Rosee

Thanks for your reply valantine80.

However we have already returned from this cruise (see post was in 2018).

We did take the ship's shuttle to Anzac Square, then walked down to Riverside where we caught the ferry across to the other side of the river. Unfortunately we got off at the Maritime Museum wharf and then had a longish walk to the Museum. We should have gone to the next wharf (nearer to the Goodwill Bridge) before alighting the ferry.  Badly named wharves we think !!!

On return, we retraced our steps from a South Bank 3 wharf closer to the city, over to North Quay, where we changed ferries to go back to Riverside. Those ferries are a great way to get around Brisbane!

Much enjoyed the Maritime Museum. In my opinion , it is the best one we've been to......beats Fremantle and others hands down.

Thanks again,

Rosee

I met a passenger off the shuttle at Anzac Square in Ann Street, Brisbane. There was a small tent with tourist people offering maps and assistance. The bus returned to the wharf from the same place. We walked along Ann Street to the beautiful Roma Street Parklands, then across the bridge to Southbank (Museums and Art Gallery, etc). Returned to the pick up point by ferry to Eagle Street, then walked back to Ann Street. The Maritime Museum is at Southbank.

Thanks MMDown Under.

Looks like it will be a taxi from the ship. We have been into town before and around Southbank, but it is quite a walk from there to the Maritime Museum as I remember it.

:):):):)Rosee

We will also be on Sea Princess at Fisherman's Island wharf in late October.

Am also interested in the shuttle.......where does it take you to in the city and can you get off along the way, like at the Maritime Museum?

Does anyone know if the shuttle's route passes near to the M. Museum, otherwise we will need a taxi, I guess.

Thanks for any help here,

Rosee

Hello listers,

Can anyone who has recently cruised on Sea Princess, tell me if the licensed ship MODEL sold on board, reflects the 'sea witch' blue wavy monogram that was added to the hull on the bow during its last drydock?

Do hope so......

Thanks in anticipation,

Rosee

As seen on Ch 7 News from west of the Bridge, beginning at 6pm, Voyager was framed neatly under the Bridge.

Then not long after, on a different view looking towards the Quay from near Milson's Point, she was back in near the wharf again.

She stayed at the wharf for a while then backed out again around 6:30pm.

Must have been someone or something off loaded, or maybe on loaded, I would think.

Always feel so sorry for a passenger who takes ill, just as the ship is sailing. All that build up of excitement leading up to a cruise, only to be cut short, before it even starts.

Hope all is OK onboard.

Rosee

Forgot to mention......another friend on the same cruise went with the ship's excursion in a four wheel drive and they basically followed us to the various spots. He said afterwards he felt he should have come with us instead as his trip cost twice as much for him but he saw exactly the same things!

Rosee

I organised a KI excursion in Nov 2014 with "Adventures Beyond" for a full day's trip around the island for 16 people. We saw all the places already mentioned. The coach was waiting at the tender arrival dock when we arrived there. We were lucky to be one of the first tenders to go ashore, after a quiet word with the ship's organiser. The afternoon tenders were also cancelled because of the swell, and we had a bumpy ride back to the ship.

I cannot remember all the details, except that this company did agree to refund some of the fare if we failed to make it to shore. They only wanted a small amount to cover their cost of ferrying the coach(es) across from Adelaide on that day.

Can highly recommend this company and the coach driver was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable.

Hope this helps,

Rosee

Thanks to all responders to my original post.

It looks like you are all on the right track re TA's and Rail/Cruise operators locking in blocks of cabins waiting for their bookings to come rolling in.

Meanwhile us private passengers who want to organise their own holiday plans are either forced to use a TA or other operator, or cannot make plans ahead of the time that unused cabins become available again, when it is usually then too late to make the necessary other bookings to fit in with the cruise.

Unfair.......YES!

Rosee

Am I being naive ?

Can anyone else believe that ALL cabins, in ALL categories, on ALL of the next FOUR cruises from Fremantle to Sydney are completely SOLD OUT !!!

These cruises sail between 19 October 2017 (can believe that one) to 23 March 2019, with two in 2018.

What is going on here Princess?

I rang Princess to check and the operator said that the cruises out of Fremantle sell out quickly......but I cannot believe they already have something like 10,000 bookings already made for those cruises.

What do other members think ?

Sorry for the capital letters, but I am infuriated that my holiday over to Fremantle cannot be booked because I cannot get a cruise home to Sydney. :evilsmile:

Rosee

We did the ship's excursion (Holland America) to Australia Zoo in 2014. Felt the tour was too rushed......definitely could have spent more time at the Zoo , which is well worth seeing.

We were then taken to a town for a very quick lunch (only enough time to find somewhere to buy it and then back to the bus for a stop off to view the Glasshouse Mountains in the distance.

In my opinion, which I also mentioned in my feedback to the company on departure, was that this tour would be better if the whole time was spent at the zoo, where lunch is available.

