Aus Traveller

The pds brochure for ANZ Aust travel insurance specifically states that it covers COVID related claims.

I tried that but it didn't recognise the cruise we did years ago to Alaska on Carnival. If I really wanted to book a cruise on Luminosa I would contact Carnival to get the matter sorted out, but we have a beach holiday and two cruise booked in the next few months.

I totally disagree. There are many travel insurance options that cover both COVID and cruising.

While trying to make my dinner reservations for cruises on the Coral Princess, the Medallion app had timeslots every 20 minutes from 5pm to around 6.30. Then the next seating started with every 20 minutes from 7pm to 8,30. This is quite different from the old-style early and late dining that were at 5.30pm and 8pm. Now there is a lot of variability.

My comment about not being able to make dinner reservations before final payment was because this was information on the website. I am going to phone Princess again today.

The credit card insurance is much cheaper! Of course you have to qualify to get the card if you don't have one already.

We also use the ANZ card. You can get printed confirmation from Allianz that you are covered under their insurance. We also carry a copy of the pds with us so we know exactly what is covered.

I have been trying to book dining times. Apparently this can only be done after the final payment is made for the cruise, but at the moment, the Medallion app seems to be 'down', or at least the Dine My Way part isn't working properly. I have three Princess cruises booked and when I try to access the January one to book dining times, the Medallion app opens my June cruise every time I try.😠 I will phone Princess tomorrow and see if they can get it to work.

The complimentary travel insurance available with some credit cards covers both cruising and COVID. You just have to pay a certain amount of the travel cost on the card. This is $250 with ANZ and $500 with one of the other banks. This type of insurance could work for you if you don't have serious pre-existing conditions. Minor pre-existing can be covered after payment of a small amount ($70 for ANZ) for a phone consultation.

The semi-submersibles are better than glass-bottomed boats.

The drivers outside the port at Port Vila aren't tour guides and they certain aren't tour operators. 🙂

Our Pacific Encounter cruise (5th - 12th November) was the first real international cruise out of the Brisbane terminal. On our cruise to Cairns, there was no TRS available even though we went past Willis Island. This time the TRS facility was open. Rather than a table set in the walkway as it was at Portside, it is an open window with a counter and is immediately past the Border Force (passport) check. Turn right (into the dead-end space), rather than left as you would to board the ship. I hope that makes sense.🙂

Local tour organisers? I haven't seen any on our many visits to Port Vila. Outside the wharf area there are many market stalls and a line-up of vehicles for hire.

Are you sure you are not thinking of fireworks in Sydney Harbour?

I don't think the Vila dock has been up-graded since 2019. It was built a few years earlier than that and I don't think there have been any changes.

Did you fly into Indonesia and Singapore or did you go by cruiseship?

It is easier to see the Northern lights rather than the Southern lights. Fairbanks in Alaska is a good location. Southern NZ is the best place to see the southern lights, but there are a lot of factors that determine whether or not they will be visible. The lights are more visible in a year of solar maximum, the sky has to be dark (summer in the northern hemisphere isn't good), and preferably when the moon isn't in the sky. The next factor is luck - luck in whether there happens to be solar activity and luck with cloud cover. 😁

The proposed lockout in 17 Australian ports is due to come into effect in three days' time, that is on Friday. Talks will be held today so hopefully, this will avert the inevitable disruption to shipping.

When we docked in Port Vila last Thursday, there was no lack of order on the dock. There was the usual queue of taxis and vans lined up in an orderly fashion immediately outside the gates. It wasn't a scrum as we have been in the past. The market stalls were outside the gates this time and they had a covered walkway leading most of the way to the ship.

I don't feel it is the same. Aust passengers aren't charged a specific amount per day for gratuities. This is different from when we went on a Celebrity cruise and we were told we had to pre-pay gratuities at the stipulated amount. However, I agree that extra tipping isn't necessary.

The OP said they are going on the Coral Princess. There isn't an extra charge for gratuities. It is built into the fare. Crew on the Aust based Princess ships are not part of the tips pool.

I would possibly tip in coins on an Australian based cruise. The staff will go ashore at some time and be able to spend the money. Usually the reluctance with coins is that they cannot be banked in a foreign country and the staff on the ship wouldn't have an Aust bank account.

On Princess room service is free, but you can tip if you wish. Unfortunately our smallest notes are $5 ... This is a bit excessive as a tip for room service. The person who delivers room service is NOT the person who looks after your room. If you have your meals a bit later than usual, there will be fewer people.

Princess advised that is you are going on an international cruise where a passport is required, you must use the international vacc certificate.

We didn't go ashore in Noumea. We have been there a dozens of times. Cruises from Brisbane arrive mid afternoon or later (4pm on our cruise) and as we were docked at the container wharf, passengers had to take a shuttle bus to the cruise terminal. I cannot confirm that tours were available in the terminal, but I think it is most likely.