ceeceeDee

Yep, we literally couldn't leave when Madam Premier locked us up. Living more or less on the border was especially excruciating.

I've only ever had one massage treatment on a ship. Never again! Apart from being outrageously over priced the whole experience was ruined by the relentless up sell and pushing products. I left more stressed than when I went in.

Just back from our cruise on Encounter. You can definitely order food at the Byron Beach Club (Luke's Burgers or Gradi Pronto) and it is delivered to your seat/lounger. The burgers are amazing btw and well worth paying $12. Other 'perks' with the Byron rooms (we had a Byron mini suite M1 category) include a fruit basket replenished daily, nightly canapes (from day 2 onwards) and breakfast at Angelos (exclusive to Byron rooms). And let's not forget the in room coffee maker! P&O are now offering Byron benefits to MA class mini suites for an extra tariff of $160 (came into effect 1 July). Not sure if that is just to gain access to the Byron Beach Club or if you get the whole deal. Given the difference in room price between M1 and MA I'm assuming it is just access to the Byron Beach Club facilities, but I could be wrong.

Well, we're back from our cruise (loved it!) and unfortunately no behind the scenes tours available as yet. Hopefully they will be reinstated by the time we go on our next cruise next year.

Far from the madding crowd, eh wineoclock!😆

We disembarked Encounter early June. We didn't get a bad meal in any of the restaurants. We enjoyed Dragon Lady and Waterfront but our favourite was Angelos (aside from Luke's which was awesome and worth every cent). Of the three complimentary restaurants we dined at Angelos 4 times in 7 days.

We love watching the ship leave port from our balcony. Nice glass of wine tops it off.

Totally agree Possum. Passengers may be sailing in Australian waters, but travellers are still advised to have travel insurance to cover things like a medical emergency (young people may not get sick, but they have been known to break bones) and things like missing the ship or having to cancel the cruise. We never cruise without cruise travel insurance regardless of where we are going. Have never had to make a claim, but there is always Murphy's Law.

Pantry (buffet) is definitely open for dinner

Happy cruising, OFC! We have a looong wait - 534 days

Encounter's buffet is open for all meals. Main dining room is not open for lunch on port days. Dining venues can be changed on the P&O app or by going in person to Dragon Lady. We always book for the evening dining, so not sure how you would get on with being a 'walk in' .

Especially on our cruise when the State of Origin was on😂

On our recent cruise on Encounter, aside from the 'theme nights', there was one evening when the dress code stated 'formal'. I pulled out the little red number and hubby donned a tie and jacket. Some people dressed up others not so much. BTW, it isn't just the 'youngies' who go all out for Gatsby. Lots of middle aged and beyond were done up to the nines including yours truly and entourage. Just love it!

Good for you Blackduck! I hope you really enjoy your trip Downunder when you finally get here!!!

Marion, you HAVE to check Upper Crystal Creek out. We go to a lovely B&B (been there around 16 times in 5 years) with lovely views of Mt Warning and you can say good morning to the neighbour's cows when they come up to the fence. It's adults only and a maximum of 6 guests. Meals prepared by a fine dining chef. Bliss.

Although I lived in Sydney for 20 odd years, I am definitely not a city mouse. Really enjoy our little corner of the Gold Coast and of course the weather. However my absolute favourite place is Upper Crystal Creek NSW. Only an hour or so drive from the Gold Coast but a great get away from it all spot.

Yes, even in Angelos on Encounter the choices were restricted to apple and orange at breakfast. Admittedly, I didn't ask for anything else

He had his cruise card/room key so technically he wasn't 'lost' and I assume he was in one of the family cabins a few doors up from ours, but I agree he shouldn't be roaming about on his own. All very well to say kids are on a cruise ship and can't go anywhere, but that doesn't mean to say he was not at risk given that with thousands of people on board one of those people might be 'dodgy'. It's not as though that hasn't happened before. In hindsight we probably should have found a cruise member or taken him to guest services to at the very least have his grandmother paged. Then again, hindsight is 20/20. Our bad.😒

Back in 2018 we were on a cruise where tragically a woman threw herself overboard on the last day of the cruise. (CCTV footage and witnesses confirmed suicide). Our ship searched the area for around 12 hours but unfortunately there was no sign of the woman.

Twice (on different days) on our last cruise we were stopped in our cabin corridor by a very polite young lad of about 8 years old. On each occasion he asked what the current activities were because he was looking for his grandmother. Who leaves an 8 year old unsupervised and worse who leaves an 8 year old not knowing where you are?

Some people............. Whatever happened to compassion?

No problem annenic. It sure beats lining up at the cafe for a barista coffee (and paying for it) first thing in the morning! The Nespresso machine is not advertised as part of the Byron mini suite on the P&O website, so I wasn't sure if it was just for full suites. Nice surprise that our Byron had it. Definitely on Encounter, not sure about Adventure.

CoverMore should fit the bill. It is also the company recommended on P&O cruise control and P&O visits Noumea. But as always, shop around for the best deal. Most policies in my experience cover medical evacuation, just double check on Covid cover.

Yes, you should be able to change the venues and times once on board subject to availability. Make ringing the maitre d on the cabin phone your first priority if you need to change anything. Or I believe you can do it in person at Dragon Lady. On our recent cruise we hadn't made any reservations and the maitre d rang us not long after we boarded to sort out our dining for the week. Of course, that may have been a perk of being in a mini suite.

I personally love sea days. I find looking at the ocean very relaxing. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy exploring ports as well. And with port days there is always the option of just staying on the ship.