Recommend seeing Australia Zoo if you get the chance.

Haven't been to Lone Pine Sanctuary, but heard good reports about it.

Enjoy your trip,

Hi Womble99,

I have some photos of the aft mini on Sun Princess both from outside and inside. I cannot post them (too hard !!!) but if you send an email to <bevdavis8@optusnet.com.au> I will email them to you.

Hope they help,

Rosee

Welcome to CruiseCritic nix1016.

Hope you will find great advice on here as I always have.

There is another possibility which may not know about, and that is to pay your account, either in USD or AUD, whilst still onboard BEFORE you disembark.

This is what we do every time, usually on the night before we disembark, we go to the Services Desk and pay the account in full. In USD on RCI and AUD on Princess.

The only time we have been caught out, is when a mini bar expense had not been added to the account when we paid it, so a very small cost was needed to be paid for by our credit card.

I agree with KAYTO about letting your own bank do any conversion required rather than RCI.

Hope this helps,

Rosee

Yes Docker123....That's her!!!

Would still like an original photo, but she might do for the time being.

Many thanks for finding her.

Rosee

Thanks anyway Applefloss.

I really do appreciate the time and trouble you've taken for me.

I'll keep my fingers crossed but if we can't get a photo, then we can't.... (just yet).

Thanks again,

Rosee

Thanks OzKiwiJJ et al for your replies.

You've given me hope!

Rosee

Can anyone please advise when OBC (on board credit), applied as part of a sale promotion booking, first appears in the booking account.

I have asked RCL 4 times so far and still not received an answer or any OBC in my account, even after full payment has been made.

Look forward to any answers, especially those which might alleviate my concerns,

Rosee

Just found this on a TV guide website :

Natalie Gruzlewski takes a behind the scenes look at Australia's newest and largest mega liner, the Explorer of the Seas.

Rosee

Hi everyone,

I understand that Explorer of the Seas will be featured in a new program next Thursday (28 Jan '16) on Channel 90 at 7:30pm called 'Australia's Mega Cruise Ships'.

No further details at this stage, but I guess more will come to light as they begin promoting the show.

Not sure if it is a 'one-off' show or (hopefully) a series.

Could make interesting viewing!

Rosee

No special time required, Applefloss.

Whenever it suits you, is fine!

You can email the photo(s?) to <bevdavis8@@optusnet.com.au>

Thanks again,

Rosee

Thanks Applefloss,

I am after a photo of the figurehead off the sailing ship "Countess". She is a lady at full stretch, right arm outstretched in front, wearing a crown (of sorts).

I read in a book they have the figurehead there, but she is not showing on their website of figureheads.

If it is not difficult for you, I would certainly appreciate a photo.

Glad to repay the favour with any photo(s) you might like from here in Sydney, now or in the future.

Thanks for your reply,

Rosee

Appreciate your offer Womble99, but that is a long way to go just for a photo. If you were going anyway.....but keep me in mind if you do get there sometime.

Cheers,

Rosee

Thanks MicCanberra.

Not there either. Have seen that website and thought it should have been there. Even emailed the museum but they haven't replied to me.

Maybe they no longer have it, or it's being renovated or something putting it off limits.

Thanks for your trouble anyway,

Rosee

Thanks kent05,

Great photos on that website, brought back a lot of memories, but unfortunately does not have the one I want. I've searched the internet for it to no avail.

Will keep trying,

Thanks again for your interest,

Rosee

Hi,

Is there anyone living near to, or visiting soon, the Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide.

I was there on a cruise recently and saw the figurehead of the sailing ship "Countess". Didn't take a photo then, but now find I need it.

If you can take a photo for me, I would be very grateful.

Any takers, please reply here and I'll give you more details etc.

Thanks in hope.....

Rosee

Hi to all,

I organised a private tour to the 12 Apostles along the Great Ocean Road last year, when the Volendam had an overnight stay in Melbourne.

That overnight stay was probably the main reason for taking that particular cruise so that we could do the Great Ocean Road.

We departed the ship (picked up at the dock) around 9:30am and did not return until 11pm that night!

Around 25 or so others were in my group and all were delighted with that tour, some even saying it was the best tour of the entire cruise.

We went out along the Great Ocean Road with stops along the way, arrived at the 12 Apostles around 4:30pm, great scenery even then, as it was summer (November). Had tea at Port Campbell, included in the tour price, and returned via the inland road.

Could highly recommend this trip, PROVIDED you have an overnight stay in Melbourne.

Would not attempt it if only staying for the day on a cruise. Our tour was not rushed and visited a number of other places along the way. Great memories!

I have seen reports of other cruises now stopping on the other side (western)of Port Campbell, with the advertising saying 'so that you can visit the Great Ocean Road'.

Our tour was with "EscapeDiscoveryAdventures" in Melbourne. Can highly recommend them, even if not on a cruise.

Rosee