Kristelle

Ive met people in Australia who have retired, sold their home and bought a Winnebago or similar - and spend most of their time travelling in them, staying at places for short periods of time. Not the same as cruising - but the same i n the sense of constantly travelling There is even a term for them - grey nomads. Its not for me but clearly there is a sub set of the retired population whom it suits.

Can't speak for Viking but certainly on our Scenic cruise many people wore tshirts and shorts at dinner and almost nobody wore ties except a few men on the couple of gala nights. The wording says "may include" - it isn't a mandatory thing.

But that's not what you said before. You said "I hope that the dress is elevated from Sweats and t-shirts at dinner." Nothing about raggedy etc I was responding to your first comment - and regarding that comment - no, dress code isnt elevated from tshirts and sweatshirts at dinner. Nor can you expect it to be, since that is within the stated dress code. I'm not a mind reader - if that is what you state, that is what I read. I dont know you meant anything else.

but tshirts , shorts and sweatshirts are appropriate - it is a casual dress code You might feel that 'dinner should be elevated somewhat' and of course you can dress according to that - but that isnt what the appropriate dress code requires.

well that's the thing - the river cruise companies state a dress code of casual - so that includes sweats, t-shirts, shorts at dinner. I guess, because of the time of year, you are less likely to see shorts and more likely to see sweatshirts - but all those things are within the stated dress code. Of course you yourself don't have to dress that casual - but knowing that is the dress code, you cant expect all other people to not do so.

Scenic certainly does the Mekong - we are booked to go cruise with them next summer.

We got $1000 p/p reduced cost when booking our next river cruise whilst on board the river cruise.

On our 2 week Europe river cruise in September it was warm and shorts at dinner were not at all unusual, probably 1/4 of men on any given night other than the Captains gala dinners, 2 per cruise ( welcome and farewell ) Tshirts would be fine too. I also read beforehand that jeans at dinner were a no-no but reality said otherwise, not at all unusual to see jeans at dinner, men and women That was with Scenic but I expect other companies would be the same

This doesn't directly answer your question, but just letting you know, if you didn't already, there is a sub forum under " special interest cruising" that is Solo Cruising. Might answer other questions you have.

I am prone to sea sickness and am no good on boats, ferries etc on rough waters - but felt absolutely no motion sickness at all on our Europe river cruise, it is extremely smooth - to the point you sometimes wouldnt even realise you are moving.

That seems a personal preference suggestion rather than one aimed at OP - because nothing to suggest those were factors appealing to them (as oppossed to appealing to you)

Have enjoyed reading your reviews of Australia. We don't have the bush turkeys or cassowaries where I live in SA but we do have the bin chickens another poster mentioned. Not sure what real name of them is. I've lived in SA all my life, and only went to Perth this year. Have not yet been to Phillip Island.

Why? Because without saying why you think this would be good for a first time cruiser in their 40's, it isnt very helpful.

Everyone has their own risk analysis based on their own circumstances. I do not take RATS on travels but I am fully vaccinated and relatively young and healthy, and wouldn't qualify for anti viral treatment anyway. I certainly dont think testing oneself and accessing treatment on board is something to make derogatory remarks about. Nor is choosing not to cruise if one doesn't feel safe doing so. And of course anyone with flu like symptoms should avoid contact with others, known diagnosis or not.

That's good. They would be better to take than Covid only tests, if price is reasonable.

Ok. I'm not sure either whether it is possible to have Covid anti viral prescribed in advance for just in case required on overseas travel. Obviously only if you meet criteria for such. I do not so I haven't really looked into that. It was possible to do that for Tamiflu ( influenza anti viral) but Covid may be different. I don't see why you should have to do the ships testing to qualify to get them prescribed on board though - as on land a positive RATS will do, Drs certainly prescribe on those results, you don't have to get it confirmed with lab PCR.

of course - but as far as I know there isnt a way of testing oneself for whooping cough, influenza, RSV or other serious possible causes of cold/flu symptoms - I'm sure people would do a multi valent self test if one were available Also people who fit the criteria for anti virals could have some ready to take in case of Covid - no point taking them without knowing whether one has the illness such are treating

Yep, same. Although I live in country town, population of 23 000, and 350 km from nearest city. I like visiting cities but I don't want to live in one.

Well I don't have a love affair with either because I don't like cities.

Well, sure, Benifit of doubt unless you know otherwise.

Regardless of most, my point was we never know anyone's personal story so best to give benifit of doubt. Like you said, anything is possible Like Miccanberra above who had lost hair from chemo.

Or could be they have skin cancers or something on their head. If someone is wearing a hat all the time, I give benifit of the doubt that they have a personal reason for doing so.

Ok, a man then. But my point is the same, probably had slip on type shoes he just slid off under the table while sitting down. I don't see an issue with that, nobody is looking under the table at your feet.

lady behind you looks like she is wearing a nice dress - my guess is she had slip on or slide on type shoes and had just slid them off under the table while she is sitting down (Ive been know to do that )- not that she wasnt wearing any.

There are certainly public holiday surcharges at many restaruants - staff are paid more on PH's so this is passed on to customers. There is also GST (goods and services tax, similar to VAT in UK) which will be included in total cost but sometimes itemised separately. GST is mandatory on all but exempt items (exempt items usually being essential supplies, certainly not restaruant meals) and PH surcharge, sometimes weekend surcharge, is common practice. These are not tips though, everyone pays them, and they legally must be shown upfront - nothing to do with being Australian or not, - and, my original point, they make no difference to staff wages on the day - staff wages are already x dollars per hour and that does not change dependant on how many customers there are on the day Everyone here has heard of those things so perhaps it is the way you are asking the question, who knows.