Sparky74

I agree that Winter is the best time to visit the tropics. However the American mindset is that vacations happen in the Summer. Also, they send ships here in the USA off-season. Why would a cruiseline pull a vessel off a profitable market and bring it down under? The reality is that we just don’t have the population to compete year round with the North American market. JMHO

I wonder if a smaller ship like Brilliance OTS has more flexibility and is able to dock at places the behemoths cannot. I guess there’s only so many places a ship can sail to from Brisbane (and return) in a reasonable timeframe. I would think that there’s a limited market for longer cruises.

I think I’d prefer Brillance OTS in Brisbane but I'll take Voyager. 😁

2025/26 Australian Princess itineraries should be available the week after next, apparently.

We’ve stayed there and would also recommend it.

We sailed Alaska with HAL last year. We rugged up and ventured out to the bow on the scenic cruising days and had the added bonus of commentary and guidance from the onboard naturalist. There was plenty of opportunity to get to the rail and take great photos. Prior to going, the advice from every direction seemed to be that you MUST have a balcony for an Alaskan cruise. We enjoyed Alaska so much that we are hoping to return in 2025 and believe me, it’s a long way for us to come from Australia! But this time round we'll be booking an oceanview (or even interior 😱) cabin and putting the savings towards shore excursions. We found plenty of opportunity to view the scenery and wildlife from the public decks. JMHO VMMV

Now that's interesting! DW and I were onboard the Carnival Splendor for her trans-Pacific cruise, 23 nights from Seattle to Sydney last year. By and large it was the Aussies onboard who were unimpressed. More than one Australian was heard to mutter that if this cruise was indicative of the "product" that Carnival was bringing to Australia (post-pandemic) then they would be spending their cruising dollars with other lines. DW & I haven’t been back onboard a Carnival ship since but that’s not solely based on our experience of that cruise.

If it’s a trans-Pacific cruise consider if you want the long flight and jet lag at the start of your vacation or at the end of your journey. For me, I prefer to get the long flight out of the way at the start and come back to work refreshed. JMHO I'd also add that Australia is a large and diverse country. And nearly 3 million square miles we're the sixth largest country in area after Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil. There’s lots to see from the Top End, the Great Barrier Reef, the Snowy Mountains, Tasmania, the Red Centre, and, and, and… And then New Zealand is just across the ditch with its own unique landscapes, culture, and version of the English language. 😁 This is to say, plan to spend as much time here as you can. It’s quite an effort to fly half way around the world so make the most of it!

DW & I cruised Alaska with HAL last year. We really enjoyed the trip and both agreed that we’d like to return. As we’re Australians, it’s a bit of a trek to get there but we’re looking at the possibility of 2025. Our main (only) disappointment in Alaska last year was that our shore excursion in Juneau, a helicopter flight and dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier was cancelled due to the weather. See below for a link to the relevant part of my trip review. Now, I know that the weather is difficult to predict, especially in Alaska, but I’m wondering if anyone can shed some light on the LIKELY-HOOD of this tour being cancelled. How often does it go and how often is it cancelled? What months is it more likely to run? And are we better to book through the ship or direct with someone shoreside? If shoreside, book ahead or on the day? At this stage we’re thinking of booking B2B cruises to give us two visits to Juneau and thus two chances at this bucket-list experience. We will have the luxury of 8 weeks vacation 😱😁 in 2025 but, alas, limited funds. I did wonder about building some time into our itinerary to return to Juneau later on, if necessary, either by plane or the Alaskan Marine Highway ferry, if we miss out again. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

DW & I loved our Alaskan cruise last year. We’re Aussies too. I had booked a helicopter flight and dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier and it was cancelled on the day due to the weather. This was a bitter disappointment but we made the most of it and managed to pick up a whale watching trip on the dock. Here's a link to my review from that day.

We don’t spend much onboard so that doesn’t affect us greatly. But you’re right. You’d think after all of these years they could charge in Australian Dollars while cruising from Australian home ports like many of the other US cruiselines do.

