MichellePerth

4 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I remember on Ovation a Christmas cruise,at the life boat drill, captan hindrick was very stern and recited our obligations under the maritime law ,bla,bla bla.

And now you need to watch this.

 

Thanks, I'm down in Margaret River watching the wild surf and listening to this on my car speakers. I would often take a short video clip and send it to my daughter.  

The song makes me happy. Always has. Esp the part about telling people "in courteous terms". There could be a lot more of that nowadays. 

1 minute ago, Chiliburn said:

I think you maybe breaking Michael.

Take a deep breath and watch this.

 

 

Just what I needed.  

8 minutes ago, Ethanol95 said:

I doubt they would postpone the inaugural cruise to an earlier date by 2 months. That seems like a very dreamy dream indeed. 

Lol. No the dream was that bookings were open. 

The speculation is from someone who maps all this stuff out.  (apparently while awake). 

I don't know about the original target but 2 months delay seems too optimistic. 

11 minutes ago, caribbeanboy said:

Still no word on Wonder? 

Not that I've heard. But last night I had such a vivid dream that I immediately grabbed my ipad and looked it up.  The completely unsubstantiated speculation that I have heard is that it will go on sale in Nov / Dec of this year with an inaugural sailing in late November early December next year, with the ship still heading immediately to the southern hemisphere. 

42 minutes ago, banzaii said:

Sailing into Sydney OPT

 

Ditto but Brisbane 

46 minutes ago, banzaii said:

Sailing into Sydney OPT

 

Ditto but Brisbane 

1 minute ago, Coralc said:

 

Well...you were going to fly a long ways anyway for 9 nights? I don't know that Brisbane would be a lot longer. But if you are going to fly that far, you should definitely make it a worthwhile trip. 

A lot of Americans come to Australia and spend their tourism dollars on land as well as at sea.  Quite possibly the cruise is one part of their longer holiday.

but yeah, brisbane is a hole.  When I cruise into that port, I treat it like a sea day. Last time I took their shuttle down to the GC but that was just to catch up with someone. 

6 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I totally agree,and they sent quantum there??

 

6 minutes ago, Chiliburn said:

I totally agree,and they sent quantum there??

 

They should have replaced radiance with serenade.  It’s beyond a joke.

48 minutes ago, kilpa482 said:

I agree this has been handled poorly, we were on quantum out of Sydney on a 9n, my agent informed me it was canceled refund on the way, but if i rebook a similar sailing they will give me 100 OBC, the ship was moved to Brisbane and is basically doing the same cruise for double the price, I pointed that out and they called again. This time the story was the cancelation Was a mistake and they reinstated the cruise with the updated port with no change in price. Now I don’t know what I want to do as Brisbane is quite far from Sydney 

49 minutes ago, kilpa482 said:

I agree this has been handled poorly, we were on quantum out of Sydney on a 9n, my agent informed me it was canceled refund on the way, but if i rebook a similar sailing they will give me 100 OBC, the ship was moved to Brisbane and is basically doing the same cruise for double the price, I pointed that out and they called again. This time the story was the cancelation Was a mistake and they reinstated the cruise with the updated port with no change in price. Now I don’t know what I want to do as Brisbane is quite far from Sydney 

Brisbane is also a complete hole.  

15 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

Today our Radiance TP for Sept '21 was cancelled. It had been transferred once and then did a L&S when this year's 2020 Radiance TP was cancelled. The offer from RCI is a full refund of $$ paid or you can transfer it at PREVAILING rates to Ovation or Serenade with $50/balcony or $100/suite OBC. No price protection and prevailing rates are quite a bit more than what we paid with limited cabin availability. No very happy with RCI right now. 

I had my quantum April 2022 cancelled.  This is due to them moving quantum from Sydney to Brisbane.  It’s outrageous they won’t let us take the Brisbane to Honolulu cruise at the same price as we booked the Sydney to Honolulu cruise.  It’s the same month. Same time of year. And it’s their doing.  I sent Michael Bayley a message via messenger.  I don’t expect any satisfaction. 

3 minutes ago, Sunny AZ Girl said:

It looks as though those of us on the Radiance TP have been shifted over to the Quantum for the same price.  Those on the Quantum original sailing have been cancelled and have to rebook for OBC compensation only.  It looks like we got the better end of the deal on the Radiance shift.  

 

We were originally on the Ovation TP from Tokyo to Seattle in May '21.  We did a L&S to the Radiance TP from Brisbane to Honolulu in April '22.  We had a Spacious OV on the Ovation and that was changed to a Large OV on the Radiance.  Now that we are back on the Quantum, I am assuming that we will go back to a Spacious OV.  My TA has told me that we will get our cabin assignments once all of the reservations currently on Radiance are shifted to the Quantum.  Once that happens we can change cabins within our category, if available.  This is a wait and see game.  I am getting used to it by now, lol.  This is our third ship booked with the same reservation number.  But I am not willing to let it go since we got such a great price on the original booking and so far it has been protected.

