MMDown Under

I would definitely cancel. The last thing you want on holidays is stress. I doubt you would have booked the tour, if your time in port was originally 7am to 5 pm.

I agree. I really liked the customs of small country towns and the friendly hard working people. The One teacher school where the teacher would turn around and throw a piece of chalk. Whoever got hit by the chalk got to pick the next song. Came the exciting time when I got hit by the piece of chalk. Unfortunately my family had singalongs around the piano that adults and children all sang. Seems the song I chose was deemed unsuitable for school children. I liked the "bring a plate" to share after Church. I liked the competitive tennis matches which followed, I was fascinated by the metal tube the shop keeper put the money in and how it wizzed up across the shop to the Office. I liked how the understanding shop keeper put all items for my great aunt under groceries.

So sorry to learn of your heartache at this Festive time of year. Did you check with Head Office whether you could cancel under your particular circumstances. You might reach an understanding person - not everyone is heartless.

Oh no! Have you got cold weather clothes ready for a diversion down South?

I visited the Whitsundays after a Cyclone passed through. Incredible damage to housing, the islands and the trees stripped bare. Some of the popular resorts didn't reopen, which was sad. You could still visit them on day trips, but not stay in resort accommodation. When I next visited the farmer, who grew delicious rambutan, I commented that it was lovely to see the greenery back on the trees. Oh no, she replied, when the trees loose their canopy, the weeds take over! They had no fruit to sell!

Tropical Cyclone Jasper forming off the Queensland Coast. The BOM said tropical cyclone Jasper is causing sustained winds of 75km/h near it centre, with gusts of up to 100km/h Are there any cruise ships heading north? December is early for Cyclones.

Yes, it was a real event enhanced by music. Because my first cruise was the back half of a world cruise, I experienced the streamer farewell at Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.

Nice view

40 ish. She might have just misunderstood me.

The young girls were fans of Barry. Miranda inherited her father's acting skills.

Yes, I noticed all the different terms which I booked in on line. When you are done, you are the Captain. I have never laughed so much doing a routine task. I had to phone Sailor Services three times and they were all friendly and helpful. I noticed on one restaurant table booking, a game was played, which should liven things up. Also no problem with singles, doubles and groups. They just fill the table until it is filled, then continue on.

They are flying into and out of Sydney. I have never stayed 5 star to my knowledge, My daughters went for a job interview at a five star hotel at the Canadian ski fields. They were asked "What makes a five star hotel?" The younger one said the indentations in the ash trays, whilst the older one said the usual "high level of service" etc Both got offered the job. In the end, they were smart and got a job in a gourmet shop where they could take any leftovers home. They had to speak French. I don't know why my friend's friend wants to stay 5 star, but what would you recommend for one or two nights before they fly home to New work? Do we have 5 star in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Any recommendations there please?

Kangaroo Island is the third largest island in Australia, so distances are boring and long. We used to stay near the ferry and at Flinders Chase on opposite of the island. A lot of Flinders Chase lighthouse keepers cottages got burnt out. There used to be a lot of koalas which you could see from the FC carpark. You can rent a car and drive along the oceanfront to the lighthouse with spectacular views. Great cafe. Dudley Wines was picturesque. You can visit the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and learn of its history. this is an enjoyable car ride, without racing across the island. If you have a long day visit, we saw a lot of wildlife around dusk at American River. parks.sa.gov.au skould be able to tell you what has been repaired and what is open. We left our names but we haven't heard anything. We used to love staying in the historic lighthouse keepers cottage. Staying in the small postman's cottage you used to hear the koalas at night and the Canadian geese (?)

The girl makes delicious hummus, so she thought I wanted some. ha ha

I think it is an excellent idea. I have taken both my girls on a cruise and offered a cruise on Resilient Lady, but neither were interested. Virgin Voyages are so different, some people just need to see for themselves.

I always check that it is still going strong whenever I go past. It was my favourite little theatre. (We all wanted to marry Barry Otto.)

Am I missing something?

It would have been more fitting than "big country town" Brisbane.

Just saw a young couple who won a cruise on Resilient Lady, They thanked Channel 7 They thanked Virgin Lastly they thanked their parents for minding their children. Sounded like a couple you'd listen to, not an influencer couple.

So excited to see Resilient Lady on her inaugural visit to Sydney. I chose my cruise, departing Auckland on an eleven day cruise to Melbourne, because it will be staying two nights in Sydney. How special is that!! She also stops for two nights at Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty in NZ. I am a destination cruiser, rather than a cruiser where the ship is the destination. But, with this unique cruise ship, I suspect I might become both. I'm impressed so far. I needed to contact Guest Service three times during the booking process and the three different staff members gave the impression it was a pleasure to serve me. I have never laughed so much completing a cruise booking on line. Just saw an interview between Nat and Sir Richard Branson, who said there were 72 different nationalities on board, I hope they have given these young staff lessons on understanding Aussie lingo, as cruising Down Under is going to be a wonderful adventure for them and their passengers. We are currently translating for a Victorian. "Have you had a dip?" (as it is really hot at present) "Do you mean hummus?" "No, have you had a dip in the pool to cool down?" There is a long list, with lots of laughter in our household. This thread is full of helpful cruisers willing to share the differences between the States in the same country.

My guarantee cabin was allocated on the wharf, with the room number attached to my ports. Being a normal "inside cabin" passenger, I had no idea of my win until I reached the cabin.

We used to stop at Beenleigh to have a pie, to let the car cool down, so the car didn't boil on the long journey. During the Vietnam War, they used to call for volunteers to take the soldiers on R&R to the beach. I used to rock up to the ship in my Hillman Stationwagon and take as many as would fit in my car.

I used to wonder what children who didn't have a middle name thought. Did they feel cheated? I didn't like my second name, so I gave myself a third name. Elizabeth, after the Queen no less! All my children's books, dictionary, etc. had the third initial on them.

Yes there was too much identifying information given in the funeral notice. My uncle was formal like that. He even put my aunt's taxi driver in her funeral notice, because he looked after her like family on her weekly trips to the RSL in Southport.

My single female cousin, who lived and worked in Melbourne, took me to a Club there. The menu given to me had no prices on it, but hers did. I had to be careful to not choose anything which I thought would be too expensive. When she died, my Queensland uncle was the sole beneficiary. Whilst family members attended the funeral, someone stripped the house. Living interstate, my uncle had no idea what was stolen.