BRANDEE

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We're doing a cruise around Japan in November. Bought in AUD, using an FCD purchased in AUD, but the OBCs we get will be in USD. 😊

Will your OBC be 1:1 ratio.  That will be great!  

Hi Julie,  Hope all is well with you and family'  Glad to see my Aussie friends catching up with cruising.  Just finished our first Transatlantic and loved it.  So smooth..we were very lucky.  I'm not sure how the cruise prices in Australia are for next year, but prices have gone sky high here in US. Trying to make up all Covid lost revenue now!  We are booked for next year but will seriously consider going or not.  Got to convince my husband these are the "new" prices and they are here to stay.

Take care and be well and Happy Sailing!!

Chris aka Brandee

4 hours ago, Thrak said:

We are booked for a 32 day B2B2B in October/November - 14 days,4 days, 14 days. Our Shareholder and FCD OBC was applied as AUD in a 1:1 change. It doesn't make us happy but it is spelled out on the forms so nothing to gripe about there. I do have a couple of questions regarding currency though.

 

1. If I purchase OBC using USD what sort of exchange rate does Princess use? For instance if I spend $100 USD how much AUD OBC will I end up with?

 

2. If I put money from my account into a slot machine does the machine work in AUD or USD? If I cash out my winnings (Hah! - more likely the little bit I didn't lose) from the Casino what currency will I receive?

All OBC on your Australian cruise will be in AUD.  So if you have $250 US military credit  it becomes $250 AUD.  The same goes for all OBC a 1:1 ratio. 

All casino machines and tables are in AUD.  If you take $100AUD from your room credit it goes into the machine as $100AUD and cashed out as AUD(if you are lucky to win) and when you get a check from Princess for unused returnable credit $100AUD is sent to you for about $67 US (the actual rate for the day the check is issued).  I am not sure if you can put USD into the machines on board. But your payout will be AUD.

Regarding gratuities.  Your $15US per day rate will be billed to your account as $22.52AUD per day not $15AUD. (again the rate at the time your bill is calculated) Not 1:1 on gratuities

Regarding purchasing your own OBC.  The rate is what your charge card company/bank issues which should be determined by the going rate the day you purchase.

Regarding ship tours .Prices will be in AUD. They will be deducted from your OBC 1:1  If you need to use your charge card for the tours they are converted by the banks rates of conversion.  

I asked my travel agent and also called Princess, no one was completely sure.....I got my answers when on board!!

8 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

But it is well known that I am scared of neither man nor beast except for herself.

 

Ah!  A very wise man.  Best of Luck getting your abode back to Home Sweet Home again!

On 2/2/2023 at 4:01 PM, GUT2407 said:

I did yell at her to get out. But figured she’s a big girl (you’ve seen the size of the woman) and could get herself out.

Glad all is well .  Stuff can be replaced.  You're lucky to be alive, not from the lighting strike but your quote above..lol  Again..thank goodness all three of you are safe!

Happy Australia Day to all my Aussie cruise critic friends.  Health, Happiness and Prosperity to you and your beautiful country!

Brandee

4 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

I am finally able to get my 2nd booster for covid and also my flu shot. I was scheduled for my booster back in October but of course I contracted covid 3 days before so no booster, that was 3 months ago. I get both shots next Tuesday. I think that the testing of travelers coming from hot zones is justified whether that is China or Europe or anywhere. I also think it is better for everyone to get vaccinated as required and live life with the virus as best we can. Lynn and I both had covid and many of my friends have as well. I think many of us on the thread have also had covid and most of us have come through with only mild symptoms.

Not happy that cruisers no longer need to be vaccinated to cruise  (except Australia)  Ridiculous judgement call as far as I am concerned.  Testing travelers from any country is a no brainer. Unfortunately common sense is not being used.  And yes, we do have to learn to live with covid and it's variants, by why take away any helpful protocols.  Maybe we should stop vaccinating for all childhood disease, as well as flu and pneumonia to accommodate all the naysayers..or as I like to call them a holes.  

Good luck Lyle on your upcoming booster..we are due for our next the end of this week.  Next cruise in two months! 

Happy New Year's to all my Aussie and NZ cc friends.  Health and Happiness to All!

13 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

I understand it must be hard for Americans visiting Australia not to tip because a tip is expected from Americans.   

We were made to feel uncomfortable for not tipping.  We were told a few times at some restaurants that tips should be left as cash, not put on the charge card.  One taxi driver told us it wasn't true that they do not accept tips.  He would appreciate it in cash.  This happened more in Sydney since we spent a week there.  Of course, on our cruise part of the vacation, we were charged tips daily automatically.. All of our OBC was converted into AUD dollars one for one, but tips were charged as US dollars...that was Princess' policy..not Australia or NZ.

