clairebearinaus

A few weeks ago, the large bottle in our minibar (1.5 or 2L?) was AU$4.95.

Iced water is freely available around the ship, you can ask for it or help yourself at drink stations at the buffet and bars.

DS and I also brought the water bottles we'd been given during our flight to the departure port and kept refilled them from the bathroom tap to keep in our cabins.

I think a lot of visitors also get caught in cooler weather, especially NZ and Tasmania.

A fresh breeze can mask the strength of the sun and you don't realise you're burning until it's too late.

I'm one of those annoying ex-smokers who now REALLY hates the smell of smoke. I can detect it from a long way away and it really irritates my eyes and nose.

Yet, when I took my first cruise a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I wasn't the least bit bothered by the outdoor smoking areas, once I figured out where they were. Even waiting at a poolside bar which was half smoking and half not, I found the ship's movement dissipated the smoke to the point that I didn't even notice it. For that reason I believe non-smokers and smokers should be able to peacefully co-exist on a ship.

I'd like to see smoking banned indoors though, partly because for sensitive people like me the casino and sports bar become totally off-limits, but mostly for the welfare of the ship's staff. We know beyond a shadow of doubt that passive smoke is damaging to health and it's not fair to the staff who have to put up with it for hours on end as part of their jobs.

Wine by the glass is about $8 and most cocktails are $14 approx, if that helps you work out the value of the package.

Basically, you need to be putting away 8 beers or wines a day to break even. That's surprisingly easy on sea days. If you'll also be drinking coffees and bottled water, it's easier to get in front.

I can't help with much but I do know swim nappies in pools are out of the question.

I'm very sorry for your loss, mszpolaris.

I have nothing to compare her to yet, but I thought she was lovely :)

The décor was traditional rather than modern and bright, but I didn't see any evidence at all of poor maintenance, and everything was very clean.

Oh, the one exception to that would be the elevators, a few weren't working.

I thought it was the salty air?

I'll start by saying I don't know, because I've never cruised to Dubai. But I've lived there, and I'd be surprised if that was the rule. Dubai is not 'dry', the alcohol flows quite freely :), although citizens are not allowed to partake. Alcohol is not permitted at all in neighbouring emirate Sharjah.

Yes there were wooden boxes with a good selection of black and herbal teas in the buffet a couple of weeks ago. I can't give you an ironclad guarantee but I'm fairly sure Twinings was there.

Plus the International Cafe served pots of tea, there were a few varieties.

I think you'll be ok. I was on deck 12 so just popped up s flight of stairs to the buffet whenever I felt like it, and brought my tea back to my cabin.

To CLAIRBEARINAUS

I suffer from Achilles Bursitis which is an inflammation that causes a large painful lump at the back of my heel. Thanks to advice from a fellow poster I picked up a pair of black soft shoes for $16.00 from K Mart of all places.

 

Getting to the point, they are reasonably dressy, they are very light, and they flatten down to next to nothing. I don't wear a jacket on Formal nights, just good trousers with a long sleeved shirt and tie.

 

Suits to me were work clothes and I gave all mine to charity the day I retired.

Thanks Russell, good to know that the jacket is optional. A tie is a lot easier to pack!

I'm also wondering if we could source a lightweight linen jacket, would this be OK with light pants and a pair of deck shoes? It's not formal at all in the strict sense but it seems that's a shaky standard on ships these days. DH/XH/It's Complicated would have those shoes anyway so it's not an extra thing to pack.

Something like these, particularly the third photo - OK for Princess formal?

http://www.bows-n-ties.com/mens-fashion-tips/summer-looks-with-linen-suits/

You should not feel strange at all about calling as often as you wish--you are, after all, the customer. I usually book a year or more ahead and always take advantage of at least two price drops and occasionally up to four. Just be careful as sometimes the lower price will cause your deposit to be non-refundable--usually when there is onboard credit or other perks involved. Sometimes I come out only maybe $200 ahead but for a 5 minute phone call, it's worth it.

Thanks. A non-refundable deposit isn't a problem, we've invested a considerable amount in land travel at either end of this cruise so it's definitely going ahead! And we're well insured for the unexpected. That's good information to know for future though as I have another short repo cruise booked that I'm not 100% sure about.

