G is for gratuities

It's April so we are joining thousands of other bloggers and are participating in the A-Z challenge. For the A-Z challenge this year our theme is "the A-Z of cruising" where we will provide some hints and knowledge about cruising on the open ocean. If you missed any of our previous posts check out the links at the end of the post.

One expense that is not included on your cruise ticket is gratuities. Most cruise lines will add this to your onboard bill and it varies from $12-15 per person per day. This amount is split between your room steward, dining room wait staff and other staff. Many of these people work extremely hard and long hours and depend on tips to earn a decent living. You do receive great service while on board and is well worth the money you tip and you have the option to change the amount you tip if desired. Having it billed and paid in one spot is convenient and saves you from have to have cash to tip at each meal or leave for your room steward each day. 

When buying beverages there is an automatic 15% gratuity added to the bill. You have the option to leave more if you want. 

That's pretty much it for tipping on board. Come back tomorrow to learn more about how to pay for items on board.

Missed one or more of our A-Z of cruising posts? Catch up by clicking on the links below:

A is for Airport or drive to the port

B is for Best time to book your cruise
C is for Choosing a Cabin
D is for Dining Options
E is for Extras
F is for Fun Day At Sea

F is for Fun Day at Sea

It's April so we are joining thousands of other bloggers and are participating in the A-Z challenge. For the A-Z challenge this year our theme is "the A-Z of cruising" where we will provide some hints and knowledge about cruising on the open ocean. If you missed any of our previous posts check out the links at the end of the post.

Many cruise itineraries include at least one fun day at sea. This may sound boring at first but that is not the case. Each ship has a cruise director and a staff that arranges a ton of activities to keep you from getting bored while at sea.

Around dinner time your room steward will deliver the activity sheet for the following day. For days where there is no port call there is several activities planned for each hour throughout the day. There is something for every taste from trivia contests, belly flop competitions on the pool deck, art auctions and much much more.

At night there is always something to do. There are shows in the main theater, comedy shows, game shows and plenty of clubs and bars to meet and dance with your friends. If you want something more low key there is lounging on the pool decks or finding a nice quiet corner to read and people watch. There is always something to do so being bored at sea should not be an issue. 

Would you prefer to have a relaxed lazy day at sea or take in as many of the activities as possible?

Missed one or more of our A-Z of cruising posts? Catch up by clicking on the links below:

A is for Airport or drive to the port

B is for Best time to book your cruise
C is for Choosing a Cabin
D is for Dining Options
E is for Extras

C is for Cabin

It's April so we are joining thousands of other bloggers and are participating in the A-Z challenge. For the A-Z challenge this year our theme is "the A-Z of cruising" where we will provide some hints and knowledge about cruising on the open ocean. If you missed any of our previous posts check out the links at the end of the post.

C is for Cabin: Today we talk about one of the most important decisions you can make on your cruise vacation, your cabin. This will be your home for the duration of the cruise and they vary in size and price. Below is a quick guide. 

Interior: Interior cabins are usually the cheapest rooms on the ship. They do not have a port hole or window, but some ships offer a virtual porthole. They are usually the smallest cabins on the ship but on many ships are the same size as an oceanview cabin. Many people don't spend a lot of time in their cabin and find this an attractive option to stretch their vacation dollar. We have chosen interior cabins on all 3 of our cruises and have enjoyed them.

Oceanview: Oceanview cabins are usually the same size and layout as an interior room but have a port hole or window. These cabins are more expensive than interior but less than a balcony or suite.

Balcony: Balcony cabins are sometimes a little bigger than an interior or oceanview but offer a balcony as well making the overall space significantly larger. Some ships's balconies are fairly private where as others make you feel very close to your neighbours.

Suites: These are the largest and most expensive cabins on the ship. There are usually mini suites which are about twice the size of the other cabins and full suites that are larger still. Suites come with perks and offer privacy but come at a hefty premium.

When booking your cabin type keep in mind there are varying prices based on the deck it is located on. Generally the higher the deck, the higher the cost. Most people choose to select their own cabin when booking although you can choose to let the cruise line pick the cabin for you in what they call a "cabin guarantee" In exchange for letting them pick the cabin (and potentially getting the room underneath the night club) you can get upgraded to a better category. Take some time to ensure you aren't going to be underneath or directly above the nightclubs or bars unless you are a nightowl. You can look at the deck plans to see what is above and below your potential vacation home. There are usually 3 decks of nothing but cabins and I like to get a cabin in that middle floor. It costs a little more but its worth it to get a good night's sleep.

Which cabin is best for you is a personal decision but hopefully this guide helps out a bit. If you have questions ask someone who has cruised before or leave a comment. Which cabin category would you purchase if booking a cruise?

Missed one or more of our A-Z of cruising posts? Catch up by clicking on the links below:

A is for Airport or drive to the port

B is for Best time to book your cruise

B is for Best time to Sail

It's April so we are joining thousands of other bloggers and are participating in the A-Z challenge. For the A-Z challenge this year our theme is "the A-Z of cruising" where we will provide some hints and knowledge about cruising on the open ocean. Yesterday we discussed the different ways to get to the port. Click here to see that post and catch up

B is for Best time to sail.
Today is the letter B and our title for the day is "Best time to sail" where we talk about the best times to sail on a cruise ship.

