rekkie

Australian travel agents really suck.. Do your homework and you will be right. The Aussies will charge you for every little detail you need changed and if you cancel will probably not get the entire refund and itll take 5-6 weeks to be returned to you. Unfortunately that's what we have to live with down here and why many of us use the US agents in the past

Unfortunately right now it is costing a little more but the prices we are paying for Explorer are still below what we would have paid if booked in Australia. The price for our category of cabin is now double what we have it for plus we get a generous OBC.. That said we wont be booking any more via the USA until the exchange rate is considerably better.

Book Ovation via ozcruising.com.au they have $100 deposits and give a small OBC as well.. The catch is they want a full payment by May 2016, however if you pay a little more in the deposit that is extended to October 2016

Odd... I've booked every Royal Caribbean cruise I have done through a US agent.. its never been an issue.. I know many other that have as well. The only issues was with Princess but they now permit bookings via the USA

January 9th 2017 - Ovation of the Seas ;)

That would make it AUD$49, if they alter the price down this way no one will eat there.

We everyone's favourite ship in the land down-under has been a massive disappointment. Just had friends return from the first cruise on the revitalised Voyager (there was a one night party cruise prior to this one) and they were bitterly disappointed. Complaints were varied: Food choice and quality in MDR sub standard Windjammer selections same everyday 600 extra passengers but no extra staff to service them 1,800 children running amok, (ran into an elderly lady and broke her arm) too many for Adventure Ocean Certain beer brands running out on day 1 and not replenished (and some wines) Staff tired and over worked (some cabins weren't being serviced until 2-3pm in the afternoons as staff complain their workload has doubled) Only 1 staff member in all bars at any time including Cafe` Promenade where the line stretched for miles whilst one staff member ran the show (serving, making coffee's etc) Few if any bar staff on the pool deck had to suffer a long queue at the bar for any drinks Efficient check-in, disastrous boarding Seems these complaints were corroborated by reviews on Cruise Critic as well. They had better lift their game because Aussie cruisers are a fickle lot and with all the advertising they have done of the new $80 million makeover it wont end too well.

Appetizer: Escargot Entree: Surf & Turf Dessert: Key Lime Pie

I want to see it sailing into Sydney Harbour.. :) For me its the technology. The easy check-in, baggage tracking etc..

I truly think you're being just a little paranoid. As for the nursing staff who contracted it, I would assume the PPE used by staff would be similar for dealing with HIV related infection which we, the entire planet, have been dealing with for quite a few years now. There must have been some grave mistakes possibly when trying to resuscitate the patient that they contacted the disease. Again I think some people are being quite ridiculous in the panic they are displaying over EVD and need to take a deep breath and maybe bring a little more reality back into the conversation.

Because the CDC protocols stopped those 2 US nurses from becoming infected? I think people are really hitting the panic button way to soon on EVD. If it is a real concern for you it's probably best not to travel till it's been eradicated worldwide.

IZUMI Chops Samba MDR Windjammer

Time changes are managed quite well. On our last long cruise we had many time changes. At most they usually only alter the time by an hour a day. It is noted in the Cruise Compass as well as the cruise directors morning show. In case you miss those just remember the captain comes on at midday with an update and you can set your watches then.

My last long cruise was 34 nights. You get a discounted laundry bag approximately every 5 days. Its plastic so you can really stuff a lot into them. Otherwise its a "wash as you need" type service. The pricing isn't too bad.

Im impressed that they took all of my suggestions on board and implemented them ;) But on a serious note.... I love all of the technology announcements. I also hope that they permit, free of charge, access to an intranet style network that lets you stay in touch with friends and family on the ship via your phones and tablets. Although they may be and I missed it. The one thing they didn't explain - Sidewalk to onoard in 10 minutes? Wont there be a line of some sort to collect your SeaPass or WoWBand? Im pretty sure you wont be able to just walk on.

I noticed the same... They cater to taste, age, location etc. On Radiance on our recent long B2B cruise the age group was pretty old and the 70's music seemed to be what made people get involved so at all the parties 70's, 80's, white party and island night (even in the nightclub) the same tracks were played over and over.

It's the same with RCI everything goes onto your card ;) You can pay your account in cash if you like at the end or during the cruise but its alot easier to use your credit card.

The shows are good but never change. We have been on Radiance 4 times now over 2 years and always the same shows "The Piano Man", "Tango Buenos Airies" and "City of Dreams". We saw them once and recomemend people see them if they haven't but you know they could change them up every 12 months or have them move around to different ships. The guests they have on are usually good too. We always try and catch one of the shows but now steer clear of the RCI in house ones. Also soooo over the "Love and Marriage Game show" and it really should be mothballed.

What I do is everytime I book anything, be it a drinks package, restaurant or shore excursion prior to embarkation I PDF up the receipt. I add all receipts and documents associated with that cruise to iBooks and take it with me on the cruise. In doing this if there are any issues you can get them sorted right away onboard the vessel.

I always carry my SeaPass card on a lanyard inside an easy access ID Bracket so I can slide the card in and out with ease and it is always around my neck

I had always wanted a cruise holiday but in Australia we were rpetty limyed for choice. P&O Australia were the only real choice down here and they had a terrible reputation for being booze cruises and men praying on women (and women doing the same). Basically bogan (redneck) paradise on the water. This put me and many other people off cruising. It wasn't untill just a could of years ago when talking to relatives they mentioned Rhapsody of the Seas and what a great time they had. Thy showed us photos and raved about how they basically put P&O to shame. They were planning a cruise on the then new to Ausrtralia, Radiance of the Seas. We bit the bullet and joined them and havent looked back. Our first cruise was February 2012 and we are about to take our 8th in just over a month.

I think from memory the Venti sized coffees in Latte-tudes were $5.50/each Cant say on other sizes or drinks however I am afraid.

Voted ... good luck mate

Enable free local(not internet) wifi onboard so we can communicate with friends via mobiles and tablets. This would be a great help in locating, catching up and organising activities with friends

Nov 3rd 2015 Explorer of the seas Nov 13th 2015 Explorer of the seas