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lucymorgan

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  1. If you do go to skygate, you have to walk through skygate and out into the carpark on the other side - the TKMaxx is at the other end of the carpark - not far but still in another building. πŸ™‚
  2. We have cruised out of Brisbane a couple of times (arriving/departing by air). From the airport, we got a free shuttle (https://www.bne.com.au/sites/default/files/2017-08/Brisbane Airport Skygate Loop Timetable - July 2017.pdf) to the Skygate Shopping Centre (+DFO) which has a big woolworths and lots of shops and restaurants, stayed at the Novotel https://novotelbrisbaneairport.com.au/, then next day caught a taxi to the port. It is a shorter distance than taking a taxi from the airport. After the cruise, we catch a taxi to the airport, check in our bags then if we have a late flight catch the shuttle back to Skygate and then return to the airport in time for our flight. Here is the website for the Skygate shopping centre https://www.skygate.com.au/
  3. There were many of these in the botanic gardens if you like wildlife πŸ™‚ . IMG_2802.mov
  4. Following on from tip about early checkin at the airport, if you do want to go elsewhere in Singapore for the day, you can go to terminal 2 or 3(can walk from Terminal 1 or catch a free skytrain then downstairs) to get to the airport MRT station. We found this because we purchased the refundable Singapore Tourist Pass and this is where you get your refund (10 SGD per pass). You can also buy the tourist pass at the same ticket office on arrival. https://thesingaporetouristpass.com.sg/type-of-passes/
  5. Since the discussion is broadening out a bit, I have a tip about departing for home. Whether you get off the ship and fly straight home or stay a bit longer in Singapore, many of the flights to Oz leave at night so it can be a long long day. Some people book day rooms or arrange late checkout and showers, but the option we took was to catch a cab to the airport Terminal 1, then walk straight through from the terminal to the Jewel shopping mall. The BIG advantage of doing this is you can check in for many airlines and drop your luggage very early - up to 24 hours ahead, instead of having to wait until less than 3 hours before departure. This frees up the day (and stops you having to look after your luggage) to either stay in Jewel or head off somewhere else and return later. Here are the details https://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-guide/departing/early-checkin-online.html Our waiter on our cruise was heading home and getting off at 8.30 am. He was worried about what he would do while waiting for his flight with Philipine Airlines late at night as he didn't want to pay for luggage storage. As I had the same issue, I found this option. This service is free and very well organised!
  6. just wanted to add to my previous post that once you crossed the road to Bugis+, you could walk in airconditioning to the MRT station (which is attached to the basement level of the Bugis junction) - had to go up a level in Bugis+ then down 2 in Bugis Junction
  7. We booked Mercure Singapore Bugis on an advanced saver rate direct on the accor site. This was for their most expensive room - a loft with club access includng happy hour with 3 dishes, house wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee machine and breakfast. The room was small but adequate and had a coffee machine. There is a guest laundry on the pool deck. The hotel was nice and across the road from a large shopping mall (Bugis+ and Bugis Junction and MRT station), including many many food places and a nice supermarket which sells wine πŸ˜€ - CS Fresh. Booking a loft was a mistake for someone with bad knees! πŸ˜… They got us a taxi to the cruise port for only about $12 using the Zig app ADVANCE SAVER RATE - BED AND BREAKFAST 2 x SGD 292.79 per night xx Dec 2023 to xx Dec 2023 This room features a queen bed on mezzanine floor and a Nespresso machine. Inclusive of access to Privilege Lounge with complimentary all-day refreshments and evening cocktails. Up to 2 adults. No rollaway bed allowed and no children allowed at the lounge SGD 585.58
  8. Thanks for all the suggestions! πŸ₯€ I knew a lot of them but it is interesting to have them confirmed for HAL.
  9. We are experienced cruisers, mostly on RCI, and enjoy the status perk of lounge/happy hour access on RCI and Celebrity because it gives a nice opportunity to see people multiple times and make new acquantances over the course of a cruise. We enjoyed the one HAL cruise we have done, particularly the better music options, ports, the lectures, and the vibe. I am considering another HAL cruise. As we haven't cruised much at all on HAL we would not have access to a lounge or regular loyalty event unless we booked a high level suite, so I am wondering about opportunities to chat with other cruisers when you don't have that sort of benefit. Any suggestions? Thank you!
  10. We cruise with my elderly mother and it was very easy to catch cabs everywhere. The cab drivers are very courteous, but most do not speak English. The solution to this is to make sure you get a map for each port as soon as you get off the ship (they all have them) and/or that you know how to use google maps. With google maps if you search for the places you want to go, and zoom in the names of the places will show up in Japanese which can be shown to the driver. The cabs are old style but very very clean and very reasonably priced. The driver will wait for you too at your destination for a reasonable price if you are at all concerned about getting back. It is is well worth researching the ports as many can be done using public transport too. Google translate or similar might also be useful.
  11. That sounds awful - understandable but the length of time taken sounds excessive. Perhaps they were tipped off about something. My worst experience was being pinged when I went through one of those new whole body scanners at the airport. I have had a double mastectomy due to cancer and was wearing false boobs. They were picked up by the scanner as crosses on my chest and I was asked to rub them with my hands then touch the explosives detection wand. Quite embarrassing! 😟 (But also a bit amusing) Since then I have not bothered with the falsies until after I am through security.
  12. Happy planning! I just wanted to mention that I have heard good things about Fiji Airways and they are having a bit of a blitz on sales at the moment. The airline has a good reputation and a lot of Aussies 'in the know' are booking flights with them. They are a qantas/oneworld partner. I haven't flown with them myself. Fiji might be an alternative stopover to Hawaii for you to consider. https://www.fijiairways.com/en-au/
  13. I've found it very much worth it to collect frequent flyer points - either for upgrades to J (business class) or purchasing J or PE (premium economy) seats. There are a number of sites that help with this if you are in Australia. For example, australian frequent flyer, point hacks and a number of groups on soc med - e.g. qantas points collectors and woolworths reward enthusiasts. For example I recently scored 2 business class tickets Syd to Singapore with British Airways using points. People often say it is difficult but it isn't if you have time, are willing to learn the tricks and are willing to plan. Happy collecting if you decide to do this!
  14. Good topic! I am considering a spectrum cruise and was looking at rooms. I was wondering about the sky balconies and sky junior suites which are more expensive than a grand suite on the couple of cruises I looked at. I had heard there was a different suite/loyalty set up but don't know where to find details.
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