crochetcruise

:eek: :o :lips-sealed:

 

*rushes out to buy sunhat with very large brim* :D

Don't forget the large sunglasses to "filter" any startling er "sights" you might see!

I don't see any problem with family members joining in it is just a social. Also it would mean that I can go as a Plat but my wife who is Gold could not!

To my knowledge, family members travelling with a Platinum or Elite member in the same cabin or together in a Suite, are allowed to accompany you to the Platinum/Elite/Suite gathering.

if I've misunderstood, someone with more knowledge will clarify, and I'll learn something new! :D

Is your cruise an Ocean Medallion cruise?

I'm sailing on the cruise before the Golden Princess gets the Ocean Medallion activated, and have been wondering if I can get the Soda and More package. Logged into my Cruise Personalizer the other day, and yes I can! Probably will get at least 1 Buy 6 Cans of Soda for the Price of 5, available through Room Service , so I don't need to get dressed to go and get myself a Soda late at night-learnt about the deal in the Folder in my Suite, ever so useful it was!

The article also says - Police will investigate a suspicious switchboard fire.

Hopefully your cruise will not be affected and that you enjoy your present immensely.

Thank You! It shouldn't be, unless there's another fire-the birthday's not unless 2022. I'm keenly watching the pricing-would prefer the Golden Princess, the Caribbean or Grand would also do, as they have the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite which is much cheaper than a Penthouse Suite!

I read the link-it seems a switchboard short circuited and caused the fire. The attending fire crew/s found asbestos in the building so they would have to follow certain protocols for the removal. Possibly it would have changed their firefighting tactics-I honestly do not know, just guessing.

The Spirit referred to is the Melbourne to Tasmania ferry (embarrassingly I cannot remember whether it docks at Launceston or Devonport-and I'm an Australian!)

This cruise is my Dream 60th Birthday Present to myself, I shall be following with interest.

We'll be heading out of Sydney on the Golden Princess for a New Zealand cruise in October. Do we need to get Australian currency for the slots in the casino?

No, you insert your Cruise Card, and charge the amount-IIRC, it's a minimum of AUD$10 to it. I sailed the Golden Princess November 2016. When you cash out, you go to the cashier and they pay you in cash. I managed to double my money, which was MOST unexpected!

Someone with more recent experience in Australia may be able to help. I have never travelled internationally so I don't absolutely know, but the currency is AUD aboard, but you would need New Zealand currency if going ashore.

HTH and enjoy your cruise.

I think I read it was the 18 year old but I'm not 100% sure.

I think it was the youngest daughter-again not sure.

Gut, I also have the same "problem" mine is Cerebral Palsy related.

I received help with learning to manage it from my Local Community Health, they had someone specifically trained to help identify appropriate supplies to manage the condition. There is a scheme, not personally sure of the current eligibility for it.

I still have the occasional, "Oh Heck NO!" moment (YKWIM) but I took myself on a 3-night cruise Sydney-Melbourne and had no troubles. Mind you, the 1st suspicion of trouble, and I was checking my little map of the Golden Princess and toddling off to the nearest "facility" which was a really easy way to "explore" the ship!

Even Bass Strait doing it's rolling back and forward and side to side wasn't too difficult to manage, UNTIL silly me looked out of the window while attending the Platinum/Elite/Suite Function, I was in the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite. I hastily finished my snack and retreated to the lower decks, wasn't seasick and slept like a log with the gentle rocking!

I use a Rollator walker for mobility-don't yet need a wheelchair. IIRC, Handicapped Accessible Balcony Cabins seem to be in the early 300's and very near the elevators. HTH.

The All-Inclusive-Beverage-Package includes Specialty Coffees, Tea, Juices, Bottled Water and Canned Drinks. I personally prefer Soft Drinks but if you drink tea, coffee, juices,-alone and in Mocktails and soft drinks it should provide many drinks during the day and some cocktails at night without having to remember how much you've spent on drinks. I got the Soda and More Package when I cruised, it was MUCH easier just taking the insulated cup and my Cruise Card to a bar and getting what I wanted.

I'm not yet sure whether I can do an 8 day cruise to Tasmania, would prefer the Golden Princess but she usually sails from Melbourne on a 5 or 6 day cruise, and I can't get the AIBP for a cruise less than 8 days. The Majestic is scheduled to do an 8-night cruise, but I would need a Penthouse Suite-it's the only Suite with Handicapped Access.

