Masonic Phantom

Today was a sea day after our stop in Melbourne yesterday. It was raining when we arrived,but the weather soon cooperated in the afternoon. However,the early cloud cover and rain changed plans for some including us. Instead of going out on Ocean Drive and the countryside we stayed in the city with our hosts. It is a very lovely city with plenty going on including the Australian Open. We enjoyed walking along the river front and through the parks,and had a stop in Brighton in the inner suburbs. I enjoyed a beer in front of "Chloe" at Young & Jackson across the from the train station. You'll have to ask an Australian who "Chloe" is if you don't already know.

Today was a sea day under mostly cloudy skies and cool temperatures. The Super Bowl was shown in the Viennnese Lounge on the big screen. Tomorrow we will be in Melbourne. As you've probably figured out already,we purchased the unlimited internet package. It's worked out well for us,and although it can be slow,it's working well. Now if only the cellular data package we bought from our wireless carrier Verizon would work as well.

Colonel Wes & Ida,Fernando was very excited to receive your hello,and passes along his regards. Adelaide tomorrow morning.

This may help about Chloe http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/chloe-jules-joseph-lefebvre

Boarded yesterday and as there were only 20 guests boarding we were on at 11 and in our rooms. There was a coast guard drill at 10,or we would've been on board sooner. There are currently 290 on board. We find the ship to be very clean,and in excellent condition. Yes, the carpeting is older,but we haven't found any stains.In fact the carpets were being cleaned.

Service and food have been excellent. I had arranged through guest services before leaving to have champagne in the room on arrival,and lobster tails for my wife at LaTerrazza for her birthday. It had all been taken care of and my wife enjoyed her birthday surprise. There are flowers in the room,the butler offered the selections of soaps and offered to unpack which we declined. However,that was the first time on any cruise line where the butler actually asked us. At afternoon tea there were fresh roses at every table and a pianist playing softly.

Oliver is providing cloth coasters at the bar,and there was breakfast available by the pool this morning. The sea has been VERY rough since leaving Sydney,but everything is functioning as usual. Also,when the butler found out it was my wife's b-day he sent us a cake to the room.

More updates later as we purchased the unlimited page. BTW,the duck ragout was outstanding.

Dear fdnycruiser, If possible try to go to http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/vue_de_monde

great restaurant with the best view of Melbourne,

alas we are going on board for lunch only, & wish your wife a happy birthday from all of us down under... Cheers. M.P.

Not only a seperate shower, but a full sized bath and two sinks too!

Thanks for that update.. Silver Spectre.

Showers on Shadow (and Whisper) are in a separate walk in cabinet. Lovely big bathroom!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

GEEEE!!! that was quick 57 varieties.. thanks, we thought they may be the same as the Wind.

Are the showers still above the bath or have they been up-dated like the Spirit.

thanks M.P.

I would suggest that you contact Rome Cabs (romecabs dotcom). We and many other CC'ers have used them several times and think that they are excellent. They will respond to your e-mail quickly. Their prices have been lower than the SS transfers, with service in nice Mercedes sedans.

I concur... very good.

I saw someone posted on another subject about how the Aussie's as a group have become an important cruise geo-demographic target and it got me to thinking, what was the make-up of our Spirit cruise this summer from Athens to Venice. The findings were interesting indeed.

 

The Spirit was filled with 480 passengers from 34 countries for an occupancy rate of 89%. Below is the country-by-country % of passengers.

COUNTRY       % OF PASSENGERS
Argentina          0.8%
Australia          6.9%
Belarus            0.3%
Belgium            0.3%
Brazil             5.3%
Canada             4.5%
Chile              1.1%
China              1.6%
Colombia           1.3%
Costa Rica         3.4%
Denmark            1.1%
Estonia            0.3%
Finland            0.8%
France             0.3%
Germany            2.9%
Guatemala          0.3%
Hong Kong          0.8%
Iran               0.8%
Ireland            0.8%
Israel             0.5%
Japan              2.1%
Jordan             0.3%
Mexico             1.3%
Netherlands        1.1%
New Zealand        1.9%
Norway             1.3%
Peru               0.3%
Russia             0.3%
Switzerland        1.1%
Taiwan             0.5%
Ukraine            0.8%
United Kingdom    13.0%
United States     41.4%
Venezuela          0.8%

Per population would tell a different story perhaps!!

Of course Oz is a potentially bigger cruise market than blighty. Most Ozzers arrived at some point on a cruise. Natural market. :)

You very funny man..... Jeff.:)

About six years ago, we received an email offer from SS that gave a price in dollars. When we tried to book this, SS said the price should have been in pounds sterling, and when we checked the website the dollars had been changed to pounds.

 

We didnt book the cruise. Unfortunately all lines seem to favour the American market to the detriment of the Brits. As noted previously on this thread, you get special offers that never head east across the pond, and the Australians complain that they are even harder done to.

 

Regards

 

Master Echo

Your not wrong!!

Oops, could have been Wednesday!

Yes duct tape, near enough!

Cheers Gary.

Bay of Islands, Auckland and Tauranga and over the Tasman to Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Tuesday Island and Darwin before heading up to Bali. Overnights in Sydney and Cairns.

duct tape,... two days out.. make that Thursday Island.

Also try posting in the Roll Call threads. Have a great trip!

Thanks duct tape, We are really looking forward to the Spirit [first time]

other cruises have been on the Wind, which we love.

Tried to post on Roll-Call ...but gave up.. could not make it work for me!!

Cheers Gary.

Anyone else on this cruise??

Cheers Gary.

I agree. Let's have the Roll Calls back here. Also agree that it's bet to have the Ship's name, the voyage number, the cruise date and cruising area.

I concur with all the above.... change please.

AMEN, emtbsam! If folks don't like the dress code then cruise with another line.

I concur:mad: