MMDown Under

After a lifetime of economy, and one $$ economy which wasn't worth the extra money, I now fly only business overseas. My current favourite airline is EVA Air as I can fly north from Brisbane. I have flown Qatar and Royal Brunei, both excellent business class. Royal Brunei used to fly north from Brisbane, but is now based elsewhere in Australia. Qantas from New York business class, on points, was superb. But Qantas is too expensive business class for Australians. My US friends can access Qantas business class deals. I was upgraded to Air NZ business class, from Auckland to Brisbane once and it was superb. I can't remember the American Airline on which I flew business class, but I remember you could sit at a bar, quite an experience. When you age, to be able to lie flat is priceless. Th fine bone china, beautiful glasses, napkins etc. and the Asian food choices are a bonus.

I have spent a lifetime in inside, without a thought. Now, after covid, it is my time for balcony.

Neither cruise line nor airline make a difference to my travel decisions. Cruiseline always itinerary, and size of ship, airline price and level of service. negative of this is you never reach any special benefits. Positive of this cost is often less.

Why you need cash in Australia. Today's shopping experemce. Visited Harris Park, Parramatta. First shop minimum with card was $10 (coffee and baklava cost $5). Indian vegetable curry cost $6 cash only no card. Very popular Indian street food.

Me too. I like shopping at food markets.

Thanks I found it later this morning, as that is a thread I follow.

Ships to Come - Princess - Grand Princess (November) Royal Caribbean - Ovation of the Seas (29/10) Royal Caribbean - Quantum of the Seas (November)

Cruising is getting more expensive for families. In my youth, we holidayed on the islands and the mountain resorts on Lamington Tableland. These holidays were full of activities. We didn't spend an extra penny, apart from a cruise to GBR.

Just as a precaution, when I was last in London, both my credit cards stopped working. I was glad of my cash!

Holidaying on the Mediterranean, I observed mature aged women who rolled the top of their one piece down to their waist, on the beach, everyone getting dressed to go off beach to get an ice cream, including men putting their socks on under sandals.

I was just thinking, I wish MSC would bring one of their spotless medium sized ships to homeport in Australia. Australia has a large Italian population who would be attracted to a dual language ship. I would love to cruise with them again locally.

Les, I was so shocked by your sad news, I was speechless. Here I was waiting to hear what interesting rural NSW car voyage you were planning to do next or what trip north to your relatives. Now I can't find the email where you shared the news with CC members. Know CC members are all wishing you well and a speedy return to good health.

Interesting article - I like the projections - 90,000 passengers on 20 departures, with company targeting 40,000 local cruisers from SEQld., 45,000 from interstate, mainly Vic and SA, and around 5,000 internationals. Something the company mightn't have expected is the increased cost of airfares in Australia following covid. This could make an interstate cruise for a family of four very expensive. Brisbane is an international airport, so I was surprised around only 5,000 internationals. This figure could improve once South Pacific and PNG cruises are more attractive to consumers. .

In Sydney, you can even use your credit card on public transport (adult fares). However, for three days in Sydney, you might like to have some Australian dollars.

In winter, I enjoyed a coffee outside in the sun at Sanctuary Cove. I was surprised to learn most of the people outside at the cafe, enjoying the sun with me, were from Adelaide.

Agree it makes you laugh in hindsight. However, you don''t know anger, until you've heard it in seven different languages.at once!

Coral Adventurer is currently circumnavigating Australia, from Cairns, for 60 days from 17th October, 2022 to 15 December, 2022. You can follow their pioneering voyage on line. There are 105 lucky passengers on this unique voyage. coral expeditions.com

Carnival - Luminosa - 92,700,(2260-2712) Carnival - Splendor - 113,300, (3016 - 3619) Celebrity - Eclipse - 121,878, (2,850) P&O - Pacific Adventure - 108,865, (2632-3158) P&O - Encounter - 108,865- (2596 - 3115) P&O - Explorer - 77,441. (1196 - 2395) Princess - Coral - Panamax Class - 91,627 (1970) Princess - Majestic - Royal Class - 143,700 (3560) Add any new ships and correct as necessary

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Woohoo Au Revoir OPT Sydney

Thank you. That is a big difference in the Princess ships.

Is this the first time it has been in Sydney? I don't have the patience for that. I go away and have a coffee or an icecream and come back later keeping an eye on the ship.