Cabansail

Thanks for all the replies and tips.

Some have been very useful and others, while well meaning, have me more apprehensive than before. It may be better if my leave is not approved and I have to cancel.

Yes .... I am a bit weird. Things other people really like don't do it for me. Sitting by the pool is nice for about 20 minutes or so and then I will have had enough for a long time. Night Clubs and Dancing are things I will actively avoid. While it's nice to eat out occasionally after a couple of days I am itching to get beck into the kitchen and do some cooking, especially when travelling.

The other realisation that has occurred, and should have been obvious much earlier, is that the whole experience seems geared towards US tastes. I generally do not like US culture. The individuals I have met have been fine but I have a problem on a bigger scale. I looked up The Quest, which some have said is "not to be missed" but just the bit online was enough.

Maybe when I get there it will be OK, fingers crossed.

I think you will probably find even with cheapy flights like Jetstar you will get at least 15kgs (unless you decide to do hand luggage only) and its not that dear to upgrade to 20kg, you are spending a bit on your cruise, why not spend an extra $20 for the extra weight. I'm sure you will have room for more than 2 changes of clothes, I can take heaps of clothes to Asia and still be around 13 - 14 kgs by taking light clothing even with all the 'stuff' I take with me, toiletries, medicines, chargers, etc. Cameras are heavy, but you get 7kgs hand luggage as well. To keep it all together, go to katmandu and buy some cubes, best thing I ever bought.

I think you get 20kg on Virgin.

Have to take my CPAP machine, then there is my Computer, Tablet and Camera Gear. That will account for most of my luggage allowance. SWMBO will take the toiletries and her clothes. I will wear mine over and have a few other things used as padding around the important stuff.

Radiance of the Seas from Fremantle to Sydney.

Have a Junior Suite.

A 12 oz can and that's it, but you can buy another one.

What's an Oz Can?

Never been on a cruise before, ever. Have been on plenty of boats and ships to get places, but that was just transport.

Last week I was looking at a few other things online and saw a cruise package for 16 days in a suite for a good price. Discussed this with SWMBO who thought it was a great idea. Went to our travel agent (who we have used for years) who made inquiries and has booked it for us. So as long as I get the leave approved it looks like we are going.

Now that it's almost a reality I am having serious second thoughts. I doubt I could back out though as SWMBO is quite excited by the idea, so it looks like i am stuck with it.

The concerns I have are;

The lack of information that RCCI provide about their cruises. It says that there are Shows and Entertainment etc. They have cinemas and theaters but what are they? I mean if I am booking a flight I can see the list of all the movies available in flight but there is nothing like that for a cruise. I even rang them up and they said that information is not published.

The drink packages seem to be encouraging people to over indulge. I really do like a drink, but not that often. Normally a couple of drinks a week is enough for me, a few more when on leave. When I do have a drink it will be good quality ales, fine wine or single malt whiskies. The drink packages seem to offer lots of low end stuff and at a price that to make them value for money I am going to be either drunk or hung over the whole time. I have seen the prices for individual drinks and they are at a price I find hard to believe, considering they should be duty free. When I see the list and then multiply it by 1.4 to convert to AU$ it's a shocker. Then the expectation is to add a further 15% on for a tip. Now I could afford them BUT I know that when I feel ripped off I do not enjoy them. So what's the point. So it seems the choice is to be tea-total or rolling drunk. Neither of which are appealing. The other thing that worries me is being surrounded by people who have bought the drink packages and are getting their value from them.

The lack of a laundry on a cruise of that length is an issue too. We will be limited by the luggage limits for the flights and I will want to bring my cameras, so that leave only a small space for clothes. So two sets of clothes in the tropics for over two weeks. I guess I will have plenty of room around me at the restaurants after day three :)

I also don't drink instant coffee but I think I have seen that the cafes on board are operated by Starbucks. Maybe I am wrong here and there is other options. I fully agree with the Adam Hills when he says that "Going to Starbucks for coffee is like going to prison for sex. You're going to get it but it aint going to be pretty" So if it is just Starbucks then it will be a coffee free voyage as well.

It feels like when you pay the fare that is just the start and when you get on board the sales pitch really starts. Maybe it's not the case and i am just feeling apprehensive.

Maybe I am just feeling painted into a corner and will love it when I get aboard, but I am having serious reservations. Maybe my leave will not be approved and I can back out and save face.

You get what you pay for.

At 5 months out you got the certainty that you had your cruise booked at a time you wanted to fit into your lifestyle.

I have never been on a cruise before, unless you count ferries or my own boat, but I am about to take up an offer which is quite a late deal. The cruise sails in less than a month and the offer is for a suite at less than an outside cabin would normally cost. It seems that there are only suites and interior cabins left. I like to do some things on an impulse and this is one of them. My long time travel agent says I have jagged a bargain. Just hope I like cruising or it will be a long 16 days.