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Everything posted by arxcards
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One of Those Days – aka, I Need a Cruise
arxcards replied to Ozwoody's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
This is popping-up repeatedly for me today, and a total pain when trying to type. I am registered (obviously) and logged in, so it makes no sense. -
One of Those Days – aka, I Need a Cruise
arxcards replied to Ozwoody's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
It has been one of those days, where everyone wanted something at the same time. Now is it just me today, same for work and home PCs. What is the go with the annoyingly nagging CC pop-up today? -
Cyclones and itinerary changes
arxcards replied to JohnGc's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Barb has a bit of family around the Northern Beaches and near Ross River dam. They have already stocked-up for the Australia Day weekend. They are more concerned about potential flooding down the Ross River than they are about storm damage. -
Bringing prescription & OTC meds to Australia
arxcards replied to KKB's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Thanks, I wondered if that was the case. That can also happen here now, and is the way of online consultations, but our docs can still do hand written scripts. But I do emphasize, if you have no documentation with strong narcotics, you will encounter issues one day. If not Australia, it could even be at your own border returning home. Hogbay's link has simple explanations as to what is expected. -
Casual dining on Royal Princess
arxcards replied to bail8297's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
The OTT desserts are pool deck fare, sourced from Swirls on deck 16. Just remember to do some of the included fitness classes afterwards. Your casual dining venue is Alfredo's Pizzeria, and there is also a canape bundle you can get at Vines (crudites, charcuterie board, choc truffles). They may also do a Salty Dog pop-up lunch in one of the specialty restaurants, but I can't be sure if or how often. They have been offering this on some of the ships that don't have Salty Dog gastropub venues. -
Cyclones and itinerary changes
arxcards replied to JohnGc's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Brisbane yesterday, no probs. Airlie Beach tomorrow, and those that followed - not a chance. Tough call, but a good one in the end. If the cyclone had formed as originally predicted, it would have passed through before QE was scheduled to be there. -
Princess package inclusion for us Aussies?
arxcards replied to Lanwood's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
It has been mentioned here frequently, but most likely as part of other conversations. Julie is 100% correct. The plus package for $AU65 per day does not include daily grats, regardless of where you cruise. In Oz, they are included in the base fare. For the rest of the world, they are not included in the base fare and are added daily to your onboard account. -
Bringing prescription & OTC meds to Australia
arxcards replied to KKB's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Just take a photo of the script with your phone before your medication is dispensed. -
Confirmed: RCI developing new ship class
arxcards replied to woodscruise's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Ouch. Not far away then. -
Bringing prescription & OTC meds to Australia
arxcards replied to KKB's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
If you are travelling with OTC medications, such as parecetamol, aspirin, Ibuprofen these are easily carried in blister strips as these are sealed and branded. If you empty similar pills from a bulk container into pill boxes or baggies, the onus is on you to prove what they are should they be detected or selected from a random search. This isn't just an Aussie thing, but for most countries around the world - including returning back into the US. Australian authorities can identify most medications, but it may come with inconvenience to you. For any prescriptions, carry a copy or photocopy of the prescription. Be especially careful when travelling with prescription opiates (codeine, oxycodone, morphine) as these will trigger the sensitive noses of sniffer dogs. When travelling with restricted medications like that, you should also have a certificate from your doctor. There is also a declaration around this at question 1 of the arrivals card. Be honest. If they think you are being sneaky, they may question your motives. -
Confirmed: RCI developing new ship class
arxcards replied to woodscruise's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
That's a bugger. Rehab vs surgery I gather? -
Assistance please Indonesian visa for cruise
arxcards replied to windsor26's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Well, yes & no. Using the whole word needs a mod approval. If you mention it in any abbreviation regarding roll calls or moving discussion away for the forum onto social media, it will still get wiped if noticed. Yes, there are knowledgeable people everywhere online. You need a filter wherever you find your details. On some pages there though, if you disagree with a response they just delete a contrary view because they can. It is sad when majority rules takes over from an accurate response, or by default you only see the responses you agree with (most relevant). -
Confirmed: RCI developing new ship class
arxcards replied to woodscruise's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Half rat power, from the good achilles. -
New Medallionet Pricing in AUD?
arxcards replied to Tripmode33's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
No offense to your PVP. They aren't always at the top of the list when it comes to the communication loop. We have had several of these "you are wrong" conversations out of the Australian office over the years for most of the Carnival brands. I suspect that the news hadn't filtered down from above, and believe most T/As that were aware of it were alerted by their customers. A funny encounter from the past that went on for days. P&O Pacific Sun was in Cairncross drydock across the river from Portside. Among work being done, there were rumours that they were removing the slide from the pool deck. There was no announcement from P&O, but friends managed to get photos of the cut-up slide laying on the ground at the shipyard. For several days after, "Kylie from P&O" insisted that the slide was not being removed and people didn't know what they were talking about. -
Help please, Cambodian Currency - the Riel.
arxcards replied to Busy Mum's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
I can't help specifically, except that $US is preferred in the hotels, and the riel is best for local bits & pieces, street eats and small purchases. One of the big chain T/A's handles miscellaneous currency, where we have got XPF in the past, but I don't know if they convert to riel. -
Gratuities on a princess world cruise
arxcards replied to Jensue9's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Welcome from me too. We are doing the second half of the cruise from England back to Sydney. We also paid all of the required tips in the fare, and every service we get on the ship has a service charge built-in (coffee, cocktails, specialty restaurants). If we find a bar we really like, we might add a tip here or there, but that will be added to our account. We won't be tipping any additional cash. Onboard currency is in $AU, so that works for cash tips. The crew are paid their wages in $US, so that works too. Any NZ cash can still be banked for them by crew services on the ship, so that works for them as well. Catch up with dozens of others doing the cruise, together with links for independent tours and various activities. The roll call is here: -
Confirmed: RCI developing new ship class
arxcards replied to woodscruise's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
When vision & radiance class have been phased out, what ships are they going to base in Tampa Bay & Baltimore? I don't think even Voyager class will squeeze into those ports. They don't appear to be talking about this on the Royal board, so maybe it is just the Iconic stuff that interests on the other side of the Pacific. -
New Medallionet Pricing in AUD?
arxcards replied to Tripmode33's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
The only pre-communication I have seen is in US dollars, which tells me that the Australian office sat on their hands with this. -
Sydney Cruise terminal customs
arxcards replied to Cruiseskier's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
As long as there isn't a line-up for taxis, once you leave the terminal it should be around 30 minutes max to the airport. Depending on your itinerary, the time it takes to get through immigration will vary greatly. -
Confirmed: RCI developing new ship class
arxcards replied to woodscruise's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Given there are size restrictions in a handful of their homeports, the new class is designed to go in those places that will only accommodate relatively smaller ships. As they have been touting themselves, they are to replace some of their older vision & radiance class ships. I expect that rather than the shapes of older ships that size, they will be rather "block of flatish" to maximise GRT within their height/length/width/draft restrictions for those ports. I would expect something around about 100 -110K GRT. -
Confirmed: RCI developing new ship class
arxcards replied to woodscruise's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Great news, you can say that again. Lets hope it starts a trend. -
I am not missing it, I see it, I just don't agree with it. The contrary point is that non-drinkers will not buy a plus drink package. They will continue to be part of critical mass, not holdouts. Squeezing another 5% of passengers from standard to plus would be a massive win for the Princess bean counters.
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Cyclones and itinerary changes
arxcards replied to JohnGc's topic in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
In the middle of winter, even P&O is nice for a Qld coastal (I can't believe I just typed that). Pacific Encounter has regular cruises ex-Brisbane, and very few departing Sydney on Splendor & Pac Adventure. We did a June/July cruise up the coast from Brisbane on Pacific Dawn. Excellent. It was the best ship in town. The track is just a probability thing. It has only graduated to a low pressure system today, and apparently will become a cyclone tonight. Only then will a predicable track be apparent.