happysnapper

As above. But also over the counter in our major banks (Commonwealth; ANZ; National; & Westpac) but only in the CBD (central business district) in Sydney or Brisbane depends on where you dock. They have foreign exchange counters. However I would certainly get some AUD in the States from your bank before you leave so you're ready to go when you arrive. At the moment our $ which is changing daily would cost you somewhere between 0.75 & 0.78 US. Hope you enjoy your visit with us again.

Yes, when I have travelled previously, I've had cover for everything excluding my illness,

I cruised for the first time (big smiley face) with Royal Caribbean last November and their small print doesn't demand cover for pre-exisiting.

Seems to me it's specific to the cruise company (CMV) you had booked with, shame to them. I truly hope you can find another way to have a short holiday.

SEA DAYS:

Wake up (God willing)

Walk, DH still in bed

Breakfast

If not already done, during breakfast we will check the Patter and mark must do's for the day.

First sea day we usually explore the ship from bow to stern.

Trivia

Warm/hot days fit in a couple of swims and lie in the sun

Cool days read

Lunch, we try different places for lunch.

Swim, read and/or movie.

Late afternoon DH heads for his favorite bar and new friends.Early in the cruise he checks out all the bars for the most entertaining barmen/women

Some days I have a Nana nap, then get ready for dinner

Drag DH away from bar

Head for dinner by 7.30pm, we both like anytime dining and now prefer to cruise on ships that provide this service.

Sometimes we dine alone other times we like to join a large table.

Recent overseas travel for my husband and myself was paid for using a Platinum MasterCard. This credit card provided us with free overseas travel insurance. My husband has 2 pre-existing medical conditions. We applied to the insurance company via a credit card link for cover for these and it only cost $50.

What a disappointment you have had to cancel your trip. There is no reason why you cannot get travel insurance which would cover cancellations, luggage loss and other acceptable medical conditions or accidents. Most companies will give you travel insurance however they will not cover certain very specific medical conditions, but that does not mean you can't have insurance for any other thing that may go wrong, your BC would just be excluded from cover, and as you implied things won't change very quickly. Thus you have an insurance policy to quote to the shipping company.

Be rather nice to have this promo out of Australia.:D

While on the Diamond we received a phone call once we were on board reminding us about the dinner. As we were both tired after a long journey I asked if we could go on another night. Not a problem.

Thanks again everyone. Will look for the rubber bath mate.

Thanks everyone.:) Just did a 3D tour of the mini suite on the Golden and saw the grab rail. DH feels a bit better now after all the comments, especially from West Coast Cruiser who has had a THR and been in a similar cabin. We may take a rubber bath mat with us for extra security. Hate him to slip.

We are starting to have misgivings about the cabin we have booked on the Golden Princess. It has a shower over the bath. We are both in our 70's definitely not invalids but DH has had a hip replacement. The cruise is for 34 days next year. Have any CCs had experience with this configuration, if so has it been a problem?

I have a question and I want an answer fairly soon. I don't have the time to search for an answer in a zillion places and I don't care if the question has been asked and answered previously. I post it on the appropriate site and get my answer without any time wasted. Full stop.:)

I only opened to find out what "I don't get it" was all about.;)

It's a personal thing. We have tried 2, 4, 6, 8. All different. If you wish to be alone the choice is obvious. The best fun we ever had was with 8...not one of the other passengers were from the same country we almost had the lights turned out on us. The worst was 4 as the other couple were so boring and their table manners had to be seen, we had to ask to be moved. Now prefer anytime dining and you can pick a different size table every night. Go with how you feel comfortable but definitely avoid a table for 4.

We have booked a Mini Suite on the Golden Princess for next year and they also have a shower over the bath .DH has had a hip replacement but he says he will be OK. Not sure how he will go in rough weather. Checked with TA and reassured that there are adequate handrails. But it is strange configuration on a ship, especially as most people I know prefer a refreshing shower. Really haven't the time to lay around in a bath.

Expected reaction. The whole process will take about 2 years before GB officially exits from the EU. With the majority of MPs recommending Briton stay in the EU there will be interesting times ahead.

Given the "small print" conditions re shorex set out above it looks like P&O went above and beyond by sending some of their medical team ashore to assist. Given that advanced medical facilities are very limited in Port Vila I am sure the Australian Paramedics working in Vanuatu where extremely grateful for any assistance from the ship. The situation would have been even worse on the smaller Pacific Islands.

I just hope during all of this tragedy that someone is looking after the injured Nu Vans and their families. All the media focus appears to be on the injured P&O passengers who I am sure will be receiving first class care either in Noumea or Australia. Medical facilities for the locals over there are fairly basic in comparison to what we here in Australia are used too.

Maybe its convenient but as soon as a smoker develops cancer then there is a connection.

 

 

 

 

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Smoking causes 16 different types of cancer.

Awful news. From experience at Christmas there are a number of Aussie Paramedics working over there. They would have put their skills to great use for the passengers and the locals. Poor Nu Vans they seems to cop one disaster after another. Prayers for all.

Have been on Dawn & Sea Princes however last trip was circ Australia on the Diamond. We didn't feel it was too big, never felt crowded and was very easy to get around. Only time it was crowded was when there was something on in the Atrium, however that's a problem on most ships. Having said all that we cruised the Med & Greek Islands on the Grand and it was hell...northern hemisphere school holidays. Fights in and around the pool, buffet, laundry and getting on and off buses. Will never ever venture out in school holidays again no matter what size the ship and will stick with mainly Australian passengers. At least we know how to queue.

We were in Vanuatu last Christmas for 2 weeks and had to go to a money changer with our AUD and change to the local currency. Local currency only for transport, food, drinks etc. However money changers are not hard to find in Port Vila...look for Goodies Money Exchange. Credit cards are accepted in larger establishments.

Toasted Light Rye with "real" butter, thin spread of Vegemite then avocado. Hmmmm. If only I could get this on a cruise.

Typical :rolleyes: :p

 

But actually it's harder to eat when you're sitting too low to a table.

Yes your elbows tend to stick up in the air.:D

Corners are cut parallel to cost cuts.:( It's the little extras we used to get while cruising that made it special. With these slowly diminishing we may as well stay at home. But then I would have to wash up!

MDR attire. Wear what you would wear to a nice restaurant at home. No shorts. No need to wear a tie or jacket unless it's a formal night.