ceeceeDee

Isn't it always the way!🙄

Yes, even though you're doing a domestic cruise it is still advisable to have travel insurance. Medicare will not cover you for medical expenses on board (which can be staggering, particularly if you have an accident and need to be airlifted off) and then there's cover for (heaven forbid) last minute cancellation, etc. Have a FANTASTIC cruise!!!! We did GBR out of Brisbane last year and had a ball. Don't forget to come back post cruise and tell us how it went.🙂

Oh, dear. ☹️

I have one of those too, only he is the boarder. Incapable of putting a screw top on straight on the jam jar, can't tell the difference between the general rubbish kitchen tidy and the recycle bin (I had to resort to putting an A4 label on the recycle bin 'no foodstuffs in this bin' - the two bins are totally different in appearance), can't wash up to save himself (I'm forever taking 'washed' crockery and cutlery out of the cupboard and redoing it). The list is endless. He's a thoroughly nice person, just clueless and unteachable. Yeah, I REALLY need a cruise...............🥺😀

Yep, our backyard is saturated. Our Labrador is not impressed because Mum won't take her for her morning run in the pouring rain. 'But I'm a water dog, Mum!' Fingers crossed that the flooding in Brisbane won't get any worse and that power is restored to those poor souls currently without. It's been quite a ride weather wise since Christmas. My thoughts with everyone affected.

Thought I'd better clarify.............. We were performing in a stage production.🤭

I really hate up-selling. If I wanted something I would have bought it in the first place!

I well remember our very first Valentine's Day as a married couple. We were on stage yelling at eachother!!!😆 Fortunately, that was not a precursor of our married life!😂🥰

We have cruised the South Pacific many times from Australia and visas are not required. The following is straight from the P&O Australia website: Many nationalities, including Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for Vanuatu. If you do not hold an Australian or New Zealand passport, you should confirm your visa requirements with the consulate or visa service.

Well, we DID wish eachother a happy Valentine's in passing. 🙄 Hubby's a shift worker, so he slept most of the day, had a meal and then off to work. Who said romance is dead?!😆🥰

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a terry shawl bathrobe? Is it just a fancy name for the standard wrap around robe with a tie belt? Shawl suggests to me a garment that wraps around one's shoulders.

It is a great itinerary (we're doing something similar out of Brisbane for Christmas). However, I think I would be a trifle disappointed (verging on annoyed) if I had booked for N.Z. having not cruised there before and having done at least 3 cruises to the South Pacific in the past.

You're doing reallly well, Suites. I'm ALMOST tempted to start having a flutter in the casino!😆

Have just read an article on Titanic. Seems charging for 'extras' has been around a very long time. The cost of a first class ticket varied but on average was more than $2500 USD (about $124,000 AUD today). The two most luxurious rooms were $4500 USD (about $227,000 AUD today). They included private promenades to enjoy the sea air and exercise. However, even after spending all that money, if passengers wanted to use the gym, squash court or Turkish bath on board they still had to pay extra. I didn't see any mention of a surcharge for Eggs Benny, however. 😆

Absolutely ridiculous!!!! That would go very close to covering our groceries for a week!!!! (or as our Labrador would point out a 12kg bag of Royal Canin!). At those prices I would choke on the ribeye no matter how tender it was!☹️

Golly, if that's the case it's pretty rough when you have actually paid for a barista coffee!!! We were on Encounter last June and certainly didn't pay extra for sugar. I always check our statements (daily usually) whilst on board and honestly I'd have queried it with Guest Services even if it was only 30 cents (not that I'm tight, just I don't appreciate being ripped off).

Now I'm starting to get intrigued.............. We ALMOST (well, kinda sorta) had the opportunity to sail on her last year. My agent put me forward (with hubby as an add on prop 😂) for promotional material on Luminosa. Would have been 7 days South Pacific with a film crew (mainly stills I believe) of us enjoying all the ship had to offer. Probably wouldn't have been much of a holiday with the 'paparazzi' following us around and directing everything we did, but wouldn't have cost us a cent and a pay cheque at the end of it. Unfortunately we weren't selected. Would have been a great opportunity to experience a ship we haven't tried. Maybe we'll just have to let the moths out of the wallet and book a cruise on her. I will admit the decor (or at least photos thereof) has put me off so far.

From the photos I've seen of Luminosa, I reckon the interior designer ate watermelon, pickles and ice cream at midnight, went sleep, woke up with severe indigestion and took to the drawing board.😂

You are so organised, John!🙂

You're welcome, Lana. It certainly sounds confusing! A phone call should, hopefully, sort it out. Cheers CeeCee

Hi Welshy Yes, she was refurbed in 2020. Typically P&O update the public areas (very well in my opinion) and perhaps do the soft furnishings in the cabins. However, the cabins rarely get a major overhaul. We've always had a good experience with P&O Australia. Sure, it's not perfect but we think it's value for money. You get what you pay for. We did a Caribbean cruise on Symphony when she was around 18 months old. Yes, she had the 'wow' factor and all the bells and whistles and we enjoyed ourselves, but we've had just as good a time sailing the South Pacific on the old Pacific Dawn (I think she was around 22 years old at the time. If you're ever around Tilbury, she's now sailing with Ambassador under the name Ambience) for a fraction of the cost and a LOT less people!🙂 And if, as you say, you're more interested in the itinerary you're way ahead. Cheers CeeCee

Totally agree! All I want is the bottom line! Showing the price before tax is the 'hook', then you get 'by the way the tax to be added on to that brings the price up to $..............'. It comes perilously close the false advertising in my opinion.

I assume there are not payment options on your mother's statement? I'd ring the cruise line. They can probably take payment over the phone using your debit or credit card. If not, I'm sure they will give you options.

I haven't actually seen Purple Rabbit, Daz, but there are a couple of short videos on the net. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=P%26O+australia+purple+rabbit+show

We always say 'Take a good time with you and that's what you'll have!'