The introduction of the Ocean Medallion is also an issue, I'm sailing on the previous cruise in October 2018, and cannot find the Soda and More Package in my Personaliser! I hope to be able to buy it on board or I have the alternative of ordering 6 cans of Soda for the price of 5 through Room Service, and I have a microwave-proof mug with a clip-on lid I could use safely.

Hi thanks for your suggestions.

 

I'm just not sure still as my travelling companion has slight mobility issues, and getting suitcases on/off trains, then probably having to get a taxi when we get to city to our apartment in Hindley Street may be too much for her.

 

I will give her the options and let her make the decision:)

As a person with mobility issues myself, I would recommend taking a taxi directly from Outer Harbour to Hindley Street. I personally stayed at the Miller Apartments previously, very nice. My only trouble was a poor sense of direction-there were several changes of direction to reach my room, and I did get confused at first. Travelling solo didn't help either.

Pardon my er-personal question, but does your friend have difficulty getting into and out of a vehicle. There is a company that specializes in transported the Disabled in Adelaide. If you would like, I can give you the details. I am able to still use a regular cab, not yet requiring a wheelchair or mobility scooter-which I probably wouldn't be allowed to drive due to Legal Blindness-and some of the drivers I've seen are very irresponsible when considering other road users and people needing to cross the road.

For me, the planning takes much longer than the actual packing. I have a spreadsheet with several tabs.

 

The first tab has the actual packing list for that cruise. Down the first column are the dates and activity for that date (flight, pre-cruise location, embarkation, sea day, ports, etc.); the second through fifth column has tops, bottoms, footwear, accessories/undergarments. Each day has two rows, one for day wear, and one for evening. (I also list the average high and low temps in the day column if I'm going on a cruise with different climates.)

 

The second tab lists clothing combinations such as jeans goes with tops 1, 2, 3 etc., black pants goes with tops 2, 4, 5 (using desriptions so I know which ones I'm referring to), etc. This tab has all the clothing combinations that travel well.

 

The third tab is the toiletries and miscellaneous list including items like umbrella, kindle, various chargers, plug adapters, swimsuit, pjs, robe, medications, etc.

 

I keep a master list on my computer (which gets modified as needed when I buy something new or get rid of something).

 

Once I book a cruise, I use the master list and modify, identifying clothing based on the itinerary, deleting things from the toiletries/miscellaneous tab, etc., then save it under the cruise name (so I always have the master on file for the next trip). I add items to the first tab based on suggestions of clothing combinations from Tab 2. I'm trying to get to the point that every top works with every bottom so I can travel lighter--but not quite there yet.

 

I might start the list shortly after booking the cruise, and may work on it as part of the planning, but usually have it finalized and printed a couple weeks before. The week prior, I make sure all the items are clean and start laying them aside or hanging them separately in the closet.

 

A day or two before, I start packing using the list. I use a highlighter to "cross" the items off the list as I pack. The list then goes in my carryon (just in case luggage gets lost I have a complete list of what was in the suitcase).

 

I don't always wear what's on the list on that specific day, but I do wear what I pack, and I haven't forgotten anything (knock on wood).

 

I also have a travel bin (large plastic storage box) with things I only use for travelling like transformers, travel plug adapters, airline travel pillow for long flights, my cruise luggage tag holders, luggage scale, travel mug, small sewing kit, small first-aid kit, emergency chem light (I always pack one just in case), etc.

 

A little OCD perhaps, but it works for me. [emoji6]

 

 

 

 

 

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Please what is an emergency chem light?

I take a small battery operated torch and have a camping torch in a harness I can wear on my head if needed.

Maverick have you thought of coming over on the overnight ferry Spirit of Tasmania from Devonport? She comes in at 6.00am and berths only metres from where Golden will be on the opposite side of Station Pier. The airport is miles away from Port Melbourne.

I had to travel from Spencer Street-Atlantis Hotel, to the airport and it cost me about $50 from memory in November 2016 including the toll fee.

I would strongly endorse Ondine's suggestion of travelling over on the Spirit of Tasmania is very practical and would save an overnight hotel bill and an expensive taxi fare if flying in the day before. Personally I daren't do that, physical disabilities making me slow, and limited airline flights-only 1 airline flying from my home town so I have no other choice as I cannot drive due to Legal Blindness and can't manage on walking sticks-safer with my Rollator for mobility.

Hi Guys, We are due to sail on the Golden March 15th 2018, Melbourne to Singapore. I was just wondering what time we are likely to be able to board ? The posted ship sail time is 1600hrs. Trying to arrange are trip and arrange our time in Melbourne. TIA.

