thistledoo

When I checked the B2B prices for Singapore-Dubai-Venice the other day they were way cheaper through US online agencies.

And the report for this tonight showed the Diamond Princess. Slack journalism on a slow news day. Welcome to media in 21st century.

 

 

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We saw this too, on SBS news. Never let the facts get in the way of a good story!

That's very interesting. This is the first leg of the World Cruise, which indicates that it is nowhere near full if they are selling fares at such a low price.

It's not a very interesting World Cruise sector. It'd be better to fly to Dubai and start from there.

We flew Scoot a few days ago Singapore-Gold Coast. The seating was 3-4-3 with narrow aisles making it a bit squeezy. But it seemed like a new aircraft, the attendants were nice and it left on time and arrived early. Quite a few children on the plane who were mostly quiet. We'd fly with them again if the price was good.

You are both in Darwin together.

You are due in about 2 hours ahead of Amsterdam.

That's great, thanks.

There's plenty of room for both ships, the Pacific Princess did an about turn prior to docking and is facing out to sea, and the Amsterdam will turn after departing.

It's very hot here today, but the humidity is right down - unusual for this time of year. We got a good view of the Amsterdam coming in from our balcony on the Pacific Princess. It's quite a thrill to see two world cruise ships docked together.

I think the 1am curfew on RCCL is two hours too late for under-18s.

Mr6, grandad (mr I don't do cruise ships), uncle with autism (my brother) and I are off on radiance of the seas tomorrow.

 

I'm really looking forward to the cruise. It's to New Caledonia. 8 nights.

We got off the Radiance this morning after a wonderful 12 day jaunt to Noumea, Vila and the islands. The sea was calm, perfect weather, beautiful beaches and great swimming. Hope you have the same conditions.

We were surprised how much we enjoyed the ship (even with around 500 children on the trip).

Not only did I score an absolute bargain price on this cruise, just been assigned my cabin and have been upgraded to a mini suite. Unbelievable. Thank you so much again Fletch and Icat for posting the info about this special. And thank you Princess for the fantastic upgrade. Bargain cruise of the century for me, that is for sure.

l.

Us too, sooo excited. A mini suite on my birthday 😄😄😄😄

That's a bit ridiculous. It should be as quick as getting billed - it's only a reverse transaction, after all.

As mentioned, I don't know if that is the normal time, but I had to chase it up. It was only for a smallish amount.

More important for paying off the credit card after the port visits and three days in Hong Kong. I'd already covered all of our expected onboard costs.

I had some OBC to be refunded from Princess earlier this year and it took 52 days from disembarkation for the refund to reach my credit card. I don't know if this is the normal processing time.

The Spirit of Tasmania broke ber moorings this evening at Station Pier, Melbourne. There are reports with pictures on The Age website, also the ABC site.

I wonder if any cruise ships are due in there in the next few days?

We have a 2017 Alaska booking showing $140Aud for $100US. Eek! Think I will have to plant a money tree for that one.

Come to think of it, the .90 rate on our next cruise is as good as a money tree, We have topped up the OBC and casino credits and will add some more in a few weeks if the rate is unchanged.

Aus Traveller - what exactly is a Breakaway/Interline fare?

Does anone have a number to ring in Sydney, rather than go through the call centre?

Ar you sure your TA is correct I am assured the shareholder and military benefit is not refused due to any other bargain fares You are entitled to these benefits and with Princess cannot be refused them they are combinable with anything

Yes, Princess told me it was because of the special deal - fair enough.

On their website, as part of the Terms and Conditions, it says:

"Offer excludes all concessionary Staff and Travel Agent travel (including family and friends specials) and Breakaway/Interline fares.

This offer is combinable with most cruise fares. Some restrictions apply."

We've never considered the OBC an entitlement, but something we have previously been grateful to receive.

With these cheap cruises, it is best to check with the TA before making a deposit/final payment as they may not be combinable with other offers (shareholder credit, future cruise credits, Military Benefits etc).

The TA site does not mention this, but found out when we rang Princess to have our Military credits applied (and rejected due to the fare type).

They are still great prices without the "extras"

San Fran to Sydney

25 January 2016

25 Nights

Aurora

Twin From $1802.79 pp

Quad From $4576 pp

$72pn

There are exceptions. In the Military terms and conditions it says:

"Offer excludes all concessionary Staff and Travel Agent travel (including family and friends specials) and Breakaway/Interline fares."

I booked a low fare recently through a TA, not knowing it must have been one of these breakaway/interline fares (whatever they are)! I was not notified by the TA the fare wasn't combinable with other offers.

Princess declined to apply our Military Credit due to the type of fare paid.

I noticed on the travel summary for our Brunei port stop in February that Princess will charge us $45.00 AUD each for visas.

If I were to apply directly it would cost $20 each. However taking into account the cost of sending and receiving our passports via registered mail, it would probably cost close to $45 and not worth the hassle.

I do think though that charging more than double the cost of the visa is a bit steep. Any administration fee should be included in the cruise cost.

We were charged $47.11 AUD each for our Bali visas on our Diamond cruise in October. I queried the charge at the desk to be told the Visas were charged by the authorities at $35USD.

I thought we were the only ones who use their homes as a "holiday house". Seems like we're hardly here at all lately ......

It's that time again :(

Cyclone Ula is wallowing around near Fiji. Nothing to be alarmed about, but something to keep an eye on nevertheless.

For the weather watchers, here are some weather links for the Pacific:

Vanuatu http://www.meteo.gov.vu/MapsandCharts/LatestVanuatuGroupChart/tabid/83/Default.aspx

Fiji

http://www.met.gov.fj/index.php

New Caledonia (in French)

http://mobile.meteo.nc

They did the 2nd drink for a dollar thing on the Diamond in Oct/November. It was during Happy Hour in the Wheelhouse Bar from 15:00-16:00. I think they also had a second happy hour later in the evening - same deal.

Yes, it did include cocktails :):)

Another deal for the same cruise on the same website.....

 

Oceanview OF - $1280 each

Plus $100 OBC.

 

Unfortunately, the Balcony deal has gone but this is a good one as well.

On the Princess website there are very few OV cabins left, but quite a few balconies. Maybe they are planning to upgrade some previously purchased OVs to balconies (but keeping a nice one aside for us LOL). Quite a few OV obstructed left as well.

There must be lots disembarking in Sydney.

Had to be quick to get this one.....it has gone already!!

 

Hope someone here jumped on it.

We did!!!! :):) Thanks for the tip Fletch, very grateful. Stayed up half the night after I saw your post working out if we could really afford it. Did some creative bookkeeping and we are now paid and confirmed. I'm sure it must have been a typo on their part.

It was a lot cheaper than the double upgrade to a balcony for Legend next year Brisb to HK- now cancelled :D:D