woodyren

On 10/5/2020 at 3:23 AM, atgood said:

I read somewhere where near future repo cruises would be non-revenue.  Hopefully, 2022 is far enough away for things to change back by then. 

Maybe ****.....But a non revenue repo to the USA is only possibly 8-10 nights sailing I would guess. One heading to China would take 3 to 4 times that long plus have the extra cost of a Suez transit fee. 

Additionally fares are normally far more expensive on the repos to China so it all adds up to a completely different business decision from a new build doing a TA repo. 

*** Of course I am biased because I really am looking forward to adding the Wonder trip east to our previous trips there on Quantum and Spectrum. 

Coming in late to the thread. Have only been following Wonder's progress on other social media. Thanks to all for their contributions and I will be now following with more interest as we move into disclosure of deck plans and ultimately release of Wonder's sailing schedule. 

51 minutes ago, JJG99 said:

Hi,

People on here, keep mentioning US online agents.

I was led to believe that Aussies/Kiwis can't book with them and that you could be refused boarding, if they see that you are not from the US/Canada. Or was this just scare tactics from Aussie agents??

You would have to factor in the exchange rate to see if it was worth it.

I certainly see some great deals when I wander over their websites.

If anyone would like to share their knowledge on this and the companies that they use- I would be delighted to hear from you.

My cruise email is aussiecruiser88 at gmail dot com

Thanks in advance,

Jenny

Jenny.

Some cruise companies do not let a person without a USA address book with a USA agent. From what I understand they regulate this by not paying the agent commission for breach of their conditions.

Princess, HAL and some of the 5 star lines dont allow these bookings. 

RCL, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL and other 5 star lines do allow bookings through USA TA's. I have booked at least one cruise on each of the mass market lines mentioned with a USA TA and have two current RCL bookings through the USA. 

From my recent experience which is only with RCL I have found that since the AUD has dropped bellow the mid 70's cents US that almost every cruise once you factor in foreign exchange rates, port charges and tips (which are not included in the advertised USA prices) and even including the extra OBC that USA agent provide it is far more likely that the Aussie price is the better option. 

22 minutes ago, SinbadThePorter said:

 

We need to remember that it's setup for the China market. Big on casinos, small on bars.

Have you sailed on Spectrum. We spent over 40 days on the ship on the repos to Shanghai.

Most passengers were from other places than China and almost everyone I met agreed that Spectrum was a fantastic ship. 

Plenty of places to get a drink and the VIP casino area in Music Hall can be converted back to a lounge if required. If not it will be just left closed off as it was for some of the repo.

13 minutes ago, Embl said:

Is anyone aware of any Royal Caribbean specials? I haven't noticed any lately.

None at present but Royal may decide to keep Spectrum here and possibly even Voyager if things don't improve in Asia. 

They will have to throw a few specials around I think to quickly sell the cruises. Probable Spectrum will still command high ish prices as its virtually a brand new ship. 

Great price for a balcony. We booked quite a while ago and paid a bit more for an inside. Prices continued to rise for a while until this recent drop. We'll done. 

20 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

It is getting harder and harder to use points for flights that you want or can actually use.

It isn't always easy but they are there to be found. I have both Qantas & Velocity pts. In the last two years we have flown all in J (Mrs woodyren and I ) to connect with repo cruises or distant cruises.

Beijing to Barcelona on Singapore Airlines with Velocity pts, 

Beijing to Sydney Singapore Airlines twice with Velocity points.

Copenhagen to Beijing on Finnair with Qantas pts.

Singapore to Barcelona  on Singapore Airlines with Velocity pts.

We also have a pts booking this coming Sept Brisbane to San Francisco on Fiji Air with Qantas pts then LA to Vancouver on Delta. We will then join Ovation back to Australia.

The trick I believe is to get out of Sydney or Melbourne and fly on partner airlines. Will be looking to fly Sydney to Taipei on China Airlines and then connect to Vancouver on Cathay from there using Qantas points for a future cruise from Vancouver to Tokyo on Radiance in sept next year.

Also lots of availability on Virgin Atlantic New York to Hong Kong which we will use to get back most of the way from our Allure Trans Atlantic in Nov next year. Superb lounges in NYC and London to enjoy. Velocity pts.

Cant book as too far out at present but quite a bit of availability currently.

You dont always find then searching initially on either website but at times you try each leg individually and then call to book.

Most pts via credit card churning.    

44 minutes ago, Kazzygirl said:

Oh that looks fantastic...I am going to have a look at that too ! LOL. Being solo often the cost is explosive though

 

A friend booked Radiance 15 nights solo inside for around $1500 through one of the Aussie ta's. 

47 minutes ago, aussiebossyboots said:

I occasionally like to read this topic, but noticed that there has been little activity lately.

 

Is everyone cruising? or there are no good deals?

 

Cheers,

Been busy cruising with limited internet lol. 

Booked Radiance OTS 15 nights Sept 4 2020 from Vancouver to Tokyo. Inside gty were $951 AUD. 

We booked OV gty for $1170 pp. 

This sort of links up with Voyager 17 nights Hong Kong to Sydney which leaves on Oct 5th. Balconies were around $2200 or so. 

Booking both would allow for two long cruises and a few weeks land travel in Japan China area in between with only a flight to Vancouver and short connecting flights and even train travel within China whike in Asia. 

Visa conditions have changed a lot in the last few years. We have cruised into and out of China 3 times in the last 12 months and are in China now. We leave on Ovation tomorrow.

While I have a multi entry as I regularly visit I have met many who have used the 144 visa free exemption and providing you meet the conditions

Stay less than 144 hours.

Arrive from another country and leave for a different country than the one you arrived from.

