joybook

While I have not had to make a claim and that is the only real way you can judge, for quite a while now I have been using InsureandGo. Age is not a problem and you can get cover for pre-existing conditions. I have found their prices quite acceptable. 

Can someone please help me here. Previously anything I had accessed or read on the site was then highlighted in RED font (the headings I mean were in RED). It was very handy but now that does not seem to be the case. Does anyone know how I can fix this (if it is possible).

I just ask myself. Why was there a need to change. It all seemed pretty good to me previously. I just hope it is not some marketing guru on the prowl again. I have never had any time for marketing gurus. It just seems to be change for the sake of change.

Can anyone with experience of the situation advise me. If you say you do NOT want an upgrade, does that also tell Princess you do not want to be offered an upsell offer? I always say that I do not want an upgrade for the reasons mentioned above, but I would like to consider upsells.

Always ask for the reduced fare. They can only can no you don't qualify, but ALWAYS ask. I have had wins several times but I have not experienced this cruise line.

Even though we have cruised many times with Princess we have never been offered an upgrade or upsell. A friend was given an upgrade on their very first cruise with Princess. If you mark your booking 'do not upgrade' does that only indicate to Princess that you do not want it done automatically or does it also tell them that you do not want to be OFFERED an upgrade or upsell?

Thanks relaxatsea. We are looking at staying at the Icaro suites for a couple of days after our Coral Princess cruise in January 2020. It looked quite good, a good location and reasonably priced.

We did a ship's excursion. The penguins will meet you at the dock. You literally land amongst them.

Rather interesting to see Golden Princess going to P & O. We did South America (LA to BA) a couple of years ago on Golden Princess and it was interesting to see that on the bow of the ship it was once a P & O ship anyway.

Yes a good itinerary and would be a great cruise. Would love a different ship though. Having done Bora Bora and Morrea on the Hawaii round trip from Sydney cruise I would be quite happy not to do them again.

Can't answer which time of the day may be better but we did the morning one a year or so ago (in late December) and would not have missed it for anything - great experience - literally tens of thousands of penguins. While there is a roped off walkway and you are expected to remain on the walkway, the penguins don't seem to take too much notice of that and are always walking around with you. Don't miss the experience.

We did LA to BA about 2 1/2 years ago and found the internet surprisingly acceptable. Yes there were one or two times for an hour or so when there was no connection but overall pretty good. We both had Platinum minutes (I think it was 500 minutes each) so that certainly helped as far as time on the internet goes and it was sufficient for us.

Can't say anything from experience because I have never been on one mainly because I am told that they are little more than booze cruises. Doesn't appeal to me.

Our experience is that you have to book very early for South American cruises as they book out quickly. We booked a month or so ago for our cruise in January 2020 and cabins are already very limited in number.

Personally I would welcome checks of carryon luggage. I am astounded sometimes when I see the size and weight of some of the carryon luggage that is taken on board flights these days. You get a little tired of these passengers hogging all the above head locker space. While I realise that not all passengers are at fault, unfortunately it is becoming more and more the norm.

I'm not sure how you solve the problem but I would suggest you go to the second Roll Call and just ask someone to merge it with the original Roll Call. Recently a second Roll Call appeared for a cruise I have booked and I suggested that we did not need a second Roll Call for the same cruise and if someone knew how to could they merge the two. A few days later it had merged.

It would seem that in the US they sometimes have specials if you book on board but I have never found that the case in Australia. I agree that you should always buy the Future Cruise Deposit while on board. The benefits are well worthwhile, including some 'free' money.

Its called competition but make sure you read the fine print. Have a look at InsureandGo. Have used them a number of times and found their prices very good. I must add though that I have never claimed so I cannot comment on their claim processes.

We just took a taxi into La Serena then walked around on our own then taxied back to the ship. The taxi was reasonably cheap and there were no problems at all.

I am sure you are wrong, but I am now leaving this conversation - I now I am correct.

Boy - people need to get this sorted out - there is a lot of miss information. Regarding gratuities. There are no added gratuities for AUSTRALIANS booking in AUSTRALIA on cruises starting AND finishing in AUSTRALIA. The actual quoted fares reflect this matter. Keep in mind it only relates to cruises ROUND TRIP AUSTRALIA . I say again - starting AND finishing in AUSTRALIA. If it starts in Australia and finishes overseas Australians pay the daily gratuity like anyone else does overseas.

After you make a booking you must keep checking on the cruise price regularly. I do most of my bookings direct with Princess (don't trust Travel agents to do the right thing anymore and they have never given me anything). One cruise after booking, there were two price reductions. On ringing Princess to see if I was eligible for the reduced fare, they reduced the price of my cruise on both occasions. You need to weigh up though when you see some of the sales, that what is being offered actually works out cheaper for you than what you already have.

Yes. I hear what you are all saying. I have done, South America, Round trip Sydney to Hawaii, Tasmania, PNG, Asia, Pacific, NZ but I still think they can be a bit more inventive. I am sure there would be a market from Sydney to Kangaroo Island etc. just as an example. Yes I know I can go to UK, Baltic, Med etc etc etc All I am suggesting is that a bit of variety here would be of benefit to us all.

I wish Princess would start putting a bit more variety into their Australian cruises. You can only do NZ and/or Pacific Islands just so many times. I note that Melbourne get a few round trips which include Kangaroo Island and Adelaide - why can't we get these round trips from Sydney to include those ports. Even if they were to be part off an extended Tasmania cruise it would be better than present. Yes I know can get Adelaide to Melbourne and Melbourne To Adelaide also which includes Kangaroo Island, but I think they could start looking at round trips from Sydney. Surely there would be a market. What do you think?

Completely understand all you have been going through with your deliberations. We have done the same. After all that we booked the 16 day Coral Princess cruise (Santiago (San Antonio) to Buenos Aires via Antarctica) leaving on 5th January 2020. We have done all the South American ports before so the main aspect will be Antarctica this time. we did however love Ushuaia and Stanley last time and are looking forward to them again. Enjoy your cruise.