MMDown Under

I was surprised recently when I booked an Ibis in Adelaide with a credit card hold, I could cancel without penalty until 6 pm on day of arrival. I then paid by credit card on arrival on the day. I think this is a great initiative, as people are reluctant to book ahead because of Covid.

What would the ship be with the least number of passengers?

I was thinking the same thing.

Thanks Yvonne. I do have friends in the US.

I thought if I ever booked with that TA again I could ask them to use the money as a deposit, but I never booked with them again. Possibly too late now, but their records should show cheques weren't cashed

I have found if you book accommodation too far ahead you get the rack rate. But that mightn't be the case with your booking. I do a dummy booking through hotel, booking.com and trip advisor to compare rates.

I remember I was annoyed at the time because I bought them on a credit card and thought they would be funded in the same way.

No I don't think I went on the same cruise line on any future cruises. However, I'll check. It was with a private TA.

I lost two I bought because I didn't use them in the time period. They sent US$ cheques refund but I didn't know what to do with them.

How nice to be able to join friends on your next two cruises in October and November. I wish there were small and medium size ships cruising from Australia, then I'd cruise more often.

When my daughter worked in London, for a number of years, I used to do day trips by train to lots of different places. Brighten was one I enjoyed because I missed being on the ocean when I was away.

Anglers Paradise, Runaway Bay I notice there are a number of cruisers from the GC

Sorry, I meant a longer period where you didn't loose your deposit eg 2 months in lieu of 6 months. I usually don't book until after final payment when fares come down or specials, like no single supplement, are offered.

What suburb do you live on the GC Queenslander?

Sorry to hear that you lost your only son to cancer recently as well as your husband. I was taught to count my blessings and it helps to have a positive outlook on life. I find older people who are still fit are the best dancers and love to watch them dance. My girlfriend's mother used to always have to be the boy when she danced with her sisters. They were beautiful dancers. May you continue to cruise for many years yet. I'm researching travel to England for the King's Coronation next year, so have started researching cruises which will be on then.

That is good to know. There is a movie theatre in Brisbane and GC where you can apply to win theatre tickets. I have won two free tickets every time. However we always buy a drink to have at my seat in appreciation.

Agree you need to know the answer before you phone.

Yes $2.50 all day travel in Sydney. Free senior travel in Adelaide. Concession theatre tickets. Certainly stretches the travel budget. Too bad about all the aches and pains, which I don't remember my grandmother mentioning.

Whilst I'm happy to travel on my own, I'm basically shy. There was no way I could get up and dance with those dance partners they had on ships to dance with single travellers. And I used to adore dancing. I also couldn't get up and speak on a microphone! One advantage of getting older, I find people are kind to older people and happy to offer assistance.

I think cruise lines should change the cancellation date to longer than 6 months in these uncertain times.

That was a brilliant idea. I only buy hot pies direct from pie shops so hadn't thought about heating up pies. However I was tempted by a big slice of Spanakopita at Kings Cross markets yesterday - heated it in oven yesterday, then in microwave today.

I agree the bonus of travelling alone is you meet so many interesting well travelled people. When I was young I travelled on my own by Greyhound bus on a three month bus pass throughout USA and Canada. I'm just sorry I couldn't take up all the hospitality which was offered to me. Yesterday I went to a brilliant cabaret at Hayes Theatre, Potts Point - "Bad Guy: Hayden Tee" - on my own.

Smart idea as it is a direct route from there.

We used to be AirNZ FF and always found them an excellent long haul airline. One time our flight from Canada was delayed and we had a lengthy stopover at Auckland Airport. When we heard our names called, my heart missed a beat. Yes, we had been upgraded to business class, as had all our fellow passengers from Canada. What a thrill as we had only flown economy long haul at that stage.