rabbit1971

On 1/13/2019 at 9:07 AM, GUT2407 said:

Just to fill in, we ended up following the food trail down Bass Hwy but in and out of many small towns. Very enjoyable day.

Yes, I read on your review you were in my region . Hard to watch the waist line with so many yummy options.

 Glad you enjoyed your time in my home state.

Cheers maree

27 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Have you tried making bread and butter pudding with raisin bread? It's divine!

 

 

YUM YUM, left over sliced hot cross buns go down a treat in the ol'  bread and butter pud, its my favourite way of eating them.

16 hours ago, gbenjo said:

Took this photo at Fishermans Wharf San Francisco in 2015. Who would have known 😂😁

Yea gods, they have drop bears. I didn't realise we exported.

Between this thread and the meat pies thread I seriously have the munchies, thinking eggs on toast with lots of butter, for tea tonight.

Pita the poor sot who has leven it too long to have their say. Id like to panko everyone for their puns, been a good roll.

 Slight change of track, how do folks like their bread, i like mine as french toast or the old bread and butter pudd.

Cheers maree

16 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

They even have uber in the Vikings series.

Wasn't he the one that met with a sticky end, or was that the younger brother? Loved that series was very upset when the knocked off Travis Fimmel, he was ver easy on the eyes.

56 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Uber have introduced a WAV service. (wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) I’ve resisted Uber, not that I use Taxi type services much anyway, but WAV May make he reassess 

Wow, I had no idea that they have expanded their services. Being a bit on the back foot in tassie, we only had uber roll out late last year.Are Uber operating wav in sydney and melbourne?

 Ta Maree

On 12/20/2018 at 1:16 PM, GUT2407 said:

17th Melbourne.

 

Well, started with a disaster with taxis,  first two (one a wheelchair taxi the other a SUV) thought it was too short a fare, third (another wheelchair cab) thought the first in the line should take us. Next was a sedan and didn’t want to put the wheelchair in his boot. Oh well that’s how it goes I guess.

 

eventually, after we left the pier was such a nice bloke, stopped without us even flagging him down, wouldn’t allow Mrs G to help get the chair in the boot, and refused to take a cent more than was on the meter.

 

Off to QV markets, Mrs Gut was again surprisingly good, though we did blow. A few hundred bucks on some leather bags and some stuff for Max the Killer Schnauzer.

 

into town, view a few camera shops and the pen shop where Miss Guts graduation/admission pen came from a few years ago. Mr Gut resisted all temptation. Then Mrs G wanted to visit Myers and the battery was getting low, so into a little coffee shop in the arcade opposite Myers where they were kind enough to let me recharge over a coffee and bit of cake.

 

I was hoping to catch up with Docker, but disaster struck, or more accurately I sneezed. Unfortunately some sneezes put pressure on certain parts of the neck and I go totally deaf, plus a lot of pain. So had to cancel. Tram back to the pier so I could collapse, I was impressed by how easy it was to get on and off the trams.

 

A couple on the tram wanted to know about accessible cabins, so called in for a look.

 

 

Hi Mr G,

 unfortunately your experience with accessible taxis in melbourne is not uncommon. We have gods own trouble getting an accessible taxi for my 15yo who is in a power chair. If we stay in the cbd before one of his medical appointments its almost impossible to get a taxi, even when we pre book the day before, as it is "too short a fare". It was so bad we put an official complaint i, and recieved a letter of apology and $50 worth of vouchers (not sure how we can use them when none of the taxis want our fare tho!!!) so now we try to go to the childrens hospital straight from the airport, at least that way we can get a taxi. And they wonder why uber is doing them out of business. If uber offered accessible fares I would do it in an instant.

 We have found the accessible trams to be fantastic, unfortunately not all are accessible, but they are slowly getting there.

 So pleased that you enjoyed the ship.

 Cheers maree

On 1/1/2019 at 11:19 AM, Mulgagirl said:

The Chef's Tables are usually conducted on a sea day, but the actual day can vary.  Yes, you can ask whatever questions you'd like of both the Executive Chef and/or Maître d'Hôtel during the evening.

Hi Mulgagirl,

 I am on the majestic in a couple of weeks, I don't suppose you noticed if they ran the winemakers dinner as well?

Thanks for the info on chefs table, its my birthday while we are away and I think it would be a great way to celebrate. We did one for my husbands birthday on carnival a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

cheers maree

I guess it depends on what your interests are, stanley is very pituresque, but can be very windy, the drive along the foreshore along penguin and wynyard  is also quite pretty.

Lots of foody stops to be enjoyed if you head east, there is the berry patch at Turners Beach, the cherry shed at Latrobe, as well as D"anvers chocolates, not to mention Ghost Rock vineyard at port sorrel. 

Then Further on you have ashgrove cheeses and the raspberry farm at Elizabeth town, Also a little off the beaten track is 40 degrees south salmon farm just outside deloraine at Red Hills and Honey at Chudleigh.

