Our first attempt at going on a world cruise occurred in 2013. We had undertaken a South Pacific cruise of 28 days in 2011 and we enjoyed longer cruising so we looked at a World Cruise. We initially paid a deposit, but with other holidays booked we decided to pull out. Then we looked again in 2014 but again backed out.
In 2019 I received an unexpected inheritance so we decided to book the 2023 World tour but this was cancelled for two reasons, Alma coming to live with us and Covid! With the impact of Covid we realised the dangers of continually putting things off may lead to a situation where you do not get an opportunity again. So we booked a 2024 world cruise as a back up in case the 2023 was cancelled or we needed to pull out. After 2 1/2 years of Alma living with us it was decided it was taking too much of a toll on Ann and Alma was moved into Aged Care in July 2022. So we decided 2023 was the date and cancelled the 2024.
It is now 45 days until sailing and preparations are almost complete. It has not been plain sailing though. Princess Cruises has changed their loyalty program and we no longer get free internet. We do receive a 50% discount which reduces it to around $10 per day for one device. Over 107 days that is over a $1000! In addition there are a number of visas we have to obtain and if we do not have them we may not be allowed to board. The USA visas were obtained in a day, Sri Lanka visa could only be applied for within 90 days of arrival. Once applied for (no cost) these were received the next day. Indonesia have now introduced a visa requirement and Princess has said they will process them on board at US$60 pp. The last visa requirement is for Chile. We sail to Easter Island with only some passengers getting off for tours. We do not plan to get off, but we still need a visa. I applied for the visa, which was very complicated with the amount of information required, including earning capacity. The application was lodged on 1 Feb and receipt acknowledge the next day. The info from Princess Cruises kept changing on what was needed. Other passengers were confused with some even suggesting that we bypass Easter Island, as there is no guarantee that we will be able to anchor anyway. Apparently it is a 50/50 chance.
The Sydney consulate was very helpful for those in NSW and Qld. They were told they would get an email approving the application, but it could not be issued prior to 90 days before arrival. They had also talked with Princess and it was agreed that was sufficient and passengers could seek confirmation once on board. In the meantime I had contacted the Melb Consulate but could not get anywhere. I was promised I would get a returned call but it never eventuated. I eventually got on to someone who was very helpful and assured me they were aware of the cruise and intended to process the applications at the same time. That was two weeks ago and I have still not heard anything. I am a little worried that they will not process the applications before we board and will wait until we are within the 90 days arrival. Princess may not accept this when we board! Today I sent an email asking if they could provide an email approval as per the Sydney situation. Hope I get a reply.
Apart from the visa hassles everything else was progressing smoothly. We have booked flights and accommodation in Sydney for a pre departure stay; do not trust airlines to fly up on the same day! We had planned to get our next covid booster along with the flu shot in May - until Ann picked up Covid. She cannot get a booster within six months of having covid. At least I will be able to get it.
We have settled on a number of excursions through the cruise critic roll call which are half the price of the Princess excursions. We have some ideas of what we will do in some ports, but are still playing around with that. The cruise is 107 days, sailing from Sydney on 4 June and arriving back in Sydney on20 September.
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