Aus Traveller

We returned last Friday from a 10-night cruise on the Pacific Encounter to PNG. I will mention that we were on the Encounter twice last year. We noticed that there are more 'pay' items on the menu. At breakfast fried and scrambled eggs are available (with or without bacon) and also omelettes. There is a charge for eggs Benedict and a few other items. At lunch, a very poor Caesar salad is available, with an extra charge of $3 or $4 for grilled chicken on top. There are other 'sides' available at extra cost - including fries (where they aren't part of the dish). We felt there were many more items with a surcharge than there were last year when (for instance), eggs Benedict were an included item. Other observations - There was a trivia session at 9am and again at 5pm with a 'fun' trivia at 10.15am. The shows were '7' (great), Musicology (great) and a new one 'One' that we didn't get to see because we were at Blanc de Blanc.This is an adult show (cost $20pp) in the Black Circus room. Most people we spoke to enjoyed it or thought it was great - we didn't. We weren't offended, we just didn't like the show. A few others also said they didn't like it. The show (1 hr 20 mins) relied in large part on semi-nudity and I felt that some segments went on too long. A warning - if you don't like full nudity don't sit at the sides of the theatre where the view around strategically held towels or a flag gives quite an eyeful. 🙂 I am glad we were closer to the centre of the theatre.

A three-day cruise to 'nowhere' from Perth would not be scheduled to call at any ports. Whether it was anchored or cruising, it wouldn't affect activities on board, although there is a vibe about cruising. I suppose having the casino open would matter to some people, but it wouldn't to me.

It isn't that simple. I feel it is better to see the view of the fiord when the ship is sailing in. Our recent cruise to NZ went around the islands in a clock-wise direction. We had a balcony on the starboard side and really enjoyed the views of the coastline between Dusty Sound and Milford Sound. So for advice on which side to book, I would consider the itinerary of the cruise. If you don't have a balcony, it wouldn't matter much which side you were on because the best views would be from an open deck at the front of the ship.

The original question seemed to be in the form of the old classic "Have you stopped beating your wife". I feel cruising in Australia is very successful and obviously the industry thinks so too.😁

I don't know of any designed for single people. You can book any cabin, but pay extra for the privilege of occupying it as a solo.

We haven't seen shuttle buses in Tauranga. Our last cruise was a Princess one in February this year.

Great info Julie. I can add a few comments - Albany - walk into town but it is uphill. Free shuttle. Burnie - shuttle is free into town Fremantle - shuttle bus from the terminal around the centre of Fremantle

The cruise lines we are currently booking with are Princess and P&O. Both have water in plastic bottles for sale or in the case of Princess, as part of the mini bar set-up.

A large bowl of water would make more mess than an ice bucket if it fell on the floor. 🙂To eliminate chlorine the container should be uncovered and preferably with a fairly large top surface, not a tiny one like a wine or water bottle.

that was my thought. If there was an accident with a large container of water, there would be quite a mess. There isn't much spare space in cabins to store a large container of water. The sink could be inconvenient when we want to wash our hands or the steward comes in to clean.

You don't have to put the water in the fridge. You can leave it in an open container for 24 hours. I thought about that to get rid of the chlorine in cruiseship water, but I thought leaving a large open-top container of water in the cabin might concern the steward.

The ships' water is more highly chlorinated than town water. It has to be. It isn't that I have an aversion to chlorinated water, my gastrointestinal system doesn't like it. On our first couple of cruises last year after the COVID pause, I was spending a lot of time in the bathroom. I don't think I need paint a more vivid picture. ☹️ I realised I had to work something out or give up cruising. So, a Brita jug plus ascorbic acid to add to everything that is prepared using ship's water (soup, coffee etc).

My innards can't cope with the chlorine in the ship's water. I think there are two reasons - we don't have chlorine in our tank water at home and I didn't cruise for more than two years so I became sensitized to the chlorine. Now on ships, I use a Brita filter for water and have to add ascorbic acid to soup and coffee. Wine is OK. 😁

My daughter was considering taking larger containers of water on a cruise her family has booked. In one phone call to Princess, the advice was that only a limited amount was permitted, but on another call, she was told that she could take as much water on board as she likes, but it need to be 'factory sealed'. This was consistent with the old joke - "phone three times and get three different answers". We haven't asked three times about the water so I wonder what the third answer could be.😁 With no cruising for more than two years because of COVID, I developed a sensitivity to the chlorine in the water. This is also probably because we don't have chlorine in our water at home (our own water in tanks). I bought a Brita water filter jug and have found it to be brilliant - much better than I thought it could be.

If the ship leaves at 6pm, passengers won't be able to see the penguins coming ashore but they can go to the visitor centre where viewing windows allow visitors to see inside a penguin burrow. The Penguin Parade - penguins marching from the water and across the sand to their burrows - starts when it is almost dark. The time varies during the year. In June/July it starts around 5.15-5.30pm, but in summer it is 8.45. Numbers vary according to the breeding season.

Princess didn't have a bottled water package available earlier this year. Maybe they plan to re-introduce it.🙂 P.S. I checked my Cruise Personalizer for a cruise in June. There is no water package available. I was surprised at the increased price of the other drinks packages - Premier $170.38 a day, Plus $130.29 a day, Zero Alcohol $60.75 a day, Soda $31.05 a day. Wow!

Irene, I have just now read your post. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Frank and your respective children.🙏

What cruise line are you booked with? If it is Princess, then 'No' they no longer have a bottled water package. You can buy bottles of water. Another option - the tap water on board is drinkable. Some people take their water bottles to the buffet area and fill them from the water dispensers BUT you must not put the water bottle up to the nozzle. You have to use a cup to transfer the water.

Phillip Island has the most famous 'penguin parade' in Australia. We first went there in 1965 and were the only people on the beach. In more recent years it has become really big business.

There is a bit more to do at Lifou and Isle of Pines, both of which are larger than Heron or Lady Elliott. Mystery Island is very small with not much to do other than have a 'beach day'.

I regard the smaller ships (100-800) as expedition ships, not as cruise ships. The way I see a cruise ship, the ship itself with its entertainment and activities, is as much a destination as the ports. I have been on an expedition ship (99 pax) to Antarctica, and it was a totally different experience on board compared with all the cruise ships I have been on. If the larger ships (say 1,900 passengers +) aren't cruise ships, what are they?

Islands like Heron and Lady Elliott won't ever be suitable for visits by a cruise ship. By a 'cruise ship' I mean those currently operating here with 1,900 passengers plus. What would they all do? The only activities are snorkelling, diving, coral viewing by glass bottom boat, and of course, it would be a tender port. When passengers visit Port Douglas (for instance) there are multiple options for tours.

Heron Island is 2.5 hours by boat from Gladstone. The ferry leaves Gladstone at 9.30 and leaves Heron Island for the return trip at 12.45. The timing means it wouldn't work as a day excursion.

That's exactly my point. There isn't much in Gladstone for a tourist.

With some small towns, there mightn't be much to interest tourists within a reasonable distance.