willsaway

I have just checked my invoice, you had me worried. But it clearly states gratuities included. So I do hope the t.a. hasn't made a booboo.

We have stayed at the Y twice now, first time preCovid, 2nd time last September. We tell all our Aussie friends about it. It is a fabulous choice. Vancouver's best kept secret. Everything is closeby and walkable, and we're no spring chickens. Order a "kitchen box" from reception when you get there. It contains crockery and cutlery. You can also access coffee or tea from reception area in the mornings. It's not a "flash" hotel but given the appalling prices in Vancouver, it is a winner.

Is this the Diamond Princess next Feb? I didn't even look, just assumed sailing ex Sydney it would automatically have those pesky gratuities included.

Completely underwhelmed with the itineraries on offer for Voyager when she kicks of her Brisbane season, so a big no from us, but have booked the 3 legs from Rome to Brisbane, including a 7 night Croatia cruise beforehand. When Explorer left Australia in 2019 we only cruised as far as Dubai and always regretted not going through the Suez, so here is the opportunity. We've never cruised in these waters, or the Mediterranean so are really keen. Many cruise critic members have experience in these areas, and all comments sought. Too early for any roll-calls yet, but the other social media outlet is up and running. We'll be doing the ports on this cruise on the smell of an oil rag, so any tips from fellow parsimonious passengers would be great. I gather the Singapore to Sydney leg is attracting a lot of interest.

Always appreciate a heads up cause Celebrity often manage to miss sending the email about flash sales. Only Celebrity we've got coming up is Solstice next March, Singapore to Sydney. So had a look, and sadly the prices for everything are still through the roof. Maybe Black Friday sales.

All the posts over the years about early flights and will I-wont I make it (and I admit to one such post myself), just goes to show, you never know.

We stayed at the Rendezvous a few weeks ago, and went across the road in George Street to "Rubs and "Burgers". Casual seating, either inside or outside, casual ordering and service. For a large group, it could be what you're looking for. It's not fancy by any means but suited us. Easy short stroll to/from hotel.

Evening all. Having just disembarked from this very cruise yesterday, here is my 2 bob's worth. Cost: did not get a particularly good price for a concierge infinity balcony cabin, but keen to try Edge and took advantage of a flash sale to upgrade from Classic to Premium drinks pkge. And so pleased we did. Prices were outrageous, if you were "paying". Sav Blanc Villa Maria $18US a glass as an example. So much higher generally than Royal prices. The ship itself was very flash, but we felt there were limited community areas. Only 3 general indoor bar areas: given the number of passengers limited seating, and disjointed and uncordinated bar service. 4 choices of MDR, and give Edge their due, the meals were terrific, as they were in the buffet. So fresh and well presented. Bands at bars: brilliant, really excellent. Staff: Captain Costa (who did a 90 minute superb presentation) said 50% of the staff were on their first contract. Enough said. Infinity Cabin: hmmm, has pluses and minuses. The window washing mechanism on the starboard side aft wasn't working, consequently window was heavily salted. The Captains Club drinks from 5-7 had enough choice to suit most people. Cruise Director: excellent. Unable to enjoy the experience of the Roof Garden or Sunset Bar as 6 days just wasn't enough time, but it did give us a good feel for a lovely, new ship. We'd go again but the price would have to be more in line with other cruises out of Sydney or Brisbane.

@OzKiwiJJthank you, you can hear my sigh of relief. I can handle $1 a time. It's not that deBetoli is a bad vineyard, and many moons ago I purchased it by the good old cask, but several decades later, its a whole other story.

De Bertoli? And nothing from Marlborough wines. Looks like next year's Princess cruise to Japan will be spirits or cocktails. Which is fine, but I do like a wine with dinner.

Hello @martincath. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your profile on our local Aussie forum. You have been a phenomenal source of information all things Canadian for our two trips, 2018 and 2023. Cheers.

A memory on social media popped up for us today, 12 months to the day. Accepted an amazing offer to sail on Luminosa to the South Pacific, simply too good to refuse. Cruised on Spirit, and swore never again, but figured how bad could it be? So toddled up to Brisbane prepared to give Luminosa a go. Well, were we pleasantly surprised. The open bar areas with windows reminded us of Royal's Radiance class, and so much available seating for groups of friends. Found the entertainment more than acceptable. Sure, there were some weird aspects of the ship, the pool was totally inadequate for those who sun-worship, (not us), and the menus are a little on the odd side, but we weren't looking for negatives. The crew was excellent. Would we cruise on Luminosa again? Hmmm, if the price was right, absolutely. We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise, and you can't ask more than that.

Thanks for the info, have you ever travelled in a mini on deck 8 on this particular ship. The ever-informative YouTube features cabins on deck 9, and a (small) downside would appear to be absolutely no cover over the balcony. Logic tells me that the mini's beneath on Deck 8 would have Deck 9 above as a cover? And what passes for a mini on Diamond is really a standard balcony cabin on Royal and Celebrity? Just a chair and a bed is doable for a short cruise, but not 22 nights.

Hi, yes just joined. I thought I recognised your name from reading your various posts over the years. It will be nice to meet you. I also see there is a you-know-what page. We may do a little Diamond cruise out of Brisbane prior to, just to get a feel for Princess.