Remain within the restricted localities which vary according to your point of entry.

The OP clearly does not qualify because in Tianjin they arrive from Sth Korea and depart to Sth Korea.

I can also assure you that many, many people on our recent April Ovation cruise were given conflicting advice by the cruise line AND their local Chinese visa centres which caused many of them to unnecessarily pay considerable money for visas they did not need.

The 144 hour exemption is fantastic and over 700 people used it without issue on Ovation.

In this case I'm afraid it does not apply.

PS: I have just read that since December 2017 Tianjin also has a 144 h transit rule - so if you are staying within the allowed region it should work because the itinerary is in compliance with the „three country rule“.

 

More here: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/144hours-visa-free.htm

If the itinerary posted is correct they are not within the 3 country rule.

You will not be able to use the 144 hour visa free entre for Tianjin.

One of the conditions are that you must arrive from and leave to a different country.

You arrive from Seoul (Sth Korea) and leave for Jeju (sth Korea) so you do not qualify for the exemption.

This thread is absolutely enlightening. I am going to place a pineapple sticker and a vanilla sticker on my door and watch the confused looks of people on both sides of the debate as they pass by.

Just asking for my friend again.

When Pineapple is out of season in the supermarket can one just put a can of pineapple upside down.

Do you realise how difficult it is to stand a pineapple upside down in your shopping cart?

Is it still OK if you take the top section off or prop it up with a few blocks of cheese??…….just asking for a friend of course.

A quick look on SS shows no direct flights. Is that correct?

Qantas is cheapest in the 6 or 7 random days I checked for Feb once you take Air Asia out of the equation due to it's terribly long layover in KL and it's zero included baggage. I'm seeing around $580-$600 depending on who you book with.

Qantas uses China Eastern metal to Singapore by the looks.

Having just spent 4 nights on each of these Islands I would answer "it depends on what you like and you budget"

Santorini is postcard perfect in it's wonderful views and stunning construction along the edge of the caldera. Sunsets are also a daily highlight.

BUT it can be very hectic once the cruise ships dock and is reasonably expensive for a hotel with a great view and to eat in a restaurant.

Naxos is far more relaxed, has some very nice beaches within an easy walk of Naxos Town or a short bus ride. Hotels and Tavernas are far less expensive and line the harbour front, the old town and the nearby beaches and the vibe in the evening is far more down to earth and lively.

There are some fantastic villages in the interior of the Island which allow for more interesting adventures than those available on the smaller Island of Santorini. We personally enjoyed our stay in Naxos more than Santorini.

I am 63 and my advice is if you want to laze around in a nice (expensive) hotel, possibly with your own terrace and plunge pool, escaping the crowds when the ships are in and dine of an evening in a fine (expensive) restaurant with stunning views and do not much else Santorini is one of the best places in the world to do so.

If you want to stay in a fantastic family owned hotel for possibly a 3rd of the price with one of the best home cooked breakfasts I have eaten, meet locals, have a few beers/wine cocktails of an evening while eating fresh local seafood from the local fishing boats anchored across the road, hit some great beaches and visit the wonderful mountain villages for some walking/hiking eating then Naxos is the place.

If you are anything like us, it will be your best cruise ever. We love WJ for dinner, LOVE LOVE.

 

We are the same. We rarely visit the MDR as we prefer the relaxed casual atmosphere in the WJ as well as the ability to just eat whenever we feel like eating and take as long as we fell like taking.

Always find something interesting to eat and some evenings the food is far more appealing than the MDR.

We also dont like to be fussed over while we eat so service is not a big deal for us.

Lucky you getting it booked.

 

My point is that I am paying £1450 on Jewel for the same trip Solo Occupancy and if I were to do it on Spectrum it would be £2800...no new ship is worth double the price!

Understand but not sure why you pay UK prices rather than book through a USA TA. There are studios on Spectrum although I dont know their price or availability.

They prices are a bit steep for the Barcelona to Dubai leg...the price per person is the same that I paid for a Solo Double Occupancy on Jewel Suez Canal in Nov 2019!

< $100 a night for a balcony including taxes isn't too bad for a brand new ship.

Just booked.

I have checked the deck plans and cant see a D lounge. Only silver and golden lounges.

Anyone have any info yet on how the D and above will be catered for?

Email returned saying address does not exist and yes I did use underscore ???!!

Sorry. I'm losing the plot. We have been on the Seas and the road since March 26th. Currently awaiting our ferry from Naxos to Athens.

My email doesn't even have an underscore (my yahoo one does LOL)

woody3155 AT gmail DOT COM

For Oasis or Explorer?

May be better to email me woody_3155 AT gmail DOT COM

Oasis of the Seas 14 nights Trans Atlantic. April 21 2019 …. $871 USD pp (includes all taxes and port fees but obviously not grats)

Central Park balcony. + some OBC. Not sure exactly how much.

We already had a Boardwalk balcony booked at a decent rate but have downgraded to this Central Park and save a LOT. Money will be better spent elsewhere.

Thank you for the great review. I'm going next month and the cruise terminates in Tianjin. I was wondering whether Chinese immigration come on board and process incoming passengers on the last sea day, like Australian immigration often does when a ship come back from Singapore. We're D + allowed to dine in coastal kitchen even if in a normal balcony? Thank you!

No they process immigration in the terminal. I have disembarked in Tianjin 3 times now and it has been reasonably smooth. You mentioned you are D+ so the Golden Concierges will organise you to get around the long lines that can form on the ship at certain times when people are disembarking. This also applies at each port.

As far as Coastal Kitchen goes it will probably be a no but they may get you in for one dinner dependent on how crowded it is. Never hurts to ask.