 Have fun deciding

Hello,

 I was wondering if you could tell me if there is twinnings english breakfast teabags in the buffet at breakfast(i'm rather partial to this tea type as I don't drink coffee), also the adult kids wanted to know if they are running an escape room on this cruise?

 Thanks maree

Sorry about all the stars in my posts, i copy and paste from my memo, they just appear!!

Looks pretty but they dont mean anything!!

 

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LOL. I was thinking that you were adding your own touch to your review, make sure we paid attention.

Thank you so much for your fantastic review, and the pics of the inside cabins, if you manage to get a pic of a 4 berth that would be amazing.I am well and truly excited to travel on her next year, largely thanks to your great, unbiased review.

Cheers maree

Well done you, on getting a cabana, pics look good. if its possible could you get a pic of the interior cabin, we have 3 twenty somethings sharing one on our trip and they would love to see an actual cabin?

Thanks again for your info its been very helpful.

Cheers maree

hi,

I was also after tours in these ports as we have a son in a power wheelchair and I like to have everything organised before we embark.

On researching on these sites and new zealand tourism sites I have found a couple of recommended ones.

For Tuarangua https://www.newzealanddiscoverytours.co.nz

offer a wide range of tours

and

https://www.zealandiertours.com

who i found most helpful in organising a wheelchair accessible vehicle for our tour.

For Dunedin

https://www.goodcompanytours.co.nz

were recommended by others on this site, not wheelchair accessible, but offer a wide range of tours also

Hope this helps.

maree

OMG guess where we are?

 

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somewhere very exclusive??? For only the most important VIP's???

No worries, i have heaps of internet left, so happy to stretch the friendship a little more.

Re coffee cards, yes buy onboard, $36 AUD, tables ars set up around the ship the first day or ask any waiter.

15 specialty coffees, tea, hot chocolate and filtered coffee free.

I have the coffee card on my account, when i order a coffee, i also ask for a hot chocolate for Andy, which is free.

We have often just asked for a pot of tea, i have shown my cruise card and said there is a coffee package on there and only once have they taken the card a checked it.

You can ask how many are left on the package at any time.

Specialty coffees can be ordered anywhere in the Piazza from roaming waiters, Le Mer during the day, IC cafe, Gong Cha, the buffet has a coffee section in Bakery area and also in the dining room, so no shortage.

Cant help with photos, they are all computerised, so no walking through checking out everyone elses. I am very sure there are different packages available.

Re Movies under the stars, seating all around Lido deck, plenty of lifts mid, aft and forward.

Also above on deck 17 you could take the forward lifts to the Hollywood pool club stairs/lift area, plenty of chairs up there, our favourite spot as there is some cover at the back and a bit quieter as its above the pool area.

Most doors are automatic opening, wide and plenty of room.

 

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Thankyou so much,

Your feedback on this cruise has me super excited for when we get to see her in feb next year.

Cheers maree

Hi Cheznandy,

You have been amazingly helpful already with the information you have provided, I was hoping to stretch the friendship a little further and ask a couple more questions?

can you buy coffee cards on the ship (my dh and ds are huge imbibers), are there photo packages available? Is there wheelchair access to movies under the stars (I have been having a look at deck plans and its unclear if there is a lift to that deck space)?

Many thanks again on your wonderful review.

cheers maree

I have plenty of internet left, havent even started on Andy's 500 minutes, but sometimes the wifi just drops out, so will post when i can.

To answer a few questions,

re the accessible cabin,

We looked at B303 and it was huge and lovely and spacious. I am positive it had a sofa bed, but didn't look up to see re a pullman. The bathroom was huge, it had a long regular width balcony, with a small ramp to gain access. It was in a great location near the lift, and they are extremely happy with it.

There will be plenty of room for three of you.

If i see Marj i will ask re the pullman, but since you are in a different room it may be a different set up for three.

Re our cabin crawl, i have been stopped and thanked by so many people, saying how they enjoyed it and were so amazed at the different categories, but the best part was to talk to those staying in the cabins as they were able to find out about noise, access and all the other positives or negatives. Even seeing how others set up their cabins with storage and magnetic hooks etc.

Every cabin we went into looked* like a show home haha, it was lovely to see photos, and teddy bears, and colourful magnets, we just had our hats hanging up and the beer and wine on ice......typical!!

Everyone was so thankful and respectful, so great!!

 

Re the liqour prices, i will get the latest price list today, as they re stocked in Singapore and let you know.

Re dancing everyone dances in the piazza, only other dance floor would be Vista, havent had a good look at it, but there is always something else going on there.

 

Heres my thoughts on the set up of this ship now we have been on for two weeks.

Le Mer could go, three specialty restaurants are too much, it's never full, thankfully they are using it for coffee during the day, it could be a Crooners bar, piano, cocktails, nice seating where people can sit and watch and can be an overflow for coffee during the day.

Crowngrill restaurant/bar could become a Wheelhouse type bar/pub, there is no where like this on the ship, have an entertainer and a dance floor, quiet spot during the day for a drink and a read.

