Mr&MrsCookie

Something to consider is that with Ovation being bigger, there are a lot more people to get on or off at each port. Some of those are tender ports too. Could be a long process getting on and off each time and the smaller ports could be a bit crowded with the extra people.

Give the gelato a miss - it's expensive and the free ice cream in the buffet tastes better

Was hoping to see her go past work this morning but she came in early. Good times really - cruisers don't have to rush back from Lone Pine or wherever like they would normally have to.

Thanks for the review - glad you enjoyed it and gave it high marks. I liked your 'boring pictures' - probably not enough of them actually :D To most aussies, it's a new ship so it's good to see the real pics and not the touched up ones in the brochures. I still keep looking at their future cruises in the hope they drop their prices...

Checking the YHA webcam in Sydney Harbour today and instead of seeing a cruise ship there is a suspended table with what looks like diners and waiters?. Moves around a lil bit - I don't think I would like it. Anyone know what it is for?

They have introduced a nonrefundable deposit for USA starting 1st November according to the Celebrity board. Thought it was only for US but maybe it's for aussies as well.

woohoo, means we won't HAVE to fly to Sydney and will have a choice. They say they will be able to remove the smell of the neighbouring sewerage treatment plant - fingers crossed.

I notice in a story that the Tourism Minister says "Queensland in the last 12 months had more cruise ships than any other state in Australia"...surely not.

The ATM is USD only.

When you get some tim tams make sure you do the 'tim tam slam' which is basically using one like a straw in a hot drink. Pretty gross but lots love it.

Looks like NCL have finally released some dates for 18/19 season here. Don't know if it is all of them but if it is then it's a short season - from Dec 1 2018 to Feb 13 2019. October some time she will be in dry dock and not sure where she will be in November. Disappointing itineraries (no Tassie/Adelaide cruise this time) and expensive IMO.

Wonder if this means the lawn will go and be replaced by the new sundeck.

In 2020 Golden will be 19 - just a baby by P&O standards. And bigger too. Wonder where she will go..

It's so hard to get family accommodation in Singapore - discovered that a few years ago when having a family holiday there. So expensive too. We had to bite the bullet and go for 2 rooms - stayed at the Novotel in Clarke Quay. From memory the Swissotel Merchant Court had some family rooms. Clarke Quay is a great area too. Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium caters for kids apparently going by a quick search.

Glass blowing is something to see as it is pretty unique. And also walking/playing bocce on the grass for the same reason. Would be a great photo opportunity when they are mowing the lawn - I didn't get to see them though. Food is great wherever you go. I loved the rack of lamb in MDR. They still have lobster there too if you're into that but don't know if it will be on the 2 nighter. Personally I would just be happy to sit somewhere with a view unwinding and enjoying the serenity (love the sunset bar) and get treated like royalty by the great staff.

I notice they are now booked in at OPT until Dec 2020 so they have all good intentions to keep coming back :)

Yes! Not too long now before the 2-night sampler on Celebrity Solstice & then the 5-nighter to Hobart on Norwegian Jewel in November!

Sailing solo both times which I prefer having experienced this 3 times now [emoji33]

Both new cruise lines for me!

Gae - Coffs Harbour

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Would love to hear how your cruise on Jewel goes. Was seriously considering that one as our 25th wedding anniversary is during that time but aren't going now :( (bought a camper trailer instead lol)

P&O know they can charge those crazy prices because there's no competition in Brisbane from other cruise companies for similar cruises.

I may be wrong, but it appears NCL has decided to skip the South Pacific for December 2018 and to head to South America instead.

Why do you say that? I've been watching as I plan on booking something and I don't think they've announced anything. They still have their bookings at the Sydney Port between Oct18 and April 2019.

NCL emailed me when I asked that they will be releasing the dates for the 18/19 Australian season either Sept or October this year.

I don't know where the research was done but I don't quite believe it. Most cruise companies here are targetting families more than anything else. Maybe Carnival isn't as good for kids as other companies now and so they are getting more kid free passengers...who knows

"Aussies ditching their kids to cruise" - makes us sound like we just dump our kids anywhere to jump on a ship.

They will bring out their 18/19 itineraries in September or October this year. They are booked into the Sydney terminal for that time though so should be still happening unless sales for this coming summer are particularly bad. (There are still lots of vacant cabins for this coming summer) Maybe a big sale is coming:)

Sydney is suffering from severe congestion so as such NCL is struggling to get any slots for the 2018/19 seasn. If they come back at all, it may be only a very limited season for this reason.

 

The Overseas Passenger Terminal can only take one ship a day and most ships are not able to go under the bridge to White Bay Terminal. NCL are on record for saying that they will only come back if they can home port out of Sydney.

 

 

NCL are late to the game here, Carnival and RCCL all have multiple ships here over the season so that puts enormous pressure on the limited facilities.

They are all booked in at the OPT for a full season over 18/19 - not sure how 'fixed' they are but you can get a guess on what some of the itineraries might be. I'd attach them here but work computer isn't letting me..

When I emailed NCL about when the 18/19 itineraries would be released, they replied with either Sept or October this year.

I'd prefer to deal direct with the cruise lines online - but they make it hard when their websites are awful! :mad:

I was on Dawn last month and Aria last July.

 

I agree that despite the updates to Dawn, Aria is still the classier ship. Plus the free Italian and Asian restaurants give it the edge on food as well.

 

But I would avoid the oceanview cabins on Aria's promenade deck 6. Not my cup of tea at all.

My work is right on the River beside the Gateway Bridge so we see the ships going past. Funny how they look so different going past - Aria is known here as 'the boring one' and the Dawn is 'the fun one'..lol Aria just seems to float past totally quiet while the Dawn goes past with the Macarena or something blaring out and people sounding like they are having fun.

If you are looking at Lone Pine there is a cruise company - Mirimar (mirimar.com) - it has been around for years and it goes direct to Lone Pine which makes for a nice leisurely day. It leaves from the city so would probably take the shuttle to the city first. Otherwise it is about 15mins drive from the city in a cab or buses go there too.