Rare MMDown Under Posted April 19, 2023 Author #151 Share Posted April 19, 2023 1 minute ago, aussielozzie18 said: My main memory from taking the family to see the penguin parade was not the hundreds of penguins but how cold it was. Brrrr. I got more excited seeing a solitary fairy penguin swimming in the water at Manly. There is a small colony there. How late is the penguin parade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted April 19, 2023 #152 Share Posted April 19, 2023 1 minute ago, MMDown Under said: How late is the penguin parade? It was late, dark and very cold. Timing I can’t remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 19, 2023 Author #153 Share Posted April 19, 2023 1 minute ago, aussielozzie18 said: It was late, dark and very cold. Timing I can’t remember. all the things which make you want to go to the toilet with everyone else! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelbTone Posted April 19, 2023 #154 Share Posted April 19, 2023 I'm booked on a Princess cruise next year which includes Phillip Island, arr 0700 dep 1800. But it also has Penguin Parade on the list of available excursions. So presumably the actual departure time is much later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted April 19, 2023 #155 Share Posted April 19, 2023 Penguins normally come in once it is dark and the spotters deem it safe, if the crowd is too loud, it can delay the beachings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted April 19, 2023 #156 Share Posted April 19, 2023 20 minutes ago, MelbTone said: I'm booked on a Princess cruise next year which includes Phillip Island, arr 0700 dep 1800. But it also has Penguin Parade on the list of available excursions. So presumably the actual departure time is much later? If the ship leaves at 6pm, passengers won't be able to see the penguins coming ashore but they can go to the visitor centre where viewing windows allow visitors to see inside a penguin burrow. The Penguin Parade - penguins marching from the water and across the sand to their burrows - starts when it is almost dark. The time varies during the year. In June/July it starts around 5.15-5.30pm, but in summer it is 8.45. Numbers vary according to the breeding season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiser3775 Posted April 19, 2023 #157 Share Posted April 19, 2023 Going back to the original topic, I just got an email from Carnival and they have added four new cruises from Sydney in winter - July, August - with a "winter Christmas" theme. No new or different ports but still somewhere to go cruising in winter from Australia. Re the Phillip island penguins - they are an enormous colony, literally thousands, of "fairy" penguins which come ashore at dusk to their burrows and parade up the shore. If the ship is offering a Penguin Parade excursion, it must be staying until after dark. There is good infrastructure and viewing platforms to see the penguins, and an excellent display area and gift shop. Perhaps the shore excursion only goes there in daylight, and misses out on the actual sighting of the penguins waddling ashore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare aussielozzie18 Posted April 19, 2023 #158 Share Posted April 19, 2023 We saw the Penguins as part of a road trip so can’t help with shore tours. Got the Carnival festive cheer extension email too. Apparently meeting The Grinch, singing Christmas carols, Christmas movies and “spectacular” decorations in an Aussie winter has proven appealing to Carnival Cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 19, 2023 Author #159 Share Posted April 19, 2023 32 minutes ago, cruiser3775 said: Going back to the original topic, I just got an email from Carnival and they have added four new cruises from Sydney in winter - July, August - with a "winter Christmas" theme. No new or different ports but still somewhere to go cruising in winter from Australia. Re the Phillip island penguins - they are an enormous colony, literally thousands, of "fairy" penguins which come ashore at dusk to their burrows and parade up the shore. If the ship is offering a Penguin Parade excursion, it must be staying until after dark. There is good infrastructure and viewing platforms to see the penguins, and an excellent display area and gift shop. Perhaps the shore excursion only goes there in daylight, and misses out on the actual sighting of the penguins waddling ashore? What are the itineraries? Somebody has done their research about our love for “Christmas in July”. Ships do decorations well! I hope ship doesn’t leave before the Penguin parade!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiser3775 Posted April 19, 2023 #160 Share Posted April 19, 2023 (edited) 55 minutes ago, MMDown Under said: What are the itineraries? Here's the list: https://www.carnival.com.au/cruise-deals/grinchmas-in-july There are actually 10 cruises, all with the Christmas theme, and all departing from Sydney, so no penguins. 😁 If you want a relatively child free cruise, I'd avoid last week June and first two weeks July, which is school holidays in our most populous states. Edited April 19, 2023 by cruiser3775 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 19, 2023 Author #161 Share Posted April 19, 2023 30 minutes ago, cruiser3775 said: Here's the list: https://www.carnival.com.au/cruise-deals/grinchmas-in-july There are actually 10 cruises, all with the Christmas theme, and all departing from Sydney, so no penguins. 😁 If you want a relatively child free cruise, I'd avoid last week June and first two weeks July, which is school holidays in our most populous states. Shame none from Brisbane! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondine Posted April 19, 2023 #162 Share Posted April 19, 2023 If the ship does a penguin parade then the departure will be whenever they can get the passengers back on board. I think we departed around 11.00 to 11.30pm last month. It doesn't take as long to get to Port Lincoln or whichever is the next port because you are already in Westernport Bay and do not have to waste the 3.5 hours it takes to get from Station Pier to the Heads going at a snail pace. Only the tour participants for the penguin parade will be ashore at that late time. The tenders will already be stowed and a launch used I believe. Something similar to the dolphin feeding at Morton Bay when the selected group of participants go ashore late and come back late. