Difference between cruises from Aust and other countries??

[MicCanberra]

Hey! Jimmy is VERY credible. In fact he has all sorts of Credit Cards in lots of different names. Can't get more credible than that.

 

LOl, so he has eftpos?:D

[GUT2407]

LOl, so he has eftpos?:D

 

Nope, but his friends do.

[GUT2407]

Hey! Jimmy is VERY credible. In fact he has all sorts of Credit Cards in lots of different names. Can't get more credible than that.

 

Credible or Credit able?

[Russell21]

Nope, but his friends used to.

 

Fixed it for you.:D

[MicCanberra]

Nope, but his friends do.

 

LOL, I am just worried that if I go there with Cash, I may get mugged.:eek:

[GUT2407]

Fixed it for you.:D

 

 

No I mean his friends have EFTPOS machines.

[MicCanberra]

No I mean his friends have EFTPOS machines.

 

Good stuff, MR walker can bring all of his cards then.:rolleyes:

[Brisbane41]

For me a cruise has never been about what you are allowed to take on board like alcohol and if the casino will be open. I simply do not care about them or need them in my life.

 

If you are new to cruising you will soon realise that these things are trivial and insignificant in the scheme of things when you see how great cruising actually is.

 

Forget about what you can take and just take each day as it comes with great food, friendly service, excellent entertainment and amazing destinations. That is what cruising is all about.

[Adidas4fun]

For me a cruise has never been about what you are allowed to take on board like alcohol and if the casino will be open. I simply do not care about them or need them in my life.

 

If you are new to cruising you will soon realise that these things are trivial and insignificant in the scheme of things when you see how great cruising actually is.

 

Forget about what you can take and just take each day as it comes with great food, friendly service, excellent entertainment and amazing destinations. That is what cruising is all about.

 

the OPs post in which they had a hissy fit at me for suggesting such things has been removed. (along with my response to that hissy fit)

 

But the thread has, as always for the aus/nz board, moved well past thatmoment into levity that is not seen elsewhere on CC.

 

Bravo to the Kiwis and their west island poor cousins.

[Cabansail]

 

But the thread has, as always for the aus/nz board, moved well past thatmoment into levity that is not seen elsewhere on CC.

 

Bravo to the Kiwis and their west island poor cousins.

 

I think it's to do with climate. The threat of bushfires is something we keep in mind. It makes Flaming quite dangerous ;)

[GUT2407]

I think it's to do with climate. The threat of bushfires is something we keep in mind. It makes Flaming quite dangerous ;)

 

Agree not much nastiness in the Aus NZ section, since I've been here only one thread even looked like turning real nasty and t6hat person was ran off with humour.

[mr walker]

Good stuff, MR walker can bring all of his cards then.:rolleyes:

 

Ah, my motto - have card(s) will travel :)

Edited December 17, 2015 by mr walker

[MicCanberra]

Ah, my motto - have card(s) will travel :)

 

Good motto to have.:D

[MicCanberra]

I think it's to do with climate. The threat of bushfires is something we keep in mind. It makes Flaming quite dangerous ;)

 

Nice point. WE seem to be able take and give a joke and just get on like siblings without blowing our stacks.:D

[stingau]

Just to clarify, maybe you vodka comparison given the tax is a good one.

 

My point was that as Aussies we pay more, get less, and get ripped off by global companies. Movie tickets are another example.

 

Why does this happen, I believe is that for years we didn't know any better, or if we did there was nothing we as consumers could do about it.

 

I do see it eventually we will slowly catch up to the benefits overseas cruisers get. It's a matter of consumers voting with their feet and wallets. Years ago, cd's were over $30 ea. when online music sales became popular prices dropped dramatically are music companies losing money....no but realistic charges are in effect. Competition does wonders that benefit consumers.

 

When the Aussie dollar was strong a few yrs ago and airfares were cheap we discovered that cruising from overseas ports cost wise and benefit wise was so much better.

 

I still regularly get emails from an overseas travel agent that I have used. One offer was for 5 nights for $269 twin share with a $150 obc. Ok the cruise sailed to Bermuda and spent 2 nights tied up to a wharf which reduced fuel costs but you will never see deals like that here, they don't need to due to high occupancy rates. cruisers/ ship ratio is a figure that would be interesting to know.

 

Price drops of over 80% are common for cruises departing USA ports. When we cruise overseas we first select the time based on airline flights, then wait till final payment cut off to select a cruise.

[Aus Traveller]

J I still regularly get emails from an overseas travel agent that I have used. One offer was for 5 nights for $269 twin share with a $150 obc. Ok the cruise sailed to Bermuda and spent 2 nights tied up to a wharf which reduced fuel costs but you will never see deals like that here, they don't need to due to high occupancy rates. cruisers/ ship ratio is a figure that would be interesting to know.

 

Price drops of over 80% are common for cruises departing USA ports. When we cruise overseas we first select the time based on airline flights, then wait till final payment cut off to select a cruise.

There is more competition in the American market here so if a cruiseline has to offer specials they will be good. But keep in mind that you have to add fees and taxes to the quote price, so the end result isn't as good as it first looks.