When either your TA or you print out your Cruise Documents, the Boarding Information is on there. From memory-sailed the Golden Princess Sydney-Melbourne November 2016 I was in a Window Suite on Fiesta Deck and my boarding-IIRC-was 1.00pm. HTH.

As you are travelling Internationally, your timing will be different as you need to clear Customs and Passport (I think, never been out of Australia).

Do enjoy your cruise, and I hope to read a review of your travels in due course.

Is point number 2 a joke? because there was nothing like that back in April when I was on it.

I think the buffet refers to the Horizon Court. IIRC, I paused to do my hands on the Friday night of 11/11/2016.

Personally for me with both sight and mobility problems I found the Horizon Court very challenging. The staff were very quick to offer assistance to me.

Max will get all the hugs. :p

With Gut's permission of course! I know to only verbally admire another person's dog, unless I have received permission to offer the back of my hand for the dog to sniff.

When I sailed on the Golden Princess in a Window Suite for 3 nights Sydney-Melbourne I received:

• the personalised stationery
  
• a pen
  
• 2 leather card wallets (very handy for my cruise card with the Soda and More sticker, I could flip the wallet open to show the bartender, and Muster Drill was easy to scan the card)
  
• fruit bowl
  
• don't remember about the orchid sorry
  
• Sabatini's breakfast for 2 day-delicious
  
• free laundry-just make sure you put it out by 9.00am, or it's a day later
  
• the mini bar
  
• canapes on the 1st night-Chef's Selection and seemed to be a sample of what was available and very nice too
  
• I enjoyed the Platinum/Elite/Suite function held in Skywalker's Bar, if you're prone to seasickness please don't look out the window, Bass Strait was rocking and rolling on the Saturday night and I stupidly looked out at the waves and started to feel a little queasy! My own stupidity, I hadn't taken medication on the Saturday as I felt all right-I learnt a sharp lesson on being overconfident!
  
• The special line at the Passenger Services Desk was very useful when I had a query.
  
• Bed was extremely comfortable, I settled quickly and slept right through the night, I'm usually up at least once a night.
  
• Nice toiletries in a little gold mesh bag, I'm still enjoying the lotion.
  

HTH. I was a Blue card holder in a Suite but no one seemed to treat me any differently, all staff were respectful, eager to help and my steward quickly learnt my needs and was very good at placing the nightly chocolates on a contrasting surface-I am Legally Blind so only 10 per cent vision, and he also did the Nightly Turn Down when I was in the Suite and could see where he'd placed the chocolates. I gave him a Consumate Host nomination and showed him what I'd written about his help and talent for anticipating my needs, and explaining what he'd done.

After reading many posts I feel a need to explain my situation.

After being single for many years I met the love of my life in my middle 60ies.

Something happened that caused my wife to snap, neither myself or her family never saw any danger signs, & I'm fortunate to be alive, experiencing one night of terror. Of course she was arrested and found guilty. When she was sentenced she was in tears & apolligized for what she had done to me & her family. It was painful 😖 to go to all of the court proceedings & see my wife in handcuffs along with her family dealing with what had happened. Her daughters work place were very accommodating & allowed her time off for all of the court proceedings.

She was sent to state prison for evaluation & they determined that she should be returned to do local time, which is what I asked for, so she could near her family. Otherwise she would have been sentenced to state prison, away from family.

After being released, I was told she was a model prisoner, she took her own life. Do I wish things could have been different, I sure do. It was horrible for her daughter to come home & find her mother dead.

 

Just taking a shower & concerned that someone would come in & attack me took time for me to deal with.

I was fortunate to have friends from my Senior Center & my Odd Fellows Lodge to give me support & offer any help that I needed. I also received help with someone to talk with from Kaiser.

I also had a cousin who, when he heard about my near death experience, flew down & stayed with me to make sure I was OK & helped me move things into a storage locker until I could find a new place to live.

Realize that there can be situations where, like myself, there was no danger signs. Everything seemed normal.

Hearing what happened onboard the ship brought back memories of what had happened to me & how lucky I am to be alive.

This is the first time I have ever explained in public what I went through through in hopes that it might help other people.

All hugs are welcomed.

Tom😎

Unlimited cyber hugs to you Tom (if I may be so informal?)

I am taking my mother who will be 75 next July to Alaska in May 2018. She uses a rollator (one of those fancy walkers with wheels and a seat), because it helps her with stability and helps when she walks distances.

 

Our travel agent would not book an accessible room for us, because those rooms are intended for people who have true mobility issues and use scooters or wheelchairs.