On 12/16/2022 at 12:27 PM, Torquer said:

I'm an American but have been browsing these New Zealand and Australian forums to get a perspective for our upcoming cruise to your countries in February.  From everything I have read, tipping is not common and not expected in NZ/AUS.  I can live with that in restaurants/taxis/etc. but what about tour guides for shore excursions?  I could envision it might be more common and expected in that case since they interact more with foreigners.  Hopefully the NZ and AUS resident readers can give me some ideas on tips for tour guides:  no tip needed nor expected, a modest tip, or a full 10% of the tour price that we might give in other countries.

When we visited in Feb/Mar 2020, we planned not to tip because we read it right here on cc.  Not needed, Not expected. Once they know you are an American..a tip is expected.  That happened in restaurants, hotels, taxis and tours in Sydney and NZ. As long as you can deal with the no tip policy don't.  In the end, do what makes you comfortable.  We did a Blue Mountain all day tour and the guide, who also was the driver,  was exceptional.  We tipped him as a thank you, not as an income supplement. 

4 hours ago, NSWP said:

Thanks Linda and others, just arrived, 5 hr drive. I have to be at admissions @ 6am, Thursday, now that is early. 50 metres from Mecure to Hosp. Staying 2 nights here.

Best of Luck tomorrow .  Sending Hugs & Prayers from around the world!!

Be Well,  Brandee 

6 hours ago, NSWP said:

Had the CT scan, not an enclosed barrel but like a big ring with a big hole, not too bad. But they could not do the job properly, they would not/could not put the clarity dye in me because of my poor kidney condition of 27% efficiency. The kidneys have to be able to flush out the dye after CT, otherwise the dye will eventually poison/kill you . So did not get all the good images. Ah well will see what the doctors say in a week or two. I am not feeling real well.

 

If I was given a free ticket on a cruise ship today I would turn it down, too crook.

Dear Les..so sorry to hear you are not feeling well..sending hugs and good thoughts from around the world.  Be well..Brandee

9 hours ago, NSWP said:

It was, but then I was in my 20's and fearless, you just got back on the horse.  My first 3 yrs were at Darlinghurst/KX, I encountered plenty of aggro in that area, believe me. Bit like Qld's Fortitude Valley, but worse. KX was a den of iniquity, should have been wiped from the earth.

Wow Les, you sure served bravely.  As a wife of a once 20's and fearless, I swear my high blood pressure is a direct result of 30+ years of worry.  My husband was involved in taking down the mob (Mafia) and Columbian gangs. 

22 hours ago, Mareblu said:

Wow, what a woman!👏💜

She was definitely in a class of her own!!

Grandma Maria was a strong , independent, stubborn, illiterate Italian who after being widowed in her mid 50's, mourned for 10 years and then began her life of travel. US, Canada, France, Italy,  Israel, Spain, UK, Germany, Caribbean and cruises. She was a labor union member and she and my mom made an ILGWU commercial for TV.  She was thrown out of a senior residence for protesting violations to seniors' rights and refused to move in with her daughters. At 103 she had intermittent help (she fired over 25 health care workers for not doing their job).  She lived in a rent controlled studio apartment in mid Manhattan (NYC) that I visited often with pre cooked food that she covered in red pepper flakes.  When I grow up I want to be her..although Grandma Giuseppina who lived downstairs from me (Brooklyn) was equally a strong woman.  She came to the US as a mail order bride for a man ,double her age, with 9 kids.  I really have life so easy compared to them.

6 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Yes back in the day before the rule was "If you wouldn't drink it, don't cook with it"

There was always a gallon jug of Calona Red at my mom and dad's place and there were many pounds of chuck steak marinated in some concoction that included said red wine and other ingredients to tenderize them for grilling. I wish I could find chuck steaks around here, I'm pretty sure I could make a better marinade. 

Port was always found in my grandma's house.  She loved her port and coke.  It was served with fruit after a big Italian meal.  I remember there was a rule of only passing it to the left.  Don't remember why.  I know port and left is the same but no sailors in the family.  (Well maybe my 30+ cruises makes me a sailor)  She had cognac every morning and port with coke at night.  Grandma died at 103 ..No ailments in her life..  Just a peaceful "unwinding" as the doctor said.

44 minutes ago, Mareblu said:

70 deg centigrade.  Sounds ridiculous I know, but it delivers an exquisite, rare, fillet of beef.  For those preferring med-rare, roast a little longer.  Properly rested, the juices will be absorbed back into the meat, and it will set beautifully, ready for slicing thickly.

What size roast are you cooking?  This sounds delicious. Do you sear it first to brown than drop the temperature to 70c? Do you rest it covered?   Thanks, I would love to try this, especially the port and orange juice!

