LittleFish1976

There's also lots of Paxlovid being prescribed here in Australia, too. If you get some just in case you will pay the $1,000 AUD price - it's only on the PBS if you have been diagnosed with covid. You may already have been aware of this but I just thought I'd mention it in case you weren't.

That's very interesting. Thanks for your answer and I'm glad you and your husband both managed to fight it off successfully. Can I also ask, if a UK citizen tests positive at home I assume the NHS would supply the anti-virals gratis or at least at a minimal cost? I read recently of a passenger's experience on a Princess ship (in Australian waters) who was given Paxlovid without charge. I assume that is their protocol, at least on that particular ship. I'm curious as to the differences between lines and ships. If the medications are not subsidised by any particular government for on-board use then some cruise lines must be subsidising them. At US$900 per course it will pay for people from some countries to pay their local charge, at home, in their own currency and carry them on board with them.

Can I ask if that was the cost on the ship for someone who had tested positive? And I am assuming that would be in USD?

You've got more patience and forebearance than I have! I think they should have moved you to a new cabin if it couldn't be fixed by day 2. No toilet and it's day 5? Tell them they're dreaming!

It's about the interaction between the medications (so fish oil is fine as far as I recall). It's not about your blood being thinner. If you google 'paxlovid drug interactions' there are lists of what you mustn't take with it. The antivirals work by blocking the virus from reproducing itself so when you finish the 5 day course you may still have some virus left that has been hanging around since the beginning.

The OP did admit they submitted the welfare form 'well after booking' though so Cunard may not be entirely to blame for late advising of the matter.

I live in Australia and this is not entirely correct. Many men wear suits to work daily. Even young men wear suits for social occasions. Australia is a lot more formal than New Zealand, especially Melbourne.

Proof that no-one ever looked good in a safari suit!

2. If your agent is a Cunard employee and she has sent you an email (from Cunard) confirming she has applied your drinks package/promos etc, why not just take a copy of that email on board and show the pursers desk, if there is any problem once you get there? That's what I would do. 4. It's my belief that you can request any of the soft drinks they have on board for your cabin fridge including your preference of still or sparkling water. They do have Coca Cola; not sure if they also stock Pepsi. Just let your butler know your preference. (Heads up - he or she will be very busy in the hours after you board so keep some of these more minor details for a little later in the day. You will find a form in your cabin to fill out specifying which alcoholic drinks you would like). 5. I've had the low sugar desserts on occasion. I don't believe they use artifical sweeteners in them; I think they are just low sugar. I'm sure your waiter would be able to clarify for you by specific menu item. 7. Depends what you mean by 'schedule'. Do you mean book in for classes being held on the next voyage? I shouldn't think you could do that. How long is your trip in total?

It's good they've given you an option of their electric chair but from what you're saying you don't wish to use their chair because it's larger?

The communication you received for your cruise from an Australian port probably reflects the numbers of covid infections on other cruise ships currently in the area. Covid numbers are increasing in Australia (as they have been on other parts of the world) so this is probably a sensible precaution.

Thank you!

Thanks very much @Aus Traveller for answering my question. Perfect!

Can I clarify the Princess shuttle details? I assume they don't do any other stops along the way, between the airport and the OPT (I'm thinking of the hotel shuttles I've sometimes taken in other cities which take you via every hotel in the city and take a million times longer than the trip itself should take). Do they take the passengers directly to the port? And at the port do they take your cases off and take them directly to the luggage check-in for you? Or do you queue up with your cases?

Thanks, lissie, that's a good, clear explanation of the process - that they *convert* the hold to a charge. The charge is not *in addition* to the hold. So your credit limit doesn't need to be twice the expenditure!

In my experience the prices for grills cabins on the Vista ships is less than the equivalent grade of cabin on QM2 - by an entire grade (of course prices vary wildly by itinerary and timing of booking but as a general statement, I've found this to be true).

I'll get slammed for saying this but maybe because they're carrying the new strains from overseas? If we could keep that down we could avoid the next wave of covid which is coming. And also, I think people 'on land' should still be testing and keeping to themselves if they're sick. Just as you should if you've got any other transmissable disease.

What a perfect morning sky - you can almost feel the slightly chilly, damp air. How wonderful to be at sea.

Sorry but I wouldn't count on it!

Sounds like a good plan. I've been to Japan before and done a lot of land-based travel so thought putting a couple of the Japan castal cruises together could be a good way of seeing different aspects of Japan and getting effciently to distant parts of Japan for a look. Did you manage to avoid covid on your recent long travels?

I've used Luggage Forward to pick up a suitcase at the port of Portsmouth on my disembarkation and have the case sent to Australia. The representative of Luggage Forward who met me at Portsmouth was polite and helpful and the service worked perfectly. All email communication during the process was efficient - all questions answered and provision made for my limitations through being on board a ship whilst writing to them.

Safe travels @sfred. I hope you'll 'take us' on your voyage with you? @photosg I'd like to reiterate the thanks others have expressed for your generous commentary and wonderful photographs. I hope you re-acclimatise quickly to life at home.

You're most welcome. 🙂

NCL don't currently have any ships sailing here as far as I can tell. They won't have one sailing from Australia until late December so no-one would have any experience of what NCL specifically requires when sailing from Australia until then.

I really hope they do. It helps everyone - passengers, cruise company - everyone, if there is less spread of covid.