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Any kind of cruise with an infant whose needs must always come first can be a frustrating, limiting and exhausting experience for both parents and child so provided you are prepared and willing to make the necessary allowances I wish you a happy cruise. You're braver than me!

Things will stabilise one way or the other on 15 Sept ;)

Like many first time parents we were totally unprepared for how much having a baby would completely change our outlook, routine and life generally and it was all good! HOWEVER we had to accept that some things we took for granted BC (Before Children) would no longer be practical or enjoyable for the time being at least. A port intensive, crowded, hot Mediterranean cruise would come under that category IMO and I don't suppose anyone will benefit much from the experience. Wait until junior is old enough to enjoy it too.

I assume OP is flying back to Adelaide so a late morning domestic flight should be fine, assuming there are no unforeseen delays with ship's arrival, customs clearance, etc. At least get a flexible ticket so you can switch to a later flight without penalty.

Speaking of technology will there be a modern stereo system aboard in the Titanic II's nightclub where ever that might located aboard Titanic II?

Easy, there won't BE a nightclub. This is 1912 remember?

Local media in Oz reports that the new ship will be an almost complete replica of the original Titanic although obviously with state of the art navigation and safety (!) systems. It will have the 3 segregated classes, no TV, no Internet for passengers, in fact the full 1912 "experience" (apart from the iceberg). It might work as a gimmick for a while but I'm sure the novelty value will quickly pale and Clive Palmer - who plans to sail in 3rd class/steerage BTW - will find himself with a huge white (star?) elephant.

And coming from a superstitious naval family as I do I'd be very wary of a ship named after a doomed predecessor.

Actually, the front of the card stated " this is NOT a timeshare promotion. and this is NOT an attempt to sell any land or property..." ????? So, timeshare is out of question. Yet, there is still a question how legit is this offer? When I have called to NCL, the rep told me they "don't have anything to do with this kind of promotion." She added that " people call all the time about these free cruises for 2.." The NCL told me that their cruise company, basically, cannot comment on weather it is a scam or not, they just remain without comments. The travel agency did not deny over the phone that the invitation/promotion is coming from them and not from NCL. Although, it is a great deception and a falsification of presentation of their part!!! They have used a logo of NCL on the front of the card to trap the people! So, I pretty sure now, it is a scam. Plus, someone had mentioned if you did not enter, how could you win? LOL

Oh come on! Just because they say it isn't a timeshare it must be true?? Of course it's some kind of scam and/or they are indeed trying to sell you something. Why does common sense fly out the window when the word FREE appears on mail shots.

I'm more concerned about them asking for your CC details as "ID". That is pure scam. Is this "travel agent" based in West Africa or Eastern Europe by any chance?

All you can do is pack the necessary remedies/medication and hope for the best.

A group will almost inevitably alter the dynamic of any given cruise and not necessarily in a negative way but I do believe the cruise lines have an obligation to disclose the information well in advance. A large group on a small ship obviously compounds the problem if they expect preferential treatment or wish to monopolise public spaces for their own "private" use. I've cruised with (but not a part of) a group of scientists and because they didnt feel they owned the ship and made a point of including non-group passengers whenever appropriate and we all had a blast AND learned some cool stuff too. The only other group I've come across was on a larger ship (HAL) and the sense of entitlement these people displayed did spoil what should have been a great trip to Alaska.

Yes, you will be fine. I repeat, please don't allow this non-problem to become one. I challenge anyone, Aussie/Kiwi nationals or visitors to say when they or anyone they know has had legitimate, run of the mill prescription meds (or vitamins) confiscated at the border. It simply doesn't happen unless you have a suitcase full of stuff that can't possibly be for personal use or a stash of concealed baggies of mysterious substances. Like I say, the rules here are the same ones that apply when crossing almost any other border anywhere else in the world. I carry BP, diabetes, statin, beta blocker meds and have never, ever had a problem. I don't even bother to declare them and nobody has bothered to ask about them or demand to see a prescription which I dont carry anyway as I make sure I have enough meds for my trip, plus a few spares.

The foil packs are fine. Please let's not blow this up into the big deal it isn't. NZ and Australia aren't brutal dictatorships poised to deprive visitors of their usual prescription medications. Like almost every other country, including the US and Europe, you will only have a problem if you have unidentifiable loose tablets or very large quantities of things like ephedrine based cold remedies, steroids, addictive pain meds, etc. If you feel more comfortable bringing a copy of your prescriptions and/or doc's note for your own peace of mind then go ahead but our rules aren't nearly as draconian as the bureaucratic blurb has you so worried about.

