Cruising With Honey

Meet Lee

By Cruising With Honey - 14:28

This much-loved crew member will be the Cruise Director of Carnival Splendor when she arrives in Sydney on 10 December 2019.

Originally from the North West of England (Cumbria), Lee has been working at sea for about five years. He's "delighted" to be returning to Aussie shores having sailed out of Sydney previously on Carnival Spirit and Legend.

Here are the 7 Questions with... Lee!

1) Can you explain what your role is as Cruise Director? What do you love most about your job?

As Cruise Director I am the face and voice of the ship. I like to draw the analogy that it’s a house full of fun and I’m hosting in the Captain’s house! What I love most about my job is by far the people I meet. Getting to share their holidays and to help them make life long memories.

2) What are the most common questions or requests passengers have asked you as Cruise Director?

The kids often ask if I’m the Captain. The grown-ups tend to ask if I can help them find somewhere to hide so they don’t have to get off when we return to port.

3) What are you most looking forward to sailing from Australia? Have you been here before?

I’ve been in Sydney before and sailed on both Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend in 2017. I adore docking between the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. I grew up watching Sydney’s NYE Firework displays with my Nanna on the TV. Seeing those landmarks makes me feel strangely close to her, despite them being on the opposite side of the globe from her.

4) What tips do you have for people considering or who have booked a cruise on Carnival Splendor?

Remember Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5. Decks 9 & 5 are the two public decks that you can walk forward to aft (front to back) onboard Carnival Splendor.

Find your dining rooms on the first day – there are TWO onboard Carnival Splendor

Get involved, do everything, see everything and remember to take photos and videos.

5) Can you reveal some inside info on the features Carnival Splendor will receive during dry dock? What are you most excited about?

There have been heaps of exciting things shared already! Carnival is too excited to keep things secret.

I am excited to work alongside a stellar management team, from Captain La Fauci, Duncan Hotel Director, Dessi in the Main Dining Room and Erica as Entertainment Director – I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be a part of. We are bringing some of my favourite Fun Squad hosts with us too!

As for features, having a RedFrog Pub installed and the Masala Tiger Restaurant is right up my street! The new thrill waterslide looks amazing… and I also heard Music Manila is joining us as our resident rock band.

6) Have you had any tips from crew who have already sailed in Australia on Carnival Spirit or Carnival Legend?
I am one of those crew who have already sailed on both

7) Which destinations are you most excited to visit?I am delighted to get back to Sydney so I can explore the city on my turnaround days! The Isle of Pines is one of my favourite ports with its white sand, crystal clear waters and snorkelling.

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Explorer Dream

Explorer Dream - A Diner's Delight (Part 1)

By Cruising With Honey - 11:31

Cruise Food

Explorer Dream

When people ask me what I love most about cruising, I rattle off my standard three responses sleeping, eating and not cleaning. Obviously there are many other things, but as a busy mum, this is the hat trick of desperate desires.

I do love my food and am a self-confessed foodie, so I was eager to try all that was on offer on Explorer Dream. Before cruising on this lovely ship, I knew that there were a number of different eateries, including speciality restaurants to sample. But it’s one thing to read about the dining options and expose them to my tastebuds.

Over the seven days I was aboard, I ate at nearly every eatery (did you expect anything less?). Instead of giving you a meal-by-meal, blow-by-blow account, I’ll try to give a brief rundown of the restaurants on board. Just as an FYI, when entering the included eateries, you must present your cruise card. A few times the kidlets forgot and it wasn’t an issue.

As there are so many to review, I thought I’d split it up into two parts.

Here’s PART 1 - Reviewing the included or free restaurants aboard Explorer Dream

Read part TWO here

Lido (aka the buffet)

Clean, bright and uncluttered, the Lido offers both Asian and Western options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a cold/juice and hot drink station on either side and plenty of tables.

If you’ve ever eaten at a buffet, then you won’t be surprised by the different stations, and Explorer Dream is pretty standard on what you’d expect. The standard is high and I particularly loved having typical Asian breakfast items (such as congeee, steamed buns and noodles) instead of just toast, eggs and bacon.

The only suggestion I would make is to extend breakfast and lunch opening hours. I for one like to sleep in and have a later breakfast and a later lunch. A nice touch are coasters you can place on your table indicating whether you’re done eating or have popped up for a refill.

Lido Grill

Located at the back of the Lido buffet (and overlooking the Palace) is small ‘grill’ that serves up morning and afternoon tea. It’s a beautiful place to relax and munch while admiring the wake. This eatery services the gap where hungry people like myself either missed a meal or need a top up (doesn’t everyone have two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners?).

As well as light snacks such as hot chips, slices, cakes and biscuits, chefs cook hot meals such as burritos and sliders to order. Oh, and here’s a tip: at breakfast, the Lido Grill converts into a pancake station. Flipping great!

Dream Dining Room (Main Dining Room - Western)

This dining room oozes charm and romance. Located aft of the ship, Dream Dining Room has big chandeliers, round tables, warm wooden accents and breathtaking arched windows that fill the very big room with natural light.

It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast had the usual western offerings. Lunch and dinner meals included favourites just roast meats, grilled fish, vegetarian options and pastas.

I have to admit, I enjoyed every meal I had and often ordered a cheese platter after my meal. A few main courses were a little small, but that was easily rectified by ordering another dish to fill my tum. Deserts were delicious, in particular the apple pie and creme caramel. The waiters took your complete order at once (including dessert) rather than come back after the mains. Drink service was a little slow, but it was the very first cruise and there was a lot to adjust to. All waiters were extremely courteous and professional.

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Pavillion (Main Dining Room - Asian)

I love, love Chinese cuisine, as was looking forward to many meals here. The room itself looks like a typical Chinese restaurant, mostly round tables to accommodate banquet-style feasting. For lunch and breakfast, the thinking is done for you, and the waiters bring out a set menu of dishes.

I warned my kids not to expect you typical Asian nosh that we get in Australia, but that this would be a lot more traditional. Some dishes we recognised, others we didn’t, but it was all about the adventure. There was plentiful Jasmine tea and boiled rice which accompanied spicy pork, saucy-lobster, steamed fish and Asian greens. The only course we didn’t enjoy was dessert. My palate is just not accustomed to Chinese sweets, but other diners seemed to love the dishes.

I’m cranky with myself I missed breakfast here as dishes include lots of delicious dumplings, buns and a congee station. Sigh. Until next time I’m aboard...

UPDATE: On my second cruise on Explorer Dream around New Zealand, I was are breakfast in Pavillion. The waitstaff when I arrived for breakfast was a bit confused, saying, "Excuse me ma'am, this is Chinese breakfast." I reassured them that I knew, and was keen to eat.
Here, you won't get you eggs, bacon or baked beans, but you will have a congee station with loads of different toppings and a fruit and danish buffet.

Next, a waiter will bring you a variety of dishes; from pork buns, sticky rice, dumplings and noodles. (The menu changes daily). I actually loved the meal, but I wouldn't eat there every day. For me, it was more of what I'd eat a at a lunchtime yum-cha in Australia.

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Cruise Insurance

7 Things You Need To Know About Cruise Travel Insurance

By Cruising With Honey - 17:41

Travel Insurance

One of the most common questions I am asked is, "Do I need to travel insurance for my cruise holiday?"

The short answer is YES, and quite simply it provides peace of mind if anything unforeseen should happen while you’re at sea. I’m sure you’ve all heard the horror stories; you don’t want to be one of those people.

Stuff happens that’s out of our control, and no-one want to have their cruising fun, become a pain in the…well... hip pocket.

I know it can be confusing picking the right insurance company, trying to make sense of what’s covered and deciphering all that jargon, so I sat down with the very knowledgeable people at comparetravelinsurance.com.au who kindly explained to me the 7 Things You Need To Know about Cruise Travel Insurance so that I could share this important info with all of you.

1. Medicare myth

We live in the lucky country; Australians have this wonderful thing called Medicare. However, sometimes cruisers can make the assumption and believe that Medicare covers them while they’re at sea. WRONG. The reality is that Medicare and private health insurance funds do not cover medical costs when cruising domestically (in Australian waters) or internationally.

Falling ill or becoming injured on a ship can expose cruisers to major financial risks. Medical treatment and doctor’s fees are charged at private rates and can be extremely expansive. Hospital bills onboard can be as high as $5000 per day and emergency evacuation can soar into the tens of thousands!

A recent poll by Comparetravelinsurance.com.au found that at least 82% of Aussies are unsure if Medicare covers them while on a domestic cruise. The moment you step aboard a cruise ship, Medicare no longer covers you for any medical treatment. So, even if you’re going on that short 3-night cruise to nowhere or sailing up the Queensland coast, you need travel insurance.

2. Natural disasters

Natural disasters often come out of the blue and can disrupt your holiday plans. In the event that a natural disaster affects your ability to cruise, comprehensive travel insurance would cover your out-of-pocket and pre-paid expenses such as airfares, accommodation, cruise packages and shore tour bookings.

The majority of natural disasters would be covered, however this would depend on the level of cover you have purchased. A basic, medical only policy would not usually provide cover for cancellation and travel delays.

Take note that some insurers may exclude certain natural disasters (such as volcanic eruptions) unless you purchase additional cover.

