A cruise from Australia 🇦🇺

[kernow]

2 hours ago, little britain said:

As this first cruise nears its end: some throwaway (very broad tongue in cheek) observations…

 

* Australians all wear lanyards

* Australians dress up in the dress code of the day

* Australians take the stairs not the elevators 🛗 

* Australians know how to drink 🍸 

* Australians know how to party 🎉 

* Australians do not overload their plates in the WJ and you never see plates of untouched food going to waste 🍽️ 

* Australians do not discuss their medical ailments and medication 💊 

* Australian children are polite and well behaved 

 

- it’s a very different experience. Refreshing. And I wish it was closer to Europe so we could cruise with our Ozzie chums again … oh hang on a minute … we are in a few days time! Stay tuned! 

Careful, you might get in trouble (but I agree with you)🤣🤣

Edited January 16 by kernow

[Chiliburn]

48 minutes ago, kernow said:

Careful, you might get in trouble (but I agree with you)🤣🤣

I don’t wear a lanyard !!

If I did it would be a Princess one just annoy the pineapples . LOL

[Chiliburn]

 

[jean87510]

6 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Be interested in your thoughts on Noumea.  It gets a very mixed response from cruisers.  According to smart traveller, shark nets have now been installed at Lemon Bay etc so you should be able to swim there, if so inclined.

 

My favourite thing to do at Noumea is do the full day excursion to Amedee Lighthouse Island.  Great day out, if you aren’t fearful of (sea) snakes.

We are going to Amedee in April.  Are the snakes abundant when snorkeling?  

 

My apologies for questions on this thread but it's difficult to get current info on the Pacific board on specific places.  

[little britain]

1 minute ago, jean87510 said:

We are going to Amedee in April.  Are the snakes abundant when snorkeling?  

 

My apologies for questions on this thread but it's difficult to get current info on the Pacific board on specific places.  

Our tour only mentioned reef sharks in the blurb ( or “it’s a little bit sharkey” as our friend says!!)… however when the tour arrived at the island 🏝️ then the guide mentioned the snakes!!! 
 

People on this cruise have pics of the snakes crossing the jetty in front of them 🫣 but I think this is a rarity. 
We were on Signal Island. 

[aussielozzie18]

16 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

We are going to Amedee in April.  Are the snakes abundant when snorkeling?  

 

My apologies for questions on this thread but it's difficult to get current info on the Pacific board on specific places.  

I didn’t see any in the water when snorkelling and snorkelled for a lengthy time.  Lots of turtles in the water.  
 

You see the snakes on the sand, on the trees etc but if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.

 

For the OP, Signal and Amadee Island are two different islands. Glad you enjoyed your visit to Noumea.
 

 

Edited January 16 by aussielozzie18

[cublet]

2 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

I don’t wear a lanyard !!

If I did it would be a Princess one just annoy the pineapples . LOL

Hello,

 

I have a full suite of major UK banks' and insurance companies' ties. Whoever I was meeting on any particular day, I always wore the tie of a rival.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[kernow]

36 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

We are going to Amedee in April.  Are the snakes abundant when snorkeling?  

 

My apologies for questions on this thread but it's difficult to get current info on the Pacific board on specific places.  

Have you checked out the Australian and New Zealander cruisers board. Lots of very helpful Aussies over there who will answer questions, I used it a lot before our Australian cruise.

[little britain]

* Wine and beer offerings are very different on Australian cruises… and much better.

 

- that said, the offerings in Giovannis were appalling. Only 3 were offered by the glass, one white/red/rose; and they were all “house hooch”, and nothing that I would associate with the upsell of a specialty restaurant.  I am guessing this is fleet wide?   Our charming waiter went and got us a bottle of the delicious Fifth Leg from the MDR menu! It’s crazy that the MDR has better choices than an upsell venue. Rant over.

 

* We used our BOGO on d6 and d8.

 

 * Giovannis cost $44.99 onboard. Remember the price you see is the price you pay. No hidden service charge. 

[little britain]

@jean87510 Noumea is definitely the best place for shopping, upstairs at the main cruise building where the shuttle drops you off. Some very nice handmade crafts.. I got a beautiful pair of porcelain and gold earrings for only A$35.

 

The best (worst) thing I saw someone buy at another port was a raffia beach bag with the port name proudly displayed below a photo of the famous bridge in Curacao… obviously none the wiser! 

