subaru94

1 hour ago, Ozwoody said:

I guess it's a bit hit and miss, and depends on the TA you have.

We have been using the same TA for a number of years, and have found him excellent, He contacts us and tells us about price variations, or upgrades, and arranges adjustment as required.

We have never had to chase him.

He will also contact us if he sees a special that he feels we would like, to see if we're interested.

But you should go with what your happy with or feel comfortable with.

So far, a TA has been good us, but as I said above it seems it can be a bit hit and miss with a TA.

 

 

You are very fortunate to have such a wonderful TA, there are not many who will do this. 

Don't believe everything you read re: reviews, the Coral Princess is a lovely ship, it depends on what you are expecting from a cruise, in regards to destination, it depends on whether you want warmer weather which is Noumea/Fiji with beaches or New Zealand which does have some quite cool months.  Perhaps go on a smaller cruise there are some leaving Fremantle going up to Broome the Kuri Coast to give you a taste, I believe P&O and Princess both doing that.

On 8/8/2022 at 7:04 PM, Aus Traveller said:

I believe the info about the motel refers to the Portside cruise terminal. Their website has the following -

Located on the corner of Nudgee Rd and Kingsford Smith Drive, within walking distance of the Brisbane Cruise Ship Terminal . They go on to say that they offer 'drop-off' to the Brisbane Cruise Terminal.  The photo shows a ship at Portside.

 

I don't think their website has been updated since the opening of the new cruise terminal.

We have booked the Kingsford Smith Motel for a November cruise and asked about cruise transfer, they said even though further will take us to ship.  When you book need do mention cruise transfer required though, hope this helps.

1 hour ago, CCC's said:

I was referring to Meriton Apartments, in particular Kent St apartments.  I spent 3 nights there recently and found it very comfortable,  a few minutes walk to light rail system,  close to CBD as well as Darling Harbour and Chinatown.  They are worth checking out.

o.k.  is it close to the Overseas cruise terminal where Coral Princess leaves?

1 hour ago, CCC's said:

You can still get a studio for $195 per night however, if it is a Saturday night you would pay about $300+ per night.  I am unsure why "subaru94" was quoted $900 for 1 night for 4 persons,  but it might be for their penthouse.  I did a check and last Saturday night in April 2023 for 4 persons in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom was $545.  But if you book a weekday room it is only $365 per night.   So, still reasonably priced. 

Yes it is a Saturday night as the ship departs next day,  what site did you find the 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom and which Mercure was it.  I have found accommodation 2 deluxe apartments at The York by Swiss-Belhotel for $217.00 each apartment.   Its been a while that we have departed Sydney and a bit out of touch.

On 6/21/2022 at 10:30 AM, CCC's said:

All Meriton Suites in Sydney CBD are excellent and are located within walking distance to most of Sydney's main attractions.  Recently spent 3 nights at Meriton Kent St and it was the perfect accommodation for my visit and quite reasonably priced.   Good choice. 

We have stayed at the Meriton Apartments before a cruise, however, their pricing has jumped up quite significantly, quoted $900 for 1 night for the 4 of us next end April next year.

15 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

Good idea to check how many posts the person has made.

Its his first post.  Does that tell you anything.

Someone knows someone currently on board the ship, and they were notified that some of the crew had covid and were in isolation and only 1 cabin on board ship at the moment having someone with covid, ship required masks to be worn in public areas.  The media have sensationalised it again.  Passenger on board said no where near what the media are portraying, and the fact that there were 5000 cases in Queensland and yet they highlight the ship again.  Don't believe everything the news media portray.

36 minutes ago, Porky55 said:

Typical media have nothing else to report, oh look, cruise ship with a few cases, lets focus on that rather than other things.  So agree with you, over media hype, we don't bother watching the news anymore.

We have cruised P&O Australia, Princess, Cunard, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, there is a cruise on Norwegian Jewel, never been with this cruise line, thoughts from people who have been on Norwegian vs. Princess cruise line.  It will be a 26 night cruise from Seattle to Japan.

1 hour ago, Aus Traveller said:

Email P&O at  shareholderbenefit@carnivalaustralia.com    Supply your full name, the name of the ship, voyage number and date as well as your P&O booking number. You should attach a copy of your shareholder's statement or some other proof of your ownership of the shares. I got a response from P&O within 24 hours when I emailed mine.

