aussie57

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Hi Anne & Allan,

Depending on the time of day, concession travel is free for the train. 

 

The new airport line should be a major plus, switch trains at Perth station for the run down to Fremantle. Once there, it will be a cheap cab fare to any hotel in Fremantle.

Thanks Geoff.

Is the rail concession only for WA residents?

I was a regular on these boards many years ago, and you could search for a topic or keywords within a forum. I can't see where you can do that now.

We are joining the Majestic Princess Circumnavigation in Fremantle on March 22 for 2nd leg back to Syd, and fly from Sydney the day before. Hubby is wheelchair-bound. Just wondering what alternatives are available for getting to our Fremantle hotel from the airport.

1 hour ago, gbenjo said:

Trust me, Border Force and Quarantine knew exactly where they were ( and where they were going) and unfortunately people make incorrect comments that others take as gospel…….the media love it though.

 

 

I object to the insinuation that my comments were incorrect. Sydney was our first Australian port of call on our return.

We did not put our luggage out, we were told to keep it with us. We filled out an incoming passenger card which was collected the night before disembarkation. After all other passengers had disembarked, our room steward escorted us with our luggage to the crew gangway & we were dispersed through a gate to the public concourse near the terminal. Our bags or passport were not checked & we didn't go into the terminal or past authorities. Legal or not, we did what we were told to do and all other covid positive pax & their parties did the same.

On 1/2/2023 at 11:37 PM, arxcards said:

The chance of catching it aboard this past week was less than the weeks preceding. Hopefully next week will be even better.

This is what we are hoping. 😊

We did a Sydney-NZ return cruise with Celebrity in November. We were meticulous about wearing our N25s at all times except eating & drinking, even though there was no mask requirement aboard. Captain announced ship was covid-free on Day 4. First port was Day 5. Day 11(of 13nts) hubby was symptomatic & tested positive. I was negative. He was confined to our balcony cabin, I could go out & was tested by celebrity on Day 12 & Day 13 still negative & symptom free. Captain mandated masks in the Theatre & Casino, but nowhere else, due to rising cases. I was told that people were not reporting their illness so they wouldn't have to isolate, & the place I felt least safe was in elevators which coughing  people continued to cram into without masks. I actually got out from the back of lifts twice after being squeezed in by others, & was ridiculed by them for doing so, as I said, "there are too many people in this lift". 🤷‍♀️

I was symptomatic on departure day and Celebrity waited until all who had reported our "plague" status were the only ones left onboard, sneaked us out onto the Pier by way of a crew gangway on level 2, avoiding border security & quarantine, & let us loose into the crowds thronging around the cruise terminal. We decided that our undoing had been due to dining at a table for 4 in the MDR nightly with a couple of lovely elderly ladies from Qld. Apparently at the time we were in NZ there was a covid surge but no hygiene restrictions were imposed. On Day 7 the ladies had coffee & cake onshore & one of them tested positive a few days later. The other lady caught it from her & so did hubby. It was the only time we were unmasked & in close proximity to others.

We cruise from Perth to Sydney in March on Majestic & are resigned to eat alone in the MDR despite meeting others at dinner being one of our favourite cruising benefits 

On 1/8/2023 at 3:48 PM, boeckli said:

I was in Melbourne first week in December and yes, there was a Myki kiosk on the upper Station Pier floor (and it was quite busy too). Also to note is the fact that there is a bus service which leaves from the street level of the cruise terminal (thus avoiding the walk to the tram stop):

 

The Bus 109 City Express shuttle runs direct from the Cruise Terminal on Station Pier to the city, stopping on Queens Bridge Street. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.

Bus frequency:

Morning (8am – noon): every five to seven minutes
Lunch (Noon – 2pm): every 20 minutes
Afternoon (2pm – 5pm): every 10 to 15 minutes

 

To travel from the city back to the ship by bus, you must catch the Bus 109 Express shuttle directly to Station Pier, departing from Queens Bridge Street.

 

Thank you.

I assume you also need a myki card for this shuttle?

