will fully subsidise the cost of transporting tourists vehicles to and from Tassie once the borders re-open. 

Not sure if this link will work, if not google "Spirit of Tasmania free travel".

https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6757509/free-spirit-would-stoke-tasmanian-travel-tict/

We have been pretty lucky down here during the entire time of this virus. Mind you, it has been very quiet without any tourists around, but we can now visit national parks and go to our weekender shacks.  Things are starting to improve rapidly since we have not had any new cases in nearly 3 weeks.   

Moving to Tassie just a year ago was the best move we have ever made. I will point out that there is so much more to Tassie than just Hobart.  You really need to do an extended road tour to appreciate what is on offer down here. Something that we did after several day visits to Hobart on ship visits. Now, we are living the dream down here in northern Tassie.  And really, mainlanders stay away as they think it is cold, but it is not that cold in winter down here. We do have heating...😀 boy, we even have electricity and running water, contrary to popular beliefs of some... 😄  Sarcasm on a Sunday morning... it's like waking up to the results in a Wentworth  by-election.  Too soon?? 

Hi all,

I have inadvertently created a duplicate roll call thread for a cruise and wondering if it is possible to get it deleted or merged to the initial thread.

Roll call is for Carnival Legend on 13 November 2018 departing Melbourne to NZ.

I have clicked on the “Report Post” about a week ago and outlined the issue, but nothing has occurred.

Is there something more I should do to enable them to correct this duplication?

Thanks for your input

Mark

Hi Everyone, saw a cruise advertised today from Fremantle to UK. Included flight from Sydney to Freo, cruise to UK, 4 nights in London plus flight back to Freo all included in price of approx $6,000pp. Wheres it gone? Don't know if it was facebook, email from CMV or in a dream.:D:D Any ideas? Thanks Anjo.

Try their website cmvaustralia.com. Then go to,the "Specials" page. I booked with them myself yesterday for a Feb19 departure from Adelaide. Very good value.

Looks like there are no scheduled passenger ship arrivals into Hobart until 4 October 2018. (Sea Princess).

Not sure that there was anything scheduled during Dark Mofo.

And just remember, for those that don't want to go into Dunedin, can I suggest you go to the Carey's Bay Hotel for the best seafood lunch. They also cater for non seafood eaters.

It is about a 15 minute walk from the ship around the bay. Or you can phone them and get their little mini van to pick you up.

The details are on their web site which is: http://www.careysbayhotel.co.nz/

Now I want to go back there...

www.sydneyharbourtallships.com.au

Try this link.

http://www.sydneytallships.com.au

I have been thinking about our cruises on the Fairstar starting in 1983. On that first cruise, visitors could board the ship to see friends and family off. As we pulled away from Circular Quay, streamers were thrown from ship to shore.

 

The Fairstar was owned by the Sitmar Line that was later bought by P&O (1989 I think). The Captain and officers were Italian and the stewards were mainly Portuguese with a lesser number of Indonesians. Security staff were Cook Islanders. They were fantastic with the children. On one long cruise where there weren't many kids, the security and the kids used to have running water-pistol fights around the ship. It must have been done discreetly because we didn't see it - we just heard about it from the kids.

 

The Fairstar had been built as the Oxfordshire to operate as a troopship. There were four passenger accommodation decks - A, B, C and D. It was possible to walk from one end of the ship to the other on A and B, but C and D were cut up into water-tight compartments. To reach cabins on these two decks, you had to walk down the correct set of stairs. Cabins accommodated 2, 4, 5 or 6 people. Beds were double decker (I didn't see any Queen size beds). We used to book a 5 berth - two double decker with a fold down 5 foot long bed. Many or maybe most cabins had an ensuite bathroom. People in the other cabins had to use a bathroom down the hall. Outside cabins had a porthole, not a window. Fittings etc. were very basic and functional. As a family we would book a cabin, but it was possible to book a bed in a share cabin with strangers. I understand that P&O had so much trouble with people complaining about their cabin mates and demanding a free up-grade, that they had to stop this practice.

