Mareblu

Yes, we stayed in Zermatt for a week a couple of years ago. I was referring to the glacier.

It looks very much like the Matterhorn.

An important note: There is a vast difference between P&O Australia, and its UK namesake. P&O Australia has "enjoyed" a rather terrible reputation over recent years. There are some who are loyal to the brand, because it certainly offers affordable cruises in local waters, but it is known as "the party ships line", favoured by end-of-year football teams and generally those of a younger generation who still have the stamina (but perhaps not the common sense) to "rage" during a holiday. There was a tragic case several years ago of a lovely middle-aged woman who was date raped by a drunken gang, which ended in the courts only after much outrage, and the most recent scandal has been the outbreak of bedbugs, initially denied by P&O. At the very least, the name had to be changed to save the line. Costa, IMHO, has never really recovered from the tragic running aground of Costa Concordia a few years ago. Our Italian relatives say they would never sail on Concordia. My point in all this is to emphasise that in both cases, public scrutiny and opinion would be the reason for rebranding. I personally don't understand why Cunard would need to be rebranded, when its loyal guests return for the same reasons: the ambience and comfort of sailing on a vessel where standards are hopefully maintained well into the future. I do believe that is possibly a reason for other lines to follow Cunard's lead. We are an ageing population, and if they're lucky enough, the younger generation of cruisers will follow. They will probably, in time, seek the ambience Cunard offers.

It's not a matter of whether "they would kick you out...for wearing a pair of capris and a nice shirt", although I have twice in several Oceania sailings witnessed, at entrance to GDR on different ships, guests being politely requested to perhaps return dressed in something more suitable. Rather, it's how one feels if underdressed. Capris, which when ankle length and nicely cut, present as an elegant evening pant, when matched with a suitable top and lifted even more with some attractive jewellery. To me, "casual all the time" as you describe, is sportswear day and night. Some Oceania guests do dress that way for a dinner in The Terrace, but most don't, and not ever that I've witnessed passing the entrance to any of the other restaurants aboard. "Smart casual", as described by Cunard, is entirely different. That description refers to the type of dress one would wear to dine at one's golf club, or a fine dining restaurant; collared shirt (tie optional) and jacket for him, dressier than that for lunch for her. Smart casual abounds in the evening on Oceania.

I’m extremely impressed that you are able to wear it still.

Oceania is most definitely not “casual”, unless one is dining in The Terrace, where even the “buffet” is not quite that. Grilled seafood (including lobster each evening) lamb and sushi offerings are all served by attendants. No guest touches the implements, or, heaven forbid, the food itself. The GDR has a delightful ambience, and the specialty restaurants are a haven of fine dining, in an elegant setting reflecting the cuisine of that particular venue. As a matter of fact, Oceania, liken Seabourn and Silversea, resemble Cunard in many respects, but not all. Viking, in our opinion, doesn’t come close.

My father fought in the battle of Milne Bay. Thank you for posting.

We seem to have taken a breather, so I’m not terribly confident, but I’ll be brave and suggest this is a beautiful image of somewhere on the Great Barrier Reef.

As an Australian who also needs to travel vast distances to partake in Cunard (or other) voyages to the regions of the northern hemisphere I and DH love to explore and revisit, I empathise with the luggage dilemma. The solution is simple really: dress elegantly (or "formally") for each evening. DH only needs to travel with one dinner jacket (tuxedo) and formal trousers, and add a different bow tie and kerchief to change the look. I simply pack formal pantsuits, evening tops, several pairs of flowing culottes and one or two evening pants. I also understand the "live and let live" philosophy, but here we disagree. I am of the firm conviction that what one wears in the evening sets the tone for the evening. I've often found it interesting to note that once a few couples dress elegantly, on any line we've sailed with, the next evening sees many more following suit. Sometimes, on non-Cunard lines, it's simply a matter of simple attire with elegant jewellery added, and the diamonds don't need to be authentic, just adding an elegant lifting of the attire. Prior to our very recent and delightful two-week Queen Anne voyage, we enjoyed a three-week Med cruise on Oceania's new Vista. Each evening, we dressed for dinner, although admittedly DH was not dressed in his formal dinner attire, but in a jacket and tie nonetheless. Those same clothes served us well on Queen Anne later, with DH bringing out the dinner jacket (tux) for the gala evenings. He also wore it on one or two other evenings on QA. On another note, but to add to other observations above, I find those who claim "ownership" of any particular experience, in this case the proud and revered Cunard line, are condescending in the extreme, and probably suffering delusions of grandeur.

Or Ferntree Gully, Victoria?

Okay, I’m moving from opals to what that vein really looks like: sapphires. New England area of northern NSW?

Lightning Ridge?

Coober Pedy?

Visited Flaam twice, and it was just as lovely on the second occasion..

Somewhere in northern Italy, maybe in the summer, though.

Sorry @qbay46, Asia is correct, but when I opened the screen, @Jean C had already specifically identified it.

Wow, it is indeed. Well done! So many strange rock formations in this fascinating place, including, among so many others, "the queen's head" and this, the rock leopard. The leopard is a replica of the original which was severely damaged in a typhoon about 15 years ago. They are all formed by winds and rain, which can, of course, be incredibly strong in that region. Your turn.

Asia is correct.

The Daintree is an area of incredible beauty. Decades ago, before it was sealed, we drove the track from Cooktown to Cairns in our 4x, and were escorted across a shallow crossing in the Daintree by local indigenous guides on horseback. The recent floods have been devastating. Okay, try guessing this one, and the general area of the particular country will be enough:

I will scout around for something

Daintree River?

About 500 from memory, but Still did a quick search and that’s the average. It can vary from 450-550, and could possibly take 600 pax at absolute maximum.

We had the amazing experience of sailing (slowly and gingerly) into the Troll Fjord a few years ago during a wonderful voyage on Seabourn Quest. This lovely vessel performed a complete turnaround at the end of the fjord. The sides of this natural wonder seemed close enough to touch. The beauty of the rocks and vegetation (both clinging and trailing) left us breathless. Our skilled Captain held the ship just off the opening to the fjord for what seemed ages. He was waiting for the wind to drop before entering. We have sailed on many lines over too many years to count. That magical day is still discussed with awe, and suspended forever in our memories.

Thanks also from us, Yaya. Safe travels home.

Oh dear, this could be a long hiatus.