clairebearinaus

Lucky bunnies.

Looking forward to sailing on her myself in a few weeks! My folks will be glad they can get a decent picture wherever we are.

Yes it is. Sun Princess Fremantle to Singapore, so I was surprised to see anything come up in USD.

I have no idea how to post a picture of it, but I just checked the Travel Summary for my cruise next month and it says US$60. There are four of us, so ouch!

o.k. - I'm going to struggle to get Wella shampoo out my head every time I see the sea witch logo now....:D

 

you can tell a wella woman by the way she wears her hair.....la de da de da...

Sorry!

I don't mind it. The first cruise ship I ever laid eyes on, as a kid in the 70s, was a Princess ship docked at Circular Quay. I remember seeing that logo and wondering if the ship was owned by Wella shampoo... :D

It's stuck with me ever since, and I think in a subliminal way drew me to Princess when I recently decided to start cruising.

I also like that they'll be more easily recognised from a distance.

We've booked a private market tour and Thai cooking class through Easy Day. I haven't used them before, but am impressed with their communication so far and with their TA reviews.

However, we're returning to Phuket for a week post-cruise and will be doing the bulk of our sightseeing then. Having been many years ago, I'm keen to see Phang Nga Bay again by boat, and maybe some snorkelling around Phi Phi Island. Both can get very crowded though, and the latter is a very long day, so choose your operator carefully.

On Phuket itself there isn't a great deal to do during the day other than shop or hang at the beach. Or if you're a foodie, Blue Elephant restaurant is pretty amazing, would be great for lunch.

So sorry Elisef, I know how much you were looking forward to this cruise, such a shame it had been so stressful for you. I hope you manage to find some relaxation and enjoyment in the days left.

I can stop a loud, rambunctious group of children with a single look (but then I have been teaching for 25 years and it just comes naturally :) )

On our last cruise on New Year's Eve every passenger was given a horn to toot. Now let me just say tooting horns are one of my least favourite things :eek:

At dinner many children and adults began tooting, so much so that I had had enough, stood up and said in my most teacherish voice "That is enough!"

Well that stopped the tooting. :)

My own children were amazed at my power (and secretly pleased it wasn't directed at them :rolleyes: )

I hope you're on my next cruise! :D

My parents gave me plenty of freedom to explore the world around me, but they also taught me to respect other people and their property.

Of course they did - and I bet you still mucked up occasionally, regardless. The difference between 'then' and 'now' for me anyway, is that if I decided to muck up as soon as my parents turned their backs, some other random adult would have pulled me into line! Everyone seems reluctant to do that these days.

Hi, there's a thread about it in the Australia/New Zealand forum.

As an Aussie, you'll need a tourist visa to enter Indonesia. There is some talk of Indonesia dropping that requirement, but no firm decision for us to work with.

I'm travelling there with a different cruise line (Princess) but am being charged quite a bit more than the actual cost of the visa as a 'processing fee' and this is charged regardless of whether you disembark or not. I even read a thread about citizens of countries who do not require a visa being charged!

It will cost around AUD$50pp depending on exchange rate. I believe this can be avoided if you seek a visa yourself through the embassy, but that's a hassle vs cost decision for you to make!

What scares me most is the attitude parents have that their children are totally safe onboard....are they really so naive to think that " UNDESIREABLES" don't cruise !!!!!!!!!

I don't think they're any more or less safe on a ship than they are, say, walking themselves to school or any other age-appropriate things they're allowed to do on their own on land.

Most parents aren't stupid, they teach their kids protective behaviours and weigh up the marginal risk of something bad happening against the important benefits of developing independence. They have coached their kids on all the 'what-ifs' and have put checks and balances in place that you may not see.

Note, I say *most* parents, I acknowledge there are plenty of kids out there who could do with some more boundaries!

The food you've described sounds absolutely delicious!

I think I'll miss Share, it's slated for April for Sun Princess and I'm disembarking on the 5th. I would have given it a try otherwise, based on your review, even though my experience of Stone's food in the Golden's MDR wasn't a positive one.

Some time in the next 50 days would be good, thanks Indonesia!

Sometimes even good kids from good homes, who've earned trust and some modest privileges from their parents, will disappoint everyone and stuff up.

I wouldn't hesitate in telling annoying children to wind their heads in. I hope anyone would channel MrsGut and do the same to mine!

Kids learn how to be real people by going through the 'get a bit of rope => misbehave => consequence' cycle a few hundred times (possibly a few billion, in the case of my two). It's unfortunate for those of us inconvenienced at the time, but the alternative is that we keep them tied to the apron strings until they're 18 then set them free in the world, having never learned how to think or act without Mummy around to tell them.

**disclaimer, I'm not talking about kids running amok all day, and my plea for tolerance does not extend to hall runners at 1am :)

Thanks, that's really helpful!

Sorry, *Sea* Princess.

Thanks for your reviews. I was especially interested to read your Sun Princess review and that you had your children in their own, inside cabin. How did that go, were they ok and did Princess object at all? My kids are similar ages.

Why would you think they will give you access to everyone's room? :p

Ha a good reminder to think more, talk/write less, something I nag my kids about every day!

Cabin bag drop then straight to the buffet terrace for food and a champagne :)

Though next cruise I'll want everyone to have access to each other's rooms so will pounce on Passenger Services Desk if it's looking quiet.

No, they are not :(

It's the All Inclusive Beverage Package at $64.90/day, or you can buy wine by the glass or bottle as needed. Can also pre-purchase wine by the bottle and have it delivered to your room, or BYO and pay corkage beyond the 1 freebie per person.

*bumping*

Anyone? Bueller?

Hi, just looking at the Sun Princess deck plan and I see the fitness area and Lotus Spa are all around the same area. I haven't been able to find much info on which, if any of the facilities up there are for public use or restricted to those who have bought a spa treatment.

Can anyone else who had cruised on Princess please shed some light?

I'm particularly interested in sauna/steam room and whether I can go up anytime, must buy a pass of some sort, or need to be a Lotus Spa client? Also if the area is well done, and worth going to in your opinion, and what else is there that I might not know about from the literature?

Thanks

I vow not to:

- use the elevator

- drink excessively

- get grumpy because of rude/selfish people

- eat Fettuccine Alfredo every single night.

I vow to laugh at every possible opportunity.

Thanks for asking the question!

Or tut-tuts at you for Ruining Their Cruise Experience.

Thanks for the tip. I have an old rollaboard which I was planning to chuck, I might keep it just for this purpose.

Imagine the bill for an all inclusive package on a world cruise!

At a rough guess, $13,000+ for a couple. Ouch.