Icerecon

Well I have received an answer from Immigration/ABF - the stock standard answer that is. If the first port of call is Darwin you will be required to complete a IPC (Inwards Passenger Card) declaring your Health and your purchases etc. You then clear Customs once more when you get off in Sydney clearing your baggage. There has been a few changes with Passenger Cards so it will be interesting to see if this really happens.

From another source all packages are now scanned (prohibited items) for air freight and if cigs and alcohol are found they can be passed to ABF to try and determine the place of purchase - how I hear you ask I don't know, I guess our cheap import cigs are not available for purchase in Darwin.

I do know ABF officers are available to attend at all major ports (and some not so major) to clear not only cruise ships but other shipping including yachts.

The only reason I used alcohol was the fact that it was 25 cigs and you have a $900 general goods limit per person, so why post a $600 watch home and trust Australia Post with it. I have created a scenario and asked ABF for an answer.

Your Duty Free will be sent to your cabin on the last night of the cruise so you cannot send it home. If you buy Duty Free let's say wine at a port of call Security will take it and add to your Duty Free purchases. All other Duty Free is to be declared on disembarkation don't get caught out because if you do and go over an allowance they can make you pay duty on all of your Duty Free purchases.

We are going on the Sun for Christmas/NY which leaves on the 22 Dec and final payment is due 8 Oct I have not counted the days... OK yes I have it 75 days.

A sad Accident and my thoughts go to the Crewmans family.

Both sotries by the links provided state the it was a nitrogen cylinder, which I believe is used to compress the hydraulic accumulator attached to the life boat systems which I guess was being tested, topped up, replaced but we will have to wait until the investigation has been completed.

I think that the last time we sailed we received two documents a one page Set Sail Pass (for each Guest) and a Guest Ticket Booklet (20+ pages) that required the signatures...

Icerecon, devices like Kindles and most mobile phones charge using USB cables. International wall chargers that have USB plugs are capable of handling both 220v and 110v, that's whay they are "international".

 

The charger converts the wall current to that required by a USB cable.

OzKiwiJJ

Thanks for that, as the OP has stated some people are making this subject far harder and I guess more confusing than it is, for them to understand, check the voltages get the adaptor away you go. Glad you added the part about "MOST" mobile phones.

Check the label on your charger; it should say something like "INPUT: 110-240V".

 

If it does then you're good to go as far as voltage is concerned. Most electronic chargers & hairdryers now are multi-voltage.

 

The only thing you need now is a plug adapter.

 

If it doesn't say "110-240V", but something like "100-130V" then you will need a voltage converter in addition to a plug adapter.

 

A quick trip to Radio Shack with your existing stuff should answer your concerns.

Philob has hit the nail on the head, please OP listen to his advice. Australia has been lucky for a long time getting most of its electrical goods with dual voltage unlike other countries, because someone here can plug there 240v appliance into a 110v plug using an adpater does not mean you can.

Please help 1st time cruiser here!!

I've seen a few threads about unlimited photo packages, however I can't seem to find the answer I'm after.

I am wanting to know, what is the cost for a 10 day cruise, on rhapsody. To get the unlimited photo package.

Hi Again MandaNShannon,

Could I pass on a bit of information for you, as you do not have a location showing on your posts be aware that the answers you will get from the RCI forum and so others sections, as they don't know where you are from they will give you for example US prices and there is a drastic price difference between the USA, Europe, Australia etc.

Your first forum is the Roll Call everyone there is going on the same cruise so will be able to answer questions as to what happens in Australia for the cruise.

The RCI forum is used by those traveling usually from US ports and they will pass information as to what happens there, the Aust NZ forum will help with what happens down under but your Roll Call will answer whats happening on your cruise.

I notice that Gae is going on your cruise and she can and will answer most of your queries. A very knowledgeable lady.

My reason for posting this is that there are a lot of questions for a new cruiser but I don't want you to get the wrong answers especially if it comes down to dollars and cents.....

Hi Stan,

 

We like MTD, we used to have set time but after an experience where nobody else turned up on our table of 6 we felt quite lonely so decided to go MTD ever since, plus it fits our variable dining time preference.

We never book, just turn up when we are ready to eat & we are willing to sit wherever they want to put us.

 

The gratuities are now automatically debited from your sea pass account daily if you don't pay then upfront like you do with MTD. You can still tip additionally if you wish of course.

