CCC's

For what it is worth (maybe wishful thinking) the Port of Brisbane (new terminal) has Pacific Encounter sailing from Saturday 23 April 2022 and onwards.  Carnival Spirit enters the list on 5 June 2022 and Coral Princess on 29 June.   Here is the link ....

https://www.portbris.com.au/operations-and-trade/shipping-schedule/

We can only keep our fingers crossed that this is a true sign that sailing will commence in April ???

Thanks for the heads-up......setup to record all episodes.

I have also booked my first P&O cruise (usually Ovation or Celebrity Solstice).  Booked through online travel agent.....Sydney to Morton Island Qld and back to Sydney,  departing 15.9.2022.  Deposit of $1 each passenger, but also received $100 OBC + Drinks Package and Wi-Fi for both passengers.  At this point in time I am not at all sure that ships will be cruising in Australian waters, but I have my fingers crossed it will happen.

Otherwise, I will also have to cancel and lose my $2 !!!

PS: If I had opted to pay a much heftier deposit the actual cruise cost would have been <$300 less.  But I felt more comfortable parting with only $2.

On 12/24/2021 at 4:12 PM, SinbadThePorter said:

One thing I forgot to add is that a difference between them is that Pacific Adventure now has waterslides, but Pacific Encounter will not have them installed until March 2023.

 

I suppose that is either a plus or a minus, depending on how you feel about waterslides. 😁

My days on a waterslide are definitely over ..... don't want to scare the kiddies! and totally embarrass myself.

Thanks for all the replies and information.  I might give P&O a go (sample cruise) because I am becoming a little desperate for a short get-away, and would really like an Australian winter cruise, say about Aug/Sept and P&O will be able to fill that gap.   Thank you SinbadThePorter for your description of "diverse" passengers on P&O ships.  But I definitely do not plan to cruise during any school holiday periods.

I have never sailed with P & O Australia, having mostly sailed on Celebrity Solstice and Ovation of the Seas.  However, I am thinking I might enjoy a 4-5 night short cruise on P & O Pacific Adventure or Pacific Encounter.   Does anyone here have any information regarding these ships and what can I expect when comparing to the two other cruise ships I have sailed with.   Would appreciate any information before jumping in the deep end (pardon the pun).  

23 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

That's a bit rude of them but can you take advantage of a lift and shift offer preserving the original fare?

Well, I phoned them this morning 8am and asked for a Lift and Shift from 22 Feb 2022 to 3 March 2023 on Ovation OTS.  Same cabin on Sydney to Tassie local cruise.  However, original cruise was for 6 days and my new one in March 2023 will be for 8 days and goes to Tassie and Adelaide.  And here is the sweetener, I will not be paying for the extra 2 days.  Same fare as original booking.  I am very happy with that deal and I get the extra destination of Adelaide thrown in.  I know it is more than 1-1/2 years away, but under the current circumstances, I will take what I can get.

1 hour ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

That's a bit rude of them but can you take advantage of a lift and shift offer preserving the original fare?

Yes, that is an option.  But the cruise offered will be in March 2023 which is more than 1-1/2 yrs away.  So much can happen in that time.  But I will probably have to suck it up and go with their Lift & Shift offer.

3 hours ago, NSWP said:

Too expensive.

It now makes sense.  I received notification today that my 6 night cruise Sydney to Tassie and return via Eden due for sailing 22 Feb 2022, was cancelled.  My deal on that cruise covered 3 persons in cabin at $115 each per night.  And then in the same email it was stated that a "New" list of local sailings was being offered covering local cruises during the same time my cruise was cancelled.  Of course, the new cruises will be charged at a hugely inflated daily rate.  If they were honest about the "cancellation" of my cruise they would have just transferred my booking over to the newly offered cruise.  Very sneeky of them.

I have booked a 6 day cruise on Ovation of the Seas, departing Sydney February 2022.  Sails to Hobart and on return to Sydney stops in at Eden.   I feel comfortable booking an Australian cruise as I would like to be close to home should anything go haywire.....

7 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

They said they wouldn't pay more unless they get that guarantee, and we all know that they cannot do that.

Agree with you 100%......I fully believe that they will not and could not give me that guarantee, particularly in light with the current situation developing in Victoria and possible spread through all states of Australia (praying that does not happen) !   I will follow through with my plan to contact them late July and see what their story will be and go with the best option offered to me at the time.  But definitely will not be paying them any more money based on a "we might be sailing"...... rubbish.  

Thank you all for the many suggestions and excellent advice.   I booked direct with RC with a deposit of $600.  I am very hesitant to pay the full Final amount (could be throwing my money away) by 3 August.   So, I will wait until at least end of July and see if RC cancel the cruise.  If I have not been contacted I will call them direct and try to transfer my deposit to another cruise, probably 2022 (that should be enough time for the dust to settle) and hopefully RC will have excellent processes in place to ensure all passengers are in a safe and healthy environment.

