kunnocat

Tipping.. It is not expected in Australia. Our wages are good in comparison to some countries. However, if one feels inclined to add something to the restaurant, hairdresser, taxi charge etc, one is free to do so. What we don't want is people expecting to get a tip. A tip is for extra service, not ordinary service or their regular duties.

And yes because of the higher wages, the prices are higher. Doesn't help people on a fixed income, like pensioners. I eat out vary rarely. If staying in a hotel I do as previously suggested, visit a supermarket, and shop accordingly. Then have a picnic. :D K

It's always a big shock when people find out about the restaurant prices in Australia. But everything there costs a lot more.

 

I guess you have not visited these relatives in Australia before so here are some tips on the etiquette of staying with family there. When visiting other people's homes in Australia, you are expected to pay for and bring your own groceries. They will take you to the grocery store (but considering the emergency situation - they may not have time to do that, so you might want to take a taxi) and provide you with towels and a bed, but you should bring your own shampoo and soap and other personal items as well as food. I usually wind up buying a hair dryer and leaving it with my hosts when I leave. Also bring gifts for your host and hostess. What I typically do is preplan what I will make them to eat and then bring some of what is needed with me. Since I live in Texas, I make Tex Mex for my Aussie relatives. So I will bring tortillas and the spices and salsa for fajitas in their original sealed bags/containers then grab chicken, peppers, onions, avocado, cheese, sour cream and oil at the grocery store. Simple to make since it only requires 1 pan and then a bowl to make guacamole.

 

If you take a taxi, sit in the front seat with the driver - otherwise they will think that you think you are better than them. Tip Sydney taxi drivers no more than 10%.

 

In addition, to cooking or providing a meal for them during your stay. Always offer to help with the dishes and cleanup.

 

Hope that helps.

 

 

 

 

 

As as Australian, I find these comments most insulting. I hope it is related to the first of April. K

Since Africa is a new port for HAL, does anyone (including current WT cruisers) have any info on the ability to do safaris from any of the ports?

Considering our options...

Hi there, try Umzantsi tours talk to Lyn tell her Kaye from Oz sent you. They are based in Port Elizabeth but can organise tours for other ports. We had a wonderful tour in Schotia game park, but she organised three different ports for us. umzantsi.co.za K

I voted No. I am reasonably happy to pay 150% but not 200%+ and choose my cruises accordingly. I have never seen the 'late price drop' for solo cruisers. Maybe because I am from Australia, choice in the USA seems to be better. I have not cruised in a solo cabin, but if it is smaller in size I would not want to. To me it is insulting, like being put in a box. K

We would love to visit Mitsu Picchu during our World Cruise in 2018 on Sea Princess. Has anybody organised such a tour, yet?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2421201 Rollcall for world cruise Sea Princess 2018. K

They do a night time ghost tour. Maybe you could hire a car get there in the afternoon and check out the sights and do the ghost tour after dark.

 

 

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There is or was a hotel right nextdoor to the Port Arthur site. Hire and car and overnight there. K

Want to know if Princess currently does a North America to Australia or New Zealand cruise?

May have to switch cruise line. I know Celebrity does one.

 

 

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Sea Princess World Cruise 2018 sails from New York to Sydney. Or Southampton to Sydney. K

The blue room bar was Statendam's excellent library. Has P&O put any area aside for a library on the Eden? Thank you

They also have a trolley of books which is taken to the ocean bar on times advertised each day. reminded me of the Volunteer ladies in a hospital. Not a huge selection. games and computers are in the atrium on Deck 6. K

No problem, say hello to her from Kaye, in West Australia. K

We are on a cruise with several stops along the coast of South Africa between Capetown & Mozambique. We are looking for local companies that offer interesting cultural tours, visits to townships, etc, as we have a post-cruise visit to Kruger & don't need to use these stops to see wildlife. Has anyone had any experience with this company -- Umzantsi Afrika? They have answered my email which puts them one up on some others. But I don't find them in Trip Advisor & wondered if any CC folks had experience with them. Any comments appreciated.

Yes I can certainly recommend them. I booked numerous tours with them in January this year. Although they are based in Port Elizabeth, Lyn can organise tours in other ports. We had a wonderful trip to Schotia Game Park. K

Hello. I stop by for counseling every time I am considering booking an exotic itinerary. Last year you steered me right! I loved the South American cruise around Cape Horn. I am looking at the Volendam SE Asia Singapore to Hong Kong. I have travelled SE Asia before, and I am mainly interested in the Vietnam ports. The cruise would be a substitute for a land tour of Vietnam that would take a lot of energy - moving every two days, flying every two days, checking in and out, finding tours, transfers, and negotiating. Everything I never have to worry about on a cruise. However, the distances from the ports to the city center(s) are long, I would feel rushed, and I would have to give up touring Hanoi if I want to cruise Halong Bay.

 

What say you?

 

Thanks a bunch, Sungirl

Try a river cruise. All inclusive (usually) they take you on a morning and an afternoon tour. Most go from Seim Reip (Ankor Wat) to Saigon. HCM city. Squeeze somthing else in if you wish. Can be very hot and humid, pick the time of year carefully. K

Has anyone done anything other then a ships tour in Rabaul ?

Last cruise some went to Kopoko just wondering if it would be worth a look, but probably prefer to go snorkelling or boat trip. Thanks.

 

 

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Try Kopoko tours, through trip advisor. K

I will be heading off to PNG on the Pacific Eden on the 10 of September 2016, stopping at Alatoa, Kitava, Kirrawina Island and the Conflict Islands. I am interested to know what tours, activities or items of interest, recent travelers to the area found interesting, good value or not worthwhile.

