3littlepigs

We haven’t used them for travel insurance but have had claims on Buildings insurance after a big storm and car claims and found them fantastic to deal with.

There are reports that the Pacific Explorer is staying in Sydney overnight as it is too rough to leave Sydney.

We have friends on that cruise who have posted on FB that they are staying at the wharf tonight hopefully to leave in the morning. It’s a 3 day cruise to nowhere...they are wondering if they really will be going nowhere!

Thanks Guys! I figured it was more important where the sun was compared to your balcony for 24 days if there wasn’t a particular view at ports

We are looking at a transpacific and wondering whether we should book port or starboard. It’s stopping at Honolulu and Kona where the sail in scenery should be good.

There seems to be a lot of conflicting info on the main board so I thought I would ask here because I reckon quite a few members would have done a Transpacific cruise!

Thanks.

Thanks! That settles it...now I just have to decide port or starboard as we are going to a couple of ports in a Hawaii. Thanks so much for all the help.

Thanks! That’s super helpful! There is a $1500pp ( Australian $ so over $1000 US) difference between the SA and the SA and $800 between the SC and SB seems a lot even though it’s a 24 day cruise. I would have paid the extra if it was a significant cabin variation but seems not. A$3000 is a lot of bottles of wine at dinner.

We are looking at a Pacific Crossing on Noordam. The SC cabins 7085 and 7086 are available at around $1000 each less than the SA cabins 2 doors down (7081 and 7082) wondering why the difference in category? Is it that the hump cabins next door can look into the balcony/room or something else.

The hump cabins are SB’s (7087 and 7088) and both available. I was going to book one of those but read on an old post that the floor area of the cabin was much smaller than the other Neptune’s.

It’s a long cruise and my husband is fussy about his cabin so I’m trying to work out our best bet.;p Normally I would have expected him to go for an aft wrap but he’s not fussed on that option this time.

Thanks

Figured OP was looking for the truth not a wishy washy "she'll be right" comment...nothing there that's not the truth!

For their purposes Legend will do very nicely...doesn't stop it being ugly!

The good thing about the sounds is there is land on both sides of the ship.:cool:

Once you leave the sounds the scenery is just as spectacular but only on one side of the ship ;p

We are onboard now on an NZ cruise. Highly recommend you choose a cabin that is on the land side of the ship as you sail around. We are in the far south, having just come out if the sounds, and the scenery is lovely. We fluked it having booked the last sky suite available when they had a big promo at the beginning of last year.

We have been on Radiance (RCCL) and Legend and probably wouldn't choose to cruise either line again.

We found the food on Carnival vastly superior to Radiance, they do some great Indian food and the pizza is good. The RCCL food looked great on the plate but tasted awful, my daughter still laughs and calls anything bland or tasteless Radiance food.

Our cabin staff on Radiance were great, on Carnival he was an opinionated jerk, I still don't know how he got the job.

Radiance is a beautiful looking ship, but we found it very crowded. Carnival Legend is eye blisteringly ugly, what drugs was that designer on? Beyond brutal, nobody can prepare you for how bad it is, you really have to see for yourself.

For the convenience of not having to fly, particularly such a large group, and the price, I suggest Carnival, the savings will go a long way to obliterating the ugliness!

We have found Clinique is usually a great buy onboard and sometimes they have double packs or extra large sizes for very good prices.

Himself has a bit of a Tiffany obsession but I find it overrated...unless I can spend my OBC in the Tiffany shop of course!

Only if they're loose.

Definitely loose :')

Just waiting on those precious tags to be delivered before the Harvester clears the decks!

Lucky dogs.

My husband was a Roo Chewer too...until we had roos in our top paddock...and side paddock and back paddock and vegie patch! B****y drought!

Back steaks ok, the rest, pig, dog and damn good Yabby bait.

And that's it.

Hadn't thought of Yabby Bait!

And here we are letting the Roo Harvester take them away to be turned into dog food!

