LittleFish1976

Thanks but I consulted that document the last time this was a hot topic here. As enjoyable a read as it was, I don't think it needs me to revisit it. As far as changes to the turnaround ports of cruise lines, who knows what deals state governments do with cruise companies to sweeten the prospect of docking there. 🤷‍♀️

Maybe Princess should stop selling packages which include as part of their cost, 2 dinners in a specialty restaurant. In effect, they're selling the dinner without being sure they have the capacity to fulfil that. That would be like letting people pay for a booking in the Sanctuary but when it came time to book a slot, there were none available.

What sort of people are you? You may like to jump on a tram to the city and spend a few hours in the National Gallery of Victoria, have morning tea or lunch upstairs in the little tea room. Stroll around the Botanic Gardens nearby afterwards and have afternoon tea at the lakeside cafe. Or hire bikes and head south along the bayside bicycle path stopping for sitting on the sand or the grassy parklands; fish and chips and icecreams on the beach; fancy lunch at the Stokehouse (book in advance probably advisable) or casual lunch at the Beachcomber restaurant. Or bring your rollerblades with you and do it that way.

I don't think the Tasman would be anything like as rough as the Drake passage can be. I've crossed the Tasman on a number of occassions and it's never been a big deal (although people will tell me it can be rougher and they are correct but in half a dozen or more return crossings I've never had a problem). If you can wait another 10 months to hear a first hand comparison of the Tasman and the Drake passage, I will report back to you then after I've been to Antarctica!

Lots of photos here including a gallery at the bottom of the page. https://ferriesoftasmania.com/spirit-of-tasmania-2/ The ramp to access the stern appears to be a metal structure which is articulated and moved as required for car access. And the cars seem to be lining up for loading on the right hand side of the port entry not the left as I had remembered. Helpfully, we know that unloading photos are in daylight while loading are (usually) in dusk or darkness due to her schedule.

You're correct that she docked bow in, and port side access to pier. And car access from both bow and stern.

I remember that the car entry to the ferry was on the left hand side but exactly how those structures interacted I cannot say.

'Some heritage' - 🤣. Nothing we love more in Melbourne than an old timber pier. I'm not even joking. The pier is protected, very protected. I searched for any evidence on line the last time the redevelopment of Station Pier was being discussed here. There's nothing I can find to suggest anything in the next few years. I'll add a link to the page for downloading their '2050 Port Development Strategy' which I downloaded and read (not every word tbh) when this was being discussed weeks ago. They are still in the consultation phase re expert opinions, forecasts and community engagement so I cannot believe there would be anything distruptive planned for 2024-2025 at least. https://www.portofmelbourne.com/facilities-development/port-capacity-enhancement-program/ https://www.portofmelbourne.com/facilities-development/port-development-strategy/

My memories of Cyd Charisse don't extend to her discussing cutlery (surely she wouldn't have referred to her legs as silver? Gold, if anything and not just plated). I did think about stating that the spoon was silver plated but thought it redundant. I must admit though that I didn't check (would have been poor manners to do so ;)]

Sounds as though it's so popular that it would fill up anyway, sea day or port day and Princess would still rake in the same amount (more in fact as there would be no discount for a weekly pass).

Exactly! Let each cabin book one slot only per cruise - that way it spreads the opportunity around to others. Also, the booking should be charged to your account at the time of booking - non-refundable.

You'll need to take both UK and US adapters to your AUS appliances otherwise you'll run out of sockets. I took only UK adapters when I was on board recently and found there was only one single UK power point (there were more US sockets).

Unless I'm missing something in your itinerary, you'll be heading north and then turning around and heading south so you should get a chance to have both sunrises and sunsets from your balcony. For what it's worth I did a similar trip in mid-February this year and the sun on the balcony was too hot to bear when we were docked in Cairns - you may be glad of a little afternoon shade. I think the views surround the ship when leaving Sydney if you're docked at Circular Quay (although the Opera House would be to starboard when leaving but you will have had ample opportunity to see it from the ship prior anyway).

The powder scoop on QE in the deck 5 laundry in February was a silver dessert spoon. Very Cunard. 😉

Said flight attendant presumably found the exit sign...

'Beyond etiquette', hmmm. Cunard have a notice in the laundries I have been in to let you know that they do not use pods specifically because they cause more damage to the marine environment (plastics) so it would be poor etiquette in my opinion to go against their decision and their preference. I use the powder they supply because I assume that's the one they want people to use. I have sensitive skin and don't have any problem or issues with it and never notice any smell from it. I don't use fabric softener but I would assume the less of that sort of stuff that is being discharged into the ocean the better.

Excellent news that the dance hosts are back.

I think you'll find they're not available to Australians. I'm sure I would have been offerred that option in February when I was on board if it had been the case that they were available as I couldn't make a booking - or wasn't prepared to - as I was awaiting the Future Cruise Credit from Cunard for my cancelled cruise (February, 2023). (I was only on board because I managed to make a replacement booking through the UK office). People have been saying for many months that Future Cruise Deposits are no longer available to most of us - only available to residents of the US. I think the purser was confused by their convoluted rules.

Thanks for passing on what you were told by what sounds like a reputable source. I don't see why both scenarios can't be correct. If the problem with the engine became apparent around Cape Town and they made it back to Southampton, then surely they could do their little slow-speed trip up to Liverpool and back again without much risk, staying close to home. Keeps the tills ringing and (some of the) customers happy. If we assume it is a larger problem to fix properly then the ship may not want to venture too far until it is resolved, putting a TA, let alone two TAs out of the question for the time being. Would Norway want to see her in the fjords if part of the problem relates to exhaust quality?

What reasons are the rumours offering for the risk of cancellations next year in Asia?

Absolutely they would. The staff I have had the pleasure of speaking to at the UK call centre were extremely helpful and effective. Cunard call centres in other parts of the world, not so much.

Let's home she doesn't need to be towed to or from Liverpool on her 'Coronation Voyage' - would look like a very ill omen for the new monarch. Is there a ship yard in Liverpool which would be capable of work on the QM2?

Well that's sad but probably would have made you feel better that it was someone who was in need rather than someone just getting his kicks.

The clothing from the washing line used to be a thing - I wonder if people still do it. Targetting ladies' underwear, it was called 'snowdropping'.

Handbag on the back of the chair is very trusting. I wouldn't even do that in Melbourne. I always make sure I'm making physical contact with my bag - I've known people here who've had them nicked from under the table. Always have your bag across your body while you're travelling and the 'dummy purse/wallet' inside containing a dollar or two, with your 'real' wallet hidden in a zippered compartment elsewhere.