Aussiemate

Please don’t create a culture of tipping where it is not customary. It creates hassles for others travellers. I really get annoyed places where I visit and a tip is demanded cause they think I mam got be an American. Good to put the Australian flag.on my bad.

We have cyclones in Australia. When our towns are hit, they try to re-open for business as soon as they can because it is their livelihoods. They invite people back!

Cruise ships are pretty much self-sufficient, but bring passengers with much needed $$.

Check your closets; do you have good quality clothing,towels and bedding you aren't using? Lighten-up, pack-up and bring to hand out at port. Just find a local church on the island and it will be passed-on to some-one in need.

Cost $15 to bring to dining room. I like how Princess offers BYO wine. They will hold unfinished bottles for next dinner. We always bring some nice Aussie wines. Haven't seen recent price list for wines sold on board, but with paying $15 corkage we are well ahead.

I always Bring my own detergent and Bounce for the dryer. Some detergents are better than others for traveling e.g.. tide Pods; or prepare some yourself in zip lock snack bags. Put them in your luggage and keep the clothes smelling fresh.

Does the Royal Princess library contain travel guides and historic cultural info of the ports visited e,g, Lonely Planet Dominican Republic?

I have never seen a wine registry. Folks also bring on wine after shore visits - winery tours. In the Caribbean security may handle a bottle of rum after a shore visit with a wave through. Perhaps if you have familiarised yourself with security from running a muck, that might be a different story.

i have heard people bringing soda stream machines on so they can make any kind of fizzy beverage. Possibilities endless.

My understanding is that inside the port these are special taxis who have paid a premium to Carnival to enter their private port.

Perhaps try going outside the front gates or organise independent tour. Find out what the local taxi rates are and work what would be a realistic cost depending upon how many km the trip is.

If you take a taxi, agree with the driver on the fare before your trip starts, as cabs are not metered. You'll find taxis in Central Park in Puerto Plata. Write it on a piece of paper so no argue later. $1 US = < 50 DOP.

Cruise line passengers are extremely privileged. Why not get together and contribute to a gift of support for one the local mission agencies or development charities at a port of one of the desperately poor countries (e.g. Dominican Republic and Haiti) the cruise ship visits? In these countries, for many, the daily wage is just a couple dollars. Its not difficult to make a difference to somebody's life.

A lemon meringue pie in the face of QANTAS Airways Chief Executive Alan Joyce earned the pie-man a life ban from flying both QANTAS and Jetstar airlines.

If identified, I wonder what recompense these family's will receive from Carnival corporation.

Thanks for the reply.

We are including a Caribbean cruise on the Royal as part of our trip to Canada. We will have extra luggage e.g. Winter clothes we dont want brought to our room. Can these be put into onboard storage?

Most people in Dominican Republic live in poverty. 10% extreme poverty. Try to get beyond the cruise company's sales desk and their amber cove compound and spend your money directly into the community where it will make a difference to somebody's life.

There are many mission organisations working in the area. You can make contact with them. Some offer volunteer for the day programs. You can pack up underused quality bedsheets and towels from home and pass them on to these local initiatives who are often delighted to receive them. The kids need toothbrushes and toothpaste, not candy.

There are also local operators e.g. MarySol, highly rated on TripAdvisor who pick up just outside the compound.

I really like my coffee, so i use the AreoPress, 1 - 3 cup coffee and expresso. I always travel with the AreoPress whether work or leisure, Makes better coffee than available in most places.

Just need hot water, 75 to 80 degrees C.

And fresh ground coffee.

It is light and compact.

To clean just push out the grounds with the small filter into the bin without mess.