Insure & Go’s Natural Disaster additional cover

Travellers should also be aware that known, events aren’t covered once they have been broadcast in the media. You would have to have purchased travel insurance prior to news of a natural disaster in order to be covered. Once you’ve purchased airfares or your cruise, book your travel insurance immediately or as soon as you can.

3. Missed ports

Sometimes you miss out on a port (or several ports) when cruising, usually because of weather or mechanical issues. It’s the variable of a cruising holiday that can be very frustrating. But did you know that you might be able to claim compensation for a missed port through your travel insurance?

While not all insurers provide this benefit, you need to do your research. Some insurance companies will provide you with a benefit of $250 for each missed port stop. A written statement from the cruise company or relevant authority confirming the reason for the missed port is all that’s usually required.

However, if you’re having too much fun on land and miss the call to get back on board, you’d be responsible for any costs to get to the next port stop or back home. Negligence or not leaving enough time to get back onboard would not be covered by travel insurance.

4. Flight connections

One of the biggest fears cruisers face is not making it in time to board a cruise due to a missed flight connection. However, if this happens you may be able to make a claim, depending on the reason.

Should you miss your connecting flight due to bad weather, illness, injury or another cause beyond your control, travel insurance would most likely cover any costs to get you to your cruise. However, if the cause for your delay or missed connection was due to a fault of your airline (or your own), it would not be.

Out of pocket expenses due to delays caused by airlines, such staff shortages and mechanical issues are usually viewed as the airlines responsibility to reimburse the traveller.

Travellers should always allow plenty of time between connections as failing to do so (and consequently missing your cruise) would not usually be covered by travel insurance. The more time allowed for unforeseen delays, the better!

5. Accidents, illness, visiting the medical team aboard

The possibility of falling sick or becoming injured on your holidays is the number one reason to buy travel insurance cover. What if you slipped on deck and broke your leg or contracted a stomach virus? The cost of your treatment and care would be extremely expensive.

Always buy travel insurance!

Plus, should you require urgent medical care on land while at a port, your emergency transport costs would also be covered as well. All travel insurance companies have global emergency assistance teams available 24/7 to help you in your time of need.

With doctor’s fees on board starting at $90 for a consultation, it’s certainly worth considering taking cover. With a seven-day Pacific cruise policy starting as little as $35, the cover will more than pay for itself should you need it.

Retiree Frank Armstrong knows this all too well, after suffering a heart attack at sea, five days from port. Armstrong’s total bill, thankfully paid for by his insurer Zoomtravelinsurance.com.au, including his medical expenses, hospital stay, cruise cancellation and flight rescheduling amounted to a whopping $59,000.

Frank & Leah Armstrong onboard Ovation of the Seas

6. Medivac costs and repatriation

If you have an accident, become ill or in a worst case scenario, die while on a cruise, travel insurance would cover your emergency evacuation and repatriation costs, while also providing you with support and access to specialist medical teams around the world 24/7.

Evacuation, or transportation to the nearest medical facility can range anywhere between $10,000 – $20,000 in Australian waters, and up to $50,000 in international waters. Then there’s the cost of repatriation (returning a person home from their holiday after injury, illness, or in the worst case, death).

Should you break a leg on your trip, this benefit may involve an upgrade to business class on your flight to keep your leg up, or for more serious injuries it could involve a medivac or a nurse companion to fly with you. It’s not uncommon for a medivac to cost in excess of $300,000. These benefits are essential to anyone travelling on a cruise.

7. Pre-existing medical conditions

Travel insurance covers unknown, unforeseen medical conditions. However, many insurers allow you to declare your pre-existing medical conditions and pay an additional premium to have them covered.

While some conditions may be obvious to mention like heart conditions, others such as food allergies, recent surgeries or even mole removals may seem less so. It’s essential that your travel insurer has a complete understanding of your medical history so they are able to cover you for any unexpected illnesses or injuries.

Travellers who fail to declare their pre-existing conditions are at a high risk of having their claim payments reduced or denied. Full disclosure is necessary to ensure coverage, and failing to do so could result in an unpaid claim should you require medical assistance during your cruise.

So there you have it friends, a clear and straightforward explanation about travel insurance for cruisers.

I hope this info will help you in making the right decisions before cruising, and become a handy resource when planning your next adventure at sea!

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Meet Lee

Explorer Dream - A Diner's Delight (Part 1)

Cruise Food

Explorer Dream

7 Things You Need To Know About Cruise Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Always buy travel insurance!

Countries I've Cruised

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Ahoy! I'm Honey

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Meet Lee

Explorer Dream - A Diner's Delight (Part 1)

Cruise Food

Explorer Dream

7 Things You Need To Know About Cruise Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

Always buy travel insurance!

Countries I've Cruised

Sign Up

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Ahoy! I'm Honey

Follow Us

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