Tripmode33

Thank you. I have copy of email so will visit guest services again. I would have thought it should happen automatically. But hopefully we'll sort it out.

Currently on Majestic and, as we're on an old version of Plus, received an email re the $25 OBC. I would appreciate advice from anyone who has received this onboard. Was it applied automatically on Day 1? If so, do you recall what they called it on your on-board account? We have not received it and guest services not helpful. They see a $25 credit which they think may be it, but that one has been there for past 2years ago when booking. I have early printouts showing all original OBC amounts from before cruise and there are no additional credits since boarding. Appreciate any advice re your experiences with this. Thanks

Currently on Majestic. At every port now, the ship scanner has a sign that only one wine bottle per adult is allowed. So you can top up your cabin supply each port visit if bottle shop is handy. This always was the case, but wasn't sure of policy post-covid.

I too always found the Carnival one the most successful in the past, but now agree, having used both quite recently, that the Princess one is currently the best to use - responsive and timely.

We did book quite a while before there were two Noumea visits. But were hoping to make the most of two full days there once advised of the change. Yes, only Monday on boarding were we advised of hull cleaning. Good sea conditions and weather for the cleaning team. Very quiet operation so far. Not sure of the process but hopefully anything Biofuel they remove is contained and not an environmental risk to our beautiful Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Thanks. That's a shame you missed Port Douglas. Hopefully seas calm enough to do job this time. Yes, if missed Port is beyond their control, like weather or seas, no compensation is offered. This, being a change of plans by ship, may make a difference.

We have just embarked Carnival Splendor this morning in Sydney for an 8 day South Pacific cruise. At boarding they advised we will miss our Noumea visit (one of two visits separated by Lifou) as we need to head up to Bundaberg Qld to have our hull cleaned first. I find it hard to believe that Carnival only decided to book the ship in for a clean on the morning of embarking. While many cruisers don't list Noumea as a favourite port, it is disappointing for our plans. The offer at embarkation was (1) we could not board and receive a future cruise credit for amount paid less port and govt fees and charges or (2) board and $100 OBC per Stateroom (not per person) would be put on your account. This means if four in the cabin, compensation for missed port is $25 per person. We have flown to Sydney so inconvenient to cancel so happy to board. I wonder if they would also be obliged to refund the Port fees for Noumea visit cancelled. On Princess we are usually refunded Port fees if we cannot make it to port. Does anyone have Carnival experience?

A few notes that may help. I would assume between those destinations that you'll be using full sized commercial aeroplanes. 23kg is the norm for checked in bag. Since you are quoted 15lb, the minimum here amongst the major airlines is 7kg which is equivalent to 15lb. I'd definitely stay within 7kg as some airlines do weigh at gate - my carry on was weighed yesterday when I flew. Qantas is more generous at 10kg plus small item. The 7kg rule on the budget carrier, Jetstar, allows you to carry a small item like a handbag but that is included in the 7kg (weighed together). A coat you carry with large pockets is useful with Jetstar! I would say, in general, coaches would not fit a wheeled carry on bag so I would be using a smaller backpack style, adhering to their stated dimensions. I have seen some wheeled soft backpacks but they are usually larger. I wonder if you could confirm if the coach would put a wheeled carry on under their belly in addition to main checked bag. Doesn't sound like it.

I can recommend the Katnook. We have only had the Plus Package, not Premier, but happy to pay the $1 extra for the Katnook over the poor selection of reds offered under Plus. (Masterpeace Merlot under the Plus was the only red we enjoyed of the limited Plus range.) The Vines on Grand excellent, but sadly not so on Majestic which is our next Princess cruise.

Definitely try Vines on Grand. Wines by the glass under the package much nicer than any other wine menu onboard. Nicer glasses too and if you promise to return them, can take into MDR with you.

Agree. We had an aft facing balcony on our last Luminosa cruise. On that ship, these are quite narrow cabins but definitely bigger than standard balcony. We had sofa plus tub chair and desk with chair. Our friends in standard only had a single seat other than the bed to sit on. Of course, there are chairs on the balcony.

If anyone is considering an inside on Luminosa, there is an inside category, usually only a few dollars more than true inside, called Interior with Window that on other ships would be called obstructed ocean view. They are located on deck with lifeboats so some have better views than others. Best thing is, rather than a small window, they have full-length double glass doors (that don't open) so plenty of light and sometimes decent view.

There is a website called cruisedeckplans that in the description for the ship often states which balconies are covered and which are not. For Luminosa I looked at that site for both Carnival Luminosa and Costa Luminosa as fairly recent name change and details under both.

We're departing carnival tomorrow and they have already emailed to say effective immediately we no longer need to do RAT or show Vax certificate in boarding. I logged into the carnival site and they've already removed the links/tab where you used to enter vaccination status and covid questionnaire.

We departed ship fairly early and were worried there may not be taxis available until later when guests started arriving in them for next cruise, but there were about eight lined up. Don't recall seeing a maxi taxi at that stage but I'm sure they would be available.

For a one-way cruise we used Alpha Airport Parking in Brisbane. They have a handy Seniors Card Discount and we found the taxi fare from the cruise terminal to collect car, around $35, quite reasonable.

In Australia, as of a few months ago, a change came through that we are now able to purchase the Plus or Premier Fare Package for just one member of a couple. (I am not referring to the stand alone drinks package but the Plus/Premier Fare). We have used the same travel agent for a decade and she let us know of the new rule a few months ago. Have booked two upcoming cruises on that basis - one person with Plus and other person no package. It is strange that it would be different in USA.

P1 should be mostly undercover if you seek shade and protection from the likes of hail. P2 and P3 are definitely open air but both easy walks to terminal. Just be mindful that the conditions regarding timing of both entrance and exit of P3 differ from conditions of P1 and P2.

We did a Transatlantic and loved the sea days. A chance to relax.

I was very impressed with 'Flick' but saw it again with a different lead singer and not as enjoyable.

Lone Pine has been a favourite with Queenslanders for decades so I'm sure it would be a popular tour if offered. Haven't been there personally but we are blessed with Koala, Kangaroo, Platypus etc on our property where we live every day. But amazing animals to visit if you haven't had the opportunity before.

We found that when we rotated through the included three main dining rooms (Angelo's, Dragon Lady and Waterfront), there were two menus in each, changing every three days for dinner. So it was a different menu for the first six nights and only repeated on Night 7 if our 7 night cruise. We enjoyed all three restaurants but Angelo's probably our favourite but Dragon Lady a close second. Re the buffet, really loved the Indian, and fish and chips very enjoyable too. There was a salad bar, fruit, and cold sandwich, rolls and wraps as well. Never a wait or line-up to be served but we usually had lunch early. Agree, the range at the buffet wasn't as extensive as Princess buffet but we probably enjoyed it at a similar level. Great value too, as our P&O cruise was around $100 per night balcony whereas we are finding Princess lately is close to $200 night for balcony.

After three dozen Princess cruises, we did our first P&O this year on Encounter. We were pleasantly surprised. Would definitely consider another P&O. You really need to try for yourself as so many variables for different people. Enjoy exploring.

CMC online broker firm has a simple one page statement you can print out any day you want. It has your name and address and shows shares held. I just blank out my account number.

If it doesn't show your name, could you blank out all but the final three digits of your account number, and then print it out together with another statement/page that does show your name and again the final three digits of your account???