However, if they do not come to the party re: transferring to another cruise 2022, and I lose my $600 deposit, I will push them very hard to give me a 100% guarantee (in writing) that my cruise will be sailing mid October "in a safe and healthy environment" BEFORE I give them another cent.  I am positive that by early August they will know whether they will be sailing in Aussie waters or not.  My gut, and most of respondents to my query, believe they will not be sailing our waters until at least 2021

Once again, thank you everyone for your invaluable advice.

Looking for advice please.....My final payment is due on 3 August 2020 cruising on Ovation of the Seas.   To date I have not  been advised by RC that this cruise, to depart Sydney mid October, 2020 (Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, return to Sydney) will be cancelled.  What would be a reasonable timeline for RC to cancel this cruise?  Also, if I haven't been advised by due date should I go ahead and pay the remaining $3,000+ then possibly fight them for a refund should they cancel after I have fully paid?  Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks.

I would like to purchase the 5 Night Dining Package on Ovation cruise 13

 November 2019 - Sydney / New Zealand / Sydney.  The current cost is AU$172.55.     Is it possible that I would get a better deal on embarkation day?   Any advice would be appreciated.

My daughter and I have booked an excursion out of Picton on Wednesday 20 November, 2019.   It is a 3 hour boat trip called "3 hour Marlborough Sounds Delivery Cruise".  We booked using Viator.  It leaves Picton at 10am and returns at 1.30pm.  Check it out.

Just a suggestion.....I would drop your luggage at the hotel, go for a leisurely breakfast at one of the many cafes in the Rocks Area, which is right beside the Overseas Passenger Terminal (cruise ship docking).

I would then walk along the waterfront and catch one of the many ferries which leave from the same area.  My favourite is the ferry which goes to Manly, where you can again undertake a leisurely stroll along this beautiful beachside area,  enjoy a coffee and then return to the ferry which will take you back to the Overseas Passenger Terminal.  This should 'kill' a number of hours and hopefully you can check with your hotel whether your room is ready.     I never get tired of this little excursion whenever we go to Sydney to join our cruise.   Good luck and enjoy our beautiful Sydney Harbour.

Many thanks for all the responses and advice.  I will keep a close watch on daily Internet pricing over the coming months and grab it when I feel happy about the pricing.  Also, I was not aware that you can purchase on a daily basis as well.   This might need to be considered.....I can use wi-fi when in port.

Once again,  thank you everyone.

VOOM & Stream daily package. I am considering purchasing for 10 days, one device at AU$21.08 daily. Has anyone had experience with onboard Internet/streaming and is this the best price I could expect. I have seen post which state if you purchase onboard it can be more expensive. Any advice would be welcome.   I am sailing Sydney/New Zealand on Wednesday 13 November 2019.

I am cruising on Ovation in late February which will depart from Circular Quay.   I have booked a hotel  close to Central Railway Station, which will be convenient as we are travelling to Sydney via rail.   However, you can also get a train from the airport to Central railway as well.  It is called Valentine on George and nightly rate for King Size or Twin room is $170.00.   You can find it on any of the accommodation search sites and also check out the reviews which are all pretty good.   This is a great area to access Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Paddys Markets, bus/light rail transport etc.  Plenty of cafes, restaurants in area as well.   And the morning of the cruise we will catch a train to Circular Quay (3 stops) followed by a very short walk to the ship.   

Added bonus - I don't have to pay for accommodation until I arrive at the hotel.   And I can cancel my booking up to several days before my scheduled stay with them.    All very hassle free.     Good luck with your accommodation search.

Check out Napoleon on Kent apartments good price very central no bells and whistles Aussie

This is an excellent choice. ..great price approx $144 night for studio with kitchenette, very close to Wynyard station, Circular Quay, Barrangaroo etc. Definitely worth checking out.

Hi

Marinetraffic.com is great for ship tracking and windy.com for weather and sea conditions

Downloaded windy.com app. Great info...having fun playing with this app.

We are on that cruise too. As it is still two weeks away, wouldn't think it would be hanging around still then.

Not too worried about Hola but might have a brother or sister who also want to cause havoc!!

Kiwi kruzer. Will be sailing on Celebrity Solstice on way to Noumea and surrounding islands about 22 March. Can you give us a heads up if a cyclone starts developing about that time. Much appreciated.

I will be on Solstice 21st March and really appreciate your current and informative feedback. Will also be sailing in Aqua Class on deck 11.

Check out Priceline Travel Insurance which is underwritten by Chubb Insurance. I have used them several times and find their policy for travel insurance to be user friendly. Also i have pre-existing medical issues which are covered. If you have any questions just phone or email them. They are very competitive price wise and you can get a 10% discount if you are a Priceline member which is free to join.