possum52

Thanks Tom, Tassie is becoming very popular with cruisers.

Leigh

11 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Great stuff, these pics really do show the difference in size.

Yes they sure do Mic.

Leigh

We use InsureandGo as well. We've had one claim which was settled quite promptly with a couple of emails requesting further information.

Leigh

Thanks David. The Golden looks so small beside the Majestic.

Leigh

4 hours ago, GloriaF said:

We use Princess room service for breakfast quite often when in warm climates because we enjoy eating on the balcony.  Sometimes we must move the small table from the cabin to the balcony for enough table space, but for us it's worth it.

When you receive your order, you are required to sign acceptance -- and there is a spot for a tip as well.  No need for cash in hand.

We didn't have to sign for our room service on the Golden Princess earlier in the year. The tray was just handed to us at the door and the waiter went on his way.

Leigh

Bon voyage Stu, enjoy your cruise and I'm looking forward to your review of the Majestic Princess.

Leigh

Mrs Gut is the real expert on that stuff, I just know about it by hanging around with her.

 

Now if we get her started on Point Puer we’lol never finish.

I also have convict ancestors who were sent to Tasmania so it a subject I am very interested in. Rob's great grandfather's aunt was one of the prisoners who came out on the 'Rajah' and who made the famed quilt which I think is on display or was in Canberra at the National Art Gallery.

Leigh

Congratulations and Best Wishes Deb and Bob. May you enjoy a life together of much cruising!

Leigh

Female factories were basically a place for female convicts and destitute females to be housed, trained, put to work, until such time as they were employed as servants or chosen for marriage. They also acted as basic maternity hospitals.

My husband's great grandfather's sister was born at Launceston female factory.plus a few cousins. Both his parents, an aunt and grandmother were convicts in Tasmania.

Leigh

About 7 hours each way, though? That's the equivalent of a whole day's sightseeing.

And that is without any breaks on the way.

Leigh

Hi Lee Ann. Melbourne is just a really nice city, great vibe. I always go to the Queen Vic markets and there's great shopping in the city. I don't go often enough to recommended restaurants but if you like Italian try Lygon Street in Carlton. You can walk there from the city. Tram it to st kilda, see the beach and check out the amazing cake shops there. I can't remember what month you were looking at but if you have any interest in sport an AFL match is a must.

 

I live in Canberra so am biased but it's worth a visit. While the shrine in Melbourne is a meaningful monument, the war memorial in Canberra is a totally different thing. I'd say it is our number 1 attraction and you could spend a whole day there, they have so many exhibitions. The good thing about Canberra attractions is that they are almost all free because they are in the capital. My second recommendation would be Parliament House.

 

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Re a visit to Canberra to visit the Australian War Memorial. Our last trip there we spent a whole day at the AWM and still didn't see it all to our satisfaction. We have been a number of times and always find something new to see. My point in suggesting the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne was that to do a side trip to Canberra, to do it justice you really need to spend at least two but I think four days there. As Leigh Ann and her husband want to see many things in Melbourne and surrounding areas, their eleven days is going to be pushing it to make a trip to Canberra as well.

The history of the Shrine of Remembrance - after WW1, to help the grieving people of Victoria cope with the loss of over 19000 during the war there was a push to build a monument to honour these men and women who didn't return from the Great War. The people of Victoria raised enough money and a design was chosen from entries from Australian architects and artists. It was opened in 1934 by the Duke of Glousester, the son of King George V officially opened the Shrine in 1934.

Leigh

We'd love to spend some time - even if it's a day - in Canberra. My husband is a retired Army First Sargent whose service began in Viet Nam when he was an 18y/0 kid. We both want o visit the Australian War MemorialI so I hope I can work it out.

 

I know a flight would be expensive - but as my aunt always said : It's only "paper". Go and do all you can when you can because you never know when you won't be able to do much of anything any more.

 

Words to live by.

 

Lee Ann

Leigh Ann, Melbourne has an amazing memorial to our fallen service personnel - The Shrine of Remembrance which is situated on the edge of the CBD just opposite the Royal Botanical Gardens between St Kilda Road and Birdwood Ave. It is easily reached either by walking through the gardens from near the Yarra River or catching a tram along St Kilda Rd, or if you have a car, it is easy to drive to. Much easier to visit than making a side trip to Canberra.

More information here - https://www.shrine.org.au/Home

Leigh

With only eleven days, we'll drive some of the GOR. I have so much I on my "to see, do, eat" list!

 

DH and I have fished for halibut & salmon in Alaska and red snapper and tiger fish in the Gulf out from Panama City Beach, Florida - so how could we possibly travel all the way to Australia and not fish? So, I've been debating booking a fishing trip that goes out of Mornington vs finding somewhere we can fish off the dock or pier.

punkinlr, not sure if you are aware that ALL persons including those on charters MUST have a recreational fishing licence when fishing in Victoria unless you are over 70. The cost for a three day licence is $10. More information can be found on this link - https://vfa.vic.gov.au/recreational-fishing/fishing-licence

Leigh

We love Salamanca Markets. But I think it would be DH who would spend more than me! It's a great place to buy last minute Christmas presents.

Good luck Mr GUT! I'm sure Mrs GUT will enjoy her day at Salamanca Place.

