Ima Ginaree

Nindigully Pub, west of the black stump, Qld.

23 minutes ago, Mareblu said:

 

So somewhere in Brisbane?

I’m going to say “Definitely in Oz”. More than that I don’t know.

It’s affectionally known as “The Australia Tax”. It even has its own Wikipedia page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Tax

57 minutes ago, Mareblu said:

Obviously building a bridge?  No idea where though.

Building a bridge so we’ll all ‘get over it’?

25 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Agreed,

Btw, happy anniversary.

Thanks Mic. Can’t believer I’ve been on CC for 13 years. Haven’t been on a cruise since 2016, but have 2 lined up for this year. Looking forward to them.

Just now, Mareblu said:

It’s in the canal, but it is specifically Neptune’s Staircase.

I think I saw at least 3 different stepped locks in Scotland. Then there was the Falkirk Wheel which is amazing and replaced a series of 11 locks.

13 minutes ago, Mareblu said:

Caledonian Canal, Scotland?

4 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Yes, correct it is the she-devil.we had a bit of a white out but it was still wonderful.

Your go.

That was fun. I’ve only been to Switzerland once and it was more summer than winter, so we didn’t need to get out the cold weather gear. It was stunning scenery.

Jungfrau?

On 1/13/2024 at 6:59 AM, MicCanberra said:

I have to get this thread fired back up. Is it Mount Cook, New Zealand?

6 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

La Fourchette Vevey Switzerland.

Sure is. You’re up Blackduck. (Sorry if this post duplicates, but my original seems to have disappeared.)

4 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

That would be it, I would think. I knew I had seen it somewhere, lake Geneva would be it.

Yes, it is pretty cool.

36 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Brugge

Not Brugge, but you’re on the right continent.

10 hours ago, NSnJW said:

With NCL be sure to check the dailys.  The NCL ships I have been on had nightly solo meetings even if there wasn't a lounge.  They usually go from there to the MDR for the solos who wish to eat together.

Thanks for this advice. It certainly sounds like NCL are making an effort to attract and retain solo cruisers.

3 hours ago, RedgeToo said:

 You didn't say which cruise line you're sailing with, so please feel free to ask about the specific cruise line if you want to.

Thanks, great advice there. I’m booked on Norwegian Spirit which I understand does not have a solo lounge. I just want to be a little prepared for what to expect.
A book sounds like a great idea and an easy solution. Maybe I’ll look for a book with a title that fits the situation. Maybe there is a book called ‘I’ll Be Back’ written by Arnold Schwarzenegger. There is a library on board so I can always get another book if someone filches mine.

I just realised there is a Solo Cruises category as well and that is probably a better spot for my query.

Had to google it….. Maryborough St, Windorah, Queensland.

The tank features a Yellow Belly fish.

Gee that soil is rich!

I would like to know what the actual merchant discounts are before spending a lot of money on the book. I would want to at least break even, otherwise what is the point? There is a page on their where you select a city and it comes back with around 6 merchant offers. There is nothing there I am interested in. If anyone knows of a complete list of the offers, especially for NZ merchants are you able to share please?

I have booked a solo cabin on an upcoming cruise. It’s been many years since my last cruise and I’ve never cruised alone before. I’m quite happy to go off and do my own thing but generally my cruise mate/s would at least meet up for dinner and we’d run into each other at different times and in different parts of the ship. If necessary (and if we could find each other) my friends would look after my stuff for awhile and vice versa.
 

If you have done a solo cruise and like me, you like your solitude (i.e. you aren’t continually surrounded by a group of your new friends’) do you have any advice on how to keep your deck chair or lounge table ‘reserved’ while you race to the rest room, head to the bar for a fresh drink or jump into the spa?  What can you safely leave on your deck chair or table?

If you are in one of the restaurants do you need to alert the wait staff you are heading to the rest room, but will be back shortly? What’s the chance they’ll clear the table before you return?

If your solo cruising level is set to anything higher than ‘Novice’, I’m interested in hearing your tips or tricks to get the best solo cruise mileage.

5 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

 I was just wondering if someone had already done it and whether they lost the lounge access.  My cruise is in three weeks

Perhaps you can report back after your cruise for future readers with a similar question.

This doesn’t really address your question, but adds more on the ‘bidding process for solos’ experience.

I will be cruising in a solo balcony on a ship with no solo lounge. In my opinion my solo fare is VERY good. I’m also in a location on the ship that I like.

I’ve added a sceenshot here of my invitation in case you are interested. The minimum bid price (in Australian dollars) was the same for cabin classes SC, SE, SF, and SH and is per person. Despite being a solo booking, we get the joy of paying for upgrades as if there are two of us.

For my part I decided not to lodge an upgrade bid because I’m happy with what I already have, plus my fare would increase a minimum of 44%, which means I would no longer have a ‘cheap’ fare. I would have a much better stateroom but as it’s only me I don’t see any personal value in it.

I think if I had initially booked an inside cabin, I might have bid for a balcony, but I’d be concerned that I would end up in a ‘less attractive’ part of the ship. So me being me, I generally just book the cabin I want in the first place. 
Whatever you decide, I am sure you’ll enjoy your cruise.

I had a look at this last week. The option that will suit me best is https://www.skydrive.co.nz

Their bus runs roughly every 30 minutes, express between Auckland International terminal and the bus station at the SkyCity complex in Hobson St. The trip takes 40 - 50 minutes, depending on the traffic.
 

The advertised fare is currently NZ$18 adult and NZ$8 child.

I’m staying about 450 metres away from SkyCity and intend walking from there to my hotel.

I found a similarly named company called SkyBus but it went out of business alter Covid.

Venice, Italy

10 hours ago, lyndarra said:

Utøya Island, Norway.

Well done. Yes it is.

For everyone else - the Utøya National Memorial sits in front of Utøya Island, Norway. The memorial was officially opened in June 2022. The 77 pillars are dedicated to the victims of a right wing extremist attack in Oslo and on Utøya Island in July 2011.

Your turn….

3 hours ago, phoenixxx said:

Which insurance company did you go with?

Fastcover. They give a senior’s discount.