SinbadThePorter

No language has rules, they only have usages. In other words, whatever works. 😇

Not so bad in the tropics. 😎

I think now the only Princess ship with a trolley handle is Caribbean Princess.

But no trolley handle. ☹️

Around Brisbane, there is: Syd's Pie Shop, Loganholme Muzza's Pies, Coorparoo KP Gourmet Bakery, Carindale Wavell Hot Bread, Wavell Heights Carby's Bakehouse, Wavell Heights All worth a go.

I think the window to solving this closed 20 years ago. I don't think that politicians don't want to solve it, I think that they don't want to admit there is no solution. Which is why I get a little upset with those who complain about the new Brisbane Terminal. It was a response to a closing window. It was as good as we could expect to get and if it hadn't gone where it did go, it would not have gone anywhere at all. In which case Pacific Explorer would be the only cruise ship sailing in Australia (apart from luxury lines) capable of docking at Portside and all other cruise ships would have been banished to the Grain Terminal.

If Botany Bay is out and Garden Island is out, how about HMAS Penguin? It seems to me that Penguins' duties could be carried out anywhere and doesn't involve shifting a lot of heavy machinery. I suppose there is an argument that road access is a problem. If that's the case then I expect that nowhere on Sydney Harbour will serve.

An excellent idea. There could be a morning shift from say 6am to 2pm and an evening shift from 3pm to 11pm. They would need to move people off and on more quickly, but it would seem on the face of it to be doable. It would double capacity without the need for building anything.

As I understand it (and I might not understand it), P&O are offering balcony cabins for the price of obstructed window cabins on some cruises, but only if you select either the Value or Value Plus option. Not the Go Fare option. You had to select a balcony. It will then offer it at a price equal to an OV cabin (plus $100 OBC/cabin). If you bought an OV with the Value option, I would give P&O a call and see if they can do anything. You are right though, it seems ridiculously convoluted to me. To avoid these sort of confusions with P&O and to select a particular cabin in the booking process, I usually don't book on the P&O website, but go elsewhere. It makes me feel like a guru.

Given all the whinging over the location of the new Brisbane Terminal, I was expecting the same for any Botany Bay cruise terminal. So at least we miss out on that.

But for purists it's the old locks or nothing. 🙂

1/ Also Princess. 2/ Royal Caribbean which charges in USD onboard, does not charge gratuities for Australia/NZ cruises. 3/ The exchange rate is a killer at the moment. $US1 = $A1.50.

It's about halfway between Townsville and Cairns a long way north of the Whitsundays. It's hard to get to, but well worth it.

Best island of all, Hinchinbrook Island. Most Hawaii like of all our islands. Honourable mention to Broughton Island as the only offshore NSW island that has a sheltered beach to land on and a proper camping ground. Thanks to Terry for all these posts. I've been reading them for years and they are always fun.

I don't think that Insure and Go do annual policies any more.

It's worth doing from a boat, but it's a long, lonely swim out to the wrecks from the beach.

If it's any help, I use Qantas. Which resells NIB travel insurance, but I get points though Qantas. They seem reasonably priced and not punitive with age.

This schedule from Ports North may be useful: https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/os-data-2/portsnorth-com-au/listingforms/page615/230508_cruise_schedule_-_2023.pdf If your Pacific Adventure (290 meter length) cruise is arriving in Cairns on the 16th June, the answer is yes it will dock. The following ships are the ones that will be anchoring off Yorkey's Knob later in 2023 (they are all over 300 meters in length): Quantum of the Seas Celebrity Solstice Royal Princess Celebrity Edge

For a group of teenagers, I would pick Quantum of the Seas. Compared with the other Brisbane ships, she is far more action oriented.

Almost everything on Luminosa was on a through corridor. 😁

Don't forget the bay islands. Moreton and North Stradbroke islands are well worth a visit.

Edge looks interesting as does Virgin's Resilient Lady, but the itineraries are very staid.

Just my opinion, but even though all cruise lines do a bit of "nickel and dimeing", NCL is widely held up as the worst example of it. Then there is this. https://consumerrescue.org/cruise-fiascos/norwegian-cruise-line-cancel-familys-cruise-over-ground-transfer/ A company that can do that to a customer doesn't inspire confidence in me.

I've tried Holland, Royal, Carnival and P&O Oz, but my preference is for Princess. I agree with you that flying overseas is a major hassle and cost, and that local itineraries are getting a bit stale. I think my next step may be a circumnavigation of Australia with Princess. That or a Tahiti/Hawaii round trip. Never been on NCL, but the way I've heard they do things gives me pause as to sailing with them.

If your preference is to sail from Auckland visiting New Caledonia and/or Fiji and returning to Auckland, then probably your only real option is on P&O Pacific Explorer. P&O is usually regarded as a budget cruise line. It is generally more family oriented than other cruise lines, so you tend to see more young adults and children on board. For a quieter cruise I would recommend Princess or Celebrity, however they may not have the itineraries you want.