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I Come From A Land Down Under
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Booking Future Cruises
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Princess
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The next port
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Dobby_The_Ship_Elf's Achievements
Cool Cruiser (2/15)
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We were in Auckland same day, same ship. Honestly it looked like Mickey Mouse had thrown up on everyone's head. I don't mind the odd Disney movie here and there but I ain't that enamored or gullible to spend my hard earned on what is essentially a family cruise.
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I recently read the whole 'Hobbiton Tour Cancelled' series of threads here is an update regarding the actual tour itself that CAN be done by Cruise ship pax. On Monday Dec 4 Hobbiton opened up two new exhibits (those being inside two adjacent Hobbit Holes). We visited on Tuesday Dec 5 thus were we some of the first to see the new exhibits. I can report that some minor detail within the exhibit has already been vandalised (stolen) but you have to look hard to find it. The tour staff are quick to see it and report it to the maintenance crew who come around each night to clean and fix etc. The tour is so professionally run and their attention to detail / timing and narration / inter-action with visitors is amazing. They take great care to explain some of the quirky detail as it relates to the movies while also explaining how the sets were designed, constructed and maintained. Truly a world class tour that should interest both those who are fans of the movies and those who are just interested in seeing what all the fuss is about. I certainly appreciated the complimentary mug of cool ale in the Green Dragon Inn after the tour. The Hobbiton folk are aware of the cancellation of tours organised by the Cruise lines. As it was explained to us; Hobbiton gets approximately 2000 visitors each day (ship or no ship) so they don't need the influx of multiple 40 seater coaches to stay afloat. Additionally, they know how much the Cruise lines charge to do the tour and therefore how much they skim off the top. So by not offering tours to Cruise lines we pax have do our homework and find local tour operators who offer the tour at a reasonable cost - thus a win win for pax and local tour operators. We thoroughly enjoyed our Hobbiton tour organised by myself using an independent operator. It was neither difficult nor confusing - do your research and ask around it is still possible to do this tour.
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Grand Princess Gastro And Covid Outbreak
Dobby_The_Ship_Elf replied to Zanny's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
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Spending OBC via Medallion
Dobby_The_Ship_Elf replied to Dobby_The_Ship_Elf's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
thanks for the responses folks, I shall stop trying -
HI folks, Has anyone had any luck reserving specialty dining like Sabatinis and paid for it using OBC. I have tried several times with no luck. Is there a secret? TIA
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Cruise Related. One of the best Remembrance Day observances I was involved in was in Naples Nov 11. 2019 onboard Sapphire Princess. As most pax were scheduled to be on tours at 1100 hours the ship advised that they would hold an observance at 1700 before we sailed at 1800. The veterans onboard had a gathering earlier in the cruise where the ship asked if we would like to be involved in hosting the observance. We had veterans from USA, UK, Canada, Aussie, NZ and some other countries I cant recall. Certain individuals volunteered to make a speech or recite prayers, ode etc. At 17O0 we gathered in the Vista Lounge and we were joined by the majority of the ships officers in full uniform (jackets & hats). The ship provided a beautiful wreath.The room was packed with very little standing room left. The Captain made a short speech as did the First Officer, then the US guy said a speech, the Canadian said a prayer, the NZ guy said the Ode, the Aussie guy said the Navy Ode (it's a thing, Google it) and one guy had even brought his travelling bagpipes and played the hymn Abide With Me. In the end a very moving observance which was the hot topic of conversation around the dinner table that evening. Well done Princess Cruises and those involved. Lest We Forget
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Sad news about one of our members.
Dobby_The_Ship_Elf replied to MicCanberra's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Yes, a sad day, thoughts and best wishes to his family