There's no way I'm going to let them keep my money if they don't price protect me. $50 or $100 obc for rebooking is an outrageously pathetic offer. Its unfair they aren't giving us the option of sailing on her for the same price as we agreed on. It is just a change of departure port and its a year and a half off.  

I must be missing something. I've justvreveived the following email telling me that the quantum April 2022 TP has been cancelled.  Isn't that the ship that the radiance bookings are being shifted to? 

Dear Guest,

We hope this email finds you and your family healthy and well.

Over the next few weeks, we will be making schedule and itinerary adjustments to some of our late 2021 and early 2022 sailings for six of our ships. These changes are being made after tapping into market research and listening to feedback and input from guests and trade partners on opportunities for new adventures. But most importantly, we are applying the best available public health, science and engineering insights to deliver a safe and healthy cruise vacation. However, as a result of these shifts, our April 11, 2022 Quantum of the Seas cruise has been cancelled.

We know this news is disappointing, and we're sorry for the impact to your vacation. As a result of this unexpected change, we'll be providing you with the following:

• A full refund of any paid portion of your cruise fare to the original form(s) of payment, including any non-refundable deposit.
• A full refund of any prepaid Royal Caribbean International amenities to the original form of payment.
  • You can expect to receive your refund 45 days after we cancel your reservation. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution.
• And, if you booked your airfare through Royal Caribbean International, it will be automatically refunded to you. However, if you booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them.

Understanding how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, it's important that we make this up to you. So, we also have a special offer just for you. If you rebook an alternate like itinerary departing from Sydney, Australia or Brisbane, Australia in 2021 or 2022 by November 24, 2020, we'll provide you with an Onboard Credit valued at $50 USD for Interior and Ocean View staterooms or $100 USD for Balcony staterooms and Suites. To rebook your next getaway with us, CLICK HERE to visit our website and choose your new itinerary or reach out to your Travel Advisor. If you prefer to call us to rebook, we'll be more than happy to assist, however, please know hold times may be longer than usual. You must decide to move to a new sailing by November 24, 2020 to take advantage of this offer. Once you find a new sailing, just call us or reach out to your Travel Advisor to rebook your next getaway. The Onboard Credit will be automatically applied to your new reservation 72 hours from the date you rebooked your new cruise, so there's nothing additional for you to do!

If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor or contact us at:

20 minutes ago, CSHS1979 said:

 

Perth Terminal has facilities to load 6000 pax. Never heard that before. But I'm no expert

 

All of the Oasis terminals have been purpose built so far.

 

Barcelona actually uses two terminals for her short seasons.  Civitavichia generally only boards about half the ship on any given week

I still don’t understand.  Wouldn’t 6000 be sufficient for an oasis class ship?
 

some people don’t like Freo terminal.  I think it’s perfect.  I’ve seen 3 large ships pulled alongside at once.  Passengers can walk to Freo or the Freo train station with a short trip into Perth. Soon Perth airport will have a regular train station. I believe it will be just normal price, unlike Sydney. Plane arrivals can take the train to Freo, with a maximum of one train change.

the terminal is not fancy but it’s flexible and has a fabulous location which can be accessed quickly and inexpensively. Geraldton and Esperance  are tender ports. Broome can be a problem for even small ships. Pretty sure port hedland would be accessible with oasis class ships.  Smaller ships tender near Margaret river and Albany. 

2 minutes ago, CSHS1979 said:

 

Being able to visit, and doing embarkation are totally different. 

 

Royal cancelled Allure season because Galveston didnt have a proper terminal.

 

So, I'm guessing Brisbane is the only choice

How does Perth fall short in being able to visit and do embarkation ?

8 minutes ago, CSHS1979 said:

Does Australia have a terminal that can handle an Oasis ship. 🤔

Fremantle . Possibly Darwin. Probably Sydney. Brisbane in the future. Melbourne never.

2 hours ago, sparkers said:

I chose it because of the two stops in New Zealand.

I thought there was just one.  Oh well, still would not change my mind but I can see where some people would like that.

25 minutes ago, geoff2802 said:

The Jan 31 departure is still in the Brisbane port calendar and it's still 8 nights, returning Feb 8.  Looks like same itinerary, on a bigger, shinier ship.  

 

These cruises are about 18 months off. I imagine there will be a number of changes in the coming months and year.  As some ports open, Royal may decide to jettison whole itineraries. Once cruising is somewhat underway, Australia may not open to cruises.  Royal needs to go where there is some certainty.  If Australia can’t offer that, Royal may commit the ships elsewhere.  All the chopping and changing is expensive for them.

