AFF Cruise #2. Rerun. Crown Princess 4 nights 25-29 January 2025

[Flyfrequently]

@Tazza_0712 Below from the Australian Governments own web-site. Agree insurance is the way to go, but a blanket "not covered" is incorrect.

View attachment 417095

I am not a cruiser but have some experience with Medicare and our health system in general @Bindibuys
My concern would be a last minute staff change (for whatever reason) and though informed that a Medicare-accessible doctor would be on board, they are not.

Note: I am a known catastrophiser

 

[Bindibuys]

Oh, I agree that travel insurance is a must.
I don't agree with being told that there is NO medicare on cruises. There is, but it is up to you to find out from the cruise line.

 

[straitman]

Oh, I agree that travel insurance is a must.
I don't agree with being told that there is NO medicare on cruises. There is, but it is up to you to find out from the cruise line.

Let me rephrase.

In the past Princess Cruises has stated that there is no Medicare onboard even in Australian waters.

 

[RooFlyer]

Friend of mine just returned from Royal Princess cruise around NZ. I was a bit worried about it being a big vessel, as it was their first cruise, but loved it. No trouble getting away from people if needs be etc.

Major criticism was the wine. As they found it:

The 'Plus package' (which they bought) was chateau cardboard box. No names, just varieties. Dreadful was the comment.



This is the 'Premier Package. I mean Giesen is OK but nothing special. The WA ones look OK.



Following their family members, who had done Princess before, they took their own wine and paid $20 corkage to have it with dinner, or in cabin (no charge). Or buy from the on-board wine list.

I'm on the Plus Package and currently feeling a bit peeved, if the above is the situation.

Does that all sound right @straitman ?

 

[markis10]

Another occasion that TI would be useful is in the event that you became ill and needed a helicopter pickup. An expensive exercise if you got charged.

Indeed the Quantum of the Seas had an early departure on the weekend to SCU from off K’gari thanks to a cardiac condition, only option is a winch off the foredeck

 

[straitman]

Friend of mine just returned from Royal Princess cruise around NZ. I was a bit worried about it being a big vessel, as it was their first cruise, but loved it. No trouble getting away from people if needs be etc.

Major criticism was the wine. As they found it:

The 'Plus package' (which they bought) was chateau cardboard box. No names, just varieties. Dreadful was the comment.

View attachment 417433

This is the 'Premier Package. I mean Giesen is OK but nothing special. The WA ones look OK.

View attachment 417434

Following their family members, who had done Princess before, they took their own wine and paid $20 corkage to have it with dinner, or in cabin (no charge). Or buy from the on-board wine list.

I'm on the Plus Package and currently feeling a bit peeved, if the above is the situation.

Does that all sound right @straitman ?

Two comments.

We did a cruise on Royal Princess and have to say we didn't love the ship. Not wonderful and not bad. We wouldn't rush back to it although the Buffett was better than average.

I/we normally get a Plus package and have never seen the Chateau Cardboard option. It has always been bottled. Never top of the pops but never bad IMHO.

 

[RooFlyer]

I/we normally get a Plus package and have never seen the Chateau Cardboard option. It has always been bottled. Never top of the pops but never bad

Thanks. Didn't mean literally bag in a box, just lesser quality. Was the other correct - you can take your own/pay corkage if served in restaurant?

 

[n7of9]

Travel Insurance Direct code MEGA20 for 20% off

 

[Tazza_0712]

Oh, I agree that travel insurance is a must.
I don't agree with being told that there is NO medicare on cruises. There is, but it is up to you to find out from the cruise line.

An Australian government website has absolutely zero bearing on the operations of for-profit cruise conglomerates, headquartered for the most part in the US.

Rest assured, you will not find Medicare services onboard a cruise ship. "Up to you to find out from the cruise line", is unhelpful and at best, the impetus for a wild goose chase.

If you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance.

 

[Pushka]

Ooops. The Crown tender into Kangaroo Island today broke down and people had to swim to shore!

