Aus Traveller

We were in Vila a few days ago - the first cruise ship back after the pandemic. Taxis and vans were waiting outside the port gates. I was surprised to see that they were in better condition than a few years ago. Having been to Vila many times, we just wanted to go to Fung Kuei duty free in the main street. The price seems to be set at AUD$5 pp either to town or back to the ship. When we asked about a taxi ride to Fung Kuei (not the drop off point at the closer end of town), a couple of drivers said they wanted people for a tour. I didn't ask prices, but it would be very easy. I suggest you ask if they have air-con, not the open window variety. By the way, the welcome as we sailed into Vila harbour was something to see. We had ten small boats just on our side of the ship. The boats were loaded with people dressed in green and gold and some with bunches of green and gold balloons. They yelled and waved as they did wheelies beside the ship. As we came into the dock, we could see a large group of women, once again dressed in green and gold, singing and waving. The President of Carnival (Marguerite Fitzgerald) was on board. She hosted a meal and drinks for the chiefs from Lifou and also the President of Vanuatu and his party.

We have hired a car a few times in Tauranga for the trip to Rotorua with no problems whatsoever. On each occasion the hire car or van was waiting outside the port gates and was very easy to find. At the end of the day, we were told to leave the car in the same area, lock it and leave the key with the security guard at the entrance to the wharf. We took photos of each side of the vehicle so we could prove (if necessary) that there was no damage. It wasn't necessary.

I don't think you would get any black looks. Would your 10-year-old go along with your suggestions on dress if you casually remark that she wouldn't want to be the one out of place? If all else fails, could she wear a long T shirt (like a short dress?) with her leggings.

On the Pacific Encounter last week, all the staff wore masks all the time from day 1. Passengers were asked to wear them in the theatre. I didn't see anyone except us wearing them!

I feel that Princess is a bit up-market compared with P&O. We have cruised twice in the last couple of months on the Pacific Encounter and found that P&O have moved up-market a little with their new ships. In the buffet (called the Pantry) I never had to queue twice for eggs and bacon and in fact if I had to queue, it was behind one person only. This was at peak times. The buffet isn't self-serve. If I wanted scrambled eggs, there was bacon available from the same server and bacon was also available at another couple of serving stations. At breakfast, pastries are available in a separate area that is used to serve desserts at lunch. Probably the main difference between the buffets of Princess and P&O are that on P&O, passengers have to get their own juice and coffee whereas on Princess, staff offer to get it for you. In the dining room, P&O change their dinner menu only once during a seven day cruise whereas Princess change the menu daily (with a few 'always available items'. P&O keep the same breakfast and lunch menu all the time. Comparing the MDR food, I feel that Princess is a little bit better than P&O, but there is nothing wrong with P&O. Princess has lobster and snails on one night but not on P&O. Two of the specialty restaurants on P&O (Angelo's and Dragon Lady) are excellent and they are included in the cruise fare. Luke Mangan's restaurant costs extra. On Princess, the specialty restaurants also have an extra charge. Wine - P&O charge around $10 less per bottle than Princess, but on Princess you can take your own on board. You pay $15 corkage (except for one bottle per person).

Serving people in the Pantry has slashed the incidence of Noro virus. As you suggest, it has probably helped reduce the spread of COVID. At the moment, P&O aren't seating people at shared tables in the dining room, but they can share tables in the Pantry.

Good. I have heard of people collapsing from dehydration when on a cruise ship. Sorry it happened to your daughter and hitting her head was another complication.

We just got off the Pacific Encounter. There was no indication that there was COVID on board.

I hope she is fine and that she has travel insurance.

I ordered the internet package prior to the cruise and had to pay by credit card. The rep said that it could not come off my OBC.

If you have to send documents, I suggest you photocopy them and keep the originals.

The whole train doesn't turn around, only the engine does. Passenger seats are on the same side going out and travelling back.

We have always drunk the tap water on every cruise line we have been on since we started cruising in 1983. BUT, on our cruise on Pacific Encounter in Aug-Sept I found that the water had a dramatic effect on my digestive system. So much so, that on our cruise that ended today, I bought six 1.2 litre bottles of water for the first time ever. I was fine until I had a limited amount of water at the dining table. After that, I took my bottled water to the dining room and everything returned to normal. That was a great relief.

Agreed and also hard to believe that the staff were prepared to toss someone else off the table. They should have told her firmly and politely that she would have to sit somewhere else that night, but maybe promise her the table the next night (if she got there in time).

The ship's shuttle bus takes passengers directly to the port. Staff there unload the suitcases at the luggage-drop area.

Where was the wharf in relation to the main shopping street?

I don't know that ships have ever operated by tender in Port Vila. The usual spot where ships tie up wouldn't be suitable for tenders as there would be no easy way for passengers to climb up onto the wharf. There isn't any tour infrastructure set up there - just markets that are a duplicate of the 'Ladies Market' in town. Tendering into the centre of town would make more sense. Cruise ships can't get there because the water is too shallow, but boats used as tenders could. There is also a jetty.

I thought the report last night about touting at airports was referring specifically to Melbourne airport. I don't know if it is happening at other airports. We have never encountered it, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.🙂

On our last P&O cruise they had a Gatsby, back to school and white night in addition to the formal night. But with no special activities on formal night, there didn't seem to be much point in dressing up.

Colin, don't bother taking your dinner jacket on P&O. They used to have a 'Cocktail' night - not drinks but a suggestion of a dress code. We were surprised in Aug-Sept to see that they had a 'formal night'. A few men wore suits, but there weren't any dinner jackets. Most people just wore what they did on other nights.

Congratulations. Enjoy the rest of the cruise. 🙂

But on a ship with 4,000 passengers and one positive case, it is likely you would never encounter that person.

Yes. I had a lot of problems with the Medallion, then later with the VeriFly.

At the moment - yes.

Geoff and Julie who have had experience with this said it is better to pay the extra few dollars when you want to order a more expensive drink. It is more cost-effective compared with paying the much higher price for Premium.