Sandielle

not sure where the tenders tie up, but I see others are suggesting near the long jetty. We have booked privately for the train/underwater observatory tour on our day there (same day as you) & it is heavily booked. We booked for 1pm thru Viator, and the actual operator contacted to say no availability for that time slot, and changed us to the only 2 spots available on the 2pm tour. Other than that we plan a bit of a look around the town - I see we are not arriving until 10am

Thanks for the heads up. Just phoned the Jetty people direct and they could only fit us on the 3 pm or 11 am trains. 11 am would be cutting it fine as we are arriving at 10 am, and 3 pm might be a bit late to do the observatory, (no money refunded if you miss it) so we opted for just the train ride at 2 pm. Will go snorkelling from the beach or the platform - the lady said plenty of fish there. She swims with them every day. :D

Our cruise itinerary actually lists the port as 'Margaret River', not Busselton, and Princess has tours to the wineries, however we are not interested in those and would prefer to explore Busselton and its history. It looks very nice on Google Earth :D

Thanks Judy and Aus T. Much appreciated. We are looking forward to our day in Busselton - hoping to fit in a swim if weather is good. :)

Mr Google has let me down! :rolleyes: Can anyone tell me where the ship's tenders tie up at Busselton, please? I understand they have the longest wooden jetty with a pay train and underwater observatory, but would like to be able to plan my day. :)

I received an email saying it is a precaution (an extra deep clean) and that the last cruise had no issues.

Thanks. I hope we board at the normal time - the cruise following this next one.

What like a dumb waiter?? :)

Groannnn........... :D :p

i did that Double Decker when i went to NZ on the Golden's second cruise to NZ , awesome trip and yes very hilly

We also did that a couple of years ago. Rather scary at times, especially when we were on the outside. :eek:

By the way, is this a precaution or have they got norovirus cases again. Anybody heard?

I'd say they will have open seating. That's happened before, some nights during our Hawaii cruise, especially if it was a later than usual port day.

We went on the cruise after you, Les, and they put on a few dancers and stalls and the canoe rides. (The canoe ride was the best! :) )

One of my sons returned on Thursday on Sun Princess - now they have a festival at a site somewhere out of town. He said it was good but Princess now charge nearly $40 to take you there and bring you back.

Actually, there were only 90 people affected. I don't know why people continue to bother ro remark on the subject any more. We all know it happens on every ship some time or another, and is dealt with quickly and efficiently. :rolleyes:

Thank you, David. The same to you and everyone on CC. May we all cruise in 2017. :)

You walk off the wharf (dry end) and there is a tram stop, end of the line. So, that tram goes to the city.

 

You need to get a myki card to use for fares. There is a machine that sells them, and allows you to put money on the card.

Hahaha, you sure it's gotta be the dry end, Docker?

Thanks for the info. Will add it to my list. :)

On princess the Nobilo (NZ) Sauv Blanc is nice.

 

Usually use the Gossips for cooking, but a fair bit never makes it.:D

 

Although we do have a friend in the trade and is a wine merchant, and he said never trust the label.

A crap oller gossips could in fact be, quite expensive wine or blends of wines from many districts.

LOL, love your approach! :D I quite like Nobilo, too.

Sorry, I wasn't aware that they didn't but the same rule applies, you can ask the maitre de to have you sit in the same table or section so that you get the same waiters every night.

Thanks Mic. Might try that - we like having the same waiters.

What is it like when you visit Melbourne on a cruise. Where is the nearest tram or train to the city, please?

(We have docked there only once many years ago and it was too cold and wet to get off the ship! :rolleyes:)

I was also going to say Insure and Go. Normo, at present, they still cover up to age 100.

And they wont leave you behind.

Exactly! :D

What ship are you referring to as Princess has 'Anytime' dining and has had Anytime dining here for the Diamond, Golden and the Emerald. Other lines have Select (X), My time (RCI), Freestyle (NCL) but all the same concept. Even P&O have a version.

 

In any case, you can normally still choose Traditional dining on any line (except NCL) but even if you are Anytime dining, you can still speak to the maître de (once on board) and get a set table at a set time for every night. :D

Sun and Sea Princesses, which don't have it at the moment. (The OP was referring to Princess so I presumed people would know I was referring to the Aust ships permanently based here. :) )

Thanks everyone. After doing some research we decided to book the Princess tour for this one. Much easier given the times - the tour arrives back at the ship half an hour before departure time.....and our OBC will more than cover it. :rolleyes::)

I see Anytime Dining is coming to Aust. ships next year. Our March cruise is still Set Dining, but we have been sent emails for our August cruise to say we may also choose Anytime. I like sitting at the same table so was wondering if that could be arranged. Needs thinking about. :rolleyes:

Hi Everyone. Thanks for your input. Will investigate your options. I have been coming to the conclusion it might have to be that we drive ourselves or bite the bullet and do the Princess tour. I'm passed running to make the ship in time and my DH has an absolute aversion to even walking fast!!! :D

Has anyone done a private tour to Port Arthur from Hobart? Have done some googling but all tours appear to be too long. We have an afternoon, arriving 12 noon, overnight and departing at 4.00pm the next day.

I fear we might not have time. Any suggestions would be helpful, please.

500 minutes should get you what about 4 or 5 posts by the time you get through reading the threads ;) How many weeks has Mrs&Mrs been bottled up now?

Haha, so true. It's surprising how quickly those minutes tick away while you're waiting...waiting....waiting... for that mail to download. :cool::D

Hi David, haven't been on CC for a while. Hope you are travelling well.

Please put me down for

Sun Princess - 5 March 2017 - Around Australia and Alotau.

Thanks

Sandy :)