Jump to content

Australia/NZ Cruising News


Recommended Posts

13 minutes ago, KWofPerth said:

I haven't thought through any of the logistics

Yes, both Carnival and P&O Australia normally run ships all year round. Royal ships tend to leave Mar/Apr to go off to Alaska. If The Federal Governmwnt finally opens up Sydney for cruising soon, then there might be a very slight possibility for Royal to re-crew Ovation and bring her down for three months. Some revenue is got to be better financially than a warm layup.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, CruisingOz said:

Yes, both Carnival and P&O Australia normally run ships all year round. Royal ships tend to leave Mar/Apr to go off to Alaska. If The Federal Governmwnt finally opens up Sydney for cruising soon, then there might be a very slight possibility for Royal to re-crew Ovation and bring her down for three months. Some revenue is got to be better financially than a warm layup.   

That's basically what they did with Alaska - they lost a couple months of the season but still salvaged most of it. I wouldn't count anything out in these "unprecedented" times.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, CruisingOz said:

Yes, both Carnival and P&O Australia normally run ships all year round. Royal ships tend to leave Mar/Apr to go off to Alaska. If The Federal Governmwnt finally opens up Sydney for cruising soon, then there might be a very slight possibility for Royal to re-crew Ovation and bring her down for three months. Some revenue is got to be better financially than a warm layup.   

I don’t think it would be viable to bring Ovation to Sydney now.

The fuel  for a return journey across the pacific and 3-4 months at a reduced capacity wouldn’t pay.

I think Radiance would be better. 
Its in Cadiz at the moment and hasn’t got any commitment until Alaska next year.

It has to get to Alaska and could do 3-4 months in Sydney on the way.

Transfer Ovation’s crew to Radiance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

44 minutes ago, CruisingOz said:

Love that ship, and it would be perfect for a relaxing cruise. Fingers crossed

Quantam is also a possibility.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Royal gets sick of China’s games with trying to get Spectrum approved to start. (China has vowed to block U.S. ships in retaliation for new sanctions)

Royal Caribbean May move spectrum to Singapore and send Quantum down under until Alaska.

Quantam could be here in a few weeks doing trials if it had to.

 

Here’s the bill going before parliament. It’s scheduled for Wednesday.

Dont bother reading it you will get a headache.

 

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00134
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Chili said:

Transfer Ovation’s crew to Radiance.

Not that Ovation really *has* a crew at the moment. I know our waiter from Ovation got transferred and started on Allure this week. From what I gather, most of the crew either got transfers or went home, and none of them have been told if they're going back to Ovation next season or if they're going to stay on their new assignments.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, mattymay said:

have now cancelled until Feb and March

The good news is cruise comeback is all over the nightly news, and talked about by the politicians, so look positive for a restart. They are all talking about how we are the only cruising nation not to restart and how silly it is that as of the 8th Nov, Australians can fly to the US to cruise back can not cruise locally. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/26/2021 at 12:50 PM, Chili said:

 

 

Here’s the bill going before parliament. It’s scheduled for Wednesday.

Dont bother reading it you will get a headache.

 

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021B00134
 

 

 

That bill didn’t happen and parliament doesn’t sit until the 22nd November 

 Doesn’t look good for this season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone have an idea of whether or not Australians will be able to cruise on the Singapore to nowhere cruises when Aussies are allowed to travel into Singapore from next week? Or will they still only be able to be booked by residents of Singapore?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

59 minutes ago, khas said:

Does anyone have an idea of whether or not Australians will be able to cruise on the Singapore to nowhere cruises when Aussies are allowed to travel into Singapore from next week? Or will they still only be able to be booked by residents of Singapore?

At the moment it Singapore residents.

There was a article how the Singapore government was going to offer incentives for Australians to travel there and go on a cruise.

I have looked into it and I don’t think it’s worth it.

There’s close to a $1,000 worth of Covid tests involved and if you come down as positive you have to isolate for 10 days and until you test negative.

Here one article,it’s a bit old but gives you a idea.

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/how-singapore-plans-to-tempt-australians-to-cruise-from-its-harbour/

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, Chili said:

At the moment it Singapore residents.

There was a article how the Singapore government was going to offer incentives for Australians to travel there and go on a cruise.

I have looked into it and I don’t think it’s worth it.

There’s close to a $1,000 worth of Covid tests involved and if you come down as positive you have to isolate for 10 days and until you test negative.

Here one article,it’s a bit old but gives you a idea.