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiser3775 Posted April 19, 2023 #163 Share Posted April 19, 2023 1 hour ago, MMDown Under said: Shame none from Brisbane! Or from Melbourne, but it's good to see that there are some Aussie winter cruises available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseaholic78 Posted April 19, 2023 #164 Share Posted April 19, 2023 (edited) I know they are expensive but has anyone looked at Oceania or Azamara ( preferably the latter for some night life!) for cruising Australia? Happy Planning Rosalyn Edited April 19, 2023 by cruiseaholic78 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 19, 2023 Author #165 Share Posted April 19, 2023 30 minutes ago, cruiseaholic78 said: I know they are expensive but has anyone looked at Oceania or Azamara ( preferably the latter for some night life!) for cruising Australia? Happy Planning Rosalyn Both appeal to me when no single supplement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kristelle Posted April 19, 2023 #166 Share Posted April 19, 2023 9 hours ago, MMDown Under said: I stayed near where the ferry penguins were on KI but didn’t want to disturb them in a populated area. Do they know why the numbers are decreasing? Population/dogs ? We have same problem with koalas and dogs. A Qld . I dont think they really know why. Possibly foxes. Possibly Victor Harbour being more built up this days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted April 19, 2023 #167 Share Posted April 19, 2023 On 4/18/2023 at 7:06 PM, Kristelle said: There used to be a thriving fairy penguin colony at Victor Harbour - unfortunatley decimated to almost none now. There is still one colony there on Granite Island, albeit fairly small due to rats, foxes, cats and dogs being able to get across on the bridge in the past. https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2018/11/granite-island-penguins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 19, 2023 Author #168 Share Posted April 19, 2023 4 minutes ago, MicCanberra said: There is still one colony there on Granite Island, albeit fairly small due to rats, foxes, cats and dogs being able to get across on the bridge in the past. https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2018/11/granite-island-penguins That is so sad. We swapped a house at Victor Harbour and the fairy penguins on Granite Island were the highlight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kristelle Posted April 19, 2023 #169 Share Posted April 19, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, MicCanberra said: There is still one colony there on Granite Island, albeit fairly small due to rats, foxes, cats and dogs being able to get across on the bridge in the past. https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2018/11/granite-island-penguins that link was from 2021. not sure how it is going now, 2 yrs later - but yes as you and I both said, very small now compared to years ago. They are trying really hard to preserve it. Edited April 19, 2023 by Kristelle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icat2000 Posted April 19, 2023 #170 Share Posted April 19, 2023 18 hours ago, cruiser3775 said: Here's the list: https://www.carnival.com.au/cruise-deals/grinchmas-in-july There are actually 10 cruises, all with the Christmas theme, and all departing from Sydney, so no penguins. 😁 If you want a relatively child free cruise, I'd avoid last week June and first two weeks July, which is school holidays in our most populous states. They not new itineraries added. Just he theme of Christmas. I'm looking to book one of the August cruises to the Islands. Avoiding the School Holiday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 19, 2023 Author #171 Share Posted April 19, 2023 11 minutes ago, icat2000 said: They not new itineraries added. Just he theme of Christmas. I'm looking to book one of the August cruises to the Islands. Avoiding the School Holiday August with school children good idea. our pre Christmas cruise last year was beautifully decorated. So Christmas in July in August should be special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icat2000 Posted April 19, 2023 #172 Share Posted April 19, 2023 3 minutes ago, MMDown Under said: August with school children good idea. our pre Christmas cruise last year was beautifully decorated. So Christmas in July in August should be special. August without school children. As I believe they be back at school at the cruise I'm looking at 21- 31 August 2023. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelbTone Posted April 20, 2023 #173 Share Posted April 20, 2023 17 hours ago, cruiseaholic78 said: I know they are expensive but has anyone looked at Oceania or Azamara ( preferably the latter for some night life!) for cruising Australia? Lots about Azamara + Australia on Paul and Carole's recent YouTube series 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MMDown Under Posted April 20, 2023 Author #174 Share Posted April 20, 2023 2 hours ago, icat2000 said: August without school children. As I believe they be back at school at the cruise I'm looking at 21- 31 August 2023. Perfect timing for a winter cruise - Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted April 20, 2023 #175 Share Posted April 20, 2023 (edited) We don't feel cheated by itineraries offered by the cruiselines from Australia, just accepting that there is a limit to options for 'local' cruising. If we want 'new' ports we need to widen our scope on ports to sail, and that basically means from OS. At this stage we choose to sail only from Sydney & perhaps Brisbane, and so need to be realistic and accept that we will often go to ports we have already been too, many multiple times. Looking to fit a cruise in in Feb/Mar '24, there were limited options & we have elected to book with a cruiseline that is not our 'go-to' one ie Royal Caribbean, who's offering in that time window did not appeal. We have booked 13N to Sth Pacific Majestic Princess ex Sydney 10-Feb. Our PCP was able to book us DB (Deluxe Balcony) Baja Mid-Aft at an acceptable price with some OBC. To book an actual cabin was just $53 more than guarantee, so that's fine. We didn't upgrade to PLUS - offered at $65 pn. Hope we enjoy Majestic - our only previous Princess cruise was on the Sun round Aus in Mar '17, which we really enjoyed. Edited April 20, 2023 by mr walker typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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