Community Discussions
Explore the latest discussions and community conversations related to this domain.
NDIS funds millions in cruises, safaris, trips as invoices go unchecked : australian
Main Post: NDIS funds millions in cruises, safaris, trips as invoices go unchecked : australian
[Brisbane, Australia] Recommendations for cruises departing from Brisbane - first time booking cruise, feeling overwhelmed with choices : Cruise
Main Post: [Brisbane, Australia] Recommendations for cruises departing from Brisbane - first time booking cruise, feeling overwhelmed with choices : Cruise
[Brisbane, Australia] Recommendations for cruises departing from Brisbane - first time booking cruise, feeling overwhelmed with choices
Main Post:
My dad has always wanted to go on a cruise and this will probably be the only cruise my dad will be going on, he's never had anything nice growing up poor and was very frugal to raise me so I would like to do my best with organising this.
I'm feeling overwhelmed especially with choosing the right cruise line. There seems to be a mixed review on some cruise lines (like P&O is cheaper but overall costs more as less is included in the package and so there's more additional costs for experiences, but others are saying the opposite)
Our departure port will be Brisbane and we'd like to be able to get off somewhere and have a walk around/check out the area. We're not party people (so sounds like avoid Carnival?) and not big drinkers. We're looking for minimum 3 nights and maximum is 7. It would be super awesome if it had seafood included in the package!
For budget, I'm not looking for something super lavish but if the additional cost/experience is worth it, I will pay more so my dad can have a good, memorable time
In terms of booking and waiting for a good deal, he needs to give his workplace 3 weeks notice, so we can wait closer to the date to book, or would you recommend booking months in advance? And what's the best way to find good deals, from the cruise line's own website or websites like Oz Cruising?
Advice, recommendations or some guidance will be appreciated, thank you in advance!
Top Comment: I would recommend Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. There’s some good last minute deals for late January, February and March to the South Pacific. I’ll be going on the Carnival Luminosa next week. The Carnival party reputation mainly applies to the Caribbean short sailings, mostly Americans doing a booze cruise over 3-4 nights. For Aussies, Carnival and Royal attract the same type of cruiser. The Carnival Luminosa is an older, former Costa ship. Quantum is nicer. You can check ozcruising and cruiseguru and compare prices with the direct website, and book the better deal. If you can, contact a travel agent to see if they can get a nice price with some on board credit.
Australia cruise
Main Post:
Researching an Australian cruise in December 2024. Looking for advise from others that have done this (bonus points for Americans and even more if Californian). Particularly interested in flights and visas. How many days in advance did you need to leave since you cross the dateline and whatnot? How was the weather you encountered while there? What were your favorite ports and excursions? Any tips or advice? Thank you!
Top Comment: My wife and I just did a repositioning cruise from Singapore to Sydney with 4 stops in Australia (including Sydney). It was end of November/beginning of December. The 3 stops north of Sydney were hot and reasonably humid. Sydney wasn't as hot or humid, but bring your spf 50 since the sun is VERY strong there. As mentioned, the visa is electronic for both Australia and New Zealand (each country has an app you download). The process is very quick. Our ports were Darwin (not our favorite port since time was limited there and most of the interesting things to do there are outside of the city but an OK city to wander around). Cairns (great port where you could take a catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef or take the train and or skyrail through or over the rainforest or other rainforest activities). Airlie Beach (you can also take a catamaran to the Great Barrier reef from there or go to Whitehaven Beach). Sydney (obviously you have the opera house and Harbor Bridge, and you can do a climb to the top of the bridge that is a fantastic activity). Melbourne (we didn't go there on the cruise but I've been there before and it is a great city to visit with some great coastline to the south west). Our cruise ended in Sydney so my wife and I went to New Zealand after since it is a 3 hour flight to there, and there were direct flights home from Auckland. Beside accounting for losing a day due to the dateline, I would recommend flying in a day or two early in case anything happens to your flights since it would be a shame to miss the cruise after committing to going that far to do it.
Why the big push by Carnival for cruises out of Australia?
Main Post:
I'm not really sure what to think about this. Just a bit of background- my family and I have been on a half dozen or so cruises with Carnival. I also do subscribe to their newsletter. Don't ask me why, it's fairly useless.
I must get 2 or 3 emails a week from them crowing about cruises in Australia. Oddly, I've never expressed any interest in visiting Australia. Also, since I live in the US, a $400 on board credit is not a very compelling reason to book a $5K, 12 hour+ flight.
