MMDown Under

21 hours ago, Bubbeh said:

Don't think I could be even bothered packing a suitcase for 3 to 4 days.  Nothing less than 10 days and even then I'm not sure.

agree 11 days was perfect with accommodation both ends of cruise!

Heavy rain continues to batter North West Qld off the back of cyclone Kirrily.

six trucks had managed to get through to Mt Isa on Friday night via SA and NT to restock local supermarkets. Qld Govt approved Sunday trading so residents could stock up in case roads were cut again.

The Sunday Mail 4/2/24

On 1/28/2024 at 12:53 PM, OzKiwiJJ said:

The upper level of the library.

 

 

The spiral staircase in the library.

 

Oh what a beautiful library. Did you spend much time in the library.  I love well stocked

libraries on ships, especially the big books of

maps and big books on the destination and

attractions/peoples en route.  A negative of Resilient Lady was so few books it couldn’t be called a library, just a pile of books. However, There was a big room of puzzles and games, plus another room with games - two round ? On sawdust.  A bigger version shuttlecock was on deck outside.

Talk on the ship, when I was on board, was a move to shorter cruises.

There was concern about the rebels attacking ships in the Red Sea. ??
 

I am interested in a longer cruise from Singapore to Fremantle in November, 2024.

On 1/22/2024 at 2:34 AM, scomar said:

I am an experienced cruiser having sailed on multiple cruise lines. This will be my first Virgin Voyages cruise and am very excited about it, I have searched the forums but could not find the answers to the questions below. 

 

Is it best to take an Uber or taxi to the port? Does one drop you off closer than the other? We will be coming from South Beach after spending a couple days there ahead of the cruise. 

 

Are the cabins ready when you board? If not what time are they typically ready?

 

I have seen varied responses to the availability of mattress toppers on the forums. I could not find a definitive answer as to if you can request one from your cabin host.

There were no mattress toppers available on Resilient Lady

I always enjoy Australia Day in Melbourne 

I walked from the City to Government House Open Day.  You can tour the House, the Ballroom and gardens. CWA sells its popular scones with jam and cream.  Other charities like Lions and Rotary raise funds. The gardens are beautiful with the Kitchen Garden being my personal favourite.

Afterwards I  walked to the Sidney Myer music bowl which had aboriginal entertainment all day.  I was waited on and fed in the Elders Sitting area.  Afterwards I was assisted to walk up the Hill to a  shuttle to the tram.  I really enjoyed listening to the music and watching the dancing.

I finished the day at the beautiful Princess Theatre seeing Groundhog Day. An Aust Open bonus was Sasha won his semi final. A great day to spend Australia Day in Melbourne

On 1/10/2024 at 7:24 AM, NSWP said:

Nice meal Linda, lovely wine glass, Quality all the way..

 

I will be drinking out of a paper cup soon, with the packing being done re my move end of Feb, to Moruya.

Hi Les I’m assuming you sold your home.  Glad you are having the packing done for your shift to Moruya.  Professional packing makes a big difference to unpacking in new location.  Did you see resilient lady sail past?  I’m already planning my next cruise from

Singapore to Perth at the end of the year.  This cruise line will set new standards for other cruise lines in Australia.  It is so generous in every way - all inclusive - food 21 different eateries, free wifi, water, tea and coffee, generous time in port (2 overnights on my 11 night cruise), stays longer in port, great staff who all speak fluent English etc

I met a passenger seeking directions to Southbank from theatre last night. She was on Cunard which headed south rather than north because of cyclone. 

I bought wine in port in NZ. Ship stored wine and delivered it to my cabin the day prior to my departure.  I didn’t take any wine on board at embarkation. 

17 hours ago, datone said:

Apparently Princess is increasing the price of wifi from US $14.99 per day to US $24.99 for those that don't have packages and take the standard fare.   So US $10 per day or around $15 per day for us here in Aus.   A 66% increase which is steep.  This is if you take it for the whole cruise, otherwise US $30 per day for casual use according to the thread on the Princess board.  Makes you wonder if the next step is to increase the cost of Princess Plus and Premier.

