aussiecruiser275

Depending on ports visited FEB and MAR can have the lowest levels of rainfall of the year. Although most monthly rainfalls in some port still get about 60 to 100 mm of rain. Vietnamese ports experience little or no rain at this time.

Kos Samui and Phuket ports usually experience oppoite ends of the spectrum due to their location.

Hence there is usually less days of rain. Having said that this region is tropical so there will always be some rain.

But id have no hesitation at cruising this time of year and are doing a 15 day cruise next FEB/MAR around Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam from Singapore

Last time we did L'excursion Blue trip on the Taha'a day . Fantastic time was had. Traditional boat trip around the whole island, Visited a vanialla and pearl farm, had a plentiful time for a swim in the Motu.

Dont count on too much commentary or sense of humour etc, but uou wont be dissapointed it was a lot to fit in

I am even considering going on it a second time , but too early to tell.

From where the boats tender in Cooks Bay it is a very quick tender trip. I remember i could almost swim accross it was that quick. Although we were on a rennaisance sized ship.

Just a quick email to Alberts they should be waiting for you generally in the car park which is about 50 metre walk from where the tender boats come through.

There are plenty of articles for further reading

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/QUEEN+OF+THE+SEA%3B+Irish+woman+who+lives+on+liner+356+days+a+year+is...-a0165476380

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-06-28-full-time-cruiser_n.htm

This doesnt sound like something that can be fixed at sea is it?, or will they have they cancel a cruise to complete the repairs.

Obviously they think it can be repaired at sea since they have notified cruisers right up the end of the month of actual and/or pontential changes.

Please do all enjoy your cruise. I remember taking the Pacific Pearl and having delays and shortened ports a few years ago. I know in advance its is not happy to hear but as been reported, please try to enjoy and look forward to the cruise - you will still have fun regardless.

i was waiting to see how long it would take before this thread would appear.

We could always go back to Pacific Star, Sky or Sun.

What about a reincarnation of out famous Fairstar

But i do like Pacific Opal,

Although P&O have taken aback from naming ships with Princess ships of the same name so the options are pretty limited.

We could always go back

I wonder how this is going to change things when the Old Holland America Line ships come to Australia in NOV 21015. That they have emphasized 5 ships for the summer of 2015/16 we may even see a disposal of one of the older P&O ships - perhaps the Jewel based on opinions of this board. I dont think they could maintain 5 ships in the winter?

I would say they would keep these ships to cruise specially around the colder areas if needing to , only assuming since they have the retracatle roof over the lido pool so might keep the pool temperature warmer.

These ships seem about 15% smaller than the current ships but they have a good public space to cabin ratio.

Do you think they will add more cabins when it comes to refurbishment prior to entering P&O serivce

I think there was a past thread she goes in for a short dry dock in March/April and then will be chartered for cruise for a period of about 4 or so months (or was it the other way around) prior to being repositioned for general sale cruises within Asia.

As you can see i think we are on her second last cruise in FEB/MAR next year.

Perhaps they are still trying to sort out the final charter contract dates before releasing the Saphire back the public selling. This process has perhaps taken longer than expected and thus we still dont know her schedule.

Sorry i am not of any more help

What as inspiration she was just to hear her stories. We were fortunate to cruise with her on the ship she was christened the Godmother of back in October 2010 on the Royal Princess back in October 2010. She enjoyed residing at sea. She truly was royalty to be the godmother of the ship. RIP . I truly hope they Posthumustly christen you god mother of another Princess ship.

All i can see is the World Cruise, Alaska and Australia / Asia as options. Where does one see the Carribean option as I am taking a 2016 carribean cruise. No can i see Europe.

If its the 49USD drink package then i am afraid the Australian based ships do not offer this package as yet. below exceprt news from Princess. Having said that i wonder whether they will not offer it whenthe Golden Princess comes to Australia.

All-Inclusive Beverage Package UpdateHaving recently launched our new all-inclusive beverage package on board Star Princess® and Sapphire Princess®, we are pleased to announce that this enticing offering is now available on the following ships:

• <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Star Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Sapphire Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Crown Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Coral Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Royal Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Island Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Emerald Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Ruby Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Grand Princess <LI style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 7px">Caribbean Princess
  
• And soon to be offered on Golden Princess!
  

As a reminder, for just US$49 (plus 15% gratuity) per passenger per day, this package covers any individual beverage up to US$10, including soda, wine, beer and cocktails. Plus, bottle wines under US$100 are available at a 40% discount and food items that are covered with the coffee card, such as crepes and gelato, are also included! This is a wonderful benefit to passengers who enjoy any sort of drink throughout the entire day but are also budget-conscience.

You think you have problems in Brisbane - Sydney is an absolute and utter joke.

We only have 1 real berth in Sydney at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney .however still cannot take most new BUILD ships because the ship lenth is too long to berth there as well.