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/how-singapore-plans-to-tempt-australians-to-cruise-from-its-harbour/

 

 

That’s disappointing! I’ve got quantum booked for November 2022 but was hoping to be able to sneak another in in January by flying somewhere not too far away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, khas said:

That’s disappointing! I’ve got quantum booked for November 2022 but was hoping to be able to sneak another in in January by flying somewhere not too far away.

Well it’s doable when we can book a Singapore cruise.

But with the Covid tests ,What I worked out ( I could be wrong)

A paid test in Sydney (Free government test isn’t acceptable)

A paid test arriving in Singapore and you have to isolate in a approved hotel until results,about 6-24 hours.

If you stay a few nights before the cruise as tests are only valid for 2 days 

another test precruise .

Another before disembark.

A test before flying home if you stay a couple of nights.
And another in Sydney.

So that’s 5-6 tests at about $200 each and if you have had Covid in the last 6 months you can test positive.

If you have had Covid in the last 6 months you need to get a certificate that says so and you are no longer contagious.

 

It just seems like to much hassle to me . I have trouble working out the local train system,let alone navigating bureaucracy like this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, Chili said:

 

A test before flying home if you stay a couple of nights.
And another in Sydney.

 

Australian's don't need to test before returning home do they? I thought doubled vaxxed no longer had restrictions?

I'm currently looking at Wonder of the Seas from Italy, and this is from the Emirates flight information image.thumb.png.48f967d6b465a7f289204e02e1ba0a6d.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, mattymay said:

Wonder of the Seas from Italy, and this is from the Emirates flight

Australians returning will not have to quarantine upon returning but you will need a covid test to fly. I looked at flying Emirates and they have the sane rules as all the others, Qantas, Delta, American, etc.

Still lots of covid tests will ned to be done to travel. We will require around a dozen tests for our trip away to satisfy the various, flight, cruise and country requirements. My poor nose, lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, mattymay said:

Australian's don't need to test before returning home do they? I thought doubled vaxxed no longer had restrictions?

I'm currently looking at Wonder of the Seas from Italy, and this is from the Emirates flight information image.thumb.png.48f967d6b465a7f289204e02e1ba0a6d.png

It’s early days.

But at the moment, I believe you have to test negative before boarding a flight to Australia.

Also I read the Arab peninsula isn’t in the bubble.

But things are moving quickly and it’s hard to keep up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/27/2021 at 6:01 PM, CruisingOz said:

The good news is cruise comeback is all over the nightly news, and talked about by the politicians, so look positive for a restart. They are all talking about how we are the only cruising nation not to restart and how silly it is that as of the 8th Nov, Australians can fly to the US to cruise back can not cruise locally. 

Celebrity announced a 52 day Rome to Sydney to introduce the Edge to that part of the world.  Oct 30 from Rome in 4 separate bookable segments, or you take  the entire 52 day extended repositioning.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I believe the major cruise lines meet with greg hunt tomorrow.

He is our fabulous health minister and hopefully we will see something.

 

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/key-meeting-with-nsw-health-minister-set-for-next-week-over-resumption-of-cruising/?fbclid=IwAR0DSkhlJnxwQtdA_BrsxzETpva_DwkOgJI0zOdMjSkTkmN8HK0ouA3v4Rw

Link to comment
Share on other sites

54 minutes ago, mattymay said:

Anyone else noticed the Australian and NZ site not working properly last week or so? Heaps of itineraries not showing. 

Switching to US, Singapore, etc, works fine

Making my weekly check to reprice very difficult 😀

image.thumb.png.d9bb575aee2ef9ffb43a4e326e990c39.png

Do you bock directly with RC or use a agent.

I find a agent cheaper. 
Can we name agents on forum?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I think they do, but you have to pay in USD if I remember correctly.

 

It's no big deal, I just like to check the price regularly to see if I can save some cash, but noticing some Royal IT issues in the last few weeks.

Several itineraries I have booked, Alaska, Med, etc don't show anymore.