 

[Pushka]

Ooops. The Crown tender into Kangaroo Island today broke down and people had to swim to shore!

Water was thigh high apparently but still, many would have had quite some issues. And ruined clothing and shoes.

 

[jswong]

I have purchased the premier package but am sure I will not be able to take full advantage of this

I have assumed that the onboard casino will be open. Anyone know the answer to this?

 

[straitman]

I have purchased the premier package but am sure I will not be able to take full advantage of this

I have assumed that the onboard casino will be open. Anyone know the answer to this?

I believe the ship must be outside territorial waters for the Casino to be open. Not sure how much time that will apply on this trip. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

 

[straitman]

Ho Ho Ho. Merry Christmas.

With one month to go it's probably time to look at what else we need to cover.

Do make sure that each person down loads the Princess App and logs into it. (It has just been updated)

You can do all your pre trip info via the app and you will use the app onboard.
For Australian cruises the Medallion must be picked up at the port.
If you are going to check luggage in on arrival then you can download the baggage tags on the App or Web site.
Boarding Passes will become available on the App 11 days prior to the journey.

More to come!

 

[Pushka]

I'm getting excited and am packed and I'm not even going but memories of the last one lingers.

Favourite activity other than dinners - having decadent at call pizza and drinks and ice cream in the afternoon watching 'Ferris Buellers Day Off' by the pool with three other AFF'ers who shall remain nameless. Oh. And a coughtail party with everyone in a nice cabin. Dinners when some of us dressed as crew or, the same style T shirts. And some who didn't get that memo.

 

[n7of9]

Oh cough, we need to find matching shirts! I'm going to look at KMart

Edit - both of these are available is all sizes (tops only, let's all agree not to wear the bottoms). Anyone game?

Mickey

Mickey and Minnie Mouse License Woven Pyjama Set - Kmart

Shop Mickey and Minnie Mouse License Woven Pyjama Set at Kmart. Enjoy Australia-wide delivery or free click & collect on selected items.

www.kmart.com.au

Bluey

Bluey License Short Sleeve Button Through Pyjama Set - Kmart

Shop Bluey License Short Sleeve Button Through Pyjama Set at Kmart. Enjoy Australia-wide delivery or free click & collect on selected items.

www.kmart.com.au

 

[straitman]

Oh cough, we need to find matching shirts! I'm going to look at KMart

Edit - both of these are available is all sizes (tops only, let's all agree not to wear the bottoms). Anyone game?

Mickey

Mickey and Minnie Mouse License Woven Pyjama Set - Kmart

Shop Mickey and Minnie Mouse License Woven Pyjama Set at Kmart. Enjoy Australia-wide delivery or free click & collect on selected items.

www.kmart.com.au

Bluey

Bluey License Short Sleeve Button Through Pyjama Set - Kmart

Shop Bluey License Short Sleeve Button Through Pyjama Set at Kmart. Enjoy Australia-wide delivery or free click & collect on selected items.

www.kmart.com.au

I am sure we could find better options than those. Personally I think they are awful. We got some very good matching shirts a few years ago bu I can't see them here this time.

Maybe this: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/all...resort-print-shirt-blue-white/p/1625628-white

 

[Sprucegoose]

I would always have a seperate policy for the cruise to ensure something at least will respond to a costly crisis.

The only real crisis you need to cover is intensive medical treatment onboardand medical transfers/ repatriation, all else is small change.

 

[markis10]

I believe the ship must be outside territorial waters for the Casino to be open. Not sure how much time that will apply on this trip. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong.

Casinos generally can operate once the ship is 12nm from the coast which is our territorial waters, fortunately they don’t use the exclusive economic zone which is 200nm

 

[Bindibuys]

I am sure we could find better options than those. Personally I think they are awful. We got some very good matching shirts a few years ago bu I can't see them here this time.

Maybe this: https://www.bigw.com.au/product/all...resort-print-shirt-blue-white/p/1625628-white

This shirt looks fine. Could easily be worn again.