kunnocat

Up and running as we speak. K

Busselton Has a VERY long jetty. When I grew up there, they were two and they were one and a half miles long, and timber trading ships used to tie up at the end. The timber would be taken out by train. In 1981 we had a cyclone which severely damaged one jetty which was subsequently demolished, and shorted the remaining jetty. There, is still a train, but for passengers only which goes out to the underwater observatory, which is near the end.

Off the coast of Busselton there is a very long reef with only one entrance. I doubt if Diamond will come inside. Mind you the timber traders back in the 60's managed, but they are not quite the same size. The water at the end of the Jetty is very clear and one can see the bottom of the ocean therefore, it is not too deep, and thus the observatory. The beach is wonderful for swimming, unless the 'stingers' are visiting.

I live in Bunbury which is 35K's north. But I grew up and went to school in Busso.

Maybe I could charge a fortune, and run a couple of tours!!! :D K

This will be a tender port. No way it will Berth. Big news on the radio here this morning. :) K

Quote

Because I booked before 30/4/2015 for a cruise departing after 1/11/2015 passengers receive a VIP package valued up to $700. A welcome pack with a bottle of wine, canapés, robe & slippers (limit of 2 per room), VIP Lanyard and a premium bathroom amenities pack. Also receive a voucher book with a free cruise photo, USB stick, Free bottle of wine when Di e at either Luna or the basalt Grill, discounted Internet (30 mins for $10), $20 cocktail voucher, $50 shore your voucher, free laundry for 4 items. Then there is the VIP treatment deal with VIP check-in and preferred room choice and more again, a $200 OBC for oceanview rooms and $400 for balcony, mini-suites or suites. Not bad at all.Unquote

Mmm it wouldn't do the quote thing for me. Anyway, I also have booked way in advance for Eden Sept/Oct 2016. B2B. Just found out that I qualify for the VIP Package for both cruises. Plus I have received $250 OBC for each cruise. Should say I can't complain, as I am paying solo fares. But it definitely makes it sweet. $10 deposit helps as well. For me the reason I book so far in advance is that the supplement is 50% rather than 100%. and as soon as they are sold, it is unusual to get any more solo cabins. Very occasionally one can pick up a good deal, but they are few and far between or just at an inconvenient time. K

A little bonus when doing B2B. If you order duty free goodies, they will be delivered to your cabin the night before the end of the first cruise. Not sure if all cruiselines do, but I have had it on Carnival. K

Can we have a Roll Call for Pacific Aria, & Eden. :D THanks K

Is not the ship it is the places it goes.

 

I would be happy on anything that floats as I can put up with about anything..

Be happy with a Kration and a sleeping bag under a shelter half if that was what was necessary.... Hot chow and a dry bed.... that's luxury

I think you will find they are all going to the same ports. Have fun which ever ship you are on. K

The cruise you have booked is on the SEA not SUN princess. Sun Princess is cruising the Indian Ocean in January 46days from 8th Jan. K

Or Sea princess Sept 12th. Princess for this is more expensive than I have paid for B2B. Qualitity is better, but I want to find out what they do to Eden. I have sailed on Pacific Pearl, and was not impressed. K

I am switching to Princess as a Got a quote some $40 a day cheaper from them for a Jan 22, 2016 departure out of Brisbane that is 14 days rather than 10 and hits 2 more ports like Luganville after the "canal'. I am sailing solo on a WW 2 remembrance.

 

Getting a 14 day cruise almost $500 cheaper than a 10 day was something I cant ignore.. It will be on the sun princess...which has had problems but is scheduled in 2015 to get a major overhaul...so no worries

As gravy its only a $500 deposit no CC, Share and my agent here in the USA can do the deal... and reward me likewise.... AND DONT OWE till 60 days out from Jan 2016....

 

Again thanks for your help and info

The cruise you have booked is on the SEA not SUN princess. Sun Princess is cruising the Indian Ocean in January 46days from 8th Jan. K

How did you book? I am going on this solo too on the Eden....I cant get a fare quote for solo.....All I see is they will offer share cabins for 2 to 4 bunks

which sounds like a train sleeper. iT THAT AN AUSTRILAN A THING??? SHARED ROOMS???

 

You got a $2500 ON BOARD CREDIT hOW

 

I like flying into Cairns from LAX way easier than to Sydney

A few of the online companies quote for solo sailing. The company I use, has a low deposit, but the full payment is due around 9 months prior to sailing. They do not charge a credit card surcharge either. I have booked three times with them. The solo supplement was 50% when I booked. usually it is 100%.

As suggested google Australian cruising, but remember we are somtimes called OZ. Last time I looked solo cabins were not in great supply, but the P & O australia website did still have solo cabins.

Hope this helps

K

Gosh Kunnocat - building a house AND finding spare dosh for cruising! You are doing well - for me it's either spend my money on disposable things each week (coffees, restaurants, new clothing etc. etc. etc.) or put down a deposit on a cruise and pay it off little by little each month from the proceeds of my little 1-day per week job.

