MMDown Under

When we cruised from Hawaii to Aust., we went to the local Op Shop to see whether they had any hawaiian shirts and muumuus. I was surprised to see a lot of Canadian passengers in the Op Shop also buying Hawaiian clothes for the cruise.

Australia has been long overdue of having its own Strategic Fleet. Australia is an island. When I think of countries like Norway which has ferries continuously cruising along its coastline, I'm amazed that Aust has left itself so vulnerable Optus is a recent example of leaving vital infrastructure to private enterprise. The foreign cruise ships, which come and go to Australian shores, can leave at any time. Are there any commercial Aust owned shipping in Aust.?

I read it as limiting the number of cruise ships touring the Kimberleys at the one time. There has been a large increase in the number of overseas cruise ships in the Kimberleys. Coral Expeditions is a small shipping coy based in Cairns. I was lucky to be able to cruise with them, as a solo, from Cairns to Darwin, when the ship was redeployed when cruising was banned in WA during Covid.

Yes you need special skills!

Thinking of you sweating in Bangkok. Forgot to mention, don't laugh if you take a tuk tuk ride, because you will burn your throat like I did.

No doubt there would have been a lot of confused Sydney people about Ovation's brief visit back in Sydney.

The things you discover when you read all the correspondence from cruise lines. Coral Expeditions Managing Director has recently been in Canberra discussing plans for Australian Strategic Fleet and the Review of the Coastal Trading Act, The WA Govt is going to implement Marine Booking and Capacity Systems for the Kimberley. Discover News Coral Expeditions This is good news long overdue.

One rule I follow - I don't eat those yummy bread rolls they bring around in a basket. Do they do that on Virgin?

Fine Print - One reservation per restaurant can be booked by the Ap prior to the cruise. One brunch can be booked on the cruise. Breakfast and Lunch don't need bookings.

I saw enough to I know I won't get hungry. In addition other choices deserve further investigation. .I'm a foodie. I'll have to get menus photo copied so I can enjoy perusing them. May even need a dictionary.

I still travelled. I just made other choices.

thank you I haven't seen the menus. lucky I've had lunch.

What wonderful memories of another era of Australian cruising. Chartered helicopter flight over the Harbour must have been impressive.

my restaurant bookings open on 28/11 for cruise departing 12/1. I'd like to do Nth Qld cruise again.

I laughed because it is a common question. BTW The airlines used to gather this information on passengers prior to arrival.

Says serves six to eight as a side.

Bon Voyage What are your ports out of Brisbane? I admire people who can book so far ahead. I just paid for January 2024.

Enjoy your time in Bangkok, which is such an interesting city. Your tour with free afternoons is such smart planning. Nice that the whole group is going. I hope you do a trip up the river, I want to go back again. I cancelled my last tour with a photographer, as Govt advised "do not travel". Tour still went ahead as locals don't worry about disturbances. I hope you have fully recovered. My daughter arrived in Manhattan on Thanksgiving, from Thailand, with a cold. She has already bought much warmer clothes and visited the chemist.

It is half price this month, cruise cost only, not taxes and insurance which are extras. Great special for a balcony cabin. I just did a quick calculation of mine solo balcony restricted view 8th deck $288 per night.

When I opened my ottolenghi simple cookbook it opened at sweet potato chips. Guess I should make them now!

Sorry I meant customer service to passengers where only one of the couple drinks.

Culture to me is measured by "am I prepared to pay for a flight and accommodation?" to see live theatre. We used to regularly fly to Melbourne and Sydney to see live theatre, prior to Covid. My daughter is currently in Manhattan. She has filled her slot of shows she'd like to see whilst she is in Manhattan. She also goes to Marie's Crisis, in Greenwich Village, where she sings along to Broadway tunes played on the piano in a relaxed atmosphere. Other people's culture is their love of ballet, orchestra, opera, etc.

Didn't they turn the graffiti into art?

Yes I think they should. Over the years, there were lots of ships I would have cruised with, if they had better minor maintenance scheduled.

So much for Customer Service.