Big Kev

 

 

G'day.

Interesting movements going on here ..:confused:

 

We too were on the Solstice repo itinerary, from Barcelona to Sydney last year, and thoroughly enjoyed the trip southbound..

 

Maybe some folks on this board are unaware that RCL Rhapsody O.S. is also being sent to the Med, and basically has the same itinerary as above.. Rhapsody, however leaves Sydney AU on April 17th 2015, and finishes in Istanbul on 1st June 2015..

 

That itinerary was released a couple of weeks back... And we jumped on that one :D (From Singapore)

 

Sue and Phil.

 

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Can anyone tell me what might be the longest cruise in 2015 you can put together on RCL. it might be to early to tell, but I figured CC folks might be able to surmise something prior to official schedule :o

 

Gazzumped ...

 

But yes, perhaps Rhapsody Repo from Sydney to Istanbul Apr/May 2015 -- 45 nts ?? But this will continue to add days, without repeating ports, due the next cruise to follow, which is still to be announced.

 

 

S and P

 

 

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I live in the US. Is there a web site to download any AZ docs that need to be completed? I hear about a green form. What is that? The Celebrity site does not have any country documents (at least i couldn't find any). I will obviously have my visa and PP.

 

 

Border security/Immigration/Customs papers to complete when entering AU will normally distributed to passengers by your flight attendants before arrival.

 

 

S and P

 

 

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I have been looking at some of the online companies that sell accommodation Overseas like Wotif does...

 

I am booking a night in cape town at a hotel that other friends will be staying at ... I can get a good price with otel.com but they get crappy reviews ... Priceline is looking good.

 

I know in the US they use them a lot, would we be good to go here too...

 

joanne

 

 

We have used PL for many years for US accomm. (The bidding system has been fantastic for us everywhere around the states). It's a bit of fun if you start playing with it with early in your planning stages. Never had a bad hotel with PL, but had a few early probs with HWire which caused us to stick exclusively with PL. Accuracy of the description for "name your own price" has always been better than expectation.

 

Have also used PL in Europe UK and Ireland, with no probs but the best deals have been USA. (seems due to deals they have set up with the chains)

 

Have fun.

 

Sue and Phil

 

 

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Hi there we are sailing carnival January 2014 b2b 19 days and we booked in June got $1100 obc ($600 for 1st and $500 for 2nd )then the price dropped about $2500 2 months ago on our cruises before finial payment was due so I rang our TA and she rang carnival and got us near on $2000 off plus we kept our obc

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Thats great Ravie80..

 

Especially, if you are are new to this, and that you managed to catch the drop through booking and monitoring what is going on with your cruise...

 

Too many folk, just book and don't ever revisit/check, (or dont know how to).

 

Also good to see that the pseudo Aussie line, and especially an Aussie agent, is now answering the call..

 

Sue and Phil.

 

 

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I am also interested in cruising the Singapore to Dubai and Dubai to Istanbul sectors. Does anyone know where the Rhapsody is going from there?

Regards Elaine.

 

..

 

Sadly, it seems no further info yet. Although CC sleuths have found that it is supposedly booked in, and porting from Rome from July to Sept 2015...

 

Just hoping that Black Sea from Istanbul fills in the gap, and that will save us changing ships :D

 

Just gotta wait and see....:confused:

 

Sue and Phil

 

 

..

Perhaps the big announcement in London, a well guarded secret:rolleyes: of course, is the rumour about the Independence of the Seas calling London her home base...

 

We bit the bullet this morning rang RCL here in Australia :rolleyes: to book, pricing not too different from US, here's how it goes.........................

 

I rang them first thing this morning to book Singapore - Dubai - Istanbul and got through straightaway only problem was the lovely lady knew nothing about the repo and it wasn't showing on her system :eek: (tried to book online but only limited cabin classes open not the one we wanted) so I said don't worry I will ring back later........before i rang I did a hold booking on the first class i saw a price on just so I had a res number for them to search on :D, have to ask who is doing all the work here, so i call back this afternoon to find myself on hold for 43 minutes...... oh joy....finally after 30 more minutes happy to announce we have confirmed bookings in the cabin we want.....phew what a palaver.......booking used to be sooooooooooo easy

 

and for some reason our "next cruise" certificate has done both cruises so no added deposit was asked for cheers Shiona

 

Hi guys, we will be with you.:)

 

We have been away and missed the final Rhapsody outcome until looking at this thread today.

