CruisingOz

11 hours ago, steverk said:

avoid foreign transaction fees on my credit card

We tend to take US cash with us, also you can buy (OBC) from Royal, like buying a shore excursion and pay for it locally and so no foreign transaction fees. The reate AUD to USD is $0.66, so $1000 USD is $1500 AUD.

There are credit cards which have no foreign transaction fees, so you may wish to apply for one of those to us on board. 

We also have a HSBC foreign currency debit Visa card, and I can load it up with USD. It is the only card in Australia where I can go to one of there specific banks in Sydney and load physical USD with no exchange fees.   

8 hours ago, steverk said:

currency should I use to tip the crew

We tend to use USD for the crew, but they will happily take AUD or NZD 

1 minute ago, Jamesszy94 said:

visit Tuvalu.. because of the current rising sea levels

I would let dad not to worry about rising sea level. The Fort Denison high tide water marks since 1886 have virtyally no change over this time. Anyway not the place to discuss this. 

We are fortunate to have visited the usual islands a few times, so new destinations would be fantastic

16 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said:

oyager has home ported in Sydney before

We jumped onto Voyager end of November for the first cruise after the repositiong from Singapore. We loved the addition to the slides and Diamond liubge becoming the Suite lounge. We are booked on her in 2025 for Europe  

On 12/9/2023 at 7:15 AM, F1guynz said:

currently the itineraries are very limited

I recieved a survey from Royal which was all about South Pacific options and to rate them. Places like Solomon Is. PNG, Apia, etc 

On 12/8/2023 at 10:42 PM, Jamesszy94 said:

different Quantum class

Anthem will be here next season. Quantum is off to a full dry dock and Ovation is also due within the next uear or two

On 12/6/2023 at 5:17 PM, Chili said:

down sizing in Australia

If I had an issue, calling that number got me nowhere. Australian office is predominantly offshore and considering our growing market, you would think they would have a functioning office. I call the US customer service and get issues sorted. Sick of waiting for replies to my emails which never get answered or replied to. I have noticed through a cruise job site, there had been a few roles recently advertised for Sydney.  Combination of Celebrity amd Royal. 

5 hours ago, F1guynz said:

that worked out well for us

Us as well for a sailing in January. JS to an Aft corner GS. I thought it was a mistake but no. 

On 10/3/2023 at 9:05 AM, Chili said:

Port Kembla

Both Port Kembla and Newcastle are being looked at. They have rail transport hubs, good road access, and freeways from Sydney, and Newcastle has an airport, with majority of ship requirements in place. All they would need to build a shed like check-in area, like the one at Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro.  

The NSW Government will not spend the money on a second cruise terminal and although the Navy yard could be utilised, the traffic grid lock and lack of parking and street access rules it out. Port Botany could be considered however I believe they have ruled it out.

We will be no different to Florida where you can board in Miami or around an hour to Fort Lauderdale, and both Port Kembla and Newcastle have hotels, beaches and shopping, etc. 

I wish they would make a decision so Royal can send Australia the third ship.  

On 8/30/2023 at 8:07 AM, Chili said:

cruising on Brilliance in November

We are also on this cruise. So looking forward to Brilliance. 

Hello RCB Community, 

We will have a few days in Miami and are thinking about staying in Little Havana to experience the culture and food. On previous trips we have spent time at the Kimpton on South Beach, Intercontinental and Doubletree Hilton; so looking for something different. 

Would appreciate any thoughts if you have stayed in this area before. BTW we are looking at the Lifehouse in Little Havana  

Hello RCB Community,

We are doing a Southern Caribbean cruise on the Rhapsody in March through the Panama Canal where we will disembark the ship at Fuerte Amador Panama City cruise port. We are looking at a possible midday flight from Panama City airport but are concerned whether we will have sufficient time to catch an international flight. 

If you have had any experience with getting to or from this cruise port / airport, or travel times in Panama, we would appreciate any insight or information.   

On 6/18/2023 at 5:44 AM, twangster said:

Group Cruise on Navigator of the Seas Matt and Marissa

Congratulations Marissa and Matt. What an amazing cruise, met so many beautiful people, including my favorite blog contributor, Twangstar. This was our first group cruise and we will be back for more. If you have never done an RCB GC, then YOLO book one, cruising will never be the same again. 

1 hour ago, EmersonNZ said:

I personally would prefer to see a Voyager or Freedom class

Totally agree. We are only booking one this season, the 14 night NZ on Quantum. We are taking our Royal cruise money and going to spend elsewhere in the world. We are son looking forwar to Brilliance, booked five cruises on her, mainly for the destinations. 

Wish Royal would swap Quantum to Anthem, and then I will certainly be booking.   

On 3/1/2023 at 11:51 PM, SteveK said:

Fosters

Hell No!!! Can not drink this regardless of the value

5 hours ago, F1guynz said:

I might see you on Brilliance to Kangaroo Island

We have booked B2B2B on Brilliance starting the 22nd Oct, 29th Oct & 8th Nov. Love this class of ship 

17 hours ago, Chili said:

Anthem is going to Singapore

I have heard this too from others. One was directly from a staff member to an individual I know. I though Quantu,m was going in for a service and Anthem will take its spot at Brisbane. 

Sad that we only have the two ships and no Radiance or Voyager class ships so we can go to all the amazing South Pacific islands. I think I will look further afield and focus my travel dollars on US or Europe for 2025  

It is now only for a cruise up to 7 nights and not over the Christmas holidays or Presidents Day. Need to be taken by the 31st March or wlll be fprfided and has a trade in value of $500. I have tried to pay for extra longer cruises with no luck, but can pay for an upgrade to a better cabin

7 hours ago, Chili said:

o only Ovation in Sydney for 24-25 season.

I am looking at the website and there are Brilliance sailings for first part of 2024. I am booked on xome. The 2024/25 season has not been released for Australia. The schedule is due for release sometime in March 

On 1/4/2023 at 5:56 AM, bretts173 said:

Weather forecast suggests not.

The weather got us. Could not get into Port Villa nor Mystery. Going back next week for another try via Quantum

On 1/14/2023 at 10:06 AM, Ampurp85 said:

Is anyone else seeing this?

Yes, this is what we have. 

On 1/6/2023 at 1:03 PM, Danae said:

s lunch offered on the excursion?

You get a prepared lunch box which you eat on the way as you will not have time while on the excursion

1 hour ago, mattymay said:

Boarding Ovation on the 15th, let's see if we make Mystery Island. Not very confident.

Will let you know on the 8th when we are due to visit. Fingers crossed

This is no different to islands like Isle of Pines where the Chief oversees the island. I can recall being on a ship refused because the Chief was in dispute with Royal.

This will ne a nice beach beach and I can not wait to snorkel or dive there