highriding

On 12/29/2022 at 5:26 PM, arxcards said:

Somewhat opposite. NSW tourism and local councils have pushed hard to get the port to a level to handle cruise ships, and have marketed assertively to the cruise lines for several years.

 

A nice visitors centre & markets on the wharf, free shuttles into town, a whale museum, nice cafe's and the overpriced ship tour sellers have still found an array of tours to peddle https://www.princess.com/cruise-excursions/eden-australia-excursions?portCode=QDN&portDate=11062023

Definitely what is needed is some entrepreneurial individuals to offer some better alternatives or better still drop it off the cruise ship's itineraries.  Give us cruisers more time in New Zealand, or Tasmania or Melbourne!

On 12/29/2022 at 5:14 AM, MMDown Under said:

Agree it would be nice to visit other ports in Queensland, such as Townsville (Magnetic Island) and Gladstone (Heron Island).

Airlie/Shute Harbour is just the hub to the Whitsunday Islands. 

However, you might like to visit Cape Gloucester, Hideaway Bay and Dingo Beach in the Whitsundays on your next visit to Airlie Beach.  Have fresh seafood lunch at Cape Gloucester resort, with sand between your toes, and beautiful water views of Cape Gloucester island.  This is our favourite place in the Whitsundays. We used to holiday at Airlie Beach and from there visited Bowen and Proserpine. 

No sorry I cant agree... we have stopped at Gladstone on Holland America.  Nothing to do there it is worse than Eden.

Why dont they go to Cooktown it has so much history around Cook's Voyage with Banks.

20 minutes ago, yes!yes!yes! said:

Went there twice in august  with coral.  Guessing it's cheap Port fees. No tendering. Free shuttle. Close enough to walk. 

 

Our cruises we Coral and Majestic. Coral  docked and Majestic tendered. 

But those of us who are cruising enthusiasts we don't need to keep going vack to Eden, especially if your cruise is to Queensland or New Zealand.

I would love to know why there is an accelerated number of cruise ships stopping at Eden? 

Eden is a well known village on the NSW South Coast for both New South Wales residents and Victorians.  In the past many cruise ships going south from Sydney would stop at Melbourne and now that seems that this city is often by-passed for Eden and I am scratching my head as to why?  It certainly is NOT for the various options for excursions.... is it for cheap port charges and or saving on fuel?

6 minutes ago, sunsetme said:

What is this about?

Thank you everyone for your comments, most helpful.

13 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

If you can afford it...buy 100 shares of Carnival Cruise Corporation stock. Send proof of ownership before each cruise. More OBC!!

If anyone is a veteran or active military, send the required documentation to Princess and get OBC for every cruise without having to send in the information for every cruise.

 

Shareholder benefit & military benefit will give you up to $250 per benefit for each cruise. Plus the stock pays quarterly dividends.

Nice thought JF - unfortunately our Australian Dollar is not good against the US$ at the moment so I wont be considering buying shares.

15 hours ago, Retired_Army said:

The additional OBC is available as part of buying a Future Cruise Deposit (FCD).  Booking onboard you are really just combining the two steps; buying the FCD and then applying it to your cruise. You can, and should, buy several if you can afford the outlay.  Think of the FCD as a savings account, where else will you get a 25-50% return on your money?

 

I recommend you at least stop by the Future Cruise desk to see if there is a special on an itinerary you really like.  We leave in 76-days on a transatlantic booked onboard last fall with an additional $750 OBC.  The only benefit from booking onboard is talking to someone who should have good knowledge about the ships and ports of call.  You will probably get lots of comments from people who say they had to wait to see someone and were rushed when they finally got into the office.  Recently Princess has added some help in the area to help you find the right brochure etc., but once you get into the office take charge.  It is your meeting, ask all the questions you have to get the answers you need before spending your money. Don't be shy!

 

Once you get home, you can transfer the booking to the agent/agency of your choosing.  Just be aware that Princess changed their policy last year; transfers now must be initiated within 60-days of booking and the request has to be in writing.

Thank you Retired Army your comments have been most helpful.  Do I understand you correctly I can fill in more than one form (say 2) when I am on the cruise and pay for 2 Future Cruise Deposits?

We are about to do our first Princess cruise. We have found several itineraries that we like and I am aware that if you book a cruise while on board a Princess Cruise you get additional OBC (On Board Credit).  Can someone tell me can we book two new cruises while on board our first cruise?   and if so, do you receive the additional OBC for the two?

Are there any other benefits that you would not get by just going to a travel agent?