F1guynz

2 hours ago, JohnUK said:

It depends on the ship; some have moved to digital viewing of photos, which means only images that have been purchased will be printed, whereas others are still using the traditional method. We were on Grandeur in February and had the same experience as yourself i.e. the traditional method of print all pictures and display on the walls for selection. But Navigator, last September, used digital terminals.

Explorer had digital terminals last time we were on her and we got our free photos printed on the ship. The photo shop crew member said that on this cruise there was no photo printing available at all, but it was not clear whether it was for this cruise only (due to a hardware issue) or a permanent change in policy. Maybe because it was the last day in this instance they just were not printing any photos.

I actually prefer digital copies so I was happy in the end, it just seemed odd you had to purchase and then be refunded. On the terminal previously when hard copies were available you had the option of redeeming your free offer on the screen.

Last week on our cruise to the South Pacific the casino operated in USD, although I did see someone give the dealer Australian dollars and they converted it to USD. The dealer then gave them USD value chips. I didn't realise they did that but I don't imagine the exchange rate would be particularly favourable, it is best to bring your own USD on to the ship.

5 hours ago, MLJ said:

I'm confused. We have 4 adults in a 2 bedroom suite. Do we have to each get the Voom + Stream for one device? Or can I just buy Voom + Stream for 4 people (and we can get internet access on our 4 iPhones)? Thanks for any input. We leave next Saturday for our cruise. 

 

Hi, you could use one code across multiple devices but only one device can be logged on at any one time. With 4 people I would recommend you buy Voom for 2 or more devices. I have only ever purchased Voom for 1 device but I believe if you purchase for multiple devices you get 1 shared code but 4 devices can be logged on simultaneously.

When we on Radiance in 2012 we did a private tour with Island Wings to go and see the bears. It was an amazing tour and I have no hesitation in recommending it.

I just got back off Explorer and used my travel router without any issues.

It could just be Explorer as maybe the photo printer is not working at the moment.  I can see it would be a pain for older people if you couldn’t download the photos to a device, as you would need to buy a USB stick to get a copy.

The ship is nearing its refurbishment time and there are signs it is ready for it. We were a few hours late leaving Numea while they carried out some repairs on the ship. There are some more repairs scheduled next week when it’s back in Numea.

We are on Indepenence next in September so that’s when we will get to try it next.

Hi,, no unfortunately it is not included for a Grand Suite on this class of ship

That is true, but as they no longer print any kind of photo printing on the ship (whether you are a diamond or not) they should not include it on the diamond benefits left in the stateroom as you would never be able to resdeem it.

We are just completing our last day Explorer of the Seas and went to redeem our 2 free photos for being diamond.

RCI seem to have a knack of taking the simple and making it complex.

When we went to select and print our photos there was no hard copy print option. There was a pop up box that alluded to the free photos but it was not selectable and the only photo options were download and download to USB.

We spend a while trying to work out what we were doing wrong before giving up and speaking to one of the helpful staff.

As it turns out Explorer no longer offers printing of photos so what you have to do now is add the photo you want to your cart and purchase it for $19.99. You then download your photo to your device.

Once you have downloaded the photo you need to go and speak to one of the staff in the Photo Studio who will take down your room number and issue a refund to your seapass account at some point during the day.

It was all fine and the refund was issued by 9pm on the last night of the cruise,  but to me this seems like a time consuming process. I don’t want to be joining the queue at guest services on the last day of my holiday if the refund is not forthcoming.

Not a big issue but hopefully something they simplify again in the future.

 We are on Explorer at the moment. And did the backstage tour tour today. The crew were really entertaining and it was one of the best tours we have done. I highly recommend going if you get the chance.

Oh and you get to keep the All Access Lanyard so you’re also going to save spending $7.99 in the gift shop if that helps to sway you.

3 minutes ago, twangster said:

Great information.  Did the email address type of repatriation coverage, i.e. - medical, or posthumous and did it address coverage levels required? 

This is a copy of the email we received regarding this change.

We are cruising to New Caledonia next week and they have made it mandatory to have full travel insurance including repatriation coverage. Not having insurance may mean Customs may prevent you leaving the ship. This is a new policy from the New Caledonian authorities which is effective immediately and we received an email about it from RCI last week.

We have annual insurance so it wasn't a big deal for us but it was quite short notice for those who don't have it.

We did this tour on Ovation on one of the sea days and really enjoyed it. Luckily we did it early on in the cruise as there was a Norovirus outbreak so they cancelled the later tours.

Our tour took in the Bridge, Galley, Food Stores, Laundry, Engine Control Room (but not the engine room itself), Recycling Plant and a walk down the i95.

I would certainly recommend doing it at least once if you get the opportunity and you enjoy seeing the work going on behind the scenes.

I have received an email from RCI advising the Royal Up program will be available in NZ and Australia from tomorrow.

i didn’t actually realise it wasn’t live in this part of the world but it will be interesting to see what offers maybe presented in the future.

i don’t think we will bid as most cruises we take are 10-14 days so even at $100pp it is still $2000 extra for a 10 day cruise.

having said that the Royal Suite in still available on our Independence cruise in September so never say never.

Safari - 11 | 02 | 2019 at 17:34.pdf

This is an article our local NZ press published regarding a Pride of America cruise if you are interested.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/cruising/110252350/pride-of-america-cruises-around-hawaiis-most-hallowed-and-remote-coastlines

We have already been offered the suite luncheon on embarkation day but it is not much to write home about really. Just a small selection of finger foods. It might be a better option to grab a few selections from the Windjammer and take them up to the suite luncheon area.

To be honest I have never really noticed whether Chops is open for lunch on Explorer when we have boarded.

I have attached the menu from Izumi on Explorer

Izumi_Explorer.pdf

I have done it on Explorer. From memory I think it was surf 'n turf.

It was not an option available on Ovation so not sure about Anthem.

For us, we have always found our pins waiting in our stateroom when we arrive. We never got platinum pins but the emerald and diamond were waiting for us in little plastic bags attached to a congratulations note from the Loyalty Ambassador on 1st cruise after obtaining the required points.

Here in New Zealand and Australia the gratuity is included as part of the cruise fare so there is no option to add or remove it (This applies to any cruise regardless of country). For our convenience an 18% gratuity is also automatically added to any drinks purchased. Gratuities are not included for spa services and needs to be paid separately.

Even though some gratuities are included in the base cruise fare we will normally still tip extra for our room steward and the waiters in the suite/diamond lounges for good service. (Not as much as somebody in the US though, usually between $20-40 USD for a 7-14 night cruise).

A lot would also depend on where we are cruising. E.g. We would not normally tip the concierge sailing out of NZ or Australia as it is not expected, but we probably would sailing out of the US.

We have not had a genie yet so I am not sure what we would tip them. As genies are promoted as part of purchasing a Star Class cabin I would feel like we have already paid for their services so would not tip excessively. As most Australians and NZ'ers generally do not tip I am sure it would be factored into the cabin cost just like stateroom and dining room attendants.

Hi, there were no restrictions I recall when we sailed on Ovation from Singapore to Sydney in 2017,  When she is in the Chinese market the ship is managed differently. For example you have to pay to use the Northstar and bumper cars. I think you will be fine with your sailing.

I can find numerous reviews of Independence after the refurb mentioning a puzzle room/escape room called the Observatorium so it looks like you will be fine.

The reviews imply that it has taken the place of the chapel.

We have eaten there before using the 5 night dining package so I am sure you will be fine.

If you booked directly through RCI I would expect the invoice to convey that information.