 

Thanks

I am off on the 24th of Sept. Recently I found only two companies with tours. Try Trip advisor for Reef Tours of Milne Bay, $195AUD pay on booking, and Kopoko tours in Rabaul 150$AUD cash on the day. Not cheap but a full day instead of a couple of hours like the ship. K

Just a thought, but as it is a crime scene, will they impound the ship until the court case?!!!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: K

I'd love to know who your Guru is !!!

email me at kunnocat at gmail dot com Where are you from?

Thanks for the tip on the cabin!

 

A TA is holding one of those cabins for us on the HAL Antarctic 'sail-by' on 28th Jan 18..... I've read so many reviews on CC about different cruise lines and sailings which has been very helpful and whether to go East to West or reverse.....Now we just have to decide whether to pay the cheaper price or pay extra for the Explore 4.....Our TA tells me if we we're booking for 2017 we'd get the cheaper price and the Explore 4 package!

Hi Cathy, I looked at those two cabins, but opted for the Lower Prom, as one can then go from side to side or rear, if necessary to see the wildlife. I sail on this deck when ever possible. ( I sail solo so it is my ''balcony'' cabin) My TA Guru, came to the party, and gave me a part reduction on the fare, plus the explore 4 which I opted for, as it means I will cut down on on board charges which are in USD. K

Think we are going to go with HAL for the first time - Val to BA on the 28th Jan 18 ....

Have one of the secret cabins on hold that was recommended here!

Hi Cathy I have also just booked Jan 28th from VP. Long way to go but it will go quickly. I am also having a week in BA at the end including a trip to the falls. Not sure what I am doing in Santiago yet. K

Its true, I have been on Sun, Sea and Dawn in the past two years and 'Scoops' has been converted to New Zealand Natural icecreamery (for fee). I didnt see free soft serve anywhere onboard.

Soft serve was on Sun last January. Pacific Eden has NZ ice creamery, mmmmmmmmmmmm yummy. Even if I had to payfor it. K

One of Maureen Ryan's stories featured Cunard's signature "Midnight Feast" and I never did ask her to expand on the details.

 

Has anyone ever experienced it on one of the older ships - was it really at midnight, how long did it last, what food did they serve etc etc.

 

It piqued my curiosity.

The Athena when she was owned by Cruise international, used to have a midnight buffet. And yes it was at midnight. I would post some photos but don't know how. She is now the Astoria. K

I keep important things like money, cards, phone, in a pacsafe crossbody camera case with security bits and pieces so that I don't have to take it off to pay for things. actually I never take it off while off the ship, camera is usually around the neck, and being held as it is heavy, and backpack with non precious items, such as water, umbrella, raincoat etc. K.

do they have fridges or coolers on Pacific Aria in outside deck 6 cabins ?

Don't know about Aria, but No on the Eden, and they are similar. K

Hello,

 

I originally asked this question on the Australian and New Zealand thread, but I know other OZ cruisers look at other threads on cruise critic, so I thought I might try here too. I've added in a few bits.

 

This question is predominately for Australian Cruisers (thought the destination is unimportant) as the cruise I wanted to do was just a 3 day to no-where cruise off Perth in December, it goes out into the Indian Ocean, does a little loop then comes back to Perth.

 

I have a pre-exisiting medical condition no-one (I've tried about 15 insurers) except 1 insurance company would cover me and that company wanted on their normal policy $569.31 or gold policy $615.26 for a 2 day 3 night cruise that was only costing me $559 for a single cabin. The cruise line CMV stipulates cover for pre-existing.

 

My question is, has anybody (in Australia) with similar issues ever come across a travel insurance company that will cover for just the period of the cruise & perhaps one day after (in case of delays). My illness is not something that would have a sudden onset. Think 1 in 8 women, and you'll know what I'm talking about.

 

That way, the insurer would not be liable if between now and the cruise my illness got worse and I couldn't go, and I would be OK with that, its only $559 after all. I would rather be at home anyway if I was unwell.

 

My other thought is, has anyone tried an actual insurance broker for this?

 

Thanks

Hi There, I have used QBE and still do, but I take out an annual policy, so that |I don't have to go through the hoops every time I want to travel. I had to have a doctor fill in papers, send them off and wait to see what would happen. They will then add a premium to suit the problem. I have not tried short term cover. My problem is now solved so I thought it would be fine, now I have to show proof that I don't have it any more!! K

What is the 30% that you are adding on?

That is the difference between the current fluctuating value of the AUD and USD. K

I also think this is a positive change. In Denmark, the legal age to buy beer and wine is 16, to drink in a bar is 18. European teens generally know how to drink responsibly by the time they are 18.

 

 

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Wish I could say the same for some of the Aussies. :oThey give the rest of us a bad name. Mind you it is not only the young ones. Kiwis can hold a pint or two as well ;) K

Just got a confirmation for a final payment and noticed this at the bottom. I can hear the cash registers ringing :)

 

We have updated our alcohol policy. Effective on voyages commencing July 1, 2016 and thereafter, the legal drinking age

onboard will be 18 for voyages which depart from and return to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong,

Singapore or Taiwan. The legal drinking age onboard will be 20 for voyages which depart from and return to Japan. For all

other voyages, alcoholic beverages will not be served to guests under age 21.

Hi Folks, All ships sailing to and from Australia, have a drinking age of 18, as that is what it is here. Not sure about other asian countries. K