Australia/NZ Cruising News

[CruisingOz]

5 minutes ago, Chili said:

agents are working for nothing ,you have to feel for them.

Agree. TA's are working for nothing. The industry and CLIA need to promote more the fact that TA's do not cost you more to book through them. I booked my cruise and air through an agent who charged a service fee which is not the norm, but happy to pay a small fee for their time and effort. Poor guys spend their days on hold to airlines, travel insurance and cruise companies. My TA seems to spend her week just trying to help me get all my ducks in a row to finally holiday.

[mattymay]

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) - these guys have no clue! We're 90+% vaccinated for god's sake.

Starting to feel like even 22/23 won't happen at this stage.

 

[twangster]

Feel you you folks down under.  Just when there was light appearing in the tunnel it turned out to be an inconsequential variant holding a candle and the government freaked out assuming a train was about to hit them.  Ugh.  

[Chili]

7 hours ago, mattymay said:

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) - these guys have no clue! We're 90+% vaccinated for god's sake.

Starting to feel like even 22/23 won't happen at this stage.

 

yep   ,  Melbourne and Sydney have some of the highest vaccination rates in the world.
The thing is ,there’s predictions of a 4th wave around February as a result of the silly season and the vaccines waning .

So we should expect our fearless leaders to panic again in February.

[Chili]

I don’t know if anyone has noticed that Quantam’s sales out of Brisbane are very flat.

Ovation and Radiance out of Sydney for next season are filling up and prices are sky high.Where Quantam is about 30% cheaper and there seems there is plenty of cabins available.

Someone said you can get a JS on quantum cheaper than a balcony on Ovation.

I know Brisbane has a new cruise terminal but it’s still pretty ugly.

What happens if you can only get a early flight,you would be hanging around half the day.

[twangster]

55 minutes ago, Chili said:

I don’t know if anyone has noticed that Quantam’s sales out of Brisbane are very flat.

Ovation and Radiance out of Sydney for next season are filling up and prices are sky high.Where Quantam is about 30% cheaper and there seems there is plenty of cabins available.

Someone said you can get a JS on quantum cheaper than a balcony on Ovation.

I know Brisbane has a new cruise terminal but it’s still pretty ugly.

What happens if you can only get a early flight,you would be hanging around half the day.

For whatever reason Quantum sales drag behind Ovation in Alaska too.  At one point I had a JS on Quantum solo for $1,500 but I let it go to move to a 2D balcony for $600.  I couldn't justify 2.5 times the price to be in a JS even though the JS rate was really good.  I don't need the points and while I do like JS on this class, it's just a JS with no suite perks for me so all I get is a bigger, nicer cabin.

These rates are unheard of for Alaska.    

[Chili]

17 minutes ago, twangster said:

For whatever reason Quantum sales drag behind Ovation in Alaska too.  At one point I had a JS on Quantum solo for $1,500 but I let it go to move to a 2D balcony for $600.  I couldn't justify 2.5 times the price to be in a JS even though the JS rate was really good.  I don't need the points and while I do like JS on this class, it's just a JS with no suite perks for me so all I get is a bigger, nicer cabin.

These rates are unheard of for Alaska.    

That’s strange,they are basically the same ship.

 I thought it may have been Brisbane being a smaller market and a ugly port,which is basically a industrial port.

If we ever got a oasis class,it is supposed to be a toss up between Sydney and Brisbane. I don’t think Brisbane would fill it especially if they are having trouble with quantum.

[mattymay]

57 minutes ago, Chili said:

That’s strange,they are basically the same ship.

 I thought it may have been Brisbane being a smaller market and a ugly port,which is basically a industrial port.

If we ever got a oasis class,it is supposed to be a toss up between Sydney and Brisbane. I don’t think Brisbane would fill it especially if they are having trouble with quantum.

Brisbane is kind of a new market I guess. If you think cruising in Australia you generally think of Sydney. Might take a few years to catch on.

I've booked short itinerary just to see what the experience is like from Brisbane. 

[khas]

1 hour ago, Chili said:

That’s strange,they are basically the same ship.