The Crooners they hastily made out of the Casino side annexe could be the Steakhouse, i would pay to eat there, quiet and intimate.

We walked to the Kareoke rooms last night, all locked but two they have made into computer rooms, what a waste of space that area is, i realise the ship was built for the Chinese bla bla but if Princess are bringing this ship here for half of the year and want it to be full, improvements could be made.

Now, there are the huge three shops taking up prime real estate on deck 7, Chopard, Cartier and i dont even know the othername, Bvulgari perhaps? never anyone in there, i havent set foot in there, prime real estate that is, mmmmm...perhaps a Crooners there??

 

Anyway, that is my take, and most people i have spoken to are of the same thoughts.

It is a beautiful ship, handles the sea amazingly, staff and Princess are wonderful as usual, the layout just doesnt seem right.

 

Oh, and move all the partitioning of cabanas in the Conservatory, put some nice comfy loungers around and let everyone use it!!

Mic, Andy and i thought it might be people sharing cabins sleeping there, one guy had his all set up for a good sleep with lots of blue n white stripe towels haha

 

To those that mentioned not going to the Crown Grill, please have a look when you are onboard, these are our thoughts only, and i am just saying it as it is for us, would hate for you to miss out on a special night, but i really cant see them stopping entertainment there all night as there is no where else, so stop by one night and see if it to your liking.

We have Harmony booked for next week, but we are so loving the Dining room that we cant justify paying for an eating experience that is less enjoyable!

 

 

 

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Thankyou so much for your feedback, your review has been amazing. We are booked in accessible 304 so good to know plenty of space and balcony is accessible too. The other option we were considering was the chefs table, do you know of anyone who had tried it on the majestic? we have done one on carnival and it was amazing.

Again thankyou for taking the time out to answer our questions, I have loved hearing about the ship and your experience on her.

Cheers Maree

Hi,

I am just loving your review, its making me really keen for when we are on her in Feb to new zealand next year.

We have a disabled balcony room on deck 8, for three of us, just wondered on the general size of room and balcony, and also is there a sofa bed or are they a pullman?

Also thanks for the heads up regarding the crown grill, its my birthday when we are on board and we were thinking of going to the crown grill as a treat, now thinking to give it a miss, or tyr one of the other specialty restuarants.

thanks maree

Mrs Gut: look for something next December.

 

So comes down, I think, to Majestic Princess to Tas, 8 nights, or Solstice 9 nights to the Islands.

 

(Have a hold on Majestic, they seem much harder to get an accessible cabin)

 

Which should I go with?

 

Any opinions welcome.

We are in an accessible cabin ( my youngest is in a motorised wheelchair) to new zealand in feb, so i can let you know our thoughts on the balcony cabin.

we too tossed up between the solstice and Majestic, as many of the other ships do not do a three or four berth accessible cabin. We went with the majestic in the end as it was a round trip whereas solstice was one way. Either way i am sure you will have a great time.

Have fun deciding.

cheers maree

I tought I'd add to the confusion, here in lovely little Tassie we have Paradise and No Where Else, a local brewer sells under, "the last beer before paradise".

Whittaker chocolate is readily available throughout the country. It is often on special at one of the major supermarket chains alternating almost on a weekly basis. Normal retail of a 250 gM block is around $4.50 and the smaller Artisan block around $3.00.

Thanks for that they sound really yummy, will definetly give them a try.

Whittaker’s have a new range of Artisan chocolate that is now widely available...

 

The four new Artisan Collection flavours are:

• West Coast Buttermilk Caramelised White Chocolate: White chocolate caramelised to deep deliciousness, with buttermilk produced in West Coast pastures.

• Hawke’s Bay Black Doris Plum and Roasted Almonds in Dark Chocolate: 50% Dark Chocolate matched with Black Doris plums from the Hawke’s Bay and flecks of roasted almonds.

• Wellington Roasted Supreme Coffee in Dark Chocolate: 50% Dark Chocolate with the flavour of Coffee Supreme’s Ethiopian Sidamo coffee.

• Fijian Ginger and Kerikeri Mandarin in Dark Chocolate: 62% dark chocolate infused with mandarin from the famed citrus growers of Kerikeri, paired with ginger hand cultivated in the islands of Fiji.

So are the whittakers brand widely available in new zealand, or is it like Haighs and only in their specialty stores?

ta

HI,

Welcome to cruise critic. I took my extended family of 6 on our first cruise a few years ago and booked an interconnecting balcony cabin on Carnival Spirit, and it was great, no fighting over bathroom space, we also had the connector opened up between the balconies.

We looked at booking the family suite with Royal carribbean, but at an extra $500 per person felt the money was better spent elsewhere.

We loved our first cruise and have become cruise addicts.

Hope this helps a little.

Cheers maree

Perky nanas sound like a combination of my sons two favourite things, lolly bananas and chocolate, i think we will definetly be giving those a go.