 

While it will be some extra effort on our part to collapse the rollator coming and going to and from the room, it is effort we are able to make while someone else who requires more assistance cannot.

 

I would take the room if Princess changed us because it would provide some benefits for us, but I hate the idea of someone else who has looked forward to their trip as much as we have might have to miss out if we booked it.

Your TA is WRONG! When I booked, my TA rang Princess Cruises and discussed my needs-I also use a Rollator for mobility and stability myself having sight, balance and mobility issues, and I found while aboard, that the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite bathroom with the handrails, fold down seat and drains made showering much safer for me. I travel solo, so took the Handicapped Accessible Window Suite once I knew about it-had planned on a Balcony-and enjoyed myself thoroughly.

I did have to fill in a form giving more specific details, including the weight and height of my Rollator, but that was easy.

My TA also asked for my booking to be marked NO UPGRADE as I am in the highest available stateroom-the only Suite on the Golden Princess equipped for Handicapped Accessibility.

I plan ahead and book early to secure suitable accommodation.

Enjoy your cruise!

I wonder if this means you will have to cruise each of the regions to buy each outfit?

I hope not! I'd like to be able to help Stanley change his look. International travel is unlikely for me, so I hope 1 of the shops has the other outfits on board to purchase.

My 1st souvenir purchase in October 2018 is settled! Stanley the Stowaway Bear will find a new home with me. Hope the outfits from other regions are carried in 1 of the onboard shops so he could have his own special wardrobe!

Yes I'm a Teddy Bear Lover and proud of it!

No. I think, like candles and smoking on balconies, it may be considered a Fire Safety issue.

Room Service or go to the International Café-they have GREAT cookies too!

HTH.

Hi

 

We sure intend to enjoy the suite , there are three of us the wife and I and MIL ... My last trip on Golden Princess saw me medi-Vaced off the ship in New Zealand two Christmases ago so lets hope its all ok this trip :halo:

 

Otherwise the Girls will have the suite to themselves and there will be no stopping them :evilsmile:

 

 

Regards

 

John

I remember reading about that "adventure" of yours!

When I sailed on the Golden Princess in a Window Suite in November 2016, I received the card already punched, and as a Suite Perk, received 2 leather card holders. I put my Cruise Card in 1 side and the foldout map provided in the other, and it was great! Easy to walk up to the bar-I had the Soda and More Package-hand over my tumbler, flip open the holder to verify I had the package and ask for my chosen drink.

I startled the crew member who was scanning cards for the Muster Drill though. Thanks to Cruise Critic, I already knew to have my card ready to be scanned. I paused just before the entrance, got my holder out and had it opened for easy scanning. The startled look on his face! His colleague spluttered with laughter, he saw I was a Blue Card and realised his colleague thought I might be unsure of what to do.

Thank you. It was missing a syllable!

 

I have no idea if there is a clever jingle for the chairman of the board.

 

But, if the drink were for me ... I would get what I enjoyed. After paying for travel

and the cruise, I wouldn't care if the drink was a couple dollars off for a special or not.

 

I guess if one really cared, they could try and purchase during the buy 1, get second for $1

sale that occurs at random.

I couldn't find the Happy Hour/s on my Golden Princess Cruise in November 2016. Don't know if Australian Alcohol Laws had anything to do with it, it was a Repositioning/Coastal Cruise from Sydney to Melbourne.

When I sail in October 2018 it's the cruise immediately before the start of Ocean Medallion, and I can't see the Soda and More Package in my Cruise Personaliser. I do know about the

Buy 6 Sodas (reasonable choice of Coke, Sprite, Orange, Ginger Ale, and I think Soda Water and have forgotten the other. I plan to budget for several packs and store the extras in an insulated bag so Room Service only need to do 1 trip. If it's hotter than I expect and I drink more I'm guesstimating AUD$3 for a glass of Coke, although I intend to take the tumbler I received last time, it's safer to carry with the secure top. I've broken the plastic straw but can bring a packet of drinking straws easily.

Hi, here are some photos of the shower access, I am not sure there is a lot of room for a walker if you need it to get to the shower. The shower door is also skinny and when opened would make manoeuvring hard. Hope this helps

 

 

 

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THANK YOU! Absolutely perfect shots, showing the access which I was concerned about. I've actually had to deal with a very cramped shower when travelling with my father-he banged his "funny bone" and you SHOULD have heard the indignant comments. Ouch was the politest! He'd dropped the soap and tried to retrieve it, forgetting just how cramped the shower was! Thanks to his misfortune I knew to use shower gel not soap, didn't want to fall over and get stuck!