I would definitely use the ship's transfer. Getting from Harwich to Heathrow involves crossing London and it can be a complex and time consuming exercise if you plan using public transport. I wouldn't book flights before 2pm at the earliest as London traffic can be a nightmare and you need to allow for 2 hr international checkin.

I carry quite a few prescription meds in and out of Australia for various ailments and have never had any problem. They are in their original blister packs or bottles (not loose). If you have items that can be misused (strong pain meds, ephedrine, opiates, etc) then a doc's letter might be handy but if you have them in quantities that are obviously for personal use, not for resale or to set up a meth lab, you'll be fine. There's no way you'll be denied your legitimate meds.

[puts down popcorn]

If you don't want to cruise with your young kids then don't. Easy. If you don't want to cruise with other people's young kids then it gets more complicated as you can see ;)

[picks up popcorn again]

People think wealth = class. Wrong! It's how you conduct yourself with other people including and especially "the help". Some of the most boorish, rude and arrogant behaviour I have ever seen has been directed towards the crew on cruise ships and on no occasion was it even faintly necessary or appropriate. Actually, I think it boils down to plain old ignorance. When in doubt, SHOUT.

Exactly, you were still able to contact the necessary people even in exceptional circumstances. There's always a way :)

How on earth did the world keep spinning when the only way to contact someone on a cruise was via semaphore? If we can't deal with anything via email it will either have to wait until we get home or someone else will have to figure out what to do. They usually can if they have to ;)

Hi,

 

Thank you for the "Kings Cross is the Red Light District" information.

 

We had been looking at the Holiday Inn Potts Point which is located across from the Kings Cross Station.

 

Since we are not interested in staying in a seedy area where crime/prostitution is prevelant... is the problem only related to certain streets in the area or is the problem the entire Kings Cross area? Any information you can provide would be appreciated.

I would avoid Kings Cross altogether. There are much nicer (safer) places to stay in Sydney. If you specifically want a Holiday Inn then the Old Sydney HI in the historic Rocks district is hard to beat. It's clean and comfortable, if a bit basic and it's extremely convenient for the bridge, Circular Quay (for harbour ferries) and the opera house. It's also a 5 minute walk to the OPT.

For the sake of this discussion I'm happy to share the exact price details as quoted by my TA.

Melbourne to Melbourne (23 days) inc single supplement and taxes, etc but excluding tips and other on board expenses:

QG = Au$ 42,133

PG = Au$ 31,643

A difference of Au$ 10,490

Discuss :D

Just spoke to my TA and the cruise is virtually sold out already! Only 3 PG and 3 QG left, all on Guarantee only. Everything else is wait listed. I then discovered that a $3,200 or $4,200 deposit respectively and payable now is non-refundable :mad: I really don't feel comfortable making this commitment 18 months in advance when so many things could conspire to prevent me going so I think I'll pass and maybe see if there are any last minute opportunities much nearer to departure.

Caviar is overrated anyway :). Thanks to all for such useful input. The First/Business class analogy makes sense I think and on that basis it's got to be QG! On the other hand I'm already paying a substantial single supplement - ah, the joys of solo cruising - so maybe I can really only justify PG. I will find out what's still available in both and then probably pester you again for the lowdown on each.

That's exactly the info I was after. Thank you! I've had butler service on other cruiselines and I've never been convinced its worth the extra $$$. Ditto "free" drinks and caviar and in any event I don't think I'll consume almost $10,000 worth :eek: which is the price difference between QG and PG I've been quoted. As you say, that money can be more productively put towards on board expenses, tips, etc.

I will speak to my TA next week as although the cruise is 18 months away I'm told there's a lot of interest already and some categories are selling fast.

I'm seriously considering the Round Australia QM2 cruise in Feb 2014. I'll probably be sailing solo (not a problem) but have decided that my first Cunard voyage should be one to remember so I'm going to spend the kids' inheritance on a Queens or Princess Grill suite. Given the price difference :eek: is one really so much better than the other? It's very hard to tell from the brochure/website as its mostly marketing spin rather than objective fact so I thought I'd ask the experts here.

A lot of it depends on whether the port official is having a good or bad day. Usually it's a bad day so don't give them an excuse to ruin your holiday over something so easily avoidable.

Only you know your child and his/her " street smarts". Some parents are sure there's a pedophile lurking behind every door waiting to pounce on any passing child, and other parents feel comfortable letting their kids experience a little independence. Provided you establish some simple ground rules your child fully understands and complies with I don't think there should be a problem. Other parents take a much less tolerant approach. Let the flaming begin!!