grozzy1

Day 0 Saturday

It was an easy trip on the train from southern Sydney. I had enough points for a room at Holiday Inn old Sydney. It's not a flash hotel but only 2 streets back from the terminal.

I was only expecting a standard room with a view of the alley, but got upgraded to an executive kingroom with a view of the Quay.

I spent the afternoon taking photos and looking at the Celebrity Spirit. At night I looked at the projection on the Opera House commemorating rememberance day

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

Hi everyone, this is going to be my report on the Jewel's inaugural cruise from Sydney, 5 nights to Tasmania (and hopefully back). I haven't purchased the internet plan so I will only be posting when in port. There won't be a huge number of pics until I'm home.

Introduction

I decided I wanted to go on a cruise back in April. The first company I looked at was Royal Carribbean. Unfortunately as a solo they were way too expensive. For the price of an inside cabin I could book a nice hotel room on land.

After researching other solo options I had a look at NCL. On selected sailings they have reduced supplements for singles. I settled on an ocean view cabin on this 5 night cruise. Being my first cruise, 5 nights seems just right for a "taster" Also being a domestic cruise I don't need to worry about a passport.

The itinerary is

Sydney

Sea

Burnie

Hobart

Sea

Sydney

A couple of months after booking NCL had a sale. For about $200 extra I could get a minisuite and $200 OBC. That was an easy decision. I also kept my 2 perks (beverage and dining plans)

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

Maybe this means something different in Mexico?

 

Sent from my Space Phone 9169...

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

There is a lift now at the Liverpool St entrance to Museum. But as said before, its not much more difference to walk up George St to Town Hall

Luggage is certainly permitted. There are no luggage racks, just stand or sit in the vestibules at the ends of the carriages. You will need to be considerate of other people getting on or off especially during the peak hours. If you can manage your baggage the train is the best option. Second option is the taxi, probably cheapest with 3 or more passengers.

This service started a week or so ago. Here's some info:

https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/captain-cook-cms-assets/assets/timetables/4224/170829a.pdf

The Captain Cook cruises website has more information

As said before it may also be easier or cheaper to take the Sydney Ferrries, connecting at CQ

All other things being equal, I would choose the non-smoking cruise.

IMO it doesn't need to be a total ban, but certainly every indoors area and have a smoking deck at the stern which crew and passengers are able to avoid.

NCL don't care about your medication. However if you are going through border/customs inspections it's a good idea to have original packaging.

I wonder if anything is claimable on typical travel insurance. As a minimum passengers would need to take more annual leave, maybe new airfares and accommodation as well if they want a new cruise.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

I think it also depends on whether the port is new or rare. I'm on what I think may be NCLs first cruise to Tasmania. They only just put up the excursions about 115 days out.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

To those who dismiss it as "just an accident" -

When that attitude permeates through every level of an organisation what do you get? Costa Concordia.

It was "just an accident"

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

It doesn't matter who's fault it is, or whether you want a fuss, all incidents no matter how small should be reported.

If the ship has a decent safety officer they will take steps to prevent or minimise the risk of it happening again. If a more serious incident happens and there is a record of safety being ignored the cruise line could be in serious trouble.

Also it may not seem serious at the time but if complications occur later you have something to go back to.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

If you haven't already, check the smart traveller website

http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/americas/caribbean/Pages/cuba.aspx

My only suggestion is that it would be best to check directly with the embassy what their requirements are.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

I Recently booked my first cruise, and I had an oceanview as my minimum cabin choice. I just feel that not having the window to subconsciously tell you it's night or day would screw up my bodyclock.

You can buy a Myki at

Beacon Cove Food Store

103 Beach Street

Port Melbourne 3207

I don't know if they have the explorer card, so hopefully a local can help

http://www.royalcaribbean.com.au/beforeyouboard/travelDocumentation.do

http://www.cruiseabout.com.au/cruise-news/cruise-faq-questions-answered

http://www.cruise1st.com.au/faq/passports-visas

I can't find anything on NCL website by I am 95% confident we (Australians) don't need a passport.

Sent from my SM-T800 using Forums mobile app

I'm going on that cruise too. As I understand, because it is a domestic cruise, Australians only need photo ID.

The NCL website isn't clear though and I want to verify it 100% within the next few months.

Introduce yourself on the roll call. It isn't a big group yet.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

There's the law, company policy and whatever the bartender feels like. Those 3 can be wildly different.

Just be considerate of your fellow passengers.

My view is I don't care whether someone smokes as long as:

I don't have to breathe or smell it

They properly dispose of their butts

My taxes don't pay for their medical expenses.

Attitudes have changed in the last 50 years. Not only are smokers in the minority, casinos are potentially liable for claims from passive smoking. People have a right to breath fresh air.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Forums mobile app

There's a "Super Splash" sale until 25th May. I don't know if it's applicable to everyone or every sailing but it's worth a dummy booking. I upgraded my cabin and got most of it back in OBC

Sent from my SM-T800 using Forums mobile app

They could make the process a little bit easier. I'd already made a new booking so I called the Australian number and was told I had to request the cancellation by email. I got a confirmation back within an hour.

It was worth it though, for $200 I get an upgrade and $140 OBC

I've received an email about a sale from NCL. Doing a dummy booking I have found that I can change from an ocean view to a minisuite and most of the extra cost I get back in OBC. I can still choose the beverage and dining packages.

So, can I cancel the original booking online? I can't find any obvious links in my reservation. The cruise is in November, so AFAIK I should get the deposit back.

Thanks