 

Happy to say that we also, have now booked and joining Rhapsody from Singapore to Istanbul:D

 

Although not widely listed, we didn't have any problems with our guys getting it together quickly by email.

 

Sue and Phil.

 

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Why doesn't Celebrity sail Hawaii in the winter months ...January and February?:(

 

 

 

 

Probably chasing $$ with busy summer season in the southern hemiphere ..:)

 

S and P.

After my cruise to Australia my flight to the US does not leave until the next day. This means I need to stay at a hotel overnight. Do I need a Visa? If so what kind and how much will it cost?

 

 

You will need an Electronic Travel Authority before you enter Australia. Much the same as those travelling on an Australian passport need an ESTA to enter the USA.

 

You can apply and pay on line,and it is issued immediately and electonically attached to your passport .. This is the official government website.. Cost $20AUD. Beware of alternative commercial sites..

 

https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETA/etas.jsp

 

Phil

 

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I've never been on RCI so far, but as far as I watched it, I often saw that RCI sometimes cancels or changes itineraries - especially the "final routes" of the booking season...

 

50-60 days? Why not? I thnk it is possible. I do not know how long CELEBRITY SOLSTICE needed from Europe to Australia via Asia in late 2012...

 

 

Barcelona to Sydney on Solstice was 3 legs and 44 days.

 

 

S and P

 

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[quote name='Sydney32203']How many European power points are there and where are they located? (bathroom? Room? Etc)[/QUOTE]


Most International ships normally have outlets in desk area for both .. 110VAC 2 flat vertical pins USA. PLUS outlets of 220VAC, 2 round pins European. You will need adaptors for YOUR PLUGS. BUT, most equip, like phones, laptops,e-readers etc. have a universal voltage input. (Check YOUR equipment plug).
Bathroom outlet is really set up for electric shavers only..


S and P

Just found on port schedule.....Rhapsody of the Seas arriving Darwin lunchtime on April 25 2015 having come from Cairns with next port Bali............ the plot thickens....

 

 

Hmmm.. Great spy work :cool: Thanks

 

Interesting... We need to go to the Med in 2015.. We brought the Solstice down to Sydney last year.. To re-trace and deliver the Rhapsody to Rome would be perfect :D

 

Sue and Phil

 

 

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But the discount only shows up for the first passenger (you) and not the second pax, since it does not have status/level info of the second pax, if there is one. Not hard, though, to recalculated the price if your SO has the same C&A level as you.

 

 

Could it be that since the Balcony discount is PER CABIN, you are seeing the total discount applied to the first Guest, and therefore nothing to Guest 2. (much the same as savings certs are displayed)?

 

 

S and P

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Hi David.

 

Seems like it might be a good time to update our schedule.

 

Would appreciate it if you can now add the following.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------

RCI - RADIANCE - Honolulu - Sydney Via Tahiti & NZ- (18 Nts) - 23rd Sept 2013

CELEBRITY - MILLENNIUM - Hong Kong-Sing (via Thailand & Vietnam) - (14 Nts) 16th March 2014

RCI - RHAPSODY - Sydney - Honolulu Via Samoa, Fiji - (15 Nts) - 18th April 2014

PRINCESS - RUBY - London - Sctlnd, Nrway, Iceland, Canada - New York (14 Nts) - 8th Sept 2014

NCL - DAWN - Boston - Quebec RT - (14 Nts) - 26th Sept 2014

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

Many Thanks, :)

 

Sue and Phil.

 

 

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Thanks for providing the website address. I see that they mention zone 1, zone 2 and zone 1 + 2. If we want to travel from Port Melbourne to the city do we need the zone 1 + zone 2 ticket?

 

These prices seem to be for a full day's use of the transport system. Is this correct?

 

Concessions seem to be for pensioners, Victorian seniors (not other States) and Health Cardholders.

 

What are the advantages of registering and buying a card before the cruise compared with organising it when we get to the cruise terminal. I understand that there would probably be a queue wanting to buy tickets, but are there any other advantages?

 

Port Melbourne is a short distance from city and in Zone 1.. Zone 1 covers around 12KM radius from CBD. Myki is similar system to your "GO CARD" and is good for trams, trains and buses within all Zones.

 

When you touch on/off your balance is debited. You can transfer within the 2 (up to 3) hours and be debited at the 2 hour rate. BUT.. whatever you do, wherever you go, your charge will be capped at the daily rate..

