Aus Traveller

The only difference from our cruises late last year is that we now need a photo ID with the RAT. We photographed each of our RATS separately so will continue to do the same (but now including a pic of our passports).

The terminal had to be built in an area of the river that could be reached by large cruise ships and where it was wide enough for them to turn around. When the terminal was opened, it was announced that the walkway to the ship is 350 metres long. I calculated the various distances as I walked and reckon that is correct. I felt it was a long way and maybe it could have been designed somewhat better, but the design had to allow for tidal variation.

Yes, but how often? Maybe there will be a shuttle bus to Airlie Beach.

thanks for that extra info.

I am dubious about tenders using Shute Harbour but I do not know for sure. The Port of Airlie has a fairly new cruise terminal and infrastructure not available at Shute Harbour. The latter is nothing but an embarkation area for cruises to the reef.

Most businesses and market stalls in New Caledonia and French Polynesia want Pacific Francs, although a couple of stalls in the cruise terminal in Noumea have accepted AUD in the past. The currency is Pacific Francs not the Francs used in continental France, but this currency would probably be acceptable. In Fiji and Samoa we have used AUD in the past. Maybe you aren't going to Pago Pago (American Samoa). The currency there is US$.

I agree with the comment, but I am pretty sure your coffee/creamer mix would be OK. Chocolate could also be considered a milk product - it is quite OK.

Coffee would be OK. Raw (unroasted) coffee beans probably not.

I am pretty sure that the Adelaide/KI itinerary you mention does not go outside Aust waters therefore there not be any duty free available.

We were on the Coral in June/July and go again on the ship next week. All you need to do is use a RAT test at home within 24 hours of the cruise. Place the test strip on a sheet of paper on which you have written your name and beside a clock or the screen of your phone showing the date and time. Photograph this with either a camera or another phone. This proof of your negative RAT has to be up-loaded onto the Medallion app. Don't worry if you can't do this. You will be assisted at the terminal. Do NOT take the RAT test strip with you to the terminal as it is a bio-hazard. You should have with you a printed out copy of your vaccination status. This is available from your MyGov account (Medicare). If you have any further questions don't hesitate to ask.

Which cruise line are you travelling with? Most only require a RAT test (not supervised).

We drink white wine and took our waiter's recommendation. I think it was called 'Blue Sand'. We really enjoyed it. Angelo's has a different wine list. We had the de Bortoli prosecco. It was quite good.

We have been on the Pacific Encounter, not the Explorer, but it is likely the answers to your questions will be the same. Dining - I am sure I was able to select a dining time. It is either early (5pm-5.45) or late. When we got to our cabin there was a letter showing our dinner reservations but it was very easy to change them. On the Encounter, the (free) specialty restaurants are Angelo's and Dragon Lady. Angelo's was excellent. We didn't try Dragon Lady. The MDR (Waterfront) menus for breakfast and lunch didn't vary in our seven-day cruise. The only indication I can give you on prices is that bottles of wine started at AUD$36. Australian power points - yes. I don't know where you can find the cost of things on room service, but there is a charge for everything. Kettles are not provided on Australian cruises. You could order a jug of hot water from room service an hope it is hot enough when you receive it.

There would be no problem with non-prescription items in plastic bags in your check-in bag. I have to mention that on one cruise my husband insisted on taking a large container of fish oil capsules - too much trouble to count out what we would need for a 47 night cruise. There was quite a lot over when we returned to Aust. This was picked up when our luggage was X-rayed so we had to open the bag and explain what these little capsules were. Of course, that job was left to me!

Is Melbourne an embarkation port (for some passengers) for this cruise? If so, you would be able to take a suitcase on. If it isn't, you would have to take the bag on board yourself and put it through the scanning machine they use for passengers coming back on board after a day ashore.

I refer to Jean's post above. When we have entered Aust with food items I have a list showing the items and where they were obtained. The items were in my hand luggage for inspection as needed, but each time, the Quarantine Officer simply looked at the list and said it was all OK. There were no meat items or honey.

We haven't found the 'quarantine' long - it is different from the 'something to declare' line. Often we have found we get through faster if we have an item for the quarantine officers to check out. BTW, you also have to declare any wooden items. They will be checked by Quarantine to see if they carry wood borers.

I agree that products such as cookies (with eggs in the mix) would be OK. I have brought this type of cookie into Australia when it was given as a gift just before we came home.

As Geoff said - sealed packs, but you must declare on your incoming passenger card that you are carrying food. You probably know that you cannot bring any meat products. I suggest that you have these snacks in your hand luggage (if you have space) in case the quarantine officer wants to look at them. If they are in your checked luggage, the food might be detected by a 'sniffer dog'. Then you will have a delay while the issue is sorted out. If you don't declare the food on your incoming passenger card, you can be fined and also have the items confiscated. Declare it and you will be treated courteously and it will all be sweetness and light. 🙂

For the first few cruises out of the new terminal, there weren't many taxis, but now there are. When we disembarked from our November cruise there were around eight taxis waiting for passengers. We disembarked early. As the morning progresses, new passengers will be arriving in taxis that will then we available for disembarking passengers.

We went on three cruises in 2022, the first one very soon after cruising re-started in Australia. Two were on P&O and one on Princess. We didn't experience any 'teething' problems or anything else associated with new staff issues.

That would be a good idea.

At least they will have to present a negative COVID test if they want to go on a cruiseship.

Interesting that Chinese tourists are arriving now. I still think requiring a COVID test on these tourists is the way to go although I agree with your comment about Nick Coatsworth.

chengkp - Thanks for your detailed explanation. It is very interesting.