MMDown Under

The station hands make sure you are on the right train. I was fortunate that my train from Parramatta arrived at the same platform as the Circle train which goes to all city stops, including circular quay, then continues to Domestic and International Airports. Wheeled luggage has made all the difference. I couldn't carry luggage. I have a small backpack for hand luggage and a purse which goes over my neck to keep my hands free. I hope for more independent travel.

Bon Voyage to Luminosa cruising from Brisbane to GBR today. Being the first GBR cruise, We look forward to your comments on your return.

Yes! I am back at the GC. Had a Cat Scan on Thursday. I had gotten to the stage of choosing beween GC and Prince Charles Hospitals. Fortunately, I got good results and my bp was down. Now I can concentrate on cruising. My daughter followed the instructions to allow me to log on, as I've been unable to log on. Hope you are feeling better Les and you got your entitlements sorted.

For those who don't know, the Train provides station hands to put a ramp for you to pull luggage on to train, over the gap. They phone ahead to Central Station to have a ramp waiting there, then, in my case, they had a ramp at Parramatta Railway Station. Makes travelling with luggage easy, even for a senior woman like me.

Brisbane will be the looser if the small ships choose to cruise elsewhere, which they have done.

Happy New Year to all passengers on this cruise.

Even for people like me who didn't want to retire, it is amazing how quickly you wonder how you ever found time to work. I figure if you were a busy person when you worked, you remain a busy person retired. I miss Public Holidays! Congratulations on your retirement, Lynne.

Not to me it isn't! It only takes one positive person close to you to spread the virus, which is why we wear masks.

$300 for two seems expensive to me to not include entry to the Sanctuary.

Three upmarket small ship cruiselines (Oceania Regatta, Seven Seas and Viking) have advised their passengers that they have cancelled their planned visits to Brisbane, because Portside Cruise Terminal at Hamilton is ceasing activities. Why, when there is obvious demand for a small ship cruise terminal in Brisbane? Viking's ocean fleet consists of ten ships (930 passengers) and they are still building. Brisbane can't afford to turn away ships of this calibre. And there are others. I noticed Azamara called at Cairns, passing through en route to SEAsia. Portside was purpose built as a cruise ship terminal. It has shops to browse, small supermarket, cafes and a cinema. It is close to accommodation and is walking distance to the Council ferry in to the city. The Government has questions to answer on the proposed closing of Portside Cruise Terminal to small shipping.

I wouldn't book any tour which didn't provide refunds if the ship doesn't dock! Kangaroo Island is a big island, with distances long. Suggest you pick one area of particular interest and focus on it, otherwise you spend too long on a bus. It takes two hours to just cross the island.

If the food looks good and the reviews are good, I would eat there for the unique location. When I go to the Opera House, I always have a coffee and a bite to eat at their outside cafe with view of bridge walkers.

I had no idea what .4% was. Why not advise the number of positive passengers?

Which wouldn't be good for keeping a distance as recommended for Covid.

Channel 9 news showed Quantum of the Seas berthing at Brisbane, 1/11. They also showed film of passengers enjoying the sun, taken by a passenger. The number of passengers with Covid was secondary.

Yes, I saw that. I think the length of the cruise made it a higher risk for covid.

Congratulations another cruise! Which islands? What a bargain! I wonder if they celebrate Anzac Day on Carnival?

No i wasn't eligible unfortunately

That is a shame if you have cruised with Carnival before. I just flew back from Sydney to Brisbane on Friday and there was no talk of flight cancellations.

Channel 10 showed Carnival Luminosa in Brisbane Port.

at least they get a public holiday in Melbourne

Day 13 - Darwin on 29/10, including chartered flight to Uluru DAY 14 - At Sea on 30/10. This is my dream circumnavigation, when I down size!

Bon Voyage! This should be a special cruise celebrating both Christmas and New Year.

This is a nice time of year for GBR before it gets too hot. Bon Voyage!

No, I was trying for December. I have just returned from five weeks in wet and cold Sydney. I live in the Northern Gold Coast, but used to do regular drives in Northern NSW prior to Covid. Bon Voyage.