CruisingOz

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.   

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.   

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

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

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

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. 

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

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. 

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

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

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.  

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

I have watched the Cruise and Travel guy video where he had attended a recent cruise conference and there were some tentative announcement that the first stage of perfect day at Lelepa is scheduled to open in 2026.
Royal also indicated they have heard our disappointment regarding ship choice. One of the long term aims is to have a ship here year round and 4-5 ships over the summer. I really hope we end up with a Freedom class ship here eventually as this is my favourite class of ship. 
I guess it will be a while before we see this eventuate as one would assume it would be tied to PDL being operational.

I’ve been following Vanuatu media and not a word of Lelepa. I even emailed the local paper and they haven’t heard anything. 
 
We might have a new cruise terminal for Sydney ,not the most desirable as it’s about a hour or more from Sydney.
I don’t know how big a ship it could take but Celebrity solstice has been there .
 
https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/australian-cruisers-could-sail-out-of-wollongong-while-foreigners-enjoy-our-harbour-views/

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. 

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.   

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.   

I must agree... I'm over Ovation and Quantum. I found the 24/25 season offering pretty stale and a bit boring. It would ha been nice to see a few Melbourne/Hobart/Adelaide cruises. We ended up booking one of the Hobart/Adelaide Ovation cruises (November).
I personally would prefer to see a Voyager or Freedom class ship down this way (Would love and Oasis… but will settle with… anything but Quantum at this stage). It just feels a bit the same same.

We feel the same in the UK re Anthem, same shows, same itineries. Even a different Quantum class ship would be welcome, or change the shows on Anthem.

I can see cruises for Australia/NZ for 2024/25 now.
Book away.

I'll see you on the 29th

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