Creekside89

Hi Jonathan 

Yes we had a guide, a young lady studying to be a nurse. Very informative and taught you a few local words as well. As we were there on a Saturday, her services were free as Saturday is volunteer day and everyone comes out to do a few things for a few hours for the community. Not once did you get the impression of that I have to be here.

The bus would hold about 30. They are a F350 chassis and the bus is built on top.

Cathy

We were docked in Nuku’alofa and we took a shore excursion as I couldn’t find a private tour.

The tour guide was great, went to the Kings Palace, Captain Cooks landing, Oholei Beach for a traditional dancing and fire show. 

The bus is a minibus with no air conditioning. But with all the windows open you don’t notice. 

The Tongans proudly say their best export is Tongans to Australia.

We were told that the King only cares about the main island as this is where he lives and not the other islands as you will notice the difference when you get to Vavau.

Souvenirs aren’t cheap. 

We were there in March this year. We did Best Tours/Tour American Samoa, they have a website. They were with everyone else at the Pier.

Yes the bus seats are a bit hard on the backside but you are in and out of the bus. The best thing about the busses are the artwork on the outside. 

We had a good time. And yes the island is lovely.

We were recently in Cabin 9389. Very quiet. You don't notice the walk to the lifts. People looking down from balconies, didn't notice, but then again we didn't look up.

Nothing on Solstice in March.

Never got a tote bag.

Canape’s, still trying to figure out what they were. The first day they were in the cabin but if you wanted them for the rest of the cruise, you had to fill out the form.

Yes, had footstools.

Priority boarding, depends on where in the world you are. Checked in at Auckland and it is one line fits all. But it moved very quickly. Think it was only suites that got a separate line.

1 hour ago, FreestyleNovice said:

Hm, been invited Concierge Class heli pad  sail in/always on both M and S class. Not sure if all receive such an inivation for the same day with the number of guests and size of the pad?

We’re just normal Select members so that should not be it.. 

Was on Solstice in March, Port side cabins got the helipad one day and Starboard cabins got it the next.

We were on Solstice in March in Concierge. The "perks" we were offered, other than what has already been said was a helipad sail away once and as the Solstice has a hot glass show, we were offered to come to a show and raffle tickets were handed out as they were giving away a few prizes.

A few fellow cruises who actually drank the wine, said it would make good "Draino".

On 6/24/2019 at 4:49 PM, PerfectlyPerth said:

Maybe ask on https://www.facebook.com/P-O-SS-Oriana-1960-2004-24417281414/

 

loads of past crew and passengers with exceptional memories and also memorabilia that may include something dated that matches your dates. 

Thanks for the FB page, Husband is looking through it now.

OMG Must be getting old my cruise was in 1986 and Husband’s was 1984.

Do you have any photos taken on your cruise?

I had one with the Captain on my 1988 Fairstar cruise and my Husband had a photo taken in front of the Oriana life bouy on his 1986 cruise and Princess accepted both.

We said mine was 9 days and his was 11 days and they accepted that as well.

I have been told by a friend that a masseuse suggested that if you lie on your stomach and bend your knees so that your feet are in the air for at least half an hour that will help and what would help even more was that if you had someone who would run their hands from your ankles to your knees, therefore to help remove the fluid.

But the question was asked for swollen ankles from heat and humidity, so I don’t know if this would help if this is caused by diet.

Got the offer here today in Australia and no luck for me as 2 of my cruises are way up in price. First cruise is a few hundred dollars difference, the second cruise is almost double in price but the other is for 2021 and the price rise is $3K already. Am thinking of reconsidering the first cruise as I would pay $200 odd extra to get the wifi perk.

My last Celebrity cruise went down $600, got nothing. Wasn't expecting anything, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

But at the moment my Oct 2020 cruise has gone up $7000 since I booked a few months ago as that cruise is nearly sold out. So I feel compensated in that. But I will look sometime later and see what the price difference is then.

Enjoy your dinner.

Yes, on my last Princess Cruise, over half were Elite's. I saw one woman whose card, (attached to her lanyard around her neck), holding the card in front of her as she was walking throughout the ship. Did she think the rest of us "lower status" would stand aside and clear the path for her?

I am Ruby status, in my very early 50's and was asked by a few Elite's on how I could be of that status as I am too young whilst looking down their nose at me. My answer - work hard for my money and not spending my Superannuation.

Our cruise for Oct 2020 to the Caribbean got cancelled in March, so was offered alternate cruises around that date with price guarantee or $200 OBC if I chose something else. As we have another cruise booked for a few days later to the Panama Canal, we searched around and booked another cruise, but I got the OBC put on our Panama cruise and not the new cruise. In the end I think it has worked for us as we are now doing a B2B. 

I agree with some of the comments others have said.

Yes, we do get some crappy ships. I know of one that should be sunk, but I think some cruise lines are figuring it out that we won’t put up with this anymore.

I have heard from crew that they love the AUS/NZ cruise season because we are so easy going and can have a laugh with us. 

Gratuities are inbuilt into AUS/NZ cruise fares.

We cruised Solstice in March and had a great time. 

We cruised September 2017 during Hurricane Irma. We were to call at St Thomas, St Maarten & BVI but Irma had already got to them. So itinerary changed to include Curaçao & Martinique and an extra sea day. We were told this when we checked in so had time to change plans. Others, we heard got emails 1 or 2 days before.

We are booked for October 2020 to go back.

Following. Have a B2B next year. Gathering as much information as I can.