mattymay

One week to go.. anyone booked on Pacific Explorer?

Only requiring a self RAT test 24 hours before! Too easy!

On 5/15/2022 at 12:44 PM, Chili said:

I think Vanuatu main problem is it’s low vaccination rate.

But with NZ open Ovation and Quantum should be able to make the coming season work . Also I think noumea should be OK as the French have a fairly high vaccination rate there.

Seems to line up with what is showing in cruise planner at the moment, South Pacific itinerary only has shore tours for Noumea available.

8 hours ago, Chili said:

So far it’s very similar to oasis.

 

The gap doesn't look as wide as Oasis.

8 hours ago, Matt said:

I don't see the connection that this September release corelates to Icon.

Begins in Fall 2023 when Icon arrives and all other Caribbean based ship deployments up to Winter 2024 have been released for the 2023-24 schedule. Therefore, it would be its own release separate from the rest of the fleet.

Speculation yes, but what other ship would be doing 7 night Caribbean during this period that’s not already released?

September release 

21 hours ago, Matt said:

It reminds me of when you day dream about winning the lottery and after you get that billion dollars, you might toss your second cousin a couple thousand for being nice.

Like in 2026.. 

Bayley: Hey Gav, we've built two new Oasis and three new Icon class. I told Dick before he left we had nowhere to park them. Got any idea where we can offload some old ships ? 

Smith: I know just the place Mike!

On a serious note: a year round ship is most likely to be a Quantum out of Brisbane I believe. Warmer climate in winter and a colder weather ship, just makes sense. With 3 new Icon's they should be able to spare a Quantum sized ship.

The curse of the Ruby Princess continues.. 

13 minutes ago, CruisingOz said:

I am curious to try the ship. Read so much positive and negative reports about the ship and its offerings. It is a good sign of confidence in the Australian cruising market and may attract new cruisers. I hope that with the added competition, it may drive prices down and possibly change Royals offering, offering more inclusions such as wifi and maybe even drinks.   

I booked the 2 nighter to Tasmania just to test it out. 

Interesting Virgin are home porting Resilient Lady in Melbourne. Over to you Royal Caribbean.. 

On 4/26/2022 at 12:10 AM, JasonOasis said:

U.S. marketing campaign for Carnival.... Ugh so tacky 

Yeah I went to US Carnival site to take a look. lol

4 hours ago, twangster said:

Are they overdoing the Funderstruck marketing in Oz?  I'm so tired of it here in the US.

Haven't heard of that one.

The day has finally arrived...Cruise Ship ban has officially ended! 

Shame it's not a RCI ship, but Pacific Explorer will roll into Sydney Harbour tomorrow morning.

Victorian protocols 

11 hours ago, Al Miller said:

The one redeeming quality of BBar is I do not feel any pressure to leave any extra gratuity other than the included. 

It's great for socially awkward people.. I'll walk half the ship to start up a conversation with Bionic Barman! 

Also he doesn't give you dirty looks for ordering 2 drinks in 5 mins.

Gotta love Facebook for rubbing in the memories.. 5 years ago today! My kids.. Harmony out of Ft Lauderdale! Such great times... hard to believe there was a world out there before Covid.

October is such a long wait.. 

15 minutes ago, Chili said:

I think I will go on a different tangent.

BIG GAV said they can’t access some NSW ports in the coming season

 and if the islands aren’t open Australia isn’t viable.
 

I think the problem is that Eden has a cap on cruise ships at 60 a year. 
‘From what I can see the cap has already been reached and if the islands aren’t open there is not enough ports for Quantam and ovation to operate .

I think the pressure is on N.S.W. to lift the cap so the big ships have a extra port to operate, to make the coming season viable.

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ports-destinations/plans-oasis-class-ships-visit-eden-australias-sapphire-coast

I do wonder where my 9 night South Pacific will be going if it can't go to the South Pacific.

Port changes or cancelled and split into short cruises to nowhere / Eden / etc.. ?

Gavin Smith said in 2019 before Covid there was a 10 year plan (probably more like 20 years now) to bring an Oasis to Australia. Back then he said they were interested in the new port in Brisbane, but needed other ports to get on board. Once Lelepa is running and more ports like Eden are capable of hosting large ships who knows what that might bring!

17 minutes ago, CruisingOz said:

It is great to see so many offerings but we are focused on that Pinnacle badge for 2024 

Nice one! Unfortunately, I can't put in that kind of effort until the kids have finished high school. We're confined to school holidays for the next few years.

If you are not 100% loyal to Royal then there is plenty to keep busy with in this region over the next few seasons if Royal don't send anything new.. Celebrity Edge, Virgin Resilient Lady, the 'new' (refurbed) P&O's - Adventure and Encounter, Carnival Splendor, Majestic Princess, etc...

Add Ovation, Quantum, Enchantment, Celebrity Eclipse.. It starts to add up.

I don't believe they would send a brand new ship to our backwaters.

I think the most we can hope for is that in a few years the addition of Icon and Utopia pushes some other Oasis class out our way. I guess it also depends on the state of China, and will they send Wonder and Spectrum back there.

12 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

Oh no you don't. I got it too! 

Well that was short lived. Americans! 
 

But I’ve done the math.. 

Australia is one of the biggest exporters of LNG.. 

And.. if you watch the video.. Utopia.. it’s got to be Lelepa.

It’s ours for sure!!

Let’s hope only Aussies got this email.. and it’s a sign she’s headed our way! 

Icon will debut in the UK. 

https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/new-royal-caribbean-ship-icon-of-the-seas-to-debut-in-the-uk-in-2023-33617

3 hours ago, Chili said:

I asked Gavin Smith about some packages for Australians.

Gavin will deploy a ship soon just so he doesn't have to respond to your emails any longer! 

I've priced out a September Ocean Getaway for 3 in a balcony stateroom and I'm not sure the price (flights, pre and post-cruise hotel, pre-cruise RAT, cruise) is worth the cost for 3 nighter to nowhere.