Virgin wifi is free included!

Thank you everyone. Got as far as the Museum of Modern Art enjoying an

ice cold organic brewed ginger beer. Overlooking a huge ships? Of the seas

What is sydney temp? 38 Brisbane 

41 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

David Jones or Myers will have quality bags

Thank you. Are they at Bondi Junctfion?

46 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Enjoy

This is a happy ship crew and passengers.

Yes I’m adding to my large collection of luggage. This time I require quality wheeled domestic size hand luggage 

I will take it to NY in June for my half

birthday

Another big ship has already replaced us at OPT. Must be busy time for staff.  I was in last slot for Custom Clearance but got moved forward which was nice.

looks like a beautiful Sydney Sunday

I am on the ship to Melbourne. The sail in through the sailing boats was absolutely beautiful. I’ve never seen the Heads looking so  stunning.

the ship repositioned from OPT to the harbour at 4am.

i plan to ride the ferries today.

Les Are you on lookout for Resilient Lady as she sails past?

I have loved this outstanding cruise. Hard to cruise with anyone else. Im about to pay $300’

for my next cruise.   Food is outstanding so many choices 21 restaurants.  Only found yummy Icecream in a cone yesterday. 24 hr meals available from Diner and Dash in The Galley

break of day beautiful

Bathroom is well designed

glass door on shower

Two knobs for towels

two railings for towels

big bottom shelf with lip and rubbish bin

half top shelf

cake of soap

powerful flush for toilet with lid down

shower 

glass door. 
despite turning shower away from

door half Bath Mat got wet.

read how to operate shower before you turn it on. Information is there etched in steel so hard to read for Seniors. Make sure dial is set

for hand hose not big beautiful round shower head on roof

powerful water supply

ask for help with small clothes line to hang wet togs and undies.  Helps if you are tall.

once I graduated I loved this shower and bathroom

You can operate TV via small tablet in room.

channels

Good if you like US News - all Trump. Fox sports has US Sports for those who love sport

i did find the Australian Tennis Open -  Yes!!

Movies and series

live tv and music

room controls

entertainment

services

ps a passenger showed me how to turn it on!

Background I’m well travelled senior used to travelling independently.  I know how to research travel.  Eg in NZ I site is Govt Visitor Information, which you can trust.

Despite this, I found cruising on Resilent Lady

difficult.

Make Sailor Services on 5 your go to for answers to your questions. They are friendly and helpful.

i wanted to see the gannets colony at Cape Kidnappers.  I contacted the company. Their tour left too early for ship passengers but they told me the ship had a tour. Really?  Back to sailor services who kindly made booking for me.  Nobody at Shore Things at the Chart Room on 7 early!  Just a long empty red table. No advertisements of what exercursions are on today. You get the gist do your own research!  Btw my ship tour to Gannets was in Antarctica territory for being unique and so entertaining watching the birds and fluffy babies as big as their parents.

17 hours ago, mr walker said:

Just so we can all understand what caused the problem to be aware ourselves, what was the thing that initiated the problem? Did you incorrectly enter your PIN which started the chain of events ie needing to answer security questions etc? It seems unusual for the problem to occur in NZ.

 

Most are conscious of needing a fallback to our 'primary' card, without the need to carry large sums of cash. We have a debit card, and a travel money card as backup should something go wrong. I don't want to spend my holiday washing dishes if my card is declined 😮

 

Glad you were able to get through it with your daughter's help

A NY accommodation house put through a big advance US payment $$$$ twice in error. They realised their error and reversed their charge, but too late bank had already taken the money.  I received a message from family that my bank has now reversed charge.  Good to know but I’m not wasting anymore time on

matter until I return to Australia.