It is a short day there, not enough time to do much. A long day in Burnie though.

Leigh

They have introduced a new format for the Pub Lunch on the Golden. Rather than being held in a separate venue, the Pub Lunch is being held in a DR from 12:00 to 1:30 concurrently with lunch. In addition to a Fisherman Platter, Chicken Curry, Steak & Kidney Pie, Scotch Egg & Salad, and Bread and Butter Pudding for dessert on the Pub Lunch side you can order appetizers of Chicken Liver Mousse, Onion Tart With Bacon, and Olde English Lamb & Barley Broth, all the typical burgers, and Spaghetti Alla Carbonara. Additional desserts are Cheese and Blueberry Blintzes, Hazelnut Meringue Layered Cake, Ice Creams, Fruit Plate, and Cheese Plate.

The pub lunch was held in Donatello DR on our cruise from Melbourne in February this year. I can't remember the everyday menu being offered on the days pub lunch was held. Certainly from memory all the pub dishes you listed above were on the menu plus some old favourite pub desserts.

It was a pleasant way to spend an hour or so in the DR as we normally ate in HC or picked up a burger or something at the IC at lunchtime.

Leigh

Unless you’ve got the $$$ in hand when yopen the dor, they’ll e gone before can ge5 it.

 

Well that’s been our experience anyway.

Our experience too!

Leigh

Sad, Sad. :( :'):loudcry:

Very close finish to the GF. I was supporting the Magpies but not really too fussed. It was anyone's game right up to the last minute or so. The first GF I've missed for about 15 years but as I'm been unwell with sinusitis I decided not to line up with my son and son in law early this morning to obtain a seat in the MCC members. If the Bombers had been playing it would have been different, I would have been there!

Leigh

After 4 cruises you would think a bloke would know the answer but we've never used Princess breakfast room service before.

 

Next trip we are going to order a first thing cuppa, no eats, and were wondering who delivers it, and if it is not our Room Steward does the deliverer expect a tip, and how much?

Your cuppa will be delivered by someone from room service. No they don't expect a tip but it is up to you if you do tip. The service from our experience is usually very efficient.

Leigh

To clarify, I meant that if you looked at the 8 at the start of the finals series, then West Coast were absolutely heavily tipped to make it on the back of two home finals in Perth.

 

When we backtrack to the start of the season though, then yes I agree that West Coast weren't really in the picture, and neither were Collingwood.

Thanks for clarifying losfp. West Coast do have such an advantage in Perth, although this season they did lose a few over there.

The only ones who expected Collingwood to make the GF were their fans!

Hope it is a good game!

Leigh

I think most people expected it to be Richmond v West Coast. The eagles have that massive home ground advantage, and have performed strongly this year. Collingwood beating Richmond in the prelim was definitely an upset, but not a massive one. Melbourne getting in would have been a HUGE upset.

 

The Swans.... well we try again next year.

I don't think West Coast were expected to be in the GF by the majority of the sports media and in Victoria. Certainly Richmond was expected to be there and perhaps one of the Swans, GWS or Adelaide Crows. In fact I was reading an article on Foxsport that tipped WC wouldn't make the final 8.

Leigh

Thank you. We sail 23 January to 4 February starting in Sydney, ending in Auckland. I have no idea what to expect the age or nationality demographic for this date and itinerary to be! Hopefully we won't have to pretend to be "southern" Canadian, LOL.

Shellbelle28,

There will likely to be children on your cruise but not too many. Most states' schools will have resumed by halfway through your cruise. If you were cruising to the South Pacific Islands, there would be more children on board.

There will be probably many nationalities on board.

Leigh

Dis Melbournecall you want I’m from NSW (there’s a bit of friendly??? Rivalry)

I would call it a lot and not always so friendly! :):)

Carole,

There is plenty to do in Melbourne and you can easily fill in your day here. On ANZAC Day in Sydney, I would suggest if you are interested to attend one of the commemoration ceremonies or the March of returned and current service personnel and descendants of those who have served through the CBD which I think commences around 9am.

Leigh

2nd last day onboard , one of 2 sea days. Just wandered into a private cabana at 10.30am!! So thought I’d drink my chai latte and write this. Not sure it’s like this every day as it’s only the 3rd time I’ve come up. Cruise is lovely, I ran out of free internet so bought some more. Only 250 minutes and that went on family and the frustration of my hotmail account .

 

 

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Hope you enjoyed the cabana Helen. I saw them on a video posted on the Princess Facebook page. Looked interesting!

That is what we have found. We have had it at $50 and at $55. For the small amount more than going by train for two people, we wouldn't bother trying to manage our suitcases and hand luggage onto and off a train, then walk to the OPT. Taxis for us. :)

We tend to take a taxi from the airport but if returning back to Melbourne immediately after a cruise will use the train as we usually have a flight after 12 pm booked, we take our time and wander down to the station, enjoying the view and it's fun to people watch while doing so. Fortunately we haven't had rain to contend with when walking from the OPT.

Leigh

Catch the 109 tram from the Cruise Terminal to the Clarendon Street Junction.

 

 

Catch the 96 tram going from there to St Kilda Beach.

If you use public transport, you will need to have a Myki card in Melbourne. This link should help - https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/BAS/documents/PTV-myki-visitor-pack.pdf

Leigh