We'll be onboard on 14 Nov around NZ. It will be our 5th Celebrity Cruise - Mercury, Millennium  & Solstice x2 have been our previous experiences of the brand. 

18 hours ago, the penguins said:

Still available with 2 sittings. We opt for Select because at the early at 6.0 pm is too early and the late too late. By eating at 6.30pm we have  a leisurely meal with ample time to get to the 9pm show in the theatre. Also we get to share with different people (we always ask for a table of 6). You can choose to dine with the same people again by simply arranging to meet at the dining room entrance. It's all about choice - not right or wrong.

Thank you, Penguins. That's very helpful.

On 7/23/2022 at 4:46 PM, the penguins said:

If you have any time (select) dining pre book as it saves waiting in the lines. On arrival each night ask for the table size you prefer, our choice is always sharing with a table of 6, we find larger tables hard to cope with. If you like the main theatre great dining times are 6.30pm if you want the 9.0 pm show or anything from 8.15 pm if you do the 7.0pm one. Cellar Masters is now a Sports Bar (Craft Central) and is much livelier than previously. 

Use the CC Role Call for shared excursions.

Our favourite ship and the one we chose for our Golden Wedding cruise.

On our previous Celebrity cruises, we have been able to select fixed dining & thereby have made some wonderful friends. Is fixed dining no longer available?

Hi all

Looking at wheelchair cabins on Deck 3 which are right forward near theatre. On Port side they are slightly forward of quasar night club above, and on Starboard slightly forward of Celebrity Central on Deck 4 above. Would there be undue noise late at night, esp on the port side?

Hi all

Looking at wheelchair cabins on Deck 3 which are right forward near theatre. On Port side they are slightly forward of quasar night club above, and on Starboard slightly forward of Celebrity Central on Deck 4 above. Would there be undue noise late at night, esp on the port side?

Thanks everyone for your input. It was very helpful. :) We've decided to book on Solstice

We are trying to decide between two quotes for Hawaii to Sydney Sept/Oct this year. One is on Carnival Legend & the other Celebrity Solstice.

We have never cruised with Carnival, & have heard there can be issues with unruly kids.

We have been on Solstice before & loved it, but we've loved all ships we've been on including 9 cruises witj P&O & multiple Princess.

Legend includes Moorea, Suva & Noumea. Solstice includes Maui, Auckland & Pahia. Other Ports are the same.

Both cabins are inside accessible, & the last available of their type.

Legend cabin is right at the very front on Deck 7, which is a concern, considering the number of sea days across open ocean.

Celebrity cabin is Deck 9 near fwd elevators & right next door to a cabin we've sailed in before.

Carnival quote includes $200 OBC.

No perks on Celebrity because current sale offering beverage package & OBC only applies to Oceanview cabins & above, even though accessible oceanview for this sailing are sold out.

Apparently gratuities are not payable on top on either ship, but Celebrity is $US onboard, & Carnival is $AUD.

Both cruises are 17nts & quotes includes flight, transfers & 3nts in Honolulu plus a Pearl Harbour Tour.

Carnival is around $600 cheaper pp. (without counting the $200 OBC)

Any thoughts please?

I always buy the card, mostly for the brewed coffee as well as the specialty drinks. I have gotten up to 4 brewed coffees at one time with my one card. Was never a problem!

We always have two coffee cards on a cruise but fill one first by sharing. On all cruises except our last, we have been able to get two free teas(no punch as for brewed coffee) each night before bed. On our last cruise on Dawn Princess the Food & Beverage manager instructed his staff that only the card holder could get the no punch drink & definitely not two at once. We thought this was definitely nit-picking, especially as the wording is for "unlimited" brewed coffee, tea or hot chocolate, & ended up ordering our free tea from room service.

We did the Speights tour a couple of weeks ago and can highly recommend it. They are not stingy with the samples either. Stayed tasting for about an hour and we were the first to leave!

Cheers:D

Thanks. Glad to know it's a good value tour.

Coffee is our drink of choice, though, & kiwis generally do coffee very well.

