joejoe 59

4 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

We have cruised three times from BICT and don't see any problems with the terminal. Anyway, we have booked on a cruise, not a tour of Pinkenba or the terminal. 🙂

My thoughts exactly👍

4 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Would rather cruise from the most beautiful harbour in the world . And the feadback about BICT has not ben good at all . REALLY !

So glad you have the time inclination & extra money.

5 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

I have added an avatar to my profile on CC because someone joined the site last Sunday and selected the same name that I have used since 2009. To avoid confusion, I had included my photo, even though I have been rather reluctant to do so.

I thought it was you as well, then realised it was a new member.

5 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Unfortunately will be back to the shitpond whalf tomorrow , 7 time  and will be avoiding all future cruise from Brisbane. 

Really! you would rather sit in an airport, wait for a flight, wait for luggage,  catch a transfer, maybe stay at least one  night at a hotel to insure being there on time all because of the Port of Brisbane.

Seems an extreme thing to do to me😏

47 minutes ago, sayaguru said:

Actually some people are there to sightsee. People that have Brisbane as a port.

I embarked and disembarked there last year. It's a disgrace. And the design is also ridiculous. You check in and walk a kilometre to get on the ship. Because of this there were MANY people sitting waiting for wheelchairs. They couldn't cope. 

We are going there on a cruise and we will just stay on board. There are no public busses. Only option is a $32 Uber or $40 taxi to the train station.

Well it definitely isn't a km walk to the ship, slight exaggeration I'm sure. We are both in our 60s & it's no problem at all. I do understand the elderly, disabled, grossly overweight & unfit have a problem. 

After 3hrs in the car to get there I'm just happy to see the ship & start the boarding process. 

I agree as a port stop she's a long way from anywhere. 

On 1/5/2023 at 8:52 PM, arxcards said:

I have one of the old version Plus packages to try out on 24th Feb. My understanding is that the cap on drinks will adjust, so it is status quo to what we purchased, but we will not be entitled to nasty desserts, smoothies and gym classes with the older version of the package.

Good!  I don't want any of their crappy desserts smoothies & gym classes anyway. Whoever thought we would be impressed with those offerings anyway needs their heads read😁

2 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

Melbourne being as big as Sydney  now ,I think it has merit. It could Concentrate on N.Z and southern Australia itineraries.
Certainly a more attractive port to Brisbane with direct flights for overseas tourists.

 

Brisbane is still very attractive for those of us that live in qld & can drive to the Port. 

Really enjoying reading your review,  thank you.

50 minutes ago, Hammer61 said:

Be interesting to see what they do with people who got the package before the current changes? I logged in yesterday and it automatically was offering me an upgrade to the new plus package or a double upgrade to the premium, looks like they will be trying hard to get people to pay the extra and upgrade, not that its really much of an upgrade? Well for us anyway, a couple of deserts and 2 fitness classes and the juice bar! (Didn't the old plus package have fresh squeezed juice though??) isn't really much incentive........

 

Im not sure how it's going to work with wine by the glass especially anyone on the package pre the changes as its only up to $16 not $22 for the newer plus package, so if prices go up and the keenness to get people to upgrade may well be left with only 1 or 2 token offerings for wine by the glass for those on the old plus offering!

We don't cruise until 2024 with our $30 a day plus package,  hopefully there is still some alcohol within the price range by then.😁

On 12/31/2022 at 1:30 PM, Flojoe8 said:

Don’t forget you can also bring wine onboard. Supposed to be 2 per cabin but most people bring 2 x per person 🙈. As long as in separate carry on bags all good. We also pre purchased A cheese and wine platter (which inc a merlot  and cheese selection) can have white wine etc. This was $34 Aus. (That price fluctuates so keep an eye on it in your planner )  So all up that’s 5 x bottles for the room. And if you are diamond or prime by any chance  then that’s another Avenue. Lucky enough we are now diamond abs prime so no worries at all (and we aren’t big drinkers at all) 

Great info thanks 😊 

On 12/31/2022 at 5:26 AM, Chiliburn said:

Thanks a lot 🍹🍷🍺

3 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

Doesn't sound appealing to me!

Haha me either😆

20 hours ago, arxcards said:

No requirements before flying to Sydney, just a negative RAT to get on the ship.

 

Afterwards, you can fly home with covid if you fell well enough to do so. They do ask that if you have it, that you wear a mask while you are transiting. Not sure if QLD still has any ISO requirements for when you get home, but NSW just has a direction to stay home if you feel unwell - no mandated ISO.

