Aus Traveller

I agree with the above comments so I won't repeat them. Keep in mind that on the cruises where gratuities are in place, the crew remuneration relies on tips to make up a major part of their income. On the Aussie-based cruises where gratuities are included, the crew are on a much higher rate of base pay.

Initially everyone was locked out of the cabin, but at least one of the male occupants appealed to the Purser to be allowed to get his shaving gear and other personal items. Agreed - it shouldn't have been allowed.

The problem was the police investigation. Because the ship was Australian based with Aussie passengers, Aust police investigators were sent. They sent two officers from NSW Water Police who weren't experienced in investigating suspicious deaths. The main officer who did the investigation (not that he did much) went on stress leave for two years before submitting his report. In his defence, it was originally believed that the death was from natural causes.

I believe that P&O was unfairly blamed. It cost them many millions of dollars including the $2 million they paid the B family as an ex gratia payment.

Her drinks weren't spiked. From evidence at the Inquest, Ms B knowingly took the drugs after going with one of the men at 1am back to the cabin he shared with three others. Although I don't have personal experience, I have read that it is difficult to know the strength of illegal drugs.

The conversation started because Lyndarra said he wouldn't cruise with P&O because of the unfortunately affair involving Ms Diane Brimble. Subsequent posts were an attempt to point out that it wasn't P&Os fault and that cruising (and security) have changed a lot since then - as has society.

Maybe some of her alcohol purchases were for the men she was with. There was testimony that at least a couple of the men didn't want her with them. They were trying to win on to the young girls and didn't want to spend time with a woman in her 40s.

They won't have zero alcohol options on board. If she takes non-alcoholic wine with her it will be queried. She will have to be prepared to point out where it says on the label that it is non-alcoholic.

I can't recall evidence stating that Ms Brimble took alcohol onto the ship. However, she spent a lot of money on alcohol (I can't remember the exact amount) on the first night. Of course, she could have been buying drinks for the men she was with. She might not have drunk it all herself.

Agreed. Details that came out at the Inquest were very interesting. Ms Brimble's death was initially thought to be from natural causes, probably a heart attack. The authorities on the ship should have know early on that she had bought a lot of alcohol that night, but it was only later that drugs were detected.

At the time when Dianne Brimble died, security wasn't as tight as it became shortly after. Unfortunately the men involved took drugs aboard and the lady made some unfortunate choices. When she became very unwell, they didn't call for medical help until it was too late. In my opinion, P&O was unfairly blamed for the death. It didn't help that the NSW Police investigation was very poorly handled.

We both remember that.

I remember the get-together I just wasn't sure which cruise it was. 🙂 You have both convinced me it was 26th June.

I certainly remember your poetry.

Last year we were on the Coral for a coastal cruise from 26th June. It could have been on that cruise and not the January or February ones this year.

We met on a Coral Princess cruise in either January (to Tasmania) or February (to NZ) this year.

Well said. I am glad that neither I now my husband, like gambling, not even bingo.

Thanks for your comment about my new avatar. It was a shot taken on the Coral Princess while we were in the Med during the world cruise. Yes - ANZ share trading is now CMC Invest. I try not to think about the amount I paid for my shares pre-COVID.

Our P&O cruises are from the Brisbane terminal.

A lot of people take a full wine glass from their cabin to the dining room, but the permitted one bottle of wine doesn't last long. 😁

P&O has staggered check-in for our cruise next Monday. However, we found the same as you. On our cruise a few weeks ago I missed out getting the early check-in because I was away on the world cruise. I was only able to get 1pm check in but when we arrived at the terminal, no-one asked what time we were supposed to be there.😁

When I was trying to choose a boarding time for a cruise next January, a Princess rep told me I can board whenever I like after boarding starts at 12 noon. Somewhere else I came across info indicating that Princess no longer has timed boarding groups. What has anyone else found?

For P&O you can check on your Cruise Control. It will show the amount of OBC. Compare that with your booking confirmation and you will see if the extra is now included.

During the World Cruise, people I know moved up the 'loyalty ladder' during the cruise even though they had booked the whole cruise, not in segments.

I don't think any cruise ships are going to Isle of Pines at the moment. The locals have said "No". Cruises out of Brisbane going to Noumea arrive at 2pm. I am not sure what time the Sydney cruises get there.