Blackduck59

You are paying how much for a cruise? And you're worried about a jug of water that costs less than 5 bucks? Just saying.

Thanks for the update Lyndon, I know the pain of dropping stuff on hard surfaces. For me it was my camera on the concrete floor of what's known as the McCrae bunker, a small aid station in Flanders near where McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields". The camera never worked properly again. 😟 I hope you are healing well from your bicycle mishap. Take care and be safe while you continue to enjoy your adventure. Cheers, Lyle

Ah yes the cost. The coat of arms of Canada does not change. Our laws are written in the name of "The Crown", oaths of allegiance to the Queen often included the words "heirs and successors" so are still valid. Document printed by "The Queens printer" don't suddenly become obsolete needing replacement, they will simply be used up and replaced in due course by documents printed by "The Kings Printer". Our money will continue as is and be replaced in due course as the old versions reach the end of their useful life as bank notes do. If we were a republic many of these changes would happen every 4 years so I think we got off easy for 70 years without having to change. Besides as it is the next 3 monarchs will all be Kings so we're probably good for another 70 years. Most of the "issues" you are rightfully concerned about have nothing to do with the Monarchy and everything to do with our elected officials. They're already well versed in wasting money without any help from "The Crown".

The TV has an off switch. As others have mentioned surely there are streaming options. I can understand sporting events in the UK being cancelled, but sports go on elsewhere. I would say those even reporting on what some former staffer has to say is just lame. Perhaps report on what your country will do about the funeral etc. Who is going? will there be a military contingent? What local arrangements are being made so that you may attend or avoid depending on your viewpoint. As it is the world is not likely to celebrate the life of a sovereign who served the role for 70 years ever again.

The only Monarch I have ever known has crossed the bar. I am sad by the passing of our Queen, she lead by example and was loved by millions. I wish good luck to our new King, he has a very hard act to follow.

Okay, although the current state of cruising is up in the air; I would like to move forward. I'm looking for local knowledge on the land down under. I don't want to get specific in the "topic" but will throw out questions within the thread. Also I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about Canada. Keep in mind that like Australia Canada is a vast country and I probably don't know your buddy Bruce in Moose Jaw. But I do have pretty good knowledge of my home Province of BC. I look forward to gaining local knowledge from you and passing on local knowledge of my part of the world. First stop Auckland we have 2 days before the cruise what is not to be missed in Auckland?