MMDown Under

Bon Voyage! Of course you are Queenslanders. Our local Gold Coast bus goes to Tweed Heads. In addition our Coolangatta airport is half in NSW.

Those clouds look threatening!

Hard to let a practically free cruise pass you by. I feel your disappointment. I was in shock, after going through the whole booking process, to learn that I wasn't eligible. I thought I just had to join Carnival. Saw no mention of previous cruises on Carnival from anyone.

Congratulations to everyone who have booked a solo cruise, at a bargain price. Unfortunately I wasn't eligible for the special offer because I haven't cruised on Carnival previously. However, I have joined Carnival. If ship isn't full in December, maybe they'll change their mind.

Has no-one else booked the bargain cruise fares for Nov and Dec., for past passengers, on Luminosa?

Reykjavik - Reykjavik le Commandant Charcot Luxury cruises for a truly unique travel experience. au.ponant.com

Recommend you don't go on this ship if you have a number of children. Better to go to Dreamworld, Movieworld, Seaworld, etc on GC without cost of cruise. Broadwater Parklands at Southport is free.

We travelled around southern Japan by train, a wonderful experience. My younger daughter did Japanese at school, which was a help.

We come for a different era where we provided for ourselves and didn't expect Government handouts. My pensioner grandmother used to pay people who came around looking for work in the depression. I saved up when I was planning to have children and paid $30,000 into my superannuation (and lost the lot, but later recouped the money when Stockmarket improved).

CTMA VACANCIER - Montreal to Magdalen Islands return. This was one of the best cruises I've ever been on and I would love to repeat it. Of the three themes, We chose food for obvious reasons. The music was food for the soul - Arcadian and French The cruise itself was very scenic.

When you go back for another Tauck Land Tour, combine it with that fabulous French cruise from Quebec. I keep a travel diary also.

You were lucky your leaf peepers cruise was at Fall's Peak. Oh I love the fall in New England and Canada. My girlfriend in Upstate NY sent me photos of colourful foliage on the trees in her yard. It is hard to pick best date for viewing. We have driven through New England to Canada - one glorious village after another. Bethlehem rings a bell! Tauck land tour must have been superb, Were did they go in New England?

Which cruiselines allow smoking on balcony. That would be worse than hearing talking.

Thank you for all the information you shared.

Some places have so much rain, I always assume it will be raining. Then I'm pleasantly surprised when there are sun glimpses. I have a beautiful rain jacket which I bought in London, It is in my overseas box being too hot for Queensland, but recently came in handy during my five week wet and cold visit to Sydney. Twice when we visited the South Island, it was dry and dusty, not my mental picture of NZ. Like your experience, Everywhere talk of drought. North Island has always been lush and green, hence my favourite part of NZ

Ships used to be a thing of beauty. I attend the bi-nnual wooden boat festival in Hobart, Now some ships have gotten so huge they look like container ships with tiny cages. Can you hear people talking on their balconies on either side or above and below? I have only had experience on a big balcony upgrade, with room for lilows, chairs and table.

Your Aussie adventure in 2024 will be something nice to look forward to. Agree it is best to cruise with lines you enjoy. After an experience on a 3,000 passenger ship, I decided to cruise less frequently on small ships. i hadn't heard of an "infinite verandah".

Interesting Why are bubbles and Rose and Moscato so expensive? Are they all sweet wines. I dont drink but I do like Brown

When are you planning to visit Australia/NZ, Lyle? Prices are cheap at present. Have you cruised with Carnival? They are offering great deals to cruisers who have cruised with them previously.

Yes beautiful roses were up the top, with gravestones further down the hill.

The Beehive Executive Wing Wellington Parliament is very interesting to tour.

You can walk down through an interesting old graveyard, showing gravestones for whole families - so sad!

Enjoy your freedom! Have a good shopping day in port.

I'm so sorry you got ripped off. It is the principle. No-one likes to be overcharged! I had walked the distance, so knew it shouldn't cost much. Taxi off taxi rank, charged $21, whilst it should have been around $10. The story ended up having a happy ending. I asked a man in my building for a taxi recommendation for my return trip to the railway station. He said he only uses uber and ended up driving me to railway station and wouldn't take any money. He said you remind me of my mother and I couldn't charge my mother any money!! Made my day! What a lovely man!!