Sparky74

The part of flying that I don’t like is paying for it!

It’s not much more than you’d pay ashore. I always expect a mark up on a ship.

It’s a shame that the terminal isn’t utilised 365 days a year. Surely that would be better than extending it to accommodate two or even three ships The cruise lines still em to operate within the American paradigm of Summer=Vacation. This is not necessarily true is Australia, particularly with our mandated 4 weeks paid annual leave. Besides I’d much rather cruise to North Queensland, the Northern Territory, PNG, or the Pacific Islands in Winter rather than in mid Summer. There’s also less chance of Cyclones in Winter. Of course, globally we are a small market and are supplied with cruise ships during the North American off season. 🤷‍♂️ JMHO

@LittleFish1976 Apparently attachments can only be seen by the person who posted them. 🤷‍♂️

Our next cruise is a 3 night "Seacation" on the Coral Princess. This time we would prefer to be off the ship rather promptly but I’m guessing that most passengers will carry their own luggage off seeing as it’s such a short cruise. At least we won’t have to go through customs and immigration which can sometimes cause a bottleneck. On second thought getting off earlier mightn’t achieve anything as we’d have to contend with peak hour traffic as we head South. 🤔

We board the Crown Princess in 34 days but I’m sure someone will answer your questions before then!

Date Nights Ship From To Interior Daily 20/3/24 8 Carnival Splendor Sydney South Pacific Islands $781 $98

Yes, DW had a call from her parentals who are onboard. Meanwhile we’re sweltering here in Grafton, NSW, with mercury expected to top out at 40° today. 🥵

A bit different from sailing out of Brisbane with a view of the sewerage treatment works!

Maybe "servers"? I’m a little uncomfortable with the word "servant" but that’s just me.

servants?

There’s absolutely no need to tip extra. It’s already been taken care of as yet he gratuities are built into your fare.

My in-laws boarded today and friends from church board next Sunday.

I was a bit miffed with RCI the last time I sailed with them. They changed to servicing staterooms only once a day just before our sailing and I insisted that this wasn’t the product I had booked and paid for. I was tempted to ask them to remove half of the stateroom attendant’s gratuity as they were only giving me half the service, so presumably they were looking after twice as many cabins, but I exercised self control and left things as they were.

Before gratuities were included in Aussie sailings we always opted to prepay them. When we've sailed from O/S we’ve paid the auto gratuities. I don’t like the tipping culture and I think it’s got out of hand in the USA. I’d much rather employers pay a decent (living) wage but me withholding tips isn’t going to change that. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. On a lighter note: What’s the difference between an Australian and a canoe? Canoes sometimes tip. 🤣🤣🤣

Some people already have a negative view of cruise ships and the cruise industry. Could you imagine if someone seriously suggested turning the Opera House into a cruise terminal? 😱

I usually have the car radio tuned to ABC Radio National. As a result I often hear only part of a program, sometimes just a snippet. The other day they were talking about the Sydney Opera House. Apparently yesterday (Friday 20th October) was the 50th anniversary of its opening. They were saying that before it was built Bennalong Point had been set aside to build the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Who knew? 🤷‍♂️

At $11.06 now probably isn’t too bad a time to buy Carnival Corp shares, although as you indicate the price may well dip further. One long-term forecast suggests that the price might rise to $12 by the end of 2023 and then $17 by the end of 2024, $20 in 2025, $25 in 2026, $30 in 2028, $35 in 2031 and $40 in 2034. This has to be balanced against the exchange rate and at the moment the greenback remains strong against the Aussie Dollar. I'm not too concerned about the short term fluctuations in price. I’m in for the long haul. My modest holdings of 100 shares give me OBC 😁 and I guess I'll hang onto my shares until my cruising days are over, or if I fall on hard times and need the money, or if they stop paying the OBC. 😱

For many of us it was our first post-pandemic cruise. The Roll Call was very active and we bonded online before we boarded. That made it a special cruise.

That would be the one. This may jog your memory. Here's the bit of doggerel that I penned for our meet up. It could be sung to the tune of "The Teddy Bears' Picnic". If you go down to the port today, You're in for a big surprise. If you go down to the port today, You might not believe your eyes. There in her glory, dazzling bright: A big cruise ship, all shiny and white. Today's the day we board the Coral Princess! If you go down to the port today, Who do you think you'll see there? If you go down to the port today, You won't see a picnicking bear! There's old folk, young folk, fat, and thin... And everybody is wearing a grin. Today's the day we board the Coral Princess! Embarkation Day is here! I'm so happy I could dance and sing. Hear us raise a mighty cheer, Loud enough to make your ears ring. It's two years since we have cruised. I hope I have remembered what to pack: I've formal clothes, my swimming togs, My passport, and toothbrush; Uploaded my negative RAT. If you go to the Wheelhouse today, At about half past three. If you go to the Wheelhouse today, Do you know who you will see? Irene, and Cilla, and all of the crew From Cruise Critic, yes, me and you! Today's the day we board the Coral Princess!

We don’t gamble nor do we drink alcohol. I don’t even want to connect to the Internet when I’m on a cruise so those "plus" packages aren’t much use to us.

I thought it was last year. We were on the Coral Princess for Auntie's birthday on 1st July. We sailed out of Brisbane in late June and ended up docking overnight in Cairns as they decided not to go to Port Douglas because of the wind. Were you on that one, Evon?

It’s helpful to me. I see it and say to myself, "Oh yes! I remember her." I have a very good memory, it’s just not very long! 🤣

The first cruise in my table should be 17/6/24.