On 6/29/2022 at 4:48 AM, NSWP said:

From me,thank him for his service and good he survived, as I did, sort of ,after 36 yrs.👮‍♂️

Hi Les,  

Before I left for vacation to Aruba, I wrote you a thank you for your kind words and also a thank you for your service. But it got zapped??  I did mention a , now funny, episode during my husband's long career as a federal treasury agent. (Organized crime was his field)  He was a cross between Ellliot Ness and Inspector Clouseau.  Perhaps it was top secret information, even 40 years later. Anyway, thankfully you are both reaping the benefits of retirement and hopefully a very long healthy life. 

Regarding my Aruba vacation.  It was the third time back there since Oct 2020.  No covid protocol this time and it was a little getting use to. No testing, masking, distancing. No masks on planes either.  Back in March we did a 2b2 (10 days ea) cruise with testing, masks and some social distancing.  That was also a little getting use to.  Getting "Back in the Saddle" isn't that easy.  I feel more like the Gene Autry version than Aerosmith...lol

17 hours ago, possum52 said:

Hope the weather wasn't too cold at Apollo Bay. We are in Warrnambool again - (my Mum passed away yesterday morning aged 91) and it was freezing this morning and didn't improve much. Rain coming in now. We are here to Saturday, hopr it is not rainig for the drive home.

So sorry Leigh to here about your mum.  May memories of her love keep you smiling.  Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family. 

54 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Indeed Les, Matt is a Staff Sargeant so some of the members involved could have been in his squad.

Hoping all your friends are safe and sound.  After 35+ yrs in law enforcement, I was relieved when my husband retired.  We live in a crazy world where no one is safe. 

17 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Our beloved cat, Niki, passed away peacefully earlier this evening. He will be missed.😪😪😪

So sorry..all our fur babies are precious! Glad that Niki was home with his loving family.

41 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Thanks for all your kind wishes about Niki.

 

We are bringing him home today and hope to have a few last days with him before we say goodbye. His kidney functions are unlikely to improve so the best we can do for him is give him a peaceful end.

❤️

20 hours ago, possum52 said:

Last Sunday we had been out watching grandson play football and Rob was feeling unwell later in the day, cold symptoms. As he had a medical appointment Monday morning, thought he should test - he was positive. I started to feel unwell a few days later and tested positive last night. I am feeling quite fatigued and have a very sore throat. Yesterday had a shocking headache, but not today. 

Hi Leigh..Hope you and Rob are doing better.  Rest and stay hydrated will help, of course.  Wishes for a speedy recovery for both of you.  Take care...

Brandee

2 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Good afternoon my friends, well I have been AWOL on here for two weeks, been on a downer, all these events hit me, mothers day, wife's 2nd anniversary of passing, wife's birthday, 50th wedding anniversary, so been munching on Prozacs.

 

Anyway, getting better and my family have pushed me back into cruising, I was not going to do anymore, so finally I got some some domestic cruise travel insurance from 1Cover at a decent price, $238.20, disclosed my conditions with a supporting letter from my GP.

 

So Uncle Les has deposited a mighty $99 deposit on HAL's Westerdam, 23 November 2022, 'South Australia Discovery Cruise, 13 days, Sydney - Eden - Port Arthur - Hobart (overnight) - Adelaide (overnight) - Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island - Melbourne - Phillip Island - Sydney.   Lashed out on a Balcony Cabin and HAL is fairly decent, not doubling the twin share price for a solo occupant. I reckon the loading is about  50% for sole occupancy. They also gave me US$200 obc, buys a few vinos.

 

I have only done 1 HAL cruise prior - on Noordam, sister ship of Westerdam, to Honolulu mid 2019, I liked HAL and the Vista Class ship.

 

So that is the news folks.😀

 

 

 

So glad to hear you are going on a cruise.  You have had some major life changing events the past two years and are allowed to have some "why the f in me" moments.  Sending you a hug from around the world. Take care!!

BRANDEE

2 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Love grows where my Rosemary goes.

And nobody knows like "you".  Been years since I heard that song by Edison LH!

8 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

I think it will be like Anytime Dining. When you turn up at your nominated time, others who turn up at the same time will be seated with you.

That is what was done on our March cruise.  Unless you had a specific table reserved, you were asked if you wanted to share and what size table. We saw that many people made tablemate friends and continued to dine with them.

On 5/7/2022 at 4:58 AM, MicCanberra said:

My birthday today, and surprise surprise  I love Rosemary with everything.

I'm sure she loves everything with you too!!  Belated Happy Birthday!

9 hours ago, luv2ndhalf said:

Hello! We prefer taking private tours…. We have used both Viator and Tours by Locals, but never in Australia or New Zealand.

Anyone had good or bad experiences with either?

Pre covid, we used Viator in Australia, specifically Sydney area and New Zealand and were very satisfied.  I have also used them in Europe and US.