Westaussie

Thanks - but we're talking March not Feb. Carnival Spirit departs 4.00 pm on 21/3 then there's nothing till Solstice on 25/3. Maybe it's to do with the work at the wharf that I saw going on in October? If so, then at least we would have a valid answer and not all this chopping and changing!

Question that gbenjo might be able to clarify. We were originally to board Journey 22/3 (which arrives from NZ on 21/3) at White Bay but because I noticed there were no ships at OPT on 22/3 I kept an eye on the cruise schedule. Sure enough a couple of weeks ago it changed and was to move the evening of 21/3 - (Quest did this last year). Now it has changed back to White Bay. There are more unhappy people who are on board for the night and would like to see Sydney without the hassle of transport from WB. Can you shed some light as to why this is happening and if it is likely to change again? Following is from the Azamara Board: which says it is a decision by the port authority not the cruise line?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2454797

Many thanks.

We are boarding on 22 March and would also like clarification. A couple of weeks ago the Sydney cruise ship schedule (official NSW Port Authority) had Journey at White Bay for two days, then it changed to overnight at OPT and I see today they have changed back to the original plan, so White Bay it looks. Also our departure time has changed.

"Azamara Journey

21-Mar-2017 11:00 (Tue)

22-Mar-2017 20:00 (Wed)

White Bay Cruise Terminal"

"Attention to detail" are the operative words. We sail on Journey 22 March. We depart Brisbane at 6.00 pm - Azamazing evening starts at 6.00 pm - hope they provide row boats to catch up to the ship.

Celukun Bawang in north Bali describes the beautiful beaches of Lovina and the Nearby surf mecca of Kuta - Kuta is a five hour drive each way, on a good day.

More importantly, Journey is now leaving from OPT at Circular Quay changing from White Bay night before. As far as I know, no one has been advised except through our roll call. I hope people don't get taxis to the wrong port then have to turn around back to the city - that will be an expensive exercise. Maybe Bonnie you could follow this one up.

Thank you very much! We plan on reserving a private shuttle to get us to the airport. I'm thinking 7 am pick up.

 

 

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Please check your port - we board on 22 March and I noticed from the Sydney cruise schedule that Journey moves from White Bay to OPT (Circular Quay) at 4.00 pm on the 21st (alot better for you being able to walk into the city). I don't think anyone on our roll call has been advised by Azamara of the change, please check so that your shuttle has the correct place to pick you up and whether going through city traffic will slow you down.

Perhaps a troll doll will bring better luck for NCL cruise.:p

Yes, better idea .. but will it like the hot, humid weather of the Pacific islands! This cruise is from Honolulu to Sydney

When I booked our next cruise we took no notice of the date

but just checked it on a new 2017 calendar and we leave on FRIDAY the 13th

 

What should I pack ?

A black cat ?

A Ouija board ?

Garlic

A wooden stake

Bible ?

Holy water ?

Four-Leaf Clover

Horseshoe

Rabbit Foot

We're booked on the same cruise, I did notice the date .. think I'll bring a black cat!! Are you on the roll call?

Oops, wrong ship - we're on Norwegian Jewel which also leaves on a Friday 13th

Was on Radiance this month. There was no charge, all we had to do was hand in our passports and collect them after Bali both at a specified time per deck. Re-entry into Australia was face to face with immigration officers on board. All very quick.

I am planning a land holiday to Egypt, Jordan and Israel towards the end of next year and have found a cruise from Dubai that would finish off the holiday perfectly.

My cruises are usually destination driven so I don't really care about the ship but this is with Azamara and I'm wondering if this would be too fancy for us. We generally don't do formal nights as my husband hates getting dressed up and also we try and keep our packing to a minimum as we do a land tour either pre or post cruise. We aren't slobs and I don't mean that we would go to dinner in our shorts and thongs but if it means getting dressed up too much then it might not be for us.

Regards Elaine.

Have sailed six times with Azamara both in Europe and Asia. There are NO formal nights, smart casual in the MDR which is open dining. The passengers are people who love to travel, price may look high initially but it includes just about everything except tours. It's our favourite cruise line with very friendly officers and crew. Can't wait to be on board Journey in March! Vera

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Could you please tell us which ones you use?

Wet Ones &Hands First have the anti noro stuff in them. They're handing out wipes all over the ship at the moment. Boarding delayed next cruise which we are on.

