Mr&MrsCookie

We tipped every few times we had room service.

 

Seemed only one or two people delivered it anyway, so $5 one delivery, skip a few $5 next delivery, seemed to work out fair enough to us. Even though I don't claim that it was 100% fair, to be frank some days we had no cash, or only big notes.

Do you get an awkward pause after they give you the food - as if they are waiting for the tip before they leave?

I've got my fingers crossed for you that you will have a good day in Brisbane tomorrow - just ignore the ugly sights at the grain terminal.

What a shame you had such a bad day. Kuranda is such a lovely place - you should only have good memories of it. The humidity can really knock you around there, especially when you are standing in never ending queues in the sun as you've found! It's hard to understand why the place didn't cope with all the people - it's a popular tourist attraction so should be running like a well oiled machine.

I've never heard of a ship inspection at Brisbane before. How do you find out about them?

Loving your review and what a beautiful ship. Nice to see also I'm not the only person who loved the disaster movies from the seventies - best movies ever!.lol

From what I've read they are becoming less popular these days:

- Some of their slogans can be offensive, particularly to women.

- at one stage their campervans had stickers on them encouraging renters to run down kangaroos.

- The Lonely Planet has removed them from their recommendations.

Didn't know about that, thanks. Probably explains why they aren't so decorated anymore. Can't say I found anything offensive - a couple I might have been embarrassed to drive around though.lol

As an aussie, Australia zoo doesn't appeal to me as it has more common aussie animals and is more geared towards overseas tourists. I love Taronga zoo as it has a bit of everything and the views are beautiful.

Unfortunately the days of cheap holidays in caravan parks (in great locations anyway) are going. Some cabins are now the same prices as hotels. Years ago when the kids were little we had a great family holiday at Tallebudgera caravan park. But can't afford to stay there anymore - can be over $300/night.

Wicked Campers is the name of campervan hire place - couldn't think of it before. I've never used them but they are very popular.

There is a sticky up the top of this page with the cabin info

Well done on deciding to camp while here. It will be a great way to see the real Australia. I love my camping. Campervans might be the best way to see as you'll have everything you need to be self sufficient. Were you planning on camping on the east or west coasts or both? Prices of camping vary depending on where you are staying eg bush camping in the middle of nowhere ($10-$20 per night for unpowered site) or a flash upmarket caravan park which is a bit more. There even is such a thing as 'free camping' which are areas where you are allowed to stay for limited times and they have some facilities. If you google 'free camping in ...' it brings up a lot of info. If you are planning on camping in peak times eg Christmas school holidays you probably need to book ahead.

Back from dinner at Tuscan Grill..... half price and extremely good value at that. Service is a little bit over the top. I had a seat next to the aft looking windows, apparently the best seat in the house. Not too long after some people sat at the table behind me..... at the best seat in the house so they were told....!!!

 

When I got back to my room earlier there was a bucket full of ice on the coffee table. And in that ice a large bottle of champagne. No card. Investigations are under way.

 

Goodycruising : the location is great. Quiet yet extremely well located for lifts, Guest Services, stairs etc. I'd actually quite like to hear the music being played just around the corner in the foyer but can't. The inside room next to mine has the sofa but the bed is against the far wall instead of the side wall as mine is. I chose this room as a friend had had it previously and I liked the idea of the bed aligning with the direction of travel if that makes sense. I don't know if some insides rate higher than others...... this one is a 12 I think.....

 

As far as sea day activities are concerned I'm struggling to upload the .pdfs I'm being sent. I got as far as the 24th Feb then it's been a fail ever since. I have them all here to upload and promise to do so when I get home..... that way you will see all the activities of every day. There's plenty on. I'll do a summary of tomorrow's for you tomorrow. I'm not a great one for more than the occasional trivia. There's karaoke in the evening. Lots of fitness stuff. I think there's a walk a mile group every morning quite early.

