cruiselvr04

The DD wanted to go out for Thanksgiving. She doesn’t enjoy cooking or cleaning up although she’s a great baker. Since it’s just the 4 of us and I didn’t want to do all the work, we agreed. It’s cheaper then Chops at least, and at Perry’s steakhouse, so it should be good. DH and I are looking forward to spending Valentine’s Day on board in 2024 and had decided to go to Chops that night. I looked to book ahead and Royal has increased the price that night to $79 pp. So that’s a no and hoping we can still go to Giovanni’s or even Izumi with a BOGO. TBD.

For a very short period of time Royal did have reviews. I think a lot were so negative they quit doing it. The best thing I can say is stay away from anything that says panoramic or describes you will drive by….it also sometimes says how long the bus ride is. I google how far what you’re going to see is from the pier.

I love Christmas but it can get out of hand. We have a budget and ask for lists. While it takes some of the surprise out for the adult kids, they get what they want or need. I too can’t handle buying just to give a gift as I see that as a waste of money. We only get together every other Christmas which is this year. In the off year they gets checks. This year I will also do stockings and for the most part those are fun, small items not on the list. Since we’re cruising together this year they’ll get a gift bag of goodies for that too.

Yes you buy it at 40% off and take it anywhere you want. By the time you pay the auto gratuity it’s about 25% off but we’ve done it.

We have a harbor view room 3 nights pre cruise and 4 nights after are doing a garden view. It’s not inexpensive but not as expensive as Miami.

Glad you were able to change dining. It’s very important to pre order every night. The first night is always the hardest for the DH who can not eat garlic or onion, even powders, which is in everything. The WJ is hit and miss. He has trouble getting the attention he needs there so he skips breakfast, eats a light lunch he can be sure of in the WJ and depends on dinner that is specifically prepared for him. He has done fine. We rarely eat off the ship as it’s too risky. If you eat in a specialty restaurant order the night before also. We have found the MDR staff takes it seriously and works hard to keep you safe. Having the same staff every night really helps.

Not inexpensive, but we are staying at Grand Pullman Quay. Right on the harbor with views of the ship, bridge, OH and walking distance to the ship. It’s also apartment style which will save us on food costs and have the ability to do laundry. Less than the Marriott, Four seasons, Park Hyatt that only have a room.

We are less then 90 days for 2 of them, doing a B3B starting February 2 from Sydney on Brilliance, then around Australia. I will keep checking, even onboard. But I like to have a somewhat plan so time in port isn’t wasted on a trip like this. Cape Le grand sound beautiful. Maybe we’ll meet an Australian couple on board who we can share car cost with.

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately our ship doesn’t get into Brisbane until 8 a.m. By the time we clear and are allowed off, and get to the meeting point for the river trip, it would be after 9. But we will take your advice and simply Uber there and back. The cost is reasonable especially compared to some ship excursions. Our ship is stopping at many places where they simply aren’t offering excursions. This is perhaps because that port only gets a few ships that call there. We are coming up with a plan at each of those but will be open to see if anything is offered by locals too. Esperance and Exmouth are an example of those.

I had a friend about 20 years who went so far as to get an employee from the store to bring out a coat hanger to try to get into “her “ car. I laughed at her story until I cried. The person whose car she was trying to break into was not amused.

We are planning to do to Lone Pine Koala by cab also. Rome to rio is a good website to use to see transportation routes and costs. Our cruise line doesn’t offer this as an excursion and I can’t find a private tour that the times will work for. So we think a cab is the best plan or may use Uber.

I even have a special pair of leggings I wear when snorkeling. It’s doesn’t protect from jelly fish but keeps me from getting sunburned. Thanks so much for all your comments. I think we’ll bring our own umbrella just be sure I’m protected. It fits into a 25 inch suitcase and weighs about 7 lbs so not bad. It can mean the difference between a day at the beach and not. I’ve had some beaches say no in the Caribbean which is why I asked but have used it on US beaches.

Just went through the locks last month on Radiance. Glad your day is clearing. We found it interesting that the area around the locks and lake didn’t seem dry yet it’s a drought. The levels were not visibly low. I’m looking forward to doing it again someday.