Yes nanaof2 long wait just to get a seat they need a better system but making alot of friends while waiting!

We are on board the Radiance of the Seas and since lunchtime today there has been major cleaning all over the ship. They are running a documentary on the viruses continually on tv and have advised passengers that there is a small number on board with suspected Norovirus infection.

Hopefully it will be contained soon. :(

Hi I'm on board with you. Thirty cases so far but glad to see they've gone into full lock down straight away & can hopefully contain it quickly. Hope you're enjoying the shows, so far fantastic. We had a mini CC meeting just six of us!

Congratulations and best wishes on your new position. Will miss reading all the help and sensible replies you have given us. Vera

Thank you for your lovely and very positive review. Looking forward to our next cruise on Journey in March. Love both ships but like you, prefer Journey! Vera

Andy, another big thank you for taking so much time out of your vacation to keep us all up to date, most appreciated. Look forward to your photos when you have had time to catch up.

Another thank you Andy from 'down under' we appreciate all you do here and for starting this thread it's wonderful to see all the work going on! Sadly, I have 60 weeks till I enjoy the finished product. Look forward to seeing your photos and have a great cruise - Vera

DW said that white chocolate hot chocolate was to die for, not sure if it was free or a punch, but she was hooked. about half the time they didn't even punch her card.

Now you're tempting me!!

Yes free hot chocolate and free freshly brewed pot of tea

Thanks for the info - love the hot chocolate!!

Yes it was frustrating not for what we were missing but because they dealt with us as if we were stupid and expecting something for nothing If this is going to be a problem on other cruises I will not bother to buy a card

Thanks for the warning. I've just printed the online details of coffee card for our Sun Princess cruise in January which says "unlimited brewed coffee" and will have that with me ... don't think I want that argument daily on a 46 day cruise! On Diamond Princess last month we also got 'free' hot chocolate without having anything else on the same order, do you know if that's possible on Sun Princess? I have a feeling it's not though don't see why it should be different to Diamond.

Thanks for review and photos - very tempting

Wonderful photos, many thanks for posting. Brings back memories of places visited and eagerness to explore others new to us!

They were docked in Reyjavik overnight yesterday so have longer time there.

Had read that Sea Princess missed a port in that area recently due, I gather, to icebergs

Have received emails from a friend on board. She mentions that they have been swapping ports due to poor visibility.

@westaussie. According to Princess rep I spoke to NO daily charge is added to our onboard bill each day because we are Australian and we prefer to tip individually! (She also said it's not actually included in the fare either). And it's possible to go guest services on board to confirm this. I agree that for 46 days the daily charge would come to a large amount. Does that help or confuse us even more? Think I'll go with the tip specific individuals scenario.

Thanks for that - I think we're getting there and maybe less confused!!

After seeing same thing on my personaliser, I questioned our TA. Was told we would have to pay. Not satisfied emailed Princesas and recieved following message.

 

"Princess Cruises guests frequently request that we enable online gratuity pre payment. Other brands report that gratuities are the most commonly prepaid onboard expense. Effective December 18, 2014, this feature is available on the Cruise Personalizer to optionally pay pre cruise.

During your cruise, regardless of which Princess ship you choose, you will meet staff who provide you with excellent service. A gratuity payment is sometimes enforced depending on the ship you sail. This gratuity is shared among those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff across the fleet. I do however, understand that this gratuity may be high at some points. Gratuities onboard the Sea Princess are not compulsory and are payable at your own discretion. Therefore, if you choose not pay this you just need to decline this option or ignore completeley."

 

We always pay automatic gratuities when we have to and individually a bit extra when included in cost. I think by putting it in the personaliser, a lot of people will be paying twice. On a 35 night cruise this adds up.

I checked a few on-line websites and two came up with "gratuities not included" getting more confused I rang Princess today and this was confirmed - so my TA was correct and things have changed again! On a 46 night cruise it certainly adds up!

There is definitely no tipping expected on the Australian-based Princess ships. I just disembarked two days ago. One of our dinner companions discussed this issue because they had encountered it. I can only assume that Princess has it on its website because the Australian part of their business is only a minor part (currently three fairly small ships out of 18).

 

Just ignore the request to pre-pay the tips. I feel your TA should know this and have advised you not to pay.

Thanks - will take your advice!