 

Concesssions are the same in all states. ie, children, pensioners health care holders.. Interstate seniors re OK through reciprocal arrangements .. I believe it is only for Australian citizens.

 

If wanting concession MYKI, that is what you must apply for.

 

Phil. (Currently on QLD Sunshine Coast using my Seniors "GO" card) :)

Thank you for your replies.

 

As we will be visiting Melbourne 3 times within a 2-week period during our P&O Southern Explorer cruise, we thought to do the FREE HOHO tour buses and trams to get a feel of the city firstly THEN decide where/what we want to do the other 2 times we will be there.

 

Coming from NSW we have always heard how vibrant Melbourne is so that is what we want to see and experience. Attempt to get to know the city as the locals know and enjoy it.

 

Gae

 

Yes Gae, re the tourist & transport. Just to add a bit,,

 

Get the Myki Pass, which is the same as in most world cities as Oyster, Octopus,Go, etc, and it leaves you options open, and for a very low cost capped daily fare... Use it as often as you wish and the trip (or Max per day) is debited.

 

It is simply like the purchase of a debit card, and as long as it is valid, you re-charge as needed.

 

The Free Tourist tram and bus are distinctive colors and signage, and only operate from/within the CBD area. The "109" tram will take you there from Port Melbourne,

.

 

A big advantage in joining the free "CITY CBD CIRCLE TRAM" and/or "TOURIST BUS" first is that an audio presentation is given as you travel. Then go/stop as you desire on trams/train/ bus within about 10 KM of the CBD

 

To have a MYKI gives you the best of both options as you go..

 

Sue and Phil.

 

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Hi all

 

With Terry & Silvia being active on these Aussie boards lately I wondered if we need to teach them some Australian slang words :)

 

I know that the Americans at our dining table were very keen to learn some of our Australianisms!

 

We told them about:

1) Bloke - male friend

2) Sheila - female friend

3) Fella - man

4) Crikey - Wow

5) Dunny - Toilet

6) Bludger - someone who doesn't want to work

7) Strewth - Gosh

8) Cow cocky - dairy farmer

9) The Missus - my wife

10) Me Mate - my friend

11) Mongrel - as in "He's a bit of a mongrel" - someone you don't like OR as in "That dog's a bit of a mongrel" - dog of uncertain breed

12) Whinger - Constant complainer

13) Sanger - sandwich

14) Wharfie - Dock worker

15) Footie - as in "Going to the footie" - going to watch a game of football

 

Then there's the expressions:

1) Strike a light! - Well, I'll be!

2) Shiver me timbers! - Well, I'll be!

3) What a shenanigans! - What a carry-on!

4) Have a go ya mug! - Try a bit harder man!

5) Cracking a sickie! - Having a day off work by calling in "ill"

6) Having a bludge - relaxing (usually at work)

7) He's so up himself! - He's got an inflated opinion of himself

8) What a load of hogs wallop! - I don't believe it!

9) What a dog's breakfast! - What a mess!

10) Give it a miss! - Just forget about it!

11) What a flock of galahs! - Just a group of idiots!

12) Okey-dokey - OK

 

etc. etc.

 

Unfortunately, as we've become more Americanised in our speech, thanks to all the American TV shows we are shown here, these words and expressions are dying a gradual death and most of our younger generation wouldn't know what we were talking about!

 

Of course they could down-load and watch the iconic Australian film, which always makes me cringe, "The Castle". Lots of slang in it.

 

Just as an aside: One American met us in the lift the next morning after we'd been sprouting some slang and asked us "How are you Shirleys today?" Eh? He'd been practicing all night but got confused with "Sheilas" and Shirleys! Gave us a bit of a laugh after he'd gone! :D

 

Come on everyone! Give us some more examples to confuse the 'yanks'!

 

Gae

 

 

Gidday mates.

 

This is the site we have always referred our travelling companions to. Saves a lot of explanations :)

 

http://www.upfromaustralia.com/aussieslang.html

 

 

S and P

 

 

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G'day David.

 

Probably time for us to add another of our bookings to your 2013 list.

 

In signature below, we have added 3 repo cruises on Milly.

 

Thanks.

 

Sue and Phil

 

 

.

Hi...

 

Anyone else joining us on these?? Know of some, but maybe we'll find more if we add to Davids thread :) Thanks... Sue and Phil..

