lucymorgan

In case it helps when you are looking at options, there is a free tram zone where you don't need a myki card at all. Some of the attractions are walking distance from the tram stops. Here is some info https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/free-tram-zone

I tested positive after getting off quantum in November and dh tested positive a couple of days after me. I suspect I caught it on a bus tour/shore excursion because we spent hours on the bus and a lot of people were coughing. I am immunocompromised so was not really surprised despite taking precautions (masking, avoiding crowds etc). I didn’t catch it on an earlier cruise in August. I have decided to avoid long bus excursions in future.

I am sorry you have had to cancel your cruise but definitely understand. Despite being very careful on board, a couple of days after disembarking I caught covid and it seemed to be particularly virulent as in the following days my DH and mother and then my DD caught it. (DD was not on the cruise). I am also immunocompromised and have multiple health issues and qualified for the antivirals. I just wanted to mention that the anti-virals were very effective in my case - and made a huge difference within hours (from being unable to sleep lying down because of constant coughing to hardly coughing at all). I had another cruise booked for next week but cancelled that cruise because I did not want to risk reinfection so quickly. Here's hoping that this current wave settles down quickly as predicted by the experts.

I can see it fine. 🙂

Absolutely! The only reason most Aussies see a $100 note is when 'grandma gives you one for Christmas' or something like that. 😄

I usually carry a bit of cash but as others have said rarely use it. Especially since the pan**** most retailers and service providers actually prefer card or phone payment over cash and tapping is widespread. Good advice from others about checking international transaction fees and whether your cards will work here. For context about why Aussies don't like people to tip (unless they are the person being tipped) the national minimum wage is currently $21.38 per hour and if you are casual, you get at least 25% more than that. (This doesn't apply to teenagers and people under 21 though) My daughter works as a casual in a pet store and regularly carries heavy items out to cars but she would not know what to do if someone offered her a tip! People close to tourists would know but would not expect it - although if they heard an American accent they would be perhaps hopeful.

Thanks Geoff

The botanic gardens are an easy bus trip from the interchange close to where the ship docks. The people in the terminal can direct you. The bus cost us $6 for all day seniors passes

Your welcome. $2.80 for offpeak seniors fare is well worth it! "Off-peak special Members get a special offer of 23% off* one-way (Manly-Circular Quay, or vice versa, only) off-peak weekday and weekend fares. Over 60? You can now get a special offer of $2.80 on one-way fares during off-peak and weekend trips from Circular Quay to Manly, or vice versa."

If you (or anyone reading) happen to be an NRMA member they have an offer too on the Manly Fast Ferry https://www.mynrma.com.au/benefits/my-fast-ferry/opal-card

It might be a bit early to ask this question..... I recently went on my first p&o cruise (having done many cruises with other lines). I enjoyed it. I spent some time and a bit (but not a huge amount) of money in the casino and was surprised to then be sent email offers for very heavily discounted (😮) cruises. The first offer was for a number of last minute 9 day cruises for $200 per person (inside cabin). The second offer was for 3-5 day cruises for $100 per person (inside cabin). I've taken up one of these offers and upgraded my stateroom for an additional fee. According to some discussions on forums, these offers don't require big 'investments' in the casino and people who have only had one small flutter have received them. I have a friend who is shortly going on a princess cruise out of Sydney and we were wondering if princess has a similar scheme. If so, she might spend a little bit of time in the casino. Thanks for any info.

What a mess - hope it gets sorted out!

Interesting thread. Have you asked them if you get a new opal card can they transfer your balance or is it permanently gone? I had a temporary seniors opal while I was waiting for my permanent one and called them and they transferred to old balance to the new. (Oh and thanks for the warning)

I agree - it goes both ways. Australians have to pay for an ETA if they want to visit Canada too "Visa conditions Australian passport holders must apply for an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) before travelling to Canada by air."

lol - ooh you are correct - i met them off the train in Penrith so 1 hour from there with a stop for coffee!

