twangster

In Star Class no doubt :)

Another factor is that it isn't easy getting Oasis class into the Pacific. Like Spectrum it would be a Suez canal transit, even if coming from Florida. While Quantum class can fit in the new Panama canal locks, Oasis class cannot. The reason this is a factor is because the transit time to move an Oasis ship to Australia is measured in weeks. Oasis makes over a $1M per day in revenue when it's in Florida. It would be hard to fill an Oasis class ship for the full transit to Australia. They'd lose tens of millions moving one to Australia partially full.

When in doubt buy it now to lock in the price while you consider your choices. You can always cancel it up to a few days before the cruise.

That's great. If interested buy it at the old price.

Looks like Voom may be going up across the fleet. On board daily rates for single day pass: Surf $24.99 (was $22.99) Surf and Stream $31.99 (was $29.99) On board daily rates for full voyage plans: Surf $17.99 (was $15.99) Surf and Stream $ 21.99 (was $19.99) A number of my future sailings have increased in the cruise planner. One went from $13.99 per day for Surf and Stream to $16.49 per day. I see the rate $16.49 rate on quite a few cruises. This seems to be the "new $13.99". For my 2020 cruises this is now $17.59. Deluxe Beverage + Voom Combo is now $16 more than just the Deluxe Beverage package. If you see old Voom prices in your cruise planner you may want to purchase it now.

Visit on day one, they typically have the sign up sheets sitting there for the week. I don't think they are published ahead of time.

Stayed in a JS on Navigator for 1st leg of a B2B then moved to a GS for the 2nd leg. I did it because it actually saved me money due to changes and refunds caused by a hurricane, otherwise I had the JS B2B. In my opinion a GS isn't worth very much more. Access to a suite lounge but as a D+ I already have DL access so there is little to the SL that excites me. Chop's breakfast isn't all that. The Windjammer is faster and has better variety. For a non-Diamond member the suite lounge could be worth something for the complimentary nightly drinks.

For US cell carriers they do not care what your location is to use WiFi calling. A hotel in Barcelona, a cafe in Paris, a ship with Voom. WiFi calling essentially makes the internet a cell tower in your home area rate plan. Rogers/Fido - I have some experience with them from family and they suck. Sorry, but compared to other carriers in the world they charge for things even when you purchase a monthly US roaming plan that includes data they still charge for using that data at exorbitant rates. I have family that left them for Bell due to their sleazy tactics. So it would not surprise me at all for Rogers to charge for WiFi calling based on where your phone's location reports that it is at any given moment.

Royal has to consider many things when it looks at AMPs and refreshments. Voyager's market beyond Australia is a factor in that, it has to appeal to vastly different cultures more so than ships in the West.

It's an interesting objective if you can make it work while not forgetting why you cruise. Perhaps start with trying to sail all within a class such as all Oasis class or all Vision class. I'm missing Rhapsody in that class but I wasn't going to sail her to Cozumel at a premium price compared to other ships that can get me to Cozumel. Along came an interesting Greece itinerary next year so I'm looking at it which will complete the Vision class for me. Same with Jewel in Radiance class. Spectrum and Voyager at the moment represent a challenge. That's not insurmountable but cruising out of China just to say you've sailed it isn't my thing, I'd rather put that money towards a bucket list itinerary on another ship even if I've sailed that ship. I've found a South Pacific on Voyager in 2021 after she is AMPED that is bucket list so that will complete the Voyager class for me but my purpose in that booking wasn't to sail Voyager so much as reach some specific ports in the South Pacific. So if you can make it happen in the long term that's great but don't forget why you cruise in that journey.

Royal has had Spectrum in the booking system long enough to know if the region can support two Q ships in Asia at the same time. It's possible with Spectrum now in China that they are looking to adjust capacity and have Quantum spend some of it's time elsewhere. Royal has been very successful in China but I'm not sure if that success would support Spectrum and OA5 at the same time. That's a pretty significant bump in capacity, demand would have to be very strong, like Spectrum is consistently sold out months in advance kind of demand. If OA5 goes to Galveston that could free up a Freedom class ship to find a new home somewhere. Freedom class would fit into Australia now and be something new.

Convince your leaders to expand your ports. Royal is trying to, that's why they spoke at the convention but they alone can't motivate your ports to expand.

Ovation was the newest Quantum class ship until Spectrum came along but Spectrum was purpose built specifically for Asia. So to say Australia is treated 2nd rate isn't fair. Australia has had the newest non-Asian ship that can fit into Sydney for some time now. If Australia had expanded it's ports 10 years ago Oasis class would probably already be there. Oasis deployed in 2009 so Australia has had 10 years to work on this. It's too bad Australia treats Royal 2nd rate.

I believe you have to go to Shore Excursion on board and provide the names and cabin of the other guests. Personally I'd be very leery of a stranger on a ship coming over to me and saying "buddy, give me $25 and I'll get you a pass. Just give me your name and cabin number".

Somewhat related: https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/115156230/dramatic-changes-needed-as-next-nz-cruise-season-looms

When a bartender swipes a card the screen indicates if alcohol is allowed. I imagine it might even prevent a bartender from attempting to charge an alcoholic drink to the account. Last year I cruised with a 20 year old. The card also indicates non-adult status, I think it said teen or something but it was clear and stood out that she wasn't 21. I bought the DX on board for that cruise. Initially they said both have to buy it so I pointed she was 20. They had a print out they looked over and confirmed only me in the cabin was 21 or older so I was able to buy it just for me. Last cruise that will happen. Now that she is 21 at home it's getting expensive having another person at dinner ordering a drink :). I miss the old days...

Or Edge class. RCCL covers all brands, not just RCI.

For JR unfortunately this is decided by the ship. That means it could one week but not another. At the moment many people are reporting success but that could change. For Sabor it should, if Sabor is open on a sea day.

Welcome to the message boards! I know a lot of people who would be very excited to see that come to fruition and it may one day. There is a lot of work that needs to get done before it can though. Currently Brisbane is the only port capable of taking such a large ship. Once several more ports of call expand to accept mega ships it could be become a reality. Five, ten or fifteen years from now will be very different from today. Hopefully in that period some more ports decide to grow to accommodate bigger ships because Royal isn't the only cruise line with plans for larger and larger ships. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like Sydney will be able to grow to accommodate mega ships which is a huge blow to the effort to bring Oasis to Australia. RCCL’s Associate Vice President of Marine & Safety, Captain Nik Antalis recently addressed the Australian Cruise Association conference and he was clearly trying to motivate the Australian cruise industry to start thinking about it. Otherwise in a decade or two no mega ship will be able to call on Australia.

iFly employees are not Royal crew, they work for iFly. iFly has venues all across the country. A select handful of iFly employees work on the ships. iflyworld.com I would write them and note your experience. They won't likely do or offer anything but at least you'll help other guests from facing the same experience.

Taxi. Coming back after sunset took some time to call a cab but we had a late departure so it worked out.

Scuba diving in the morning then Eagle beach late afternoon through sunset.

This was taken from Eagle Beach

They aren't supposed to provide a drink if you have an unfinished drink in front of you. For example you can't order 6 beers in a row to stockpile in your cabin. There are exceptions such as you order a drink and hate it, then you can slide it back across the bar and request something different. Be aware that sharing drinks is expressly forbidden. If caught sharing they can revoke the package without any refund.

No. One you have a Passport of either kind you no longer need your birth certificates. If you are going through the motion of getting a Passport Card have you considered a Passport Book? The card is good for land and sea travel ony, a passport book is required to fly. If you are going to do just one, the book is a better idea.