On our previous 3 cruises we have always had MTD, on the first cruise on the first night we booked and then waited 1 hour for a table; so from there on we never booked in advance either, we don't mind a small wait because we like to be spasmodic and don't like routines like at home.

But about half way through the Rhapsody cruise we stood in the "no booking" line for 20 minutes before there was an acknowledgment that we where standing there.

We were then seated on a 8 person table with a couple who had been seated and waiting 20 minutes for table service; after exchanging pleasantries and a further 10 minutes went by another guest was seated at the table. 10 minutes later the senior table waiter asked if we would wait another 20 minutes so they could fill the last 3 seats. He was a bit surprised when we said no, a good part was that we meet some very nice people.

This story was conveyed to Maitre d, when he asked us how we thought MTD was working on the ship, he also advised us to report it once we got home, which has been done but there has been no response as yet.

Totally understand the way gratuities work and how to have them removed.

Can I add for Gbenjo our check-in was great basically walked in at 1030-ish and was sitting pool side at 1045 so that was a WOW.

avalon007 we sailed on Rhapsody in Feb 14 and had JS 8066 our noise came from chairs and trolleys being dragged and rolled on the solarium deck... so on deck 8 you pay for the noise it would seem.

We concur completely with your quick review; when we go again with RCI we would not take MTD as it did not work for us and would elect to pay the waiters gratuities etc at the end of the cruise.

Any other info for 1st time cruisers - Would be great.

Sorry I forgot to add the following tips find your "Roll Call" and get to know your fellow cruisers - those that will be on your cruise that is, join the "Meet and Mingle" so once on-board you can meet them face to face.:D

Once you find your way around the ship find the Crown and Anchor Society (C&A) desk and join, for free, and get some benefits when you travel next with RCI.:)

And enjoy the experience, don't forget somethings may happen like weather etc :eek: take it all in your stride and enjoy.

I'm going on my 1st cruise soon, and have been told that on a 10 day cruise I should expect;

2 formal nights

1 white night

1 Hawaiian night

1 western night

1 70's night

1 80's night

 

Can anyone let me know if this is correct? I like to plan ahead.

And I want to be prepared for all

The fun nights!

 

Also, regarding formal nights.

Is anyone willing to share their

Photos? I would love to see what

Others have worn. Both men and

Women. So I could get an idea of

What people are currently wearing.

Any other info for 1st time cruisers

Would be great.

 

 

Awaiting our 1st Cruise

Royal Caribbean

Rhapsody Of The Sea's

7th~2nd~2015

Tasmania

Hi and Welcome to Cruise Critic and to sailing with RCI - I am sure you will love the experience.

The cruises out of Australia do have the themed nights as you have indicated but unfortunately the participation rate is low. Even the formal nights are going slowly down hill, sitting at a table with half in coats and ties the other half in jeans and polo's.

For formals we dress up, yes it is our holiday but to us it is part of the history of cruising and I would hate to see it disappear. I don't have a tux but a black suit white shirt and bow tie best I can do and my wife well she goes all out.

On our last cruise there where guests in Full Navy whites, Tux etc and some of the ladies dresses where exceptional so you won't be on your own.

Have a great cruise and don't forget to write a review on your return.

We were on Rhapsody 11-22 Feb and like others we received no C&A coupon list, no letter of welcome back, no invite to the M&M - even though they acknowledged that I started the tread on CC and FB.

When I asked C&A staff they advised that I should have received a letter and that I should throw my cabin steward over the side for not delivering it and that I should just ask for the discounts that I was entitled to!!!!!!

So I went back later and asked the other lady at C&A and she advised that they forgot to send the letter out and she gave me a list and it showed that we had collected the drink discounts without even knowing that it occurred.

I don't think they worry about it too much or give two hoots.

G'day Mozza,

It was nice to meet you on this cruise and to talk to you about your cabin problems and your cruising experience. I guess what some repliers are missing is that you paid for a product 'a cabin type' (just as well you did not book the Royal Suite) and basically in 11 days did not get it.

Rhapsody's resolution system did not appear to be working at all on this cruise with most being told to write their complaints down on the after cruise Survey, which in turn is probably not going to get the problem resolved at all. Which is unusual because RCI are normally better than that, or is it a change in the system.

Maybe I will sail with you again one day...

Have a great cruise John VK3DQ look forward to your review Happy Sailings 73's de Stan VK1FSTJ..:)

In the past we hired an Avis rent a car, drop of at Circular Quay price went through the roof for a one day hire from $60 - $70 then on the trip last year $170 plus fuel etc.

