Oct. 22 - Oct. 29, 2023 --- 7-Day South Pacific from Brisbane/RT - Carnival Luminosa

[sfjakey]

Frank and Sarah from San Francisco --  we just booked this cruise.   Will be starting our adventure from Seattle on Sept. 14 with the TP B2B2B2B -44 days.  Safe travels,  Frank and Sarah

[MMDown Under]

On 10/18/2022 at 6:36 AM, sfjakey said:

Frank and Sarah from San Francisco --  we just booked this cruise.   Will be starting our adventure from Seattle on Sept. 14 with the TP B2B2B2B -44 days.  Safe travels,  Frank and Sarah

Sounds a great cruise.  What is itinerary?

[sfjakey]

MMDown Under - Here is the itinerary for the 3 cruises: 

 

Sept. 14 (30 days) - Transpacific - Start: Seattle > Ketchikan > Icy Strait Point > Cruise Hubbard Glacier > Cross International Date Line > Kushiro > Aomori > Tokyo > Hiroshima > Nagasaki > Puerto Princesa > Bitung > End: Brisbane

 

Oct. 15 (7 days) -  Great Barrier Reef - Start: Brisbane > Airlie Beach > Cairns > Port Douglas > Willis Island (Scenic Cruising) > End: Brisbane

 

Oct. 22 (7days) -  South Pacific  - Start: Brisbane > Lifou Isle > Mystery Island > Noumea > End: Brisbane

 

On the Oct. 15 cruise, which port would you recommend trying to see the Great Barrier Reef from?  Safe travels -  Thanks, Frank and Sarah -

[MMDown Under]

10 hours ago, sfjakey said:

MMDown Under - Here is the itinerary for the 3 cruises: 

 

Sept. 14 (30 days) - Transpacific - Start: Seattle > Ketchikan > Icy Strait Point > Cruise Hubbard Glacier > Cross International Date Line > Kushiro > Aomori > Tokyo > Hiroshima > Nagasaki > Puerto Princesa > Bitung > End: Brisbane

 

Oct. 15 (7 days) -  Great Barrier Reef - Start: Brisbane > Airlie Beach > Cairns > Port Douglas > Willis Island (Scenic Cruising) > End: Brisbane

 

Oct. 22 (7days) -  South Pacific  - Start: Brisbane > Lifou Isle > Mystery Island > Noumea > End: Brisbane

 

On the Oct. 15 cruise, which port would you recommend trying to see the Great Barrier Reef from?  Safe travels -  Thanks, Frank and Sarah -

Because the ships aren't in port long enough for private Great Barrier Reef cruises, you usually have to take the GBR excursion provided by the cruise line. 

[MMDown Under]

1 minute ago, MMDown Under said:

Because the ships aren't in port long enough for private Great Barrier Reef cruises, you usually have to take the GBR excursion provided by the cruise line. 

Thank you for itinerary.  Should be a wonderful cruise.  

[bugsy56]

Sounds like an awesome adventure.  We are from Brisbane so just doing 7 days on 22 October.  We love the South Pacific islands

[sfjakey]

bugsy56 - Pat and Pam - Welcome aboard - This will be our first time in Brisbane and we  are unsure at this time if we stay in Brisbane a few days before flying back to San Francisco from Brisbane or taking the train to Sidney and flying home from there.  All is depended on getting a direct flight back home (13 hours).  Stay healthy and safe  travels, Frank and Sarah

[sfjakey]

A letter from Carnival indicated you need travel and COVID 19 insurance if you are taking this cruise.  it Insurance is required when visiting New Caledonia (Noumea or Lifou).  Day 6, October 27, 2023 - Friday we visit Noumea.   Safe travels.

 

[sfjakey]

We have finalized our return plans back to San Francisco.  We will be getting off the Luminosa on October 29, 2023 (44 days) and staying in Brisbane for 2 nights.  (Need to find a hotel) On Oct. 31 we have booked a direct non-stop flight from Brisbane to San Francisco  - 13 hours on UAL.  Any suggestion for hotel and tours or things to do and see?  Thanks, Safe travels, Frank and Sarah

 

We checked our annual travel insurance and we are covered for COVID 19 for this cruise.  

[bugsy56]

Definitely would look at doing the city cat which is a boat which runs up and down the river.  Covers lovely scenic highlights and you can get on and off.  Very cheap option as well.

[sfjakey]

bugsy56 - Please explain a little more about "the city cat" -- no idea what that is?  Thanks, Frank Safe travels

[bugsy56]

Sorry the City Cat is a ferry/catamaran service which runs up and down the Brisbane River.  The journey allows you to get on and off at many places along the way and is a very pleasant journey.  It is run by our local council and covers many of the sites of the Brisbane city area.  We live in Brisbane and love it for a day out.

 

 

 

[sfjakey]

bugsy56 - Thanks for the info regarding the City Cat.  Any recommendation for a hotel at the airport or near the airport with a shuttle to the airport?  Thanks again, Frank

[sfjakey]

Still looking for hotel near ship terminal and airport for 2 nights in Brisbane before flight back to SFO. Also, one that will work to see some of the area.  Thanks

[sfjakey]

Still looking for hotel near ship terminal and airport for 2 nights in Brisbane before flight back to SFO. Also, one that will work to see some of the area.  Have  been looking but nothing. 

Thanks