This was just released as Jewels rerouting instead of going to Israel. The price will only go up. We are booked in a balcony. Our flights won’t be as cheap but we are expecting this to be a great cruise as long as Icelands volcanos settle down.

We tried a boardwalk on Allure deck 11, third from the end. DH said not again. He didn’t feel comfortable ever sitting on the balcony. As they are slightly rounded you feel even closer to your neighbors. Add the noise and lights, even though we don’t go to bed early, and I guess it was a one and done.

If you are happy with your decision that’s wonderful and as it should be. The rest of us are just jealous. I hope to do a world cruise one day so I do read and pay attention to what others are saying who have done one. Not sure Regent would be my style, I’d have to try it out first. I do think it’d be important to try a line and the class of ship before you’d invest in a world cruise. Serenade would work for me. Plugs by the bed are a great improvement. I wish they’d do that on all the older ships. We’re doing a measly 46 nights on Brilliance next year. I find the older Royal ships have great storage for longer cruises. Viking not so much.

Thanks so much for answers. As long as I can use an umbrella I’m good to go. I always use lots of sunscreen and a long spf shirt and hat in the water. We will definitely be going to the beach!

We’d like to visit one or both of the beaches while staying in Sydney. I’ve looked at pictures and searched but can’t find the answer I’m looking for. Due to multiple skin cancers I must have shade but I still love to sit on the beach and enjoy the sights and sounds of the water. I have my own travel sun umbrella, 100 spf, that I can screw/ secure into the sand. Is this allowed at either beach? Or is there a place to rent one at these beaches? I see some trees at Manly but they aren’t too close to the beach. I’m just not seeing umbrella’s in the pictures.

Don’t do what I did. I waited until evening to talk to the DH about an excursion that was on sale. It went up $15 pp while I waited. Still saved a little but I should’ve just bought it. So yes prices are changing frequently. I’m wondering if so many purchased that it then kicks it up?

What ship is the little one?

Sadly no Tutti salad in the MDR. Ships that have a Park Cafe make a scaled down version. I’m resorting to WJ make your own with what you can find. I like iceberg so it’s the burger bar area for a small portion of lettuce, then chicken salad with a small slice of cheese from the soup area, then over to the salad area for toppings. Sometimes they have ham in the salad area but I haven’t seen tuna or chicken.

Some prices are a bit crazy. Are people really paying that much for Coco beach club? Today I bought a couple of pairs of shoes that I need to break in for Australia and all the walking we plan on doing. I felt guilty for spending $150 for 2 pair of slip on sneakers that I’ll probably wear for the next 10 years. Compared to a day at Coco Cay I guess I’ll get my moneys worth. Tonight I’ll buy some water packages (still crazy prices but don’t want to lug them on board) and discuss with DH a couple of excursions that are actually reduced in price.

If we have to use the cruise shuttle into town as Christchurch is asking us to, is the bus interchange near? I don’t mind taking the shuttle to keep the bus open for locals to the center of town but how will we find the #8 bus from there?

I’ve been writing down prices from Royals website pre Black Friday sales which should start tomorrow. I got a water pkg for 22.99. They have now raised it to 32.99 so tomorrow they can lower it again and call it a sale. Excursion prices are the highest I’ve ever seen. A few we bit on because we couldn’t figure out how to do it on our own. Sometimes the cruise line buys out the train for instance. Websites have not been too helpful. I’m doing the Lone Pine Koalas by cab I think. Some tours leave in a city before we could possibly get off the ship and get to the meeting point. It’s been frustrating. Honestly if I’d known how hard all the planning was I might have canceled but we are committed now and will make it all work.

You’re in one of those cabins that has that weird built in behind, what I call, the chair and a half. It takes a few inches out of the room making it more narrow. Nothing to quibble about but what’s behind there? It’s mostly in forward cabins. I guess it’s a good place to put the phone and pool towels. I think the tiny table is going out on the balcony next cruise. DH gets irritated that he can’t walk behind me when I putting on make up at the desk.