Pima1988

Great videos Twangster! Does your camera have some sort of built in stabilizer or are you that steady of a videographer? 

You could also do what we do.  Go to Windjammers when they open for dinner. We do late seating, so this is our early appetizers.   Grab things, such as carved beef/ham, deli meats, cheeses, veggies, hummus, breads, cookies, slice of cake,  dessert in a cup, etc. and bring it back to your room.  Place it in your mini-fridge aka cooler.  Stop by Sorrentos to grab a few slices of pizza and you have your own late night hot and cold buffet at no cost.  We do balcony and this is one of our favorite things to do.
We also order continental breakfast room service which is free.  We set out the card with the delivery time.  We are early risers, 7 :30 is sleeping in for us. Again, we do balcony.  We go to the gym, or walk the track and then we hit the Windjammer.  We each make a plate to go (omelets bacon, hash browns).  I get an ice coffee too on our way back.  We time it so the continental shows up within 5 mins (see above regarding the card).  So for us we get the best of both worlds, hot and cold, while we spend $0.  Especially if the ship does not have outdoor seating at the WJ the  perk of a balcony is you can have breakfast outside.
We have done outside (no balcony) this way too.  We like doing this bc of one more reason.  We can eat at our leisure while we get ready for the day in our room.  Take a shower, come back for another sip of coffee, or a bite of a muffin in your room while you apply your sunscreen before going to the pool or finishing packing your tote for your excursion that day.

You could also do what we do.  Go to Windjammers when they open for dinner. We do late seating, so this is our early appetizers.   Grab things, such as carved beef/ham, deli meats, cheeses, veggies, hummus, breads, cookies, slice of cake,  dessert in a cup, etc. and bring it back to your room.  Place it in your mini-fridge aka cooler.  Stop by Sorrentos to grab a few slices of pizza and you have your own late night hot and cold buffet at no cost.  We do balcony and this is one of our favorite things to do.
We also order continental breakfast room service which is free.  We set out the card with the delivery time.  We are early risers, 7 :30 is sleeping in for us. Again, we do balcony.  We go to the gym, or walk the track and then we hit the Windjammer.  We each make a plate to go (omelets bacon, hash browns).  I get an ice coffee too on our way back.  We time it so the continental shows up within 5 mins (see above regarding the card).  So for us we get the best of both worlds, hot and cold, while we spend $0.  Especially if the ship does not have outdoor seating at the WJ the  perk of a balcony is you can have breakfast outside.
We have done outside (no balcony) this way too.  We like doing this bc of one more reason.  We can eat at our leisure while we get ready for the day in our room.  Take a shower, come back for another sip of coffee, or a bite of a muffin in your room while you apply your sunscreen before going to the pool or finishing packing your tote for your excursion that day.

You could also do what we do.  Go to Windjammers when they open for dinner. We do late seating, so this is our early appetizers.   Grab things, such as carved beef/ham, deli meats, cheeses, veggies, hummus, breads, cookies, slice of cake,  dessert in a cup, etc. and bring it back to your room.  Place it in your mini-fridge aka cooler.  Stop by Sorrentos to grab a few slices of pizza and you have your own late night hot and cold buffet at no cost.  We do balcony and this is one of our favorite things to do.
We also order continental breakfast room service which is free.  We set out the card with the delivery time.  We are early risers, 7 :30 is sleeping in for us. Again, we do balcony.  We go to the gym, or walk the track and then we hit the Windjammer.  We each make a plate to go (omelets bacon, hash browns).  I get an ice coffee too on our way back.  We time it so the continental shows up within 5 mins (see above regarding the card).  So for us we get the best of both worlds, hot and cold, while we spend $0.  Especially if the ship does not have outdoor seating at the WJ the  perk of a balcony is you can have breakfast outside.
We have done outside (no balcony) this way too.  We like doing this bc of one more reason.  We can eat at our leisure while we get ready for the day in our room.  Take a shower, come back for another sip of coffee, or a bite of a muffin in your room while you apply your sunscreen before going to the pool or finishing packing your tote for your excursion that day.

Kind of laughing because we are all fearful of acupuncture or shaving on a ship, but on Virgin's new cruise ship they will have tattoo artists.  Sorry, but that is the one that really makes me shake my head.  
 

Wait, which cruise website am I on again?
100% this is a to each their own thing. What is valuable to one person may not be valuable to another. In the end, it's not going to affect my own cruise experience. The particular introduction of the key poses little impact to those who have chosen not to purchase the key. It is what it is. 

I just did that flight from DC about 6 months ago.  I left at 5 pm on Monday and arrived in Sydney at 8 a.m. Weds.  I flew through San Francisco.  I tried to nap as soon as I arrived, but to no avail.  I decided to explore Sydney during the day and than went out to dinner that night with my hubby and his office.  By the time we came back it was 10 pm.  My head hit the pillow and I was out.  Woke up the next day with no jet lag at all. 
Make sure you go to Queen Victoria's building (mall aka QVB) Go to the top floor so you can see the clock up close.  Also go to the Rocks...it has great restaurants.  The zoo is also a great half day trip, the view from the gondola to get to the zoo is amazing.  You just go down to the docks and you can buy tickets there. You have to take a short ferry ride to the zoo. At the zoo you will have to queue up for the Koalas.  You cannot hold them, but you do go in their pen and they will take photos that you can purchase.  I want to say they don't open their pen area until 11, but don't quote me.   On a scale of 1 to 10 that zoo is a 10 without a doubt.  Like Sydney it is hilly, so wear comfy shoes.
There is also an amazing church by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria's statue.  Finally if you do nothing at all make sue you go through the gardens until you get to Mrs. Macqueries (sp?) chair.  It is a great photo op.(we used it for our xmas cards this yr).  It will loop back around and drop you at the Opera House.  
If you want to get the genie a gift, Sydney is known for their macaroons.  Every flavor under the sun.  You can pick them up at the Queen Victoria Building.  Or you can pick up chocolate from Haighs, they are all over the place in Sydney.  Basically Haighs is like Godiva.  High end, but worth it and you can buy all different types/shapes.
We stayed at the Inter Continental.  It is right by the port.  I remember seeing an RCCL ship docked there the a.m. I arrived.  The Inter Continental is cool to have drinks or high tea at.  This hotel is where the US presidents stay at when in Sydney.  The reason why is it was originally their national treasury in the 19th century.  Due to that fact the walls for the 1st 3 floors are bomb proof.  You will see all of the original brick in the centrum.   The hotel is across the street from the botanical gardens.   Hint you will know if a VIP is entering or exiting the building because where the elevator banks are there is a secret entrance for them to enter without going through the lobby.  They have a hunt board (side table) against the wall that slides out and VOILA a door opens to the elevator banks. 
One last tip I would give is Sydney is a little hilly, not San Francisco hilly, but there is an incline you will feel if you start at the Opera House and travel to QVB.  You will also notice when you are walking the gardens.  We did the gardens, QVB, the church and the rocks all in one day at a leisurely pace.  Probably started @9 a.m. Went to the church 1st on the way to QVB, on the way back we did the garden.  Had a late lunch by the Opera House and headed over to the Rocks.  Shopped around for a while and was back at the hotel by 5.   I did this 4 months after having a full hip replacement and had no pain. I am 54.  
OH also remember that March will be their September to us.  Just saying don't expect to pick up any last minute summer items. The stores will be stocking up with their fall clothing. 
Have a great trip.  Sydney is absolutely amazing.
My tip for a trip like this is to make sure you get up and walk around frequently from a health aspect at our age.  DVT is common when you do a 20+ hr flight.  Also do not, repeat do not take your shoes off unless they are flip flop sandals.  Yes, they offer slippers and there is an urge to put them on, but if you are like me, your feet will swell during the flight and trying to put back on a shoe can be painful as you now have to go through the airport, wait for your luggage, clear customs and get to the taxis.  
Oh also don't go to their currency kiosks.  Right before you exit there will be ATMs.  You get a better rate even if your bank charges you a surcharge.  The taxis will also take credit cards.

Kind of laughing because we are all fearful of acupuncture or shaving on a ship, but on Virgin's new cruise ship they will have tattoo artists.  Sorry, but that is the one that really makes me shake my head.  
 

