Over from NZ

Thank you for the correction. Sadly though; we all know that you only go over the side if you're wanting to go over the side.

No idea lol. Just remember.. it's a rule of thumb only. Used for picking a mid-point for a crowd. I listen to everything from 50's blues to 2000's house music and you won't pick my age either. haha.

They'd be an exception to the rule. After about 2000 odd gigs as a DJ.. I've got a bit of a hang of it haha. The rule of thumb we worked on when doing 40th birthdays, 50th birthdays etc. was to work out what year the person was 15. Play music from 5 years either side.. usually hit the crowd right. Not foolproof.. but rather effective. So a 65 year old was born in 1957. They were 15 in 1972. That was their high-school years.. when pop music etc takes on new importance haha. You'd hit them with music from late 60's to mid-late 70's. The average person in their 60's will be into 70's music.

Rule of thumb.. people in their 60's will identify with 70's music. Those in their 50's will identify with 80's music.

In their 50's lol.. but yeah.. you're right that the 80's are NOT pitched at a younger crowd haha.

And in the news.

Reports are - Person died onboard. Hour and a half later the partner jumps.

Another bloody jumper.

What about guest artists.. singers, comedians and so-on? Princess were pretty average at best pre-covid. Hope they're not cutting further corners there too.

Good one! 🙂 Was wondering if that was another of their cost-cutting ideas since Covid. We've got a couple of cruises booked.. but am only mildly optimistic that cruising is still going to be a preferred option going forward. Cheers!

Not sure sorry. We booked the excursion to daydream Island from the ship (we were novices back in the day.. nowadays we book our own and stay clear of ship excursions haha).

I presume Princess still has the special guest artists at night (well at least some nights).. singers, comedians etc? Haven't cruised since Covid. Being fair.. Princess were a bit average even before covid haha. We're off on 21-night cruise next month. Can now start to see the daily activities in the app.. however apart from a ventriloquist.. there's no guest acts or artists showing. I presume it's just because we're too far out?

Hit the low Isles with "Wavedancer" from Port Douglas. Technically I think it counts as the inner Barrier Reef. It doesn't have the 2 hours each way to get there and is very kid-friendly (and with amazing fish, turtles etc to see). One of the best, well organised excursions we have done. https://wavedancerlowisles.com/ From Airlie Beach, we took a day trip to Daydream Island and that was a great day out. Snorkeling there too. Singapore there is just so much to see and do. We had a week there and only scratched the surface. Are heading back there end of June for more 🙂

It's a slippery slope. One of the benefits of cruising was the all inclusive nature of the fare. The more these lines nickel and dime us.. the more it's meh.. there's other ways to spend our leisure dollar or travel.

Thanks for that. I found that seat61 site and it was really good. In the end.. I get fed up with Trenitalia.. it's only a small fee to use italiarail.. so am happy with them. Job done. Bookings made. Thanks for the help.

Sorry if I've doubled up. I'm working through all the posts. We catch a train from La Spezia to Civitavecchia on the day of our cruise. When we get to the station at Civitavecchia - can we walk to the ship? If not.. how do we get there? Is it far? Thank you.

On a FB page for P&O.. somebody was saying that for some shows onboard now.. there's a cover charge? Seriously?! We haven't cruised with P&O for a while but have one this year. Could be our last if that's the case.

Thanks for the advice. We're only talking next month. Trenitalia seems a mess to navigate (trying the Venice to La Spezia option first). So other than the price.. we should be safe to use the likes of italiarail?

I've got trenitalia written down.. but their web-site is a dogs breakfast. Don't like the look of that. ItaliaRail looks the easiest to navigate.

Hello. We're going to need to train from Venice to La Spezia before our cruise as well as La Spezia to Civitavecchia. Am doing my homework and trying to figure out the trains. There seems to be lots of options.. e.g. Omio, italiarail, thetrainline.com, etc. And others. Are they just all re-selling the same rides? Are they all trustworthy.. is there any in particular we should be sticking to? I'm sure once I get my head around it.. we'll be fine.. but it's all a bit overwhelming at present. We'll be carting our luggage if that makes a difference and would want it at least within sight on the train. Any help would be much appreciated! 🙂

Retiring the upgrade fairy and instigating the bidding system is a better, fairer option 🙂

We did last time. In hindsight; felt we let ourselves down by doing just that. It's just a so-so day on the HoHo. We're putting the effort in this time. What's the point of going all the way over there and then not maximising the port? lol 🙂

I should know better.. but I'm having a blank moment lol. If say the itinerary says we're there from noon till 8pm.. the 8pm is the time the ship departs isn't it? So last time to get onboard is probably 7.30pm? Obviously we would aim to be back well before then. Or is 8pm the last time to be back on board?

The chances were always very slim.. the fact that you got 2 upgrades is very much a fluke. With Princess now.. there shouldn't be free upgrades presumably. So wouldn't get worried about something that is just a bit of rare luck. Book accordingly. 🙂

What do you want to see.. and how long have you got? Aussie is a BIG place. New Zealand is worthy of a trip on its own and better seen by land. Don't let the size fool you. The pacific Islands are beautiful and there's lots of variations you can choose from there. What are hoping to see or do? 🙂