MMDown Under

I have found I get better prices closer to the date (unless there is an event on).

I've had some funny experiences answering that question. Once our flight to Japan was delayed and I didn't know where we would be staying, so I put the name of the company which arranged the accommodation. Another time I didn't know where I was going to be staying because my friend who was meeting me had shifted. The guard on the train from Canada to US put something down which caused amusement in the train station where I had to show it.

No

Italian custard sounds yummy.

We pulled our daughters out of school for a year when youngest was pre school and elder one would have been year 4. It was the best thing we ever did as a family. Our travels would still work now. We swapped houses and stayed in farm cottages off season. We leased a car for five months. It would be much easier to organise now with the internet. Ours was all by mail. Enjoy your planning l

No. I have followed world cruise blogs for years. Not everyone was rich. One loved her world cruise so much she did it again.

They do testing before boarding small ships. I recently cruised on a small ship in Australia where their excellent “sail safe plan” included a PCR Test 72 hours prior to departure and a RAT on day of departure. If either test was positive you couldn’t board the ship. In addition a nurse took our temperatures every day. We had no positive passengers on our cruise. However the same ship has recently returned to Darwin with positive passengers

I am a frequent traveller. I’ve just returned from ten days on the Sunshine Coast. Prior to that we drove to three music festivals in NSW. However I don’t think it is worth the risk of being denied boarding on a small ship from a port I haven’t visited before, on my own. I am in the official over 70 vulnerable age group. Will I visit Ireland again? Probably by ferry when I next visit the UK.

In a moment of weakness I put an option on a cruise on a small ship around the Emerald Isle then went on holidays. Then Fate stepped it with the small ship I recently cruised on returning to Darwin with positive passengers. Knowing their first class sail safe measures, I understood how impossible it would be to keep Covid off ships. Remembering how nerve wracking it was trying to not catch covid for a month prior to my last cruise, I decided three months would be impossible, so cancelled my option. Payment was in full. Imagine Flying long haul from Australia to England then not being permitted to board the ship! Would you take the risk in these times?

Sounds good. I'm going to try.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. I've have had an enjoyable Mother's Day weekend on the Sunshine Coast. Do they do anything special on Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday (UK) on cruise ships?

Thanks I thought so as I have one emailing me regularly

Happy Birthday. Love the cake. Was it fresh cream?

plus the risk of catching covid at the airports or the plane.

I don't like it. I feel uncomfortable tipping people. I also don't like the attitude of some people who expect preferential treatment when they tip in advance.. I also don't like when cruise lines say "no tipping" then leave a box for tips out as you leave. I think you have to be born to it!

Richie's Bakery Tewantin - What a find! We spent $50 on traditional Cornish Pasties, gourmet bread, cakes, slices, Portuguese tarts, and muffins. They are located at the back of a garage so not easy to find. richiesbakery.com.au

Impressive!

The visa rules are different for a port visit vs a land visit. I found, when I cruised from both places, the rules changed. I would check on your roll call to see whether any other Aussies have researched current visa fees, then use that as a start. Sounds like a great cabin and package - enjoy!

Belated Happy Birthday. I also always take left overs home much to my daughters' embarrassment. Did the pizza have a box? Some leftovers are easier than others, such as Chinese/Thai. You are lucky to live near your daughter and grandchildren. Is the dog still there?

Yes, you select the type and piece of steak which you want, from a glass cabinet, then they chargrill it for you, how you want it cooked..

Thank you. That is interesting. Being an Australian where the giving of tips is a foreign concept, I've always been fascinated with the custom.

Always thought it strange that you pay tips before you receive the service.

That steak looks like what you would get at a top pub here, eg Breakfast Creek.

Your birthday cruise New England/East Coast Canada sounds great. What is itinerary? eas