Just me, and FYI we do balcony.  We get the DPB.  We get Voom Surf and Stream for 1.  We do dinner packages. We do RCCL excursions.  We rent bungalows or cabanas.  Point being I am not going cheap.  The cheap part of our cruise is the room.  
However, that being said I would not pay for the Key.
1. The key would be like the DPB.  We would need to book both of us.  Even though it includes Voom, we only book 1 device.  We unplug on our cruises.  We don't need 2 devices.  Thus, the Key is already costing me more money.
2. It has never taken me more than 15-20 minutes to get through the terminal and onto the ship.  I don't see how going through the Key line is really saving me a ton of time.  OMG it takes me 30-45 mins, oh well, is that worth 20 bucks a day to me? NOPE
3. Chops for lunch.  As Waaaytoo has stated the restaurants are now frenzied with the Key passengers.  We are more the type that grabs a bite to eat at the WJ, and hang out at the pool before they cattle call us for the muster drill.  We purchase the dining package and the Chefs table.  Maybe if you don't purchase that, than the specialty at Chops is a good deal.  However, you could get a Chops lunch at 22 bucks pp.  So you aren't really saving money in the end if you think about it.  
4. Luggage drop off.  Okay, but that is still a maybe.  We are doing Adventure in July for 8 nights.  I don't think 320 for the 2 of us is worth it.
5. I have been on different size ships.  Anthem has been the largest.  Anthem allows you to reserve for shows.  All of the seats in their theaters were good.  They had 3 specialty shows, if you reserve and show up early enough you will get great seats.  Even if you don't, this is not like Madison Square Garden in size.  You still will be able to see the show just fine.  Adventure does not offer this option.
6. I live to eat, not eat to live.  The breakfast/lunch for the last a.m. means nothing to me.  
Thus, when I do the costs, $320 for 8 nights is not worth it.  Now if they added something from the spa, I might re-think it.  $320 would pay for my Voom Surf/Steam (1 device), Chefs Table (2),  and just shy of a 3 night specialty(2 ).  I could run it another way.  It would pay for my catamaran excursion (2), my spa lime scrub and pedicure, our galley brunch (2).  
Just me, but I have a limited budget.  Room and excursions mean more to me than getting on the ship 15-30 mins faster or a "special seating" for shows, or even a breakfast the day I am getting off the ship.   We plan to do Symphony in 2020, and if it came down to costs, the Key would be at the bottom of my totem pole.

Just me, and FYI we do balcony.  We get the DPB.  We get Voom Surf and Stream for 1.  We do dinner packages. We do RCCL excursions.  We rent bungalows or cabanas.  Point being I am not going cheap.  The cheap part of our cruise is the room.  
However, that being said I would not pay for the Key.
1. The key would be like the DPB.  We would need to book both of us.  Even though it includes Voom, we only book 1 device.  We unplug on our cruises.  We don't need 2 devices.  Thus, the Key is already costing me more money.
2. It has never taken me more than 15-20 minutes to get through the terminal and onto the ship.  I don't see how going through the Key line is really saving me a ton of time.  OMG it takes me 30-45 mins, oh well, is that worth 20 bucks a day to me? NOPE
3. Chops for lunch.  As Waaaytoo has stated the restaurants are now frenzied with the Key passengers.  We are more the type that grabs a bite to eat at the WJ, and hang out at the pool before they cattle call us for the muster drill.  We purchase the dining package and the Chefs table.  Maybe if you don't purchase that, than the specialty at Chops is a good deal.  However, you could get a Chops lunch at 22 bucks pp.  So you aren't really saving money in the end if you think about it.  
4. Luggage drop off.  Okay, but that is still a maybe.  We are doing Adventure in July for 8 nights.  I don't think 320 for the 2 of us is worth it.
5. I have been on different size ships.  Anthem has been the largest.  Anthem allows you to reserve for shows.  All of the seats in their theaters were good.  They had 3 specialty shows, if you reserve and show up early enough you will get great seats.  Even if you don't, this is not like Madison Square Garden in size.  You still will be able to see the show just fine.  Adventure does not offer this option.
6. I live to eat, not eat to live.  The breakfast/lunch for the last a.m. means nothing to me.  
Thus, when I do the costs, $320 for 8 nights is not worth it.  Now if they added something from the spa, I might re-think it.  $320 would pay for my Voom Surf/Steam (1 device), Chefs Table (2),  and just shy of a 3 night specialty(2 ).  I could run it another way.  It would pay for my catamaran excursion (2), my spa lime scrub and pedicure, our galley brunch (2).  
Just me, but I have a limited budget.  Room and excursions mean more to me than getting on the ship 15-30 mins faster or a "special seating" for shows, or even a breakfast the day I am getting off the ship.   We plan to do Symphony in 2020, and if it came down to costs, the Key would be at the bottom of my totem pole.

