GandM-nq

5 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

AFAIK, the shuttles are available when the ship visits for the day but not on embark or debarkation days.

9 hours ago, arxcards said:

Yes, they do. Not as cheap as they should be, but at least they do have them.

OK.     Good to know, thanks.  

p.s.  Can't understand why the city hasn't provided some sort of public transport link to the BICT for days when ships are in port...  bit pathetic

Does anyone know if Princess put on shuttles from Brisbane's cruise terminal to the city center when their ships are in port?

We are arriving in port in a few weeks.  Can't see anything on their site or in the cruise personalizer.

Thx

Thanks for responses.  I might have to go to St. Vinnies for a nice double breasted and a news boy.

I am booked on an 11 day cruise on Explorer in June.    I see mention that we should expect 2 'formal' nights on this cruise, one of which will be  'Gatsby' themed?

Suits and cocktail dresses I was expecting, but Gatsby?  Was wondering do people actually go the effort and dress up for these special themed formal nights such as this Gatsby night?

Ok. That is timely notice. I just got back from my travel agent with a tentative booking with P&O and was looking for info on the cross loyalty program with Princess. Looks like I can sneak this trip in on the Princess loyalty as booking confirmation/deposit is required Monday, 11th.

G and M

To add. Do P & O recognize Princess loyalty? Would they accept Princess loyalty for a booking made prior to 13Th December? We are Platinum Princess. Would that get us anything on P & O anyway?

I think Cairns is a tender port, other than that, do you know of any others that are tender ports?

Cairns visit, expect a docking IN Cairns itself (http://www.portsnorth.com.au/our-ports/cruise-arr-dep.php - open the 2017 cruise ship schedule pdf). Your cruise is listed as a port docking. Our visit to Cairns on Sun was a port docking too. The only tenders for us were Whitsunday and Margret River (Busselton). Geraldton was not a port we stopped at so no idea what the go is there.

Darwin: Princess were selling tickets for a shuttle to the city centre which were a rip off. Hope they have changed/re-priced it. The shuttle tickets were $8 one way or $15 return. Compare to $10 for a taxi to city centre (4 in the taxi). Or walk 10 minutes (along water front, through Darwin Waterfront complex, use lift, across walk bridge then straight along Smith street to Information Centre.

In Darwin, we just bought a ticket for the 'Hop on Hop off' bus. Note: Purchasing the Hop on Hop off bus ticket was cheaper from the Hop on Hop off Rep that was near the bus stop, rather than buying from the tourist information kiosk. And, if you go the Ho Ho bus, it takes a long time to do the full loop. Work out what you think you would like to visit and make sure you get off first time. We stopped at the Museum and Art Gallery of NT. There is also the Darwin Military Museum. Note also, the Ho Ho bus does a stop at the port gate (which is last stop before finishing the full loop - ending city centre).

Broome. Yes there was not too many excursions for Broome. Then again, there is not much to do in Broome period. Be aware that the camel rides book out early. If that is your thing, book real early through the ship excursion. I actually tried booking a camel ride privately, but that was a fail cause seemed the Camel Operators were all pre-booked with Princess.

Our cruise didn't have Geraldton as a stop so can't help there.

We were on the 16th Jan cruise. Disembarked early in Cairns because of change to itinerary. Does anyone know if both azipods are operating now ?

Seriously though, someone from the government should 'ground' this ship on safety reasons and not let it sail from Melbourne with passengers IF the 2 azipods are not up and running. Else, I have heard of the Maritime Union refusing to 'release' ships on safety grounds. Something should be done to ensure this problem is addressed appropriately and not let this ship float around playing 'Russian roulette' with passenger's safety.

I thought Bunnings sold everything.

Sea conditions here in Cairns are not that bad today. 10-15 knots with possible gusts to20 knots this afternoon. The boats that go out there are a decent size and fast and would eat that up. And the pontoons are anchored in sheltered areas close behind the reef. So np there. And it is brightening up a bit with showers appearing to be lessening (or could be is just where I live looks that way).

I just ducked out to Yorkeys Knob for a quick look see. Unfortunately this ship is too big to dock in Cairns, so anchor at Yorkeys it is. Not much point posting the pic - rather blurred from the rain. Least it appears they are using a local catamaran vessel for tendering instead of lifeboats.

I found this article on Golden Princess which seems to have the requested information. Hope I can copy and paste it-not a good techie!

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2068

 

HTH

I am actually mid cruise on the Sun. She is docked in Cairns today and atm I am out and about and don't have the bar prices on me.

But I know the beer prices start from $5 (some foreign swill I think it was). I am drinking Cascade Premium Light for $5.50. Most are under $7.

Best deal is Happy Hours at the Wheelhouse. Full price plus $1 for the second same drink. So buy one beer full price and for $1 more get a second beer. I have been buying several at a time and getting them left unopened. I keep a few in the fridge for after happy hours. The buy one get one more for a $1 definitely even works for expensive drinks like cocktails (which I think are $13.95). So $14.95 for 2 cocktails. Note too, there have been 2 happy hours per day at the Wheelhouse. 3-4 pm and then later at 9? or 9.30pm for an hour.

I drink some but am not an alcoholic and I couldn't see me getting value for money on the $59 per day drink package (over a 30 day cruise - that is a lot of drinking!)

Well, someone has to pay for the bank CEO wages.

The fee charged is % based, so doesn't matter if you pay lots of little ones or one big total - still the same.