 

AntjeG / GUT2407 Thank you so much. The Fremantle shops looked at me blankly when I said I had a Nokia. I've dropped that Pitt St shop an email. x

 

One_plus_one I'm not in the least surprised that you've not had a reply. I don't think they can handle specifics..... even when you get on board it takes some tries to get the answers..... am struggling to get info on shuttle transfers in Brisbane as we'll be docked miles out of town..... have finally had confirmation that there will indeed be a shuttle service....now I have to go back and ask how much? where does it drop off? when is the last one back? etc etc..... never all the information needed in one go..... and you can believe me when I say I tried to ascertain this pre-cruise. Sigh.

I've been loving your review, can't believe how much you can fit into one day. And then come back and post it all here! I think you put some Aussies to shame with how much you see in our cities. Can I apologise in advance for the docking situation in Brisbane. You will be getting off a beautiful ship at the ugly container wharf and then have to pay for the privilege of getting back to town. It's embarrassing. Cruise ships should bypass Brisbane and go to the Gold Coast instead in my opinion. Oh wait, Gold Coast stupidly doesn't have a cruise terminal yet:confused:

Is the quality any better than what is supplied in hotels? I've yet to use anything for longer then a day or so and found it good. Seems it's all made in bulk with no quality. Always seems a waste to supply this stuff and no one uses it because it's crap...

My husband has just informed me that we should do this cruise this September! It looks great but it is a lot of money, especially when you factor in the airfares flying back. It fits without too much over into the September/October school holidays and gives us the Queensland/Top End cruise we would like. Has anyone done it? Is it getting pretty hot and sticky by then? We would have a verandah stateroom and I would be trying to get deck 8 or 9 if we went.

 

I think he is addicted after only one cruise that was pretty rocky!

With regards to the weather, the top end of Qld is great- not rainy or cyclone season. Singapore is very hot and muggy at any time of year. Sightseeing is a very sweaty and energy zapping experience. Do you specifically want to go to Singapore or are you really looking for a cruise that fits within school holidays?

Medical fact is perceived, people think they know what is healthy but in reality they are wrong.

 

My health journey goes against so called medical fact, after many health issues and being told my diet is great by health professionals and it must be genetic but we have medications that can help, I resolved all my health issues myself by studying biochemistry especially energy metabolism.

4 years ago I changed what I eat to a very high fat, moderate protein and very low carb diet, zero health issues now, no medication at all, lost 20 kilos without even trying in 4 months and have never felt better.

 

The perceived medical fact is that fat is bad for you, causes heart disease etc most people believe that to be fact but it's a big fat lie.

The reason for the obesity epidemic is the so called professionals have the wrong answers because their training has many false so called facts in it.

 

Why do you think we have an obesity epidemic and a diabetes one at the same time, I could throw in many other disease's in there too all caused by the same thing.

Just got excited seeing someone else follows the low carb, high fat way of eating. I did my research and can't believe the experts have had it so wrong for so long! I'm down 20 plus kilos myself and still going. Plan on looking hot for my cruise :eek: I for one won't be an obese cruiser! Isn't it fun telling everyone that eating bacon and eggs everyday is healthy.lol

Can anyone specify what is in the standard package? Are there any fruity cocktails? (Margarita, daiquiri etc) Also the beers? I see everything listed for classic and premium but nothing for standard. Also, I saw you post about sailings leaving out of Australia prices being more with the gratuity included. We are sailing out of Australia so would that change what's available for the 6 dollar beers, etc. ? Thank you in advance!!!

 

 

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I've attached the drinks package list that someone has posted before. I think it relates more to aussie cruises as it has the aussie beers - in the classic and premium package only. If we didn't get the free classic package we would have bought it anyway as the standard doesn't include much.

Drinks Packages.pdf

Will be interesting to see how well it goes - sushi is one of those foods that you either really love or really hate. I personally hate the stuff, and yes I do know what it is. Hope it doesn't come to Solstice - I was looking forward to the crepes.

I'm assuming all of the pokies/slots are in US currency and only use cash rather than cards?

Could you add us to the list please -

04 Jan 2017 - Celebrity Solstice - New Caledonia for 8 nights. First ever cruise - can't wait!