Never thought we would book a Princess cruise. Nothing against Princess but we are Royal/Celebrity cruisers, but time for a change. It almost didn't happen - 22 nights in a cabin without a couch was a deal breaker, even though the itinerary was very enticing. Then a friend mentioned Mini Suite, and we now have a gty, lower deck, aft ME, whatever that all means. There are many posters on this forum who are obviously very au fait with all things Princess, and you are all an absolute mine of information (plus Google). I've been reading a lot of posts. And I discovered something that sounds fun, a dinner served on your balcony. Thanks to many comments I found it (the dinner) on the website, and thought I might book it for day 6 Conflict Islands, and the price seemed sort of reasonable. However, unlike Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, I couldnt use obc for the purchase. Is this a Princess thing, can obc only be used once on board? I've added the Plus package, and don't really want to throw more $$ into the pot. I see some members of CC are on this cruise. Looking forward to your comments. Bit horrified to read all your comments about the poor wine selection, and the focus on American wines. Cheers

The Yacht Club at Yorkeys is a terrific spot to spend a few hours and your wife could shuttle into Cairns. We've tendered in Yorkeys and just spent the day at the Club, getting the very last tender back to the ship with the shore staff.

I've just come across this thread and really have struck gold, so thank you all. We've attempted Singapore twice now. In 2014 off the Celebrity Millennium we were all half dead and sightseeing was impossible, and again a day in port off Explorer of the Seas in 2018 when it took most of the day to even get off the ship, let alone explore. Have booked the Solstice in March 2025 back to Sydney and plan a few days in Singapore to try for the 3rd time. So comments about air con, mrt, night zoo etc and preferred locations are much appreciated. A medium priced hotel, value for money, is what we aim for, and evening drinks a bonus.

Thank you so much for this thread, such great information. We are looking at Diamond Princess ex Sydney in Feb 2025 to Yokohama. It will be our first Princess cruise as we are Royal or Celebrity, but the itineraries ex Sydney are getting repetitious and Japan is high on our one-day list. Jumped on Cruise Critic and found your thread....excellent, will be making many notes. Cheers.

As usual, your suggestions are spot on. If I told my companions we'd be up for another $100 (oz $$), on top of menu, and then a tip, irrespective of good causes, they'd throttle me with their support stockings. So I do thank you, especially using the "budget" word. We'll be back on yet another Sunday a week later, on a side to side ( your prior advice to take off for the day) so I'll keep the pancake place for Sunday No 3. As to black pudding, not unlike Vegemite, it's an acquired taste, so pass. Nice to communicate in real time. Any budget dinner tips also welcome. Sue

A small group of us Aussies are staying at the YWCA Vancouver over consecutive Sunday's. We are boarding on a "3 ship" day, and taking @martincath excellent advice to board later. We have a late checkout. I had planned on Medina, as have brunched there some years ago. But we don't relish paying for the privilege of a reservation (tipping is bad enough for us), nor an hour's queue. So, 2nd or 3rd choice option gratefully sought please, within walking distance. Our first Sunday there we're opting for the Sky Tower's Brunch.

What a terrific answer, knew I could depend on you. Thank you so much, and added map is just sheer class. Love the idea of train. Sailing from Sydney we always use the train, so convenient. I have noted one of your previous posts that Vancouver has touch-tap for credit cards so I'm assuming we can buy tickets easily from some sort of fare machine. Should we do decide on a cab, what is an appropriate tip? It's an area fraught with difficulties for us Aussies. And I see the Medina is still there, you put us onto that in 2018. Perfect price point for budget travellers.

There seem to be many ways of travel from the Vancouver airport to downtown. Your recommendations for a party of 5 tired, older, and jet-lagged Aussies would be very welcome. It would be nice to get off the plane, about 4 to 5 p.m., so peak hour, and not have to negotiate a taxi rank or the train station. Someone holding a sign, or similar, would be very nice. I've web searched and the availability is a little overwhelming and quite expensive, in that they seemed to be charging per person, rather than per vehicle. Thank you.

Thank you all for your insights and comments, it is very much appreciated. I hate packing at the best of times and to cover all our stops is a bit daunting. Happy to return the favour for info coming down under. @martincath you never disappoint - we are all booked in at the Y, so thank you for those comments way back in 2019.

Flying in from Australia mid September, to spend a week in Vancouver (4 night Coach tour) followed by a 7 nighter inside passage cruise. We then jump ship to do the transpacific via Hawaii back to Oz. Given airline weight restrictions, and given the limited time need for beanies, gloves, scarves, puffer jackets, sweaters and so on, I was considering buying second hand (pre-loved) clothing from an op shop - called in Canada Thrift shops? - and then redonating the goods on our return to Canada Place before boarding for the t.p. Can any of the lovely locals who contribute to this thread advise if a) you actually have this type of store and/or b) a low cost Department Store. Not looking for glamourous or trendy, just warm, waterproof and affordable. We will have two full free days to do Vancouver sight seeing and shopping. Cheers.

Great tip, and one I am grateful for. I'm assuming Eclipse will have some sort of concierge availability and plan to use that facility to print our Brilliance tags if unable to do so from Oz before our flight out. Thank you.