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I have to wait an extra 500 days to you, Mic! 😬 Unless the planets align and we go on one sooner. Probably not as we have two land based getaways booked in the meantime

I agree gaffer is a better option. However, eucalyptus oil or coconut oil will remove gooey mess left by tape or stickers if you are left without a choice.

That's disappointing. ☹️

Great your embarkation was smooth. Please let us know how your cruise went when you get back. Happy Sailing.

Haven't done Christmas, but did do a New Years to South Pacific. From photos I have seen on facebook, cruise ships are usually beautifully decorated for Christmas and I believe Christmas food is on the menus. Our New Year cruise was a hoot. Because of various time differences we ended up celebrating the turn of the year about 4 times!!! Local time, ship time, EST and Daylight Saving.

So glad you managed to get a cabin. Explorer? Did you mean Encounter? We sailed on Encounter at the end of May and it didn't appear they were strictly adhering to the assigned boarding times. Because we don't trust the Highway from Gold Coast (traffic delays) we always leave with plenty of time up our sleeves and arrived about 50 minutes early (and prepared to wait). To our surprise, Staff at the Brisbane Terminal sent us straight through and it is not as though the terminal wasn't busy. Heaps of passengers waiting to be processed. So, if you are prepared to wait, take the chance and arrive early and see what happens.

Absolutely, Marion. Get well soon.

Believe me, that gazumps Willis Island any day! 😉

As a Gold Coast local I would take Broadbeach over Surfers Paradise any day.

I use micellar water and a cotton pad first then I finish the job with Dove soap (using my hands). Works well and even removes all traces of theatrical makeup

So far as Dragon Lady on Encounter goes, we were totally happy with our meals last month

You can also book your dining on the P&O app once on board. We sailed on Encounter last month and a three course meal (which was awesome btw) at Luke's Bar and Grill was $58 and worth every cent. The other specialty restaurant is 400 Gradi which is a pizza restaurant. We didn't dine there as I'm not a big fan of pizza.

And as I am not a cricket fan, I feel left out!🤣

It was back in 2016 on P&O Pacific Dawn, South Pacific cruise out of Brisbane, Australia.

Security were a bit more liberal when we went at the end of May. We arrived about 40 minutes early (not because we're pushy, just that travelling on the M1 is so unpredictable you are either very early or very late so we always allow plenty of time) and were processed more or less straight away. Quite surprised as we expected to have to wait (which we were quite prepared to do). And it's not as though it wasn't busy. There were heaps of people milling about.

Yep, we literally couldn't leave when Madam Premier locked us up. Living more or less on the border was especially excruciating.

I've only ever had one massage treatment on a ship. Never again! Apart from being outrageously over priced the whole experience was ruined by the relentless up sell and pushing products. I left more stressed than when I went in.

Just back from our cruise on Encounter. You can definitely order food at the Byron Beach Club (Luke's Burgers or Gradi Pronto) and it is delivered to your seat/lounger. The burgers are amazing btw and well worth paying $12. Other 'perks' with the Byron rooms (we had a Byron mini suite M1 category) include a fruit basket replenished daily, nightly canapes (from day 2 onwards) and breakfast at Angelos (exclusive to Byron rooms). And let's not forget the in room coffee maker! P&O are now offering Byron benefits to MA class mini suites for an extra tariff of $160 (came into effect 1 July). Not sure if that is just to gain access to the Byron Beach Club or if you get the whole deal. Given the difference in room price between M1 and MA I'm assuming it is just access to the Byron Beach Club facilities, but I could be wrong.

Well, we're back from our cruise (loved it!) and unfortunately no behind the scenes tours available as yet. Hopefully they will be reinstated by the time we go on our next cruise next year.

Far from the madding crowd, eh wineoclock!😆

We disembarked Encounter early June. We didn't get a bad meal in any of the restaurants. We enjoyed Dragon Lady and Waterfront but our favourite was Angelos (aside from Luke's which was awesome and worth every cent). Of the three complimentary restaurants we dined at Angelos 4 times in 7 days.

We love watching the ship leave port from our balcony. Nice glass of wine tops it off.

Totally agree Possum. Passengers may be sailing in Australian waters, but travellers are still advised to have travel insurance to cover things like a medical emergency (young people may not get sick, but they have been known to break bones) and things like missing the ship or having to cancel the cruise. We never cruise without cruise travel insurance regardless of where we are going. Have never had to make a claim, but there is always Murphy's Law.

Pantry (buffet) is definitely open for dinner

Happy cruising, OFC! We have a looong wait - 534 days