Just me, and FYI we do balcony.  We get the DPB.  We get Voom Surf and Stream for 1.  We do dinner packages. We do RCCL excursions.  We rent bungalows or cabanas.  Point being I am not going cheap.  The cheap part of our cruise is the room.  
However, that being said I would not pay for the Key.
1. The key would be like the DPB.  We would need to book both of us.  Even though it includes Voom, we only book 1 device.  We unplug on our cruises.  We don't need 2 devices.  Thus, the Key is already costing me more money.
2. It has never taken me more than 15-20 minutes to get through the terminal and onto the ship.  I don't see how going through the Key line is really saving me a ton of time.  OMG it takes me 30-45 mins, oh well, is that worth 20 bucks a day to me? NOPE
3. Chops for lunch.  As Waaaytoo has stated the restaurants are now frenzied with the Key passengers.  We are more the type that grabs a bite to eat at the WJ, and hang out at the pool before they cattle call us for the muster drill.  We purchase the dining package and the Chefs table.  Maybe if you don't purchase that, than the specialty at Chops is a good deal.  However, you could get a Chops lunch at 22 bucks pp.  So you aren't really saving money in the end if you think about it.  
4. Luggage drop off.  Okay, but that is still a maybe.  We are doing Adventure in July for 8 nights.  I don't think 320 for the 2 of us is worth it.
5. I have been on different size ships.  Anthem has been the largest.  Anthem allows you to reserve for shows.  All of the seats in their theaters were good.  They had 3 specialty shows, if you reserve and show up early enough you will get great seats.  Even if you don't, this is not like Madison Square Garden in size.  You still will be able to see the show just fine.  Adventure does not offer this option.
6. I live to eat, not eat to live.  The breakfast/lunch for the last a.m. means nothing to me.  
Thus, when I do the costs, $320 for 8 nights is not worth it.  Now if they added something from the spa, I might re-think it.  $320 would pay for my Voom Surf/Steam (1 device), Chefs Table (2),  and just shy of a 3 night specialty(2 ).  I could run it another way.  It would pay for my catamaran excursion (2), my spa lime scrub and pedicure, our galley brunch (2).  
Just me, but I have a limited budget.  Room and excursions mean more to me than getting on the ship 15-30 mins faster or a "special seating" for shows, or even a breakfast the day I am getting off the ship.   We plan to do Symphony in 2020, and if it came down to costs, the Key would be at the bottom of my totem pole.

Just me, and FYI we do balcony.  We get the DPB.  We get Voom Surf and Stream for 1.  We do dinner packages. We do RCCL excursions.  We rent bungalows or cabanas.  Point being I am not going cheap.  The cheap part of our cruise is the room.  
However, that being said I would not pay for the Key.
1. The key would be like the DPB.  We would need to book both of us.  Even though it includes Voom, we only book 1 device.  We unplug on our cruises.  We don't need 2 devices.  Thus, the Key is already costing me more money.
2. It has never taken me more than 15-20 minutes to get through the terminal and onto the ship.  I don't see how going through the Key line is really saving me a ton of time.  OMG it takes me 30-45 mins, oh well, is that worth 20 bucks a day to me? NOPE
3. Chops for lunch.  As Waaaytoo has stated the restaurants are now frenzied with the Key passengers.  We are more the type that grabs a bite to eat at the WJ, and hang out at the pool before they cattle call us for the muster drill.  We purchase the dining package and the Chefs table.  Maybe if you don't purchase that, than the specialty at Chops is a good deal.  However, you could get a Chops lunch at 22 bucks pp.  So you aren't really saving money in the end if you think about it.  
4. Luggage drop off.  Okay, but that is still a maybe.  We are doing Adventure in July for 8 nights.  I don't think 320 for the 2 of us is worth it.
5. I have been on different size ships.  Anthem has been the largest.  Anthem allows you to reserve for shows.  All of the seats in their theaters were good.  They had 3 specialty shows, if you reserve and show up early enough you will get great seats.  Even if you don't, this is not like Madison Square Garden in size.  You still will be able to see the show just fine.  Adventure does not offer this option.
6. I live to eat, not eat to live.  The breakfast/lunch for the last a.m. means nothing to me.  
Thus, when I do the costs, $320 for 8 nights is not worth it.  Now if they added something from the spa, I might re-think it.  $320 would pay for my Voom Surf/Steam (1 device), Chefs Table (2),  and just shy of a 3 night specialty(2 ).  I could run it another way.  It would pay for my catamaran excursion (2), my spa lime scrub and pedicure, our galley brunch (2).  
Just me, but I have a limited budget.  Room and excursions mean more to me than getting on the ship 15-30 mins faster or a "special seating" for shows, or even a breakfast the day I am getting off the ship.   We plan to do Symphony in 2020, and if it came down to costs, the Key would be at the bottom of my totem pole.