 

Australia : even though it says 11 -14 only shows 2

image.png.264d30b03549a4c411ee14431090211d.png

Singapore: shows all 4

image.thumb.png.794e4f494a7cb966e3cdbcdcb07c2e45.png

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the Australian site is messed up. A cruise I am on, on the US site has Jamaica as the alternative to Grand Cayman, but the Australian site has Nassau, even though I have an email confirming Jamaica. Couple with the cruise planner which will not accept any CC's for payment online and has the wrong shore excursions and days. I asked my TA to reach up and she received an email to tell me to use a different browser and clear all the cookies and search history.  Frustrating  

The crazy issue is for my booking booked direct through Royal casino in the US can not be seen by the International shoreside, which includes Australia and vice versa. This is becoming a nightmare and if I book US and kids book Australia, we can not link the reservations for dinner. Two totally different systems  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, CruisingOz said:

Yes, the Australian site is messed up. A cruise I am on, on the US site has Jamaica as the alternative to Grand Cayman, but the Australian site has Nassau, even though I have an email confirming Jamaica. Couple with the cruise planner which will not accept any CC's for payment online and has the wrong shore excursions and days. I asked my TA to reach up and she received an email to tell me to use a different browser and clear all the cookies and search history.  Frustrating  

The crazy issue is for my booking booked direct through Royal casino in the US can not be seen by the International shoreside, which includes Australia and vice versa. This is becoming a nightmare and if I book US and kids book Australia, we can not link the reservations for dinner. Two totally different systems  

Yes, I noticed CC's or spending OBC via planner isn't working either. 

The browser and cookies are not the issue. Tried multiple devices.

Had a similar issue once, booked via US site due to thousands in price difference but when I called up about it they couldn't see it and had to divert the call to US call centre.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, mattymay said:

booked via US site due to thousands in price difference

Yeah, it is a game, we receive emails from both markets and we always compare, and even with the exchange rate it can work out cheaper than Australia.

Also I noticed in an earlier post, MEI travel can book Australian cruises but you need to pay in US dollars. They are one of the few travel agents who have this special ability to book outside of their area. I wish we had them in Australia for Australian dollar payments, as their service seems awesome, and they have a special program to actively look for price drops. Reading on Facebook, they do a lot for the RCB travellers, resolving issues.

I wanted to be a travel agent prior to Covid, studied the course and would have loved to replicate their model down under as we do not have anything like it.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, mattymay said:

I've noticed it also works the other way.. US site can't see the Wonder of the Seas itineraries for Dec-22-Jan-23, but the Australian site can.

Weird!

When Odyssey was getting ready to sail from Israel the US website could not see those cruises.  Those cruises were limited to citizens or residents of Israel and they knew if they put a brand new ship on the US website that ineligible people would book it anyways.  

Perhaps they are implementing similar website regional restrictions to avoid having US guests blindly booking cruises they may not qualify to sail.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I emailed Gavin smith gsmith@rcclapac. and asked him if the cruise ban is over.

 I also begged if we can have Radiance for a few months in Sydney early next year while it’s on it’s was to Alaska.

 The email has a copyright so I can’t post it.

He said it looks like the cruise ban is over as of 17th December.

He said they are working on a ship for Sydney early next year  but probably over winter.
He said worst case scenario will be radiance and ovation in October.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Chili said:

He said they are working on a ship for Sydney early next year  but probably over winter.

Carnival just cancelled everything until March 2022, so Autumn/Winter is looking the most likely at this stage. Would Royal Caribbean even have any ships free for that period? Usually none in our area after early April.

His worse case scenario is just the normal 22/23 season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

59 minutes ago, mattymay said:

Carnival just cancelled everything until March 2022, so Autumn/Winter is looking the most likely at this stage. Would Royal Caribbean even have any ships free for that period? Usually none in our area after early April.

His worse case scenario is just the normal 22/23 season.

The main ship I’m thinking of is Radiance. It would be ideal for trials,1000 passengers at 50% capacity.

Its in Cadiz Spain at the moment and doesn’t have any commitment until Alaska.
It has to get to Seattle and probably could  do some trials on the way.

Or Radiance could do the winter here and Brilliance could replace it in Alaska.Those Panama Canal reposition  cruises are popular.
‘There’s a  report Brilliance  cruises have been removed for sale after February.????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, mattymay said:

Possibly before Christmas now..

image.thumb.png.32a5adcff7f2dd6734587ef283a29025.png

 

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hunt-flags-cruise-ships-to-return-to-australian-shores-before-christmas-20211114-p598tl.html

 

Just thinking.. maybe they could bring Specturm here after it's finished in Hong Kong in Jan rather than send to Shanghai??

Ovation is on the move heading south at 17knots .

A bit strange for a ship in a deep sleep.
 

 Spectrum has another week before the latest quarantine runs out.

I think if there’s another it or quantum will head to Oz 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...