RosieCanberra

14 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

I have some, bought at $7.

NCL was mid teens, Carnival was $7

In Puerto Madryn we went on a private excursion to El Pedral to see the penguins. They have a range of vehicles, I think we had 10 in our minibus. Join your roll call and someone may already have room or email and ask to be added to a tour. From memory it was USD120 per person paid in cash on the day which included lunch with drinks. It was a warm day and you walk a couple of Km to get to the beach (it is a flat and easy walk) so wear a hat and sunscreen. Email is reservas@Pedral.com.ar

For Stanley definitely do Volunteer Point as Mic suggests. We did it in 2014, and it was a bumpy ride in a 4WD to get there but it is so worth it. Last month we did a private tour to Bertha's Beach and other locations around the Falklands. While it was interesting it was nowhere near as good as Volunteer Point. Don't wait to book as they sell out quickly. 

Montevideo we walked off the ship into the town, saw the cathedral and market stalls. It was just a leg stretch really as we had been there before.  In 2014 we did a private tour to a winery and a drive around city tour which was a great day, it was arranged by someone on the roll call so I don't have the details.

@Galesa get your flights booked as soon as possible. We flew Qantas to Santiago, then KLM to Buenos Aires. Then Qantas Santiago to Sydney. All flights departed during the day. 

Others on our cruise flew Latam which left after midnight and stopped in Auckland. They had no choice as Qantas was fully booked. 

@1Rosco1 that's terrible. I hope you can still salvage a holiday of some sort. I'm surprised they have not offered an incentive to book a future cruise. 

8 minutes ago, Mareblu said:

Correct, Rosie.  Beautiful city.  Your turn…

Thank you, I should have thought this through 😃

@MicCanberra would you please post one of our pics? 

Looks like Tallin, Estonia. 

8 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

12 people on our ship did NOT turn up for their pre-arranged excursions with Estancia, and they didn’t let the company know in advance! So they lost all of those dollars, and it was unfair to both the tour company that trusts people to show up AND to others on the ship that would have loved to have had their spots.

Maybe they were among those that missed the cruise altogether. 

@TravelBluebird I'm loving this thread!

Does HAL supply binoculars in the cabins or only suites? We have a VD balcony booked. 

We too are Celebrity fans, what has drawn us to HAL is the fantastic itineraries. I have completed two HAL and have South America and Antarctica for later this month.

I agree with the MDR comments, and the in-room movies on HAL. Both superior to Celebrity and RCL. 

Oh I'm loving your posts @NorbertsNiece 

We sail in a month from BA, can't wait! Thanks so much. 

Circular Quay, Sydney is where the ferries leave from, and where the ship docks. There is a train station there as well. Also buses, taxis, tourist and souvenir shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants, McDonalds, Starbucks.

Blue Mountains (2 hours from Sydney) - catch a train from Sydney to Katoomba station. There is a hop on hop off bus. You can also pick up a coach tour from Sydney.

Kiama (2 hours south from Sydney) - catch a train from Sydney to Kiama station. Beaches, blowhole, lovely coast. Nice day trip.

Sydney Harbour - catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. Great views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. On arrival at Manly follow the crowds down the Corso to the beach. Heaps of restaurants, cafes, pubs. Another nice ferry ride back to Circular Quay. You can also catch a ferry to Taronga Zoo, has to be the best view of any Zoo in the world. Buy your Zoo and ferry tickets at Wharf 4, Circular Quay.

Sydney - The Rocks - historic area, lots of old buildings, nice old pubs, lots of opportunities for Bridge photos, restaurants and shopping. This area is next to where the ship docks.

Sydney Opera House and Botanic Gardens - get off train at Circular Quay and walk towards and around opera house, the gardens on the other side are the start of the Botanic Gardens. Food and drinks are available everywhere.
Other places of interest in this area - NSW Art Gallery, Museum, St Mary's Cathedral. All are located just after the Botanic gardens and are easily walkable.

Darling Harbour and Chinatown - located a short walk from Town Hall Station. Restaurants, bars, shopping, markets, aquarium, cruises. Lots to see and do.

Bondi Beach - bus 333 leaves from Museum Station, Sydney. Can also catch train from Martin Place to Bondi Junction, bus leaves from station to beach.



 

Take care Uncle Les! We are all sending love your way xx

We always keep the gratuities in place, in 58 cruises have never had them removed. And in all that time we have heard the jibes about Australians not tipping but in practice I've found most are very generous. 

I have met many Americans who have the auto tips removed. 

We also tip in cash directly to our room steward, and certain bar or wait staff, usually on the last day. 

How exciting! Have a wonderful cruise

I pack light, and I always bring about 4 inflatable clothes hangers. They are small and lightweight, but when inflated will hold your wet swim suit or washing 'apart' so it will dry overnight. 

Another must have is a lightweight rain proof jacket, the ones that roll up. Will keep you warm without the bulk. 

This is a tough question. My favourites are Celebrity and Princess, but I also like many others. 

Ten of the mainstream lines for me, plus another 5 smaller or river cruises.

I cruise for itinerary and I am amazed when I meet people who will only cruise with one company. 

Don't walk through the ship's scanners with a pacemaker, just tell them and they will lift the rope and give you a quick pat down. 

Thank you for writing this thread, I'm on the 4 October cruise, same itinerary. Will be my first MSC cruise so I'm looking forward to your updates.

Happy cruising! 

GORTON
Geoff

GORTON Geoff In Loving Memory
24.07.1959-08.09.2023

Remembered by his wife, Kerin, mother, Jenny, and his children, grandchildren, siblings, and beloved Max.

Family and friends are warmly invited to gather together to celebrate the life of Geoff to be held at Westlakes Baptist Church, 6 Ridge Road, Killaben Bay on 16 September 2023 at 1pm.

Another vote for Auckland to Sydney. Sailing into Sydney Harbour is fabulous. 

Enjoy!

I'm Celebrity Elite, my 10 future bookings are with MSC Meraviglia (first time on MSC!), NCL Joy, NCL Joy, Carnival Magic, Celebrity Reflection, HAL Noordam, HAL Oosterdam, a Nile river cruise, Royal Princess, Cunard Queen Elizabeth. 

I love Celebrity, but I cruise for itinerary. And unfortunately Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are not offering what I'm looking for. 

Oh wow, that's bad luck. 

We're booked on this cruise too, with some friends. Should be great!

I've sailed on Cunard once before, dress code for dinner is a jacket for the men and no shorts after 5pm. For women it was just dress nicely, no shorts after 5pm. 

On formal night men wore suits or tuxedos, although most were in suits. Women wore nice dresses, some wore long dresses but they were in the minority. 

@CruiseCruiseAndMoreCruise thanks so much for posting all this useful information. I'm cruising on Meraviglia 4 October, my first time on MSC.