VK3DQ

Hi Andy

Pun intended in the message title ... thanks for the good news , Looking forward to Solstice , the 5th Birthday Girl , whom we sail in in March .. not long now :D

Best regards

John

Hi Folks

Our children have grown up and have children of their own .. we love them all :o

However when we cruise we would prefer a child free cruise if possible , if not we choose a cruise line that caters for "adults" rather the those that are family friendly

All I ask is that parents consider carefully before taking their children on cruise lines that promote themselves as "Adult" or dont cater for children as much as the family friendly lines do.

This way we all get to enjoy our cruises

Best Regards

John

Try Town Cars,they are a fixed price alternative to a cab that can be pre booked.

The only problem with hire cars such as these are that they will charge a fixed fee plus waiting time if they have to wait more than ten minutes for you .. town cars quote $66-00 per hour or part of .

There will also be a set fee and I'll take a bet it will be a min of a one hour hire will could be approx $90-00

Such deals are fine when you are doing airport transfers when the journey time is about one hour, when you are doing a 12 minute ride in a taxi from White bay to the Rocks .. well its your money :D

2 x taxi's will cost approx $30-00 for BOTH or if there is a maxi Taxi it will be approx $20-00 ..

Best Regards

John

PS a Taxi Ride from my home in Melbourne to the Airport costs $120 -00 and takes about $45 mins I get a limo and driver for about the same cost , but it would cost be the same price just to go to the local shops and back in the limo whereas the taxi would only charge for distance covered.

Thanks for your answer. Do you know if that can be pre-arranged in advance?

I would doubt it , its only a very short trip , there will be a large taxi rank at White Bay , it will be a very easy process for you.

You will have no problems at all the taxi rank will have a number of dispatcher's organising things

Regards

John

Looking for a car service to go from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Rocks area. We are 4 people with luggage. Can't seem to find anyone with some information. Thanks :)

Hi Folks

You will most like need two taxi's . most taxi's here is Australia run on LP gas and have a large part of the boot (trunk) taken up by this tank so their luggage space is quite restricted. (unless you can get what in Melbourne we call a Maxi Taxi which would be an eight seater van)

Its only a short trip from White bay to the rocks so it will not cost a great deal

Best regards

John

Hello folks

The sweet little Centaur (3)

Operated by Blue Funnel Line

You can find details of her here

http://www.ssmaritime.com/centaur.htm

Best Regards

John

What is wrong with that?

Nothing wrong at all , if fact its the honest and correct thing to do! it makes it clear exactly what the true cost of your cruise is , I'm all for it.

Regards

John

There are numerous problems with the new system. Also, staff don't always actually get what they are supposed to. Because of this I now have Royal Caribbean refund all the required prepaid gratuities and then pay everyone in cash directly, and usually more than the recommended amount. Also, if I dont go to the main dining room a single time, why should I have to pay gratuities to a waiter, assistant waiter, and head waiter for dinner? I would much rather spend that gratuity money on the waiters I have at specialty restaurants.

What is wrong with the system is that you have to elect to opt out of paying.. it should be the other way round !

Best regards

John

There are numerous problems with the new system. Also, staff don't always actually get what they are supposed to. Because of this I now have Royal Caribbean refund all the required prepaid gratuities and then pay everyone in cash directly, and usually more than the recommended amount. Also, if I dont go to the main dining room a single time, why should I have to pay gratuities to a waiter, assistant waiter, and head waiter for dinner? I would much rather spend that gratuity money on the waiters I have at specialty restaurants.

A fair system would be to pay all the staff on the ship a proper wage, tipping could then be a personal thing done to reward service that one considers has gone well beyond the normal level expected

That solves your problem of who you wish to reward

best regards

John

I totally agree with what you do. A tip is added to all of the bar checks and if service is ok we leave extra. We have had totally rude MD service when we have dined as a couple. Wrong food, and then no food. I remember by youth and being a server, so I am very polite always. A gratuity is for service above not for just serving you (which is the job). I have never gotten a bonus for just doing my job.

The 15% added to the cost of drinks cannot be removed , it is a mandatory service charge .. it cannot possibly be described as a tip!

Lets call a spade a spade !

Best Regards

John

Just pay the staff on the ship a proper living wage!

Not paying such a wage is degrading and inhumane.

Where I live (Australia) it is also not legal

If anyone is "stiffing" anyone its the cruise lines failing to pay its staff and expecting you as a customer to pay for its staff in addition to your cruise fare.

What I would like to see is a cruise fare that is structured to ensure all staff get paid a proper wage , the current "TIP" is no such thing , it is an on board semi mandatory service charge.

Its not an honest way to do things.

A cruise fare that honestly covers the true costs is what should be offered.

Best regards

John

Hi

I dont work to cruise but I have a small UK pension that I draw once a year , it just about covers a nice cruise each year!

:)

Regards

John

Hello David

Please add my wife Jean and I to the Solstice sailing ex Auckland to Sydney on 22nd March 2014

Best Regards

John & Jean (VK3DQ & VK3VIP)

A trip with a real difference

see

http://rms-st-helena.com/