OzKiwiJJ

I know there are a lot of critics regarding White Bay but I'm wondering where else the Government could have built a cruise terminal. This is a genuine question. The State Government decided that a Casino at Barangaroo for high rollers would be more profitable than the money tourists spend from cruise ships so that part of the harbour was out. The Government has said no to relocating the Navy from Garden Island.A decision I agree with.

I also wonder if the cruise boom will last. We currently have the cashed up baby boomers but is the next generation going to have as much money to spend on holidays.

Just a few thoughts.

Regards Elaine.

It's not the cruise terminal per se that is the problem, it is the lack of easy transportation options given its distance from the CBD. At the moment the only options are taxis, hire cars, and private cars. Why not a shuttle ferry between White Bay and Circular Quay? A regular shuttle bus service to, say, the QVB which gives access to/from Town Hall Station. A shuttle bus up the hill to Balmain for those that want access to cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops and a supermarket. All three of these options require very little infrastructure to put in place. Somewhere for the ferry to dock, plus the ferry, of course. They'd probably need four buses to do the CBD shuttle and two for the run into Balmain - these two could possibly be smaller buses even. And a sheltered bus stop. No train or tram tracks, no extra roads.

Edit: Looking at Google maps it looks like there are train tracks between Lilydale Station and White Bay. A shuttle train that connects to the Light Rail?

It's like the government has only done half the job. Plunked down the cruise terminal but haven't bothered about the infrastructure to support it.

Actually they should have put the high rollers casino at White Bay and left the cruise terminal at Barangaroo :D

Sea Princess changes.

The two outer Premium Mini Suites (M4) aft on deck 9 (Caribe) become Penthouse Suites (S4).

Sun Princess changes.

The two centre Mini Suites (M4) aft on deck 10 (Baja) become Penthouse Suites (S4).

The two outer Mini Suites (M4) aft on deck 9 (Caribe) become Penthouse Suites (S4).

Sun Princess has a similar change, only its change in deck plans are 30th March. I'll see if I can spot the changes. ;)

According to Google maps it's 2.8km, and should take about 35 mins, to walk from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Balmain East Ferry Wharf. You have to backtrack quite a bit to get out of the cruise terminal. The shortest route looks like it goes along a walking or cycle track, and there may be uphill sections.

Edit: You should be able to buy a ticket on the ferry unless Balmain East has a ticket machine or office.

I'm expecting my December cruise to embark from White Bay. I'm hoping that embarkation will be quick and painless but I shall have to wait and see.

They say first impressions have the most impact. I wonder how many first time cruisers, that haven't had the benefit of the wisdom, advice and general info available here, have been turned off cruising by poor port facilities, especially at embarkation and disembarkation.

Hopefully I won't be. I've been "warned" by what I've read here. But I suspect I'll be swearing under my breath at the idiocy of whoever made the White Bay decision until I'm safely onboard.

Especially not with the weather we're having today. I'm surprised the pics actually look that good. You must have grabbed them between downpours, David.

OK, I'm a newbie to cruising but I'm having a real problem trying to work out what Sydney (NSW govt?) and Brisbane (QLD govt) are trying to do with the location of some of the places cruise boats are docking. OK, I understand the ships have got bigger but are these cities (and possibly others around Australia) really serious about wanting the cruise ship trade? In the case of Sydney, having the temporary cruise terminal at Barangaroo was bad enough but at least it was within walking distance of the CBD. But White Bay? Taxi access only? No trains, trams, ferries, or regular bus service (just a local Balmain one I think). Right in the middle of nowhere (sorry Balmain) with virtually nothing around it - the nearest shops and cafes are quite a decent uphill hike away. OK, it's fine for someone like me who lives locally, I can get dropped there relatively easily by car, but I feel so sorry for overseas, interstate, or out-of-town cruisers who have to embark and disembark there. Not to mention those just visiting for the day.

Then David posts lovely pictures of ships moored at Auckland. Right in the heart of downtown and reasonably close to good public transport, shops and restaurants - good restaurants at that. Oh well, the Kiwi part of me is very proud of Auckland :D, but I'm ashamed to be a Sydneyite :mad:.

Passengers on Voyager of the seas will be treated to a wonderful sail in through the Hauraki Gulf , and Auckland Harbour today . Its a perfect day, the water is sparkling and there is no wind.

She is due to berth at 1.30 this afternoon, and leave again for Tauranga at 10 pm .

Unusual for a ship to arrive in the afternoon.:)

 

 

I noticed on another thread that Voyager had a major outbreak of Norovirus on i's previous cruise. They may have spent extra time sanitising the ship which may explain its late arrival in Auckland.

Can't beat Auckland Harbour on a perfect day. That's why it was named Waitemata (Sparkling Waters). :)

Hi Maree,

 

Thanks for the update. We depart tomorrow and will be calling into Noumea. This pastry shop visit will definitely be a highlight for us - I can't wait. The Opera cake sounds delicious and when it is made properly, it is!

 

Nicki

Drool! I love Opera cake.

