Sparky74

Sometimes it’s cheaper to get an annual multi-trip policy. It’s worth investigating. 

This morning there was a sponsored post on "antisocial media" advertising a P&O Flash Sale which ends on 31st May. 
However when I follow the link I’m informed that that ship has sailed and the sale is over. 
🤷‍♂️

24 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

I don't think the person who gave the info is 'trying it on'. I'll bet it is simply inefficiency. In my experience with both Princess and P&O, you can phone three times and get different answers from different reps. I had this last year before I bought the internet package for the world cruise. It took four phone calls before I got a rep who quoted the price that people here on CC said they were paying. All the other reps wanted double the price. Yes - I emphasized that I was eligible for the 50% discount.

 

My advice to the person who was told that refundable OBC is used first, is to phone again.

Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by ineptitude!

Some people just like to have everything prepaid and not have a bill at the end of the cruise. 
Some people use prepaid OBC as a way of saving for their holidays. I guess you can’t be tempted to spend your holiday savings on something else if you’ve used it to buy OBC. 

I wonder if using it to boost gratuities is an option.

I’d be more inclined to make a donation to the crew than to consolidated revenue. 

4 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Left over refundable credit is a good excuse to go shopping on the last night. 😊

And buy things you don’t need. 🤣

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

I do like their 1 night cruise on 23rd April 2025. It has been a while since we have done a 1 nighter.

 

These are nice looking itineraries, and for those seeking variety ....

If not for our Crown WC, it would be tempting. I am surprised they are not dual porting it with Brisbane to get their numbers up.

Took me a moment to realise that WC means World Cruise rather than Water Closet. 🤣

What are you plans for the port days?

I wonder if it’s treated as a cruise with an extra embarkation port or two cruises B2B. 🤔

Following with interest. This morning I paid for our August PNG cruise. But we have a three nighter before that one, in 5 weeks!

Maybe check Uber also. 

9 hours ago, arxcards said:

…No pizza is free - It is included as part of your fare or it isn't. 

 

Yes. I always say “included” rather than “free” be it pizza, dining options, icecream, lemonade, a show, (limited) room service…

40 minutes ago, Jean C said:

... and take my PJs in my carry-on bag 😴 

Aw, come on. 11pm is early for party animals like you and me! 🤣

I’m sure I’d be snoring before sail away. 🥱🛌😴💤

Have a great trip, Jean. 
And maybe pack some sandwiches and a thermos for while you’re waiting for your 10:30pm boarding time. 🤣

10 hours ago, FeebeeH said:

I just renewed my passport, and & was told it may take up to 6 weeks, like you it took just 1 week to arrive.

That’s better than being told it will take one week and it not arriving for six! 😱

I was having trouble sending emails to bigpond from work a few months ago. IT reckoned it was a Microsoft issue and it was eventually resolved. 🤷‍♂️

Well we DID get a night in a hotel courtesy of QANTAS. I tell the story in my review of our “Are We Mad?” trip. 
 

1 hour ago, Bubbeh said:

When I'm in my 90s I plan to be living in the spare room at my daughter's house being spoon fed, wearing a nappy and dribbling uncontrollably.  Just like she used to do a long time ago.  Ah revenge, sweet revenge!!!

I’d take quality of life over quantity of years given the choice. In spite of living with a heart condition for many years Nanna was able to enjoy quite an active life (including many domestic and overseas trips through the years) up until her last 6 months. She slipped away the day after her 95th birthday. But that’s over 10 years ago now!

Anyway, that really doesn’t have anything to do with the price of passports. 🤷‍♂️

QANTAS decided to change the DAY of our domestic flight! 😱

We had to cancel and rebook with JetStar. 🤷‍♂️

What’s the difference between a Suite (SA) and a Penthouse Suite (PT) on the Pacific Explorer?

4 hours ago, Bubbeh said:

…my passport is valid unit 2030 and Grumpy's to 2031 when I'll be 72 and he'll be 78; I wonder how many more 10 year passports I'l require after that?

 

Well, my Nanna was still taking cruises and flying internationally in her 90s. 😱

We can all live in hope. 

50 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

…First keep in mind that Australia is about the same size as the United States, simply put vast, it's own continent…

This is of paramount importance. Many international visitors fail to grasp the size of Australia. Our population is relatively small and mostly distributed near the coast but the land mass is huge. 
Here’s a map of the USA overlain with a map of Australia. 

It irks me that you need 6 month’s validity on your passport to travel. In effect a passport lasts 9.5 years not 10 years. 

We’ve had some great port days at Noumea but it’s somewhere that you need to go with a plan. Do your research and have a plan. 
 

I believe that one of the reasons cruise ships have continued to call there is because they are able to take on good quality water. 

This thread prompted me to watch some YouTube videos on the subject and doing that made me itchy! 😱