Our first ever cruise was with RCI and we remained loyal to Royal for some years. I still have a bit of a soft spot for them and as Diamond C&A members the 4 complimentary drinks each day are a bit of a sweetener. So it’s a little disappointing that they haven’t been mentioned in this thread lately. 💰 It might be worth checking out Quantum OTS sailings from Brisbane to the South Pacific Islands. 15/2/2024 - 7 nights - inside cabin - $799 1/3/2024 - 7 nights - inside cabin - $799 29/1/2024 - 9 nights - inside cabin - $999

We used Uber when we disembarked from our trans-Pacific cruise in Sydney last year. From memory, the fare to the airport was only a little more than it would have been for the two of us as those airport trains are pricey. Uber drivers were lined up waiting at the cruise terminal on that day. We don’t use them often but we’ve found Uber cheaper than a taxi. But this could have changed recently. 🤷‍♂️

It’s a reminder that a cruise is great value for money.

3 weeks out and we’re still waiting for our cabin allocation. 🤷‍♂️

Isn't Black Friday still a fortnight away? I wonder if we'll see any cruise deals here in Australia (and New Zealand).

Date Nights Ship From To Interior Daily 27/11/23 13 Majestic Princess Sydney New Zealand $1,044 $80 28/1/24 13 Pacific Explorer Melbourne New Zealand $1,139 $88 29/1/24 13 Grand Princess Melbourne South Pacific Islands $1,234 $95 30/1/24 14 Pacific Adventure Sydney Singapore (one way) $1,139 $81 7/2/24 11 Pacific Explorer Fremantle Singapore (one way) $1,079 $98 6/5/24 10 Carnival Splendor Sydney North Qld $921 $92 1/6/24 3 Pacific Explorer Cairns Brisbane (one way) $247 $82 4/6/24 2 Pacific Explorer Brisbane Sydney (one way) $188 $94 17/6/24 10 Pacific Adventure Sydney North Qld $989 $99 4/7/24 4 Pacific Explorer Sydney Auckland (one way) $314 $79 5/7/24 9 Pacific Adventure Sydney South Pacific Islands $809 $90 14/7/24 9 Pacific Adventure Sydney North Qld $854 $95 30/7/24 10 Pacific Adventure Sydney South Pacific Islands $944 $94 14/8/24 10 Pacific Encounter Brisbane PNG $944 $94 16/10/24 10 Pacific Encounter Brisbane PNG $944 $94 22/11/24 8 Pacific Encounter Brisbane South Pacific Islands $764 $96 29/11/24 2 Pacific Explorer Melbourne Adelaide (one way) $179 $90 2/7/25 10 Pacific Adventure Sydney South Pacific Islands $989 $99 29/3/25 9 Pacific Adventure Sydney South Pacific Islands $854 $95 5/4/25 6 Pacific Explorer Adelaide Auckland (one way) $584 $97

We’ve stayed at Mascot twice. Close to the airport. Walking distance to the train, Woolworths, and cafes. We would stay there again.

Mandela Effect! 🤷‍♂️

Apparently there are still luggage lockers at the airport. https://www.bne.com.au/passenger/passenger-information/check-in-and-baggage#lockers

Years ago there were luggage lockers at the airport and also at Roma Street Station. They may have taken them out after 9/11 or the service may still exist. 🤷‍♂️

I’ve been following the discussion about Alaska and the ferries. DW and I are have been deliberating about holiday plans for 2025 (or ‘26, or possibly ’27) as we’ll have 8 weeks to play with. From past experience we’d prefer to take the 8 weeks in one block. We really enjoyed our Alaskan inside passage cruise on HAL last year and are keen to return. (It's only one of many options on the table.) BUT I’ve started looking at the prices of accommodation in Alaska and it’s not cheap. I'm actually thinking that a traditional cruise or two (B2B or even B2B2B on jump from ship to ship) might be as cheap. It’s certainly looking like better value for money for us. 🤷‍♂️

I was going to suggest Lone Pine. And yes, you’ve spelled Mt Cootha correctly.

When I read this I thought Terry was performing. 😱

I don’t think I could pull off a kaftan either!