 

Gae

Yes Gae, the house and cruising is a huge challenge, but when my husband died many years ago I told myself that if I wanted to do something and it was vaguely doable then I would do it. Otherwise I am a very cautious person. Juggling the pennies is a challenge but worth it. K

Hi Gae, I know the feeling well. I am building a house at the moment so shouldn't think of cruising but a good deal was there so I have booked for Jan 16 and Sept/Oct16. $10 dep each cruise, and I have $250 OBC for each of the cruises. I travel solo and I have found that unless I book verrrrry early, either there are no cabins for solos, or they are 100% surcharge. These cruises were 50% surcharge. K

Speaking of passports. My very well used passport had an accident with a cup of coffee shortly after arrival in the UK last year. I then travelled through multiple countries in Europe including Germany, Russia, Hungry, Holland, and many more. I completed 24 days of cruising the Baltics, and Norway, then 3 weeks on a coach tour of eastern Europe. Arrived home two months later, without difficulty.

Jan this year my daughter and I sailed Singapore to Hong Kong via Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, & and finally chinese HK. As we were going through immigration at Perth, I was told my passport should not be used. And I was traveling at my own risk. and my passport has how been 'flagged'. Why was Nothing was said on my previous arrival, so that I could attend to it????. :confused:Anyway we proceeded with trepidation. Not one of any of the other countries that I visited on either holiday, made comment on my passport, except one chap who said that my passport was obviously having a good time.

Now with 5 years remaining, I have to get a new passport, Just in Case. :rolleyes: K

Roy has posted a fantastic series of photos. We cruised on the Ryndam several years ago and I can recall seeing cabins with windows onto the Promenade deck. The glass had a reflective coating making it impossible to see in. The view from inside would be interesting - watching people walking past rather than looking at the ocean. Probably these cabins should be regarded the same way we consider "obstructed view" cabins. The occupant has the advantage of natural light, but not much view. Maybe at night when the cabin light is on, drawing the curtains would prevent anyone outside from seeing in.

I have sailed in these cabins as they are a preference for me. As a solo sailor I can't afford a balcony, this is second best. A quick pop out two doors and you have a huge balcony. As far as the view, I am height challenged, but I could easily see the sea. One gets used to shadows passing the window, and the 'goings on' can sometimes be entertaining. And yes at night one must shut the curtains or not turn on the lights.

I met a lady once who knew they could not see in in the daytime but didn't realize that people could see in at night. She was most embarrassed to think she had done a whole cruise with the curtains open. :eek:

I have sailed on Athena, and Volendam in these and have booked on the Eden for Sept 2016. K

I had problems the second time I tried to log in. Princess has a limit on the length of the password. I put in my usual password when I registered, only to discover that it was one letter too long. I hadn't noticed that the last letter was missing. Try asking for your password. K

Hi, I would like to hear some reviews on the Carnival Legend cruise that left Sydney on sept 24th and returned on oct 6th as I am going on the 12 day cruise in Nov and would like to know what people thought of the ship and t he staff etc and if anyone did the ships tours and how were they?

Regards Zanny

Be Prepared for some challenging decor, unless it has changed since August 2013. :D K

I sailed on the Volendam last January. I also prefer smaller ships. Have just booked Eden for Sept 24th 16 NG & Solomons, and to follow Vanautu. $10 dep, and $250OBC one can't miss a good deal. Solo fares are very hard to snag. K

$270 a night for 3 star P&O service on a small and old ship?

 

You can get Queen Mary 2 for $200 a night!

I think that was for a solo passenger. THey very rarely come down for us, and that is not too bad. Anything less than 100% supplement is a deal for those of us who have no choice. k

How did you arrange a tour with the Don Bosco School students? The Salesian Missions is a charity that I support, so I am aware of the good work that these folks do. It would be very interesting to me to visit one of the facilities that I have supported over the years.

http://www.donboscohotelschool.com/ send them an email and they will reply. I can't find anything on the website, but they welcome visitors. As you will see from the web it is a hotel school. Enjoy your visit. K

We too were there in 2009 as part of a CC tour group we went to the Don Bosco school .I totally agree with David. We have travelled the world with lots of Asia and that port was the most depressing ever. The only people who smiled were the little children and the orphans there made us so sad.

I would recommend you do a tour of some sorts and not just get the shuttle into town as there is very little to see there. The market is a very local one and had nothing of any interest.

I'll Second this. Don Bosco School staff and volunteers are inspiring. The whole tour of the town and lunch is done by students at the school. The city is very poor, and sad, don't expect much. The morning tea and lunch were something else. The school is actually an hotel with guests, run to train the students in hospitality from front desk, housekeeping, to the kitchen, and everything in between. K

Hi, Was just wondering your thoughts on these 2 ships. Am looking at these 2 cruises departing Sydney in Nov this year. The Sun princess is a 14 night cruise and the Carnival a 12 night. I did the exact same cruise on the Sun this year in Jan but this time my friend who is a first time cruiser will be coming with me. This will be my 16th cruise:) and thought that maybe a different ship that I have never been on before could be the way to go. I would like to hear from any one who has even been on the Spirit what their thoughts are? as I know this is the first time the Legend has been over here. We are in our mid 50s.

Regards Zanny:confused:

Hi Zanny,

I have not been on the Spirit, but I have been on the Legend. VERY challenging interior. As someone else said, 'someone was sent out to buy 50 silver urns and came back with 50,000'. Also very dark inside. One does get used to it though. I tried to upload a couple of photos but couldnt. I cruised the Baltics, Last August/Sept on her. She may have had a change of interior since then. Otherwise I found it was ok. Food seems to be changing on all lines. I have had better, but I have also had worse. I had two cabins, Lowest deck forward inside, and Extended balcony on the top deck aft. Don't get a cabin beneath the buffet. Noisy early in the morning.

I have travelled on Dawn Princess, and will be on Sun Jan 2016. I think Princess is maybe a star above Carnival. K