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pully8

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Everything posted by pully8

  1. Yes just before the beginning of the pandemic. We boarded a Cunard ship in Southhampton in December for a trip to the Canary Islands. We enjoyed it. A lot of repeat cruisers on board many dressed in Christmas outfits. This cruise followed a river cruise Amsterdam to Budapest. We enjoy the cooler weather and river cruising but its along way to travel to start from Australia.
  2. Feel sorry for the people who were unable to cruise especially if they had other expenses to get to/from the port. Apart from overbooking another is the quality of some of the ships in Australian waters. Some seem old and as some have said poorly maintained/cleaned. Lack of staff might explain the cleaning issue. We do not seem to get the new ships here why?
  3. Interesting times. SA Health authorities seemed to say no worries the cruise lines have the protocols sorted around infection control. Individual responsibility and sensible precautions to minimise infection anywhere. Luckily no one seems to be gravely ill just unpleasant and inconvenient. Which could happen anywhere best to be prepared as much as possible.
  4. What are these swarming beetles in my garden? - Museums Victoria Harmless to humans. How did they get on board? Had to look them up never heard of them.
  5. Sorry you had the experience described. Responses when things do not go as expected do vary. Fortunately, there are choices. Some cruisers are reporting changes in quality and service post pandemic related to staffing issues. This is disappointing if paying a premium for the cruise. As has been reported Scenic did have a long legal battle related to customer experiences with river levels. Fair to say most companies will fight to maintain brand reputation and market share. Good to speak up to inform others and these forums do assist with up to date information at times. Take care.
  6. Ship swaps are perhaps preferable to long bus trips and random hotels and meals. River levels and other interruptions cannot be avoided but how the provider manages the issue matters. And yes ships do differ as has been said. Some have different price points and inclusions. Some have larger passenger numbers and smaller state rooms. As long as people are aware and willing to take the risk all good. Perhaps there is a market for mystery trips.
  7. For some the ship is the destination and experience. Others prefer port intensive cruises.
  8. Cruise options seem to offer in the main old large ships in Australia? Some of the reviews indicate ongoing issues around staffing shortages and training, food quality and missing ports. Perhaps that is the current state of tourism post the pandemic. Recently on a small group land tour average cost was $500 plus per person per day. 2 motels were ok. 1 for 4 nights was dreadful. No working smoke alarms, not clean, poor water pressure in the shower hit and miss internet and a strange tv that would stop, change stations at will. Food was low quality. Minimal staff. Recently changed ownership and not wanting to spend. Local tourism office said same owner from interstate had bought another in the town and others. Some operators are trying hard to offer quality. Interesting times in travel.
  9. Agree. We know the costs and challenges when going to europe to find high/low water adversely impacting river cruises over the years, often with minimal to zero warning pre travel. You make the best of it but there are all sorts of risks when travelling.
  10. How are cases of Covid on cruise ships discovered? People self report symptoms and positive RATs?
  11. People we know have all isolated when positive for 7 or so days. Most were able to get antivirals asap to mitigate and reduce symptoms. For some it was to protect vulnerable or at risk people in their familiy/friend circles and/or workplaces. Some have family in agedcare settings and do RATs prior to enable safe visiting. Many are locked down with multiple cases sadly. Some may choose other decisions.
  12. In NZ do people get PCR tests and if positive self report to authorities? Are they checked or is it up to people to act responsibly? There is some doubt in Australia that some people are testing at all. Probably to avoid having to isolate. Albeit it is necessary to get antivirals, to have a positive result.
  13. Was this your first infection? Did you get antivirals? Hope you feel better now.
  14. We have watched many of their reports. Will watch the follow on with interest. Important to hear the good/bad and ugly if that is the case. Agree it is not a luxury brand but nevertheless maintenance and repair standards sound in need of improvement. Same for staff training by the sounds. Pleasing some of their experiences were positive. .
  15. Certainly, good business for the hull cleaning people. Hopefully it gets sorted to avoid the disappointment of disrupted cruises. Perhaps not so bad for local people but travelling from far away to join the cruise often at great expense means some would reconsider their plans.
  16. Looks as if the ship has moved from Tasmania and on its way to Sydney? Hope we hear more from those on board.
  17. Sorry people are having this issue across a few cruise lines now. Seems remarkable that hull cleaning seems to be done at short notice. Perhaps these new rules are not well known. Reading with interest. Disappointing and expensive to fly long haul to find the experience is not as expected. Have had that a few times with European river cruises, low/high water and minimal notice or communication. we like Oceania albeit we have not yet cruised post travel restrictions from Australia. Thanks to all for up to minute updates.
  18. Good detailed review. Some of the ships sent out to Australia seem old? Quality of food is important and disappointing when the description on the menu is not what is delivered. The comments about retired or older people is not accurate for all. Many are well travelled, discerning with cash to spend and expect an upmarket experience. But of course cruise lines need to cater to all budgets and markets. Perhaps HAL have better ships with more premium experiences sailing in other waters? Some say P and O is a different product in Australia to Europe? Have not tried either.
  19. That sounds a huge amount to pay. We had a memorable for the wrong reasons trip on the train a few years ago in summer. Our group were allocated classic/old carriages. It was hot. No air con. A bushfire had started nearby. The train had to stop. We were there for a while watching aircraft drop buckets on the fire. There seemed to be minimal staff and getting water to drink was difficult. Eventually we were able to get off. We were on a land trip not a cruise. We loved the scenery in NZ but would not repeat the train trip. The train station was worth a visit.
  20. Interesting to read first hand reports. We are yet to do a cruise post pandemic. Our preferred cruises are small ship and river cruising. We did a short Murray river on Proud Mary last year. Flooding may strict those cruises. Time will tell. Good to read most are reporting mild symptoms. Streamlined access to antivirals will assist.
  21. Yes remarkable. Broome was happy to see the ship in anticipation of some revenue. Presume positive cases would remain on board isolated.
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