Jasp 0401

New to RCCL. From looking at the menus, I see that some items are marked gluten free, lactose free, and/or vegetarian. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe in some cases that means it can be made without gluten/lactose/meat, but it may not come that way normally.

 

For those dishes, can you ask for them on a case by case basis to be made without lactose, for example, as a preference as opposd to a special need that you alert them ahead of time? Is the wait staff/ kitchen set up to handle these requests knowing a lot of items are pre-platted?

 

For example, I believe the ceaser salad says lactose free. I assume that would mean holding the cheese that would normally come. Is that possible if I don't like cheese on my salad?

 

I would assume they invite you to do so since they put these notations on the menu.

 

Does anyone have perience with these requests?

 

Thanks,

Brad

My husband and I have food allergy's and have found the waitstaff have no problem getting items changed or substituted.We never had to pre order our meals the night before. On each night they would offer suggestion of possible changes we would like to any dish on the menu.They said it wasn't a problem to do it night by night when we have offered to order in advance.

My DH and I don't drink soda, but I'm going on a cruise with my sister at the end of the month. She asked if they serve free soda during our meal in the Main Dining Room. I know that a while ago they did, but do they still...or do they charge you for it now? Thanks!

The only free drinks in the Main Dining room are Iced Tea, Lemonade (not fizzy)Coffee,Tea and Hot Chocolate .Any Soda or other drinks you have to pay for .

We took our daughter to Portofino on the Voyager and all the staff made her feel very welcomed as they did for all the children dining with there parents. The waitstaff went out of there way to make sure all the children had a meal to enjoy just like they did for the Adults.They even made special deserts of mixed berries and ice cream for the children too.That looked really yummy too.

It is a bit sad if they don't offer the same great service in Portofino on the Liberty as they offered on the Voyager.

29.12.13 a wonderful New Year cruise on the Radiance of the Seas:D

Boyfriend and I were in Lautoka too and Jack's or Proud's usually provide a shuttle from the ship to their store for you.

 

I love Jack's for pearls. I got some incredible stuff, very happy :D

 

Also if you can find an excursion that includes a trip to an island by sailboat TAKE IT!!! If you are doing 2 ports in Fiji like we did, I'd recommend using one for shopping and the other for touristy stuff. There was a specific excursion with RCI that included a sailboat that took us to this tiny, beautiful postcard perfect island. It was just wonderful! And the boat ride there was also great. It was a definite highlight of the trip.

We are only going to one port in Fiji.And we have booked a discover Nadi tour for the morning and then we are going to wait and see in the afternoon.Your trip on the sailboat sounds lovely.Thanks for your tip

In the terminal at the port in Noumea, there are a number of tour operators offering tours at very good prices, including the Little train, the green one. Last week we went with Lyvai Transports, www.lyvai.nc. They organised a tour on the green train for us, at half the ship's price, but when it came time to go the tour had to be cancelled as there were only the two of us booked (most had taken the tour as soon as they got off the ship). The operators gave us our money back immediately and then organised for us to go to the lookout, which was really all we wanted to do at sunset for $5 Aus each. They provided a driver and a guide for our sole use. Fantastic service.

Thanks for your tip.We have put in request for quotes for a few different company.Some got back to us and said they only do tour if you book through the cruise ship and some we are still waiting to hear back from (Lyvai Transport being one of them we are still waiting to hear from). We did get a quote from Sunny Transport and they were happy to do a private tour with a guide for our sole use for the day.So we may just go with them.

Thanks again for your wonderful review and pictures.:)So looking forward to cruise on her in January.

If you ship in in Noumea on Sunday or a holiday be sure to book a tour because the town will be pretty much closed down. Snokeling with Aquanature was better than the Great Barrier Reef! Capt Bernard has a wonderful tour.

Thanks,We are in port on a Wednesday.We are still waiting to hear back from some other private tour operators so we can book something

When we were in Noumea last year we spent the day with Aquanature (http://www.aquanature.nc/en/accueileng.html) It was amazing! I highly recommend them.

 

If you want to read a review of our day with them, check out our blog post at http://www.thenextjourney.com/2011/10/noumea-fantastic-snorkeling-with-aquanature/

 

When we were in Fiji (we docked in Port Denarau instead of Lautoka but they are fairly close) we did the Discover Nadi tour with Tourist Transport Fiji (http://www.touristtransportfiji.com/). Our guide Solomon was extremely knowledgeable and very interesting to talk with. Our review of that day can be found at http://www.thenextjourney.com/2011/10/port-denarau-our-first-taste-of-fiji/

Thanks for your help.We have booked to do the discover Nadi tour.:)

Outstanding.

 

We will be on the Voyager again this Dec, on a 14 day cruise from Sydney to New Zealand! We have already bought our air tickets to Sydney from Singapore - using the newest budget carrier called Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines.

