So what did you think of the Golden Princess?

[Brisbanelionsfan]

I'll put a towel across the bottom if there's annoying light lol

Thanks heaps

 

We had a lot of light coming in from the bottom of the cabin door and put the pool towel across at night. Fixed.

[Aussieflyer]

There were two US power points on the wall next to the desk but I did not see any others though there may have been.

I found the lighting not great for make up but passable.

Shutting the bathroom door at night with the light on left enough of a glow for me to not trip over things in the night.

[Womble99]

There is one more power point available behind the television.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I'll put a towel across the bottom if there's annoying light lol

Thanks heaps

 

Unfortunately it wasn't just along the bottom of the door that the light seeped in on Dawn, it was down the sides as well. It was a very poorly fitting door.

[Aussieflyer]

There is one more power point available behind the television.

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't think to look there. From memory - no power point in the bathroom?

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for the info. I didn't think to look there. From memory - no power point in the bathroom?

 

Just the standard US shaver point.:(

[maxmia]

W are on a HAL cruise from Sydney in December, and we are being charged gratuities in US dollars, plus all on board charges are in US $. Not all Sydney to Sydney cruises are in OZ$.:rolleyes:

[kuldalai]

I am not sure it is actually illegal, service charges are very common although usually for Australia they included in the total price.

It is illegal in Australia in that travel providers must quote a final inclusive price. The cruise lines all got pinged some years ago in that they were quoting a cruise fare and pax were finding extra $ charges each day added to their accounts to cover gratuities which they were not aware of . ACCC told all cruise lines for cruises out of Aus the fare must include gratuities. Princess advertised no tipping required, but just inflated the quoted fare to cover the gratuities aspect . All stemmed from old discount airline stunt of advertising a $ 29 Melb - Sydney fare, but the punter ended up paying airport charges and other compulsory add ons which usually doubled the fare. So Australian Government bought in legislation years ago that all travel prices must be final and include all compulsory hidden charges such as gratuities, port charges etc .

[kuldalai]

W are on a HAL cruise from Sydney in December, and we are being charged gratuities in US dollars, plus all on board charges are in US $. Not all Sydney to Sydney cruises are in OZ$.:rolleyes:

1 Different cruise lines have different policies re on board currencies. Princess is $ Aus for all cruises out of Aus ports to Aus ports. Other lines whilst in australia just stick to US $ .

 

2. With the gratuities thing Australain guests will have the gratuities included in their fare, whilst other guests will usually be charged the gratuity to the on board account each evening .

 

Ausies lose out both ways we have the gratuity inflate our fare, plus we usually pay far more than US and Canadians for the same cruise . Cruise lines call it charging what the market will bare, we say it is a blatant rip off .

[MicCanberra]

It is illegal in Australia in that travel providers must quote a final inclusive price. The cruise lines all got pinged some years ago in that they were quoting a cruise fare and pax were finding extra $ charges each day added to their accounts to cover gratuities which they were not aware of . ACCC told all cruise lines for cruises out of Aus the fare must include gratuities. Princess advertised no tipping required, but just inflated the quoted fare to cover the gratuities aspect . All stemmed from old discount airline stunt of advertising a $ 29 Melb - Sydney fare, but the punter ended up paying airport charges and other compulsory add ons which usually doubled the fare. So Australian Government bought in legislation years ago that all travel prices must be final and include all compulsory hidden charges such as gratuities, port charges etc .

 

Righto, I thought you were referring to the service charge being illegal.

[Mr Princess]

G'day all. Sorry about the belated reply.

Just been on the Golden up to the Islands - Lifou, Noumea, Mystery Is, Vila, Mare.

Just a few comments:

Cruise great!

Ports great!

Staff great!

Entertainment great!

TV crap!

News for Aussies non existent!

Everything else bonzer, after all it IS a cruise!

MP.

I forgot to mention about the 'happy hours' they had were excellent. :D

They had them in the Wheelhouse Bar every day (3-4pm),and in Skywalkers (11-12pm) every night!

You could buy any drink (up to $10) and get the 2nd drink for $1.

You could order any no. you liked and the waiter would leave the caps on the bottles (of beer) and give them to you in a carry box, for your cabin!

How good is that! :D

On this island cruise they were celebrating Octoberfest and were selling bottles of German beer (Paulander 500ml/6%alc) for $6.85AU for 2, in the 'happy hour'. Most days I'd take a 6 pack back to my cabin for 'ron'. :D

Hope they continue with the idea!

MP.

[By The Bay]

The waiter informed me that if I paid for 3 glasses of wine during the happy hour, she would bring me one glass of wine and the other 5 glasses would be in an unopened bottle.:)

 

The last day for the raffle draw was very packed. No joy for me in the draw.:(

[MicCanberra]

I forgot to mention about the 'happy hours' they had were excellent. :D

They had them in the Wheelhouse Bar every day (3-4pm),and in Skywalkers (11-12pm) every night!