Not everything will be open, but Dunedin has a rich Scottish Heritage and I don't think the locals will miss the chance of earning a few tourist dollars..:D:D

7 day trading is well established in NZ now , just as it is in Aus.

Thank you, David.

Yes I have scottish blood myself so totally get that logic. :D

One week today till we board Dawn Princess. Dunedin on Sunday 15th :)

Has anyone been in Dunedin on a Sunday? Just wondering if shops, cafes etc are open because a ship's in or if everything's closed. Last time we were there, there were some lovely craft markets at the Octagon as well, but we haven't been on a Sunday before.

Thanks for the review. We're going to PNG on Sun Princess in April We're going to Alotau, Doini, Kirawina, Rabaul & Honiara in the Solomons. Thanks Sandi for the info about local tour in Rabaul. Would you have found that info through Tripadvisor? Were there local tours being offered at Alotau? Are the islands, Kirawina & Doini similar to say, Dravuni Island or Mystery Is with just swimming & snorkelling? Are any of them accessible for people with mobility problems? Or are they straight onto sand or uneven ground from the wharf? It seems that they prefer small denominations of their own money? Can we get small denominations in Australia before leaving? We usually get our foreign cash from Aust Post. How much would there tours be?

Sorry for all the questions.

I have been in that cabin in 2006. I do not recall being bothered by noise but I could have just ignored any noise and was just grateful that a HC cabin was available for me.

 

It is possible that it was the last one selected because of location, but if you really need the amenities of a HC cabin and want the itinerary, I also feel you should book it before it disappears. You can ask your TA to put you on a waiting list if another HC becomes available.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Thank you so much Rascalrider.

I'm encouraged by your reply. Yes, we really need the HC as hubby is an above-knee double amputee. We have booked the cruise.

I only ever take one at a time onboard as well, & if it's really rough & I still feel woozy, I can take a 2nd one a bit later & it's still just the recommended daily dose of 1-2 tablets.

It's a great cabin. One deck up to buffet and straight back is the adult only pool, bar and great views.

 

I try to book all my cabins in that vicinity. Never had problems with noise.

Thanks so much for taking the time to post, Sillyjilly. That's very reassuring.

Anyone been in a regular inside cabin in the same area near the aft elevators on Diamond or Sapphire Princess - please?

Hi all

We have a hold on A706 on Diamond Princess Deck 12. It's an accessible inside cabin for Singapore to Sydney in Sept. Above is Horizon Court & a public toilet, below is a laundromat & cabins. Has anyone cruised in this area of Diamond or Sapphire, & know of any noise issues?

We have never been in a cabin this high before but did sail in the same location on Emerald Deck on Sapphire 7 yrs ago but it was very quiet.

Also worried that it's the "last" wheelchair cabin on the ship. Does that mean it's been overlooked by everyone else for a reason?

Please help.

Thanks

Recently was on Diamond and had A709 balcony. If I was going on Diamond again we would stay away from Aloha Deck! Heard noise from above but mainly chair scraping. This was the end of a 28 night cruise and we were only in this cabin for 2 nights and then we were (thankfully) upgraded for the next cruise. If this was the only cabin available we would make the best of it, but Aloha Deck not our preferred option, but I am sure many will disagree with me.:rolleyes:

Yes, we have heard others say that aft on Aloha is their favourite location.

We don't mind muffled, occasional noise, just constant, loud, disruptive noise.

We will probably go ahead with the booking & hope for the best. It would have been great to find someone who had experienced the exact cabin, or a nearby inside.

Hi all

We have a hold on this cabin on Aloha Deck 12. It's an accessible inside cabin for Singapore to Sydney in Sept. Above is Horizon Court & a public toilet, below is a laundromat & cabins. Anyone cruised in this area od Diamond or Sapphire, & know of any noise issues?

We have never been in a cabin this high before but did sail in the same location on Emerald Deck on Sapphire 7 yrs ago but it was very quiet.

Also worried that it's the "last" wheelchair cabin on the ship. Does that mean it's been overlooked by everyone else for a reason?

Please help.

Thanks