I'll buy it for twenty five cents per hour but only for the hours I want it  ?   
No sense paying for it all night while I'm sleeping.  

Kind of laughing because we are all fearful of acupuncture or shaving on a ship, but on Virgin's new cruise ship they will have tattoo artists.  Sorry, but that is the one that really makes me shake my head.  
 

I believe someone here has done it and they said they had to pay to get the stamp.   However, may I ask why?  My passport is 3 yrs old.  I have no stamps.  3 cruises and Australia.  I laugh now bc I want to know why on earth am I carrying around this passport book.   Can't we just make something like a drivers license? I pity my Hubby bc he floats between 2 passports due to work.  Neither one has a stamp.
Please don't answer, bc I know the answer.  My cousin is a consultant for a company that makes the glue for the passports.  

Or if they occupy the lounge chairs .... I could see some having an issue with that too, since they're in limited supply ..... But just passing through?  Never an issue.

I agree you will see kids float in an out in the Solarium.  IE they know the folks are there and they have to come to them for whatever arises...Mom, I am going with so and so to do the rock climbing wall.    You will only get looks if they go into the hot tub or pool.  

I was just thinking about how long do you think it took them to realize OH CRAP my phone is about to die and I have no charger.  Followed on with OMG these phone calls are going to cost a fortune if I use my phone since I am now it is considered international.
OBTW I reversed it, it was NCL passengers filming the RCL Symphony. 

I do feel sorry for them,  but honestly this is not like a private yacht.  There is a lot that goes into this, such as the tugs and their pilots to get out of port.  Plus,  as can be seen in  the video RCCL was waiting their turn to leave port.  If they waited for every straggler than it will have a domino effect for the next ship, and so on and so forth.
I recall when we came in to the Bahamas.  We were the 2nd to dock, by the time we came back to the ship.  Disney (left already).  Carnival and NCL were the next 2 and we were the last.  If Carnival waited, than that would have impacted the rest of us leaving.  Bahamas was our 1st stop.  It would have meant to get on time to the next the Captain would have had to increase his speed.
Think of it this way, would any airline wait for that person that was 15 mins late?  No.
I also feel the same way about Muster drills as others.  When we did Enchantment yrs ago.  We had to stand outside in the beating sun for @ 15 more mins before they started because with the muster drill they know exactly who is missing since you are assigned to a specific location and they take roll call.  When they finally found them or they decided to show up, they were received with @100 death glares in our group since it was obvious they were the hold ups.  To boot they were upset because they walked up with a full alcoholic beverage and the staff made them pitch it for the muster.  So we had to wait a few more mins bc now only did they argue about it, but than walked back in to find a table so they could pick it up 1x we were done.  They were standing next to my hubby and I.  As we re-entered I guess someone in front of us watched where they placed it and decided to pick up their drink and dispose of it for them.  Needless to say they were now angrier bc someone stole their drink,.  muttering can you believe how rude these passengers are?

