Aus Traveller

Would have been good to catch up. 😢

What date in September is your cruise? We are booked on 16th September.

On Princess, the Medallion app registers who is in the cabin when the safety video is playing. On one cruise I went off to do something while my husband was in the cabin watching the video. The system registered that I hadn't been in the cabin while it was playing.

It's the same on P&O. However, whether or not you actually watch the video ......

Unfortunately the pdf isn't viewable.

In my opinion, Seal Bay, Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks are the highlights of Kangaroo Island.

With our P&O cruises, I up-loaded everything that was required onto the VeriFly app (after a lot of difficulty I might add!). At check-in we had to show paper copies of our vaccination status. Apparently the check-in staff do not have access to the VeriFly information. On board we never use our phone so we did not use the app at all. When you get to your cabin there will be a letter that lists the dining bookings that they have (kindly) made for you. You can change these, but it is better to do it as soon as you get to your cabin, otherwise the time slot you want in your preferred restaurant might not be available. Forget what happened last year - menus rotating every three days in the Waterfront. We were on a ten-night cruise in April/May. The menus (breakfast, lunch and dinner) stayed the same, but with one item changed in what was listed as "Crew Favourites". I think the menus were shown outside the restaurant, but if you want a popular time, you wouldn't be able to get in without having a booking. If you want to dine late (around 8pm) you shouldn't have any problem. We didn't go to Dragon Lady, but in Angelos, the menu stayed the same from what I could see with our three visits. I don't think you would have a problem requesting a table for two most of the time.

I agree that Princess definitely should not be advertising a cruise that they have had to cancel. However, I don't believe it is that they are deliberately taking money for a cruise they know won't happen - it is simply a mistake. Princess can be so inefficient. We have experienced it many, many times, too many to mention.

In North America, I think there are more 5th wheelers than caravans.

It depends what the pre-existing medical conditions are. Those that are covered are listed very clearly. If someone is unsure, they can phone and check .

I have to confess I didn't try to use the P&O app on board. It was useless up to that point anyway. 😁

The key point about VeriFly is that is for use by P&O before the cruise, presumably to confirm that the required percentage of passengers have been fully vaccinated.. The information was not available to the check-in staff. They asked us to verify that we had tested negative on a RAT and they looked at the hard copy of our vaccination certificates. That's why I didn't bother too much for our cruise a few weeks ago. I do not think you will be able to message friends using the P&O app.

The apps aren't to save us time, they are designed to save staff time whether at check in or on board (the latter is with Princess).

I had all sorts of problems with the VeriFly app for our P&O cruises last year. For our cruise at the end of April, I decided to do what I could on the app, but if there was a problem I would leave it and just turn up at the terminal. That worked.

There are a few car rental companies near the port of Tauranga (actually at Mt Manganui). I suggest you do a google search. The company we have used a few times no longer has a depot in Tauranga - probably a victim of the lack of customers during the pandemic. All the best.

We use the complimentary travel insurance attached to our ANZ Platinum credit card. It covers cruises that are booked before the person's 81st birthday. We have to use the card for at least $250 of the travel cost. Other banks have similar products. Others on this site will be able to recommend travel insurance policies that you can purchase. Whatever type of insurance you consider, check what pre-existing medical conditions they will cover.

'Port Out, Starboard HOME' was an acronym for the better side of the ship for Brits going to the Middle East in the days before ships were airconditioned. Doesn't apply these days. 😁

I agree. With the 'clockwise' itinerary, if you have a balcony the starboard side is much better. For views while in the Sounds, up top, particularly at the front of the ship is better. This applies particularly to the entry into Milford Sound. For the 90 mins to 2 hours between the Sounds, there are lovely views of the coast. If you have a balcony cabin on the starboard side, you can relax there and take in the views. It is worthwhile to go up top (to near the front of the ship) for the sail-in to Milford Sound. Then you can return to your balcony to take in the views in more comfort.

Cairns has some great spots - the Esplanade and the enormous pool are just a couple. If anyone wants to go to the Reef, Port Douglas is probably better (in my opinion). There are boat trips to the Outer Reef and also to the Low Isles.

Good suggestion. Thanks. I will check it out at our local Bunnings.

Princess doesn't have steak every night in the 'included' section of the menu, but you can order chips or steamed veges or whatever at no extra cost. When I order barramundi, I ask for chips. Mashed potatoes aren't as good with Barramundi.

The Kids' Clubs are excellent. One of my sons went on a short P&O cruise to Sydney for Australia Day (pre-COVID) with his wife and young son. They had trouble getting their son out of the Kids' Club to go ashore or for anything else.

Regarding the P&O up-charge on side dishes - with quite a few menu items in the MDR, fries are included. The up-charge applies only if you want it added to other dishes.

the OPT is the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay in Sydney.

Another comment re the Pacific Encounter cruise last week. We were on board for 11 days. The only changes to the menu were in a small section called "Crew Favourites" where one item was changed occasionally. In the Waterfront restaurant the menu stayed the same for all three meals in the day and in Angelos the menu stayed the same. We felt this was very poor.