Cursa

Appreciate the prompt replies! Yes, I made sure to check the finer details (even down to the tipping inclusions etc). It was a rude awakening to see the price difference, even factoring in full gratuities, exchange rates and credit card charges. I very much appreciate your insights into using a 'bricks and mortar' establishment. On your advice, I found a list of UK agents and am currently wending my way through their offerings. Cheers!

We are looking at taking one or two cruises in the coming months in the Med. Specifically, we are keen on the HAL 25-Day Greek Isles & Adriatic Dream cruise (J369A) or the Holy Land, Ancient Kingdoms & Greek Isles from Athens, 1 October 2023 departure. In Australia, the general pricing for a verandah room is $5500pp+ (assuming rooms are still available). However, via UK sites, the price for the same category are 18-1900GBP ($3500AUD approx) for either sailing. Looking for others who have successfully booked via reputable UK cruise sites (appreciate recommendations on best) and used either Australian issued Visa credit card or Wise travel money card. Cheers!

Looks like she is cruising at about 18.5 knots at the moment. fixed?

Thanks. Unfortunately, due to sickness we are no longer able to go. Devastated, was looking forward to this trip for many months. Even though the sickness is due to COVID, RCL in defiance of their own policy are refusing to cancel the booking and provide a future cruise credit, they want us to use our travel insurance. What is also annoying is that the insurance has a $500 excess. Pretty unfair that we have to claim on insurance because RC has decided to go against their own policy. I'll certainly be asking RCL to add an additional credit to cover the excess.

Any update on the Ovation engine issue?

Same here. Hoping everything fixed for Friday departure.

I contacted RCI and they in turn contacted Ovation to get a confirmation on the 31/12 departure details. Response below: The ship responded and advised "At the moment our deployment shows us leaving Auckland at 8:00 pm, sailing to Bay of Islands" so I would not plan for fireworks unless they're at 8pm or so. Disappointing really but considering the anchor point is out at S1, I doubt we'd see anything anyway. Hope this helps.

Ovation is tendered from 8am to 5pm on the 31st and their next destination is Bay of Islands at 8am the next day, so I would have thought they would be in Auckland for the fireworks?