Gnomey

It's a bit grey isn't it? A big white ocean liner would look much nicer for the neighbours!

We've tried a few lines and Princess is our favourite. The Princess staff seem to try a little harder and look after you well - especially if you have a medical emergency. We're hopping on Sea Princess in a few weeks again to refresh our opinions but compared to the others we have tried they are still No. 1. Don't expect big cabins on the "sisters" Dawn, Sea & Sun, although the mini suites seem fairly large (and pricey!). Can't offer an opinion on the Islands as they are still on the list.

Steve.

Wonderful tales Jill, I think you've tempted a few people to try QM2. I know I'm one of them!

Steve.

We really enjoyed our "quickie" on Arcadia and agree with previous comments on the ship & crew. Staff were quite efficient and did seem to keep to the background but I think I sensed a slightly different approach to the ladies than the men. Might just be the Indian way. We enjoyed the dining and the quite proper formal night when all the men turned into Penguins and the ladies looked stunning! I'm not a formal dresser at all so I felt really underdone in "just" a dark suit. Personally I loved talking to all the different people. Being a world cruise there were so many different nationalities, not just the regular Aussies we get on the domestic cruises. We would quite happily do a longer trip next time on Arcadia, but like Sarah said, the price would need to be "right"!

ARCADIA certainly had a lot of older travelers on board, but I think its tag of the "floating retirement home" is unfair. I saw a lot of very active older people getting about the ship.

Steve.

I think if you were splitting hairs the port side might just come out ahead, mostly for the reasons outlined by Elise. I hope the weather is kind to you as it is really beautiful.

Steve.

It looks little. I'm interested in exploring her. But looks like the size of one of the Australian Princesses.

I'm sure it will be big enough Sarah, just a few tons bigger than the Princesses at around 83,000. We can't wait to get aboard! :D

Steve.

We were collected by my Sister last year from the grain terminal and spent a lovely day with her family. When we saw her again at Christmas she told us they were slugged $29.00 toll for accessing the port. We didn't see any toll signage anywhere but that was what they paid for two trips to the ship. Not an impressive effort by Brisbane at all, but something to be aware of if driving to the ship.

Steve.

Thanks so much for your review of Oosterdam. She is on my list of ships & lines to try, but like you said, previous reviews are few & far between and very mixed. Seems like HAL is a good line and Oosterdam a lovely ship.

Steve.

We are doing a "short hop" next month on Arcadia and have been informed that all monetary transactions will be in GB pounds. We must also have medical insurance to cover us for evacuation costs! After a not so impressive last cruise with another line, we are looking forward to P&O-mixed reviews-UK, fingers crossed!

Steve.

We were on Radiance in November last year and the shuttle from the ship to the city was free and one of the best services we've seen. It runs almost constantly from the ship to a location near the overbridge to the city centre.

The "deluxe" oceanview cabins are a bit bigger. Mother in law had one on a recent cruise and it was almost spacious. She was on Caribe deck.

Steve.

Well 3 little pigs our group thought nearly all the "savory" food was over salted and the sweet food over sugared. Food should really be supplied under salted so a person can then add salt to their own taste, there's not much you can do if it is already too salty! It did look good though, what surprises me is the number of people saying the food was fabulous.

I see you are traveling on Volendam. HAL are also on my radar so I will be interested to hear of your experience.

rkmw, I read that too and wondered if my fairly basic suit with choker (Tie!) would be acceptable. I nearly choked on my oversalted potatoe when the shorts & T shirt walked by in the MDR! I had a good look around the visible tables after that and I was the only suit in sight. Many had open necked shirts and no jackets and that would be the "best of the rest." Dress was much better at the Captains cocktail party though, somewhat more "Princess" like.

We are doing a world cruise next year (all one day and two nights of it!) with P&O UK on Arcadia. Their web site is very helpful in detailing what is acceptable on formal nights. I am impressed so far considering the reputation they have for dress. Time will tell I suppose.

Steve - Gnomey.

Back now and here is what we saw...

 

Formal nights saw a few people in tuxes and long frocks. Lots and lots in dresses/pants and tops for ladies and long pants with collared shirts either long or short sleeved with or without ties. A very few in shorts tshirts and runners.

All other times in MDR shorts tshirts and thongs were very common. There was certainly no issue with any of the staff.

 

Staff were wonderful...food was not!