I do feel sorry for them,  but honestly this is not like a private yacht.  There is a lot that goes into this, such as the tugs and their pilots to get out of port.  Plus,  as can be seen in  the video RCCL was waiting their turn to leave port.  If they waited for every straggler than it will have a domino effect for the next ship, and so on and so forth.
I recall when we came in to the Bahamas.  We were the 2nd to dock, by the time we came back to the ship.  Disney (left already).  Carnival and NCL were the next 2 and we were the last.  If Carnival waited, than that would have impacted the rest of us leaving.  Bahamas was our 1st stop.  It would have meant to get on time to the next the Captain would have had to increase his speed.
Think of it this way, would any airline wait for that person that was 15 mins late?  No.
I also feel the same way about Muster drills as others.  When we did Enchantment yrs ago.  We had to stand outside in the beating sun for @ 15 more mins before they started because with the muster drill they know exactly who is missing since you are assigned to a specific location and they take roll call.  When they finally found them or they decided to show up, they were received with @100 death glares in our group since it was obvious they were the hold ups.  To boot they were upset because they walked up with a full alcoholic beverage and the staff made them pitch it for the muster.  So we had to wait a few more mins bc now only did they argue about it, but than walked back in to find a table so they could pick it up 1x we were done.  They were standing next to my hubby and I.  As we re-entered I guess someone in front of us watched where they placed it and decided to pick up their drink and dispose of it for them.  Needless to say they were now angrier bc someone stole their drink,.  muttering can you believe how rude these passengers are?

I do feel sorry for them,  but honestly this is not like a private yacht.  There is a lot that goes into this, such as the tugs and their pilots to get out of port.  Plus,  as can be seen in  the video RCCL was waiting their turn to leave port.  If they waited for every straggler than it will have a domino effect for the next ship, and so on and so forth.
I recall when we came in to the Bahamas.  We were the 2nd to dock, by the time we came back to the ship.  Disney (left already).  Carnival and NCL were the next 2 and we were the last.  If Carnival waited, than that would have impacted the rest of us leaving.  Bahamas was our 1st stop.  It would have meant to get on time to the next the Captain would have had to increase his speed.
Think of it this way, would any airline wait for that person that was 15 mins late?  No.
I also feel the same way about Muster drills as others.  When we did Enchantment yrs ago.  We had to stand outside in the beating sun for @ 15 more mins before they started because with the muster drill they know exactly who is missing since you are assigned to a specific location and they take roll call.  When they finally found them or they decided to show up, they were received with @100 death glares in our group since it was obvious they were the hold ups.  To boot they were upset because they walked up with a full alcoholic beverage and the staff made them pitch it for the muster.  So we had to wait a few more mins bc now only did they argue about it, but than walked back in to find a table so they could pick it up 1x we were done.  They were standing next to my hubby and I.  As we re-entered I guess someone in front of us watched where they placed it and decided to pick up their drink and dispose of it for them.  Needless to say they were now angrier bc someone stole their drink,.  muttering can you believe how rude these passengers are?

I do feel sorry for them,  but honestly this is not like a private yacht.  There is a lot that goes into this, such as the tugs and their pilots to get out of port.  Plus,  as can be seen in  the video RCCL was waiting their turn to leave port.  If they waited for every straggler than it will have a domino effect for the next ship, and so on and so forth.
I recall when we came in to the Bahamas.  We were the 2nd to dock, by the time we came back to the ship.  Disney (left already).  Carnival and NCL were the next 2 and we were the last.  If Carnival waited, than that would have impacted the rest of us leaving.  Bahamas was our 1st stop.  It would have meant to get on time to the next the Captain would have had to increase his speed.
Think of it this way, would any airline wait for that person that was 15 mins late?  No.
I also feel the same way about Muster drills as others.  When we did Enchantment yrs ago.  We had to stand outside in the beating sun for @ 15 more mins before they started because with the muster drill they know exactly who is missing since you are assigned to a specific location and they take roll call.  When they finally found them or they decided to show up, they were received with @100 death glares in our group since it was obvious they were the hold ups.  To boot they were upset because they walked up with a full alcoholic beverage and the staff made them pitch it for the muster.  So we had to wait a few more mins bc now only did they argue about it, but than walked back in to find a table so they could pick it up 1x we were done.  They were standing next to my hubby and I.  As we re-entered I guess someone in front of us watched where they placed it and decided to pick up their drink and dispose of it for them.  Needless to say they were now angrier bc someone stole their drink,.  muttering can you believe how rude these passengers are?

I paid 449 for my Coco Cay Cabana (Chill).  It is going for 674 right now for my cruise.
Part of me thinks how can Royal see anyone paying 750-1000 for 8 hrs.  The other part says if you are a group of 6-8 than it is pretty cool excursion at 125 pp.  
I will never do it bc in my eyes I would rather upgrade to a suite at that price or take another cruise
This is jmpo.  I love the look,  I would do it in a heartbeat if I won the Lotto.  MAYBE.  