Please understand the three times my cc failed overseas were outside my control. I have travelled my whole life and know to  some take cash.

what compounds my problem is my phone is not turned on.  My daughter can use her phone overseas (? Special package!) so was able to phone Australia.

18 hours ago, beatleman said:

For those who are going to cruise on Resilient Lady, The Dock is a great place for Tapas. The Show called Persephone is also very good.

Thanks. I’ve been to most restaurants but not The Dock

2 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

I’m so glad. You will love it.  I don’t understand aps which has made life difficult, but staff are everywhere offering to help. I have just learnt the tablet which has news entertainment sports in it. It controls tv.! It also opens curtains sets mood lighting etc plus you can request services such as cleaning new towels etc. it is clever. I love the innovative Design best. 
breakfast is my favourite

The Galley on 15 has every choice imaginable 

My. Favourite is Noodle Around

Thai Curry Ramen

Chinese girls next to me enjoy Tonkotsu Ramen

it is nice when Galley is empty early.

I want to thank you for the restaurant recommendation - we ordered all the entrees.  Food and atmosphere were excellent. Caught 8pm ferry back from island.

Suggestions

Take two big square $10 cushions so you can see the view above the bar.

your friends are the tablet, Ahoy Ship Map and the red book

beautiful view of mountains to sea. Sun coming out 7am arrival 11 am Picton depart 8 pm

2 hours ago, SinbadThePorter said:

 

I'm getting on when you get back.

 

How is the internet?

Bon Voyage. Excellent but I use it off peak as you can see. However it may be excellent other times as well

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

I hope it has all settled down OK, and you are relaxed on the Branson Lady.

 

Personally, I couldn't carry a load of cash. I would be a nervous wreck for much of the trip. It was bad enough when I used to walk 400 metres from a shop to a bank with that amount of cash. I think there is a lesson for all of us to know about the pitfalls of credit & debit cards, and what to be wary of. I don't know what has happened for you, but there are things like:

Card being blocked when the issuer isn't aware you are overseas,

Not being used to using your pin with purchases, and not being able to recall the number,

Having pre-authorisation holds lingering on your card, affecting your available balance,

Bank apps linking cards to funds at home being inaccessible at a foreign location, or not being able to do 3rd party authentication without access to your home email or mobile number.

 

The holds can happen to anyone, and I agree you need some emergency cash, but I travel with a plan B emergency credit card as well. It is also important to tick all the above boxes before departing. Cash as a primary form of payment will be pretty much gone over the next decade.

When cash is no longer available I will stop travelling overseas!!

Two credit cards failed in London for different reasons.

This time it was a large hold put on twice in

error fixed immediately but too late!!

I failed answering both security questions 

Name of first car?

First house?

how one could fail either question is beyond me.  I still have my first car in my backyard to be used in Landscaping.

As for first house such a big unforgettable occasion. 

My daughter said it was because I replied Hillman Minx instead of just Hillman. ??

I spent hours just finding out how to call the bank in Aust from NZ

There is room for improvement by banks to improve their systems to be more user friendly to Seniors.  When my daughter said she was coming with me to Auckland for the weekend to see I got on the ship safely I laughed out loud.  Well she proved to be a life saver, even having to pay for our Auckland accommodation.  I discovered things I thought I had paid only had credit card holds on them.

when card was presented it was refused. Tried again a day ago and it still got refused.

im going into detail so travellers understand the potential pitfalls.

5 hours ago, Gwendy said:

I also travel on my own.  I always take at least two credit cards, just in case.  I would be reluctant to take large sums of money with me.  However I always take some local currency for places I will be visiting. I would be having strong words with my bank if this is a recurring problem.

Two cards both failed in London. I wear cash on my body (yha singlet with zip pocket).  In London my daughter made all my theatre bookings in Australia and I just picked up tickets at each theatre. I learnt I could use one of the credit cards up to 100’pounds without it being refused.  
Yes I’m going to open an account with a different bank as I’m going to New York next