mattymay

TasPorts (Port of Hobart) is pushing its case for $150m in funding to redevelop the Port of Hobart so it can take Oasis cruise ships.

On the site now..

What the hell.. booked the Quantum Transpacific. Also stops in Kailua-Kona which is different from previous years. Usually goes straight to Honolulu.

Can't book anything myself.. Just here for the entertainment..

Our government just allowed 75% football stadium capacity from Friday. That's potentially 75,000.. I repeat.. SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND people in the one place. If cruising does not start on June 17, I give up on life!!

Same here.. IT as well. We're never going back. No longer stuck in traffic 2 hours a day, Monday to Friday. That's 10 hours a week! Almost got a whole day per week back in my life. COVID has had some unexcepted benefits. Not to mention the cost savings. Unfortunately my wife now expects all the housework to be done before she's get home from work! ? But think of the possibilities.. if RC could guarantee Zoom service reliability.. this week I might work from my Ovation of the Seas office. Next week? I'll be in the Quantum office!

Still bookable on the website

It's sounds very similar to 2021/22, except switched out Serenade for Radiance. There are a lot of exciting things going on the in neighbourhood (relatively speaking).. Navigator in Los Angeles Wonder in China Spectrum in Singapore.. maybe. I think after being stuck here for a few years, we'll be exploring those options if possible.

Looks like it was test load for next week. But here is some info..

@KWofPerth Might have been the test load, seems to have disappeared now.

RC website. That list was earlier this morning.. filters were Syd and Bris for Nov 22 - Apr 23

Being added as we speak.. the usual suspects.

Great news, always have to fly back through Los Angeles to get home so will definitely be adding a Navigator sailing to our next trip.

Navigator wasn’t the news we have all been waiting for.. she said that and then she back-pedalled saying they now couldn’t say anything.. BUT we can tell you about a new home port instead.

I understand the big announcement has been postponed but they will reveal a new homeport tomorrow instead. Navigator from west coast would be be great news. 15 hours travel time instead of 22 hours.

Just got the AZ jab, wish me luck!

As Ray said the EU are a bit unpopular here as they are blocking shipments of the AZ vaccine that was destined for Australia so it can be used in Italy instead. That being said there is basically no COVID here anyways so I’m not sure it really matters.

Here is an example.. Add taxes and convert to AUD, it would be around $1845. Yet book in AUD and they will charge you $2691. Works out thousands extra if you are booking for a family, especially when you are getting into suite prices. It's like this for EVERY new release, either wait and over time this gap usually gets smaller, or just pay in USD. However, if you have paid in USD and need to call them, the first people you speak to get very confused and can't help and they have to transfer you to someone who deals with US made bookings.

Ok, must book Odyssey for 2023! Surely international travel will be back to normal.

Quantum - 05 Nov 21

The test itinerary load on the website for this weeks Long Caribbean/Other release (Nov 22 - Apr 23) includes the following ships... still no Navigator!

Catalina schedule Note the Los Angeles schedule has now been cleared of all ships.

This is all I could find regarding the Australian one, sounds like the government don't enforce it: "Australia does have the Navigation Act of 1912 that the Government sees fit to ignore. It is nearly the same as the USA Jones Act. This is why we have virtually no Merchant fleet & only have 30 days of fuel should anything happen in SE Asia to disrupt the overseas operated ships bringing in fuel." "Technically there are rules to impose Australian standards on all ships operating in Australian waters. Only Australian-flagged (and crewed) ships are able to gain a general licence to operate between Australian ports. But over the years laws granting “temporary” licences to foreign ships have been relaxed. The rationale for allowing them is that their lower costs help local companies stay competitive in global markets. Most inquiries held into Australian shipping have been scathing of the industry’s inefficiencies and high cost. It’s one of the reasons shipping’s share of domestic freight has been falling."