 

There was one dining room used for all meals. Breakfast was served by staff from a buffet table, and the other meals were the usual table service with two sittings for dinner. An incredible midnight supper was available (buffet style) in the dining room.

 

There was one entertainment lounge with a large dance floor. The band had 6 or 7 members. There were 4 or 5 people on the cruise staff and guest entertainers performed in that lounge also. I can remember we had Normie Rowe on one cruise. An undercover area on the back deck was used as a disco-type entertainment area at night and occasionally there was a buffet lunch set out there. There were a couple of bars/lounges. One had a view through under-water windows into the swimming pool (sometimes very interesting). The piano lounge (the Surf Bar) had a curving wall of glass that looked over the swimming pool. You could watch the surf breaking on the pool. The young singles used to congregate in what was unofficially called "The Animal Bar". I can't remember the official name. There were large wooden tables that had people's names carved in. We only ever went in to have a look during the day.

 

There was a kids' club run by a blonde Australian lady by the name of Karen. The kids loved her. She kept our kids busy and happy. The kids had dinner in the dining room before the adults. We were told that the Indonesian waiters were paid extra to do this shift! After dinner the kids went to the kids club for movies etc. We could book them in to the Night Patrol where they would go to sleep in their own cabin and the kids club staff would do the rounds, coming to check on them every 20-30 minutes. Yes - I know - if they tried to do this nowadays, there would be all sorts of claims and complaints. We loved it.

 

The ship would usually tie up alongside, but we did tender into Dravuni Island. On one cruise we even stayed there overnight.

 

Costs. We kept some of the early brochures because our kids' photos were featured rather prominently. About five years ago I came across a brochure, probably from 1984 or 1985. Using official inflation figures, I worked out that the cost per night, twin share was the equivalent of around AUD$700. Remember that the cabins and the ship were very basic. As much as we loved the Fairstar, I don't think she would get many customers today. Everything on board was cheap. A carafe of wine was $1.50 and I remember a shore tour in Nuku'alofa cost $7. This was a different business model to the current cruise lines where the initial price people pay doesn't even cover the cost of running the ship. They need the add-ons.

 

That is all I can think of at the moment, but I might come up with some more later. All the best with the book.

So many memories here... I also remember the clay 'skeet' shooting from the back deck and the late night pizzas from their special woodfired pizza oven they had.

I can honestly say I haven't ever seen a drop bear in the CBD of Sydney.

But clearly drop bears have been reproducing rapidly down in Canberra where you are.

Apparently they are likely to wipe out an entire species of "pollie" down there.

Oh well, another extinct species that won't be missed by most forward thinking Australians.

Call it, selective breeding... :D Maybe, survival of the fittest. What next, drop bear pollies?

Does anyone where in Noumea, Suva, and Lautoka you can connect to free wifi?

 

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Hi Radiancecruiser,

The best place to start is the Barista Café.

Address is 3 Rue Anatoie France. Very easy to find.

From the cruise terminal building, walk to the right of the terminal building and cross the road where the Casino Supermarket is. Walk up Rue Anatoie France to the next corner near the post office on the left.

Nice coffee and they take aussie dollars. Have a great stay.

Enjoy.

We'll be on the RT Sydney to GBR Oct 15 - Oct 25. We're spending a day and a half in Sydney before the cruise. After the cruise, we'd like to get away from "the city" and do something a little different... see some nature and wildlife.

 

We'll get off the ship on Oct 25 in Sydney, then fly home from Sydney on Oct 28.

Looking at renting a car and driving to Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort when we get off the ship to spend 2 nights there. Looks like a good place to "get away", see some nature and kangaroos. Also, looks like a good central point to do a bit of exploring. Looks like it's about a 4 hour+ drive from Sydney.

 

Does this sound like it makes sense? Or, any other suggestions for a similar couple of nights after docking in Sydney?

 

Thanks!!

