timtam2

Cruised on Noordam first 2 weeks of January. Not a lot of people wore masks, I certainly did in the theatre and on tenders. I also avoided overcrowded venues. The level of coughing increased noticeably after the first 6 days. The cruise specific group had 149 members- after the cruise at least 20 members reported that they and their companions had covid. 

Book flexible cancellation hotels/rooms. Then from about 6 weeks out, keep checking for a better deal. I've done this on my past 2 trips with success. Last year, I booked a standard room type at the Parkroyal Marina Bay and at 2 weeks out,  I was able to change the booking to a Club room for the same amount of the original booking.

Lovely big accessible elevator between Deck 5 and 6 in Eden.

Going on the Noordam on 2 January and have no idea about embark times. No info in the app (which is probably the worst cruise app ever). Can anyone advise - we will be in a Neptune Suite if that makes any difference,

Thanks

Edge!!!!

I cruised on Royal Princess in a balcony cabin in early November and just disembarked Edge after 14 nights in an ocean view cabin. Edge wins hands down for me on all fronts. The food, crew, entertainment were all superior. Royal seems dowdy now to me in comparison.

I did not miss a balcony and found the oceanview cabin on deck 3 to be lovely. However, make sure you do NOT HAVE A CABIN UNDER CAFE AL BACIO, in particular 3138 or 3140. These are directly under the galley and the noise from cleaning and restocking at 1-3am makes sleep impossible. I was able to be moved further forward after a few nights and it was so quiet.

Sitting in Cafe al Bacio this morning on Edge, I felt like I was in a call center. Loud speaker phone conversations going on all around me including one that had screaming kids on the other end. I drank my coffee quickly and left. What is wrong with people that they think everyone else wants to hear their business?

Fortunately, the actual story didn't end up being as bad as the ads during The Chase suggested. 

Ahhh, Channel 7 news is about to start the scare mongering again, trying to link the broader uptick in covid cases in Australia with the return of cruise ships. Here we go again.. 🙄

On 11/9/2023 at 1:05 AM, Chrisclaire said:

 

We decided to book an hotel at Nusa Dua to spend a night in Bali.

Driver transfer to & from (organised by the Hotel)

It was around 20 minutes away & worked really well.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm on the Edge doing the reverse itinerary very soon and am considering doing that for our overnight in Bali. Can I ask which hotel did you stay at in Nusa Dua?I'm looking at the Conrad.

1 hour ago, SinbadThePorter said:

 

If I disliked Majestic, what are the odds of my liking Discovery?

I also really disliked Majestic and will never go on it again. I've just disembarked Royal this morning after 4 days from Auckland....and I liked it!. It had a different feel to it- the crew were very friendly (unlike Majestic) everything looked brighter somehow. One example - the International Cafe on Majestic was rather dire - display cabinets were sparesly filled with unappetising looking food. On Royal, the cabinets were always full with a wide range of yummy sandwiches and snacks.

   I still intensely dislike that Princess Live room - a terrible venue for trivia!

    I'll give Discovery a go.

Super easy. Taxis and buses outside the exit of the terminal and the Marina South Pier MRT station is a very short walk away.

Since August, I have been on 3 short P&O cruises, 3 shortish Princess cruises,  a 4 day Royal, and a 7 night Carnival cruise.  These all had the mask requirement onboard and I did 

not get covid.

   3 weeks ago, I went on an 8 night Ovation and tested positive on disembark day. No masking requirement onboard but I wore my N95 ( one of the few who did).

   I agree with all the tips the above posters have provided and practiced those myself. I avoided certain activities that I normally enjoy e.g fitness classes but still got it. I think it's likely I picked it up at one of the crowded music trivia sessions where it turns into a loud sing-along......all those covid particles floating around 🙂

    Be careful, assess crowded situations but still have fun!

The only advantage for me is that I can book a cabin in a category I want and at a price I am happy to pay. If the cruise line only shows availability for solos in restricted categories and I want something else, I will do this. Also, I have only done this on domestic cruises. 

Several years ago, I booked a Royal and a Celebrity cruise on their respective U.S. websites. I didn't have any problems at all. I don't know if it's the same these days.