 

Another point, it is no good comparing full prices offered here with an occasional special offered overseas. I recall one cruise we did on the Pacific Sun, 17 nights, Brisbane-Darwin return. We paid $899 pp twin share for an inside cabin and thought we had a fantastic deal. Then the price dropped to $675. This was a 'once-off' and it wouldn't be any good for me to say all the other cruises were overpriced just because we got that good deal.

 

Here cruises can be found for $65-$70 per night. The deal you mention ($269 plus taxes was probably $500 less $150 OBC = $350 for 5 nights = $70 per night). Good price, but not unheard of here. :)

[MicCanberra]

Just to clarify, maybe you vodka comparison given the tax is a good one.

 

My point was that as Aussies we pay more, get less, and get ripped off by global companies. Movie tickets are another example.

 

Why does this happen, I believe is that for years we didn't know any better, or if we did there was nothing we as consumers could do about it.

 

I do see it eventually we will slowly catch up to the benefits overseas cruisers get. It's a matter of consumers voting with their feet and wallets. Years ago, cd's were over $30 ea. when online music sales became popular prices dropped dramatically are music companies losing money....no but realistic charges are in effect. Competition does wonders that benefit consumers.

 

When the Aussie dollar was strong a few yrs ago and airfares were cheap we discovered that cruising from overseas ports cost wise and benefit wise was so much better.

 

I still regularly get emails from an overseas travel agent that I have used. One offer was for 5 nights for $269 twin share with a $150 obc. Ok the cruise sailed to Bermuda and spent 2 nights tied up to a wharf which reduced fuel costs but you will never see deals like that here, they don't need to due to high occupancy rates. cruisers/ ship ratio is a figure that would be interesting to know.

 

Price drops of over 80% are common for cruises departing USA ports. When we cruise overseas we first select the time based on airline flights, then wait till final payment cut off to select a cruise.

 

Great plan if you can do it like that. It is bit harder getting the time off work without having firm dates though.

[mr walker]

Great plan if you can do it like that. It is bit harder getting the time off work without having firm dates though.

 

C'mon Mic, with your cruise lineup, recent & future, I reckon you tell your boss when you are available to work, and let them work around that :D

[MicCanberra]

C'mon Mic, with your cruise lineup, recent & future, I reckon you tell your boss when you are available to work, and let them work around that :D

 

That is all about to change (after May 2016) as not only have I burnt through my Long service leave, we are becoming Grandparents as well. This will mean more time at home and less away.:D

[GUT2407]

That is all about to change (after May 2016) as not only have I burnt through my Long service leave, we are becoming Grandparents as well. This will mean more time at home and less away.:D

 

 

Congratulations to the kids, you and Rosie.

 

But aren't you two a bit young to be grandparents?:D

[Aus Traveller]

There is more competition in the American market here so if a cruiseline has to offer specials they will be good. But keep in mind that you have to add fees and taxes to the quote price, so the end result isn't as good as it first looks.

 

Another point, it is no good comparing full prices offered here with an occasional special offered overseas. I recall one cruise we did on the Pacific Sun, 17 nights, Brisbane-Darwin return. We paid $899 pp twin share for an inside cabin and thought we had a fantastic deal. Then the price dropped to $675. This was a 'once-off' and it wouldn't be any good for me to say all the other cruises were overpriced just because we got that good deal.

 

Here cruises can be found for $65-$70 per night. The deal you mention ($269 plus taxes was probably $500 less $150 OBC = $350 for 5 nights = $70 per night). Good price, but not unheard of here. :)

I posted the above comment earlier today. I have just received an email from a TA offering a 12 night cruise at $65 per night.

Sails 19 January, 2016

12 nights South Pacific Paradise

Sydney, Noumea, Lifou, Vila, Champagne Bay, Mystery Is., Mare, Sydney

 

Inside Twin $ 778 per person

Window Twin $ 980 per person

Balcony Twin $1,278 per person

Junior Suite $3,278 per person

 

I have removed the name of the TA because we are not permitted to mention TAs on this forum. I have posted this information to show that deals as good as overseas ones are available here.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Aus Traveller

[MicCanberra]

Congratulations to the kids, you and Rosie.

 

But aren't you two a bit young to be grandparents?:D

 

Thanks. :D

It will be mid twenties for both us and our son to have a child, so I suppose early for most people nowadays.:D

[Tara Jane]

We are just off a 4 night Melbourne - Eden - Melbourne cruise and the casino was open other than the day in port at Eden. Cant answer re the duty free.

Yes great deals are out there, we paid $660 for 2 adults and 2 kids in a quad the room was plenty big enough for us.

Congrats mic and mrs mic on becoming grandparents, The best part of having kids is the grandkids they give us.

It will possibly mean less cruising for a little while til they are old enough to be taken with nan and pop cruising.

[MicCanberra]

Congrats mic and mrs mic on becoming grandparents, The best part of having kids is the grandkids they give us.

It will possibly mean less cruising for a little while til they are old enough to be taken with nan and pop cruising.

 

Thanks, yes looking forward to cruising with the grand babies when they are old enough.:D

[gbenjo]

Thanks, yes looking forward to cruising with the grand babies when they are old enough.:D

 

Congratulations Mic & Rosie and the good thing about grand kids is you can hand them back :D ...Oh and don't forget when you start taking them cruising to get the appropriate permission letters from the parents or some nasty check in person down at the OPT will refuse you boarding.

 

See you on the 28th

Edited December 19, 2015 by gbenjo