Queensland has no iso, just a recommendation to stay home if you have it. It's a free for all now.

On 12/29/2022 at 9:57 AM, Flojoe8 said:

Hi all. Currently onboard quantum if anyone has any questions. 

I hope you are really enjoying your cruise.  We cruise on her in March to NZ. 

Did you book everything before you cruised...like dining, shows. 

Are there long queues to get into venues?

Are people being responsible regarding covid precautions?

What about drink prices like wine,  beer, bourbon? We didn't get a booze package as I only drink wine but still will have a couple. 

2 hours ago, mum and son said:

I may be mad, but I seem to be noticing that a large % of people I know who have recently contracted covid have never had it before. My entire family cruised in December on Luminosa (ages from 30 - 89) and none of them got it. All have had it before.

 

I have 2 upcoming Luminosa cruises and am active on a number of the fb groups and there is little talk of covid and, again, a lot of those who have mentioned getting it onboard seem to be first time spicy coughers... 

 

It doesn't answer your question in any way but just my general observation.

 

 

I agree with you, I had come up with the same assumption as you everyone I know that has cruised this year got C & the one's like us that have had it didn't get it. 

Fingers crossed I haven't jinxed myself for our March cruise on Quantum. 

Great review thank you...I want to try Luminosa now😁

On 12/19/2022 at 5:48 AM, lyndarra said:

Holland America and Celebrity are two. I can't recall if it was included for RCI.

Definitely included on  Rcl 

3 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

From my research of travel insurance, I was aware that some policies cover missed ports. I have never heard of 'medical only' travel insurance.

We had medical/evacuation only travel insurance for a domestic cruise this year with racq

33 minutes ago, The Peoples Champion said:

I did fail to mention that they have done the Christmas decorations and atmosphere very well.

 

Not everything was a few levels down.

 

 

That looks so beautiful.

40 minutes ago, cruiser3775 said:

I had a balcony cabin on the bump out part of Coral Princess which gives you an excellent view, but also means you can see into the balconies of  several other cabins. I twice saw different passengers sitting on the railings of their balcony with their backs to the sea.. Extremely dangerous and foolish.

Holy cow! I would have quietly gone & reported them.

On 12/11/2022 at 4:39 PM, jspitz1 said:

We have a RCCL cruise September 2023 from Port Canaveral.  I booked flights with Qantas 12 months in advance and 3 days later our flights were cancelled and moved to flights we didn't want to do, so I got a refund on these flights.  Soon after, I booked all our flights on United, and now I get notified all four flights have been cancelled and moved to horrible times/connecting flights.  So I had four great times/direct flights from Melb to L.A. to Orlando and back.  Now I've been put on seven terrible times/non direct flights.  I'm so frustrated!!!!!  So I can cancel the United flights, but there isn't many alternatives.  Anyone else going through this, trying to fly from Australia, booking 9-12 months in advance???.  

That sounds beyond frustrating 😤 

It's for this reason we aren't flying anywhere even interstate. We have 3 cruises next year all sailing out of Brisbane, just a short 3hr drive away.

4 hours ago, Rassa said:

It isn't enough to say it is on the web site, you need to share your link.

 

I looked when @resordanishighlighted the matter and yes, I found a paragraph on the web site and printed it out, but that paragraph is now gone.  I will check again later.

Thanks but I am starting to feel this is the beginning of things perhaps changing - really hope I am wrong.

 

RCCL used to state on the tax invoice that Aust gratuities were included in the fare.   For my latest booking, I did not receive a tax invoice, I had to print out the details that were on the screen confirming the booking and there was nothing about gratuities.

I just checked my royal caribbean invoice & it definitely states gratuities included. Booked through an online agency 

Great review thanks

20 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

If my memory is correct it was listed as a 25% discount on the Plus deal for Elites, not as a fixed amount.

 

If they offer that again based on the new Plus price it would be $48.75.

Platinum & elite as we weren't elite at the time.

At the time we were just told $30.

Fingers crossed they offer something this year🤞

7 hours ago, subaru94 said:

Not sure how I missed that one, we are elite too, and I always check the promos.  Well done on getting such a great deal.

We got it as well...bargain. 

It was during an extended wave season which starts around Xmas time. I think it was an extra  incentive to book a cruise as cruising hadn't started back in Australia when this perk was offered. 

Fingers crossed they offer a deal again this Xmas/boxing day sale season...but I won't hold my breath.

We weren't elite at the time of getting the $30 deal but are now 😃