Emoliash

8 hours ago, lyndarra said:

The best snorkeling I have done was on Conflict Islands however there is a charge to transport you from the beach to the snorkeling platform which includes use of snorkeling equipment if you don't have your own.

As for being strenuous this may have something to do with insurance as swimming may be looked on as being a strenuous activity. Or, the snorkeling may be in a tide affected area which could involve more exersion than just floating about.

As for donating materials (I presume for school use), I suggest donate cash in Kina as there may be things local schools need that aren't on a visitor's radar. Cash other than Kina can be  difficult and costly for locals to change.

 

WE have booked in for a snorkelling time there. I think it is a 2 hour time frame. 

Hi all, I am on the Princess cruise to Papua New Guinea in December and we have booked into the Tawali Snorkelling Tour. It says it is strenuous activity. Has anyone been on it? I don't see how snorkelling can be strenuous, though I do note I am uncoordinated. Will this be an issue.

Also any tips for Kiriwana Island and Conflict Island would be welcome. What should we take with us to donate and where should we donate? We are also stopping at Rabaul and Alotau. 

We have done two Xmas cruises with Hal pre Covid. Kids were 11 nd 7. They did Santa and kids club was good. Kids had a great time. Not as much as activities as other lines and they prefer Princess. But best thing was there were kids but the ship was not over run with them

Also considering the majority of the staff on the ships are not Australian means it is difficult to argue the jobs line. However it does drive jobs in tourism and other port jobs. CLIAs own figures state the industry is worth over four billion annually so not to be sneezed at. Maybe Joel needs to get some other industry organisations onboard like the Tourism and Transport Forum and start a campaign 

Do you know where the Edge will be sailing from? As it might be an interesting relocation cruise?

Yes received cancellation for Xmas cruise so disappointed as I love the Sapphire it’s such a great ship.

ozkiwijj that is good to know as we have an upcoming Princess Cruise and it was not clear they would give a full refund.

I presume cruise lines and passengers want certainty, particularly as all the holiday cruise payments will be due from next month and the fact cruise lines appear to be only giving credits if cancellations is to occur. 

Too funny

Does Silversea executives know some inside information that we don't?

I note they are now selling cruises in Australian waters from Christmas this year? https://www.silversea.com/destinations/australia-new-zealand-cruise.html?refinementList[departureYearMonth]=

Fingerscrossed.

I noticed the noordam Xmas cruise is now on sale. $1499 for 14 nights!

Looking forward to your review. The itinerary looks amazing 

Nice review. I’ve never been on P  and O and wondered what the difference was

Does this package mean you can eat at five of the specialty restaurants? Are there some interesting dining venues on the ship?

Excellent news. If you are on the Ruby on the 5th December to the South Pacific or the Auckland to Sydney NYE cruise we will be on it. Love your blog

Thank you we probably will. It’s a little bit expensive but I am just wanting a taster of Cunard not sure I could do a longer one due to all the formal nights.

I have just put a 2 night QE2 cruise on hold, just a two nighter from Melb to Sydney but I am thinking of taking the children. Has anyone sailed on Cunard with children? Will they be totally bored?

7 hours ago, Wisconsin Travelers said:

We've done the Chef's Table on 2 different Princess ships, 1 Carnival and 1 Holland America.  It's like a culinary excursion instead of an excursion off the ship - exceptionally good food and wine, small group of nice people (limited to 12 passengers on Princess) and lots of fun.  We will be sailing the Majestic out of Sydney in a couple of weeks and hope to book the Chef's Table on that cruise.  Definitely go for it at least once - you won't be disappointed!

 

3 hours ago, Bugalugsnz said:

Yes, I did on Emerald Princess between New Zealand and Australia a couple of years ago. Well worth it. Struggled to eat all the courses and wish I could go back and finish it off!

Thank you for the feedback I will see if they offer it on the Ruby

On 9/16/2019 at 9:50 PM, Toryhere said:

There’s a chap over on the Luxury Cruising thread who was complaining about all-inclusive fares, because he and his wife were not drinkers and he didn’t see why he should subsidise the drinks of other passengers. 

What do those commenting here think about that? Would you prefer and all inclusive fare where most drinks are included, or do you think that it’s better to have drinks packages or pay as you go?

Why doesn’t he go on the more upmarket lines that are not all inclusive like Oceania, Viking and Azamara if he is upset about the all inclusive fare? 

On 9/13/2019 at 10:07 AM, sheridan318 said:

Just booked ovation of the seas  $2293 balcony guarantee hawaii to sydney leaves September 30th 

19 nights 

That's a bargain. I want to do that cruise on one of the lines next year. Where did you find this sale?

Remove if not allowed. Not affiliated but this popped up on my mind insta feed. I don’t have any annual leave.

This flash sale just came up on my insta feed. It looks pretty cheap. Unfortunately I have no annual leave left

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/crazy-proposal-nsw-government-pushes-ahead-with-plans-for-third-sydney-cruise-ship-hub-20190917-p52s6n.html

Local politicians and council's are already coming out as opposing the Botany Bay option. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as Sydney needs another cruise terminal.

Sun Princess, just not good at all. Food poor, pool area not great. Atrium was crowded all the time.

9 hours ago, -Lew- said:

 

You're aware that December / January is the middle of summer in NZ...right?

I know it is summer but it is average of 21 degrees which being from Sydney, Australia I think that is cold!