Sorry about the flies, cruise people!

Thank you all, very helpful information. I'll call tomorrow and claim my OBC!

Thanks for the helpful replies.

I agree... So there's no limit to the number of times I can call? I guess I was worried they'd get sick of me calling at some point and I'd be blocked from taking advantage of some enormous price drop in future :)

For those who book directly with Princess and watch the prices, I'm wondering how many times you've called to have a new price applied to your cruise, or even if there's a limit?

I booked my cruise well in advance and have already called twice to have new sale fares applied, saving over $1,000. Final payment isn't until January.

I've just seen another sale advertised, more or less the same price I already have but a couple of hundred more in OBC. But I feel a bit silly ringing up again.

Do they even keep records of this stuff? Will they think I'm weird? Should I care if they think I'm weird? ;)

Thanks

Is there any other way to enjoy the formal night dishes like lobster on Princess without going into the MDR?

I really don't want to pack the extra clothing for what is going to be a month long sea and land trip in the tropics at the hottest time of the year. Not so much for me, a pair of strappy sandals and a flimsy dress takes no room at all, but proper lace up shoes and suit pants/jackets for three biggish males will.

Can we do room service, specialty restaurant, UBD those nights and still enjoy the same food?

That's my next big cruise in 2018 or so. Can't wait to hear more!

I had Drink of the Day once, it was a Mai Tai and was $13.95, which I was a bit disappointed about because that was the standard cocktail price and I assumed DOTD was a special.

It had an eye watering amount of alcohol in it though!

For teenagers, dress is a form of self expression and is nothing to do with class.

Frankly, I find attaching notions of 'classy' and whatever the alternative is to children, well, not very classy :(

We might have to go on another cruise! Oh, wait, I already booked it :D

Ah yes, I didn't see the bit about 3 suitcases. My first tip would therefore be - pack less!

I've travelled a lot, including with young children, and my no.1 rule of thumb is 'don't take more luggage than you can manage yourself'. That means a maximum of two suitcases, 1 per adult, and cabin bags must be shoulder or backpack style so can be carried hands free.

I accept the train was a silly idea with the amount of luggage the OP is talking about, sorry bout that.

As you liked the area so much, if you're a reader you might enjoy "Playing Beatie Bow" by Ruth Park, which is the story of a young girl sent back in time to live in The Rocks in the 1800s.

It's really an older children's book and many of us Aussies studied it at school, but it's a gorgeous story and really brings the history of the area to life.

How about a lanyard for their sea pass card?

 

We surprised our kids many years ago - they were probably 8, 6 & 4 at the time. We put them off to bed one night and then packed bags while they were asleep and put the bags in the boot of the car. We got up in the morning and told them we were having a family day out and where would they like to go? The zoo was the consensus. When we arrived in Melbourne we drove to the airport and dropped our car at an offsite car parking place. They started asking where we were going on the bus ride to the airport (they were getting excited) and we still wouldn't tell them. When we got to the airport we told them to look at the departures screen and see if there was anywhere they'd like to go. The theme parks at the Gold Coast were on their wish list - the eldest spotted the Gold Coast on the departure board ....Bingo. They were jumping around like crazy people. We had 2 weeks booked at this awesome family resort which they just loved. It is one of those great family memories for me. I loved the time when my kids were little. They're all grown up now and my wife and I enjoy travelling on our own or with friends.

 

PS I tried to surprise my wife with the 2 nighter on Golden Princess from Sydney to Melbourne a couple of weeks ago but she's way too inquisitive and worked it out.

That is a great story! As for your wife - well, she still got a surprise, just not at the exact time you hoped she would! :)

I surprised my 10yo on the same cruise. It was hilarious. We were standing at Circular Quay right in front of the Golden Princess when I told him and he didn't believe me. Queuing up in the OPT, passports and boarding passes in hand, he assured me he knew it was all a big prank, and once we got to the front of the queue we'd have to leave.

I don't think it really sank in until he wandered onboard and into the piazza, found the International Café and having been told "go for it, it's all free!", stuffed the first of a half a dozen cakes into his face :D

OP, have you had a look on eBay or the cruise line's website for ship merchandise? You might be able to grab some branded things that would help your kids get the hint :)