As you have mobility problems I think a private tour is a good idea (except for cost). As well as the city sights, because you will be in Sydney overnight, you could consider spending the first day visiting the Blue Mountains https://www.australia.com/en/trips-and-itineraries/sydney-and-surrounds/blue-mountains-day-trip.html - it is only an hour out of Sydney and is ideal for a driving tour with spectacular views most of which are accessible (e.g. Scenic World has a funicular down into the valley and a skyrail https://www.scenicworld.com.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgO2XBhCaARIsANrW2X2KxY30F6dQmwCtbCXMUOQ1WXNAQMXc6t271EfKI0hGk61-LWqjsRMaAhZ7EALw_wcB) and there is a nice botanic gardens (https://www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden.com.au/). I took colleagues from Italy for a day visit to the Blue Mountains and they loved it - they called it the 'grand canyon with trees' 🙂 Then your second day could be spent in the city/on the harbour. I second the idea of a ferry to Manly - you will have great views of the harbour and you can walk (less than a mile) from the ferry terminal down the corso which is lined with pubs and restaurants to the surf beach. Sorry - like others I am used to navigating around Sydney independently so cannot recommend specific companies but the reviews should be pretty reliable. Have fun with your research.

Yes - we could handle the steps but not my mum. Thanks for the botanical gardens idea. I take it you build wooden boats? When I was a kid, my father built us a 125 sailing dingy from a kit and put 15 coats of varnish on it to get it as smooth as possible. (He was an engineer so you can imagine how much he liked precision!)

Thanks Jean C I've decided to ditch the hire car and the private tour ideas. Now we are doing a self visit to MONA (with taxi), followed by the walking tour you suggested on the first Hobart day as my mum can return to the ship after MONA. I've already purchased the MONA tickets as I suspect they may be in short supply when the ship docks and MONA is only open on the first day of the port visit (Quantum of the Seas). Then we will do a ship's excursion to Port Arthur on the second day (to ensure the ship waits if we are late back). Thanks everyone for the advice 🙂

thanks - i will look further into options. walking is fine for day 2 for dh and i (not for mum). any info about the kelly steps would be good. 🙂

Thanks everyone. I have pretty much decided to do 1 day private tour (possibly to Brunie Island) which is expensive ($900) but when divided by three is not too bad and the second day maybe a ship's tour for two of us or hanging around the city. That will of course add up to more than 2 days car hire but not by much. That way I won't have to do all the planning, driving, etc and mum can stay in the car if she doesn't want to do any of the more active things. 🙂

Thanks MMdownunder and Aussieflyer. I am looking at booking ahead (for November) and at Avis because it seems to be closest to the dock. My elderly mother is coming on the cruise with us so a hire car is a better option than excursions for 3. Cheers

Thanks - booking for the day was my next option. 🙂

Hi, I am doing a cruise which will overnight in Hobart and I am thinking of hiring a car for the two days. However, we would return to the ship overnight so I am wondering if anyone knows of secure overnight parking which is walking distance to the cruise dock in Hobart. I tried google but couldn't find any clear options. Thanks for any info.

I understand your concern bazzaw. I got the insurance online (search allianz travel insurance). Be sure to include the cruise pack. The online system asks you if you have medical issues and takes you through a detailed assessment. Your answers are then attached to your policy. I put 6 medical conditions in my part and 1 in my husband's part so also quite complex. The added cost for a domestic cruise was about $2-300. Of course I haven't claimed against their policies but I am reassured that Allianz is a well known name in the insurance business. I also tried qantas but they would only insure for some of the conditions through their online assessment which would leave me uncovered in the case of med evac. Like you, we could wear a reasonable cost but the med evac costs are what worries me as they can be significant.

Thought I would report back about which insurance I have obtained. Recap - I had cancer >12 months ago, treated by surgery and radiation and am on long term preventative treatment plus I have a raft of other health issues). I ended up going with allianz for domestic cover plus cruise pack for a queensland cruise - I rang and checked coverage really covered the cruise (and that I didn't need international). It does. They cover cancellation due to the insured people catching covid before the cruise and all medical treatment/evac etc including covid and all the listed medical issues (incl cancer). It cost about $200 more for the medical issues and I had to fill in a detailed online form. All up under $450 for 2 people for a 7 day cruise (plus one day travel beforehand). (edi: we are in our early 60s)