mr walker

17 hours ago, Hgwells01 said:

I rang the Tourism ppl in Cairns for assistance to see if anything was available not booked onboard and they confirmed that it’s difficult for anyone to book snorkelling trips as all the cruise lines deliberately tender us to arrive after all the morning ships leave and we have to be back on board before the afternoon ones dock, .....

They actually said that??

As Geoff says arrival times to the port & tendering timing are subject to a number of factors. I'm sure that there is not someone in USA HO figuring out port arrival & departure times etc in order to maximise 'ship' tour numbers by making sure that local operators can't be used 😮 

In many ports, local operators will adjust tour schedules to fit in with the ship timing in order to be able to sell tours to ship passengers. Maybe this doesn't work for these GBR ports because of long transit times to the reef or other reasons, perhaps other visitors doing the tours, but I think it's a long bow for the Cairns operators to suggest some sort of skull-duggery by the cruiselines.

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Thanks. Yes, cheap cruises but pricey drinks.

And hence the existence of 'thrifty' cruisers, who would also be described by the noise a small chicken makes 🙂 I know some who book a gty I/C, never tip, eat only included food, drink only water or free tea/coffee and proudly announce that their onboard spend was ZERO. I even had one proudly show me their final statement....... $0. They love cruising holidays - bless them.

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

 

 

Be nice, you two! 🤣

 

Ignore them. Vegemite is very much an acquired taste. It's savoury, not sweet.  If you like umami things like miso soup you'll probably like Vegemite once you get used to it. Start with lots of butter and a small amount of Vegemite. 

Spoilsport Julie 😀 That said, those 2 guys are evil 😀

Good so see the ships arriving in Sydney Harbour - it must be cruising season!!!!

For us, the end of the footy season (Yay - good on you Panthers🐾🐾) signals the time for us to start getting into the holiday time, after bunkering down for the winter since late April 😮. Ahead of our first cruise of the season [Royal Princess 30-Nov TAS/VIC], we are on a road-trip to do the Fossickers Way next week, going out thru NSW Central Tablelands & up thru New England & back.

In Jan (22nd) we have our QE cruise to Sth Pacific & then Ovation OTS to NZ 24 Mar. In between those two we have Mum's 90th birthday & the visit of our CC friends from Canada!

So looking forward to getting out & about.

PS I have my 50 year school reunion this weekend - guess there will be lots of old people there, surely I couldn't have gone to school with them! 

The ports you will visit will ensure you have a great visit to NZ. We have booked local tours thru Viator, Zealandier & Shore Trips & Tours. Please note that these companies are 'wholesalers' of tours taking bookings for tours that will operate thru local tour operators. It has always worked out well for us in this manner.

For Dunedin we thoroughly recommend to book directly thru Tourworks - they are the actual tour company, locals who provide a great trip.

Enjoy!!!!

52 minutes ago, arxcards said:

Personally, I think it would be more fun to pack some pineapple magnets for random distribution around the ship - more fun than hiding ducks.

You have an evil mind Geoff 🙂 

On 10/2/2024 at 7:24 PM, Chiliburn said:

Mr walker,I had a look at the rusty penny just off coreen and it just looked like a factory unit.

Whats the go there?

A concrete plant on one side and tile shop on the other.

Do they serve the public there or is there a shop front somewhere?

Yes the Penny is in an old factory unit, so I think you had the right place. When it's open the roller door is up & you just walk in. It's not open Mon/Tue.

There are tables with stools, a bar with about 2 dozen taps of locally made brews, including 'hard' ginger beers, the tucker shop & some pool tables, dart board etc. There is a fence down one side with the brewing vats etc in there, so you can watch them do their work, even watching the canning at times.

As well as drinking and eating in, you can buy takeaway cans & get your growlers & squealers filled straight form the taps.

Well worth a visit - we try to go for lunch at least every 2-3 weeks.

4 hours ago, NSWP said:

Whilst on the subject of ye olde Blue Mountains.  Go the Mountain Men - Penrith Panthers, NRL grand final.

Plenty of Crownies and dogs eyes for Mr Walker.

Thanks Les. We're off to the game Sunday & have our fingers crossed. Yep some dogs eyes and Crownies for sure.

Hope you're going well mate.

Always good to read of some happy outcomes of changes!!!

Go the Panthers!!!! 🐾🐾

21 hours ago, Westaussie said:

Watched ACA today when I heard about yesterday's program.  I doubt anyone on the music cruises would be going for the itinerary.

Yes, I saw those wallys on ACA. Do they really expect anyone to believe that they paid a premium price & airfares to/from cruise for a music charter cruise that has entertainment that they have no interest in?? The onboard entertainment is what the cruise is all about.

They are just using the itinerary changes to try to get a refund or discount & the organisers need to stick to the conditions they purchased the cruise under.

5 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

Is that the old copper factory,I think it was Crain Enfield ?

I have had good reports.

No, haven't been to that one as yet. Apparently that site has a good setup for drinks & tucker. One of the food outlets in that one has an outlet at Panthers - Brisket Boys.