 I thought it may have been Brisbane being a smaller market and a ugly port,which is basically a industrial port.

If we ever got a oasis class,it is supposed to be a toss up between Sydney and Brisbane. I don’t think Brisbane would fill it especially if they are having trouble with quantum.

I’ve booked quantum, but I’m based in qld so to not have to travel a day before and a day after a cruise is a big bonus for me with struggling to get days off work. 
 

But the only things I can think of is that Quantum is a slightly older ship (wouldn’t think that would make a huge difference) and was originally marketed towards the asian cruise market. Maybe people are unaware that it’s since been recently updated to suit western cruisers and is very similar to ovation now? 

[Chili]

1 hour ago, khas said:

I’ve booked quantum, but I’m based in qld so to not have to travel a day before and a day after a cruise is a big bonus for me with struggling to get days off work. 
 

But the only things I can think of is that Quantum is a slightly older ship (wouldn’t think that would make a huge difference) and was originally marketed towards the asian cruise market. Maybe people are unaware that it’s since been recently updated to suit western cruisers and is very similar to ovation now? 

It’s not a lot older and that wouldn’t bother me.

I believe Quantum started it’s life in Florida ? but I’m not sure about that.

[twangster]

2 hours ago, Chili said:

It’s not a lot older and that wouldn’t bother me.

I believe Quantum started it’s life in Florida ? but I’m not sure about that.

Briefly in Bayonne before being converted for China.  Stripped of her broadway show, etc, 

I agree, I've got her booked.  No issues for me and I'll take lower prices all day long.

[mattymay]

Mid April now..  I doubt we’ll see a Royal ship until October.

[CruisingOz]

It is all too hard with the Australian Government at the moment. I will feel a whole lot better when I see a P&O or Carnival ship return in April/May/June. This will mean Royal will sail October and my Transpacific sailing will actually go ahead. 

[Chili]

22 hours ago, mattymay said:

Mid April now..  I doubt we’ll see a Royal ship until October.

It was 2 years ago I was in a grand suite on voyager, I need a cruise.
NSW is predicting a big wave,Im wonder if October will be a goer?

[Big Tule]

12 hours ago, Chili said:

It was 2 years ago I was in a grand suite on voyager, I need a cruise.
NSW is predicting a big wave,Im wonder if October will be a goer?

The same for me (Voyager in a GS this time 2 years ago)...3 cancellations later I'm holding out for a suite this time next year on Ovation....If this Govt can open up sporting venues where people are cheek by jowl screaming for their heroes or nightclubs where a tin of sardines wouldn't envy the social distancing why are they so pig headed about cruising

[Chili]

2 hours ago, Big Tule said:

The same for me (Voyager in a GS this time 2 years ago)...3 cancellations later I'm holding out for a suite this time next year on Ovation....If this Govt can open up sporting venues where people are cheek by jowl screaming for their heroes or nightclubs where a tin of sardines wouldn't envy the social distancing why are they so pig headed about cruising

I was on the one that went up the QLD coast, voyager is getting very tired looking.

[Big Tule]

4 hours ago, Chili said:

I was on the one that went up the QLD coast, voyager is getting very tired looking.

Me too the 9 night Qld ...I enjoyed the cruise and the staff were wonderful  but I will not sail on Voyager again ....I agree with the tired comment ....our suite toilet blocked twice on our trip and it took a quite while for it to be attended to...the redo seemed more of a budget cutting exercise by adding/ slides and cabins without any basic maintenance

[Chili]

4 hours ago, Big Tule said:

Me too the 9 night Qld ...I enjoyed the cruise and the staff were wonderful  but I will not sail on Voyager again ....I agree with the tired comment ....our suite toilet blocked twice on our trip and it took a quite while for it to be attended to...the redo seemed more of a budget cutting exercise by adding/ slides and cabins without any basic maintenance

The dry dock was a joke , I still think about the ceiling in the suite lounge wasn’t painted properly and there was still masking tape hanging off it.

All they did was put more cabins in and increased the revenue. I would hate to see the condition of voyager after floating off Singapore for 18 months.

