CCC's

Usually on a cruise I turn off my mobile as soon as we reach Sydney Heads however,  if I wish to access the various Apps available ( P & O, Princess) how do I setup my Samsung mobile WITHOUT incurring overseas roaming charges.   Thanks for any assistance.

Excellent suggestions above and I would like to add a suggestion.  I have used this website many times when visiting NZ and anywhere in Australia.  Go to www.viator.com.  Enjoy planning your upcoming cruise.

17 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

 

Unfortunately I didn't open the second envelope waiting for us outside our cabin until we were leaving the room to go to dinner. I had booked us into the Waterfront restaurant for early dining (starting 5pm to 5.45pm) for the whole cruise. The letter from P&O helpfully told us we were booked at 7.15pm, at the Waterfront on day one, then Angelo's, then Dragon Lady (we aren't fond of Asian food), and so on for the seven nights. I decided to just front up at the Waterfront and smile nicely as I said that we had a booking. 

Hi.  Thanks for your excellent review.   Just one question..... were you able to book Waterfront prior to embarkation?  I have read somewhere that it can only be done when you are actually on the ship.   Hope you can clarify for me.   Many thanks. 

12 hours ago, Tripmode33 said:

Re the speciality restaurants being booked out prior to cruise, have you heard whether cruisers with complimentary speciality dining are having trouble getting a booking once on board. I understand that you can't book these complimentary speciality dining until you are on board (unless it is the Suite first night perk). It would be a shame to miss out on the promo inclusion because of no availability.

I have an upcoming cruise in November on Majestic Princess.   I also have complimentary speciality dining for one night.   Tried using the Medallion app to book Crown Grill using my freebie but would only accept payment which at $29 each pax was a no brainer, so booked and paid.   Then read a post here (thank you Ondine) which suggested using the laptop/computer website, which I did.  I booked the French Speciality restaurant and instead of paying it "Reserved" my booking.  So will pay for this booking using my freebie when onboard.  Worth giving it a try.

35 minutes ago, shireboi said:

how many cruises are u doing ?

 

encore was a bore…  nothing against the cast but two James Bond songs ??  Music bingo was only one once…and there’s no repeat later tonight. 

 

what drinks are in the tall long glasses ..?
 

travelling with my mum whom clearly has signs of dementia now 😞   (Sorry it doesn’t make for a pleasant time for me)
 

 

Your ongoing trolling is becoming soooo boring!  

54 minutes ago, shireboi said:

Looked at the main dining room menu… Saturday night

 

couldn’t find anything worth bothering with…. It was some garbage of fish stew, beef stew, Orange roughy fish.

 

buffet at 6.30 is empty… stopped by to see the recycled deserts 

 

the food on this cruise is quite poor. 

tempting to get off at Newcastle and head home 

 

 

 

Could be a smart move for you to take. 

4 hours ago, buchhalm said:

I tried it. Stings like hell on my contact lenses. 

That is so funny.  Perhaps the instructions on the bottle were only in Arabic !!?

20 minutes ago, Hammer61 said:

Why a debit card? why not just get a Credit Card that has included insurance, most banks do them, ANZ Rewards Platinum for example or a Westpac Altitude Platinum, for about $99 a year card fee you get full travel insurance and also collect points for gift cards or you can convert them into frequent flyer points.

20 minutes ago, Hammer61 said:

It can be somewhat difficult to apply for a Credit Card if you are retired and no longer earning a salary.   However,  a Debit Card (NAB Platinum Debitcard) will also have complimentary travel insurance which now includes Covid coverage.  It takes 5 minutes online to apply for this debit card.  However,  read the PDS as 76yrs and over are not covered for medical issues but you will be covered for all other travel insurance claims. 

 

2 minutes ago, Hernextdoor said:

There doesn't seem to be much in the way of accommodation on that side of Anzac Bridge. Darling Harbour might be your best bet, and either taxi, or this mob https://shireshuttlebus.com.au/sydney-cruise-terminal-shuttle-bus/.

Yes agree.  Darling Harbour for accommodation, dining, fun things to do... then cab it to White Bay which is about 2-3 klms away.

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

And music trivia used to be heaps of fun until Shazam came along.

I can't live without Shazam now that I have found it.  My Spotify playlist is a little out of control now. 

I am booked on Majestic Princess 20 November 2022 for 5 day cruise..... Sydney,  Port Arthur, overnight Hobart, return to Sydney.  A nice short cruise to ease back into sailing after 3 long years. 

First time cruising with P & O.  Would like to book one of the above speciality restaurants,  but can't decide.   Any suggestions greatly appreciated. 

Check out Airolodge International at Hamilton.   Walk across road to Portside Wharf which has an abundance of cafes,  bars,  movie theatre etc.  You could pick up a room for about $120.  You can catch taxi or shuttle (Conn-X-ion) from airport.   It is possible the motel would have available a shuttle to the NEW ship terminal, but check first.  They previously had one to the old Portside terminal.  Definitely suitable for a short stay. 

I am booked on a 4 night cruise in September on Pacific Explorer with a guaranteed deluxe balcony room.  My luggage tags are now available.   It shows .... ROOM  GUAR and  DECK DE.  Can anyone explain what Deck DE means.  Also I believe I should wait for an actual room number before printing my luggage tags. 

8 hours ago, subaru94 said:

Yes it is a Saturday night as the ship departs next day,  what site did you find the 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom and which Mercure was it.  I have found accommodation 2 deluxe apartments at The York by Swiss-Belhotel for $217.00 each apartment.   Its been a while that we have departed Sydney and a bit out of touch.

I was referring to Meriton Apartments, in particular Kent St apartments.  I spent 3 nights there recently and found it very comfortable,  a few minutes walk to light rail system,  close to CBD as well as Darling Harbour and Chinatown.  They are worth checking out.

