NSWP

A few may have jumped ship in Freo and flown home, just guessing.

I live in a tourist town, closest coast to Canberra, so we get plenty of tourists. Most of the businesses in Batemans Bay are members of and contribute to local Chamber of Commerce, who in conjunction with Council Tourism finance some events. We have had a few small cruise ships in here (by water shuttle) over the years, largest being The World and Volendam, I worked as a meeter and greeter. Buses were put on gratis to pax to take some pax to the Mogo Zoo, golf course, other beaches etc. Certainly the local businesses made some $, but as you say the locals who were not in business did not.

I thought Kiwis were generous people, lol. The shuttle cost could be taken from the Dunedin Council Tourist Budget.

Now I have a plan for the Coral Captain, to thwart the forecast rough seas in the Bight next week, head back to Sydney clockwise, the way you have travelled thus far, lol.

Fair enough, I understand. Keep on drinking that cognac, does wonders for you, order a few Drambuies, lol.

So with the extra day in Freo, are you missing Busselton for Margaret River ? Next stop Albany after that?

Julie, there are lot of CC people on your cruise, apart from Cbtours, have you heard from any others, like in Iso? If you knew all their cabin numbers you could have a ring around, to keep the spirits alive.☎️

Don't want to dwell on this, but GP this morning re blood and Ultra Sound results, not good. CAT scan next Wednesday and visits to Urologist and Renal Specialist being sought. I have days when I am not too well and others not bad. But the diagnosis thus far is not looking good. Thanks again my friends.

When you are paying thousands for a cruise, having to pay $20 for a shuttle from Port to town is a non event. Some places we have been on free shuttles but in recent years it is user pay. In USA, both in Hawaii and mainland US, places like Walmart often have a free bus or two taking pax from the ship to the city/town, drop off at their store of course, fine with that.

They should be reported and tossed off the ship by the Captain. Trouble is most of the staff do not want confrontation.

Great article in Cruise Passenger publication, Julie. A story well told and factual. Re the antivirals Joe Joe 59 enquired about, you have to be diagnosed with Covid and currently still have Covid before Dr will prescribe them on PBS as I asked for them pre Coral 13-22 Sept. So as I did not have Covid, no anti Virals. He told me some Drs will do a private script for them without diagnosis but the cost for the medication is $1,000. My sister got one of those as a precaution before she went to England a couple of months ago. All the best to you and Rolf, good to see you are eating and drinking well.

Don, on Coral in September, Princess Patter was available in printed form from Guest Services Desk (ye olde Purser's Desk.) So I would expect Gran would be the same.

You did the right thing and reported your condition, like Julie did. I can only imagine how many on board who have not reported it, despite feeling ill and are still wandering the ship, spreading the lurgy.

Good you are in a balcony, fresh air. I am going ok, Drs again tomorrow. I am concerned for all you sick mob on the ship, keep your spirits up.

Sorry to hear the news, Irene and Frank (CBtours.) The blasted lurgy is certainly spreading. I hope you get better soon. Do you have a balcony cabin?

Spot on there Graham, look what occurred last week with Majestic Princess at the OPT, bio security etc. There were long delays in disembarkation and embarkation. As reported by Senor Geoff ArxCards in the Majestic thread.

You could be boarding at 4pm if you mention the Gurus. lol. Why not fill in the time, with a ferry ride and lunch over to Watsons Bay or Manly? Then return to OPT @ 2pm.

My golf club, Club Catalina has Espresso Martini on tap, not a bad brew either @ $10 a glass.

Just line up behind the Cougars mate, you will get the red carpet then, lol.

Chili, I was of the opinion you were/are one of the speshul people at the OPT.

Julie..Don't worry about listing the ports found them on an earlier post. Thank you.

Hi Julie and Rolf, hope you are improving. I also had a look at Wave heights on BOM. Looks a bit nasty early next week also across the Great Australian Bight, a bit of 6 metre bouncy stuff. Good fun but not good for tendering. Bad luck missing Geraldton, it is a nice port. What are the planned ports from Fremantle back to Sydney?

Thanks Russell. Princess Call Centre is probably in the Philippines - dare I say it? Cheap Labour.

As long as the pax do not wave their masks at the parade of the chefs in the MDR, lol. Waving table napkins was bad enough, grossville.

I agree, if pax knew how many, they may be more compliant with protocols and not so Blaise. To me it appear the cruise lines, Princess and who ever don't release them as it is not good publicity or good for sales. Like say for instance right now there were 200 cases on Coral Princess, that would deter some prospective pax from cruising. Stand by for incoming.