Badatz2

I found the link to the DIY itineraries.  One is train plus HOHO and the other is train and public bus.

I am leaning towards the second as the Viator options are very expensive and I don't mind seeing Featherdale on another day along with nearby sights

How to Visit the Blue Mountains By Public Transport 2024 | Sydney Expert

Visit the Blue Mountains By Train: 2 Easy Itineraries | Sydney Expert

The public transport link is in the middle of the page

On 5/27/2024 at 5:15 AM, mr walker said:

 

We have always taken OS visitors to Featherdale for that very reason. Most want to see our unique fauna, up close and personal, not so much elephants, lions & tigers etc that can be just like any zoo in the world.

Taronga is great, and the location makes visiting from Sydney CBD easy, but it is the location and the views that presents that makes it great more than the 'locals' that everyone wants to see. 

Sorry but I am not clear with your comment.  If I want to see local animals, kangaroos, koala, wombats penguins etc.  which of the three zoos should I go to.  I am not interested in lions, tigers and bears etc.

On 5/28/2024 at 12:10 AM, Chiliburn said:

If you don’t want to spend the whole day on the hoho bus ,there is a local  bus that does the main two attractions ,eco point and scenic world . The town ship is worth a look around,it’s got a bit of a hippy vibe .

The 686 does a regular circle every half hour for only a few dollars ,the opal app has the information.

 

I was looking into either the HOHO bus or a day trip from Sydney and then was given the advice to take the train from Sydney and the 686 bus as you mentioned.  

The benefits are that you don't have to wait up to an hour or so for the HOHO bus and that the 686 bus is very cheap and is included in the Opal daily cap.

There are websites which give you a stop-by-stop itinerary with sites for the bus.  Sorry but I misplaced the link. 

5 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

I am a thrifty one and I am happy I spent it. Def watch for a discount promotion before your voyage. We saved about $80 pp. 

You can also book directly with various local suppliers who also pick you up at the port.

It seems that the rail cars were pre assigned to the various operators and ours only 3 people for that time slot so we got a rail car for ourselves.

They also offer a , Bus up/Rail down trip which allows you to see 2 different routes and views 

I don't remember the exact price but it was under a hundred dollars about 10 years ago.  It a fantastic trip.

3 hours ago, pcrum said:

RCI has not been on our radar due to the lack of an included beverage package and having to pay for a beverage package per day, but those virtual balconies are very cool.   Even Celebrity gives you the "all in" option with an option to include a beverage package.  If RCI did this, we'd definitely be on it. 

 

Enjoy your cruise!

I am sure that you realize that nothing is free on a cruise ship.  You pay for everything one way or another.   The "all in" price on Celebrity is sky high compared to the base price which is also available.  And it often includes things that you don't really want.

It would make better sense to book the cruise at the regular price and add on the beverage package of your choice.  I am sure that it will come out cheaper than Celebrity.

I have seen them on a number of ships but they were only set out at various times with the entertainment staff at hand.  

They called it, Baggo

15 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

I don’t know what shatsuka is but it was egg with some spicy salsa like stuff with some slippery unidentified substance (tofu, more eggs, something else?) Worth a taste but probably won’t choose again.

 

Enjoying your review. We will be on the Ovation after the summer.

Just a side note the food is called Shakshuka not Shatshuka.  It can be made with unlimited types of additions, but the base is usually eggs and tomato sauce.  I don't like spicy food and can always get the restaurant to make it to my request.

12 hours ago, gatour said:

In a perfect world, yes it would be nice that everything is perfectly safe but I am a pragmatist.  To make something 100% safe could also make it cost prohibitive for anyone to actually buy the product.

 

This reminds me of an old saying I heard many years ago;

If the black box always survives the plane crash, why don't they make the entire plane out of the same material?

14 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

“simple directions” is putting it deceivingly simply. Yes, public transit into Manhattan is possible - The AirTrain to Jamaica then change to LIRR, or AirTrain to Howard Beach and change to A Train, but hardly ways to impress an inamorata.