I have to wait until December to try something from this bakery :(

I'll be interested to hear your impression of Rhapsody post dry dock.

We got off Radiance yesterday and are talking about sailing on her again in October.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

So, how many kms did you cycle during your cruise? ;)

By the way, your efforts spurred me to get off my butt and back onto my exercycle. Just thought I'd let you know. My right knee, as well as the rest of me, thanks you :)

Price difference solved, seems $49 is for Domestic terminal - $69 from International.

 

Amanda

What? :eek: A twenty dollar difference between terminals? Weird!

Although I guess they might have more wasted waiting time picking up International arrivals.

Your e-ticket should show what time you need to be a the airport to check in for your flight however for a general rule of thumb you should be there at least three hours prior to your departure time for an economy class check in, and two hours for business class or if you have priority check in status.

Hotel to airport is less than half an hour by taxi, but may be more by shuttle if the shuttle is picking up at other hotels. Your hotel should be able to advise you when you check in.

I really did! It was a hoot. Maybe a once off swanning opportunity - unless they do it again in Melbourne, and I'll do it again in Sydney, and also maybe even Brisbane! I'll take photos next time.:D

Good on you! ;)

*giggle* at vision of Pushka nonchalantly walking on and off the ship several times in front of the celebs. :D

I found it! I found it! Something I've been trying to find for the past three years. A black cross-body evening bag with a touch of gold and a bit of sparkle that is big enough to take my Kindle. *happy dance* I don't go anywhere without my Kindle LOL.

I haven't done my first cruise yet but I'll probably take my regular five pocket cross-body bag, a soft zippable tote bag for the pool, and a very lightweight back-pack to carry water and stuff on shore days. We found the backpack in a travel store and it is big enough to take a couple of light jackets but folds up into a very small pouch when not in use.

So, handbags sorted and I've got another ten months to worry about the rest of the packing. ;)

That was lovely, David. Thanks for posting the link.

Akaroa certainly stepped up to the plate and have more than filled in for Lyttleton. I really hope they don't lose it all when the new wharf is completed in Lyttleton. Akaroa is such a charming place.

Money can't buy class or a half decent personality.

True! We were on the Royal Scotsman train last year and there was one guy who was a real prat. He made sure everyone knew that he was wealthy and was loud, rude and obnoxious. Sad to say he was Australian. :rolleyes:

We were on a sector of the P&O (the real one) World Cruise and there was one lady who was the talk of the whole ship. She was on for the full cruise and came to the Dining Room in a different outfit each night.

 

I want her clothes budget! LOL

No worries with that mate, get some good bargains on the WC sectors, cost us $5300 each for 49 days, Sydney-Southampton, outside cabin. Plus a dark business suit from Lowes for me these days, no more Tuxedos.

Yes, that's what we'll probably do one day but I've always had the dream of doing a whole world cruise. Still, you never know. Dreams do come true sometimes ;)

Also I'm past the age of worrying about having the latest fashion in clothing so maybe I could afford the clothes as well these days LOL. I do actually have some really nice evening wear that doesn't date and always looks good. And DH likes wearing a tuxedo and suits.

I've always jokingly said that even if I could afford the World cruise on one of the UK ships, I probably couldn't afford the clothes :D

Awww! Sorry, awesome girl. Hmmm, we missed the NT, Darwin 31.7 in January and the ACT where Canberra was 31.6 in January. Both less than Adelaide ;)

Lol!

Interesting, Pushka, I got slightly different figures to your's :D

Sorry to be pedantic :rolleyes: but Perth has actually been hotter than Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

 

Combined December & January average maximums (from Bureau of Meteorology):

PERTH 31.4

ADELAIDE 30.5

BRISBANE 30.2

MELBOURNE & SYDNEY both 26.7

But if you just look at January Adelaide is hotter by a smidge:

Adelaide 32.5

Perth 32.2

Brisbane 30.7

Melbourne 28.6

Sydney 26.9

And so far for February Perth drops to third place:

Adelaide 35.6

Melbourne 33.2

Perth 32.4

Brisbane 29.0

Sydney 25.9

;)

The weather at the moment is reminiscent of Black Wednesday. Oven hot. Windy. And everything so dry. And dry lightening storm tonight.

 

I think Adelaide is taking the brunt of climate change for Australia. Even Perth has been cooler.

Yes, you folks have had it really bad this year. I guess it all has to do with the way the weather moves across Australia. Sydney seems to be getting the cooler airflows for some odd reason.

That's a quick trip tripleJ. Remember your visas for India. Esp the weird size passport photo.

Yes, my husband is going there on business so it's a good opportunity for me to tag along, then we're having a week's holiday on the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels train. We try to take advantage of tacking a holiday onto some of his business trips when we can. Much cheaper when one airfare is paid for by someone else ;)

I've filled in the visa application form and will take it in one day during the week. Yes, I know about the odd-sized photos, thanks. Hubby has been to India several times so he knows all those things but it still doesn't stop him muttering and cursing each time he has to set up a trip. It's far more complicated than most other countries :rolleyes: