davwen81

1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:

Could you please explain how these cards work?  Are they debit cards?  Do you put money on them before your overseas travels?  

Yes exactly. I use the wise card to deposit A$ on then convert to whatever currency I need at extremely good rates. The other two we just put A$ on and use to pay for tours, ATM withdrawals etc and they convert to the local currency at very good rates, better than any rates you can get here in Oz. 

We have Wise card, Up card and UBank card and  they all work incredibly well overseas and their exchange rates are phenomenal. We did have a Qantas card but never again as exchange rates are so low. 

Our acct shows our OBC and I was able to book cooking classes for our cruise in September using it. 

Very sad to hear for you, especially missing ports of call, it seems to be a fact of like rd cruising now, and we’ve had it twice on ships. We were at the end of our immunity though, or that’s what I’ve put it down to. 
Keep well. 

Fabulous pics. We loved Kenrouken gardens, lovely to see their autumn colours. 

Thank you both for your replies, much appreciated. 

When you book a half day in the Sanctuary, is that set hours eg 8-12, 9-1 12-4, 1-5 or how do they work out half days. Really appreciate anyone who’s done this giving us the heads up please. Many thanks. 

11 hours ago, Wookie01 said:

The same price?
Rydges Superior King Harbour View room is $422 while the Four Seasons Deluxe Full Harbour room is more than double at $893?

 

I didn’t pay anything like that at the Four Seasons and my booking at Rydges was their top room so it was an easy same price swap! Only paid $100 more! 

We’ve actually changed our booking to the Four Seasons. For the same price we get a full harbour view room and the reviews are spectacular. The reviews for Rydges are just awful now. 

The Rydges is now open for bookings in April 2024 too

Hi I can’t answer your question but be interested in your information on your tour  guide for these ports as going next year. 
many thanks Wendy

I have bought US OBC to use but have also supplied a credit card which has US $ on. Will they use my OBC to settle the bill before they charge  my CC??? 
Also, if I have OBC left at the end of my cruise, how do I take it out as Id rather have the cash to pay extra tips and use in Hawaii  than get it sent back via cheque? 
Is it possible to redeem it at the concierge desk, guest services or casino? And if only at the casino, how do I do it!

Many  thanks in advance for any help as this is a new process for us. 

8 hours ago, kernow said:

Aren't they still requiring testing for all cruises from Australia? That is where the OP is from.

Yes, exactly! 

Weve booked several times with an OS agent until the last few years when our $ slumped and she couldn’t match our prices here. But when our $ was reasonable I found they gave great OBC, gave us great upgrades as the price fell, (from balcony to suites) and were very easy to deal with just by email. Yes we do pay more here,  especially as we don’t automatically get the new prices, but have seen Aussie cruisers saying by ringing they are,  so that’s a nice change. We managed to get 1K off a December Celebrity cruise by ringing our agent here, and we kept all our benefits like OBC etc. 

Id try an OS agent and see if they can give you extra benefits. 

We’re new to HAL and are on our first cruise with them in August on NIEUW Statendam.  We have booked all the speciality restaurants we’d like, but how do mealtimes in the MDR work. Can you go at the same time every night or are they like other cruise lines with early, late sittings.
any recommendations for speciality restaurants we’d be interested in too. 
Many thanks for any help. 

12 hours ago, gloriason said:

DaKahuna, that is an interesting letter you received asking you and your wife to go to the Solarium Bistro for dinner tonight.  Strangely, the Solarium Bistro is no longer appearing on the Royal app for the week of my cruise, September 5-12.  I would be interested in your impression of the Solarium Bistro if you and your wife decide to go.  Enjoy your day.

Yes, I agree, it’s not showing up for our cruise next year and wondered why. Shows on the deck map though. 

Just wondered what are the starting times offeredfor boarding at the new cruise terminal? Anyone with user knowledge replying would be greatly appreciated, thank you. 

Wondering if anyone can give us a heads up on reliable car transfers for our stay. We need three, so hoping to book with same company. We won’t be driving, as not comfortable with driving on the wrong side for us, so just want transfer car company info. Thanks gif any help. 

You’ll love the sky loft suite. We had this cabin on Allure a few years ago. Not with kids but should be ok. Great size balcony and  lovely roomy cabin. 
Suite concierge was very helpful with getting reservation changes or show times. 
Coastal Kitchen was fabulous and the concierge was great at getting us off the ship seamlessly past all the lines. 
We’ve booked one on Quantum for  transpacific next April. 

It’s a fair way at they end of a long jetty as it’s so tidal. Before Covid they would shuttle you in to the terminal. 

On 4/22/2022 at 2:08 AM, EnidSooner said:

Are you on the May 8, 2022 sailing with A&K?  No communication from them cancelling excursions.  I hope not, that would be very disappointing.  Looking forward to our first trip down under!

No Enid we are on 27 July sailing Darwin to Broome with Ponant. The only excursion offered now is Horizontal Falls, as we no longer stop in Wyndham, making all the other excursions obsolete. However, Ashmore reef is a world heritage listed area and will provide an amazing day off the ship. 

Thanks guys for your replies, feeling more comfortable about being able to spend our OBC now, lol! 

I think Ashmore Reef will be stunning, and we had decided that a land based trip between Darwin/Broome was also needed to see this area fully, and that’s now doubly true. 

4 minutes ago, gogo65 said:

So does that mean you miss out on the land excursions (Bungle Bungles etc) completely?

 

Yes, no stop in Wyndham at all so no excursions there. 

2 hours ago, gogo65 said:

PS we also have €350pp OBC from a 2019 cancelled cruise that we keep rolling over (along with multiple discounts), and plan to spend in the Spa and shop, (if we ever get on a ship!) as like you there are no excursions that need to be bought due to booking expeditions.

And that’s my concern also, as we already have a $600 OBC from our TA! Not interested in buying drink packages, and other than the Horizontal Falls extra excursion, there’s not a lot we’d want. I guess I’ll have to spend time in the spa and upgrade some cocktails!  What things do they sell on Ponant, as I thought it was just Ponant signature stuff, and that doesn’t interest us. Thanks for both your inputs. 

Yes, sure this is what Ponant wrote 

To maintain our international voyage status, the Australian Border Force (ABF) requires vessels to land at an international location to meet customs’ requirements. Due to these regulations of entry and to maintain our covid protocol plan, it is no longer permissible to sail to the international port of Pulau Meatimiarang in Indonesia, between Darwin and Wyndham to conduct clearance procedures. We therefore are forced to alter our Darwin to Broome itinerary to comply with these revised Federal Government regulations. 
 

So we are not going to Wyndham where all their land based excursions went from, (Bungle Bungles, Ord River, El Questro) but instead are going to Ashmore reef ( to fulfil the above BF obligations) and Careening Bay,  so it will now be a full 10 day itinerary with no sea day and  we got €300 compensation.