Thank you.

8 hours ago, Hammer61 said:

I only bought my shares about a week ago, but already P&O have confirmed the $50 Credit for the 7^th June sailing 👍

 

Just on the shares should have waited a week!!!! They have been hammered the past few days to just under US$12 as have all the cruise lines, anyone after Norwegian (about $13 now) or Royal Caribbean ($49) all have now more than halved in value in the last 12 months and pretty close to the COVID crash levels 😡

 

They all offer the OBC for 100 shares.

We have just bought shares, and see they have gone down quite a bit, oh well at least we get onboard credit, we have a P&O cruise in November, do you email P&O or ring them in regards to getting credit for sailing please?

Well we took the plunge ended up buying through Bendigo Bank, as could get through to them on the phone very easily, did take a few days to sort out account, and you were lucky $14.50 we paid $14.90 USD,  still a good buy though as the onboard credit is worth it and not in a hurry to buy them back.  First time we have bought shares.

3 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We bought ours in 2016 through St George Bank.

 

So with Commsec do you have to transfer funds into USD before you can buy shares?

Don't know just said wait 5 days before doing any international trading?

54 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Shares have dropped significantly, it may be an opportune time to buy.

Never been involved in shares before went to purchase, set up commsec account attached to netbank however to purchase international, said 5 days before we can do it, and notice the shares have started to go up.  Is there any other way of doing it?  novice here?

Sounds fantastic, and great idea of changing ships.

1 minute ago, NSWP said:

No Mega ships, it is the wash from these ships causing the issue I think.   The Prices Grand Class are around 290m long, but for example QM2 is around 310 metres so could be banned.

We have a cruise booked on the  Queen Elizabeth going to New Zealand next February, so think this size ship should be o.k.  Funny cruise lines are building bigger cruise ships, however, there will be less ports that they will be allowed to go into.  Wonder if they will rethink size of cruise ships?  

57 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

From what I saw ,those islands where pretty well overwhelmed, I think the novelty of thousands of people invading,would wear off pretty quick.
‘Milford sound is introducing restrictions also.

I suppose if we want to cruise on a ship 300 meters or better ,we will have to settle for over commercialised ports and private islands.

What restrictions is Milford Sound introducing?

On 4/18/2022 at 12:38 PM, SuitesRbest said:

Any hotel along Kingsford Smith Dr like this one is the go I suggest.

https://kingsfordsmithmotel.com.au/

Thank you we have booked this motel, and they will also take us to the cruise ship even though now it has gone from a couple of minutes to approx. 15 minutes.

16 hours ago, arxcards said:

Personally, I would still be looking to stay in the same place as I would for Portside departures to make the most of the conveniences there - mini-supermarket, restaurants, cafes, ferry to the city etc.

 

Alcyone apartments was my favourite for Portside departures, and would still be our pick if we follow through with a booking on Coral Princess.

Thank you for that will check it out.

Anyone familiar with this area, looking for accommodation recommendations near the new cruise terminal please as not that familiar with Brisbane.  Many thanks

We are too far away in Adelaide, would have loved to be there, look forward to seeing photos on the news or people.

16 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

I just checked and yes, there is a sale where the cruise I looked at had Balcony cabins priced the same as Interior, with Oceanview actually being higher. So the upgrade sale is real. 

Your lucky must be an American promotion, here in Australia I queried any upgrade offers and got told no. Wonder if I should follow up?

45 minutes ago, cruisermsoon said:

Coral gets very good reviews, and apparently, as a slightly smaller ship than the Grand Class, and carrying fewer passengers, is an extremely well designed ship for passenger flow and public areas. 

Encounter is an ex Princess ship [Star], larger and carrying more passengers, but will be similarly grand in scope as the other Grand Class ships.

Why not try both ships. I certainly shall, and in fact have already booked cruises on both.

 

I thought P&O Encounter was the Golden Princess?  Explorer (Dawn Princess)?

The way everything is going vaccinations won't be required, in South Australia they have just let all teachers, police and anyone not vaccinated allowed back to work.  Who knows where things will be it changes day to day.