 

NCL NORWEGIAN JADE Venice, Mediterranean to Rome Repo - October 8th 2011

NCL NORWEGIAN JADE Rome - Holy Lands RT- Oct 15th 2011

RCL MARINER of the SEAS Trans Atlantic - Rome to Texas USA Repo- Oct 26th 2011

RCL RHAPSODY of the SEAS Sydney - Honolulu Repo (via Samoa/Fiji) - April 13th 2012

CELEBRITY SOLSTICE Barcelona - Dubaii Repo (via Suez) - Oct 26th 2012

CELEBRITY SOLSTICE Dubaii - Singapore Repo - Nov 11th 2012

CELEBRITY SOLSTICE Singapore - Sydney Repo - Nov 23rd 2012

Just booked Mariner of the Sea's 2nd November 2012 - Rome to Galveston Texas 16 nights.....price AU$523.00pp...that equates to AU$32.70 pp per night plus we get USD100 each OBC.....not a bad deal....happy to be taking the slow way home cheers Shiona

 

 

 

Great deal on a great ship guys:D

 

We have spent 46 nights on Mariner in a Promenade cabin, and are once again in a PR on this years inaugaral TA to Galveston.

 

You will love the ship, but for at the moment, at cost of just a few $$ extra, consider shifting into a PR ... :) They will sell out !!!

 

(and deck 7..... (IMO.. 6 is too close to the ground, and 8 is too far up. Pick end opposite above Cafe for best outlook for Parades etc))

 

Sue and Phil

 

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Hi Folks,

We are sailing on Celebrity Century on 1/6/12 out of Auckland to Sydney. The itinerary shows that the ship docks at 6:30 a.m. in Sydney, however, the cruise line says they do not recommend flights leaving the Sydney airport before 1:30 p.m.! Can anyone tell me their experiences on getting to the airport in terms of time? There is an 11:30 a.m. flight I would really like to get on.

 

I am afraid this is another one of those cruise ploys like we fell victim to on a Rome (Civitavecchia) cruise. We took the company's advice and stayed over since the flights to Texas out of Rome were in the morning. What to my surprise, we met a number of people aboard who were flying home to the States on those early flights, and the ship saw to it that they made the flights by offloading them first and bussing them to Rome. (They had, of course, booked air with the cruise line - I think it was RCI.)

 

Any advice would be most helpful.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

A five minute walk from ship to Circular Quay train station, and a 20 minute train ride to the airport.

 

We have disembarked and changed to an earlier flight and flown out from Sydney at 9.30 am :)

 

S and P

 

 

 

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I see from your cruise history that you have cruised mainly with RCL and I can't see any P & O cruises listed. What you say is fair comment for the cruises you have been on.

 

The original post referred to a cruise on the Pacific Sun out of Sydney. I don't think the comments you made apply to P & O Australia cruises on ships based in Australia and operating in AUD. We pay in AUD and I can't see how and why passengers should be charged a foreign exchange fee.

 

We use an ANZ credit card and they do not charge this fee.

 

 

 

Sorry, I thought all P & O was a British cruise line, sending profits back to UK shareholders.... But, if its an Australian company that operating a seperate franchise, that should be different...

 

Maybe you should speak to Dept of Fair Trading if they dont correct to your satisfaction.

 

S and P

It is a bank charge and they "justify" it by saying that it was processed by an overseas operator even though it was in Aussie $$.

 

 

 

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Gidday Jane.. :)

 

We concur that this is the situation ..

 

It can happen that when overseas (or on an O/S owned ship), you could be offered conversion into the home currency of your CC.

 

If you agree, you will be converted at some obscure conversion rate, and your bank/cc provider may still charge an overseas "transaction fee". (Not a conversion fee)

 

You can end up with a double whammy of fees!!:eek:

 

(We have also flown with Tiger, several times and they sell flights here in AUD but process overseas. Dont know whether it still happens, but at that time, Visa/bank charged that fee. On the monthly statements, however, it automatically credited it back)..

 

Just be sure to check your options carefully, because you have got to pay a conversion fee somwhere.. Some-one has to make money, there no free lunches!! ... But sometimes, someone will try for a double dessert..

 

S and P

Hi,

 

I would like to know where on my on line reservation will it show my dinning time?

 

Thank you,

Maria

 

 

 

Dining times can be set in your Profile Preferences ...

 

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