Aus Traveller

Julie has made some excellent comments. I will add that there is an easy way to see if neighbouring cabins are either side of a smoke barrier door. Each section of the ship (starting at the bow) has its own numbering system and between each section there is a smoke-resistant door that can be closed in an emergency. The divider on the balcony cannot be opened if one cabin is in one section and the other is in the next. The cabins near the bow are in the '200 series', followed by the 300 series etc. The most forward section has cabins from 200 (port side) and 201 (starboard) through to 234 and 235. Immediately behind them are 302 and 301 through to 334 and 335. Then the next cabins are 400 and 401 through to 422 and 423. With both options that BruCu mentions, the door in the balcony partition should be able to be opened. This is done by the steward when the passengers request it.

I can recall in the past that passengers from the US have faced the same problem - their OBC in US$ is converted 1:1. I agree. It isn't fair, but there isn't anything you can do about it. I am not sure if the gratuities are also converted 1:1. I seem to recall in the past that someone complained that they are charged in US$ and converted to AUD. However, I am not sure. If this is the case, you can remove the gratuities from your on-board account and personally remunerate the staff who help make your holiday special. They will be able to keep this money, but any auto gratuities you pay will go into the fleet-wide tips pool. Australian-based ships aren't part of this pool. The staff are paid a higher rate of pay every month and don't rely on tips as a significant part of their pay. Although Aussies don't generally tip,, some passengers still give the stewards a tip, but this wouldn't be a significant amount.

I caught it at Specsavers. Also not a cruise in sight.😁

I think your last comment could be spot on.

That's the only explanation I could see. That it was delivered to the wrong cabin and only found at the end of the cruise. $500 plus free laundry is quite reasonable compensation in my opinion.

A couple of websites I looked at stated that F502 has a fully-obstructed view, however, more detailed sites with deck plans of the Coral, clearly show that it is NOT obstructed. F502 is an OB category, definitely not obstructed. The obstructed view cabins (OW) are definitely on deck 8 behind the lifeboats. There are as couple of sites that show this plan and indicate which cabins are obstructed view. They show they are on Emerald deck 8. I am confident that F502 is NOT obstructed. https://www.dccruising.com.au/pdf/deckplan_co.pdf

Kingsford Smith Motel is great for one night prior to a cruise, but I don't think it is ideal if the person wants to spend a day sightseeing. I thought Jean C's suggestion of Holiday Inn Express in the city was a good idea.

Sorry. My mistake. I was thinking of Princess.

I haven't been in that cabin, but from what I can see, F502 would have a 100% obstructed view. You would get daylight so it would be better than an interior cabin.

A mini suite doesn't entitle the passenger to priority boarding. It has to be a full suite.

On the Pacific Encounter we have been in both a mini suite and a balcony cabin. In the mini suite the shower is over the bath giving more space in the shower compared with the tiny shower in the balcony cabin. BTW we found that the bath is OK when the shower is used, but not when it is used as a bath. It is narrow with high sides and very difficult to get out of. However, this mightn't be a problem for a 55kg person if they are agile. Of course the mini suite is a little bit larger than a balcony cabin, but I don't feel it is worth the extra money. Just my opinion.

Princess definitely doesn't add gratuities to the drinks prices on its Australian cruises, but the prices are higher than they are on ships where auto-gratuities are charged.

I agree with Aussieflyer's comments regarding Jetstar. Maybe it should be called 'One star' or 'No star'. I would definitely pay a bit more and book with QANTAS. As a second option, Virgin isn't too bad.

Woodscruise has answered the question on time. I would definitely go by the airport shuttle bus that travels within the airport to get to the other terminal. It is very quick.

The Lady's clothes were collected every morning and washed before being returned to her three hours later. During this time she "had to stay in the cabin". Firstly I would not have had the clothes washed every day and I would have washed them in the evening and dried them in the cabin. Her saying she had to wear her husband's jocks is crazy. I wash my underwear every evening and it dries quite well in the cabin. She did say that RCL paid compensation. $300 would have been sufficient to buy a few things in the shop on board even if they don't sell underwear. The lady is quite slim so it is not as it she was a plus size and found it difficult to find things to fit. I would have found the episode upsetting and disappointing, but I would not have let it spoil my holiday.

I feel the couple involved deserve decent compensation, but I don't think they should get a free cruise.🙂

When we had a claim after a theft in Europe, I had to provide a receipt for a price of jewellery. Some clothes were also stolen, but we were not asked for receipts for them.

We have seen red checked blankets on Princess.

We sailed many times in a cabin directly under the buffet on the Sea Princess. We never heard a sound.

January and February are the wet season in northern Australia. Very hot, very humid and most likely rain with the possibility of a cyclone.

That was my theory Julie - that the suitcase was delivered to someone else's cabin and that they didn't do anything about it. At the end of the cruise, the cabin steward would have found it in the cabin after the occupants had left. When the owners of the suitcase say that it was on the ship the whole time, I can't think of another explanation. It couldn't have been left in the luggage trolleys - it would have been seen immediately.

The OP asked for a hotel near the airport and the cruise terminal and one that would "work to see some of the area". We know there isn't any accommodation near the cruise terminal. They could either go to an airport hotel that is a long way from anything that would interest a visitor in the way or sightseeing, or one in the centre of Brisbane where they could do sightseeing. I felt a central Brisbane hotel would involve less cost in taxi fares. Up to them but I know which one I would prefer.🙂

The problem with using a Hamilton motel as a base, is that the ferry ride up the river is slow, then it is the same slow ride back at the end of the day.

The OP is asking about accommodation after their cruise and before flying to San Francisco. They want a hotel that can be used a a base for sightseeing before they fly home.

There is no accommodation near the ship terminal in Brisbane. If you were simply spending the night and weren't interested in sightseeing I would suggest one of the motels in Hamilton (20 minutes' drive away). However, these motels are not good when you want to go sightseeing for a day. In my opinion, you should definitely look for accommodation in the centre of Brisbane city. There is quite a range of accommodation available.