You could buy any drink (up to $10) and get the 2nd drink for $1.

You could order any no. you liked and the waiter would leave the caps on the bottles (of beer) and give them to you in a carry box, for your cabin!

How good is that! :D

On this island cruise they were celebrating Octoberfest and were selling bottles of German beer (Paulander 500ml/6%alc) for $6.85AU for 2, in the 'happy hour'. Most days I'd take a 6 pack back to my cabin for 'ron'. :D

Hope they continue with the idea!

MP.

 

That is a good way to do it. Thanks, I hope they continue with this policy.:D

[Aussieflyer]

I thought it was just the taxes that had to be included in the displayed price. Princess et al include gratuities as well in the price so none are added on board but it is only for my time dining (or cruise line equivalent) that the gratuities are paid for upfront. This may remain as people can (and some do) remove the gratuities by visiting the service desk.

[MicCanberra]

I thought it was just the taxes that had to be included in the displayed price. Princess et al include gratuities as well in the price so none are added on board but it is only for my time dining (or cruise line equivalent) that the gratuities are paid for upfront. This may remain as people can (and some do) remove the gratuities by visiting the service desk.

 

That was my understanding.

I think it is noteworthy that they may call them a Gratuity for this very reason, while it is actually a service charge and as such makes up part of the staff wages. :(

Perhaps the main reasoning is so they can dodge Company and Payroll tax and the staff can dodge income tax.

[Aussieflyer]

I'm sure the tax implications are part of the reason as you say MicC as the cruise lines will be more than savvy with company law I would think.

[Mr Princess]

The waiter informed me that if I paid for 3 glasses of wine during the happy hour, she would bring me one glass of wine and the other 5 glasses would be in an unopened bottle.:)

 

The last day for the raffle draw was very packed. No joy for me in the draw.:(

Hey, The Bay, yair how good was that! :D

I also had no luck with the raffle, although, as the prizes were booze and I was already over my duty free allowance, I didn't mind not getting some extra grog!......... (I can't believe I just said that!) :D

MP.

[MicCanberra]

Hey, The Bay, yair how good was that! :D

I also had no luck with the raffle, although, as the prizes were booze and I was already over my duty free allowance, I didn't mind not getting some extra grog!......... (I can't believe I just said that!) :D

MP.

 

Wash your mouth out .

 

(with vodka) :eek:

[Mr Princess]

Wash your mouth out .

 

(with vodka) :eek:

Thanks, Mic. Good idea! Duty free of course! :D

MP.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

That was my understanding.

I think it is noteworthy that they may call them a Gratuity for this very reason, while it is actually a service charge and as such makes up part of the staff wages. :(

Perhaps the main reasoning is so they can dodge Company and Payroll tax and the staff can dodge income tax.

 

I'm sure the tax implications are part of the reason as you say MicC as the cruise lines will be more than savvy with company law I would think.

 

I am sure they are well aware of all the tax implications and I think you will find that they pay very little in the way of tax.Remember the staff are not employed by the cruise line . They are employed on contract to firms who specialise in supplying service to the cruise industry.

[MicCanberra]

I am sure they are well aware of all the tax implications and I think you will find that they pay very little in the way of tax.Remember the staff are not employed by the cruise line . They are employed on contract to firms who specialise in supplying service to the cruise industry.

 

Even more important that the staff get their supplement to their wage.

[Aussieflyer]

I am sure they are well aware of all the tax implications and I think you will find that they pay very little in the way of tax.Remember the staff are not employed by the cruise line . They are employed on contract to firms who specialise in supplying service to the cruise industry.

 

Yes, rather like Jetstar Asia crew.

[MicCanberra]

Yes, rather like Jetstar Asia crew.

 

Yes rather. Mind you as much as I don't like the situation for the workers, I don't want to pay more for my cruises either.

Edited November 4, 2015 by MicCanberra

[clairebearinaus]

I just booked a repeat next year :D

 

This time 4 of us going to appease the two who missed out last week and haven't stopped harping on about it. (And who can blame them...)

 

It's 3 nights this time, but I'll be watching carefully for sales because it's pretty exxy, over $2000 for four of us in a balcony cabin. I might have to chuck it if the price doesn't come down but the 4 berths were selling out fast so I snapped one up and will worry about it later.

[Esilef]

I just booked a repeat next year :D

 

 

 

This time 4 of us going to appease the two who missed out last week and haven't stopped harping on about it. (And who can blame them...)

 

 

 

It's 3 nights this time, but I'll be watching carefully for sales because it's pretty exxy, over $2000 for four of us in a balcony cabin. I might have to chuck it if the price doesn't come down but the 4 berths were selling out fast so I snapped one up and will worry about it later.

 

 

You'll have a great time! Shame it's not 13 nights