VK3DQ

Sorry COVID and a death in the family has made me forget my place in the scheme of things we lost Elsie the MIL 98.6 y/o  a couple of weeks after her last cruise on Qantum    cruising right up to the last

OMG after all our last cruises being ex Brisbane I just realized that the Christmas cruise is ex OPT (edge) more red carpet squares for SPECHUL people 

John wish covid again looking forwRD TO a Celbrity Christmas and new year  2023/2024 13 nights to New Zealand

1 hour ago, bazzaw said:

Did you book directly with Cunard? I have learned my lesson - will never book via a TA again!!!!!

Hi  Bazzaw

Yes booked direct with Cunard ....

best regards

John

3 hours ago, VK3DQ said:

 

Hi Bazzaw

 

WE have refund from our QE 1st April cruise in our bank as of a week ago ... very relieved to actually get the cash back .. was  paid direct into bank by cunard

 

Good Luck

 

Regards

John

 

 

.

8 hours ago, bazzaw said:

I have been told by Cunard that my 3 cruise refunds have been processed - and now my TA (the 1st One!) has told me that they have received the funds and asked me for my Bank details - but all this means nothing until I actually receive them. I am convinced (after some communications with the TA) that they are treating these refunds as though they were "normal" cancellations - ie cancellations requested by passengers. Plus of course the " We are very busy, you know!!"   I will know when I do receive the refund - I am expecting a cancellation fee per person per cruise!!!!!  Might have to go to the media about that if it happens- it was the trick that "Flights" TA were pulling until the media embarrassed them to change their policy. 

Hi Bazzaw

WE have refund from our QE 1st April cruise in our bank as of a week ago ... very relieved to actually get the cash back .. was  paid direct into bank by cunard

Good Luck

Regards

John

30 minutes ago, resordanis said:

Bazzaw I agree. I do not think many in Aust or NZ have received refunds at this stage. Just some communication would be helpful. Our cruises were cancelled a long time ago, ours was the night before sailing. I feel for you, because you have a lot more money outstanding  than us. 

I also agree

still waiting for our 1st April QE cruise to be refunded ... I think its time for a class action against Cunard Frankly if I have not been paid by the middle of June , then its off to to the Lawyers   fair is fair they have held my cash for long enough

Requested refund 16/3/2020   still waiting 

An outstanding debt should go to a collection agency when it is 90-120 days past due. 

Regards

John

1 hour ago, bazzaw said:

I don't think any Cunard customers have received funds yet - Princess customers seem to be being handled the best. 

Hi Folks

Nothing from my April 1st QE cruise as yet either

And Virgin says they will not refund ..... 

Aint this fun ! 

Regards

John

35 minutes ago, possum52 said:

Hanky panky? Sorry I can't stop smiling at the thought of the more elderly passengers (particularly on Princess) hanky panking with the younger singers and dancers (entertainers) whom David mentioned. 😂

 

 

Leigh

Oh Leigh ... Chance would be a fine thing ..........  My memory is not that good...... (Grin)

regards

John

8 hours ago, nnps said:

John, I'm not sure why you think inside cabins are unacceptable. I would be quite happy with one.

Hi

Joe Public has seen references to windowless boxes on floating petrie dishes ....the publicity from diamond and ruby princess highlighted this ,,,, some here might be happy with inside cabins but I bet Joe Public wont be

Regards

John

1 hour ago, joejoe 59 said:

What difference will leaving the inside cabins empty make other to the  poor people that could be potentially quarantined In them.

 

 Who wants to stay in a windowless box on a floating Petrie Dish ???

Thats what joe public will ask  . leaving inside cabins empty will reduce the number of passengers on a ship thus helping with social distancing 

13 minutes ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

That’s what makes me feel there will be an initial rush at very low prices which will fill the ships ,but then the public will start to back off once they realise what they are in for .

 

 

But I doubt if we will see FULL ships ..numbers will have to be reduced , inside cabins left empty for example

regards

John

Hi Folks

Lets not forget that unless the cruise calls at Australian ports only , there is the issue of what other countries will be willing to open their ports ...I suspect New Zealand may but only to Australian / NewZealand round trips , however a number of the pacific Islands will not be willing to take a chance just yet

Existing bookings would also need to be reconsidered for example inside cabins are going to be unacceptable and ships are not going to sail with all passenger space fully booked ....  and then there is the issue of the crew that has to be sorted

its going to take a great deal of time and effort to sort out these and other issues

Regards

John

I had an order of Medical supplies arrive this evening and was astonished that they were NOT made in China they were from Denmark ... made me feel better and they were half the price of the brands that we have been buying from Chemist Where house

these things are not cheap the last lot cost me over $100 for a weeks supply so very glad to find an alternative source from a reputable source

Regards

John

46 minutes ago, possum52 said:

I have a copy of Cookery the Australian Way which has been used in Australian schools since 1966, particularly in Victoria. I read the 9th edition is being printed this year. It has some great old recipes in it. I also have a copy of a recipe book put out by the Weekly Times in around 1974 which has some very old recipes in it - I use it's recipe for scones, golden syrup dumplings to name a couple.

 

Leigh

I must confess to having a couple of cookbooks by the Two Fat Ladies....

"Yogurt is for people with poorly tummies"...there is nothing like cream 

Regards

John

On 5/11/2020 at 7:52 AM, MicCanberra said:

Insurance (or lack of it for many) would be a bit stopper for people to travel.

Yes Just checked on Insure & Gos website ..no new policy's ...one would be very unwize to travel without travel insurance

Regards

John 

3 hours ago, bazzaw said:

There is no future for cruising for the next few years!!!  People have LONG memories!!! 

I agree with bazzaw  its not just opening Australia and New Zealand , the entire issue of crewing has to be resolved thats not even considering how space will be used on board ships .. My guess now is that you MAY see some lines open at the start of 2023 and cruising will not look the same as it was before all this started and it will not be a cheap holiday any more

thats my thoughts

Regards

John

4 hours ago, possum52 said:

It is unlikely there will be flights to Fiji and the other island countries for some time, possibly not to next year. 

 

Leigh

The only flights I can foresee are possible Australia --- New Zealand   but not even those in the near future

Regards

John 

Have not got a refund for our cancelled 1st April departure on QE     

The only way left might be to sue for bankruptcy

50 minutes ago, Host Bonjour said:

 

I a few maestros might let a cautious smile slip by (including Luciano, as it's his signature aria) after viewing this, now that several weeks have gone by and especially since one of the grandest palaces of opera, La Scala, has been shuttered for awhile and likely won't reopen anytime soon. It was something to see Andrea Bocelli sing alone in and outside of La Duomo in Milano. 

 

Anything by The Tallis Scholars will keep me happy  

Regards

John

1 hour ago, brian1 said:

Be fair,some cruisers have medium and small guns.

Ahhh BUT they sure look big when they are pointing straight at you :-)

Regards

John

Passenger bubble   crew bubble  flight bubble  and governments willing to host cruise ships   2 years away at least

Regards

John

So what do we need for a Cruise Bubble  ???

3 hours ago, icat2000 said:

I might have to consider *shuddering* camping here as a possible travel habit if pricing its too high. Pete will be in seventh heaven. I will need a lot of gin to survive.

Oh dear .. the ONLY answer would be a motor home with EVERYTHING about 40 foot long   that might just work and I'm not going anywhere where there is not a proper private dunny

Regards

John

PS you can camp at the hilton