 

I concur, especially with your final comment.

We were on the cruise immediately before yours and the dress was somewhat more lax. They seemed to appreciate those making the effort but I didn't see service declined to anyone in shorts/T shirts.

The cooking was curious. What was good, was quite good but when it wasn't, gee it was ordinary! I had duck one night and it was crispy to the bone! Another night I had Kangaroo which is tricky to get right and they did it almost perfectly. We found it best to stick to the waiters recommendation. The staff were wonderful with smiles and friendly greetings aplenty, even the men in grey overalls!

 

Steve - Gnomey.

 

 

I know your cruise was short but did you try any speciality restaurants?

 

Sorry Susie we didn't. I didn't even try the Mexican which I wanted to do. I have heard that Chops is good though. We did have hot chocolate & cookies room service and that was good. Odd though, we had to make the drinks ourselves with the hot water & ingredients supplied. The chock chip cookies were lovely!

 

Steve.

Hi fellow mullet,

We've just been on Radiance for the first time and the C&A line moved slower than us in the "commoners" line. Man did that ship rock, it was just like a post rally party and it never ended. Bit noisey for an old bugger like me! Let us know what Rhapsody is like, we were disappointed with the food quality on Radiance and found that all the entertainment was amplified and too loud. It was a lovely ship though and it rode the ruts & gutters well, nearly as well as a 1600! Ho Ho Ho and happy christmas.

"Inverted"

Yes I was looking at Newcastle today and it seems like a lovely city. We plan on doing a walking tour if it is not too hot but I am sure we could find a few places to have a drink to cool us down! Does the shuttle in Newcastle take you from the ship into town. Any cost involved? How far is it into town?

 

Hi Susie, the shuttle in Newcastle is both compulsory and free. It is classed as a working port so thats the compulsory bit, it is about a 10 minute run and drops you in the waterfront area that has bars & cafes and is very pleasant. There is a bridge that takes you over the railway & road to the infamous Hunter Street for more cafes & shops. We strolled up Hunter Street, through the park to the beach, then across to Fort Scratchley for the 1pm gun firing then back down through the streets to waterfront park and the bus back to Radiance. These days Newcastle reminds me a little of Freemantle. A hard working area that has been washed & polished into a very pretty place to visit. I hope the weather is kind to you.

Steve.

Just off the radiance and while not formal night there was a whole posse of ladies in their pjs.

They did wear them with very fetching tiaras so I guess that could work for formal.

 

It was not our group though.

Yes very true Kaseyoz, We were on the latest cruise and after going to the effort of "suiting up" I was amazed to see tshirt and shorts walking by in the dining room, on formal night. Then there were the "lads" strolling around all night with "tuxedo print tshirts"! It was a fun quick cruise though, did you know that Radiance had to re-dock tonight with another medical emergency? They are making a habit of it maybe!

Gnomey.

Hello Susie2shoes,

It was our first Royal after two Princesses. Radiance is a beautiful ship, the crew are super and the whole ship rocks, as in rock & roll! Ours was a short sampler of 5 days Sydney to Brisbane, there were plenty of first timers and boy did they party! We found Bernadette in Schooner Bar very attentive and friendly, ask her if she remembers Connie! With your experience you should already know that the balcony cabins are a good size, it was our first Balcony and we loved it. The ports, Newcastle was great. It is a pretty city to visit now. The local shuttle was expertly run with friendly and helpful ambassadors. Watch for the cannon firing at Fort Scratchley. Brisbane is a lovely city but the big ships dock way out near the river mouth and it is a pricey and long bus trip to town. The terminal is as ordinary as Sydney's "International Tent" was too! We can't wait to "do" Alaska as our next big trip, hope you have good weather. Enjoy your upcoming cruises on Radiance, oh and if he is still cooking, cheer on the break dancing Chef!

Gnomey.

She's backing out again, so it looks like the trip is still on!

Gnomey

Hello fellow cruisers,

As I sit and read I've just watched Radiance of the Seas make a very short cruise. From Sydney it has backed out into the harbour around 3-400 metres and come back in to the dock! This is at the start of her 600th cruise too. The family & I were just watching on a live web cam since we disembarked this morning after a lovely trip to Queensland, so imagine our surprise to see her back out, then come back in! I only hope it is not another medical emergency like at the start of our cruise.

Gnomey.