27 minutes ago, emmy said:

I chose Radiance because I liked itinerary better.  I have been to many places in New Zealand and Radiance out of Brisbane went to ports there I had not seen. Radiance  out of Brisbane was the only sailing that went to Great Barrier Reef which I have not seen on my previous Australia visits .  Pricing was less For Radiance TP as  I did not lift and shift but simply transferred 2 existing bookings to these two Radiance sailings.  I have cruised out of Sydney two previous times and dates of Radiance worked better for us to add a visit as my daughter & SIL who live in Sydney. 

27 minutes ago, emmy said:

I chose Radiance because I liked itinerary better.  I have been to many places in New Zealand and Radiance out of Brisbane went to ports there I had not seen. Radiance  out of Brisbane was the only sailing that went to Great Barrier Reef which I have not seen on my previous Australia visits .  Pricing was less For Radiance TP as  I did not lift and shift but simply transferred 2 existing bookings to these two Radiance sailings.  I have cruised out of Sydney two previous times and dates of Radiance worked better for us to add a visit as my daughter & SIL who live in Sydney. 

Thanks for responding Emmy. I was really only referring to the TP.  I did the TP on radiance in sept 2019.  I think I’d prefer a larger ship.  With more to do.  More dining options.  It can get a bit repetitive with only 4 specialty restaurants and the menus in some of those are abbreviated compared to the same venues on larger ships.  
 

Thanks again for your insight. 💐

56 minutes ago, emmy said:

 

 

Watching these developments closely. We as well as you know are on Radiance same sailing in 2022 and I also have one March 31/22 

on Radiance to Great Barrier Reef out of Brisbane.

 I lifted and shifted to quantum in that same route in 4/22.  
 

im just curious why you folks chose radiance when you could have sailed on quantum at the same price.

7 minutes ago, woodscruise said:

According to Royal Caribbean blog the Wonder of the Seas is now schedule for delivery in 2022.

https://www.*****.com/2020/08/04/royal-caribbean-updates-wonder-of-the-seas-arrival-date-2022

Thanks, I appreciate the link.  I'll keep my eyes open for some other source. That blog isn't top of my list for knowledge 

1 hour ago, compman9 said:

 

Odyssey has effectively replaced Wonder with a spring 2021 launch

 

As Wonder is scheduled to go to China it could be delayed a full year

As far as I know, wonder is not significantly delayed. As long as cruising is open, I doubt they would just keep it out if service.  If anything will get people on board, it would be a new ship. But they may not cruise out of China until the war is done. 

I am looking forward to wonder of the seas getting scheduled. Granted, it was supposed to be launched in May 2021 or thereabouts. 

21 minutes ago, Saab4444 said:

Not always. In many European countries we have 30 days final payment date and Royal canceled well before.

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

You may have missed the fact that RCI usually only cancels sailings after final payment (do the math on Aussie final payment dates) - they are not clueless at all, just a bit greedy. Unless and until they have outsiders tell them to cancel further out, they won't on their own.

Why did they single out Australia cruises if that’s their master plan?  I looked earlier today and there were only a few. On a crappy ship going cheap.  Why did they cancel all other cruises worldwide except Australia? 
tell them their dreaming’

Does anyone else think that cruising is now finished for western passengers out of Hong Kong, shanghai and tianjin? I'm glad I got a chance to visit Hong Kong and cruise out of it. I think it's closed for business until after the war at least. 

44 minutes ago, Blue Eyed Belfast Belle said:

From the Blog

 

"Royal Caribbean announced on Wednesday it was once again canceling most of its cruises through October 31, 2020 due to the current health crisis.

Cruise operations had been suspended through end of September, but will now be extended an additional month, except for Australia sailings.

In addition, the remainder of the 2020 Europe season and the fall Transatlantic sailings have also been cancelled. This includes the planned 2020 President's Cruise on Allure of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean also added an an additional pause to their China itineraries through September 13, 2020.

Royal Caribbean hopes this additional time will allow them to work on their new safety measures."

LOL. Except for Australia cruises.  Those will likely be cancelled until 2021, at the earliest. 

The prime minister sways with the will of the people. The state of western Australia hasn't had community transmission for nearly 4 months. With few exceptions, we aren't even allowing residents  of WA back into the state. So with even fewer exceptions are residents of other states allowed in. A billionaire stuffed up his exemption application so bad it looked like a hoax so the police ignored it. So this billionaire is suing the state in the high Court because he believes the hard border is unconstitutional. The federal government joined in to the  suit saying they also believed it was unconstitutional. 

The people of WA absolutely cracked it and  complained.  It prompted talk if succession, which is never far away in WA 😂.  The federal government withdrew from the lawsuit. 

The people if Australia will totally freak out if a cruise ship even pulled in to refuel.  There's no way that any state government or the federal government will allow cruising this year in any state or territory.  

SMH, Royal is clueless.  Australia will likely be the last place where cruise ships will be permitted.  It makes me wonder what else they have misread.