yarramar

Qantas is the most generous and the fare includes a snack or meal, 10 kg total of carry as a personal item plus bag and 32kg checked luggage. You can purchase an extra checked if required. Don't catch the train. There is a reason that MEL-SYD is the 2nd busiest route in the world with around 150 flights per day.

As long as there is nothing crawling inside the ball of yarn or moth eggs, you should be good to go.

That's the good thing about teabags. It is so easy to take a few of your own when on holiday, just in case.

The NO TIPPING policy is one of the things that drew me to VV. I absolutely hate the entire concept of tipping and cannot see that any good has come about through this demeaning practice. Hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, etc who exploit their staff also exploit their patrons and the outcome is a miserable atmosphere for all concerned. Real expressions of gratitude are lost within the quagmire of a tipping culture.

I always carry a double walled stainless steel bottle every where I go. It keeps water cool all day when filled. I take it through security at airports empty and refill it from the chilled filtered water airside at airports or if none will buy water and fill it. I also have it by my bedside at night

It may still be too early for them to give a more detailed itinerary. However, the sailing one month later which looks pretty similar but continues to Sydney but misses Wellington for the same 12 days is called "New Zealand Fjords & Australian Shores Cruise" The cruise in between which misses both Wellington & Sydney but is 10 days is called "Pacific Fjords & Tasman Treasures Cruise".

Another plus for VV. I paid $10 fee on RCCL. I didn't mind, though, because my card provider credits back all ATM fees.

I have never been on a cruise for the pool. For me it is about the ports and being well fed and comfortable between them. If I want a pool on vacation I will go to a resort.

Every shore excursion offered by any ship can usually be done privately and possibly cheaper with less crowds. There are several dolphin swim tours offered in Bimini including SCUBA ones. This is a snorkeling one. http://www.biminiadventures.com/bimini dolphin swim.htm

There is still another 2 VV branded ships yet to enter the market. Maybe LA is in the planning once cruising picks up post covid and the brand becomes better known.

Great video! I am not in the demographic but if I was it would impress me enough to book. The last slower paced bit was more my speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMCTO-knr9U

There are specifically themed music cruises, so you can live and breath it 24/7 This is one which may interest you. https://countrymusiccruise.com/

My last cruise was on RCL and we both had stainless steel double walled drink bottles. I would fill those each morning prior to an excursion. Even if bottled water was provided as it was on other cruises I have been on, I would forgo taking them as the SS bottles keep the water cool all day and when finished I would buy a bottle of chilled water and decant it into the SS one. Far better than carrying multiple bottles of warm water in a back pack.

It may have a lot to do with your mobile carrier. I know that mine does not allow wifi calling outside of Australia whereas other companies do. I do, however have a generous international roaming plan which allows data so can't complain too much

....well I've committed to being on board for 29 days. I am doing the Athens to Sydney repositioning cruise in 2023 but will be bailing at Singapore as I didn't think I would last for a further 15 days. Am looking forward to it, though.

https://www.cruisemapper.com/?poi=82

1025 Cruise is correct https://www.iqcruising.com/ports/caribbean/roatan/cruise-port-piers-and-terminals.html

This site should be able to tell you which port (if there is a choice) https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/roatan-island-port-29

One has to get there priorities straight. 😉

IMHO it is overrated. I wouldn't bother paying extra.

Well there is one sailor on the roll calls asking https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2878378-scarlet-lady-dec-14-18-fire-sunset/

You don't get a hammock, either

By the looks of this video, the bed is totally different than the convertible beds

I have just read a couple of reviews for a September voyage on Valliant Lady. They were an absolute shocker! I am sure that more will come in but I wonder what went wrong? https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=690715 https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=690701