Hi CSloan,

I live in Sydney and had to google it to see where it was. For those that don't know it, it is owned by the NRMA ( our NSW automobile association) and located south of Sydney down near Bateman's Bay (Durrus Lakes).

From the website: https://www.murramarangresort.com.au/

it looks lovely. A nice quiet getaway spot. Certainly worth considering, but remember the 4hour drive is not all "free-way". That road can twist and turn down that way, but you will see some nice natural scenery.

With it being over a 4 hour drive, I know others on this board may have some suggestions for you that are closer to Sydney and possibly worth considering.

Anyone with some alternative suggestions here??

eg. Central Coast, Kiama, Shell Harbour, Kangaroo Valley... etc. etc...

Regardless of where you go, enjoy your trip down under.

That weather has arrived I see, a nice day for staying in the bar.

Alternatively, rather than going into Dunedin, just have lunch at the great pub at the next bay around from Port Chalmers.

http://www.careysbayhotel.co.nz/

Enjoy.

Christmas dinner on the Eden was a debacle. We were booked for 6.45 in the MDR. The queues were incredibly long and people were packed in between the elevators and up the stairs. There was no communication from the staff and no one knew what the problem was. After 45 minutes an elderly gentlemen fell heavily and the staff did not assist him at all. Poor fellow was shaken and bleeding and another passenger who was a nurse had to step in. It could have all been avoided if P&O were organised.

 

Dinner was a huge disappointment. Definitely not Christmas with all the trimmings. Very disappointing experience and not one I would want to repeat. Really felt for the waitstaff.

 

Today we had a ATV tour of Moreton Island booked for 1pm. We went to the tender area at 11.45. We have priority tickets but there was no tenders at the time. They said it wouldn't be long. At 12.30 I asked an officer if we would make our tour and he said no problem because it was a P&O tour they would hold it if we were late. We got on shore at 13:10 and the tour had gone. We went to the tour desk and Neil the tour director did not believe our experience and wasn't going to give us a refund and after a short and very sharp discussion agreed to refund the tour. Really poor service and has left a very bad taste on what was supposed to be a relaxing Christmas cruise.

 

 

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Oh my heart goes out to you as we did last year's Christmas cruise on Pacific Eden and it sounds like nothing has changed or improved on that ship.

You might like to read my blog notes from 12 months ago and compare your experience for this Christmas.

Would be very interested to hear back from you if your experience on board Pacific Eden was similar to ours.

Click here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2292944

Thank you for that info, it is very useful. Could I just ask though will we have to negotiate stairs with our luggage at either end?

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

There are elevators at those railway stations.

No chance. You need 90 mins for international flight plus train travel or taxi approx 20-30 mins. Pretty sure there are later flights to Christchurch out of Sydney. You won't make that flight. Have you checked Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin Australia schedules.

Totally agree with Sarah. There is no way you would make a morning flight.

Also, please be aware that April 25 is a public holiday (ANZAC Day). The equivalent of your Veterans Day. The streets in Sydney CBD will be closed for veterans marching and taxis may be affected all over the place.

Later

Hmmm... Now I'm a bit concerned reading some of the "legal" wording quoted here from the cruise lines.

I am using a complimentary travel insurance that comes with my credit card, but they don't issue a policy before you travel. You just have to charge a significant amount on your credit card to "pre-Pay" part of the trip. Then, if you need to make a claim, you simply contact the banks insurer with the details.

What happens if the cruise line asks to see the policy or a policy reference number before you board?

Yes, I am probably jumping the gun on this, but it does make you wonder.

WOW!!!!!!! That is absolutely fantastic!!!

Thank you so much

Or be on several mailing lists.:D

Hi Mic,

Not sure about different mailing list as this was our first (and probably last) P&O cruise.

I did notice they were tracking the url as it had my passenger number in it to match the survey response with the passenger.

I just hope P&O are acting swiftly on all the feedback they are receiving from Pacific Eden & Pacific Aria passengers.

There is lots of room for improvement, in so many areas, for both of these ships.

