Reina del Mar

Airlines offer flights eleven months after return journey and hotels usually post their prices a year in advance. At least that has been our experience over many years of international travel.

British pounds not wanted…change to US $…sorry to be the bearer of bad news… We buy ours in Marks and Spencer’s and find their rates better than those offered in banks..but worth checking on the day..they can order on line or just go into store, as M&S usually carry stock.

Having returned…. We changed about £100 per day into Soles and also carried dollars. Found the prices were better using Soles, but no issue spending Dollars.

Can you remind me what RCCL call it, please ?

Talk about splitting hairs..you managed to work out what was meant !!! Many thanks.

Was like this on our last RC cruise..Wonder May 2022.

Have done a few RCCL cruises but just can’t remember…Please can anyone help ? How soon can I book boarding time ? Many thanks.

We ate in the Savoy Dining Room at 7pm most nights, requested the same table for each night. We had a table for two but the tables were pretty close together. We had asked for quick service and that is exactly what we had. Our waiter was Joey, his assistant Eisen. They were amazing !

No idea, sorry.Just quoted what I was told on Princess UK live web chat. Just tried to find it to copy and paste, but it has now disappeared. Will try again nearer to the cruise . Suppose 12 each makes it almost one bottle between us per day…can also buy some at various ports, I suppose.. although in theory that isn’t encouraged. Flasks from the buffet may be the answer…just don’t fancy drinking water from bathroom taps, although I am aware it is the same water used in buffet..just my personal ‘thing’.

Just had a live chat with Princess UK, who advised water packages are not available for cruises using $Aus / from Australia. They also said you can take as much water on as you can carry on…no sending with luggage tags. ….`Most disappointing !

Thought of that but apparently Princess only allowing a small crate of 10-12 these days. Looks like they want everyone to buy the ‘All Inclusive’ Plus or Premier package. Thanks.

Thanks folks. I emailed the Rydges group. The Rydges at the Rocks has been bought by another company..seems they haven’t decided when renovations will take place, so availability is not showing yet. They suggested we keep an eye on the website..and should have rates showing by the end of June 2023 I have put a hold, with free cancellation on Sebel Suites. Rendezvous- Vous might be worth looking into but the consolidator I looked at wasn’t showing availability with breakfast…not a huge deal but looking for simplicity. Thanks again.

Last time we cruised from Sydney, there were no bottled water packages available. We ended up buying the soft drinks’ package. Looking at 2024, I can’t see bottled water packages again. The Classic soda package has increased in price so much I don’t see it as an option for our 26 day cruise. We’ve just done an 18 day cruise where we bought the soft drink package and don’t really think it was worth it for us. What do people do on longer cruises? Pay as you go ?? Lug cartons of water/ Coca Cola on board ?? Any suggestions. ?? Many thanks.

Had similar issues. Could not buy 50% discount online. Phoned Princess UK. They advised waiting till we boarded as it would be same price as pre cruise. Once aboard , went to Guest Services . Lady there confirmed same price as pre cruise with 50% Platinum/ Elite discount. Used OBC to pay for it.

We stayed in the Holiday Inn at the Rocks, Sydney for our first Australian cruise. For the next cruise it had changed to Rydges..but sadly Covid hit and cruise/ hotel all cancelled. We were fortunate enough to change to February 24. I’ve now tried to book it again. Unfortunately there seems to be ‘an issue’. Please does anyone know if Rydges is selling the hotel or any other information ??? Otherwise.. any suggestions for an hotel near OPT ?? We wondered about Sebel Suites, Quay West or Radisson Blu…would we be able to walk to drop off cases, like Rydges?? Medium priced hotel please. Many thanks.

If you haven’t prepaid gratuities you can use for that or a drinks’ package on the lines I have travelled on. I have no idea how to do this..but hopefully someone will come along later and explain….use a small amount in the casino, then cash out the whole amount, making it ‘refundable’…as I said I have no idea how. Items in the shops, in my opinion, are very overpriced and not wonderful quality. Spa prices are extortionate, (about three times what you might pay shoreside) you are charged 18% gratuity and they try to persuade you to purchase goods from them, again at inflated prices. If you are booking cruiseline shore excursions, be aware you can get similar at the pier for lower prices, but cruiseline operated tours offer the security of the ship being held if the tour is delayed. If you need internet, you could use to pay for a package. We have paid for Speciality restaurants, but for us it was unnecessary as Main Dining Rooms offer food which is fine for our tastes. Good luck !

We take prescriptions and medication in individual containers. However, on embarkation put the week’s tablets in a weekly/ daily container..this can be replenished for second and subsequent weeks. Had no issue on recent South American cruise.

I have used both. Bands just twice..and second time one split in the wind. Clips are quite useful but take more room in your suitcase. We have also had one break during use. That said, they anchor your towel and avoid it curling up. So we always take them.

Arrived in Santiago for a South America cruise the day before the Pope arrived. Many places closed or roped off. Lots of Police and Security Officers patrolling and guarding area where he was due to visit. We couldn’t see as much of the city as we would have liked. Didn’t affect our cruise as we used cruiseline transfer to port.

Just reporting back, following our trip. We were picked up in Santiago just before 9.30 am, as arranged. Journey to San Antonio was about an hour. Dropped off at cruise terminal, wheeled cases a very short distance to check in. Short wait in terminal. Had to hand over passports to cruiseline and had a receipt for them. Another few steps to pick up medallion..less than five minutes all told. Then outside to a complimentary shuttle bus which dropped us off at the gang plank. We were onboard, and in our cabin by 11.30 am

Just returned from Chile……European, two round pin adapter worked for us.

Our travel agent booked us a transfer from the airport to our hotel and from our hotel to San Antonio port with a company called South Bound. They were professional and punctual. You need to state whether you need a Spanish or English Speaking driver and/or guide.

We sailed into San Pedro..but out of San Antonio, Chile; so can’t help with time it takes to get through international arrivals at LAX. We had a car booked at Santiago, Chile …they had monitored our flight and were waiting for us, with a board. I think many/most car services do this. Maybe someone could make a recommendation.

Isn’t this the waste they are trying to avoid ?????????

Debating some sort of drinks’ package on RCCL. Please can anyone post drinks’ menu for 2023 ???? Many thanks.