[little britain]

* Australians throw them selves into the “dirty napkin waving “ on the 2nd formal night…. Not sure why as tips are included!! 
 

And no begging for the perfect 10

another good thing ✅ 

[little britain]

Entertainment

- as ever the musicians and bands around the ship are excellent. We didn’t go to many shows…one was supposedly Australia’s best Beatles tribute act… apart from Ringo on the drums it was tricky trying to guess who each one was meant to be! We also went to an Olivia Newton John tribute by a lady called Susannah Mirana  - she was very good with a lovely voice.
We skipped comedians because with a 98% Australian audience we suspected we would have no idea what the jokes were about.

 

* Australians wait for the CD to finish his announcement at the end of the show before getting up and leaving! Who knew!! 

 

[little britain]

Notable difference

[cruiselvr04]

1 hour ago, little britain said:

Notable difference

Not sure I understand what this means? Does this mean you can’t exchange US for AUD on the ship?  I can understand that but what about ports of call.  Surely there’s foreign exchange services on land? If we tip in US do the crew have a way to exchange? Can we get US change on the ship at GS?  How do they pay out in the casino?

[little britain]

14 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

Not sure I understand what this means? Does this mean you can’t exchange US for AUD on the ship?  I can understand that but what about ports of call.  Surely there’s foreign exchange services on land? If we tip in US do the crew have a way to exchange? Can we get US change on the ship at GS?  How do they pay out in the casino?

It means in Australian waters you can’t go up to guest services and pay your account off in cash. You have to wait till international waters. 
You can’t go and exchange US$ for A$ at GS until international waters
Of course the casino 🎰 is only upon in international waters so that’s ok 

 

 

We have not seen another person tip for drinks. We appear to be the only ones and the crew seem somewhat surprised to receive it. 
 

The app says this: 

Edited January 18 by little britain

[little britain]

Parade of Flags was well attended followed by a green and gold balloon drop! 

 

[FionaMG]

5 hours ago, little britain said:

Parade of Flags was well attended followed by a green and gold balloon drop! 

 

 

I love the parade of flags but they don't seem to do them on the bigger ships now, although I seem to remember there being one on Oasis way back in her early days. I think the last one I saw was on Serenade in 2017.

[little britain]

Last night in the dining room… never seen this before… a guest taking the microphone 🎤 and saying thank you on behalf of the passengers 

 

And then, everyone on their feet to dance! 
I’ll say it again, a very different fun vibe.

 

 

 

[kernow]

3 hours ago, FionaMG said:

 

I love the parade of flags but they don't seem to do them on the bigger ships now, although I seem to remember there being one on Oasis way back in her early days. I think the last one I saw was on Serenade in 2017.

We had one on Serenade in Dec so I think it's just the Radiance class ships now, before that one our last one was on Jewel in 2020 just before the shut down. I love them too, think they should be on all ships.

[cruiselvr04]

4 hours ago, little britain said:

Last night in the dining room… never seen this before… a guest taking the microphone 🎤 and saying thank you on behalf of the passengers 

 

And then, everyone on their feet to dance! 
I’ll say it again, a very different fun vibe.

 

 

 

I think we’re going to love it!  

There was a post from Australia on the Australia board where I had no idea what they were talking about.  I think we’ll also learn some new words for things.  Hoping we catch on quick so we can enjoy the comedy.  

 

[little britain]

And it’s all over! Spectacular sail in - spot the balcony railing! That’s how close you get! 

 

 

Edited January 18 by little britain

[Chiliburn]

Are you going back to the islands on Brilliance or getting on Ovation Sunday?

[little britain]

38 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

Are you going back to the islands on Brilliance or getting on Ovation Sunday?

Ovation on Sunday 

[Chiliburn]

6 minutes ago, little britain said:

Ovation on Sunday 

I don’t know what your plans are but there’s a $8,90 cap on all public transport across Sydney,today,Saturday and Sunday.
You can use your credit card as an electronic ticket and ride the ferries,trains and buses all day for $8,90 . You won’t get a better deal in Sydney .LOL

[little britain]

32 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I don’t know what your plans are but there’s a $8,90 cap on all public transport across Sydney,today,Saturday and Sunday.
You can use your credit card as an electronic ticket and ride the ferries,trains and buses all day for $8,90 . You won’t get a better deal in Sydney .LOL

That’s great! Balmain for lunch and Manly for dinner today!