The Rusty Penny is on the corner of Coombes Dr & Coreen Ave. Good choice of beers & food 🙂 

On 9/21/2024 at 5:28 PM, Chiliburn said:

Springwood is OK but Penrith ,nothing special. Sorry @mr walker

 

All good Chilli. I'm happy with what Penrith has to offer. My latest favourite is the Rusty Penny brewery & smokehouse on the northside. 🐾🐾

31 minutes ago, Ondine said:

Go for it if you can get a good price I am sure you will be happy.

 Thanks for your post - I think we will be fine.

The good news is I have now pressed the button & booked 🙂 It's only money, right?? I was surprised to see Balcony's SOLD OUT, so grabbed an OBS balcony on Deck 4 mid-fwd (the obstruction is tenders). 123 days until sailing!!!

Didn't want to start another thread, so ask here:

Do you think a Cunard (Q.E.) cruise to Sth Pacific would suit us? We have mostly done RC, & RC and Princess are our 'type', although we have done others. Didn't really like our 1 P&O.

We are looking at Jan 22 2026 15N Q.E. to NC (??), Vanuatu & Fiji return trip Sydney.

Do you think it would work for us?

Cheers

Latest update on Smartraveller website further suggests no visits there for some time:

We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to New Caledonia due to ongoing civil unrest and travel disruptions. Political tensions and unrest may increase at short notice.

There’s an increased police and security presence. Demonstrations and protests may increase leading up to a national public holiday on 24 September. Between 21 – 24 September, the nationwide curfew will be in place nightly between 6pm – 6am. Currently, the nationwide curfew is between 10pm and 5am. The Consulate-General in Noumea will be closed on 24 September. 

Expect for any scheduled ship visits there to be cancelled. Maybe it will be another year ie the 25-26 cruise season before ships will be able to go there, if even then??

Les, good to hear from you mate. Your sense of humour is what will keep you going for sure 🙂 

Hope to make a trip down your way before the end of the year.

Take care of yourself. 

Cheers, Neil & Tracey

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

Perhaps the gap in itineraries is as a hotel ship for the tradies of Lelepa.

🤣😂

Maybe we can all get a gig on that - must be something for me to do to help - carry the drinks perhaps? I used to make a passable 12th man 😮

4 hours ago, Jean C said:

Yes, it goes back to its docking station when it needs recharging, and comes out approx every 3 days to do its thing, rain, hail or shine 😊

All good as long as it picks up the hose & anything else on the lawn, & can open & close the gates 😳

21 minutes ago, wintrev said:

Gee I hope the Discovery cruise in Feb 26 is not going to NZ on 28/02 as I will be on that one and it is doing a Southern cruise to Adelaide and Tassie. Hopefully you meant 14/02? Which is the cruise before mine.

Yes I’m getting myself very confused with all the changes. You are 100% correct - Discovery 28 Feb 2026 is Southern Australia. See you onboard - I’ll shout you a drink. 

21 hours ago, dizzy1948 said:

I think I should fess up.................that's three cruises we have booked this year that have been "cancelled" could be our fault. 🤣

Don't accept all the blame yourself, as I think we are partially responsible also 🙂 

All the changes are mucking up my brain but I think I have it right:

1. on Majestic back in Mar, we booked Grand 37N Oct 16 '25, which was then cancelled by Princess

2. they offered switch us to Crown Round OZ in Nov '25 but the timing didn't work for us as return date was too late

3. we thus booked as a placeholder for our deposit, Crown Round OZ in Mar '25, which again wasn't going to work for us

4. we thus moved our deposit and booked Discovery NZ cruise Feb 28 '2026

5. we have also now booked Royal to TAS 30 Nov '24

#2 is now canned, so lucky we changed from that!

Fingers crossed that no further changes by Princess & we will try not to put the mock on any more cruises 🙂 

See, so some of this is surely our fault

31 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

So a series of events has accelerated my retirement. I finished my last projects at work today and will be clearing my bench in the morning. Oh well 7 working days early.

Hope all is OK mate. Enjoy your final day.... I'm sure you will have so many memories of your time there.

Now you have your retirement to look forward to - time to do just want you want. Good luck!!! Cheers Neil & Tracey

3 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Elevator holds 20, except for on cruise ships, then it is only 10.

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

5 on embarkation day, with so many with bags still in tow. Nowadays, a discretionary cough or two and you can have an elevator to yourself.

I have always been surprised by the max number posted on the signs in cruiseship elevators. I have often seen numbers like 18 or similar. Often comments come when the lift is seemingly full to the brim with just maybe 10 'regular, cruise-size people' aboard. I have been known to say that I wouldn't want to be in here with a capacity crowd 🙂 And the oft repeated 'always room for one more' 🙂 

Not my photo & not on a cruiseship, but this seems correct:

Feeling a bit sad. For us it’s 108 days, 222 days & 561 days!!!! Will have to try & fit a few more in 😳

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

Surprise surprise.

Nice to see it get rubber stamped a little bit earlier and for a bit longer.

 

Not much has changed though, and it has just kicked the can down the road for two more years.

Yes, you’d think that the industry would be seeking some surety over a longer timeframe. It’s not like an Australian cruise line is going to spontaneously appear to fill the market. Governments, of all persuasions, continue to amaze me.

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Shut up and take my money!

What, all that & a KFC too 😁