madfisher

It was $69 AUD for the ultimate Drink package if pre- purchased or $65 USD if bought on board last December.

Thanks mic. I knew I could count on you:loudcry:;p

Doing a cruise on Explorer of the seas in June this year as part of a package deal holiday. Cruise sector is 7 nights on the above. Does anyone have an up to date price for drinks packages. Have looked at RCA site with no luck. Thanks:D

which cruise are you doing. we are on for 7Aug 2017 also on dk10 balcony port side

Hi,

Trying to decide which side of deck 10 to book on. Can anyone tell me which side of the ship has smoking areas? We are booking a balcony cabin and I don't want any smoke coming in.

 

I am a migraine sufferer and smoke is a trigger for me.

 

Thanks

from memory:') I think the smoking areas were on deck 7 stbd aft, pool deck stbd, if your balcony is midships you should be ok on port side

Corrected the date.

thanks walt

The beauty of cruising is don't have do alot of research. I run a business and work 80-90 hours a week. I have been on 30 plus cruises over the years. I expect the cruise line to my research and offer the excursions to the highlights that must be seen. It was really the tenders that spoiled my mood and added to my frustration

Australia may well be a wonderful place to visit but the ports we went to and the time to take tenders at every port made it less then enjoyable

OK boys and girls let's play nice. It would appear to me that 4 flushing has had a very frustrating trip down under. There are a lot of things to do and see and to have that blocked by unfortunate circumstances or bad management by the shipping company is a shame. I'd like to think our fellow member would have a better experience on a future trip to Australia and maybe cruise from here to take in the South Pacific. Best of luck with future cruises.

I think this is the one you are after:

https://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/sydney-surrounds/sydney-harbour/sydney-harbour-yha-webcam/

Thanks chopper, but no I was viewing from the other side of the harbour. This site could be OK too.

Thanks again

Two years ago I found a live cam sight somewhere in circular quay looking directly at the opt which allowed me to zoom in and see people on deck. I was able to have my grand daughter wave to me while I spoke to her on the phone. Does anyone have a link to this. Thanks

Luxury, although we :pdid quite okay living off the oysters, crabs and fish. :D

Used to try and catch the goats as well:eek:

No chance mic, we ate them too.:p:p

Hi David

Please note

March 7 2017 EMERALD PRINCESS the islands12 days out of Sydney

August 7 2017 Pacific Explorer the islands 12 days out of SYDNEY

When I get home I'll count and try and work out who he was.

 

And yep the caravan park is a hidden gem.

In the meantime have a great trip

We didn't camp really, we just had a hand line and our knives, and we would be dropped off Friday afternoon and picked up Sunday afternoon.

Pulbah was where we did our survival coarse for sea scouts. We rowed a surf boat with a make shift gaff ring to the island from The other end of the lake, about a 10 KLM trip. Two letres of water some dried fruit, packets of nudles and soup. Had to last a week and live off the land and lake. Just as well I wasn't fussy about what I ate. Oysters, fish, crabs etc. There were 5 of us and we all lived to tell the story. Oh and by the way mic and gutz my dad was the first white baby born in wangi and my great grandfather built most of the early roads there. He lived 5 houses away from Dobell on the town side. For all those who may be considering wangi for a holiday the caravan park on the point is a great spot, right on the water.

Have a full day in Newcastle. Would like to know if the 45 min drive to Morpeth is worth it over staying in Newcastle and dong their historical walking tour. Port Stevens in Nelson bay is another option- 45 min drive.

When are you arriving and on which ship? What is your first choice and how many hours do you have to fill in.

Michael

Hi Madfisher. Obviously you know the value of Newcastle port. Given that a number of shore excursions take in wine tasting at the Hunter (significant travel time from Sydney) and the vicinity of great beaches I believe that most tourists would welcome Newcastle on the itinerary.It also has good hotels a nearby airport and is generally a pretty safe and clean area. A similar outcome could be reached at the Gold Coast. I am not aware of the old tug wharf but I would suggest any southern shore berth would be good.

Yes I aggree re Gold Coast over Brisbane, however a lot of work and money would be needed given the openness of the area. Brisbane's terminal is a long drag through the Morton Bay channels and then up the river. Like White bay in Sydney parking etc is an issue.

Newcastle's ex tug WARF is just inside the heads and on the southern shore. It overlooks a very large park area. With good planning and a bit of imagination there would be a low impact on the overall space.

Sorry forgot to mention I spent seven years on merchant ships around the Australian coast and that Newcastle has a reputation for the best water in any Aussie port.

Not always that far out as other pollers have said they sail inside of the Great Barrier Reef under a pilot. The worst part of cruising on the east coast of Australia are the port facilities. Long inbound and outbound journeys to get to Cairns and Brisbane, a joke at Yorkey's Knob instead of Cairns, Hamilton Island is a joke, but Newcastle has promise but still not there yet. Efforts ar sill underway to open up a port at the Gold Coast but the NIMBY's and Greens will hold that off. Cruising the coast is fantastic but the facilaties and most ports are woeful

Hello Sailor, your quite right about facilities on east coast. Yes Newcastle has been given the nod to be a regular port of call for area shipping lines. The problem is that they, (the authorities) have no foresight or vision for the future or understanding of what a good facility is. They propose an O.S. shipping terminal in an industrial/coal loadind area. I have lived and worked around this port and firmly believe that the terminal should be alone the Lee WARF area where the tugs used to be stationed. This could be developed into an entertainment or conference facility which is also an International passenger terminal. It's just inside the heads and adjacent to the city. Walk to the shops and beaches. A two hour train ride to Sydney, 45 minutes to Newcastle Airport, 45 minutes to the vineyards and 45 minutes to Port Stephens, 35 minutes to Lake Macquarie, the biggest salt water lake in the Southern hemisphere.

I'm not really predudice just think I'm right but who wants to listen to an old retired ship builder from Lake Macquarie.

LOL, don't forget about forums, it is a democracy after all..;)

Is that another code word for 4 rums before bed?

That would be included in the all inclusive drinks package.

Democracy, is what happens when you have more than 4 rums you get to put on a demo and go curacy.:rolleyes:

:pExcuse me for the interruption mic. I can't work out what is going on here. Is the a forum for farmers or dress makers. I can't help but notice that people keep referring to threads, (dressmaker/ tailor) and posts, how big is your property mic?, you seem to have a lot of posts.:eek:

Wrong date. Should read August 7 2017 sorry

Hi. The Pacific Explorer doesn't do its 1st cruise until 22nd June. Have you the wrong ship or date? Suexxx

Thanks for pointing that out' a senior moment it should read August 7 2017

I haven't seen a roll call anywhere for this cruise so decided one should be started. Is anyone else going? We are a group of 38 from Newcastle. Looking forward to meeting up on board.

Good luck, we had a similar thing with the Aria and the Eden when they were first announced. They got added soon after.:D

Thanks Mick,

Thanks for the info have done that now let's see what happens

I understand the fact that the ship does not exist yet but P&O are selling cruises on her already. How do you get a role call started. Thanks

Hi all

We haven't booked a tour for isle of pines, but I think I read it's just a short stroll to the beach. Is this correct and is it easy to find once we get off board? Also I'm a bit unsure about tender. If we only want to spend an hour at the beach and want to come back on the ship does the tender go back at regular times? We are on explorer of the seas.

We went on a local bus tour which picked up near market stalls for about $5 aus pp

The snorkeling is great around the rock. Like all of the Islands wear water shoes or Finns and try not to damage the Coral

Enjoy . We will be there again on the Emerald in March.