Aus Traveller

I find it ridiculous for (for instance) a cruise line insisting that a passenger's passport has to have more than six months' validity when they board their cruise, when the Aust government states that the passport is valid until the date of expiration. Some other countries require the six months' leeway, but many don't. For example, NZ requires that visitors have three months' validity past the date of their expected departure from the country.

That's good to know. Thanks.

A few weeks ago Hogbay posted a link to a study into seasickness remedies. The authors believe that the wrist bands don't help, or at best have a placebo effect. They weren't impressed with ginger but it could help very slightly. The post with the link was in a thread entitled "sea sick medication outside the infirmary". At the moment, this thread is on page 2.

We have cruised in Queensland and NSW waters many, many times. In April I would expect good conditions. North from Rockhampton, the shipping channel is 'inside' the Barrier Reef so sea conditions are usually very calm. I suggest you take medication to counteract any seasickness, just in case. Currently Phenergan is the best available in Australia. The tablet should be taken at night because it can cause drowsiness.

I realise that you were reporting what someone said on another forum and that it wasn't your opinion.🙂

I doubt that the pool are heated on either the Coral or on the Pacific Explorer.

passengers. Geoff's wife Barb is third from the left (with red hair).

I don't know if there is accommodation at the airport. I suggest one of the motels in Racecourse Road Hamilton. There is nothing closer to the cruise terminal.

If you are referring to Princess, I understand that if you pre-book an excursion, you have to pre-pay for it. You can wait until you board to book to use your OBC, but the tour could be sold out, or the price could rise.

I have never heard of this happening. Are you saying that the double-charge wasn't corrected?

I understand that the money was spent on the last kilometre of road before the terminal. The existing road that leads to this new section is really terrible.

I wear hearing aids, but at a dining table, I try to sit in the middle so I am closer to people at both ends of the table.

Meat sliced very thin and rolled with (usually) chopped onion, herbs and maybe bacon inside before slow cooking. It is delicious. My German-born mother-in-law made it and it was delicious.

You have explained the situation very well.

The only parking near Portside was with Portside Parking (under cover and open air) and formerly with Gateway Parking. The latter one has now closed. Between the two companies they might have had 900 spaces. Both companies operated shuttle mini buses. Portside Parking is still operating and will have shuttle buses for passengers who park at their facility.

Agreed. My hearing aids are similar. Mine are from Amplifon.

There are 900 parking spaces at the BICT - 227 (from memory) of which are under cover.

I thought she would be there to greet the Pacific Explorer. No show without Punch - or is it Judy.

No. You would not be covered by our Third Party Insurance. In Australia vehicle owners pay a compulsory Third Party premium with their car registration. You mention that your credit card travel insurance doesn't cover you for the third party. I suggest you have a look at You would have to take out insurance with the rental company.

Great news. 🙂

The OP (Rondo) said that there isn't even a flight the next day. They would have to stay two nights.

Princess announced that they were travelling at reduced capacity for the first few (I think it is three) cruises. They will then have nearly-full capacity, except for keeping some cabins for possible quarantine cases.

Agreed, however we are talking about traditional dining when it has passed the time that passengers are generally admitted to the dining room. If two people are sitting at one large table and four at the nearby large table, it makes sense to me that they could join together. This would be for that night only.

We have had waiters refuse to let us move to another table still within his service area.

I have been ploughing through the requirements to register details on the Princess Medallion app. I don't know what to put for Travel Information. So far I have "starting your journey" (one of the two options), "Private Car" then "Own car". Does this page only have to be filled out if we have bought Princess transfers? Otherwise some of the questions are silly. My husband has lost patience with the Medallion app. He grumbled "We have to spend two weeks filling out stuff for a one week cruise".