This is the Commonwealth Bank's international fees definition:

We charge you an international transaction fee when you make a purchase or obtain a cash advance (whether in a foreign currency or Australian dollars):

• While overseas; or
  
• In Australia (for example online) where there is an overseas connection, as the merchant, or the financial institution or entity processing the transaction, is located overseas.
  

The international transaction fee for these transactions is:

• Transactions converted by MasterCard® or Visa - 3.00%
  Transactions converted by American Express® - 2.00% (plus a currency conversion factor of 1.50% which is included in the converted transaction amount)
  
• Transactions in Australian dollars but with an overseas connection - 3.00%
  
  

In some cases, overseas merchants may allow you to pay in Australian dollars, e.g. when you’re shopping online or over the phone. This is still considered an international transaction because your transaction is processed overseas.

Note: Even though a merchant has a website address ending in ‘.com.au’ and displays prices in Australian dollars, they may still be located overseas or otherwise choose to process their credit card payments outside of Australia. It’s best to check with the merchant before you pay if you are unsure.

Guess most banks have similar charges that apply in these circumstances. Good of the CommBank to add that note at bottom so that it is plain. Just makes me use my 28 Degrees more.

The reasons why they don't have been gone over many many times.

http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles.cfm?ID=1591

You pay for the cruise and I assume the price of the cruise has been adjusted accordingly to include the cost of the gratuities that would have accrued. Yes, this means there is no opt out of gratuities. And, there is nothing stopping you from tipping further to individual staff that have provided you exceptional service. Would be interesting to hear from staff working on these Australian based ships how they like this system of gratuity collection.

How do they think that is a better departure point than Circular Quay? Better for them maybe, not the ones that want to catch it.

I don't believe that is correct. To the best of my knowledge, cruise points are not interchangeable between lines regardless of whether the lies are part of the Carnival "family" or not. I do know that that Holland-America uses 1 way of advancing from one level to another while Princess uses 2 different ways, one of which is like Holland's and one is completely different.

 

Tom

Deck 8 forward where the upper part of the Promenade deck is.

When we were there last year the ship's shuttle only went to the pub in town. The local bus service was very good, but our cruise left much earlier than yours. It also left at a different time to what Princess said in the itinerary, so watch out for that. I think it was a very late call to change departure by Princess too.

Princess may have a sunset trip available for sale. That would be more reliable maybe.

 

Steve.

We will see what happens. I know we would play it safe and not risk getting back on time so if there is question about transport back, will just miss sunset.

Can you Uber a camel ?

We are on the Sun Princess, stopping in at Broome. Arrival time is 12 midday. Departure is 10 pm.

Was looking at taking in the sunset at Cable Beach, and then maybe a bite to eat there somewhere. But was wondering about transport back from Cable Beach? The local buses don't run after 6pm going by their timetables. Does the Princess shuttle only go from Port to City? Or will it cover Cable Beach too? Or would the only transport option be taxi at 8 - 8:30 pm time? And how difficult would that be anyways, trying to even get a taxi at that time, what with other passengers also trying to get back?

Any insight appreciated.

Thanks for clarifying about the staff who get paid from the gratuities. This is all new to me. You've convinced me lol. I will try out the main dining. I think what put me off was reading it takes a couple of hours for all courses. The kids are well behaved but thought they may get bored.

Obviously a new wife not understanding the pressures of being a husband on a cruise

Not as bad a laundry incident. I was in the laundry (Princess, Med cruise) when a gentleman whom I assume came from North America somewhere (going on accent), dropped in with 2 sons in tow. He looked around, loaded the dryer with dirty clothes and a detergent pod. I would have felt bad if I didn't point out to him his mistake before he dropped his coins in. Guessing he felt real small, what with his 2 sons looking on.

And same cruise, laundry conversation with a lady (was aussie and all), day 5 of a 7, asking me was there anywhere else to eat for dinner other than the Horizon? !!

Looking forward to the true situation on the Emerald as there is a very unhappy cruiser on a 50 day cruise who says they will not 'mend' her air conditioning in the room and she cannot sleep at 71 degrees F She says the whole ship is poor and bad staff I do not believe it so would love to hear your take on the ship and staff :D:D

Room is only 22 degrees Celsius but "too hot" WHILST trying to sleep under a comforter ! Come on! Here's a tip: Take the comforter off! Think that person is being unreasonable to the point nothing would have been acceptable, period.

We were on Emerald for 3 weeks around Med , June/July last year. I had no issues with being "too hot" inside anywhere - and it was pretty hot outside for sure so air con would have been working overtime. And definitely no complaints about the staff or service. Then again, we don't feel entitled. I would have no hesitation going on her again.

Kiwi_cruiser, hope all goes well and you enjoy your cruise.

2 things I liked on Emerald: Port departures, deck 15 out back (above the terrace pool, or 16 if you like the sun). Nice views when leaving ports - beer in hand, plate of corn chips and guacamole dip.

(Kusadasi departure. And yes, beer and plate was the focus/purpose of this shot)

And, Lotus Spa pool. Adults only Pool has some shade depending on time of day/ship orientation and is way less crowded - though no bar close:/

I have been on a Carnival with over 800 kids. And I know one the cruises before ours had 1100 !! These were the first few cruises from Australia when Spirit relocated down under. Not sure if they still do that many kids or they have now introduced limits, but certainly they had no problems letting that many on once.

Yes, there is no way I would risk it. You have to assume they can be anywhere - more so closer to the coast than out wider. But wherever it is you want to put your toes in, no suit no swim! Not worth the risk. They are killers.