Last time we cruised (recently) it left on a Tuesday so was I going to drive through Sydney peak hour or two traffic - no way. We caught the train the day before left at 0650 arrived 1100 stayed at the Russell Hotel and walked the whole 5 minutes to the ship at 1030. This also allowed us to shop and site see all afternoon and also so I could watch Pacific Jewel and Carnival Spirit leave port that night.

For me it was great no driving etc and arrived with plenty of time to do what ever and had a stress free pre-cruise, journey home was similar.

What ever you plan have a great cruise.

Don't know where you heard this, but it's very rare that a booking is cancelled and rebooked. The booking is simply repriced as long as it's before the final payment date

If you are an Australian this is what you have to do. By the way you can wait for up to 12 weeks to get your deposit paid back into your account so you can book again.

There are no price guarantees booking with RCI down under.......

Hi KiwiPete I believe it is called Mr Liquor Circular Quay and as Kiwi Kruzer states it is under the Rail Station, I have not been there but they say it is very easy to find, well I hope so cause it is the last place I will be going to before boarding. :D

Found this as well:

Shop E7

Jetty Number 3

Circular Quay NSW 2000

Telephone: (02) 9241 3526

Mon & Tues 8am - 8pm

Wed - Fri 8am - 9pm

Sat 9am - 9pm

Sun 10am - 7pm

The most common hypothesis for the cause of motion sickness is that it functions as a defense mechanism against neurotoxins.[/url] The area postrema in the brain is responsible for inducing vomiting when poisons are detected, and for resolving conflicts between vision and balance. When feeling motion but not seeing it (for example, in a ship with no windows), the inner ear transmits to the brain that it senses motion, but the eyes tell the brain that everything is still. As a result of the discordance, the brain will come to the conclusion that one of them is hallucinating and further conclude that the hallucination is due to poison ingestion. The brain responds by inducing vomiting, to clear the supposed toxin.

What an interesting thread. I am an Amateur Radio Op in Australia. I was wondering about Ham radio bans on RCI ships as well.

In Australia we can take CB (citizen band) UHF radios on board, that's probably because they have 80 channels and they are set and cannot be programmed. In fact on Radiance last year they where selling them.

Part of my HAM license says that I cannot operate a ham radio within another country without obtaining a license (or permission) for that country, so I guess that operating in International Waters would mean that I would be breaching my Australian license by not obtaining permission or obtaining a license from ? but as the ships says NO HAM radio,being the floating island owner, I guess I am up the creek without a paddle.

The radio mentioned Baofeng is classed as a Ham Radio as it is programmable to the ham bands so it is illegal to have one here in Australia without holding a license (some of this area is still a bit confusing so there are different views, like I noted in the thread) but that is the basic understanding.

Thanks for the thread very interesting conclusions.

We are really interested in another cruise where Graham Seymour is the CD. You mention that he is back onboard the Radiance in February - do you think he'll still be onboard in June/July for Alaska cruising? Would appreciate any of your insights. Thank you, Rebecca

From the list above Graham is on Rhapsody on the 1 Feb 14 not Radiance. Hope this helps with your planning.

The Rhapsody is due back in Sydney on Thursday so no doubt we hear more as passengers disembark. After the "problem", they cruised to Lifou,had beautiful weather and then cruised on to Noumea.

 

She is due to leave for Tasmania on Thursday eve, so if that doesn;t go ahead, then we know there definitely is an ongoing problem.

This was a reply to a question about future cruises on Rhapsody yesterday

"Royal Caribbean Australia & NZ Hi xxxxxxx, all future cruises are operating as scheduled!"

Royal Caribbean Australia & NZ

Rhapsody of the Seas docked in in Luganville, Vanuatu on Friday morning where we conducted some minor maintenance. The repair work took longer than expected to complete and the ship therefore remained docked in port overnight. The delay unfortunately resulted in the cancellation of the scheduled call to Mystery Island on Saturday. The ship left Luganville at 7am on Saturday morning and will make her scheduled call in Lifou, Loyalty Islands on Sunday. We are disappointed with this news however safety is our first priority for which there can be no compromise. Guests were notified of the delay and the ship's services are all operating as normal.

A good article but a pity the editor opted for a picture of Sandy Bay which is about 1 1/2 klms south of the Port of Hobart. :eek: