JJK2008

The ONLY caveat is to be sure you use the OFFICIAL Australian Govt., site. There are a number of 3rd party that LOOK official, but they are NOT Govt. and will charge you more than the actual cost. The link broberts posted in #2 is the Official Australian Govt. link. When we applied, mine was approved in minutes, my wife's approval took 24 hours. The ETA is connected to your passport but also a good idea to print out hard copies or screen shots on your phone. We had them available but never needed hard copies. Enjoy your trip.  

2 hours ago, ceeceeDee said:

Sorry if you've mentioned it before, Mic, but what ship are you on? As usual I like to cruise vicariously. 🙂

I think a lot of us are cruising vicariously😆

3 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Cheers, just boarded. It's so nice to sit down in the Schooner bar with a double black on ice.

Glad you made it safely. Hope the trip was uneventful. 

37 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

We fly early tomorrow morning to Orlando, flight has not been cancelled or changed atm, so we should be okay getting there. Port Canaveral is currently closed, our ship will be delayed tomorrow and we currently have a check in 4 hours later than the assigned one.

You should be fine travel wise by tomorrow.🤞 There certainly could be a domino effect with flights backed up etc. But weatherwise you should be fine. We live in Ft. Myers which is on the west coast of South Florida. We are about 3 hours south/west of Orlando. In our area, we have not had a severe effect from the storm. Some heavy rain this morning and very windy all day. But for at least half the day the sun was out with blue sky. It is 6:30 pm as I write this, and we are watching the news coverage. North of us is getting some intense weather with rain, wind and tornado warnings. The storm is still out to sea in the Gulf and hugging the coast and moving VERY fast. So, by tomorrow morning the storm will be well past. Orlando should not have much if any affect from the storm, same as Port Canaveral on the east coast. Hopefully if there are any delays, they are short-lived. Safe Travel to you both, enjoy the cruise. 

2 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Helene is stuffing us around. Ship is coming in late which helps as we are struggling to get there for tomorrow.

Safe travels Mic, wherever you're heading. We're on the west coast of Florida, if you need assistance with anything let us know. The storm is a good way out to sea off the coast, about in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico and is travelling north. The storm is fast moving so that should help. We have not really been affected that much. We've had some heavy rain bands last night and today with some gusty winds but nothing extreme. Actually, the sun is out right now with blue skies. Enjoy your travels.

50 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

I have to get one of these.

THAT'S Awesome.......A constant reminder.

If it wasn't for this thread, I'd never get PUP. Never get the emails.

5 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

I still haven't received the email invitation yet.

Me neither....seems to be a pattern with Celebrity.

1 hour ago, TraderSam said:

 

📢📢📢📢📢📢📢📢📢New PUP opportunity. 

Hope this link works for  you all. 

 

 

 

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2447635371116238426?ecid=em_cel_gbr_13008544&rid=1210004139&emsc=UKCELNWSLOTHCAPCVALLOWHOTYESBKBKLCADFULL&empf=&emct=S&lnkid=REGISTER_NOW_CTA&utm_campaign=OTH&utm_content=&utm_source=13008544&utm_medium=email&consumer_id=121293373&rcid=121293373

Just watched it......Thank You so much for posting. 

This is one of those hot topics here on CC. Many on here are deeply loyal to their TA and become indignant if someone suggests NOT using a TA. Some prefer to let someone else (TA) do the work for them. Others like the "perks" they get from a TA. It's a personal choice. ALL cruise lines price fix their cruises. A TA cannot give you a lower price on a cruise. There are exceptions such as group rates that a TA can offer that will reduce the price but even group rates are fixed by the cruise line. As an incentive to book with them, TA's will offer OBC, bottle of wine, gratuities, etc. ALL of these "perks" are paid for by the TA coming out of their commission. Keep in mind the TA is the customer of the cruise line, YOU are a customer of the TA. If anything happens (and it does on occasion) you MUST go through the TA to resolve it, the cruise line will not even talk to you. Some TA's are really good and others, not so much. Personally, we have had two very bad experiences with different TA's and as such for many years now, we book directly with the cruise line. We have found the cruise lines VERY accommodating to work with us when we have had issues arise. For us the perks offered are not worth giving up control of the cruise WE are paying for. You have to decide if the perks offered by the TA are worth giving up control of your cruise. Enjoy your cruise.  

44 minutes ago, arxcards said:

That's FUNNY!!!!

We recently got off our last cruise and while is Halifax, Nova Scotia saw a sign that read, "I spend Time on land, I Live Life on the water" this is Soooo true.

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

I can and I will but many people on CC have much more experience than the agent answering the phone.  I appreciate the forum’s experience and wisdom and that is why I come here 

@Mary229 Yes, there are many experienced cruisers. Perhaps you'll find one that gives you the answers you're looking for.

Call Viking direct with your questions. We used them and were very satisfied. Good luck.

CC should lock tipping threads. Far too many people think they are obligated to express their Subjective opinions to ALL. Leave auto gratuity, remove auto gratuity, pay cash gratuity, pay extra cash with auto gratuity, pay no gratuity, adjust gratuity as YOU see fit, etc., etc., etc. Don't worry about what Anyone else says or thinks. Opinions are like a certain body orafice, we ALL have one. Enjoy cruising and worry ONLY about yourself.

Stay Safe.

8 hours ago, gbenjo said:

THAT'S funny.........

8 hours ago, Kiwi_cruiser said:

God willing.......

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

When can we apply for stockholder benefits for a 2025 cruise?  Now?  TIA!

We have a Japan trip scheduled for next August. I've read your review, excellent - Thank You. I may reach out and pick your brain, hope that is, OK???

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

When can we apply for stockholder benefits for a 2025 cruise?  Now?  TIA!

We did it at the beginning of June for a New Years cruise. Not sure if there is a maximum time before the cruise to apply. Once you establish the Stockperks account and prove your CCL shares, that proof is good for a year, and you don't have to resubmit the statement for any additional cruises within that year. Perhaps the year also applies to how early you can apply, but I don't know for certain. You could always reach out to them and ask. Try hello@stockperks.com. Good luck.  

Tipping is an American custom that is NOT practiced in most of the World. Many Americans have become "conditioned" so that tipping is now just expected as an added cost to ANY service good or bad. That mindset is actually contradictory to the whole concept of tipping. Don't feel pressured either way. Do what YOU think is the best approach. Enjoy your cruise.

This is the best thread on CC. 

Your choice of course. Get a passport AND the accompanying passport card. It avoids ANY drama.  

On 8/8/2024 at 2:03 AM, goattyer65 said:

Looking for recommendations for a hotel to stay  at after our cruise  don’t know if it would be better to stay at an airport hotel or does it really matter

We stayed at the Sydney Boulevard Hotel and booked directly with the hotel. It is located right in the CBD, good location. Excellent buffet breakfast was included. HoHo bus stop right at the front door. Great way to see the city. Enjoy your trip.

That is a very poor business practice by Virgin, IMHO. 

If you have ever considered buying Carnival Cruise Line stock to take advantage of the shareholders OBC benefit, now may be a good time to do it. Shares today closed at $14.01. You need 100 shares to take advantage of the benefit. For a modest investment you can score up to $250 OBC every time you cruise within their line. Might be worth a look.