arxcards

Do they have room service? Would be great to share that table for breakfast.

There is a poofe' under the desk. Yes, not my idea of comfort, but that is their style.

I don't think this currently applies to PNG so much, but is prevalent in Vanuatu and to a degree in Fiji. Like our borders, they like an element of control and the days of blind trust are disappearing. What do your books say? Do the local officials trust what they say? Can someone take your donated goods and sell them for profit? That kind of stuff. Friends used to donate supplies and equipment to the hospital in Vila. What used to be gratefully accepted became harder & harder to get through the customs building at the port. It seemed like local officials wanted a cut. That sort of red tape. I donated our leftover kina at our last island last time we were there.

The Melbourne open night for sure.

He was yesterday - ACA had a bit of a chat with him. I don't know if he will be still aboard when she sails.

+1 from me - Conflict Islands has some nice little reefs & bommies. Also a relaxing day with everything so close.

It must be good, if they do say themselves.

We booked our steakhouse meals back around the time of this topic at $65 each. I have noticed recently that this price is now $72, so yet another cruise item with a 10% increase. Glad we got in early with our OBC and are $28 better off.

That would be up to the ship and could be different from one to the other. I think they are likely to accept your rat but may want to do their own rat if you are going to be a stat on their file. The other reason would be that some ships are still crediting your days in ISO as FCC's, and they may want to validate their generosity. Whichever way, by the time you have clocked up $1000 for your consult & anti virals, an extra $40 for them doing a test is going to be negligible.

Some models are showing this may not make landfall as an active cyclone, but as a tropical low/storm. If that is the case, the January prediction could remain intact.

Ship happens, even on planes. Some of my worst days travelling have been from missed connections. Hopefully plan B is comfortable and on time.

There is a fair amount of speculation that history will repeat. Quantum of the Seas was scheduled to be heading to North Qld today, but they don't want a bar of this cyclone and are heading south to Sydney instead. Timing is everything though, but the Jasper predictions don't sit well with your itinerary. Brisbane, Tangalooma, Newcastle are likely the only northern ports possible. One way or another, I expect you will hear something official by tomorrow morning. Those on Quantum were able to cancel yesterday.

A fair assumption. I would expect that you need to be consulting with a doctor who would determine your medical background before prescribing. The eligibility from the ship may differ from Australian eligibility at the link, but either would require medical advice.

As far as I am aware, you cannot get an "in case" script for covid anti-virals in Australia. You need to test positive to be eligible for PBS supply. There was mention a month or so back that these are around $750 per course on Princess (no PBS), but may be covered by your travel insurance. https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/treatments/eligibility

That will be our view on Christmas night, but not with Resilient Lady or any other ship in view.

All good. I applaud their stance on single use plastics. Was just pointing out that the water stations are nothing new. Virgin's point of difference is they have just taken away the choice on their sailors' behalf. The stuff I drink comes in glass, so it bothers me not.

Do you get a sailor's cap and a cravat for your uniform? Apart from the language, most of this stuff isn't brand new and has been tried on one brand or another. I like the no botted water move. Having fill stations is nothing new, but some passengers/sailors/cruislings will only trust it coming from a sealed container, especially if it is just chilled ship water.

Another from yesterday from View North Sydney.

The presumption is that if you don't feel unwell enough to test, you can't have covid. The presumption is that what you have can't be too bad, then it must be OK for anyone else to have it too. The rules have changed. Even if I test positive for covid, I am supposed to come to work with it unless I am unwell enough to stay home in bed with it. That is what our guidelines on land say, and they are no different at sea. Stay home (in cabin) if you are unwell. If there is a moral dilemma between not isolating if you have tested positive but feel OK, that is all about discretion. There is no requirement to test, even if unwell. For every person who tests & isolates out of honour, there will be another xx number that will be in circulation around the ship. It was easier with mandates - it was clear cut. Now it is look after yourself, and hope that enough of your fellow passengers don't believe that sharing is caring. Not my opinion of how it should be, but the way it currently is - if you can't afford to catch covid, you can't afford to be cruising.

Menus for food and drink to anywhere on the ship is a fair bit of functionality. Yes, it became bloated with all the covid stuff, remembering that P&O and Carnival both required two apps during that era. Loading small file sizes for avatar and ID photos into the Princess app speeds it up nicely. Carnival requires web login to prebook tours and packages. I need to go to the web login to choose dining type or book a specialty dinner. I like it that medallion has that extra functionality. In time, I think the app (both mobile and PC versions) will totally replace the personaliser, and the need to have two systems to master your booking.

If they need to promote themselves, I agree. Pre-covid, I have had a free tour and lunch aboard 1/2 dozen ships. I don't think it was covid that stopped it, but some travel agents started selling these lunches instead of just using them as a promotional tool. As for giving over an event instead of a night of cruising, average price of a bed of $250 times 3000+ passengers is 3/4's of a million, plus no casino or duty-free sales.

Barry, NO. Miranda, maybe.

Sure, it would help with insurance. I guess that depends on what policy and if it has coverage for isolation periods. The same insurance would likely cover medical expenses including testing, but not necessarily cover screening tests - why I think it is a good idea to pack a few test kits. It would also give you access to full dining room menus as room service - at least on Princess

True. The ship is blocking the Opera House projectors on the top deck at OPT, but I wouldn't have put it past him to stage something similar from the ship. Enjoy your evening.

You know, I kinda expected a Salty Onion answer 🤣 Yes, Duck Farts at the Red Dog Saloon, Juneau Alaska.