mr walker

For our Oct 16 '25 37N Grand sailing (Sth Pac, Hawaii, French Polynesia) that has been cancelled, they are offering a switch to 28N Crown sailing (Round Oz) 23 Nov '25 with $250pp OBC. Unfortunately, the 2 offerings are very different & the new date, which is after we would have returned from original itinerary, doesn't work for us ☹️ And we had $400 pp OBC on original cruise. Looking at options but very disappointed to miss our 'dream' cruise.

We explored the various options when we did our landtour (Calgary to Vancouver via Banff, Kamloops, Ketchikan, Whistler) ahead of our Alaska cruise in 2014. We elected to hire a car and drive it - the roads were good & we got to see what we wanted & for how long. Remain happy we made the right decision.

Had just seen this posted on social media. We were so happy to find that cruise as it was just what we wanted, and now it's cancelled. Back to the drawing board I guess. We had only paid $100pp deposit via FCC, so not out $'s but still very disappointed. Will wait for our PCP to contact us I suppose. ☹️ As I was typing the email came from Princess confirming!!

I don't think that anyone could ever understand the Princess booking system. When onboard Majestic back in Feb, we made a booking for Grand Princess for Oct '25 with the onboard booking lady - she could only offer guarantee. Upon return called our PCP and she at first said the same thing & then suddenly she was able to book us a specific balcony in our preferred location at same fare - she knew what we wanted from past experience. ????

Yes those prices look good (not the OC as Julie pointed out 😮). By comparison, fare for our Grand Princess cruise in Oct 2025 (Sth Pac, Hawaii, French Polynesia - Syd to Syd) is also 37N & for balcony price is A$11,600 pp! It's only money & you only live once, right 🙂 Of course no airfares required for that one, so need to factor in flight to SA and from London & likely accomm costs for this cruise for a true comparison.

Small samples size (1 P&O & 2 Princess cruises), but certainly not our experience.

I reckon the drinks are a lot cheaper in your place than onboard mate, so that must be a plus 🙂 Yes, you did make the most of the time you had travelling - good luck to you. I know you have some great memories. Cheers

Is progressive trivia going to be every seaday as it often is on other cruises? That's going to be an awful lot of questions with what 70+ sea days on your trip 😮 Maybe a few repeat questions?? 🙂

What time was sail away scheduled. On Ch9 news it shows ship still berthed?

ENJOY your cruise - we will be following along Cheers Neil & Tracey

As I understand it, the Upgrade Fairy was superseded by the Upsell Fairy

We are currently traveling back from QLD & are in TamworthNSW where I attended the Dawn Service this morning instead of usual home venue of Penrith. Good turnout & lovely service. Lest we forget

Strewth mate, you two take care of yourselves & get better soon.

I hope the rainfall does not meet the maximums predicted & I hope everyone stays safe & any flood damage minimized. We’re hoping it clears by Sunday as we head off to QLD from Sydney for a driving holiday, including a family wedding in Sunshine Coast next week. good luck all.

Almost every ship sails 'full' or close to it. When people talk about filling the ship, they are talking about selling it out at 'full' price. Unsold cabins are filled by discounting, some of which is not visible to all. TA's have clients who can sail at short notice at the right price and this fills unsold cabins. An old rule of thumb is that 80% of cabins sold at regular prices meets the costs of the cruise, the other 20% can be filled below 'cost' as those passengers will drink, take excursions etc which provides the all important revenue. I have been receiving emails from RC once or twice a week for months offering special deals - they are always for Quantam out of Brisbane, not for Ovation out of Sydney.