It would be a disaster if they did not throw the relevant resources at it immediately to fix the issues and stem the flow of negative feedback.

Obviously my blog notes have hit a chord with P&O as I have now been sent another survey to complete.

Anyone else who has sailed on any P&O ship recently been sent a 2nd survey?

I have completed and submitted them both, but just interested to hear if others are also getting two.

FYI - they seemed to ask similar questions.

Thoughts anyone?

Let me see if these images work.

Then you will be able to see them clearly just how steep it was.

Thanks for taking the time to blog. It sounds like you had some good times along the way. A bad atmosphere can be a very big downer. A comfy bed is very high on the priority list for me, so that was nice to hear :)

 

I felt for you with the steep ramp issue. We were on Solstice over a year ago, and at Port Chalmers NZ there was a very steep ramp, and you can see the passengers behind looking on in amazement, while the staff try and do their backs in helping this fellow. I couldn't believe it, hence taking the pictures.

 

We had not long gone up it and were not happy with the steepness. A short while later they opened an entry that was at ground level. Why do they do things the hard way? So your experience is not isolated. It is however very wrong that they do this to both staff and passengers on any cruise line

That's not steep! ☺ This is steep! 😲

One long gangway that ran right to inside the terminal in Cairns.

Check out the angle of the ramp.

Now this is steep!

You can see the lower gangway from deck 3 was still out at this point.

And yes Manfred, I think tides are the issue that deck 3 gangway kept disappearing.

See attached. ( Not sure how to get these images to display in the message.)

I heard that the celebrity Kate Ritchie and family were 'holed up' in the penthouse on Pacific Eden, getting room service to escape the noro/gastric going around the ship. She was allegedly tweeting 'Use the Hand Sanitiser' or words to that fact.

 

One big PR nightmare for CEO of Carnival Australia, Ann Sherry.

Hi Uncle Les,

What you did not hear was that Ann Sherry's 2IC, Sture Myrmell (now P&O President) was also on the cruise, but did not appear to step up to the plate to assist with resolving any of the passenger issues. Clearly in holiday mode with the family.

When you get a chance, have a read of my blog notes from the cruise that I posted on a different thread earlier today.

Days 11, 12 & 13

Day 11 Boxing Day - Morten Island

Breakfast in Waterfront

Sat on deck 6 and enjoyed the view as all the tenders took everyone ashore.

Ahhhh.... all quiet onboard. Bliss

Noticed an oil slick around ship. Not sure if something got spilt overboard, or if something got pumped out.

Morning coffee & trivia in the Ocean Bar.

Have mobile reception so sent texts to all the family, made phone calls and caught up on this review.

Lunch in the Pantry whilst there is no one onboard and I can just wheel up to the counters and see what is on offer. From the wheelchair you can't do that normally.

Afternoon nap. Dinner in the Waterfront. It's after 8.30pm and dark, but the ship has not sailed. We understand that the evening dolphin feeding tour has not as yet returned to the ship.

Decide to go to the Mix Bar and listen to Duncan the pianist. He is fantastic!

Day 12 at sea enroute to Sydney

Enjoyed a sleep in, so late breakfast in the Waterfront.

Mid morning coffee and trivia in the Ocean Bar.

Skipped lunch.

Been told that the Captain did not turn up to the scheduled Q&A session today in the theatre. Apparently lots of passengers there with lists of questions and issues they wanted to ask him. Brave man! Let's face it, he could read the mood of the crowd. Not exactly sure who the 'lamb' was that they sent to the 'slaughter' to answer passengers questions.

Considering that Sture Myrmell (P&O's President) is onboard, I'm surprised he has not stepped up to address passenger's complaints. Actually, given the sheer number of issues being raised by passengers, maybe I should not be surprised.

Bags packed and put out before we head off to dinner in the Waterfront. Nice meal.

Personal observations:

- overall, the crew are fantastic. 10 out of 10. They are all doing a magnificent job under very difficult circumstances. Seems to be that they are short staffed everywhere.

