kunnocat

Thanks very much for your replies, reading up about it on TA Ozziepost indicates it would be a good trip to take.

I have booked b2b 24th Sept 4th Oct on the Eden. Might see you there? K

They will both be coming from Singapore.

Statendams last voyage is Seattle to Singapore 21 Sep -22 Oct and Ryndam is Venice to Singapore 3 Oct - 31 Oct.

I am presuming they will be repainted and refitted there and could very well sail empty to Australia with workmen finishing off the changeover.

The first sailings that I have seen advertised are for Aria , Sydney to Bris 25 Nov and Eden , Perth to Sydney 15 Nov.

People are already booking these sailings and as they will both be in Sydney on th 25 Nov, Many people are booking both so they are board for the first sailing into Sydney Harbour.

On the 25 Nov P&O are planning to have all their fleet in Sydney. Should be a huge day.

 

Thanks David, I had a response from my travel agent who says the same. I am already booked on Eden for b2b Sept and Oct. K

Does anyone know where Aria & Eden are sailing from to commence their Australian season. I'm sure they wont come here empty, but I can't find out anything else. Nothing obvious on the P&O website, nor Holland America. K

I couldn't think of anything worse. I'm a small ships fan. But because of cost have to go bigger. 2000 is my limit. up to 1500 my preference. under 1000 Wonderful but costly since Athena left us. K

Yes there is a very good HOHO bus. Offers 3 routes, I did two and enjoyed them both. The Terminus is just outside the wharf exit. K

I have booked Eden for Sept next year, so will be interesting to see. But having said that, my last two cruises, one on Volendam,January 2013 and other in Europe on Carnival Legend 2012 both had individual eateries for food stations, in what used to be the buffet. Nothing new as far as I can see, just a new name. I really liked the new system. No long queues, well sometimes at the more popular spots. Gave one a good change of food type each day, if you wanted. Must more civilized that the high school buffet. Some were served by staff others were DIY. K

G'day everyone

Just an update on local progress...

 

The Community team has set up the Roll Calls for P&O's "new" Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden. So if you've booked a cruise on these ships next year, head over to:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=990 - Pacific Aria

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=991 - Pacific Eden

 

Also, just a heads up, some local Australian news has started appearing on the main CC news site:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6090

 

The Facebook site has also doubled its number of "likes" and we're always looking for photos to share, so send away!

https://www.facebook.com/CruiseCriticAU

 

Thanks everyone!

Louise

 

Louise Goldsbury

Senior Editor of the NEW Cruise Critic Australia

We asked for them but no body seem to want to use them. I must be travelling on the Eden alone. :( K

We're cruising to "Margaret River" (read: Busselton, "gateway to the Margaret River region" #tongueincheek) in April with the Pacific Jewel and I was wondering if anyone has some recommendations for shore excursions? Do we go with the standard options offered by P&O, or are there some better options available that I should be looking into if I book privately?

 

Or do we not bother with Busselton and use it as another sea day? (Or just get off the ship and wander around by ourselves without organising anything more structured?)

:) I live 50 Kms from Busso, maybe I could could make some money here. :D K

Does 2016 count

So who has a P&O booking for 2015?

- which ship Eden

- where to? B2B New Guinea, Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia,

- when? Sept/ Oct 2016

 

I'm hoping to get on Aria or Eden to write one of the first reviews :)

 

Louise Goldsbury

Australia Editor

Cruise Critic

Has problems with my format

Hi cruisers

Just doing a little research to see what kind of cruises you all like... So please let me know:

 

- when are you cruising next? January 2016

- which ship? Sun Princess

- where to? and why there? Indian Ocean Circle Cruise was 50% single supp. have been to most of the ports, but love long cruises. It will be 2 years since my previous cruise.

- anything you want to find out about your cruise? (or should I just wait for you to come back and tell me? :D)

 

and

 

- when are you cruising next? September 2016

- which ship? Pacific Eden

- where to? and why there? New Guinea & Solomon Islands B2B Vanuatu Cruise was 50% single supp. I have not been to NG Or Solomon Isl. Have been to others. Lovely VIP Package. 10% dep. Love smaller ships.

- anything you want to find out about your cruise? (or should I just wait for you to come back and tell me? :D)

 

Thanks!

Louise

 

Australia Editor

Cruise Critic

We are arriving at Gatwick. Can we use the oyster card for the train to Victoria Station? We are planning on using one of the Hop on Hop off tours. The Original Bus tour looks interesting. Is it better to buy tickets on line or buy when in London that day?

I purchased online, which was slightly cheaper, but then had to buy a ticket to get to the place to have them validated. Wouldn't buy online again. K

If we do the b2b can you bring on 2 bottles of wine per person?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If you buy duty free on the first cruise, it will be in your cabin on the last night of the first cruise:D:D:D:D. K

The HOHO Bus leaves from just outside the port. Has three different routes. I did two of them. Pick where you want to get off. K

I wish, renewals here (Australia) are about $230 for 10 years and we MUST have a passport for any travel outside Australia.