That should be a great cruise .We had a wonderful time in New Zealand on our cruise last year it is a really beautiful country:).I hope you have a wonderful time too.

Thanks again for your wonderful pictures

Glad you liked it.

 

Which Voyager sailing would you be on?

We are sailing from Sydney to Noumea, Fiji and New Zealand on January 13th.

Thankyou very much for taking the time to post your wonderful pictures and your great review .Can't wait for our cruise:)

These coupons are for adult Crown & Anchor members only. Kids get a different coupon book. Unfortunately, I don't recall what's in the kids' coupon books.

Thankyou very much for answering my question.And it is good to know that the kids get something too.

Newbie Question.On our first cruise we all joined up for C/A points including our 13yr old daughter .My question is will my daughter get a platinum coupon book too.Or do they just give them to the Adults as most of the coupons she wouldn't be able to use.

When we were in Noumea last year we spent the day with Aquanature (http://www.aquanature.nc/en/accueileng.html) It was amazing! I highly recommend them.

 

If you want to read a review of our day with them, check out our blog post at http://www.thenextjourney.com/2011/10/noumea-fantastic-snorkeling-with-aquanature/

 

When we were in Fiji (we docked in Port Denarau instead of Lautoka but they are fairly close) we did the Discover Nadi tour with Tourist Transport Fiji (http://www.touristtransportfiji.com/). Our guide Solomon was extremely knowledgeable and very interesting to talk with. Our review of that day can be found at http://www.thenextjourney.com/2011/10/port-denarau-our-first-taste-of-fiji/

:)Thanks for your suggestion on tours for both Noumea and Fiji

The ship may fully book the Tchou Tchou train, coach tours to the Aquarium etc and the Mary D to Amadee Island but there are other options. There is the Ho Ho Explorer bus that will take you around the main tourist areas in Greater Noumea - the bays and beaches (Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons), the Aquarium, the Tjibaou Cultural Centre - you can also try the local buses that leave around Coconut square. There is an excellent Tourist Information office in the middle of the square - very friendly and multi lingual. You can also go by water taxi to Duck Island. You will find smaller local tour operators lined up in the Passenger Terminal waiting to offer you indpendent tours. Pick up a copy of the New Caledonia Weekly in the terminal for the excellent maps and information on what to do and see in Greater Noumea and how to do it.

 

Colleen

Thanks Colleen for all the great information on what else we can do in Nourmea.

We had contact about half a dozen different tour operators (helicopter tour,glass bottom boat and Tchou Tchou train etc ) and they all emailed us back saying that they are operating excursive to the ship that day we are in port and that we had to book through the ship.

Thanks again for all the suggestion on what we can do.

Lautoka is a cargo dock. The main “city” shopping area is maybe a 10-15 minute walk away. When we visited in March, the store Jack's of Fiji had free shuttles from the dock to (you guessed it) the corner right in front of their store and back. IMHO, you could only occupy yourself for an hour or two at most in Lautoka. Take a boat tour to one of the outlying islands, or go farther inland, and save the city for the end of the day.

 

 

Noumea is a fairly common port of call. Do a search for “Noumea” in this board and in the Aussie one and you should find lots of information. Some people like to go to the small islands. Others take the Petit Train, or there is a hop on/hop off type bus that runs a loop through the city. IIRC, while there are a few things to see withing walking distance of the port, a lot of the other sites are spread pretty far out.

 

 

Dennis

Thanks Dennis,When I looked at google maps there didn't seem much to do in Lautoka.Will probably look at taking a boat tour to one the outer islands.Have to research some more into it.

Did some research for tour in Noumea and most of the tour operators have been booked by the Ship and you have to book your tickets through the ship they are not offering any private bookings.Don't know if this is what normally happens when a ship comes into port or just because it a big ship.Or Royal Caribbean want to make sure their passengers get on these tours. And of course so they can make some money.

Thanks for your information

Hi, Looking at a map we dock right in town in Noumea when we go to New Caledonia. But we are going to Lautoka in Fiji and it looks like its a cargo port. Does anyone know if it is easy to get into town in Lautoka or any must see sites there.We thought we would be able to just walk in to town in Noumea. Or is it best to book tours through the ship or a private tour for both these ports.Any tips or ideas on what to do while we are in these two port would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

The "beam" in the middle actually has a great little seat for kids...my nieces and nephew loved sitting in there!

That's great I am sure my daughter will sit there too.Thanks

We had #1324 on the Voyager last October. It's on the hump so the balcony bows out, giving you extra space. There's a chaise lounge on the left and a table and two chairs on the left. If you order room service, your waiter will lay a nice white tablecloth down for you as he/she sets the table. It's lovely. The bed is on the left of the room, loveseat and comfortable club chairs to the right. The bathroom has two sinks and a bathtub with not one but two retractable clotheslines if you are inclined to do your own hand washables in the sink. We loved the location of the cabin. Exit from stairs (we never take the elevator), turn right, and it's there. You can't get lost. :D No noise reaches the cabin from the downstairs, either. The concierge lounge is very close, just one flight down. Enjoy your cruise and enjoy the wonderful #1324!