Do you remember Olha ? She made up for everything,the best Gin martini’s  that you could blow a stump out with.

 

[Big Tule]

oh yeah

[Big Tule]

16 hours ago, Chili said:

Do you remember Olha ? She made up for everything,the best Gin martini’s  that you could blow a stump out with.

How could I forget that delightful Ukrainian young lady ...what a gem , as I drank Martinis every night she was worth every bit of the tip she got from us at the end of the cruise

[CruisingOz]

With the Voyager I guess it is all about perception. We really liked the amplification and thought it was nicer than the Explorer previous season. We did the first cruise out of Sydney, so just after its sailing from Singapore, and we thought it smelt new. New carpet and paint and many areas seemed fresh and clean. It had that new ship smell, lol. We loved the addition of the slides and despite our age, we were big kids. 

We hated the fact that the Diamond lounge was moved and it was now the Suite lounge, as this was a great indoor/outdoor hangout of an evening pre-dinner. We had a GS on one sailing so made friends with the concierge and sneakly went into the lounge on later sailings as she never questioned it. It may have been the initial tip.

So we would happily sail on her again.   

[Chili]

Do you think Gavin Smith would be back at work?

I want to suggest that Royal offer all inclusive packages to Singapore for Ozzie’s.

I can’t see anything happening this year with the lame ducks running the  place.

And with spectrum possibly doing port calls , I think it would be a good relief for us poor Australians.

All inclusive,air,a few nights before the cruise,transfers and possibly pre arranged tests.

[Chili]

On 12/18/2021 at 11:55 AM, CruisingOz said:

With the Voyager I guess it is all about perception. We really liked the amplification and thought it was nicer than the Explorer previous season. We did the first cruise out of Sydney, so just after its sailing from Singapore, and we thought it smelt new. New carpet and paint and many areas seemed fresh and clean. It had that new ship smell, lol. We loved the addition of the slides and despite our age, we were big kids. 

We hated the fact that the Diamond lounge was moved and it was now the Suite lounge, as this was a great indoor/outdoor hangout of an evening pre-dinner. We had a GS on one sailing so made friends with the concierge and sneakly went into the lounge on later sailings as she never questioned it. It may have been the initial tip.

So we would happily sail on her again.   

How was your adventures to the US ?

Im getting desperate,apparently only  Singapore passport holders can cruise out of Singapore.

[KWofPerth]

17 hours ago, Chili said:

How was your adventures to the US ?

Im getting desperate,apparently only  Singapore passport holders can cruise out of Singapore.

Wasn't this due to change??  Australia is one of the VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) countries for Singapore entry and I read an article recently that they were opening up cruising too. Will see if I can find the article.

[KWofPerth]

This was in late November. Maybe Omicron has changed the rules back?

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/exclusive-singapore-welcomes-australians-to-cruise-aboard-its-ships/

[Chili]

17 minutes ago, KWofPerth said:

This was in late November. Maybe Omicron has changed the rules back?

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/exclusive-singapore-welcomes-australians-to-cruise-aboard-its-ships/

That’s strange,they must have back pedaled.

I emailed RC in Sydney yesterday ,suggesting cruise packages to Singapore.

They said only Singapore passport holders can cruise out of Singapore.
So much for the travel bubble.

[CruisingOz]

19 hours ago, Chili said:

How was your adventures to the US ?

My US adventure is going very well, have an absolute blast. Only 610 on the Granduer and so very personal service by great staff, although not much atmosphere at casino, game shows, etc. Bingo got cancelled today due to lack of people and so have the odd shore excursion. Only missed one port, Columbia, but the rest have all been as per the schedule when we boarded, which is different from when we booked. The processes through airports and ports are understandably different, but if you put in the time to research and be fully prepared, quite easy. So far so good, so glad we have gone. 

[CruisingOz]

1 hour ago, Chili said:

So much for the travel bubble

My daughter was planning to do to Singapore this month but the testing requirements would mean she would not really have a holiday as would need to seek continual testing and it is expensive as well as quarantine time. 