We have have a "portable tent shack" at white bay if your ship is "small" enough to fit under the bridge - what a joke and pathetic excuse that is.

Or if your ship is too big you may have the pleasurable disctinction of mooring at Garden island - no transport and there is only a maximum of 3 berthings allowed per year

Or if your really lucky around FEB to APR each year you might have the biggest pleasure of all and anchoring in Sydney Harbour at Athol Bouy and taking tender boats to shore !! Yes tender boats in Sydney i kid you not.

Yes we have it all whilst both the Federal and State governments and particularly the defence departments continue to debate its not problem its not my problem whilst hundreds of millions of dollars get wittled away to other countries who really want the tourism dollars.

You have to spend money to make money guys

Very interested in this one.

19-Apr-16

Tue

GOLDEN

5612

28

South Pacific

Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific

SYDNEY, Fiordland National Park scenic cruising, Dunedin (Port Chalmers), Akaroa, Wellington, Auckland, Pago Pago, Bora Bora, Tahiti (Papeete), Honolulu, LOS ANGELES

 

you can also do a 30 nighted on the above cruise if you leave from Melbourne.

Thanks for posting them. Does anyone know where it goes to after Los Angeles?

 

chez

I would say Alaska but that means a 20MAY start for Alaska by the time it gets to San Fran, Seattle or Vancouver

Could be Hawaii or Coastal runs / Mexico, but too late for anything else.

Pretty good value piced up $2586.00 for the family of 4 to Singapore for our cruise next year.

I have bumped this up as the sale has been extended through to the 14th May

Hi All,

That the Australia / NZ program for 2015/16 prgram has been released. Does anyone have the program or release date for the 2015 ASIA (Sapphire and Diamond) and 2015/16 EXOTICS programme (Ocean or Pacific) for Tahiti?

I just have the give choices for my folks who had their 01April 2015 Sun Princess 24 days cruise to Japan cancelled. Princess gave me a choice of three replacements cruises non of which appeal to them.

All Princess could say they still dont know.

Thanks for the heads up i had my parents booked on this one. So i called princess and the girl at the end of the line said there was no cancellation but she would look....... suprise to her..... it was cancelled. All they said was an official email will be sent hopefully later today which offers a 30OBC if you stick to one of their replacement cruises offers or a full refund if no alternative chosen. So i guess we will hear more later throughout the day

Yes short winter cruises to pacific islands will be on offer from Princess from Sydney next year .... so i guess princess now realises people dont want to sail carnival or P&O during winter.

I think the ocean and Pacific princess routings will be announced shortly in order to do their transit from Europe to Tahiti . I would imagine the cruises via Australia would be around November, depending on the length of the Tahiti season, which just seems to get shorter and shorter. 4 years ago we did the 10 nighter in October and now they dont begin them until December !!. However i think that had something to do with Princess had 3 small ships back then and now there are only 2

Are cocktails included on this unlimited package , or they wouldn't be a they now cost over the $10 single drink cost? Sorry just been a few years since our last cruise

Yes I noticed that and rebooked my sapphire princess cruise for February earlier today

. I thought it was going t be a massive saving until I realize we now pay 10700 instead of 11022.00 . Whoa big savings of 3% And this is booked direct with princess . I'd like to know where the huge discounts are . It's a big con job. As the discounts are based off the full fare which we know very few pay this actual rate . Good luck to all those who grab a bargain. But at least these savings will be our family a shore tour.

Sorry to bump this one up.

Ive hear good things from Anuar who offers tour from the cruise ships. Even offeres options to mix Batu caves with K.L, and he will pre purchase our permits to go up to Petronas Towers , which Princess cruises does not offer

http://www.wegowithanuar.com/kuala-lumpur-excursions-for-cruise-passenger/

So i think we might be going with him. I hope it helps.

thanks for all your help and assistance everybody

Hello once again to all our fellow cruisers.

We were experienced cruisers up until having children. We will be cruising on the 15 Day Saphire Princess Asia cruise from Singapore with our 2YO and 3YO daughters (at time of travel).

We were cruising with some other family members who have now pulled out and we were going to take turn with minding to make things easier. However now it is only my lovely wife and i with our 2YO and 3YO daughters.

We are staying in a 4 berth mini suite but the girls will just sleep at opposite ends of the rolaway so we wont use the pullman (too young)

I know there is no private babysitting nor can our 2YO be left in the Kids club without out 100% presence - which presents a few issues.

Are there any tips on how we can enjoy ourselves but not disband the kids if you know what i mean.

Is there a nice kids area with a pool for them. Our current 2YO who will be three then is slightly toilet trained already.

Problem is we enjoy the nightly shows, MUTS and night time adult comedy, trivia etc, which we would still like to attend, but never alone.

Appreciate all the help in advance that can be afforded to make this an enjoyable cruise.