F1guynz

I think the cruise after next is/was the last Australian cruise before the TP.

The compensation offered is: Free internet and 1/2 price drinks. 50% of cruise fare. 50% of cruise fare as FCC. They are also paying upto $ 250 USD for changes to domestic flights or up to $ 250 USD per stateroom for up to 3 nights accommodation. They will not be arriving back to Sydney until 8pm on Tuesday. 9 i assume they will be able to stay on the ship that night as it would be difficult to get to accomodation at that time.

Here is the technical explanation of the fault from my SIL. “The issue is some bit that helps us turn. So we can go forwards and backwards but we will need a tug or some manual intervention to turn” Also sounds like they won’t get in until Tuesday now.

Lisa is saying it appears the ship is running on one engine as the wake trail behind the ship is only on one side.

I am also curious, if Royal cuts a cruise short do you still get the full allocation of C&A points or only points for the days onboard?

My SIL is on Brilliance and sounds like it has got a propulsion problem or similar. There was an announcement by the captain yesterday about an issue. The originally itinerary was Lifou, Noumea, Mystery Island, Vila and Luganville but it is now enroute to Sydney arriving 25th March. Originally it was due back 30th

Only a couple more weeks until we finally know. i really hate these staggered deployments as they make it difficult to plan holidays. After the Australia cruises are released we have to wait for Singapore in May. I want to see them all so I can decide whether to travel further afield.

I upload the same photo each time (I think the app says it should be taken in the last 3 months). It is only used to identify you while you are on the ship and during shore tours, so as long as you look the same/similar, I don't think Royal cares.

On one of our cruises stopping at Picton we hired a car and drove to Wither Hills winery in Blenheim for lunch. i don’t drink but the rest of the family enjoyed their wine tasting and lunch. Blenheim also has the amazing Omaka air museum with immersive dioramas designed by Sir Peter Jackson and Weta workshops. You have to see it to believe it. In Wellington Te Papa museum also has Peter Jackson’s Gallipoli exhibit and Weta workshops are also located in Miramar for those who,like Lord of the Rings.

Much nicer weather there. it is raining in Auckland

They still have to purchase their own drinks (or use a voucher) so there is not a significant benefit for the non-pinnacle apart from being able to sit in a lounge that is more exclusive. To me, this seems more onerous on the wait staff who in theory now need to check whether the guest is eligible for a "free" drink. I feel that in practice, the non-pinnacle will also get free drinks.

They are loaded on to your sea pass card and I usually just mention I want to use it just to be sure. For casino cash you can log onto any slot machine using your card and transfer the money to your casino account. the Internet is much more expensive than pre-purchasing in the cruise planner so I would not use that on the ship.

Especially as @Matt said in his article "Adding the new benefit means Pinnacles can bring friends they know on the ship with them to enjoy the reserved space. Prior to this change, the benefit was only applicable to the Pinnacle Club guests." Which would not be correct, if they have to be in the same cabin.

The suite lounge on our Quan tum sailing was well below capacity, maybe 20 guests. It does not seem as popular as in the Caribbean as it was like this last year as well, I was allowed to bring my parents in even though they were not in a suite.

I do not understand what this means, in the same cabin?

They were bad on Quantum as well, they always seem to be at deck 14 or deck 5. Hmm I wonder what could be on those decks that is so enticing, could it be the food

I saw them for sale on Quantum from the same venue. From memory there were two sizes and one was $30 and the other $50.

It looked that for passengers too from the videos I have seen.

I tried a slot tournament on Quantum for the first time this week. I think multiple tournaments ran over the week of the cruise. i really enjoyed it, it was $25 buy in and $20 re-buy. There were numerous qualifying rounds followed by a final for the top 12. first prize was $500, I can’t remember whether it was casino play or a cash prize. Maybe I will get one of these offers, but I seriously doubt it.

Is the article below regarding some flood damage in January 2024 the damage you are referring to? https://www.cruisehive.com/flooded-cabins-impact-guests-on-following-royal-caribbean-sailing/122565# if so, I would not be concerned. They can/will replace any damaged carpet and there will certainly be no concern for your cruise next year. You will never know that it happened. We are scheduled to go on Voyager next year to Croatia and we have no concerns whatsoever. We have been on Voyager many times, you will find it a great ship, perfect for the itinerary you are doing with plenty to keep you busy. ‘Enjoy planning your cruise, and do not concern yourself with this news, you have made the right choice.

I did ask whether we could acquire digital copies and the photographer said no which was the other reason we did not purchase any.

As we could not use our C&A free photo coupon we did not purchase the photos.

They didn’t provide this option to us, and you could not view the photos in the photo gallery. They were only available for purchase directly from the photographer. Perhaps it is something they are trialing on certain ships, as some seem to have experienced it while others have not. Also, we were trying to use our C&A free photo coupon as we have done in the past, but it is no longer available for use with specialty restaurant photos.

This is further clouded by the fact that there are now Sky Junior Suites. What I personally dislike is that Coastal Kitchen is listed as a benefit of a Junior Suite, yet Royal Caribbean potentially limits your access simply because it is a Junior Suite. Full suite guests can book early through the concierge, securing reservations before you board, leaving very limited availability for Sea Junior Suites, or with only unfavourable dining times remaining.

At Captain's Corner, the captain mentioned that a special crane is required to help repair the damage. I am guessing they need to detach the capsule and arm to replace the motor.