zashi99

https://www.att.com/international/cruise-packages/

Pretty much my plan! Except I got the $100 plan.

There seem to be quite a few of us traveling solo, likely because it was totally affordable to go solo on this cruise. I’m looking forward to meeting y’all! We are huge gamers - we play all kinds of board and card games. We host a monthly group in our home, usually play weekly with friends, and my husband and I play several times a week with each other. Normally when we cruise together, we bring an entire suitcase of games with us. Not doing that this time - though I may bring a couple of board games in my luggage, if there’s room. I play Spades, Cribbage and Euchre, and Mexican Train. I’ve played Hand and Foot on the computer - I think it is a variation of Canasta. I would love to meet-up for games! We need to figure out how to be in easy contact with those interested in meeting up for various types of game play. I won’t have internet on the ship, but I will have unlimited texting on my phone, plus will sign up for chat on the Carnival Hub app, if we want to communicate that way. Lots of sea days = lots of potential play time. Lynda from Foley

I would be interested in learning to play Majongg, and in attending the meet and greet. And I’m Lynda, too.

Good question. I have had no luck figuring out how I’m getting from the car rental place at the airport to the ship. I figure I have 5 days in Brisbane; I should be able to find a way then. Let us know if you get any info.

Plans are pretty well set for the trip, and things are mostly already paid for. I cancelled my budget hotel in Brisbane and booked an airbnb instead. Set up a cruise package on my phone through at&t that gives me unlimited calling and texting with a little bit of data at sea. Decided that it was time to replace my mask and snorkel, they are pretty beat up after 8 years of use, plus my eye prescription has changed. And I booked a ticket to see Hamilton at QPAC in Brisbane on Sunday. Should be fun!

So, I have booked a day pass at the IC in Pape’ete. Just need to iron out Brisbane and Seattle. Current plans are: Saturday - arrival in Brisbane, rent car, check-in to hotel or airbnb, hit up some museums/sightseeing, visit a local games group for board game night. Sunday - Easter service at St John’s Cathedral, a mosaic lamp art class in the pm. Monday - River cruise/Koala Sanctuary in the am, shopping in the pm. Tuesday - snorkel excursion to The Wrecks/dolphin feeding through Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island all day. Wednesday - day trip to Alstonvale, NSW to visit artist Donna Sharam at her home/gallery. I love her work and own several of her artworks. Will visit Byron Bay along the way. Thursday - board the ship. Things are shaping up very well. The advice my travel agent gave me when we traveled to New Zealand, to help make the time adjustment more quickly, was no matter what time we arrived or how tired we felt, don’t go to bed until it was actually bedtime where we were. We followed his advice, and it seemed to help.

Hi Stephanie! Thank you for such an informative reply. My plans are starting to shape up nicely. Flights are booked and hotels are reserved. I have snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef twice and I must say, what an experience. I’ve snorkeled all over the world, and GBR is one of the top snorkels. It was challenging - not an easy snorkel, but very worth it. I’ve not had the chance to snorkel in the South Pacific as of yet, and am very excited about this opportunity. I am planning to snorkel in Brisbane also. In Noumea, I plan to take the HOHO bus to the water taxi, and go over to Ilot Maitre. In Fiji, thanks to you, I am booked with Untouched Fiji for the Beqa Lagoon snorkel. I had been unsuccessful in booking a snorkel trip, so was planning to do a river trip. It sounded pretty fun, but would rather snorkel, at least this time. In Pape’ete, I am thinking of getting a day pass to the InterContinental Resort. I plan to visit the market in the am and perhaps find the food trucks in the pm. Wish we were staying later, as I would have loved to go to the dinner show at the IC. In Moorea, I have a snorkel trip booked with Moorea Tiki Tours. It’s all day and includes lunch, and the pick-up and drop-off are right at the cruise dock. I’m excited to take a stroll down memory lane in Honolulu. Zippy’s chili and rice, Rainbow Drive-in plate lunch, possibly Aiea Bowl for dinner, malasadas (have to bring a box back with me), coconut butter cream rolls, so many things I miss. I used to live on Ford Island (back before there was a bridge), so plan to drive over and see if my old house is still there, directly across from the Utah memorial. Won’t try to do the Arizona Memorial this time, been there many times before. Gotta go fabric shopping, too. Too bad we are there on Friday - no Swap Meet at the Stadium. Oh, shave ice! Need some of that. I can see I need to plan a trip to Hawaii some time soon. 😀 One day is just not going to be enough.

Lynda from Foley, Alabama. I am joining you for this cruise as a solo traveler. My husband usually cruises with me, but this itinerary has way too many sea days for him. As many of you did, I got an offer I couldn’t refuse. Not as good as a balcony, but I’m happy. I’m extending the trip on both ends. I’m flying Southwest to San Diego, staying with my daughter for 2 nights, flying to Brisbane on Hawaiian. Not looking forward to spending the night in the Sydney airport, though. Spending 5 days in Brisbane before the cruise, renting a car. Still working on excursions/activities in the various places. My primary interest is snorkeling, so would be interested in snorkeling excursions. One thing is set - I’ve rented a car in Hawaii. I lived in Honolulu for 3 years, and I’m looking forward to revisiting some places, getting some plate lunch, doing some shopping, soaking up the flavor of Hawaii. I really miss living there. Spending 3 days in Seattle where my daughter is flying up to join me. Flying home on Southwest from Seattle. Really excited!