retyredgreynomad
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Posts posted by retyredgreynomad
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Nothing worse than getting sick on holidays...I put on extra k's from Dec., Jan. and March cruises...nearly back down to cruising weight now...just in time for Nov cruise.
This won't stop me using as much as their sanitizer as possible...good free alcohol hit off the hands as well..
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As everyone else has said 9.00 am ish....most but not all ships offer transfers to Central Station ($10 US ea) and the Airport ($25 US ?) ..so we typically debark at 8.15/8.20 and usually catch the train at 9.15 to the Central Coast...
The coath would have you to the airport about 9.45/10.00 at a guess...at $50 US it's probably about the same as a cab at your convenience??
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We flew into San Francisco, drove hire car to Seattle for Solstice to Alaska then coach to Banff (where we had 8" of snow) and then Rocky Mountaineer (too dear) back to Vancouver and sailed back to Hawaii last August...trip of a lifetime...next time there will be no coach and no train and hopefully no snow in August.
Something we did not allow for was tipping...all tourist areas automatically add 20% to your Credit Card bill...some offer you to chose 15%, 18% or 20%...total $610 for US/Canada touring... add to that the gratuities on the two cruises....worked out at $1000 for 5 weeks... about $28 a day... $120-150 a day spend.:eek:
Don't get me wrong...food and drinks were generally cheaper than Sydney (pre tips), and we bought and ate whatever we wanted....great food, hospitality and service everywhere we went.
That's why we will go back....one day:D....no date set.
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There are 2 varieties available for free at the Medical Center, usually on deck 2....one is displayed 'everywhere in the waiting room and free to take...the other (presumably better) is available if you ask, explain that the free one didn't seem to work.:D
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Voyager 2015 layout is slightly different than the picture. ..cannot recall large 3 seater lounges, from memory there was a row of 2 seater lounges face to face down the center and 4 individual chair/table settings along the windows...
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Dunno...I haven't booked through them...but should imagine they would just convert...
I only use the site to scan for me and notify when the price drops...I quoted their description, so if you search the quote you should find the site.:D
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"South Sea Cruise with M/S Celebrity Solstice
18 days from Honolulu (Oahu, Hawaii) to Sydney, departure 02/10/2015"
€1199 for inside and inside comfort....includes Port Charges etc. but not gratuities. ..about $1828 au. ..did this cruise in 2013, and can thoroughly recommend the ship and itinerary.
We jumped at $1901au ea when we went and thought that was great deal then...
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Back in March '15...we could still have Diamond breakfast and lunch in the back corner of the MDR. ..with cappuccino if you ask nicely...bit of a wait but worth it...as for the Concierge, she was a Chinese lady called Pai (?), pronounced 'Pay a' or 'Pi a'...talking to her then, she had just knocked back promotion to stay where she was.
Not at all sure about the 17yo. in Happy Hour, but should be OK breakfast and lunch in the Diamond Lounge.
Hope this helps..
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A few cruises ago we got extra Departure cards and the health declaration cards, so we fill the Departure card out at home and the health one on the morning of departure...take the new clean ones when we arrive and keep walking through.....we use them next time:D
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On our 1st cruise we just put it on our usual NAB Visa and the charge was $20 au...so next cruise we used RCI and it was $30 US for about $500 spent onboard...l can only relate to what we were charged...that is why we got the 28Degrees Mastercard and now it is the same rate as XE exchange rate on the day of transaction, no fees what so ever. $20-30 bucks is better in my pocket than theirs.:D
We are on Voyager in a couple of weeks, l am tempted to try the 3% theory BUT we didn't get this cruise super cheap so am not keen to spend more than l have to.:rolleyes:
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Chilli252 we use a credit card by 28Degrees Mastercard for RCI account (28Degrees no annual fee and no exchange rate fee) and a CitiBank debit card for cash withdrawal in foreign ports (no fee card and no ATM fees in foreign countries)...
RCI will ask you when you book in at the pier whether you want them to convert Au to US (about US$30 for a US$500 spend on board) or do you want your bank to do it...as l said before 28Degrees do not charge that $30...Some banks may l am not sure, l know NAB did on our 1st cruise...about $20
We also take about $100 au in small denominations for souvenirs etc in port and a few $20s for tipping room attendant and our waiter and drink server...sometimes we ask a lot of them and have never been disappointed with any of our out of the ordinary requests.
Hope this helps...
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Yes l definitely mentioned it in both Radiance surveys...cutbacks that we notice are not good management....
The only time kitchen staff get out of the galley is to do the Parades, and they love to see their guests and the appreciation shown by passengers....they admit they can't sing but they love trying:D
We're back on Radiance in Dec. so will have another 1st hand experience then.:rolleyes:
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We were on Rhapsody Jan.'15...one of the best cruises we have been on for a while, it was a last minute booking (Tues before it sailed Sat)...There was a combo of things that made it good, Pool bar selling 20 oz draught beer 2 for 1....great lot of people on the Evening dinner table, warm to hot weather that made the beer taste better, great poolside entertainment and NO NFL (American Football) on the big screen...Australia Day was a real hoot, even a cricket match on the big screen (thanks Graham Seymour)...we had seen most of the Shows over the past year or so, still a night out that we wouldn't do at home...we only opted out of one show, but can't remember what it was...the Buddy Holly Show was a fantastic young Aussie guy..We'd seen the magician twice before but was well worth the 3rd time when he involved our dinner partners in his 2nd show.
