lyndarra

The odd thing with the Celebrity trial is that vaping is restricted to the port side of the casino. Weird.

I can't imagine ever needing a butler. If I need a button sewn on I always bring a housewife with me.😉

I'm well aware of that. Was referring to casinos.

Over on Celebrity forum there is a raging discussion about Celebrity trialing vaping in casinos. Previously there was no smoking permitted in any X casinos. However many posters on the forum are threatening to "jump ship" if vaping is allowed. I'm not sure where they would jump to as smoking, and presumably vaping, are permitted in many other lines' casinos. There has been much news in local media about laboratory research finding a variety of dangerous substances in vapes, none of which seem to be mentioned in the X forum posts, including polonium-210 and other cancer causing substances. If that's the case why would Celebrity go down this path? A retrograde step IMHO. I was of the opinion that smoking or vaping is not permitted in all ships in Oz waters. Is this correct? Government rule? Personally, I would prefer (for health and workplace safety reasons) neither vice(?) be allowed but I don't make the rules.

This talk of lobster got me curious so I Googled what was available at my local supermarket. Tails available @ AUD9.00. And, surprisingly, "Product of Canada". https://www.coles.com.au/product/coles-deli-thawed-msc-raw-lobster-tails-1-each-3763596

This may help. https://australiatravelquestions.com/national-parks/paluma-range-national-park-queensland-walks-swimming-camping/

How do you dispose of the used grounds? Binned?

I bought only one glass of wine on my last cruise. It was a way overpriced Oz brand. I think, in future, I may just have water with my meals. It's not about not being not able to afford it, I can, it's the rip-off prices that doesn't sit well with me.

Thanks. Have printed it.

Agree. Noticed that, especially on a White Pass tour. Very picturesque.

I have done four New Zealand cruises - Celebrity, Royal, Princes and HAL. My favorite cruiseline ATM is HAL (same numbers of cruises as X) due to a better itinerary, followed by X. IRC Princess and RCI cruises were return ex Sydney. HAL and X are one way with a return flight to Sydney/Aukland which saves 2 sea days which, IMO, allows more time to be spent doing some land touring which may be more attractive for those coming from northern climes.

I have done three Alaska cruises. One in late August, one early September and most recently this June which was the coolest. I didn't find much difference with any of these times. Had a very wet and windy arrival in Whittier this year and a rainy windy day in Juneau in September (all flying cancelled and ships sheltering) which were the only wet days.

I have done one Princess cruise and was happy to find comprehensive bar menus on tables in the pool area. Lots of choices.

How can I ask for what I want if I don't know what I want? I am not a regular drinker of cocktails, I never have them at home, only on cruises, so I am not familiar with what's available. I am disappointed by the lack of drink menus, not only on X. I ask waiters for a list and their response is similar to yours, "tell me what you want". I have gotten to know a couple of drink types but I like trying something different - "variety is the spice of life?"

I have always found that X MDR has great food, therefore, I have never considered specialty dining.

I did a quick Google and found this. The key to avoid snoring on a plane is, then: Sit upright and slightly on your side so your head doesn’t fall back and cause your tongue to narrow the airways.

Did you find the coffee was better on MSC? On my one and only MSC cruise (Divina) I found it had the best coiffee of any cruise line I've been on (7 or 8 so far). I agree with MDR being hit and miss and I also found the buffet food was excellent.

If you get confused as to whether you are going forward or aft, there are outlines (?) of the ship on the carpet, pointing correct direction, where you enter or leave passageways.

2013, our very first HAL cruise on Volendam, 16 days Sydney to Singapore via Indonesia. Loved the size of the ship and discovered HAL's penchant for varied itineraries. Three memorable events from that cruise. Komodo Island - dragons - and A wild excursion from Semarang port (Java) to Borobudur Temple. Six or seven coaches with police escort, at speed, to make it there and back in time due to horrific local traffic, and on a beautiful day, a couple of hours drifting on mirrorlike water of the Java sea when a power generator failed. No power on board except for the bridge and the casino😉.

Over the weekend I received and email for a cruise tour and also saw the same one from same TA advertised in a Sunday paper. It seemed really El Cheapo but it had a few pros and a couple of serious cons. Pros Return flights to New York on QANTAS. 2 nights accomodation in NYC (extendable to 😎 8 night cruise - Miami, Ocean Cay and Nausau Cons Very long haul flights Only 2 ports Miami and Nassau - I don't consider a private island beach a port. MSC But, at AUD2999, it is tempting just for the heck of it and I've never been to NY. Not much more $$ than a NZ cruise. Edited to add. Available this October

I have done many long haul flights to enable cruising from foreign ports. On a recent 14hr overnight flight from Canada, a thought came to me which I had not considered before - nobody was snoring. I cannot recall anyone snoring during flights I've been on. Many(?) participants of this forum, seem to have or know someone who has, problems sleeping and use CPAP machines. I know almost nothing about these things but have read that users are also snorers - correct me if I am wrong. I have never seen anyone using a CPAP on a flight, I'm not sure I would know one if I saw it. So where are all the snorers? Does one need to be recumbant to snore, are they in the pointy end? Can CPAP users fly overnight without their machines? According to my ear plug using travelling companion I am a snorer, but not when flying. Can someone enlighten me please? Is it just me?

HAL also do a circumnavigation. I have also done the round trip with RCI (Radiance OTS) but I don't know if they still do it.

My guess would be it will be USD as soon as you leave Brisbane for Guam.

When I started work in the CBA my pay was credited fortnightly directly into my account by computer. Each payday a printout was posted on a noticeboard in the branch. I would write the amount on the butt of a book of withdrawal forms, just like a cheque book, fill in a withdrawal form and cash it. This was in 1964. BTW, we could see what everyone else was paid on the printout!