ceeceeDee

Absolutely, Mic. We originally booked a Byron Mini suite on the $1 deposit. A month or two later the price dropped by a whopping $1,080 (for a value plus fare). I was on the phone immediately, cancelled the original booking and re-booked the same cabin at the sale price. We lost our original $2 deposit (quel dommage😉) and the OBC was reduced from $400 to $225 but we're still way in front. I've since been monitoring the prices (purely out of interest) and they're still around $800 more than the fare we re-booked.

We have a couple of friends fast approaching 30 who would mow down kids on the gangway to get onboard.🤣

Obviously it all depends on the ship layout and the cabin category. We booked a guarantee mini suite on our last cruise. All mini suites were on deck 9 and the sub category we chose was restricted from approximately mid ship to forward with cabins either side and on the decks above and below. So really it wasn't much of a gamble. We were very happy with our eventual cabin (indeed we have booked that specific cabin for our next cruise). It was situated about four cabins back from the front of the ship. There was very little motion felt and we were far enough away from the lifts not to be bothered by noise. Had we been upgraded to a full suite, it still wouldn't have been a problem. They were mostly surrounded by other cabins on various decks and only a couple were in a potentially less desirable location under the pool deck which I still would have been happy with as they were aft cabins with extended balcony overlooking the wake. I guess do your homework and study the deck plans to gauge the chances of being assigned a cabin you will not be happy with before committing to a guarantee or else pay the extra to choose a cabin that will fit your criteria.

For our last cruise we used a door to door transfer service to and from the BICT. There were four of us and it cost $70 each (and that included pick ups and drop offs at two locations), each way for a late model, air conditioned Mercedes van. We estimated that was cheaper than taking the train and then a shuttle, cab or Uber. It was great. No fuss and we were not left hefting luggage on and off trains, etc. Although we could drive and pay for parking, we prefer to go the transfer route and leave our car safely at home.

We weren't too worried about getting to the BICT. a) we were using a transfer service and b) we'd read all the reports about it being out in the boonies.🙂

Be aware that some insurers won't issue a policy in excess of 12 months from the sail date.

No, Geoff, I'm a little more recent than that.😂

Friends of ours were going to be married on P&O out of Sydney and then cruise the South Pacific with us all in tow. Unfortunately, covid scuttled that idea. They ended up doing the deed at Mt Tamborine on the Gold Coast. Nice, but a cruise immediately following the ceremony would have been a bonus.

Have a heart, Mic. I appear in TV commercials! It's my job when I can get a gig.

That's exactly what she is saying.

Sir Paul is due to perform on the Gold Coast next weekend (I think it is). Friends live within spitting distance of the stadium and are hoping to be able to at least hear it whilst sitting on their back patio. Apparently that has worked in the past.

We usually just have a book handy or watch the passing parade. Although on our last cruise, for the very first time, we had priority disembarkation so we just got off when we felt like it. That was pretty awesome.

Wouldn't like to spend a day in it!😂

An improvement on the coffee cart🙂 Now, if they could just do something about the waste land around the Terminal..............😂

Bit like our less-than-Perfect Day at Coco Cay, courtesy of Hurricane Dorian.😂

Google P&O Pacific Partnership for further information on support for the South Pacific Islands.

Yes, P&O do help out and I believe are continuing to do so

Definitely Icon. We sailed on Symphony and although it had 6000+ passengers did not find it overwhelmingly crowded. We could always find a quiet spot to relax. The food was good, service impeccable and the cabin (forward facing ocean view) was spacious and comfortable. Wish someone would give me a gift like that!!!🙂

Off topic, but how are you feeling Mic?

Get drunk. abuse staff or constantly complain to anyone within earshot.

Yep, we have become spoilt by the Byron Beach Club. And breakfast in Angelos is really relaxing. Not too crowded and always get a window seat. The canapes in the room every night aren't half bad either.🙂

I believe it is a uniquely Aussie term.😁 I may be wrong, but possibly it can be extended to 'going off like a pork chop in the sun'.🤣

If I have offended or upset anyone, that was never my intent and I apologise. Accordingly, I will be making no further comment on this particular subject.

According to the Coroner's report her blood alcohol reading was .127, not a hugely debilitating amount.

That's true, Aus Traveller. I have over a period of time read everything I can get my hands (eyes?) on regarding that case. Passenger screening prior to boarding was nowhere near as tight as it is nowadays so the drugs these men took on board were not detected. I can understand your reluctance, lyndarra. However, incidents/crimes (not necessarily deaths) have occurred on just about every ship and may not necessarily have been handled well by the authorities. Given the millions of passengers cruising each year worldwide, I would venture to say that incidences of serious crimes are relatively low.