I disembarked Ovation this morning after an 8 night cruise. I have always been a mask wearer and even though for Royal it is only recommended, I stuck to my guns. I was one of the very few onboard wearing a mask - I wore it in the Windjammer, at trivia, in lifts, everywhere. I quickly got over feeling self concious when everyone was staring at me. No one made any comments though.

    I avoided certain crowded settings but with a very high percentage of under 30s onboard intent on hard partying, everywhere was pretty crowded, with people shouting and singing etc. Sometimes I was stuck in a crowd but always wore my mask. I woke up this morning feeling a bit dizzy and off, so after disembarking, I went and had a PCR Test straight away. And I'm positive. First time for covid for me. So far it's just a bad headache and a sore throat.

  As I live with my elderly mother, I've had to book myself into a hotel for another week to prevent passing it on to her. 

   This was my 9th cruise since August so I knew my luck would run out one day. But I'll be back cruising again in April. It's just the risk you take to enjoy something you really love.

6 minutes ago, rkmw said:

 we cruised down near Port Macquarie 

I was on Ovation (off this morning) and saw Luminosa go past the other afternoon. We had our 3rd medivac of the cruise and had to go close to Port Macquarie for it.

    Vanuatu was cancelled and we only called at Noumea. However we did get OBC ($150 for a balcony cabin) and the Port taxes refunded. Didn't worry me as I wasn't planning on going ashore in Vila or Mystery Island. Weather was pretty good mostly although the sea was a bit rough last night.

At embarkation, just say 'My travel companion won't be coming due a family emergency'..  that's what I normally say and have never had an issue. I've done this a couple of times, mainly P&O and Princess. Never been charged any extra.

No, it wasn't a Diamond lounge as such. It was part of the area for Suite passengers. I had gone up to the Solarium area for a stickybeak and I spoke to the Concierge there. I mentioned I was Diamond and he gave me a quick tour and said I was welcome to use the lounge area . I was able to use my drink vouchers there and anywhere else on the ship with no problem at all

I went on Spectrum in August. I did not witness any of that behaviour that you mention. I've been on other Royal cruises from Singapore and I always enjoy them - I do not miss drunken Aussies 'making the most' of their drink packages. Singaporeans love to have fun and do tend to travel in large family groups. Perhaps now there will be groups from China onboard too. The food is slightly different but there is still plenty to eat, including Western options.

   I did miss not having a Cafe Promenade for a snack whenever it was needed.

  I am Diamond but I was not permitted access to the Suite area in the Solarium or the Solarium dining. They are strict about that. However, I was allowed to use the lounge area adjacent to the Solarium and that was a pleasant place for a pre dinner drink.

7 hours ago, arxcards said:

7 hours ago, arxcards said:

 

If P&O decides not to market their Australia Day cruise anymore and the ship leaves Sydney for a regular cruise, then they may have the ability to stand on their soap box. 

A reliable source has informed me that this is indeed the case. No more Australia Day cruises after this year. The woke brigade strikes again.

I'm not sure if there are tour operators there but the Hop on Hop off bus sets up a little ticket booth outside the terminal area. You can't get on the bus there though ( only off) you need to walk a block or 2 up closer to the CBD for the pickup spot.

https://reddecker.com.au/map-times/

There are also boat, sea plane operators a short walk away too.

Why would you want to get off again for a short time anyway? There is nothing to see or do at the Brisbane terminal and you cant quickly go somewhere and come back again  as it's in the middle of nowhere.

Orion

I was on this cruise also and fortunately did not contract covid. However, on the last 2 days of the cruise I did notice more loud coughing around, some of which were definitely hacking covid coughs.

     This was my 8th cruise since August and I have been able to dodge it so far. I avoided overcrowded bars, shared tables, the casino and the Limelight Room (comedy venue) - seating was too close and the ceiling too low! I also won't go on shore excursions. Sure, I may miss out on some of the stuff I would normally enjoy but I'm happy to not be sick. Cruise number 9 is in February so here's hoping my luck holds out!

I was also on this cruise and had a fabulous time. No problems at all and such glorious weather the whole trip. I would definitely go on Luminosa again.