arxcards

A friend encountered beg bugs on a Pacific Jewel cruise 10 or so years ago. It was handled pretty well, and no compensation was sought. They aren't endemic to a particular brand of ship, and like covid, they are initially bought aboard by passengers in their luggage. I haven't encountered any on our cruises, unless they were the invisible type with invisible bites.

Till now, a winter cruise was the last thing on our minds. Anyway, the good news is that we may get a winter cruise after all. Barb's surgery has been and gone, and she is recovering well. She should be cruise fit in a month or so, so we are looking at a July cruise. Splendor or Pacific Adventure? Still shopping around, but Splendor is winning so far.

Yes, AKA goodwill. The other point is they are repatriating Rotary volunteers, and P&O have often delivered emergency relief supplies on behalf of Rotary in the past.

Kudos to P&O, and possible due to some available accommodation. Pacific Encounter is due in Port Vila on Tuesday, and hopefully they also have a few cabins to help out some more stranded Aussies. Carnival Splendor will be there in a few days, perhaps some more - we will see. The advice since lockdowns has been to avoid flying via Air Vanuatu, and this isn't the first time they have had planes grounded. After a few days, someone has come to rescue the airline, but not this time.

Just some shipping news. Yes, as mentioned it is secondary to the problems in New Caledonia, but it is a cruise forum and two of the most prolific ports are in New Caledonia. I don't think anyone here would be feel that their right to cruise there is more important than the locals in New Caledonia, but the cruise lines are slow to communicate their "plan B". Carnival Splendor has departed for the Islands this evening. They have altered their ports for the current cruise to Santo (Champagne Bay would be nice but likely to be Luganville) and Port Vila. Pacific Adventure hasn't added extra alternate ports. The stops were Port Vila & 2 days at Mystery Island. They are bound for Sydney with a slow cruise back or an early arrival. As expected, they are skipping both Lifou & Noumea. I have yet to read, but I believe there is another thread for P&O repatriating passengers stuck on Vanuatu due to their airline being grounded. Pacific Encounter has called at Mystery Island & ports in Fiji, as was their schedule. They have Port Vila next, then will skip Lifou and return to Brisbane. It looks like both P&O and Carnival will try to keep cruising to the Islands, but with alternate ports. With only three ships during the off-season, they should be able to avoid bumping into each other.

Oh, the suspense. Full time: Swans 17.15 (115) Blues 9.11 (65)

He is one of the best to ever play rugby league. Played for Australia, NSW, and competed in 9 grand finals for 6 wins over an 11 year period. He was pretty good, and I was lucky to see him play for Australia at the SCG when I was a rather young fan. Like many famous and infamous VFL/AFL players, there was a tendency to use their names as rhyming slang, like feeling a bit Kevin Sheedy after a big night out.

He played for Souths, then the Roosters in the 60's and 70's.

50th deserved 50 days. One of my workmates did one of those cruises, his one & only. He is a mad Souths fan, but found out he is not a fan of sea sickness. 😂 I am not sure how regular, but P&O is still a Souths sponsor, and have plans for more member cruises. It would be a good time for a Ronny Coote 😉 I like the Princess idea, as it reads that at least some of the current squad will be aboard.

Lots of blue medallions, and it should take them a few days to find the best haunts.

I hope the guy is alright too. They are currently on a cruise to nowhere, and Sydney Harbour will be a nice distraction for the other cruisers. I see Splendor is heading back to pick up another pilot outside Sydney Heads, and hope it isn't for another medevac. She is expected in the harbour soon for a short stay.

In Vila today, a day early. Mystery Island skipped but may be planned later in the cruise. Let's see what comes next.

The ship should be half full of regular cruisers already, so you won't be alone. The member events will be easily avoided, but there is a risk of footy paraphernalia in the dining room each night. We have done a dedicated P&O Melbourne State of Origin P&O cruise, and much of it was like any other P&O cruise, with the addition of footy jumpers in the dining room. If we chose to, we didn't have to attend any of the events or even go to the match.

I have bought litre bottles in Vila for the price of a schooner. But it doesn't come icy cold, expertly mixed in a glass by a bartender, then served with a smile by a waiter.

Jealous. Yes, been, loved it, and can't wait to read about your experiences.

I think P&O has been there, but in days of smaller ships. Other than that, it is just a handful of expedition type ships that call there.

A couple of hours ago, Pac Adventure changed course and appears to be heading for Mare or Lifou. They were going to Mystery Island tomorrow, so it looks like an itinerary shuffle. I am thinking Mare, although maybe the locals have given assurance and they are getting Lifou out of the way while they can. As with Mic's thoughts of another Vanuatu port, it would also be the most direct course to Luganville.

+1. No, and the French are making it harder with their recent change. The referendum is a peace carrot, but they have just shortened the rope it was dangling from.

By default, correct. That isn't what has their nose out of joint though. If is the French changing the laws to allow more of their "yes" population to become eligible to vote that has made them restless. It is probably better for us that the French retain control over New Caledonia. I also think the Kanaks are entitled to have more say in their political system, but if the French lose it, then it will be headed towards become a Chinese controlled territory. Makes me wonder if they are secretly supporting the uprising.

Many passengers think they get value out of a drinks package, but that is only a perception when comparing with $18 individual drinks. P&O still wins if everyone has a package and consumes their 15 drinks. Those $18 drinks are costing P&O less than $5ea, and that includes storage and wages.

As from one of the articles, the Kanaks boycotted the last referendum because of a cultural rule, something to do with mourning of a chief I believe.

When they do it, it is just to get you to declare and sign that you are abiding by the duty-free limits that wouldn't normally be available unless you are leaving the country. That rule around Willis Island is an informal one, just a convenient arrangement, as it doesn't apply to cruising around Lord Howe or other similarly distanced islands. Customs just do a random thing to keep us on our toes, as the cruise lines have no intention of limiting your "duty free" purchases. If you have no arrival card in your cabin on the last evening, it can be an opportune time to check out the drink prices in the shops.

The Kanaks want to limit the number of new foreign voting (read French nationals). That colonial constitution change is designed to keep their indigenous population in the minority. Until they get a majority, they can never gain independence by peaceful means.

State of Emergency declared in New Caledonia as Paris vote sparks “deadly spiral” of violent unrest | RNZ News It doesn't read well for New Caledonia.

Yes, it is super convenient. We have stayed there a few times, where I take the short cut & lug the bags down the stairs. When you take the footpath around, it isn't a whole lot shorter to walk than from Four Seasons. If the new ownership improves the hotel, we will stay there again at the right price. Does anyone know if the planned renovations are underway yet?