MMDown Under

This was on Carnival's Luminosa. Prior to fridges, a bucket with ice was provided.

From the buffet beside water, coffee and tea. My mug had a lid, so I didn't spill anything.

I kept a tall container of ice in my fridge to help keep it colder.

Wow enjoy! Spare a thought for interstate passengers who used to have to fly to Sydney to join a cruise or an international flight, plus accommodation overnight. Now we share the joy of flying overseas direct from Brisbane or to join a cruise from the Brisbane Cruise Terminal.

Yes my GP confirmed this.

When I joined I tried Down Under because that is what my overseas friends call me. There was already a Down Under so I changed mine.

Do cruiselines have day trip excursions for Brisbane? I think Brisbane is a beautiful city with a lot to offer day visitors. (Botanical Gardens (city and Mt Cootha), Roma Street Gardens, Southbank, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum, Art Gallery, Modern Art Gallery, State Library, Museum of Brisbane, Newstead House and US War Memorial, Qld Maritime Museum and that is just the city.

whitsundaytransit.com.au It used to be the main public transport to Shute Harbour for the ferries to the islands.

Whitsunday local bus service goes to Shute Harbour.

I spent forever on line. Eventually when I got through it said no availability at that price.

jetstar.com virginaustralia.com which airline are you flying to australia with?

Were you allocated 5 pm dining? 5 pm is too early, especially after a port visit, What time is late sitting?

I think it is wonderful that you made friends on a Circle Pacific cruise who you still meet regularly even though it is 250 km round trip to do so. My family members stay with my two American friends, who I met through travel.

Carnival's Luminosa is returned to Australia from Alaska via Japan, which will be an interesting change from the South Pacific.. I'd like to do a Circle Indian Ocean on an affordable ship.

You should have told them the truth. One doesn't need to make a fuss, but your steaks should be edible!

Wow 10 metre seas!! Every time I read of such seas, I'm reminded how lucky we were to have calm Drake.

Great route to fly avoiding LAX. Hawaiian people make long distant stopovers more enjoyable. We did that once en route to Hawaii (Big island), as it was less expensive. At one stage, I looked at flying to Alaska via Hawaii. I learnt to make the flights part of the holiday, When I used to fly with Air NZ, we stopped at all the South Pacific islands on their routes to USA/UK.

I heard from my friend in Wellington. They will miss Napier and Tauranga, with the next port of call, the Bay of Islands. They got into all the Sounds as it was quite calm. No rain on port days.

That is a good idea. Last boarding on my Luminosa cruise was from 2-2.30 pm for 4 pm Sunday departure. Would be cutting it too fine to fly in on the day.

Cyclone Hale (Hay ill) named by Fiji Met Service

A girlfriend of mine is currently on Coral Princess. I hope she doesn't get caught up in Cyclone Hale, as she is someone who has to have a needle to stop sea sickness.

Not an Aussie/Kiwi!

I have coped very well travelling overseas all my adult life, until the pandemic. When I cruised overseas, the cost was the currency of the country the cruise was cruising from (not US$).

For a number of years, I have flown EVA Air overseas. Business class north from Brisbane to London via Taiwan, with enough time in Bangkok for a shower and delicious tropical fruit/food of your choice. From London/Europe, there are endless cruise possibilities, in all price ranges.

That is a good time of year for a trans Pacific cruise. Wet season is November to April (Tahiti). Hurricane season in Hawaii is June to November.