Australian Frequent........Floaters. Inaugural Cruise 2018

[Pushka]

Well, there was a mere suggestion by Sinophile888 that we at AFF should go on a cruise. That was all it took for a call to arms and like that, it was organised. A brief poll and the chosen cruise was on Golden Princess 4 nighter from Adelaide to Melbourne. And like all good flyers, why float direct when you can go via Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island. While one lucky couple is already onboard, the rest of us are boarding tomorrow, Thursday 25th.



It’s a nice Australia Day trip. And very popular as we have found out this week with numerous excellent offers from Princess to cancel and rebook another cruise free of charge. Clearly too many people on board.

 

[zig]

Bon Voyage all

 

[Pushka]

The key players



I’m not sure how many are seasoned cruisers but think that is the majority.

Several key players are flying in to Adelaide tonight. A couple of us live in Adelaide but as the Port is quite some distance from the CBD then a bit of a hike.

Alarmingly it was predicted to be a real heat wave but while Adelaide will be toasty, the sea ports of PL and KI should be warm but not bakinginly hot. It does mean that the notorious stretch of water between KI and Adelaide should be wonderfully calm and crystal clear. I’m hoping for dolphins. Not great white sharks which are known to haunt these waters.

First Port is Port Lincoln, gateway to pristine Coffin Bay Oysters and the wonderful export industry of crayfish. Port Lincoln is home to multi millionaires and also Makybe Diva. Ship excursions are really expensive and while sometimes necessary my patience level for 45 of my new best friends who decide to run their own schedule instead of the other passengers, usually results in my blood pressure rising and maybe even a few pirate cusses. Dame O, my regular cruise companion (aka love_the_life) will attest.

Kangaroo Island. A tender Port. This Port is frequently missed due to aforementioned treacherous seas caused mainly by the narrow gap between mainland and island. But it seems currently this will be a go’er for us. It’s the kind of place you do a ship tour, hire a car, or organise a private excursion. The tender Port of Penneshaw is just that, and is also the berth for the sealink ferry. The locals however may organise something special for the cruise which is not all that common. A quick search on cruise critic finds that the cruise has several overseas guests onboard whose purpose in doing this cruise is to visit Kangaroo Island. It is well promoted overseas if not to the rest of Australia. As locals we’ve been on extended land trips there and sadly refer to it as Dead Kangaroo Island due to road kill. The locals manage it effectively though and the remains are removed almost immediately. Koala population is high and not sustainable.

 

[TomVexille]

Enjoy all.

Unfortunately the dates really didn't suit for us this time around. Looking forward to following along however.

 

[RooFlyer]

As a non cruiser, I'm looking for reviews and comments on lounges (I assume there is an F lounge 'land-side' of security AND on board?), priority boarding, status recognition, and the like .

 

[Pushka]

So, I’m packed. For those not used to cruising there is a pattern of events. Rules. Do’s and dont’s.
First up. Insurance. Medicare does not cover anyone on a cruise while on the boat. And the Drs onboard (reasonably) charge a lot for their service. So Travel Insurance is a must for most folks. (I’d say all but some folks never take it out or are happy with their credit card insurance). Arriving at the Port is fun as you see the ship coming in to view. Drop off the luggage suitably tagged. Hopefully you see it again a couple of hours after embarking. The next bit is a bit of a drag but you are excited to be going on a ship. Line up. Those with status get to join a shorter queue. Hand over ticket. Hand over ID. Hand over credit card. Smile and have photo taken. Receive your key to the ship. Wait. Queue. Wait. Finally get to board. Avoid the happy shot if you want. Then ping - Card is scanned and you are on the ship.

The card is all you need on the ship. All purchases are put to the card that sadly you have to pay off when disembarking. No money exchanges hands. On Aussie cruises the tips are included in the fare but otherwise an amount of around $11 pp is charged daily. Some remove this charge. I don’t.

Next on the list - Muster. Now before the ship Costa Concordia went down, people pretty much ignored this process. It is rather a chore, the bars etc are closed while it’s on and it’s just one of those tasks you have to do. Sometimes you take a life jacket and it’s fascinating to watch people try putting it on immediately after the announcement is made saying ‘do not put it on’. Sometimes the whole thing is repeated in 2 languages. The worst part of it all is that pretty much the whole ship attends and then it’s a bun fight to get down or up the stairs to go get a drink and toast to sailway.

 

[Pushka]

As a non cruiser, I'm looking for reviews and comments on lounges (I assume there is an F lounge 'land-side' of security AND on board?), priority boarding, status recognition, and the like .

Well, I shall be dragging my butt on love_the_life’s platinum status as I’m only gold on Princess. And straitman has a black card - I think that means he’s Elite. He is lucky. He gets priority on tender boats and this cute little speshul elite boarding area on the way back to the boat. I shall take photos. Onboard again I am toast but I think I can attend something with love_the_life (herein referred to as DameO as I get tired of doing all the _ _ thingies) And there’s a lounge set aside when we disembark.