There is also another way if you want to save a few dollars-  Take the Airtrain to Jamaica and then take the E subway into the city instead of the LIRR. It also can give you more flexibility depending on your final destination.

I have usually found Lox (smoked salmon) in the Windjammer almost every morning.  If you don't see it just ask.  Sometimes it is not on display 

The bagels are available at the bread station, toasted or plain and Philadelphia Cream Cheese in pre packaged portions nearby.

Do the online TA get these prices also?

3 hours ago, Biker19 said:

The F&F flier is quite long this week (due to lots of Icon listings) but quite short on actual deals. Nice of them to separate the cabin categories.

13032574_Travel_Agent_Friends_Family_Rates.pdf (rccl.com)

can these prices be booked by someone who is not a travel agent?

An easy rule of thumb to go by is that if it is not pre packaged but cooked on the ship and there is not a special group kitchen as mentioned above, then it probably is not Kosher all year round and especially on Passover.

However, we know that everyone's definition of Kosher varies, and you can always ask to speak to the Executive Chef to see what arrangement might have been made.

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Some eat kosher all year long, so RCI is very used to providing kosher meals, upon prior notification, just like any other dietary restriction.  They are frozen, and double wrapped, where the inner wrapping is removed by the diner.

 

If I remember correctly, RCI does 2 or 3 cruises a year where one venue is cleaned and certified as kosher for large groups.

Regular pre packaged Kosher meals must be ordered through the Special Needs department about 2 to 3 months before sailing and more than that for cruises starting outside the US.

Kosher for Passover pre packaged meals need more time than that.  Details can be found on the Royal website.

I have cruised a number of times over parts of Passover and there has always been Matzah.

Ask your waiter or Maitre D'

Thanks for all the advice.  I am a long time Royal cruiser but never at this time of year.

And yes, I am trying to avoid it but there are other factors pushing me to sail at that time.

2 hours ago, Max and Ruby said:

YES!  This past year was my second "cruise end on Easter morning" (Anthem in 2023 and Wonder 2024)and I am rapidly looking forward to last year being my last time doing this. 

So am I correct that there were loads of kids and youth running all over?

I had the same issue and just came at the earliest time.  No one cared.

I was just wondering if cruises that end on Easter Day are usually heavy on children.  I am particularly interested in the bigger ships, Freedom and above.

Perhaps I could get some advice based on recent past experiences.  Thanks

It also depends on where the ship is sailing.  I know that they have used a different supplier in Germany (and maybe still do) than the one shown in the picture which is US based.

I agree it is always best to ask a crew member to show you the packaging.  They always do it.

Now that Bill Brunkhorst is on the Explorer he should be removed from the Granduer since he left two months ago.

On 4/1/2024 at 3:46 AM, cruisegus said:

Usually not.  Also you will never be able to book independently with the same providers as Royal uses. 

 

Probably not always true.  I used the same provider in Skageway

15 hours ago, true_grit said:

The struggle is real.  Mine won't eat the Goobers, where the peanut butter and jelly is mixed. It's amazing he can tell the difference.   Thanks for the advice.  

I have always seen a counter, usually near the omelet station, with loads of individual portions of Smucker's peanut butter, and varied flavors of jam.  All types of bread were located nearby.

2 hours ago, nelblu said:

No comparison between the NJ Transit system and the NYC subways.  It's the easiest way to get to the Theatre section from Newark Int'l airport and cheaper and efficient.

In terms of ease and efficiency I would go with the bus but it it is not the fastest.

It has 3 stops only.  Near Grand Central Station,, Bryant Park and Port Authority  Bus Terminal.

This might not be helpful in this specific case but it's good to know for other travelers. You put your bags under the bus , get on, and get off in midtown

3 hours ago, harryfat1 said:

More scenery:

 

 

 

 

I am not sure if your guide pointed it out but the pale yellow building in the third picture is the Mikve Israel- Emanuel Synagogue. It is the Western Hemisphere's oldest Synagogue in continuous use and was founded in 1651