[Chili]

1 hour ago, CruisingOz said:

My daughter was planning to do to Singapore this month but the testing requirements would mean she would not really have a holiday as would need to seek continual testing and it is expensive as well as quarantine time. 

At this point in time we can’t cruise out of Singapore as it’s Singapore passport holders only.

And as you said it wouldn’t be much of a holiday because of all the tests not to mention the expense.

What did you have to do to get into the U.S. ?  From what I can work out it’s a test before the flight in Sydney and that’s it.

[CruisingOz]

Just now, Chili said:

What did you have to do to get into the U.S.

To get into the US, you need to have a RT-PCR test within 24 hours of your departure flight from Australia. It must be a fully documented results. We paid online to Histopath and went to Sydney Intetnation airport the afternoon before to have the test. It is upstairs on the ramp from the car park into departures. Cost $79 pp and results took 30min. There is security and you need to show proof of travel. On flight day, we went through four checks to show passport, covid test results, vaccine history and travel details, and this was before we got to check in where they had to check and document everything. Oh, and ESTA. You must travel with a return ticket, no open tickets are allowed to travel on. Saw a couple rejected check in.

other than that, the rest in normal and the usual customs checks. 

[Chili]

I was a bit hesitant about posting this but I can’t see a copyright or and sensitive legal content. I don’t think Royal Caribbean should mind as it is in the interest of their customers.

I was suggesting some packages for Australians to travel to Singapore.

 

[mattymay]

Carnival and P&O cancelled until the end of May.

[mattymay]

On 1/19/2022 at 7:11 AM, Chili said:

I was a bit hesitant about posting this but I can’t see a copyright or and sensitive legal content. I don’t think Royal Caribbean should mind as it is in the interest of their customers.

I was suggesting some packages for Australians to travel to Singapore.

 

Why market this to Australians then? I'm confused, I also thought it was possible with testing. Something must have changed.

 

[Chili]

Singapore is a close and safe destination for Australians especially in our winter months.It’s a good long term market for Royal Caribbean Australia. I think Royal should do stay and cruise packages,all inclusive. Fly ,transfers,Hotel and a cruise.

 Apparently Singapore has just dropped the restrictions on foreign passport holders to cruise.

And personally I can’t see the Australia 2022-2023 season happening.

[mattymay]

Bit of a laugh..

[Chili]

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/how-royal-caribbean-in-singapore-is-targeting-australian-cruisers/

[KWofPerth]

1 hour ago, Chili said:

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/how-royal-caribbean-in-singapore-is-targeting-australian-cruisers/

When are the sailings released? This morning I see only two sailings between April and June.

[Chili]

2 hours ago, KWofPerth said:

When are the sailings released? This morning I see only two sailings between April and June.

I think I saw some Spectrum cruises on the Singapore website.

 I might try to email that Angie Stephen on Monday and see I get a response.
 

 

 

[JasonOasis]

On 1/26/2022 at 11:26 PM, Chili said:

Singapore is a close and safe destination for Australians especially in our winter months.It’s a good long term market for Royal Caribbean Australia. I think Royal should do stay and cruise packages,all inclusive. Fly ,transfers,Hotel and a cruise.

 Apparently Singapore has just dropped the restrictions on foreign passport holders to cruise.

And personally I can’t see the Australia 2022-2023 season happening.

You seriously believe the Australian government will not allow cruising to resume by October of 2022?  That is when most of Royals ships could be back in Australia after spending the Northern Hemisphere summer up in Alaska.  One would think at this point Australian government would be comfortable in following the Singaporean Governments lead since they have demonstrated cruising can be done safely seeing how they've done it since December of 2020.

[Chili]

6 hours ago, JasonOasis said:

You seriously believe the Australian government will not allow cruising to resume by October of 2022?  That is when most of Royals ships could be back in Australia after spending the Northern Hemisphere summer up in Alaska.  One would think at this point Australian government would be comfortable in following the Singaporean Governments lead since they have demonstrated cruising can be done safely seeing how they've done it since December of 2020.

Anything is possible with this hypochondriac government we have.

But a few nights and a cruise in Singapore during our winter is something to look forward to.