Inaugural AFF Cruise 25 - 29 Jan 2018

[straitman]

We are taking the Melbourne to Melbourne 6-day cruise option. So we will fly into Melbourne from Perth on January 22nd, embarking on the Golden Princess on January 23rd. I'm not sure if anyone else is taking this longer option.

I plan to go to Glenelg on the day the boat is in Adelaide. Last time I was in Adelaide, I found an Indian restaurant at Glenelg which had the best mango ice-cream ever. And I don't even like ice-cream. Glenelg is very accessible from Adelaide, and I really hope the restaurant is still there.

I'm starting to get excited as I have never met anyone from the AFF forum. My husband is still undecided.

I looked at the six day option but decided the prices were stupid so just boarding in Adelaide now.

 

[sinophile888]

I looked at the six day option but decided the prices were stupid so just boarding in Adelaide now.

We have a son in Melbourne, so seeing him both before and after the cruise appealed to me. A night in Adelaide didn't appeal to Mr. sinophile. Also I booked quite a while back, when the prices weren't so stupid.

At my stage of life, my motto is that "You're a long time dead."

 

[Major]

Just used a bunch of points to complete travel details.

QFF points BNE-ADL on 24th (thanks epiQure)

HH points for 1 night ADL

points for 3 nights at Sebel Flinders Lane

QFF points MEL-BNE ( again thanks epiQure)

 

[love_the_life]

Well that was lucky! Somehow I had the cruise leaving a day later. That would’ve been unfortunate. Luckily met Pushka yesterday and she corrected me.

 

[Pushka]

Well, it seems the cruise is a sell out. Love_the_life had planned on joining us in Port Lincoln it seems. I can imagine the kerfuffle had she reached Outer Harbour only to find a deserted cruise berth.

Can we have an update on who is still joining the cruise?

 

[sinophile888]

We are booked from Melbourne to Melbourne, leaving Melbourne on January 23rd. It was a better alternative for us as we have a son in Melbourne. Really looking forward to it.

 

[JessicaTam]

I'm in. ADL to MEL.

 

[Major]

I think the Wiki is still current

 

[ditto]

We've had to cancel unfortunately. We had to move our Japan travel dates in Jan around to suit leave and JL/SQ award seat availability. I was able to switch the reservation to a 3 night sailing on the Golden Princess SYD MEL at the end of next month.

 

[JessicaTam]

Bugger.

 

[sinophile888]

We've had to cancel unfortunately. We had to move our Japan travel dates in Jan around to suit leave and JL/SQ award seat availability. I was able to switch the reservation to a 3 night sailing on the Golden Princess SYD MEL at the end of next month.

That is a real pity for us.

 

[Bazzi]

Ok, something weird happening since the new website - my (post reply) messages indicate that they are being sent from my 'Bazzi' handle with correct avatar but are being displayed with my avatar but using a different handle (ditto) that I seemed to have registered in 2005 (and had obviously completely forgotten about). How do I fix this?
Bazzi

 

[JessicaTam]

Ok, something weird happening since the new website - my (post reply) messages indicate that they are being sent from my 'Bazzi' handle with correct avatar but are being displayed with my avatar but using a different handle (ditto) that I seemed to have registered in 2005 (and had obviously completely forgotten about). How do I fix this?
Bazzi

I have let @support know.

 

[Bazzi]

Thanks Jess

 

[straitman]

I think the Wiki is still current

It is now 102 days before this cruise.

I've updated the Wiki and fixed the one error I knew of. As I understand we now have 17 people on the cruise. If anyone can see any errors please let us know so it can be updated.

In the next few days I'll put out a dummies guide to accessing the Princess web site to simplify things for the newbies to cruising and so we make sure all end up doing the same things. i.e. The same meal sittings etc.

 

[Anna]

I'm looking forward to this cruise!

 

[Anna]

I have my cruise luggage sorted, thanks to LV

 

[straitman]

Here are three useful links to what it's like on a Princess Cruise. The only part to totally ignore is the reference to tipping. Princess prices their cruises slightly different for the Australian market and tipping is included. That's not to say you cannot tip people if you wish.

1. Tips for Travellers – Princess Cruises Tips
2. Princess Cruises Tips and Tricks
3. More Princess Cruises Tips and Tricks.

The links above will give you an idea of what you are getting yourselves into and what to expect on a Princess Cruise.

What next?

Cruise line like airlines have their own loyalty programs. This is the link to the Princess Captains Circle which is their loyalty program. Like the airline programs you get very little initially but there are some interesting benefits as you go up the tree. Unlike airline programs these benefits are permanent and you do not have to requalify every year.

Go to princess.com.au (or princess.com) and sign in or register. If it’s a new registration put all your details in including PP, email etc and it should come up with your booking for next January. It will also allocate you a Captains Circle number if you don’t have one. If you already have one then make sure it’s the same one. My first few Princess bookings I seemed to get a new number each time so I had to get them merged.

If it doesn’t automatically take you then under the Sign In/Register tab there is a link to Upcoming Cruises. Click on that and you should find this cruise.

Once you go into your booking you will see from left to right across the top:

Booking Summary, Guest Check-in, Excursion Reservations, Onboard Reservations etc.

This will be showing the information for everyone in the booking. Starting with Booking Summary go and fill in all that’s required. Putting in a CC means that on disembarkation day you can check your account and simply leave the ship as per an Express checkout. Don't forget to print your boarding pass somewhere inside the 75 day window.

Can everyone please look in their booking summary and ensure they have Anytime Dining selected?

If you haven’t booked flights then have a look at what can be booked via Princess as they often have some extraordinary deals including Flexible tickets at Restricted fare prices.

Don't forget to take a lanyard with you in your carryon as you'll need it from as soon as you checkin. Depending upon how many cruises you have with Princess as to what colour your cruise card is but it is your lifeline so don't lose it.
The cruise card is your door key, your identification and your charge card for onboard charges. At embarkation and disembarkation they scan it and compare the picture that comes up to ensure you are really who you say you are.



Alcohol Policy.

Make sure you are aware of the Princess policy for taking alcohol onboard. As outlined in our Passage Contract, on the day of embarkation, guests are permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne onboard per voyage, which will not be subject to a corkage fee if consumed in your stateroom. Additional wine or champagne bottles are welcome, but will incur a $15 corkage fee each, irrespective of where they are intended to be consumed. Liquor, spirits, or beers are not permitted.

More to come!

 

[JohnK]

Sounds like a great turn out. Would have loved to have been part of it but not easy planning that far out.

Trying to plan 7 overseas trips next year is a headache.

 

[support]

In the next few days I'll put out a dummies guide to accessing the Princess web site to simplify things for the newbies to cruising

Might be a good idea for a general guide in the Cruising forum.