I spilt coffee on mine whilst in Europe. Travelled all over Europe, in cluding Russia, no problems. Returned home no problems. When I wanted to go to Asia last year I was told my Passport was not up to standard and that I was travelling at my own risk. Two weeks in Asia including CHina no problems. I still have five years on it. Mmmm Cruising again Jan 2016. I suppose I will have to fork out, as my passport is now flagged as 'having been told'. K

Hi Brett, As a regular slightly older 'greyer' solo traveller, I have discovered that solo fares are best a long way from the cruise. If the cruise is popular, then they become nonexistant. Usually they are 100%, but if you book early sometimes 50%. I personally prefer the smaller or mid range ships as they tend to be more friendly. Although it depends entirely on the mic of other passengers. Length of cruise, = the longer the cruise the older the passengers, the sunnier ports, the younger the passengers. Just my thoughts. K

ps. I remember well the 4 berth share cabins with the bathrooms down the passage that smelt very chemical. I once shared with 3 much olderGerman speaking ladies. Not a lot in common. K

I don't have a credit card with insurance, used to, but didn't like the nearly $300 fees. I wasn't travelling in those days. I now get annual insurance as I try to holiday twice a year at least. Just paid $386 with no excess, or $291 with $200 excess. Covers everwhere except the states. With annual one needs to check the maximum length of the holdiay. The one I use has a 60 day limit. most are 45. My next cruise is 46 days, last one was 60. Have claimed once after a fall in Berlin last year. Prompt payment. K

I prefered White Pass. We went up by coach and returned via the rail. THey had a very interesting movie on the later part of the coach telling the history of the area.

Flam. I enjoyed the coach ride more. It may have been because we came down in the afternoon, and the sun was a problem.

Then there is Kuranda Rail & Skyrail in Cairns That I really enjoyed.

NZ has a fancy rail as well. K

I thought gratuities were included, if not it will cost us another $US672 a day which will probably be around $AU1000. That is a huge add on.

Any Aussie who have cruised before? Did you have to pay on top of the fare?

Princess Now include gratuities in the price for Australian based cruises. Last time I sailed with them they didn't. RCI add them daily, Hal, added them daily last year cruising from Singapore. P&O Oz add them daily. Or I suppose you can pre pay them. all E@OE :) K

I wear my rings ALL the time...I only take them off to clean them, so they are never "left" lying anywhere! They are meant to be worn. However, while my diamond is quite nice, it's certainly not the "Hope" diamond.....

 

I see no point in having nice things if you don't use them.

I'll second that. K

Hello - I am sailing from Singapore on 30 January to Malaysia (KL and Penang), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) and Thailand (Bangkok and Ko Samui) and hoping to get info about likely weather conditions. I know it will be hot and humid, and possibly rainy, but will it be sunny? Do I need sunscreen? Any advice would be much appreciated! :)

Hi My daughter and I did the same cruise, same time this year 2014. Weather was lovely, it is the cooler time, sunny, hot in the sun, not humid. Enjoy your trip. K

Well said, I couldn't agree more. :) I don't care about solo cabins either or solo anything for that matter. I cruise because I love to cruise and pick what I can afford, total cabin price, not solo price. There really is no such thing. I also don't care who is on my cruise or what their marital status is. I just enjoy the cruise and have always found very friendly folks, both solo and couples. Don't care about hosts either, in fact, will avoid them. ;)

Just want to enjoy my cruise my way and always have a wonderful time! :D

 

Sue

I'll second that. K

I guess P&O cruises will appeal to a lot of Aussies, who haven't travelled much. I have personally spoken, to people who cruised on P&O around the Sth Pacific, and they love it, and have no intention, of travelling further afield, pity, they miss out on so much in this world. Unless, its the short South Pacific cruises that appeal to them, cheaper than a longer cruise, not as much money is required to spend on booze, etc.

I sailed the pacific Islands on the Pearl, with my adult daughter. Must say, it was not my cup of tea. I have though booked to try the Eden, as I loved the Volendam. Will be interesting to see what PO do to her. Gets up my princess points as well. K

I've been on the Funchal (small ship)out of Fremantle - and the "motion of the ocean" was there. :p trying to get from one place to another was a bit like foxtrotting , slow, slow, quick, quick, slow - and that was just getting from the bar to the table with drinks :D More prevalent at night. Plenty of "free style dancing" on and off the dance floor. :rolleyes: Have friends going on the Astor on the 20th Dec - going up the West Coast - I'll check their colour when they come back - see how green they are (joking of course - I hope) :eek: :D

My favorite ship sailing from Freo was the Athena, friend of Funchal. Both have since been sold. Interestingly, CMV have chartered the old Athena now named Azores, Would love to see her back here. And yes you do get the 'motion of the ocean" but thats why I cruise. I don't have any intention of utilizing the mega ships. 1500pax is my choice, but have to bite the bullet sometimes and go to 2000. I Have been to Japan and back, and sailed from Uk home via the Suez on Athena. I hope she returns, but CMV are a lot dearer, than when she sailed under the International flag. K

I hope that smoking policy does not include Pacific Eden, but I'm afraid it will. I have booked B2B in a starboard cabin on the promenade deck. There maybe a cancellation coming up, Other option is to swap to Port side. K

I wish they did more cruises here that weren't in the summer. I know I'm in the minority, but summer is a miserable time to be in Australia. 40+ days with no relief is not my idea of a great time to be here. I'd much rather do a cruise here during the fall/winter.

It's not all that bad 'down under' in the summer. 40+ does happen, but not every day. Mostly it is pleasantly in the low 30's. Cyclone season across the top is also a consideration in summer. Winter you would be blown out of the southern ocean at times. NZ is ok in summer, and cold in winter. K