We didn't have lobster on the 2nd last night (which used to be traditional) but we did have the Italian night and Chef's parade and serenade...love this tradition, the staff really enjoy it and show it.
Staff were friendly, Captain Rob Hemptsead and Graham Seymour were generous with their time...would sail anywhere on any ship if they were in charge.
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I have 2 that l have not been able to use...because of RCI promotions...they are not combinable other than C&A discounts and Savings certificates...so we can't use them while there are any Promotions or Offers. Somewhat disappointing.:mad:
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Only been in Australia 66 years, been bitten, attacked and assaulted by only 5 of those mentioned.....seen 21of them in their wild natural habitat...lucky l guess.:)
The best advice l could give an American would be is to think twice before crossing a street, look RIGHT everytime before stepping out front the kerb...Our cars drive on the left...they come from the wrong direction....look right, look left, and then LOOK RIGHT again, just in case!:eek:
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RCI FAQ....Gratuities
Q:*Will you be adjusting the gratuity for bar, wine and beverage service?
A:*Yes. The new gratuity as of February 1, 2015 will be 18%, automatically added to your bar/beverage bill.
:eek::eek::eek:
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We sailed on her Aug.'14 and Dec.'14....500ml of Wolfblass went from $10 to $15 in Windjammer, beer $4.25 + gratuities to $7.95 incl. gratuities...No lobster on the 2nd last night, biggest disappointment was no Italian night in the MDR..... ie wait staff parade and serenade us while we hoot and whistle spinning the napkin above our heads....and I know how much the staff love this event! We were on Rhapsody in Jan.'15 and the staff didn't believe me when l told them they don't do it on Radiance anymore!
Guess you could say this could lead to a bad review...or accept it as a change in RCI attitude to profits and cost cutting. As on any ship there is the odd bar attendant that doesn't want to be there, but generally service and 'feel' around the ship was good.
We are booked on Radiance again for Dec'15...probably won't change this because of the price we paid...over $1000 less than the current 'Sale ' prices with OBC etc. :eek: We will still enjoy the cruise, but won't miss any opportunity to save where we can...find the bar specials (not advertised other than at the bar concerned) and drink as much as we can when offered free drinks.:D
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There is not a lot of interaction between the performers and diners...maybe a buxom lass tantalizingly asking 'Do you think l done it'? sort of thing...great show, and the food was up to Giovanni's usual best. If he has a favorite singer or dancer, she just maybe in the cast...:D
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We did a 1/2 day morning tour with Golden West Tours and couldn't recommend him highly enough...Stephan (Mob. 415-218-9559) is a one man organization with a 10 seat van...what he doesn't know about San Francisco is not worth knowing...not a boring moment, there was always something special or important to point out! Good luck he is in high demand.;)
After the tour we knew exactly where we wanted to go back to and places we'd give a miss.
We missed out on Alcatraz...needed to be booked at least 8 weeks in advance when we were there (Aug.'15).:mad:
Loved all of San Francisco...one place in the world we WILL go back to.
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We usually take a Riccadonna and a Sav/blanc....the Riccadonna usually comes ashore with us on Island stops...well iced thanks to our cabin steward;) and always a pleasure to drink on the beach....can't imagine us not doing it:D The Sav/blanc is usually a glass to lay down with at 2.30pm adult time.:rolleyes:
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We pre pay at time of cruise purchase, and then select 6.00pm Dining (our preference) not MyTime Dining...
Tipping...l hate it:eek:...but reward some 'infectious' drink servers AND always tip the room attendant, waiter and drinks waiter in the dining room...they look after many special requirements and attendances that we ask of them. Happy to see the look on their faces at the end of the cruise.:D
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when are you cruising next? 5th March 2015
- which ship?Voyager
- where to? and why there? FIJI...Last visit on Fairstar
Main reason for sailing on this trip is because it was purchased BEFORE the WOW Sale.....$1000 cheaper.:D
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Just be aware RCCL will not let you apply it to all cruises...I purchased 2 over 18mths ago but have not been able to use them on 'Over 55' and 'Crown and Anchor' cruises or heavily discounted deals with OBC already applied.
RCCL have offered to refund them....
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MrWalker...we got chucked off Rhapsody...Some antiquated law called Jones Law! We had booked Rhapsody and then Radiance on the 12.09.14 back to Hawaii. Jones Law forbids starting and finishing in a US port on consecutive cruises!! RCCL picked it up so were told cancel one, we cancelled Rhapsody, and jumped ship to Solstice for the same date. Still looking forward to Alaska....anyhow we get there...:D
El Cheapo Cruises Thread
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Posted
Radiance 21.09.15 Hawaii/Sydney inside Z g'tee with grats paid....$499 pp:eek:
We're thinking about it!