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Have a chat to a sales consultant (through the call centre but not the call centre staff) about it. While I haven't done this I did enquire on a previous cruise and they did say they could change my deal but I would loose the perks. I have found the p&o deals to be what is best for you - ultimately it costs the same but the perks in the current deal will either appeal or not.

 

It seemed very do able when we discussed it

 

 

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Thanks for that information about asking to talk to a "sales consultant" NOT the call centre people

will try it next time.

We have been on the Jewel a few times the last being Feb 2017 and enjoyed it, had cabins on decks 5,6,8, and mini suite on deck 11, there should be no real reason you should not enjoy your trip, the main spoilers are the weather and rough seas , the crew are always friendly and smiling, the trick with waterfront restaurant (MDR) is book a "traditional", time , and each night you just walk in and sit down, no waiting , you can eat in the pantry any-time they are open, with the tender ports they do not have tender tickets any more you just wait in line, which I do not like, the ticket system was better, what you will hate on any ship is being in Noumea on a sunday stuck at the container wharf and getting on buses to the OPT, one thing the Jewel is no longer stocking cans of Bundy or Jim beam, , if you want duty free grog, they now have dropped their prices on board and are quite reasonable, the best duty free is the big yellow place at Port Vila, there is a daily newspaper which tells you what's happening, just pick something and do it even if its not something you normally do, pick a shore tour in each port and just go with the flow and enjoy., and NO TIPPING.

Looks like most has been posted already, but no need to buy a new phone if yours is unlocked and covers the latest technology, just buy a sim card for each country, if you are heading out of the big city in Australia your best chance of actually making or receiving calls is with Telstra , dont get sucked in with advertising that says "their brand X network covers 90% of Australians " that does not mean 90% of the country side.

Here is another one, for those that insist of taking their own shampoo etc

consider saving those 1/2 or 1/3 full bottles for your cruise and save some weight in your bag, no point in carrying full bottles ,

also save up those 1/2 full tubes of tooth paste, also less weight.

Hello Royalty X

back in 2015 you asked a question about if anybody had any photos of the P&O ship models, in April 2016, I posted a reply with pictures of the model of the Jewel, but never got a reply, comment about them , soon I will be back on board the Jewel if you require more photos .

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2277074&highlight=p%26o+models

As said, with P&O when I sailed last year they did not permit it at all in the baggage groups, even without luggage. i.e. if you wanted to leave at 8, say, you had to be in the 8 o'clock luggage group whether with luggage or not.

Cannot find any of my old disembarkation docs but will have a closer look next time.

When I receive a feedback email from the Cruise line, I ways beg them to install coin operated vending machines filled with junk food.

If you are in Noumea (my most detested port) across the road from their OPT is a supermarket called Casinos a great place to stock up on junk food, only open till about 11:00 am Sundays.

I also have a digital clock (no ticking ) with a built in thermometer good for keeping tabs on the air con temp. cost $5.00 on fleabay.

I only cruise for the destinations, and an avid snorkeler, I bought a couple of cheap digital watches ($5.00 on fleabay) to wear while in the water, and keep my main watch dry, I've bought the watches advertised as being water proof to 30-50 metres, and amazingly they are if you do not operate the buttons underwater, I also always wear a 3/4 wet suit, and I have a prescription dive mask,

You can also get prescription swim googles to -10, very cheap on the net

great for in the ship pool or the beach , water slides etc.

If you like to snorkel , buy your own cheap mask and fin swim set from Big W or Kmart, etc, they can be up to $60.00 on board the ship, and at your last port give them to the local kids to play with.

Also buy reef shoes there are some very good quality shoes about at the moment for $12.00

We also take a small hand pump bottle of antiseptic hand washing soap $2.00

I am guessing that you are leaving from OPT and flying to Oz

so its easy to get the train from the airport to the OPT, about $17.00 with an OPAL card,

anyhow you could have a look at hotels close to train stations and in the morning just jump back on the train to OPT.

This is what I have done before and works ok.