The only reason I can think of is that either their marketing algorithm is screwy, or the cruise ship industry in Australia must be in really bad shape.
Has anyone else noticed this trend?
Top Comment: They’re definitely pushing hard for Americans to take these cruises. I got $1500 OBC when I booked (total price for a balcony was a bit over $2000). I booked the cruise 18 months out so I can build up credit card points for the flights. Australia is an incredible to place to visit. My cruise is leaving from Brisbane and going to Vanuatu, Fiji, and New Caledonia.
Best cruise line for Australia/NZ?
Main Post:
I'm a frequent Royal Caribbean cruiser, and have cruised Princess and Carnival once each. We're planning Aus/NZ and wondering if another cruise line is particularly good for this trip, on a newer ship. Open to most any cruise line except Carnival. We've leaned toward trying Celebrity, and I've been impressed with videos of newer Princess ships.
Top Comment:
You might want to consider RCs transpacific cruises from Honolulu to Australia. Some of the itineraries include both NZ and AUS, and include French Polynesia. Then once there, you can tour the country before heading back. It's a pretty cool cruise if you have the time.
Australia / New Zealand cruise? Anyone have any recommendations or avoids?
Main Post:
Just starting to explore what is possible. We have done NCL mostly, one RC and a few Disney when our kids were we into that. This trip would be a group of six people 50+. (3 couples)
Top Comment: The following is a copy of the original post to record the post as it was originally written. u/livehapi Just starting to explore what is possible. We have done NCL mostly, one RC and a few Disney when our kids were we into that. This trip would be a group of six people 50+. (3 couples) I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
What are the dos and don'ts for a first cruise in Australia?
Main Post:
My partner and I are tossing up the idea of a cruise sometime in the future. Does anyone have any particular advice that they wish they knew before going on a cruise? Are there different/better methods of booking, destinations etc.? Still banter at this stage, I haven't done any research myself yet. I have had a few mates go years back and they had meals and things included, is that regular?
Top Comment: Food and some drinks (not usually booze) are included in the fare prize and most entertainment. There are drinks packages, of various levels, cost depends on what you need. Depending on what you are looking for in a cruise will influence which line you go on, cheapest in Australia tend to be P&O https://www.pocruises.com.au/ and Carnival, https://www.carnival.com.au/ Main ports for cruising are Brisbane (not an easy terminal to get to with public transport) https://www.portbris.com.au/cruise/ and Sydney, (either white bay or circular quay). There are a few cruising in australia groups on fb which have a lot of info. There are def a lot of tips for first timers. Depending on what you are thinking off I should have links that can help.
Is cruising culture in Australia as big as it is in the US?
Main Post:
Do a lot of people go on cruises? How popular is this as a vacation?
Edit: I’m a straight woman and didn’t know that « cruising » had another meaning! Talking about going on a ship for a week or two for fun.
Top Comment: As a gay man your question really confused me for a second there. The cruise industry in Australia took a pretty major hit due to covid and not sure how well it's recovering. My parents were caught up in that and neither of them have any desire to go on a cruise anytime soon. Only time cruise ships are in the news now is when everyone on board gets infected with gastro so it doesn't paint the most positive picture either.
What is the best ship currently sailing out of Australia?
Main Post:
Hi everyone, just wanted to find out which ships you think are the best overall currently operating out of Australia. I want the ship to look nice, have decent food, rooms be comfy and plenty of things to do such as parties/activities. I'm looking as someone in their late 20s.
I have sailed on Pacific Explorer (P&O), it was alright but super old and the food was meh. The parties and staff were good though. Also sailed on Resilient Lady (Virgin) recently which I loved, all food being included is a huge plus, also the food was open late for late night drunk snacks and you could grab and go things for whenever. I also appreciated there wasn't a traditional buffet and staff handed you food, it was the same on P&O and I think it's a much nicer way of doing things.
Some of them are quite old so are there any that are so terrible you would never recommend anyone go on them. From my reading I'm getting that vibe about Carnival Luminosa.
Not including Pacific Explorer or Resilient Lady in my list as I want new recommendations. I'm including cruise lines I think would be best for my age (except Disney but I feel that could maybe be a fun niche cruise) but open to other suggestions.
Disney
Disney Wonder
Royal Carribean
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Carnival
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Luminosa
Celebrity
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Solstice
P&O
Pacific Encounter
Pacific Adventure
Top Comment: I think you're missing brilliance of the seas for RCL as well. From that list, likely ovation or edge I'd say.