Thankyou for all your wonderful information on cabin 1324.It sounds like we have made the right choice of cabin.It is great to know it has 2 retractable clotheslines as we are going on a 2 week cruise so I am sure I will be doing some hand washing.Now our cruise just needs to hurry up and get here.:D

You're welcome! Spent almost a month touring around Australia and New Zealand in the late 80's so would love to return and cruise around it this time. Have a wonderful cruise, Voyager is a special lady....

Thanks:)

1324 was our favorite GS on the Voyager. There is no noise and the location can not be better. You have to remember that on the Voyager the balcony is cave-like so there is a wall dividing it into sections but that does not diminish your view. Takes a little while to remember when all the ships had these 'caves' and not the openess of the glass balconies of newer ships. The width of the balcony is slightly less than newer ship's GS but it is so private and peaceful in your balcony you won't mind. Really going to miss the Voyager since won't be going to Asia or Austrailia anytime soon. Enjoy!

Thanks,It is nice to hear that people loved this cabin.And I loved your description of the balcony .I can really see what you are talking about in the photo that pkexton had posted.:) It is cave like and does look very private. Really looking forward to sailing on her:).And if you ever get the chance to sail around Australia you would love it.

We used the outside seating area very frequently on our recent 42 days on board. Of course the weather in the S. Pacific was wonderful and we saw many lovely sunsets out there. It was also much quieter and you could have a conversation. The CL tends to be a bit noisy. :D

I agree watching the sunset and the view was lovely sitting outside CL. They were lovely inside too. But I must agree with you that it was quieter outside in the evening. I loved going up there at about 3pm for coffee you had the whole place to yourself.It was lovely and peaceful and those views are wonderful.:)

Speaking of the Dog House, I'm curious how many people actually ate there.

 

We were on the Honolulu to Vancouver 12-night sailing, and I didn't go there once. At first I figured it was because we were so busy during the Hawaii days, but even during the crossing, it never occurred to me to grab a dog.

 

On the Allure, I probably went 4 or 5 times, and that was on a 7 day sailing. It seemed just more natural. We'd be strolling on the Boardwalk, and - bam! - grab a dog. On the Radiance, it's right next to the Windjammer, so why not just go there and see what else is available?

 

I'm just not a big fan of the addition of so many dining venues. Having 10+ places to eat may make sense for a 225,000 ton, 6000 passenger ship. It spreads people out. That's smart.

 

It doesn't make sense for a ship less than half its size, with less than half the passengers. The MDR was less than half full every night we were there, and I never saw anyone go into Izumi. It just feels like they're testing out the Norwegian Freestyle route while also trying to maintain Traditional dining.

 

And that card playing area on Deck 10 is just...odd. I can see an activity temporarily being set up there, but to make it the permanent location of the games room? Is the Chefs Table that popular?

 

I used to think the Radiance class was the most beautiful and upscale of the RCI ships. Now I'm not so sure.

 

(All of this said, it was still an amazing cruise, and many, many, many good things about the Radiance.)

We were on it for 16 nights over Christmas and New Year and I saw the Dog house was very popular with the children getting something to eat and then going off again to play. As we were in a grand suite on deck 10 every time we went past the card area there was hardly a vacant table.We were glad we had packed our own cards so we could play in our room as getting a table was very hard in the card/game area.

Some past cruisers of the Radiance on our cruise did tell me .The card /game room was much better before they moved it.Now it seems an after thought on the ship.And as for the other dining option I was told they were very popular with the guest on our cruise.As this was our first cruise I can only go on what it looks like now and it is a beautiful ship and was very popular with the Australian market

What I do wonder is if people ever started using that outdoor area behind the CL. It was too cold in Alaska for anyone to want to sit out there.

 

I know you didn't spend time in the CL, Patti, but do you know if anyone used this area?

 

Just what was the weather like in Australia during the time you were there?

 

Gina

We saw it being used a bit on our cruise over Christmas but not much.The weather was lovely and warm but still most people sat inside the CL.

My wife, son and I willl be traveling on the Radiance for the second time (our third Radinance Class ship0 voyage) and I'm hoping someone here can answer a question. One of my favorite things to do as an early riser was to Go up to the Coffee station just outside the Windjamer which had a great view of the passing scenary/ocean and start my day..... I note on the deck plan of the Rivised revilitized Radiance that that location is now occupied by the Doghouse (complementary Hot Dogs) Where, now, do I go for coffee, or did RCCL put me in the doghouse.

We were lucky to be sailing on the Radiance over Christmas and there was Tea and Coffee set up just outside the Dog house. :)