cruisermsoon

You need to catch a cab for at least part of the way, either the CityCat ferry to/from Bretts Wharf [Kingsford Smith Drive, the road to the terminal, is right by the wharf] or to Doomben rail station [a short walk to the road, and note that the Doomben train does not run on Sundays or public holidays - check the Translink site for times.]. Weekend taxi fare to Bretts Wharf is $35 and to the City about $45. The shuttle bus from the ship for two would probably come to more, but check on board.

I think it's generally accepted now that COVID is mainly an airborne virus, and hence the importance of mask wearing.

Cancelling their cruises because of face masks? GOOD RIDDANCE !!!

N.Z cruises ex Brisbane all restrict themselves to a strict 14 day N.Z. only itinerary, however I would like an extended cruise that also includes ports in Tasmania, plus Melbourne, Eden, Sydney, Newcastle, and a couple of extra ports in N.Z.

When you have successfully done your first cruise, start planning your Mediterranean cruise, the best cruising destination in the world, and the year after that, Norway. You won't regret.

Coral Princess: avoid!!! It's old and tired, and the Princess Grand Class ships are much better designed and maintained. Holland America: lovely ships and not too large. Celebrity ; above average and can be all-inclusive: look for specials. Royal Caribbean: very large impersonal ships that I can't recommend. All-inclusive small ships: Azamara: more expensive, but really nice smaller ships, all-inclusive [drinks included however not shore excursions which the luxury lines include, however at much bigger prices]. The Christmas cruise is from Perth to Melbourne, then a series of New Zealand cruises, a destination which I can recommend for a first time cruiser, probably better than the South Pacific. Food for thought, however being your first cruise, choose wisely, and you'll have a memorable experience. Bon voyage.

Warning: If you are using Brisbane public transport in the weekend, be aware that frequent line work can cause major disruptions, so always check the TRANSLINK site before assuming services are normal. Also, if you don't have a GO card, pre-book your airport train tickets on line for convenience and a possible discount. The nearest station from the port is probably Eagle Junction, which is the last station on the city line before the airport train proceeds to the airport stations. This station also connects with the Doomben line. All in all, for two or more passengers, the taxi fare is possible a better deal than the expensive airport train fares. I agree, the situation re transport to and from the new port is abysmal.

The chocolates are a minor exclusion, What we did notice was the adequate but uninspiring buffet fare [compared with Holland America or Celebrity], including very repetitive lunch offerings. Princess still does a good dinner menu, with tasty fresh bread rolls and the best Caesar salads at sea.

Apologies. Kingsford Smith Drive is correct.

Recent cruise from Brisbane and return to Brisbane City: Had time to do the 50 minute City Cat ferry to Brett's Wharf, a short step to Southern Cross Drive, hailed cab to terminal, $35 [Sunday rates] Return trip to Brisbane City by cab $45 [also Sunday rates]. Note that the Doomben train line operates Monday to Friday only, and it's a fairly short walk from the station to Southern Cross Drive [have not actually done this as prefer the City Cat if time available and it's a fine day].

There may be some areas where Princess have downgraded the experience a little, however my main gripe with Coral is the dawn to midnight incessant American-sourced "upbeat" music piped thoughout the ship. Not classy, tiresome, and very "Carnival" !!!

Keeping to the Dunedin theme, if you are not on a tour, and find yourself in the centre of town, the Octagon, the gothic style St. Paul's Cathedral is one of the best designed churches in the country, Auckland, in Parnell, has the very modern and imposing Holy Trinity Cathedral, and in Wellington, it's worth seeking out the small but lovely Old St. Paul's. When docked in Wellington, it's a pleasant walk along the waterfront to the far end to the must visit superb Te Papa Museum, and if you have time, a guided tour of Parliament House is much more interesting than you might imagine. Walking round Christchurch is a delight, with it's lovely parks and gardens along the Avon River, and while there , do visit the Settler's Museum. Tasmania is a great place to hire a car and do some sightseeing, as distances are not long, and many places are like a step back in time. Whatever you choose to do, you are certain to have a memorable Christmas and New Year in our balmy summer clime.

You don't mention the month you are coming, but for a trip of only two weeks, check out your favourite travel agent site for that time frame, and pick the best cruise line and itinerary you can afford. There are several lines operating, particularly in the summer months here, but my own personal favourites are Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Azamara. There will be quite a large choice of sailings out of Sydney, quite a few from Melbourne, and a limited choice from Brisbane. I would suggest avoiding the larger ships, like RCCL, and limit your choice to those carrying up to about 2000 pax. Tasmania is great, New Zealand is great, but whatever you choose, hopefully after your trip, you'll be planning to come here again. Yes, it's a big country.

I wouldn't expect duty free liquor to be sold in the on board duty free shops during a domestic cruise, however what about cruises that go "offshore" to places like Willis Island? Anybody had experience with this situation?

Have you looked at the Azamara 2023 World cruise? Everything is included in the price, and there is a very generous on-board spend allowance. The cruise is a long one, at 155 days, but a very interesting itinerary, on one of Azamara's lovely small ships.

Thanks for your input. I only have a basic mobile phone [it's all I need], so aren't able to load the Medallion app. There must be many others who have the same situation. The web version is a fairly straightforward way to enter all the required information, including dining requests, but if we can't do the embarkation request, will just have to turn up at the terminal without it. I'm sure there may be many others in the same situation.

So, we've filled in all the required information in the web version of the Princess check-in process for our upcoming cruise, have been allocated "Green Lane" status, and can supposedly book an embarkation check-in time slot. I've scoured every part of the cruise personaliser and cruise details sections of the web based check-in, and can find no reference to embarkation time slots. The only explanation I can think of is that we don't yet have a cabin number [the cruise is four weeks away], and this may automatically appear when we do. Has anybody else had this problem, and would be keen to hear of your experiences or issues with the matter.

My introduction to Azamara was a 34 night charter cruise on AZAMARA JOURNEY in 2016 designated HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. Needless to say, it was memorable, and the itinerary fantastic. Now that the line has three ships sailing in European waters in summer, it may be a good time to introduce GRAND VOYAGES to the Azamara repertoire, perhaps alternating a Mederranean theme one year with a Northern Europe one the next. Apart from the World Cruise, which is too long for most cruisers, the occasional longer voyage should prove popular and profitable.

Depends also where you are cruising. Check out European fares for next year and you'll be hard pressed to find anything under $300pn for a basic Outside cabin, wheras in Australian waters you should be able to find a decent cabin in the $150/200 range, and if it's Princess it's probably worth getting the Plus package [other lines less so]. Booking early has helped us, with a Christmas/New Year cruise on Princess including Plus less than $300pn, wheras on some other lines it would be more. P&O can still offer limited sale fares at not much more than $100pn, but have you noticed how the up market lines like Azamara have upped their rates, and they may not offer the last minute bargains that they have in the past.