Snoopkat

These are some of the requirements reported by the Singaporeans in Sydney FB group for those looking to go to Singapore. Full link here for those interested:

https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/travel-checklist and TLDR summary below:

• take out travel insurance with min coverage of SGD$30k for 'COVID-19 related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs'. 
• apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass
• download Singapore's TraceTogether app to facilitate contact tracing
• booked on designated VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) flights. These have already been released by Singapore Airlines, 4 daily flights (2 from Syd and 2 from Melb)
• 3 PCR tests (1st test within 48 hours of departure to Singapore, 2nd test at Changi Airport with self isolation being a requirement. 3rd test within 72 hours of departure to Australia).  Each test is around $150 so you're looking at $450 per person and reading between the lines, I'm guessing not covered by travel insurance?

As much as I would love to go back, there are so many hoops to jump through right now with no guarantee that no further changes will be made.

I use Cover-More for my land travel and there is a section in their PDS about their cover for COVID. (starts at page 46)

Any of the Silversea cruises. 

I started watching a random episode just to see what it was all about and gave up within five minutes. The chef was having a meltdown because he couldn't cook eggs for 8 people. I mean, really?

5 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Why on earth have they done that? Cafes are allowed to offer table service to vaccinated patrons, aren't they?

Maybe the cafe is copping too much flak from the unvaccinated public and decided it's not worth the hassle?

Just booked myself on April 2024 wine cruise. Doing the same itinerary on the Eclipse in 2023 and just as I suspected, the itinerary on the Edge is more expensive.

I'm not going back to Bunnings until they reopen the sausage sizzle 😂

3 hours ago, ajkillen said:

I literally spent about 6 hours today watching Ben and David and Emma.....  Hopefully it will be a quiet day at work tomorrow..... 😛   So much research to do!  I am pretty sure I will love anything that is excursion heavy.  I really don't care about all the stuff on the ships, other than views and the food. 

You might like Azamara as they're supposed to be all about the destination. It's top on my 'to cruise with' list once things go back to normal for us.

Harris Farms offers home delivery as does FruitEzy. I think there's a FruitEzy in the Chatswood area? They're not the cheapest but last alot longer than Coles/Woolies and have a great range of leafy greens, salads and herbs. We used to go to the Miranda one before COVID and we've now transitioned to their home delivery service.  

Haha it is extremely addictive and way more fun than FB and other social media. With the amount of time I spent on YouTube researching cruises, it would be a tragedy if I get on my first cruise and realise I hate it...

1 hour ago, ajkillen said:

Where do I find these youtube videos? Maybe they will help me... 

 

I started with something along the lines of Googling 'best YouTube channels for cruising'. Currently my favourite channels are Tips for Travellers, Visit With Us, Cruise with Ben and David and Emma Cruises. They are all UK channels and each channel offers something a little bit different so you get a good mix of info. If you start with those, you'll hopefully be able to get a sense of what you're looking for and work out what to look for on YouTube next. 

I am also waiting a couple of weeks before going to the hairdresser and making restaurant bookings. I've waited this long, what's another week or two. Some businesses have chosen not to reopen to avoid having to deal with a potentially angry public.

6 minutes ago, NSWP said:

As you would know, Asians are right into Gambling, walk into any Casino.  Few years ago in HK we went over to Macau, I kid you not 46 Casinos there. The big ferries from HK to Macau are Choc a Bloc with gamblers.

I think it might have something to do with how strict China is around gambling. Gambling seems to be a thing with the Americans too, I've read threads on how some people get their cruises for free as part of a reciprocal deal with their casinos.  

It's sad to read about the situation in HK. I went there as a kid and have always wanted to visit again but doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore. 

SYD - SIN seems to be a more common route for some reason. Spending time with my parents can be....intense. So a long slow cruise back could be a good way to unwind. Not until quarantine is no longer a requirement though. 

7 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I’ve always had a good relationship with this agent and they are upfront and flexible.
 

 

But I think I’m going on a cruise in February.

I hope you get to go on your Feb cruise because it means there's a good chance I'll get to go to mine in March.

8 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

I'd happily do a four day cruise to nowhere out of Sydney but if I'm going to the expense of travelling overseas to cruise it needs to be a 14 days or more cruise. I wouldn't care if it actually went to any ports or not though.

Have you done a SIN-SYD cruise? That's something I'm considering for my next trip, fly in to Singapore, spend a week-10 days visiting family and friends and then cruise back. The only itinerary I've seen that does SIN-SYD is on Cunard and that's a bit too fancy schmancy for me right now.

Yes they are short cruises to nowhere. My parents did one a couple of weeks ago and they stayed on the ship the whole time. They enjoyed it though as it beats staying at home. 

I imagine the cruises they are offering Aussies flying in will be longer ones with port visits as the cruises to nowhere are only limited to locals.

2 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

So which cruise line would be more vile compared to Princess ?

Genting or Royal Caribbean?

Genting I reckon. Most of the reviews I've read have not been positive.

3 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

Once again Singapore is way ahead of us with the cruise industry.

They have been operating 2 ships for a year now.

They will be offering grants for us to go there and have a cruise.

 

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/how-singapore-plans-to-tempt-australians-to-cruise-from-its-harbour/

My parents live in Singapore and I'm looking forward to flying back for a visit + throw in a cheeky cruise once quarantine is no longer a requirement there. 

A few years ago, I saw what looked like a prefab house being unloaded off a truck and onto a plot of land. It was fascinating to watch and I haven't seen anything like it since.

Just got an email from Celebrity.  AU/NZ itineraries in Jan 23, Dec 23-Apr 24. Should be fun!

This govt is so good at dodging questions they should form their own dodgeball team.

18 hours ago, LC1950 said:

Cuba for me ... but on a cruise.  Sailing out of Oz across the Tasman - eventually through the Panama Canal and on to Cuba.  Nope no way will I fly to the US to get there.  Just think ... Havana - a ride in those 'classic' cars, is 'Sloppy Joe's' still there?  And the music!  Buena Vista Social Club stuff - dance,  drinkin' rum and coca cola, gosh, I might even have a go at a Cuban cigar!!!!  I know that Cuba's infrastructure is pretty much falling down, but it's a country that has always fascinated me. 

 

So one last trip ... Cuba Libre for me!

A colleague of mine went to Cuba prior to the borders shutting and he said it was one of the most fascinating countries he's ever been to. 

I would love to go to Iceland/Norway/Sweden to see those Northern Lights. Hopefully within the next couple of years.

1 hour ago, NSWP said:

I lived in the Shire for 30 years, worked there👮‍♂️Ye olde Fiveways roundabout, pre traffic lights and reconstruction was a nightmare, massive delays, as you say.

I find the traffic light system now to be quite confusing tbh. I'm not the most confident driver at the best of time and having to do that weird 45 degree turn off towards Caringbah would stress me to no end.