beatleman

No bone pointing on the 26th Graham let us on with due haste and "Chilly:to disembark.

Did "Chilly" have any thing to do with starting a hail storm before boarding ? lol😁😀

On Ovation 26th Nov and again 03 March.have been loyal to the "dark side" and have always bought the Drink Package and the 5 night Dining Package, alas not this time, Specialty Dining Prices are way over the top as is many other items on the Planner. Will use drink vouchers to supplement the booze bill. As there are 4 of us we have picked out 3 onshore restaurants to have some fine dining in henceforth helping the local economy of 3 towns.

Fortunately you are going to a far nicer stop than Brisbane, before Covid we would go to the Sunshine Coast twice a year. The Tender will drop you at the Marina Complex near the Aquarium about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the centre of Mooloolaba. Suggest you hire a car for the day and drive the 30 to 40 minutes to the Zoo. Rental will only cost about $60 to $100AUD for the day, and if you can find another couple it's a small outlay. Don't leave without trying the Mooloolaba King Prawns with a Pint of 4X Gold, Lovely.

Will be on Ovation Nov 26th sailing to NZ, any idea if she sail with reduced capacity or 100% Graham? Can't come quick enough. 😃

Noticed the Ovation's 26th November cruise is no longer on the booking page. Wondering if she is booked out or will she be sailing with reduced capacity? 34 days and counting😄

The mob in power made it an easy decision to build a Terminal at Geelong, raising the fees to much. Yes Les it could be a top Cruise Terminal if money was spent to bring it into the 21st century. However this mob only pay lip service to cruising.😠

Hope you get well quickly Uncle Les.

The ETA will be implanted as part of your passport and you will receive a confirming email.

Most of the tour operators try to offer as many extras as they can to sell their tour. The company you selected seems to be your best option. You should have the trip that suits without worries with this company.

The Tender takes you to the Marina. Dive boats leave from this 1 and only marina at the port. Some Tour boats going to the GBR will pick up from the ship. Be aware of tour times if you are using a non ship tour, also take a good look at their cancellation policy.

Port Douglas is a Tender port, about 20 minutes ship to shore.

Beware , fellow cruisers if your looking at stays in Sydney in March 2023. The Autumn Racing Carnival begins 1st week March earlier than normal. Just booked at Darling Harbour OUCH!!! well the Ovation cruise was cheap.

Endorse Ozkiwi's reply that Tauranga is the port to tour from. Viator has a 6 hour tour listed for Hobbiton at A$161. Most companies will pick up at the wharf.

Check with your Cruise Co. a lot of ships have cancelled Eden due to Pier work.

Airlie Beach will be the Port of Airlie, and Port Douglas at the Jetty. Be very careful of arrival and departure times and remember it is about 20 minutes Tender time from ship to shore. The GBR is a 70 to 90 minute boat trip.

December is hot and very humid in the far north, not the weather for the elderly to be walking for about 45 minutes from ship to beach, a cab or shuttle would be better suited.

Cairns or Airlie are your stops to go to the GBR for diving. Suggert you look at Viator.com to see what suits you, remember that most of these leave the dock at 8am and return about 4pm. Ships arrival and departure times are important if you don't use ships excursions. Hope this helps, not sure that June is the best time of the year to dive the GBR maybe a Queenslander can advise.

Great, you will have a nice excursion, make sure you visit the Platypus Tanks

The Lone Pine is about 15km the other side of Brisbane, most cruise ships have shore excursions to the park. The Bus also takes you through the City. Another way is to get to Brissy and then catch the M.V Miramar a cruiser that will take you upstream to the park. The new BCT is over 20km from the CBD so the trip to the park is about 40km that's why a shore excursion is the way to go. Not sure what Taxi service is like from BCT, a Queenslander like Sinbad should be of help there.

Clever lad your husband, hope to see him aboard.

No kids allowed on Virgin, so no cots

The pair of you should get a part in Eastenders, of for a night at the Kursaal.lol😅😜

Radiance of the Sea, am I missing something pretty sure it is not coning. What say you gbenjo?

Just received latest sale price of $113aud from Royal for the UBP per day. At the local RSL i pay $5.50 a Schooner. Have always purchased this and the 5 night Dining package, but on the 2cruises I have this year will use my vouchers and just purchase a la carte. Chops Grill at $92, has to be joke of the year, starting to worry all is not well on the Dark Side.