Aus Traveller

On Princess, there is no problem taking bottles of water on board, even if they aren't factory-packed and sealed. We don't bother because we haven't had problems drinking the water on Princess ships. In our cruises pre-COVID on P&O we didn't have a problem either, but our recent cruises on Pacific Encounter have been a different story.

Maybe none of us have bought the 4-device plan because we don't need it. 😁 The one-device plan means that you can only use one device at a time it doesn't limit you to using one device.

The train trip is now much shorter than six hours. We went on it several years ago (the six-hour version) and were underwhelmed. The scenery is interesting but IMO, not spectacular.

You do not have to buy the internet for the whole cruise. I understand that you can pay for a day whenever you want it. I don't think it is possible to buy less than a day of internet. However, I believe this 'casual rate' will be at a higher price per day than if you pay for the whole cruise. At 50% discount for elite/platinum members of the Captain's Circle, I paid A$6.75 per day for the whole cruise. This was after quite a few hassles with the Princess call centre staff. I was told that the casual rate is A$10 per day and another version that it is US$10 per day but I am not sure about this. I suggest phone the Princess call centre of go onto the Live Chat facility.

No problem. Early in the COVID pause an engineer explained here on CC about cold lay-up and warm lay-up. I hope I have those terms correct. The ships did NOT have air-con turned off. The engineer said if they do that, mould will grow in the walls and other inaccessible places (as you say). That is why ships that the cruise companies intended to return to service, had crew on board so the essential equipment on the ships stayed in use.

Cruises out of the US, particularly in the Caribbean, are super-competitive. The cruiselines offer 'deals' to some people (maybe based on where they live) that aren't available to others. When you look at US prices they sound cheap, but fees and taxes have to be added to the fare quoted. As we know, in Aust all fees and taxes are included.

What do you mean by US passport holder rate, seniors discount and local port discount? I have compared prices on a couple of Australian-based cruises to see if Americans are getting a better deal. They aren't. In addition, they are charged the daily gratuities that we don't have to pay.

For some years P&O Aust have not allowed passengers to take any alcohol or any water on board. I believe it is because too many people were smuggling alcohol in water bottles. A small number of sealed cans of softdrink are allowed.

I think the military benefit is an 'American thing'. They regularly say "thank you for your service" when this isn't something I heard in Australia until very recently.

I don't know if Carnival provide free masks, but Princess and P&O do. They are the simple 'surgical' type.

Passengers usually have to get off the ship so they have a 'zero count' before the new passengers are allowed on. We have never had to take our belongings off with us.

Gratuities are included in the fare, but you can still tip at your discretion. 🙂

We always buy our duty free alcohol at Fung Kuei's in Vila. On our recent cruise, the duty free price on board was virtually the same as Fung Kuei, but the selection was very very limited. Alcohol purchased at duty free shops ashore are taken directly to the ship (you give them your cabin number). This is available on the last morning of the cruise.

I agree with those comments.

sorry to hear the difficulties you have with the tour in Rabaul. I would also be disappointed. We have been on numerous private tours and haven't experienced problems like this.

Not necessarily. Trans-Pacific cruises usually operate in US$ and gratuities apply. The WC leaves from Aust and returns to Aust and operates in AUD. Gratuities are included for Aussies and NZ'ers.

When you get into Melbourne's CBD (either by tram or bus), you can travel around the heart of the city on the free trams. Get on and off as much as you like.

The bathroom tap water is definitely drinking quality.

Thanks for your reply. We are all concerned. Please keep us up-dated on how Dennis is going.

Out of curiosity, I keep our test strips for quite a while so I could check to see if they changed over time. They didn't. Positive stayed positive and negative stayed negative.

Sorry to her you are so crook. How is your husband today?

Boarding time should be available 59 days prior to the cruise. Korky has explained how to do it. When you scroll down in 'Personal Information and Documents' go down to 'Suggested' to find 'arrival time'.

Me!!

I am so sorry to hear that your husband is so unwell. Best wishes to you both and particularly to him for a quick (and complete) recovery. 🙂

The RAT tests we have done have showed the same result even hours after they were taken.