messej01

Hi,

Hubby and I have booked a short cruise (P&O Eden) on the 13th Jan up to Moreton Island. Last time we snorkelled the wrecks, which was nice.

This time we were just going to stay on the ship but I've seen pictures of the Blue Lagoon which look really nice. Does anyone know if you can get there via either a ship or private/group tour (I don't want one that include snorkelling on the wrecks again).

Thanks

I wish Celebrity did 3 or 4 night cruises; my husband and I love a short break without having to use much Annual Leave.

Unfortunately we seem to be stuck with P&O or Carnival.

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Hi,

Just wondering the average age of your fellow guests and whether there are many people in their 30/40s?

Thanks and hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.

Geez you have to do your homework in this cruising game, been watching a particular cruise for a while and bit the bullet, was half way through an online booking when I went looking for some cabin information on another website, and they had the same cruise and cabin for $800 cheaper, so I rang the first mob up and asked about their difference , was told they could not beat it or price match and was told to book with second mob, so I did, now have some extra drink money :p

I never seem to see much difference in price across the various online TAs, they actually end up looking the same.

Is there a link to all the Australian ones that should/could be tried to get the best price?

We were on Solstice (Alaska) in August and were surprised to find that entertainment seemed directed more at the younger crowd than we have previuosly experienced on Celebrity. I hope it has carried through for the Oz season. Also, the average age on Celebrity seems to be coming down a bit, much younger than we have experienced on Princess and RCI.

That sounds very promising if the entertainment is directed at a younger crowd. I

don't mind the odd string quartet but opera or big band music is a step too far.

I would agree with that.

 

I have my fingers crossed that I'm not too young for going on celebrity at 39.

 

 

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We are 40 and 44 (no kids) and worry about that too. Most of our friends are in their early 30s (and no kids also - our preference).

We like great food and wine - so for mainstream cruise lines this means Princess or Celebrity i.e. older people.

I loved Pacific Eden ship but the food was terrible and the entertainment not great (the adults only area and décor was pretty good though). P&O itineraries are great too - we love the short cruises.

Voyager of the Seas, we thought the food was great and entertainment great but there were quite a lot of kids.

So we are still hunting for a ship/cruise line that really suits us but then we are in the extreme minority - 40's couple/no kids (don't like any around)/aren't millionaires/want a fun atmosphere.

If you book a "Star Class" suite on Ovation you receive the full drink package along with quite a few other things.

Ouch, just checked the prices, think it's best to just buy a drinks package. Cabins look amazing though

If you book a "Star Class" suite on Ovation you receive the full drink package along with quite a few other things.

Thanks rwil111, I'll look into that, especially if the price difference is not too unreasonable. I was hoping to go on Explorer but could give Ovation a try.

I am sure you will find that there are parts of the ship that will cater for your likes. I suggest the Martini bar for starters, always a good vibe going on there and sometimes a little bit of doof doof as well.:D

Sounds great, really looking forward to it (and enjoying a few wines and cocktails).

We are going on Celebrity Solstice in March 2017 and got the beverage package included (which I've upgraded to premium).

Just hoping RC did the same as I think Celebrity might be a bit subdued for us (i.e. no doof doof music in the disco or lively evening shows), we are early 40s with no kids. We are going on Celebrity to celebrate my Mum's 70th birthday.

Hi,

I'm looking to book a cruise for Feb or Mar 2018 with RC but last time my husband and I came back to a large alcohol bill. Was wondering if any of their regular sales include a drinks package or am I waiting for something that doesn't exist?

Thanks

Hop on hop off bus! I have more information in my cruise port summary post, link in my signature :)

 

Check the cultural centre homepage for opening days, as they are not opened every day.

 

We went on a closed day and we're still able to walk around and see the architecture, the museum sections were however closed.

I didn't think the HOHO bus included the Cultural Central, that is great if it does as we would probably have lunch at Lemon Bay, so can go to both places.

If you open the links in the Chrome browser, you have the option to translate to English.

Thanks, very helpful. We caught the bus last time but I just wasn't sure which one to catch this trip.

My husband and I really enjoyed Automata and thought it was great value for money. We are going back in a few weeks time.

The Old Clare Hotel is great for a few drinks before or after dinner.

Hi,

We will be going to Noumea on our Celebrity cruise in March 2017 and would like to visit the Cultural Centre. Last time we were in Noumea taxis were few and far between. Does anyone know which bus to catch, where it leaves from and the cost?

