Bubbeh

2 minutes ago, onlyslightlymad said:

Just consider that in all purchases made in NZ and Aus, you have already pre-paid your tip.  It's included in the price.

That's a very good way of looking at it.  We pay our people a living wage for a reason.

On 2/8/2024 at 9:07 AM, NSWP said:

I think the OP just want some wine and beer precruise, for the week at a Sydney Hotel room

Don't we all.  😉

21 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Not completely, it's trying to creep in here unfortunately.

Doesn't seem to matter how many times you ask tourists not to tip, some of them persist.  I'm not sure it it's just culturally embedded or just being rude; as if our culture has less importance than theirs. 

By way of making my point; whenever I visit another country, I do my utmost to adhere to their cultural norms.  For example, when in an Asian country I would never touch a child's head but at home there's barely a moment when a grandchild or friends grandchild passes me when I don't ruffle their hair or bend down to kiss their little foreheads.  

This entire thread reminds me of the Scared Weird Little Guys 'Come to Australia'.   Really hope this links works - .  

Look I don't want to sound like a wowser but you seriously need to consider a high sun protection factor sunscreen.  Your excitement level will certainly be significantly affected if you spend days in pain nursing sunburn and and blisters or, heavens forbid, in hospital.  Not to mention, latent problems of possible skin cancer.  As others have stated, the sun here is fearsome and has no respect for anybody's skin dark or light but, it is especially cruel to fair skinned people.  Please,  wear a hat, cover up wherever you can and use a sunscreen with a high (50+) SPF.  

5 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

'er indoors

'er indoors, hey?  I've occasionally heard my Grumpy refer to me as 'she who must be obeyed'.  Both quotes come from Pommie tv shows if I'm not mistaken

3 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

Perfect time to pick up a couple of cold beers on my way back to the balcony to wind down.

Point taken,  Having accepted that, I would suggest that 2 cold beers does not really make the package cost effective.  

There's not many people who enjoy a drink more than me and Grumpy (wine / beer /whiskey) .  When we first started cruising I priced the drinks package and realised that it was extremely expensive for what we drink.  Very occasionally I might have a Brandy Alexander but on a 50 day cruise you could count those times on one hand.  These packages rely on you drinking the same amount day after day and to actually make on the deal you have to be drinking a hell of a lot!  Imagine for a moment that you've come back from a shore excursion, you may be hot and sweaty and even somewhat tired, are you really going to sit around and drink your whatever many cocktails that day?  Remember you're not getting a refund for what you don't use.

We had lunch with a couple one day in the buffet and they both ordered a couple of drinks each,  I have no issue with a glass or seven of wine with lunch in company.  However, she said to me that they never normally drink before dinner but they'd bought the drinks package and felt they were being ripped off unless they drank their money's worth.  She also complained to me that her hubby kept missing afternoon events as he needed to have a nap after a couple of drinks at lunch.  LOL!

I always get a letter from the Dr stating what medications are prescribed and how many milligrams in each tablet.  Once filled I've always found the the pharmacist keeps hold of the script.

On 1/31/2024 at 4:25 PM, sewgood said:

Short cruises of three or four days aren't worth my time or the cost of getting to Sydney/Melbourne for me.

Don't think I could be even bothered packing a suitcase for 3 to 4 days.  Nothing less than 10 days and even then I'm not sure.

Not entirely sure what a 'move over offer' is?  Seems to be an offer to forego a booking or accept an alternative of lesser value.  Is that right?

4 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

That sounds like something we have called a "twix" bar.

No a scotch finger biscuit is nothing like a twix - we have twix over here and it's a chocolate covered bickie type of thing.  A confectionery item.  A scotch finger biscuit is very similar to shortbread but comes like two small bars joined together that can be snapped apart.  See picture below.

BTW, I've absolutely no idea why this just appeared when I tried to attach the scotch finger.  ??????

1 minute ago, Mareblu said:

Double ditto, and I simply love Chocolate Wheatens.  Richer chocolate, balanced by the slightly salty crispiness of the biscuit itself.

Oh God yes and and anything salted caramel.  Oh be still my expanding waist, hips and thighs.

3 hours ago, lyndarra said:

I recall a recent article in the paper re Ginger Nuts. Seems they are made in four(?) (IIRC) different factories. Their taste and hardness varies from state to state. NSW still has the hardest but IMO they are still a lot softer than they were.

My kids cut their teeth on Ginger Nuts.  They used to sit on my knee while gumming the GNs to death and then stick the mush into my mouth.  Delicious - NOT!!!!

