Hi,

Princess Cruises leave from Fremantle via Indonesia back to Fremantle and charge a $25 visa fee but Australians do not need a visa, for collecting, stamping and returning the passports Princess gets a $50,000 windfall for 2,000 passengers. Semarang is the only port on this cruise without tenders, all other ports require you to be tendered off, so any prepayment for independent tours is very risky, so negotiate.

Komodo: Independent passengers have to register that they have a non-Princess excursion with guide booked and that one will not be let off the pier unless a guide is waiting, rubbish, you do not even have to book a tour, get off the tender and you may even see a Komodo dragon on the beach for free. Or book with KOMODO MAS TOUR (gatawula.peynet@gmail.com) and get a private guide with stick to ward off the dragons. Warning: This operator wants to be paid before via PayPal and you may not be able to get there via tender due to high waves! Good idea to negotiate payment at end of tour for each port. Read more