But seriously...shame their were issues with the ship that changed the itinerary but that's something that we all take the risk of when we book a cruise. I find when you are traveling you need to be open to change and new experiences that come along as you travel. One problem with cruise travel is that passengers can be cosseted in a familiar environment (especially when you have cruised a lot) and expect everything that is happening in the "real world" to fit in with your expectations, people forget they aren't just floating around in their favourite hotel with the world a theme park that revolves around them.

It's a beautiful area, to me much nicer than the Katoomba side, but I am biased, I Drive this road at least twice a week.

When you come through take the time to stop at Pearces Pass. It will be on your right as you are heading towards Mt Tomah, the cliffs there are glorious.

Not far east of the turn off to Mt Wilson

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Pierces+Pass+Picnic+Area,+Pierces+Pass+Rd,+Blue+Mountains+National+Park+NSW+2570/@-33.5702203,150.3381465,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b1276de70ae2611:0x6413ec3e30dc0dbe?hl=en-au

We have a holiday house within walking distance of Murramarang Resort, it's a VERY special area of Australia. If you are looking for Kangaroos, pristine wilderness and direct access to some of the best beaches in the world, with a good chance you will have these entire beach to yourself, you found the place...but don't go telling everyone about it...we are trying to keep it a secret! :)

Traditionally overseas visitors would choose the Hunter Valley or Blue Mountains because of the tourist infrastructure and easy access, but if you are looking for the REAL Australia head south from Sydney and go off the beaten track.

We did this one a few years ago, it was crazy, I wouldn't do it again. They give a safety briefing before they take the raft over that waterfall and only proceed if they are happy it's safe. It's in the middle of the trip so they can judge by then how people are coping with the rafting. And remember being NZ the water is cold.

I wouldn't say it was particularly an age thing more a health and fitness thing :)

We got a BankWest card with no international transaction fees and a relatively low limit after we had a massive issue with a fraud on our usual card when it was stolen overseas. It saves us money and limits our exposure...I know the banks all say your card is safe from fraudulent transactions...don't believe it! The nightmare of sorting the fraud on our card took months to sort out.

And I thought cruises were for relaxing!

Obviously others think they are a good way to transport significant quantities of illegal goods!

http://www.2dayfm.com.au/news/feed/2016/8/cocaine-bust-on-cruise-ship-in-sydney

We travel to Asia regularly and now pack face masks (like you would have for the flu) and Ventolin and check the air quality readings regularly.

The first time we flew to China I started wheezing in the aerobridge before we even got into the terminal.

The pollution is unpredictable, we have had days where you can't see across the street followed by a day where you can see for miles, you can't predict it, just have to be prepared.

Bangkok seems to be mainly vehicle pollution and I have had slight carbon monoxide poisoning there from walking down the busy streets! Last time we were in KL they put out warnings for people to stay inside because of the smoke from the burn offs.

It doesn't stop us from going ( we are back in China for a month later this year) but it does mean you have to go prepared!

Celebrity Equinox 8 June 16, 7 night Istanbul to Rome balcony guarantee is A$855 including 2 of their perks - Classic Drinks, Unlimited Internet, OBC, prepaid tips.

Crazy price if you happen to be over there or planning an eastern European jaunt this year.

just booked a 2d cabin on the solstice for a cruise to lifou and Noumea on april 13 / 2017.anyone done this trip or been in a port side 2d balcony cabin

thank you

Best ask on the Australian/NZ section of the board. Loads of local cruisers there who will be able to answer your New Caledonia queries.

We had an aft cabin on legend earlier this year...love the view! Our cabin was called extended balcony but, too be honest, I thought the balcony was pretty average and would hate to see the ordinary balconies if that was a big one.

As a guarantee I think you have win the jackpot scoring an aft facing cabin, you will love the peace and the view!

We are HAL/Celebrity fans, have never considered P&O before but I'm now intrigued, they have some great itineraries coming up...wondering if I should take a leap of faith and book one of the PNG cruises!

Thanks for your review and pictures, made a great read!