geoff2802

Have to be keen for a rum… it’s more than 2 hours driving each way Gladstone to Bundy.

This one… Brilliance Feb 2024 https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/cruises/itinerary/16-night-all-out-australia-indonesia-from-perth-fremantle-on-brilliance/BR16K050?sail-date=2024-02-14&currency=AUD#step=1

Yep, Navigator is competing with a few newer, flashier ships. Royal will probably have to bring some newer hardware or walk away.

Interesting. LA to Singapore is more than 7600 nautical miles - 17 or 18 days steaming. Pretty sure they’d need to re-fuel and Hawaii is the most obvious place to do so. It’s not much of a deviation either. As you say, perhaps it won’t be in LA then.

I go to The Adelphi centre on Coleman St. There are stacks of AV retailers there and it’s only a short taxi ride to the cruise terminal. Bought both my last two AV processors there. You can get everything and prices were roughly two thirds of Aussie prices (or less). Singapore has 220V 50Hz power, so you just have to replace the AC plug with an Aussie one, unless the lead is removeable then of course it’s trivial. Only catch is there no warranty in Australia. I got them to run the actual unit I bought. Sorry folks, a bit O/T.

Hi all, DW and I are contemplating a trip to Egypt and the Red Sea in early 2024. I see that MSC Splendida is doing 7 night Red Sea cruises through the 2022/2023 northern winter. Do any of you folks know if MSC is likely to operate a similar itinerary in the 2023/2024 northern winter? If so, any idea when they might release these cruises? TIA, Geoff.

Yes, you’re right. You have to embark and disembark at the sane port. Too long in this case.

Maybe… Not sure. Flights might need to get cheaper for one way cruises to work. They have the 2 Singapore to Tokyo cruises on sale now. Guess we’ll see how well they sell. I was thinking more of a Japanese home port season in their summer. Have to dodge typhoons but that’s ok. As you pointed out earlier, winter is too cold for year round cruising there. Can see some obvious options that work seasonally eg Wonder (shared between Singapore and Brisbane) and Spectrum (Japan and Singapore).

Yep, that’s it. A trip to Singapore and return on the ship might be in order. Great place to buy electronics gear plus no weight or bag limits on the ship. I’ll be in the market for a new theatre AV processor by then. 😀

We enjoyed a couple of days at a resort on Tahiti afer the cruise when faced with this same decision. Enjoyed it immensely, although it is expensive. I seem to recall an orange juice was $10 and this was more than 20 years ago. The local beer is more reasonably priced. 😀

I think there is a good opportunity for Royal in Japan. There were so enamoured with China that they overlooked it. I’d be tempted to book if they send a ship and have decent itineraries.

I'd have been happy with that. It's much better than overnight in Airlie, with a long shuttle ride in the wet season. We were just in Airlie on Coral Princess too. Oh well, I'll see what our TA can do.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Was the second email concerning the Quantum Jan 30, 2023 departure? If so, is it now overnight in Hobart or is it an extra sea day?

Looks like it. They are extending the scope of works in the MOD3 upgrade - details here: https://www.portauthoritynsw.com.au/port-of-eden/port-services-facilities/eden-cruise-wharf/proposed-modification-mod-3/ I imagine there will be objections from some folks in the South Coast community and I can see this getting bogged down for years. The NSW government and NSW Ports continue performing as expected by delivering nothing.

Just checked... Royal's website is still showing excursions from Eden for our booking but that cruise isn't one of them. It doesn't have any whale watching excursions at all. There is a 2.5 hour cruise around Twofold Bay showing a price of USD 80. It is currently showing as unavailable.

If anyone has received an update from Royal about the Jan 30, 2023 sailing that was to call at Eden, Sydney and Hobart, could you please post the new itinerary here. Royal's website still shows the original itinerary. TIA

Yeah, perhaps the work (or delay to the work) doesn't affect operations for smaller ships. Enjoy!

I wasn't offered a refund of deposit or any alternatives. I'll probably ask my TA to lodge a request with Royal since we had planned to catch up with friends in Sydney (the other call that was on our itinerary). The weather is a factor for us - it was also a planned break from the hot humid late summer weather here. Of course north Qld will be hotter, more humid and there is cyclone risk too.

Received this from Royal today. I guess all calls at Eden this summer are impacted. Our itinerary now goes in the opposite direction, overnight at Airlie. Just been there on Coral Princess. No alternatives offered. Dear Guest, Pier construction in Eden, Australia has been delayed and as a result, we’ll unfortunately no longer be able to visit Eden. Instead, we’ll have an overnight stay in Airlie Beach, Queensland on Day 3. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this. Nevertheless, we know you’ll have an excellent time exploring everything this destination has to offer! Below, please see our revised Quantum of the Seas February 26th, 2023 itinerary. Day Port of Call Arrive Depart Sun Brisbane, Australia 4:30 PM Mon Cruising Tue Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia 8:00 AM Wed Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia 6:00 PM Thu Cruising Fri Brisbane, Australia 6:30 AM Airlie Beach is the Queensland coast's go-to spot for maritime adventures. Take the ferry and spend your day relaxing by clear aqua waters at Whitehaven Beach or snorkeling among the heart-shaped portion of the Great Barrier Reef. On the mainland, walk the Bicentennial Walkway along the Airlie Beach waterfront and pop into a cafe for a late-morning flat white (the Australian signature latte). When it comes to its nightlife, this destination doesn’t disappoint! Visit the numerous bars and pubs to party with the locals and savor the incredible cocktails being served. Whatever you decide, you’re sure to have a great time! Any pre-paid Royal Caribbean International shore excursions booked for Eden will automatically be refunded to your original form of payment. As your sailing approaches, feel free to browse all the exciting shore excursion options for your sailing in Cruise Planner to level up your vacation. Thanks for your understanding. We can’t wait to welcome you onboard Quantum of the Seas next year! Sincerely, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez AVP | Guest Experience Royal Caribbean International

Yep, they’re expensive all right. Good luck to them.

I agree. Also think Disney will discount from those prices. Wonder (pun intended) if they can fill an Oasis class if the itineraries are mostly to nowhere, Noumea and Hobart. I’d have thought they need Lelepa and also to share it with Singapore (or another port in Asia). The Brisbane winter ship can be a smaller one.

Who would be Disney’s closest competitor in the Australian market? Royal Caribbean?

Great news for Disney fans and another choice for cruisers. Sydney OPT at full capacity, NSW government has been quiet on the third terminal. OPT will be chockers.