Sadly, if P&O don't look after their best assets (their crew) then I feel they will start jumping ship, making a bad situation even worse.

I know we have had norovirus onboard since day 1, but surely they can clean the watch & jewellery display cabinets in the shop. Come on, retail one-o-one, make the merchandise attractive. Being in a wheelchair where the display is at eye level, I wrote "please clean me" with my finger in the layer of 'film' on the outside one of the cabinets and 8 days later it is still slightly visible. I have dropped a hint about Windex to two different sales people on 2 different occasions, but they are clearly not interested in what customers are telling them.

Oh, I can just hear you now as you read this. OK, I'll admit to being a grumpy old man, but at least I have a sense of humour...

Future predictions:

- turnover of crew will be very high for a considerable amount of time (at least 6 months)

- there won't ever be a surcharge for Dragon Lady or Angelo's. (the food just isn't good enough to warrant it)

- as a port, Mooloolaba will be dropped from future itineraries. (too unfavouable for sea & weather conditions)

- given the way Aria and Eden have been introduced to the Australian market with all the hype and lack of quality control onboard, the word will quickly get out and affect future bookings. Yes, I am questioning the longevity of these ships in the P&O fleet unless something is done immediately to stem the flow of negative feedback. Step up to the challenge P&O.

Never thought I would ever say this about a cruise, but I will be glad to be getting off in the morning, had enough of this 'Faulty Towers Afloat' episode.

Day 13 disembarking in Sydney

Again, the ground crew manage the elderly and disabled particularly well. Like Robert upon our embarkation, Leslee does the same brilliant job of getting us off the ship, collects baggage and gets us into one of the many waiting taxis. Again, 10 out of 10 for the ground crew.

Only issue is that P&O have failed to hand out the customs and quarantine forms to passengers to complete before they all appear in the terminal without them. Some got them in their cabin last night, others like us have to fill them in at the last second before we leave the ship.

We are home 15 minutes later and now reflecting on the holiday that was.

Have just checked my emails to see that P&O have sent me their passenger survey. Yes, I have completed it, but guess not much will result from it, and yes I was perfectly honest with the poor /negative feedback to them.

Lesson for today: Go with very low expectations and maybe you will be pleasantly surprised when thing go well and improve onboard Pacific Eden.

I should also mention that there were so many loyal repeat P&O customers onboard that were complaining and comparing the poor experience onboard to the excellent experiences on the other P&O ships.

P&O, you need to be throwing everything you've got at this ship to stem the flow of negativity coming from it. Failure to do so would be an expensive financial disaster for Carnival Corp if this fleet expansion fails.

Days 9 & 10

Day 9 Christmas Eve

Nice breakfast in Waterfront.

Then watched our arrival at Willis Island for a very short stop to "drop" anchor so the cruise can be deemed "international" to allow the tax concession for GST, duty-free, casino etc.

Skipped Lunch. Early dinner in Waterfront.

Christmas show, watched karaoke, then drink at Martini bar.

Awaited Santa's arrival. Not.

The beds are so comfortable and I am sleeping well. In fact, the beds are one of the ship's saving graces. Just imagine if all these grumpy people were not sleeping well... too awful to contemplate.

Many on board went to the mid-night mass service in the theatre, I had a heavy date with my comfy bed & pillow.

Day 10 Christmas Day

A very relaxed day. No stress, no fuss. That's why we booked the cruise.

Late breakfast, then siesta.

Light lunch in Pantry

Santa arrived onboard at 2pm on deck 12 for the kids. Well organised by the crew onboard. Full marks to the team organising it all.

Early dinner at 5.30pm in Waterfront. Same menu in all three restaurants. Good selection on the menu and it all appeared to run smoothly.

After dinner drinks in the Mix Bar, then wonderful pianist, Duncan, played and a couple of individuals sang. Just amazing impromptu performances by fellow passengers singing whilst Duncan accompanied them on the piano. Fantastic night.