A torch for the wardrobe. It was very dark.

 

 

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Glowsticks ?

For my cruises I always knock up a currency conversion chart for Vanuatu Vatu and New Caledonia French Pacific Franc, here is a chart I did today, its pretty simple IE: 100 Vatu = Aus $1.32

conv-chart.pdf

If you had the internet and if the ships bridge web cam was working (its busted right now ) you could watch it come down to the bridge.

Absolutely perfect day here in Melbourne, warm sunny no wind,:)

but tomorrow Friday the 13th the curse has started

showers and rain 15mm, wind 50km's , there goes the sail away party and high seas in Bass strait. :(

Thanks all, yes I am on P&O, I'll study the disembarkation info document and see how the self assist times compare to waiting for your cabin class, if its first off for self assist thats very appealing , as its just a short walk to the tram and home , the missus will need a semi trailer to move her bag.

My husband likes to drive and has no problem with traffic and he seems to think driving on the opposite side of the road won't be an issue for him. I sure hope he is right.

NO NO we drive on the left ;)

Just another question to add to the others....

 

When the Carnival Legend is repositionning to Australia via Hawaii, say the Hawaii to Sydney leg.......what is the currency onboard? and are grats included?

Thats a good question, I'm interested in this to .

I have done the plane trip from USA to Melbourne its a darn hard trip, SO assuming you are a cruiser

fly to Hawaii, catch a ship to Oz, stay a couple of nights, do a cruise out of Oz , fly home exhausted and you will sleep all the way.

On the Carnival Legend here in Oz they dont bother to change the post cards from USA to Oz themed cards in the gift shops while here in Oz, very slack.

On my next cruise I'm considering self assist bags at disembarkation at station pier , seems pretty straight forward just carry your own bag off the ship, not sure if they let self assist off the ship first or last, any thoughts or anything I'm missing ? :confused:

Yes, walk though the port area turn left towards town, a couple of hundred metres. There is a sign on the road down to the water advertising Quadman and the Vanuatu Handicraft Markets.

It is only about a 10-15 min trip but really well worth it.

 

The only thing if your cruise is in February You might want to check if it open I did see that it was closing for renovations.

 

 

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Cool thanks will check it out when we are there :cool:

Lugunville a couple of suggestions.

 

Aore Island, free ferry leaves BP Wharf at 8.30 11.30 returns at 11.00 2.30 and 4.00

A really lovely resort with excellent snorkelling at its jetty area.

 

Natangora Cafe Free WiFi, Great Burgers Cold Beer on the waterfront.

 

The Espiritu Hotel Free WiFi, Beautiful Pool Area, Good Priced Lunches.

 

A 200vt Taxi ride up the hill to the Deco Stop Lodge great views overlooking the ship and the Second Channel with a nice pool.

 

Enjoy your day.

 

 

 

 

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Can the ferry trip be done when visiting port via cruise ship ?

We spend lots of time in the cabin due to the hubbys mobility

Hmmmmm have a look at Pacific Pearl and "The Dome' great place to hang out.

Take small Aussie notes, spend any Fiji money you get in change there, coins not accepted at banks back here in Oz, notes are but you pay a fee.

If we need VT's where is the best place to convert Australia money into VT's?

Goodies in the main street., just opposite the big yellow duty free shop.

I agree would love to hear about getting taxi at white bay to airport. After looking at ferries we decided to get a taxi so this has helped me to know we have made the right decision. Just wondering how long a wait to get a taxi after? We are leaving on 16th Jan, so is coming quick.

 

 

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I always get the cruise line shuttle from white bay to the air port about $20

picks you up out the front of OPT, works for us,

by taxi about $80+ depending on day of week and traffic.

Oh yes I remember a bit more now.

IMMEDIATELY you get on board run to the Shore Excursions desk and have a look at the printed shore tours list, and book on the spot, YES you can book through the tv in your room BUT it takes a long time for them to activate the function , they seem to activate it when you leave port,

try the Shore Excursions desk.