Like much of the travel industry the prices fluctuate based on demand. If you are able to sail off season it will be much cheaper than during school vacation time. In the U.S/Canada the highest prices are during spring break and between late June and early August. It is a little cheaper during early June and mid August but the cheapest times are when the kids are in school. For example a 4 day cruise from Miami to Cozumel and Key West on the Carnival Victory is as low as $189 next January but around $400 during the height of summer. For Alaska cruises it is around $800 in May or September for a 7 day cruise but climbs to $1000-$1200 during June-August. If you are flexible with your dates you can save a lot of money.

Best time to book:
It is best to book as far ahead as possible. If you see a deal you like go ahead and take advantage of it. Usually you only need a deposit to secure your cabin and you can pay the rest off closer to departure date. The cruise lines sometimes put out specials including on board credit or cabin upgrades for certain sailings so that is something you can take advantage of. Many people book between Jan-March so there is often a lot of sales then. If you find a better price for your cabin after booking you can ask the cruise line for the cheaper price so you aren't locked into the price like an airline ticket.


The cruise lines like to sail full so there are occasions where they will put out some great deals close to sailing. If you have open availability and can get to the port easily this can also save you some money. Keep in mind getting airline tickets last minute can be expensive and could wipe out any savings you have on the cabin prices so this is probably best if you can drive to the port.

To Book online or use a travel agent:
A travel agent can be really useful if you don't know exactly what you want and can provide a lot of knowledge and experience about the ships and different cruise lines. If you need assistance in selecting a cruise it may be worth having them do the work for you and worth their fee.

If you are fairly online savvy and are comfortable shopping around for deals then you can easily book online. We have booked online for all of our cruises and found it is just as easy as booking an airline ticket or hotel. 

We are taking a break tomorrow from the A-Z challenge but will be back to help discuss one of the most important aspects of your cruise vacation.

When would be your preferred time to sail? Mine would be during the winter so I can escape the cold weather for a few days.

W - Waterways Wildlife Park

Welcome to our tour of Australia. During the month of April we are going to visit our favourite spots in Australia. Come join us on our walkabout through the land down under.

Last Saturday we visited family and friends in Australia. Click here if you missed that post. Today we head to see some of the native wildlife.

I am sure at least some of you have noticed that I haven't included the native wildlife in the tour so far. I did show one of our native animals in this post but other than that its been pretty void of the wildlife. However that will all change today. Australia has many wonderful wildlife parks where you can get up close, touch and even feed some of our unique animals. Today I will showcase one of our favourite wildlife parks.

Waterways Wildlife Park, Gunnedah, NSW.
This park is located in Gunnedah in rural NSW, which is known as the koala capital of the world. This park is a little smaller but has many animals to see and without the crowds of the larger parks. It was started in 1981 by a couple who take in injured wildlife and nurse them back to help. They have a big variety of native animals and you can even go into the koala habitat and pet the koalas. We had a great time here and highly recommend this park to anyone who wants to see the native wildlife.
Cost: $5 for adults ($4 USD).
More Information: Waterways Wildlife Park Facebook page.
Address: Oxley Highway, Gunnedah West, NSW Click for map

One of the resident koalas taking a nap.

He looks like he was mad for being woken up but he is just yawning.

You aren't allowed to hold the koalas in NSW but you are permitted to pet them. I preferred this to holding them as it is less stressful for the koalas and you have more time with the koalas. Most of them stayed asleep while we pet them. The fur felt more like wool than fur.

Me petting a young emu. The adults can grow over 6 feet tall so this guy has some growing to do. 

The kangaroos and wallabies watching us from the top of the hill.

The kookaburra is one of our more vocal native birds.

but not nearly as noisy as this Sulphur Crested Cockatoo when he starts screeching.

This black cockatoo is not seen in the wild as often as the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo or Galah.

A pair of Galahs

The wombat is one of Amanda's favourite Australian animals.

The blue tongued lizard is one of the more commonly found lizards in the wild.

The Echidna is one of two egg laying mammals. It looks similar to an anteater.

The dingo is Australia's native dog species.

Hopping along.

"Think the humans can still see me?"

Kangaroo showing off its hopping skills.

One of the wallabies just watching the world go by.

How to get there: 
Car: Located about 6km/4 miles from Gunnedah. Approximately 6 hours one way from Sydney.
Air: Tamworth airport is the closest airport. (1 hour flight from Sydney) From Tamworth it is about 1 hour by car to the park.
Train: Daily service from Sydney to Gunnedah (6-7 hours from Sydney). It is a 10-15 minute drive to the park from the railway station. 

Do you have any Australian animals in the zoos near your home? Which of the photos is your favourite? 

 

T - Tower, Sydney Tower

Welcome to our tour of Australia. During the month of April we are going to visit our favourite spots in Australia. Come join us on our walkabout through the land down under.

Yesterday we visited one of Newcastle's best beaches. Click here if you missed that post. Today we head to Sydney tower to get a bird's eye view of the city.