1 hour ago, NSWP said:

OMG. We used to get a studio at Pitt St Meriton for $200, albeit it, 3 or 4 years ago.

You can still get a studio for $195 per night however, if it is a Saturday night you would pay about $300+ per night.  I am unsure why "subaru94" was quoted $900 for 1 night for 4 persons,  but it might be for their penthouse.  I did a check and last Saturday night in April 2023 for 4 persons in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom was $545.  But if you book a weekday room it is only $365 per night.   So, still reasonably priced. 

7 hours ago, lyndarra said:

If you call at Picton there is a steam train excursion from there to Blenhein return. 

I took this steam train trip from Picton to Blenheim, then return.  Train trip was good but found the actual town of Blenheim very disappointing.  To me it seemed that the style of the buildings dated from 1950s onwards.   No beautiful old buildings or places with a wow factor.  However there is an interesting cafe, souvenir shop attached to Blenheim railway station which is worth spending some time browsing and having coffee and cake or a light meal. 

My next cruise to Hobart in November I have booked the HoHo bus at $35 pp.  I always try this excursion ( Auckland, Hobart, Melbourne) it allows you to see all the main sites and hop off at any that takes my fancy.  Cruisermsoon above has given a lot of good advice and suggestions.   Also,  if you dock at Picton NZ (not sure if you do) the best excursion I have ever taken in NZ was from the local wharf area.   It was swimming with wild dolphins.   My daughter actually donned a wet suit and swam with the dolphins but I stayed on the small cruiser boat and took photos. You can't touch them but they are curious and will come to you to check you out.  And there were 100s of dolphins.  Absolutely unforgettable.

When your ship docks at Dunedin try to visit Larnach Castle.  Lively bus ride to castle and interesting back story to the history of Larnach.  Very nice cafe within the castle as well and grounds are beautiful.   Not as grand as castles in England but worth a visit.  Olveston Historic Home close to Dunedin CBD is stunning too.  In the past we have also used the Dunedin HoHo bus which gives you a snap shot of the top tourist sites within Dunedin.   Check out this website as well     https://www.dunedinnz.com/visit/see-and-do/heritage

33 minutes ago, arxcards said:

A major thought. Because the hotels fill with patrons for the NYE Sydney Harbour fireworks, the prices for good hotels border on exorbitant. 31st December in Sydney is the most expensive night anywhere in Australia for the year.

Agree.  Hotel prices in Sydney and surrounding areas are over New Year period are horrendous.  Perhaps you could consider flying into Sydney day before cruises, stay at hotel at the airport (reasonable price over NY period) go on cruise 2-14 January then book accommodation in Sydney CBD after cruise.  Accommodation costs are back to a more normal level, that is about 25% of overnight cost over NY period.

5 hours ago, resordanis said:

We have recently started staying at Meriton Apartments in the City. Close to everything and you also have a small kitchen and a washer/dryer. Unless staying Saturday night, prices are quite reasonable. Before this The View North Sydney was our choice before cruises as they had a cruise ship package which included transfers to the Port. Not sure if they are offering that package at the moment though.

Recently stayed at Meriton Apartments Kent St in the city. (Other Meriton Apartments also recommended too).   Minutes walk to Darling Harbour, Chinatown, only 3 minutes to light rail system.  Overnight rates are v.good and you have a small kitchen and washer/dryer in apartment.  Being a regular visitor to Sydney I have found these apartments to be the most central for all tourist sites to visit.   Also,  it is very easy to catch a taxi to White Bay terminal.  A thought.... you will be booking accommodation late December, early January over the New Year period and the rates will be very high in Sydney CBD and surrounding areas! 

As SinbadThePorter suggests, you could also consider.... a cruise from Sydney to Tasmania plus Adelaide or Melbourne and return to Sydney.  This could be a 6-7 day cruise.  Then fly to Auckland NZ and pick up a cruise of the South Island and Fjords, then back to Sydney, which is maybe another 6 nights.   Fly from Sydney to your home.   This is a very rough outline only and you would need intensive research to make it work.  I am not necessarily including warm tropical tourist spots because as you reside in a tropical area of the USA you would probably want to see something  "different" .

42 minutes ago, Tikibird said:

Normally we would use Uber but after a bad experience with 7 drivers cancelling a trip from the airport I suspect the situation from the cruise terminal won't be any better.  The Wilson car park seems expensive.  Are there cheaper alternatives that have a shuttle nearby?

It might be worth phoning Con-X-Ion shuttles.  I have used them many times and never had a problem.   You will need to call 1300 920914  to ascertain whether they have commenced a service from/to the new Cruising terminal.

11 hours ago, leck57 said:

 

Cheers. Pleased I didn't miss anything when I read it. I probably asked because after what we had to do just last month for our UK cruise, the requirements here seem incredibly lax. I'm sure many that test positive would just keep quiet. 

Something to be considered should you wish to NOT report that you are Covid positive......I would definitely prefer to be close to my local medical support/hospital  rather than a medical centre on a cruise ship should my Covid illness become serious.  And personally I would not knowingly endanger other cruisers on the ship.   I find that behaviour shameful. 

11 hours ago, gazgolf1 said:

Hi all without trawling thru all 13 pages can someone tell me what my best insurance options are for a family of 3 cruising to Nth Qld next January. No pre existing conditions just want coverage for cancellations due to Covid, thanks in advance.

If you don't have a credit card with complimentary travel insurance attached you could consider the NAB Platinum DEBIT CARD which has travel insurance with covid cover,  and it takes 5 minutes to apply online.   Being a Debit Card you will be using your available funds for any purchases.   It is worth checking out as their travel insurance will cover the whole family for each and every travel excursion taken.   However,  there is a $10 monthly fee to maintain the Debit Card account.