I’ve got more status on Celebrity but until you actually spend a lifetime on a boat then it doesn’t really mean all that much.

There are no lounges pre boarding the ship as this is all in the hands of each Port Authority. And can be chaotic. Photos this time tomorrow.

 

[Denali]

IF the tourist make it to shore at KI, its going to be a really long day if they plan to get to the Arch, seals, koalas ect.

Enjoy and love the "Floaters" name

 

[Pushka]

I’m packed. I have staples and no stapler. I need a stapler to attach the luggage label assuming I don’t carry it onboard. In the end I use sticky tape. I’d forgotten our cat likes chewing sticky tape.



Passport check. Credit card check. Coffee card check. Grumpy cat is naughty. He’s wearing a Celebrity Cruises excursion label and refuses to remove it.



Princess allows people to bring in a bottle of wine or champagne to consume but only in the cabin. Dans had a sale on Mumm. Currently chilling.

Have bathers in the hand luggage so I can chill immediately on boarding.

Another tip. If you are offered a drink on boarding do not assume it is free.

 

[Pushka]

IF the tourist make it to shore at KI, its going to be a really long day if they plan to get to the Arch, seals, koalas ect.

Enjoy and love the "Floaters" name

Oh yeah. A very long day indeed but there are ship excursions doing the full monty. I’m expecting gorgeous blue skies, clear water and huge sunburns on Saturday night. Reckon the Ship medical centre will be flat out. I’ve noticed that Aussies seem to be the only people who wear hats.

 

[blackcat20]

Following along.

 

[love_the_life]

As a non cruiser, I'm looking for reviews and comments on lounges (I assume there is an F lounge 'land-side' of security AND on board?), priority boarding, status recognition, and the like .

You'll have to ask straitman about that. He is the Elite cruiser on Princess (though there may be others in the group that I don't know).
As a Plat (a level below the heady Elite) I do get priority board and evening get together with slightly reduced price drinks (not like on Celebrity where it is free).

 

[GarrettM]

Am I crazy or is that a pic of Auckland though?

 

[love_the_life]

So I am basically packed....just a few necessities to add. As Pushka has her bottle of bubbles on ice, I won't bother with my VC yet. Will do it on board later in the cruise and guzzle Pushka's when she is not looking.
Fly out tomorrow morning and meet up (fingers crossed) with P at the airport then out the the ship and hopefully on board before the 4 pm listed on the boarded pass.

 

[Denali]

Did you pack some Haighs?

 

[love_the_life]

Am I crazy or is that a pic of Auckland though?

Well it sure ain't any of the ports we are going to on this cruise

 

[Denali]

KI Spirits (Gin) was quite giving with samples. Its a tiny container set up for samples/sales but the staff were lovely.

 

[Pushka]

Am I crazy or is that a pic of Auckland though?

I was trying to work that out too! Silly Princess. Unless.....

I’ve just realised they’ve called it the Indian Ocean too! Yowsers.

So I am basically packed....just a few necessities to add. As Pushka has her bottle of bubbles on ice, I won't bother with my VC yet. Will do it on board later in the cruise and guzzle Pushka's when she is not looking.
Fly out tomorrow morning and meet up (fingers crossed) with P at the airport then out the the ship and hopefully on board before the 4 pm listed on the boarded pass.

I am still bringing two glasses Dame O because that straw you used last time well, it wasn’t sanitary.

Did you pack some Haighs?

I thought about that but think it might be too hot. Princess does divine chocolate desserts and I’m also hoping for something chocolate fest on Australia Day. Ships do amazing chocolate buffets.

MUTS - Movies under the Stars. Bets for what movie they will show? I’m thinking Australia. Hugh Jackman on giant mega screen......almost as good as chocolate. Is that sexist or non PC? Probably.

 

[serfty]

I was trying to work that out too! Silly Princess. Unless.....
...

It's off to Aotearoa on Monday. My Sister in law is part of a group of nine boarding the same ship at Melbourne on the 29th to head to New Zealand including Auckland; 13 night 14 day Cruise.

 

[love_the_life]

I was trying to work that out too! Silly Princess. Unless.....

I’ve just realised they’ve called it the Indian Ocean too! Yowsers.



I am still bringing two glasses Dame O because that straw you used last time well, it wasn’t sanitary.



I thought about that but think it might be too hot. Princess does divine chocolate desserts and I’m also hoping for something chocolate fest on Australia Day. Ships do amazing chocolate buffets.

MUTS - Movies under the Stars. Bets for what movie they will show? I’m thinking Australia. Hugh Jackman on giant mega screen......almost as good as chocolate. Is that sexist or non PC? Probably.

I loathed Australia! I’m hoping it’s not going to be shown...