Sydney Tower is located in the heart of the city and provides visitors with a birds eye view of the city. There are two restaurants and an observation deck in the upper part of the tower. Each of them offer a great view of the city but the observation deck is the most economical option. For the brave there is now the option of walking on a glass bottom viewing platform and getting a direct view of the city 268m/880ft below.
What I Loved: It was a great way to see the layout of the city and see where each of the landmarks were in relation to each other. It was a great way to start our visit to Sydney and was well worth the money. It was not at all crowded and there was ample room to walk around and take photos.

Cost - Prices are in Australian Dollars
$18.55 for adults ($14 USD) for the observation deck.
There are several other packages that include the Skywalk and other attractions in Sydney.
More Info: Sydney Tower Eye Website. Tickets and other info
Address: 100 Market Street, Sydney NSW (Click link for map)

 Sydney Tower from Hyde Park.

You could even mail a postcard or letter from the observation deck if you wanted.

View of the city centre and the Harbour Bridge from Sydney Tower. Can you see the Opera House hiding between the buildings?

View towards the Pacific and harbour entrance. The small strip of land in the top left is Manly (our M post)

 Part of Hyde Park (our H post) and St. Mary's Cathedral.

The other half of Hyde Park including the ANZAC memorial.

Sydney Football Stadium (the one with the curvy roof) and the Sydney Cricket ground to the right. This is where the MLB season started in 2014 between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks.

Sydney Airport is the clear area near the bay.

Top down view of the Queen Victoria Building.

Darling Harbour and the ANZAC bridge behind it. We saw part of this area in our O post. 

Getting There.

Car: The tower is located in the city centre. There is limited parking near the tower for guests. Special parking rates apply for visitors to the tower.
Air: Sydney Airport is the closest airport and is about 20 minutes from the tower.
Train: St James  is the closest stop and is a 5-10 minute walk from the tower.
Bus: Several buses stop close to the tower.

Have you ever been in a tower like this or a tall building? Which is your favourite? What are you blogging about today?

We love to hear your thoughts and comments! Please leave a comment and we will return the favour and visit you too!

P - Parliament House and more!

Welcome to our tour of Australia. During the month of April we are going to visit our favourite spots in Australia. Come join us on our walkabout through the land down under.

 











Today we are doing double duty linking up with the A-Z Challenge and with Melinda for the Saturday Snapshots.

Yesterday we spent the day cruising Sydney Harbour in an 1902 steam ship. Click here if you missed that post. Today we head to the Nation's Capital.

Canberra is the capital city of Australia and is located roughly half way between Sydney and Melbourne. The city is quite beautiful and has a layout that is somewhat similar to Washington DC. It has a fairly low population for a capital city and it never feels crowded. Canberra is home to Parliament House which is where the federal government meets plus there is much more to see.
What I Loved: Canberra is a relaxing place to visit as it is never crowded or busy and it has some wonderful attractions like Parliament House and the War Memorial Museum. It is a nice change to the hustle and bustle of most capital cities.

 New Parliament House:
The first Parliament House was opened in 1927 and served as the home of the federal government until the New Parliament House was opened in 1988. The Old Parliament House still stands in front of the new one and now serves as a museum. New Parliament House is a beautiful building and the public are able to tour through the building and even visit the House of Representatives or Senate while they are in session. It is also likely to be the only government building where you can run around on the roof as the building is set in the hill that it sits on.
Cost: Entry to Parliament House is free.
More Info: Parliament House Website
Address: Parliament Dr, Canberra ACT (Click link for map)

 ANZAC Parade with old Parliament House and the New Parliament House in the background.

The front of New Parliament House. 

The foyer of New Parliament House. The greenish columns are meant to represent the eucalyptus trees that are native to Australia.

The Great Hall in Parliament House. This is where conferences and other events are held.

The House of Representatives at New Parliament House.

Australian War Memorial:

The Australian War Memorial is a wonderful museum and among the best in the world. It has a extensive collection of artifacts and well worth the visit.

Cost: Admission is free.

More Info: Australian War Memorail Website

Address: Treloar Crescent, Campbell ACT (Click link for map)

The Pool of Reflection with the Hall of Memory and Tomb of the unknown soldier in the background.

The tomb of the unknown soldier.

The roll of honour which lists the names of Australian soldiers that have lost their lives at war.

Samson and the Donkey Statue. Samson was one of Australia's best known soldiers. He took his donkey into the front-lines and helped carry wounded soldiers back to safety.

There are several different areas to visit in the museum.

There are many dioramas like this one that help give you a visual of the battlefield.

Stained glass windows in the Hall of Memory.

View from the War Memorial towards Parliament House.

Getting There.

Car: Canberra is about 3 hours from Sydney by car.
Air: Canberra Airport is the closest airport. (55 minute flight from Sydney) It is about a 15-20 minute drive from the airport.
Train: There are several trips daily from Sydney to Canberra. It is about a 4 hour trip.
Bus: Murray's and Greyhound offer daily service from Sydney Airport to Canberra. Trip takes about 4 hours.

Have you ever been to Canberra or another capital city? What are you blogging about today?