I just did that flight from DC about 6 months ago.  I left at 5 pm on Monday and arrived in Sydney at 8 a.m. Weds.  I flew through San Francisco.  I tried to nap as soon as I arrived, but to no avail.  I decided to explore Sydney during the day and than went out to dinner that night with my hubby and his office.  By the time we came back it was 10 pm.  My head hit the pillow and I was out.  Woke up the next day with no jet lag at all. 
Make sure you go to Queen Victoria's building (mall aka QVB) Go to the top floor so you can see the clock up close.  Also go to the Rocks...it has great restaurants.  The zoo is also a great half day trip, the view from the gondola to get to the zoo is amazing.  You just go down to the docks and you can buy tickets there. You have to take a short ferry ride to the zoo. At the zoo you will have to queue up for the Koalas.  You cannot hold them, but you do go in their pen and they will take photos that you can purchase.  I want to say they don't open their pen area until 11, but don't quote me.   On a scale of 1 to 10 that zoo is a 10 without a doubt.  Like Sydney it is hilly, so wear comfy shoes.
There is also an amazing church by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria's statue.  Finally if you do nothing at all make sue you go through the gardens until you get to Mrs. Macqueries (sp?) chair.  It is a great photo op.(we used it for our xmas cards this yr).  It will loop back around and drop you at the Opera House.  
If you want to get the genie a gift, Sydney is known for their macaroons.  Every flavor under the sun.  You can pick them up at the Queen Victoria Building.  Or you can pick up chocolate from Haighs, they are all over the place in Sydney.  Basically Haighs is like Godiva.  High end, but worth it and you can buy all different types/shapes.
We stayed at the Inter Continental.  It is right by the port.  I remember seeing an RCCL ship docked there the a.m. I arrived.  The Inter Continental is cool to have drinks or high tea at.  This hotel is where the US presidents stay at when in Sydney.  The reason why is it was originally their national treasury in the 19th century.  Due to that fact the walls for the 1st 3 floors are bomb proof.  You will see all of the original brick in the centrum.   The hotel is across the street from the botanical gardens.   Hint you will know if a VIP is entering or exiting the building because where the elevator banks are there is a secret entrance for them to enter without going through the lobby.  They have a hunt board (side table) against the wall that slides out and VOILA a door opens to the elevator banks. 
One last tip I would give is Sydney is a little hilly, not San Francisco hilly, but there is an incline you will feel if you start at the Opera House and travel to QVB.  You will also notice when you are walking the gardens.  We did the gardens, QVB, the church and the rocks all in one day at a leisurely pace.  Probably started @9 a.m. Went to the church 1st on the way to QVB, on the way back we did the garden.  Had a late lunch by the Opera House and headed over to the Rocks.  Shopped around for a while and was back at the hotel by 5.   I did this 4 months after having a full hip replacement and had no pain. I am 54.  
OH also remember that March will be their September to us.  Just saying don't expect to pick up any last minute summer items. The stores will be stocking up with their fall clothing. 
Have a great trip.  Sydney is absolutely amazing.
My tip for a trip like this is to make sure you get up and walk around frequently from a health aspect at our age.  DVT is common when you do a 20+ hr flight.  Also do not, repeat do not take your shoes off unless they are flip flop sandals.  Yes, they offer slippers and there is an urge to put them on, but if you are like me, your feet will swell during the flight and trying to put back on a shoe can be painful as you now have to go through the airport, wait for your luggage, clear customs and get to the taxis.  
Oh also don't go to their currency kiosks.  Right before you exit there will be ATMs.  You get a better rate even if your bank charges you a surcharge.  The taxis will also take credit cards.

I have mixed feelings about Enchantment.  Love and hate it.  It is small so you don't necessarily get that WOW factor like on the larger ships, but being smaller you not only get to know the staff, but it is more port intensive compared to the larger ships.  
We have done the larger ships, and the problem there is by the time you figure out the quickest route to everything the cruise is over.  Of course the positive is food selections, bionic bar, bumper cars, shows, etc.  You really need to think about your room location on those ships if you are like us and don't want to wait for the elevators.  
We are going on Adventure in July.  I am hoping that it will give us the best of both worlds.  Of course Adventure does not offer the kummelwreck so that is a negative...JK kind of!