aussielozzie18

Booked the cruise about 6 weeks out from sailing date. Booked direct with Princess. I only ever cruise in balconies and sometimes I preselect my room and sometimes I go guarantee. This cruise, I went guarantee and my cabin was assigned two weeks before sailing. Pretty happy with my cabin. First time I have been on the Opera House side so really pleased with that. It’s in the AFT location and this is a first time too (usually pick midship & I have been lucky to be given midship location with previous guarantees). First thought about AFT location- will have no probs keeping up with my walking exercise!

I thought I would do this trip report from a first timer to Princess point of view. Haven’t cruised since before the pandemic. Normally prefer longer cruises 9-14 days but decided this short cruise would be the perfect opportunity to dip my toes in the water to test out the post pandemic cruising experience.

To save your seat/lounge chair take a lightweight bag (fold up shopper type bag - colourful design) with a book inside. Leave it on the table/lounge to reserve it until you return from buffet/bar/pool. The benefit of the book is that is gives you something to read and also it won’t blow away in the wind. If your cruise has a roll call group, join it. Good way to meet other solos and friendly couples. Some cruise lines have solo/single lunches. At dinner, ask for a share table. Other cruisers are very friendly. The staff will look after you. It’s not as daunting as you think.

Just got notification from Jetstar that our afternoon arrival has been changed to a morning at 10am. Happy with that but surprised by a 4hr change. Our afternoon departure is now 1.30 rather than 2.30pm. We will walk off so should be fine.

Another newbie question please. I assume all onboard purchases are made via the medallion. I also assume you check the status of your account via the app. Is there any other way to check your account during the cruise yourself? ie via the cabin tv or would it just be via guest services. Thanks.

Back to work tomorrow. Going to be flat out. Away from next Saturday. Abysmal weather forecast. No internet. Got some good books to read. Look forward to catching up on this thread and all the wonderful cruise reviews on my return. Take care everyone.

Public Holiday today. Popped into the hairdressers hoping they were open. They were and I was the first customer at the salon. Only one hairdresser working with the male Manager manning the phones and attending to any walk ins. By the time my hair was due to be blow dried there were 4 customers lined up needing attention. So, the lone hairdresser corralled the male Manager to blow dry my hair (which takes ages). He did a fab job for a novice. Very very gentle but got the job done. And they didn’t even charge me a public holiday surcharge. Win win.

Yesterday morning I waa visiting a friend and we were in her back garden chatting. We suddenly heard a loud male voice talking. I said is that your neighbours? She said I don’t think so. We looked up and saw two police helicopters approaching. As one of the helicopter come closer, the voice became clearer. My friend and everyone in her area the night before had received a text msg from NSW police advising that they were looking for a missing person and the text had a photo and details attached. So, the voice from the helicopter was the police broadcasting details of the lost man again. Apparently he has alzheimers and he had been missing 24hrs at this point. We have not experienced this in our area and my friend has since found out that this is a new form of communication that the police are trialling for lost persons. Do they do this in the US or UK?

Beautiful photos Sue. My dad LOVES that he can keep in contact with his grandkids daily when overseas via What’s App & FB messenger. The only reason he keeps his home phone is for his weekly phone call to his sister in England who doesn’t do technology. He had a dilemma last night, his weekly phone is at the same time every week and his sister so looks forward to it. The Rugby League Grand Final was on at the same time - dilemma - but he couldn’t let down his sister.

@George C Sorry to hear of the losses of the cars and water damage that your brother experienced. Would it be covered by insurance?

@ownedbypets thank for sharing firsthand what your daughter and her community are going through. I am glad she is being cared for whilst caring for others. Such a mammoth task they have ahead of them but it’s wonderful when people rally around to help. All the best to your daughter.

Great name but I’m a sit & sip kinda girl 🍹

Beautiful sunset photos. Enjoying your review.

Happy 40th Anniversary 🥂

Definitely felt like I was reading a LIVE review. Stunning photos throughout. Thanks Greg.

Had a light meal before the movie last night at Grilld. It’s licensed so I ordered a glass of wine. Young waitress comes over very apologetic. Manager is on a break off premises. There is no-one on site over 18 to pour the wine (legal requirement). I said no probs. We had almost finished eating, wine not arrived. Son checks the traffic app and there is a 3 car pile up on the approach to the bridge we need to cross to get to the cinema. Have to leave now. Same time Manager appears very apologetic with wine. What to do. Son says I need to skull it. Not happening. We don’t want to wait around getting a refund. So, i have an idea. I tip out my water bottle. Pour the glass of wine in the water bottle and off we go. Sipping the wine from the water bottle felt weird but at least the wine wasn’t wasted and thankfully the accident was quickly cleared (thankfully no injuries for it be cleared so quickly).

Lovely to have a full cinema (a rarity these days) for the Jaws retro screening & the adjacent cinema was doing a Twilight marathon so the candy bar was doing a roaring trade in popcorn and other snacks.

WFH part-time is wonderful for so many especially new parents. Lovely to hear baby Theo is doing well and an easy baby for your son & DIL.

+1

Hubby just scored free tickets to the Rugby League Grand Final that is on in Sydney tonight at the Accor Stadium. He’s very happy. Son & I are visiting Dad this afternoon long before the Grand Final starts because trying to have a conversation with Dad whilst he has the Rugby League on at high volume is a migraine inducing experience.

Please accept my sincere condolences for the passing of your Mother @George C

Saw photos of the Carnival boarding queue. Stretched all the way back to the train station. Hubby has just scored free tickets to today’s Rugby League Grand Final. So he’s happy. Could be a wet game for those in the open stands or they could get sunburn. Weather changes by the hour in Sydney atm.

Pre-pandemic they did. I will be on board Carnival before you will. If they offer the tour, I’ll do it because my daughter hasn’t done it and report back.

Are you asking about Carnival behind the scenes tour? Pretty sure it was in the morning because I went into a food coma after it and fell asleep for 2hrs in the afternoon which I never ever do.

So sorry that you didn’t get to experience the helicopter flight. My son was in Anchorage for a week recently. He was solo and wanted to book a glacier heli flight but the minimum was two. As it turned out, he had atrocious weather for his week there so like your experience, the helicopters flights wouldn’t have gone ahead. At least you made the most of it with your whale cruise.