theldaken

Aside from the odd tantrum or catfight the laundries are usually no problem.Having said that two couples were disembarked from the first "round"Australia cruise for a no holds barred fight over a dryer!

QM2...Perth/Sydney.

Maybe they are sharpening their needles and preparing for their next cruise/onslaught?

Last year,one of our tablemates[QG].wore each night a most spectacular shirt/jacket.Embroidered or of beautiful material,getting grander and more elaborate as the cruise went on.

I believe he had a problem,wearing a tie after medical treatment and opted for a looser fitting collar style.

I must say that there was never a comment and he certainly outshone many others on the formal nights.

Until now we have cruised Cunard and loved it but some of the Princess' cruises out of Sydney appeal.As I would be travelling alone how suitable is Princess for an older single female?

QM2,Wintergarden & Queens Room.

Because our cruise was classed as two "legs"we got 8 hours internet time,most useful given the slow internet speed.

Also invitations to more cocktail parties than you could poke a stick at,we avoid those after many years ago they had a "code alpha",in front of us in the receiving line!

Just got off QM2 today,if that's any help.Cruise No:4,with Cunard.

Both times,our luggage has got to our cabin before us.

Beg ,borrow or hire a scooter,depending on where your stateroom is it can be a long walk to the dining room/pool/bar etc.You will probably also tire quickly and be very grateful for some motorized transport.

Bring the walker,also you might consider hiring a wheelchair for the voyage.It can be a long walk from one end to the other.

We spent 23 wonderful days,earlier this year on the QM2,in QG.

The menu changed daily,with few repeats,however there is an A La Carte menu as well that does not change,think filet,lobster,duck etc.

Also if they have it and you request it in QG they will cook it for you.

The cabins were well stocked with soft drinks,you chose,beer,mixers,wine and/or spirits,replenished daily,also fresh fruit.Canapes at 5.30 pm,very civilized.Afternoon tea at 3.30,dinner from 6.30.

Dine in your stateroom,just ask your butler.

Enjoy

On the circumnavigation of OZ,this year there were 2 x laundry specials.$40.00 for 30 items,the trick is roll the washing into cylinders,lots more fits in then.We sent lots of shirts etc and at least 3 pairs of jeans each time and filled the spaces with socks etc.

If you have ever had to pack a kitbag,you'll have no problems.

I should add,take a couple of ferry rides,except for the commentary[basic]and the cup of lukewarm coffee they are much the same.Get off at Manly and take a walk around and when you get back to the Quay,dine at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Google/Tripadvisor are your friends.Sadly some are very,very good and some are very,very bad.

After reviewing the previous posts,I have decided to leave the auto tips on and allocate the same amount per day to be divided between the cabin staff and the wait persons,in cash at the end of the cruise.I will reserve judgement on the Maitre D and Head Waiter,until I see if they actually do any thing beyond the call of duty.

Far cheaper,take a twilight ferry ride to Manly and return and then dine at the Opera House or the Rocks.Take a wrap or a light jacket,April can be chilly.

There have been some very bad reviews/newspaper articles about disappointing Harbour cruises.

Believe me,once you eat your way through a couple of courses,you will find it unnecessary to "double up"unless of course you are intent of expanding your horizons.

We have always found the portions served to be more than adequate.

We enjoyed the QM2,NZcruise last year and will embark in 6 weeks for the Round Australian one.

We were Q5,and very much enjoyed it,I have to agree that the"turndown"chocolates were not worth eating but there were delish chocs in our cabin on embarking.

Not to mention the petit fours with coffee.

I thought Osman was terrific and resolved a rather nasty incident with two of our dining companions[some will remember the flying menu/breadrolls or the rather bizarre incident of the shoes on the table]

I have severe dietary restrictions and each evening the next days' menu arrived for my chosing,off menu items were never a problem to pre order.

Our cabin stewards [there were two]did a great job,breakfast always on time,ditto canapés[special order for me]beds made and everything shipshape when we got back from breakfast or a shore excursion.Of course they received suitable,generous recognition as did our Grill waiter.My only gripe was the pushy attitude of the wine waiter,there is no way we will buy ultra expensive wine but will have wine at night with dinner,we also wanted to try wine that we would never find in Australia.

In short,we really enjoyed our voyage and are looking forward not only to our next cruis but NZ in 2015

Post Offices,larger supermarkets all sell pre paid "cheap" phones,not sure how you would get one to the US though.

Hissing Sid,is a evil snake

Who kept the woodland folk awake.

Has no one heard of Captain Beaky?

It's been some time since we saw one of these shows[there are quite a few]but the one we saw in Rotorua was magic.

The shows usually have some narrative,linking the story together,the Poi dance is superb and how often have you been "up close and personal"to a Haka?

Rotorua is in itself an experience,geysers,bubbling hot mudpools and a strong smell of rotten egg gas.

A possible reason for his reaction,may be that he belongs to a religious sect that considers dogs to be unclean.I know someone who if he touched or was touched,or worse than that licked by a dog would have to undergo a ritual cleansing.

We may consider that odd,given our relationship with canines but I would guess that that may be correct.

At the risk of getting yelled at,are you proposing to leave an older/retired Service Dog,alone for 12 days?While I understand that she will be checked once daily[more I hope],it is a matter of concern that you find this an accecptable way of fulfilling your desire for a cruise.I have no doubt that your response may be "but I need this cruise,for my health ,etc,etc"by taking on any animal,you have also taken on the responsibility for their welfare.

Why not a kennel/homestay or contact the supplier and ask about respite care.This dog has given you her love,trust and life and this is how you reward her in her later years.

What if she dies or worse becomes ill and for the lack of care dies?

Either board her out,take her with you,stay home or if she is no longer of any use put her down.

We need to decide what to do with our dog,while we cruise.

How often does your son check on her?

And what sort of"set up" do you leave for her?

My son will stop in every day [evening] to give her some loving and check her water and fee

Thank you,I don't feel comfortable about leaving our dog for 23 + hours per day,esp as he is a working dog.I would also worry about illness etc if there was no one there to pick up on it.

Are you allowed to do that in your home town?