Thanks Julie

Hi,

We will be going to Noumea on our Celebrity cruise in March 2017 and would like to visit the Cultural Centre. Last time we were in Noumea taxis were few and far between. Does anyone know which bus to catch, where it leaves from and the cost?

Thanks Julie

Dear Peter and Kath, and messej01

 

Thank you both for your interesting and helpful replies.

 

We've taken note of everything you've said, and we're going to get to as many of these places as we can. We get to Santo early Wednesday morning, and don't leave till Thursday afternoon, so we'll give it our best shot!

 

It's wonderful that CC'ers like you guys impart you knowledge to the rest of us, and we sincerely thank you for that. :)

 

ratacake

 

PS - messaj01 - We're going on the same cruise on Celebrity next March as you guys - hope we can catch up.... and Peter and Kath - thanks for the heads-up about Unity Park.

Hi Ratacake,

Would be great to catch up in March and find out how you enjoyed Santo.

Messej01 (Julie & Rod)

My husband and I stayed a week on Santo and enjoyed snorkelling at Million Dollar Point, lunch and snorkelling at Oyster Island (free little barge goes across) and swimming in the gorgeous blue holes.

We went to 15 degrees South Beach Bar which was a great spot.

I have a friend at work who a few weeks ago did the Carnival Shore excursion to a Blue Hole and said it was a rip off; so maybe if you can hire a vehicle and do your own thing that would be good. There weren't many cars on the road.

We stayed at Moyyan House by the Sea, they have a restaurant there too which was lovely and own to the public. They also sometimes have Dugongs out the front and some nice snorkelling. Very close to one of the Blue Holes - we biked there.

Gym (about 7am)

Go up to buffet and grab banana, cereal etc to take back to balcony for breakfast

Reading by Adults only pool

An activity (dance class/wine tasting/napkin folding etc)

MDR lunch

Pool (AO only as we don't have kids) and cocktails

Special nap

Activity

Cocktails and or wine

Early show

Dinner MDR or Speciality restaurant

More drinks and dancing

How about having your hubby write on your buttock in big letters with hopefully washable magic marker that you don't want anything that they are trying to sell you. Or else, have him write "YOU SELL MEANS NO TIP". LOL!!

 

DON

Haha he would love that!

This.

 

Write it on the form they make you fill out before the treatment even starts. Its non-confrontational and is clear. I have done it and it worked.

 

I get that some folks have a hard time saying no. We are all different and those differences should be respected more on CC.

Thanks for being a bit more understanding and sharing. I will definitely try your suggestion.

Some years back I was on an online spa product website and won a lifetime supply of Elemis. I never need to buy any of those products ever because I can get whatever I want for free anytime I want.

Great come back, nice if it was true.

Not sure what people find so hard about saying "No".

I don't think I should have to; after paying $200 for a treatment, in a relaxed state, I don't want to be sold products or timeshare. Did you have any advice or just wasting time?

Hi,

I love spa treatments and my hubby encourages me to have a few when we cruise (isn't he wonderful?). Alas towards the end of treatment, relaxation turns to dread as I anticipate the inevitable sales pitch. It seems to occur in the treatment room, so I have no where to escape, also I'm basically naked so a bit of a problem.

In Sydney I go to two spas - one doesn't sell products after treatments and one does the 'sell' in the relaxation room (ha!) which I politely say I don't have time for (big fat lie).

So any tips to avoid this? Can I specify the treatment with no sells pitch? I think I've paid enough for the treatments and I don't want to leave with a bad taste in my mouth.

Thanks

Ships out of Oz are limited as far as being kid free. If you are in your 40's but act younger, you probably really are better off just going on a Carnival or RCI ship and sticking to the adult only areas, as these ships will offer more in the way of fun for younger people. Other lines such as celebrity or princess are much more likely to have the majority of passengers over 55 which might not be to your liking.

Any thoughts on which ones have the best/most adults only areas? I loved Oasis on P&Os Eden, shame the food was inedible. Voyager of the Seas didn't have enough bars and they all had kids in them, also the Adults pool had only about 10 chairs in the sun and whole area was enclosed and not appealing to me anyway.

Do any of the other RCI ships or Carnival ships have great Adult only pool areas and all day Adult only bars?