Chiliburn

No Ovation yet but Anthem is there . Do you think they will try to squeeze 3 Quantum into Alaska?

Cruise excursions will be looking better and a lot easier ,I wonder if they had anything to do with it. Just wondered around, had a couple of beers at the brewery,lovely viewing deck Had a coffee a couple of times there ,a lovely little town .Just to get of the ship as we were feeling lazy. With Christchurch the way it is it’s a fair distance to get anywhere like the mountains. So ,just veg out ,I’m pretty good at that.

So private shore excursions will leave from Christchurch I suppose. Last season I remember a private company that we went with complaining they weren’t allowed to pick up at the ship. They said it was the cruise companies that told customs or whoever it was ,it’s a security risk.

Last year, I thought Christchurch resembled a big building site. Not the Christchurch from before the earthquake and I wouldn’t bother going back there. Lyttelton ,just to get off the ship ,was lovely.

I’m on in a couple of weeks and have a couple of questions. Whats the in house band and do they and where do they have a singles and veteran get togethers.

@gbenjo

It could be Our local Rccl boss has been on about Lelepa and a year round ship to serve it. Navigator might be that ship ,it would be perfect to compete with carnival.

Ovation wouldn’t be staying in OZ ,maybe a smaller ship year round. Maybe Navigator. I wonder where Ovation is going ,Asia ? Los Angeles ? back to the Atlantic?

No Ovation? Quantum’s there though, I wonder where Ovation is .

That does make sense. A cool weather ship in tropical Brisbane didn’t really add up .

And U.S. dollars instead of the Australian peso

There was speculation that Anthem would replace Quantum in Brisbane. Royal really has trouble filling Quantum so maybe Navigator might replace Quantum in Brisbane during our season ,instead of Anthem. A Quantum class in Los Angeles over Christmas could be a hit .

Well it’s only fair, people pay the big bucks in a suite and the suite lounge should be for them. Not packed out with C&A top tier. They were talking about a Pinnacle lounge ,now they have it and won’t they be winging .

Wonder,icon and Utopia have junior sky and it’s being rolled out . I believe Pinnacles maybe kicked out of the suite lounge like Diamond Plus where to make room And this isn’t going to be popular . The Diamond lounge is now the crown lounge and ,have a Guess who might be kicked out of the Crown lounge from 5:30 to 8:00 happy hour. Apparently it’s already happening on Oasis class if there’s a lot of top tier crown and anchor members. NO DIAMONDS during happy hour. Ah , I didn’t like it anyway

@springaussie Does that 25-26 schedule suggest Anthem is going to Los Angeles after Alaska ,instead of Australia?

Ken is that Anthem in L.A.

You don’t really need the big cabin ,you’re not there a lot ,the beds are good in junior and the perks at a better price.

There should be a new class of junior suite coming on Ovation , Quantum and /or Anthem in the coming seasons. A junior suite will full suite perks,wifi,suite lounge and full coastal kitchen entitlements. JUNIOR SUITE SKY class

That’s Quantum. Some people swear by booking onboard with next cruise.They give a pretty good onboard credit,I believe it’s usually $U.S. 600 . But I haven’t been impressed with Next Cruise. They have the Black Friday sales coming up . If you book with your agent and something better comes up . Royal Caribbean will match the price.

I would bother if I was staying on the north side and wanted that harbour experience.

I know water taxi’s are expensive but it could be a option if there’s a landing.

There’s a private ferry that goes from Barangaroo to Black wattle bay . It’s just around the corner ,you would think they would take on White bay cruise terminal. Has anyone tried a water taxi? For a group it might be a viable solution.

I was hoping for Allure in Sydney (or Kembla ?) but I think there’s a little evidence it’s going back to the Caribbean after it’s dry dock . Gavin smith said a couple of months ago Lelepa will be open in 2026 but I think he’s starting to believe his own hype.

We are sick of it down here, send it to Europe,they can introduce it in the Atlantic as a brand new ship

I don’t think they would care the slightest ,we had free drinks delivered to a specialty restaurant quite a few times by the suite waitress. You are basically a first class passenger, they do look after you ! You have to expect something for the money you are paying. You should get a free ship tour if you ask the concierge .Also front row seats at shows ,escorts at ports .The suites party is pretty good , free drinks, the captain and a few of his mates will be there. We had the head chef and waiter come to our cabin once ,introduce themselves and ask us to be there guests. Also you will get a private number for the kitchen.Anything you want,they will cook it and bring it up to your for free. The Royal hamburger is good. The concierge will email you the week before your cruise and if there’s anything you want , just tell them,they will sort it for you. Being a suite guest is pretty good for the ego and be warned it’s addictive.