KWofPerth

I would recommend a South Pacific cruise, but to do NZ justice you would want a land based holiday.

Am I right in saying that Singapore cruises are due out this week? Usually Australia drops in April and Singapore in June. Roles are reversed this time. Is this an indication of Royal's changed priorities?

1 Quantum, 1 Voyager and 1 Radiance class would've been ideal.

Although some (plenty) of you on here might be aware of this incident from 1998, I had no idea. It's an interesting little video about an historical RC event that I wanted to share, not to scare anyone, but hopefully to entertain and inform. Enjoy!

Singapore cruises for 2025-26 are now available. Looks like they've dropped off the Vietnam and Bangkok ports. There is an 8-nighter to Bali available, otherwise it's all just 3 and 4-nighters.

It seems sensible to me. The advertised price is the total of what you pay. Not a sub-total.

Spectrum is cool. It has a proper MDR for one thing.

I went to both of them on my first cruise back in 2013. Disappointed they were taken out of rotation ever since.

I'm happy to get a Voyager class back. Would be nice to have a Radiance too.

Maybe not a panda, not sure what it is actually.

Quantum has a giant pink panda (I think), Spectrum had some smaller pandas holding red balloons.

Revealed: The two new Royal Caribbean ships coming to Australia - Cruise Passenger

Variety is the spice of life.

I received a RC email today advertising Wiggles themed sailings for the summer of 2025-26 that will go on sale 10th of April. So lock that date in that itineraries open to the public. I don't remember if C&A members get access one day earlier still?

I expect it will be quietly shelved at some point.

All those fares sound very expensive to me. I recently sailed Spectrum out of Singapore. 9 nights at $1,250 per head in obstructed balcony cabins. 2 x interconnecting cabins and one other adjacent cabin. That was value!

In contrast, we really enjoyed the indoor pool. Climate control, no sunburn...Perfect! Also, the Solarium is beautiful. I missed, though, having a pub onboard. The Esplanade does not match up to the Promenade on other classes, but the Music Hall and 270* Theatre are great venues. What I have realised over time is that every class has its pros and cons. There are compromises and benefits to each. I loved sailing through Asia for the second time. I have now done the South Pacific twice and Asia twice. Each are great in their own way. Any questions, please feel free to ask

I'm on Spectrum right now. Of the 4,400 passengers, 1,100 are Aussies. That's a quarter! Next is Singaporeans with 550. Coming from Perth, cruising from Singapore is no further than cruising out of sydney or Brisvegas. Can recomend.

So hardly ever?!

Both Aussie dollar and NZ dollar would be fine. Even US dollars would be ok too, but I think AUD or NZD would be preferable, since they would be able to spend it onshore. When cruising the South Pacific I have even used leftover currency from the islands, as the crew will spend time there during their time off.

Personally, smoking should be banned from the designated areas on the pool decks, ahead of the casinos. Admittedly this was 5 years ago on Voyager, but an entire side of the pool deck was a smoking area, so when strolling down that particular side you had to contend with the foul stench of all the smokers gathering. I've only taken one cruise since then (next is in 17 days) so it could be different nowadays for all I know. A casino is an adult venue to begin with, so let people have their vices there if they wish. Let it be a default smokers' lounge, as Last2know alluded to above. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll carry a notarised letter, just in case!

Yes, I agree. I am just wishing to avoid an over-officious pencil-pusher at the Singapore terminal who decides I haven't completed procedures appropriately.