13 hours ago, arxcards said:

Lemon Crisp or Shortbread Cream for me.

Oh ditto, and there's always the good old Scotch Finger. Yummy.

On 1/26/2024 at 6:12 PM, colourbird said:

Our Norwegian cruises in May 2024 are back to back and cost A$5,650 per person per 10 days and that was after getting it reduced from A$6,915 per person when we first booked. That's for a balcony cabin, not a suite.

Our 10 day Coral Coast Cruise with Princess in September is costing $6400 for a mid ships balcony.  Cruising is not always a cheap option anymore but, it is just such a joy!  Besides, any cruise from this side of the country is more expensive, we just don't see the 'specials' that our eastern states fellow cruisers do.  

41 minutes ago, Pushka said:

My mum didn't have a passport nor drivers license but simply used a Govt identity card (looks like a drivers licence - she's never driven a car) and this was fine for a Princess cruise within Australian ports.

I'm trying to put this as politely as possible because it may sound offensive but that's not my intention:

Was there a reason your mother didn't drive or ever travel overseas?  Our younger daughter is epileptic and can't drive for that reason so she's never had a licence but has a circle of friends who often give her lifts and also she's regular Uber etc user. 

I can't imagine not being able to drive myself, it must make life quite difficult in some ways.  I'm probably going to end up being one of those old ladies that mistakes the accelerator for the brake and smashes through the window of a hairdresser killing a dozen customers.  To paraphrase Clint Eastwood; they'll take my licence from my cold dead hand.  

From my perspective; don't even think about it!  Unless of course you're a stress junkie.  I can't stand the pressure and always arrive at least one day before departure and fly home at least one day after disembarkation.  Why not spend a couple of days in Sydney and make your way leisurely to the airport in due course?  Maybe even hire a car and drive to Canberra, our Nation's Capital is amongst the most interesting cities to visit.  Having said this, I understand that I am ignorant of your personal circumstances.  

On 1/28/2024 at 7:15 AM, ceeceeDee said:

The following is straight off the Carnival website:

 

Well another school day for this little black duck.  I've only ever boarded a cruise with my Passport and I was totally unaware that any Govt ID Photo ID would do. Mind you, having said that, I've never just cruised domestically, always gone overseas in both senses of the word.  Doing the Coral Coast in September Freo-Freo so I wonder if I can just use my Drivers Licence?  Probably, but I'll likely use my Passport, my DL licence photo is dreadful but my Passport photo is quite flattering.  Just waffling so ignore at will...😉

18 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

There was a ride in an Audi R8, also a V8 super car. I thought about it briefly and then realized I had very little chance of even getting into either of those cars. It would be cool if someone was out doing hot laps.

Our daughter is a bit of a rev head so for her 30th birthday (16 years ago!) we bought her hot laps at a circuit in an industrial area of Perth.  It was clear from the moment the engine revved that she was born for this and had certainly missed her calling.

18 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

The only room available was priced at $1300.00 for the 3 days (and you had to book all 3 days), normally that room would have been less than $400.00 for 3 days. This time we have to leave Melbourne the day of first practice. So near yet so far.

Ah price gouging, you'd never get that over here.  😉

11 hours ago, charliedalrymple said:

Translation for the non-Aussies

 

A couple of king browns:  A couple of bottles of beer

Garbos:  Rubbish collectors [American: garbage men]

Postie:  Postman [American: mailman]

 

Just doing my part as a member of Cruise Critic community.  You're welcome!

Thanks Charlie, 'tis easy to forget not everyone understands the lingo.  😁

3 hours ago, charliedalrymple said:

I realise that it's un-Australian to tip, but I've adapted to international norms when it comes to doing so on cruise ships. Invariably, the crew members to whom I have given cash in person have been absolutely delighted and it was not uncomfortable at all.  I will admit that I have occasionally tipped in the middle of a longer cruise to guarantee continued good service. 😉

I give the postie, garbos and the council workers a couple of bottles of beer (long necks) at Xmas.  I guess that counts as tipping?  LOL!  I grew up with everyone in my street leaving a couple of king browns for the garbos, postie etc.  Back in the day everybody did it, was it to ensure good service?  Not really, more to show appreciation for people doing a job that made life easier.  

9 hours ago, skynight said:

When in the North American market you can not remove the crew appreciation if you have the plus or premier fare. You can only remove the daily gratuity charge if you have the standard fare

That's me, Little Miss Standard Fare ☺️ . 

5 minutes ago, Amaroo Andrew said:

I have a friend going to Bali next week on Pacific Adventurer and he has got to the point of paying for the Visa but the payment tab won't open. Any clues?