Boatharbour

Thank you for showing the correct name. I didn’t want to seem like a pernickety local by pointing out the typo. It is a beautiful shopping centre right in the centre of the city and Iain’s photos show it in all its glory.

I called Princess in Australia first thing and was able to rebook the same room but at $4000 less than our original booking! They also rebooked all of our shore excursions for us. There will be a bit of a crossover with refunds and new payments for a few days plus a slightly higher deposit, but I’m so happy that I read this thread. Thanks everyone for the tips.

Were you able to do this if you booked in Australia? There has been a big drop in the price of our January 2025 Princess cruise. We’ve only ever booked with Celebrity before and they won’t refare.

Can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying reading about your trip especially after we left the ship last Friday. Daylight saving ended overnight which explains the time difference. Eden is our favourite specialty restaurant. They need to change the wording for the Australian rack lobster though to Australian rock lobster. Still, that’s better than the “blueberry mouse” which was listed on the app one day last week! Thank you once again for taking the tone to share your adventures.

I travel with a Scrubba wash bag which I found out about on CC a few years ago. It’s easy to use in the shower recess or large basin and gets the clothes cleaner than a sink wash. I second the towel rolling / method for getting out excess water. Then I use plastic pegs to hang the washing on a line that’s stretched between the balcony chairs. https://thescrubba.com.au/products/scrubba-wash-bag

We assumed the same, but the ship sailed through two sounds yesterday without turning around. It was only in Milford Sound that we went back the same way. Once you’re in the sounds though you’ll still get good pictures from the aft and magnificent views as you sail along the coast line.

Same here. We’re on the Edge now and put beach towels on the seats before using them.

We’re on this cruise too and took the ship’s tour of Napier and Hawkes Bay. It gave us an excellent overview of the area. We had a volunteer guide from the local art deco heritage society with us. After touring the town we were taken to a theatrette and had a short time to wander the streets. The driver then took us to Hawkes Bay and surrounding areas. I’m surprised at how much we saw in such a short time.

After reporting three days ago we had a butler in a SS sky suite on Edge,he has disappeared. Seconded to another ship. Before leaving he told us they’re working on arranging someone to replace him. We really don’t have any need for a butler, but we haven’t seen or heard from a new butler, so I can now report we don’t have a butler!

The new pricing must be driving the bar staff crazy. So many times we’ve overheard guests being told there is an up charge for the drink they ordered, only to hear them ask if they can have it made with a less expensive vodka etc. The bar staff shake their heads as though they’ve been asked the same question a thousand times that day. The guest then switches to another drink. People seem to be sticking to their package limit rather than paying the extra, which is fair enough.

Currently on Edge in a SS sky suite. Two sun lounges, 2 chairs and a table.

Not saying I would, but if permitted you could tie it to these roof struts.

lounger /ˈlaʊn(d)ʒə/ noun a comfortable chair for relaxing on, especially an outdoor chair that adjusts or extends, allowing a person to recline. Not sure that I understand but I am down under!

Currently on Edge. The head butler has come to our sky suite each day to check if we need anything. We have three cards in our suite with the contact details for the head butler, 3 concierges and the cabin steward. There should be another butler as well, but there were visa issues. Apparently he will join the ship at the next port.

So much for the individual from Celebrity who called me saying there won’t be footstools or loungers on any of their ships, period due to safety concerns. Edited 5 hours ago by Lastdance

I’m really enjoy reading along as we’re on the same cruise. We received the tote bag on day 1. Fourbottles of water have been left in our cabin twice. Low table, but in case others are wondering there are two sun lounges, two chairs and a table on the balcony. Yes, the butler is back plus 3 concierges. Looking forward to following this thread.

I’m living dangerously then. I’m lying on the lounger right now crossing the Tasman Sea!

I’m in a sunset sky suite at the moment on Edge. May be you could secure it to the metal supports on the roof above as there are two small beams it could be tied to. However it would never be allowed. Too close to the balcony railing. Our balcony has two loungers, two chairs and a table.

We boarded Edge today and are staying in a sunset sky suite. The head butler checked in on us before sailing. He told us several times he was the head butler, but would be looking after us because the other butler didn’t have his visa approved in time. He returned to check on us again just before dinner. We’re low maintenance guests but he has been very attentive.

We were very happy with the buffet on the Apex last July and disappointed with the four main restaurants. So much so that for the first time on a cruise we had several dinners at the buffet. The specialty dining especially Eden was superb.

We’ve eaten at Tuscan Grill twice on S class but won’t repeat. The first time we had a table next to the wake view and this made up for lacklustre food and patchy service. The second occasion was booked especially for our wedding anniversary and was noted. We arrived to find our table for two was next to a very large, very loud group who seemed to monopolise the waitstaff. The service was very slow and indifferent, so much so that we decided to leave after the main course. We let the maître d know of our displeasure as we left. An hour later an anniversary cake was delivered to our door.

The cafe has a small outside dining area which is a really nice place to sit in good weather. We loved our evening meal at the restaurant, so much so we booked again and then twice more on our upcoming Edge cruise. The elevated seating areas overlooking the wake were our favourite place to just sit quietly, read and relax.

I think the Matt Moran restaurant that is nominated as one of the best in Sydney is Aria, not Crafted. The Good Food guide awards are probably the closest we have to Michelin which isn’t used here. The number of chefs hats awarded is equivalent to stars.

Same here. We don’t sail until January 2025, first time with Princess and have been able to book the MDR for each night already.

Of course there are no locals! I was quoting oft used justifications for tourism. Not sure of the reason for the comparison to the GBR but as you state Antarctica is pristine. I’d like to leave it that way.