Live (Almost) from the Rhapsody - Around Australia - Feb 24 through Mar 31

[BabyDntGotBack]

Random thoughts - tippingTipping is the exception here rather than the norm. When I checked into thehotel, I talked to the desk clerk about tipping the bellhop. She said Americansare expected to tip, and suggested $5AUD. When the same bellhop delivered myroommate’s bags 24 hours later, he seemed quite surprised to get another tip.We took a taxi from a restaurant back to our hotel. The driver refused my tip.When we went to the port, the cab driver took our luggage out of the car. Iasked him where the porters were. He didn’t know and offered no suggestions. I didn’t tip him.When I found the porters, the one who helped us refused my tip. He even walkedaway.

 

I'm loving the review. That's interesting about the tips though. I wonder why they won't accept tips? Maybe someone else knows?

[colindastar]

I'm loving the review. That's interesting about the tips though. I wonder why they won't accept tips? Maybe someone else knows?

HI,

Not all us aussies like to be tipped, we are a proud race, well some of us are anyway.:)

 

Cheers

Linda and Colin

[francesam]

My goddaughter, her name is Charlotte connolly (charlie )works on the rhapsody, tell her hello from Alice. She is home middle of March. Dn't know exactly what she doe's,:confused: bits of this and that, she's a lovely person and i believe very poular

[Sarvowinner]

I'm loving the review. That's interesting about the tips though. I wonder why they won't accept tips? Maybe someone else knows?

 

Unlike the US, Australian employees are paid a living wage and do not rely on tips. My understanding is that a porter would be paid well over $30.00 per hour. A waiter would make at least $17.00 and with penalty rates could be close to $30.00 an hour. I tip waiters for good service and round up to the nearest dollar for taxi drivers. However I waitressed in Canada for many years and many of my colleagues, friends & relatives would not dream of tipping as it is not historically part of our culture.

[BoyntonBeth]

Well, it's 8pm Saturday evening and my first day in Sydney is drawing to a close. I'm not really a party pooper, but it's been a very long day which has lasted well over 40 hours.

It was 32 hours from the time I left home until I got into my room at the Swissotel. I made the travel time slightly longer than it had to be by starting in West Palm Beach rather than Miami. This meant an extra connection but that let me get a ride to the airport which is certainly preferable to having to get to Miami.

I was concerned about a legal but nonetheless tight connection in DFW, but it was a piece of cake. LAX, on the other hand, was horrendous. In order to change from AA to UA, I had to exit the terminal, take a free shuttle bus to United and go through security again. At least my luggage was checked through. The only good thing about it is that the process ate up 1 of the 5 hours scheduled between flights.

I don’t understand the E-Visa required in Australia. When I checked in at American, I was asked for an ID and showed my driver’s license. When I checked in at United, I used my passport at the self-service check-in station for identification purposes only. I was never asked about my visa. I was travelling with the printout of the email telling me the visa application was approved and the approval number was referenced. I did not have a copy of the visa itself, nor was I ever asked to produce it. I thought, perhaps I’d be asked at Australian immigration, but they didn’t ask either. In all probability, they saw that I had a visa when they scanned my passport, but it was never mentioned.

[BoyntonBeth]

My roommate Toni arrived from Seattle Sunday morning and we began to explore Sydney. On the way out of the hotel, we asked the concierge the best way to get to the vicinity of the Opera House. We decided to take a city bus and were advised that the fare is approximately $2AUD per person. Toni then asked if exact change is necessary and we were told no but the driver would not be able to give change for a bill as large as a $20. We felt we were OK with a $10 bill. We were wrong. The driver said he didn’t have enough change and we should just take seats. We subsequently checked our coins and were able to put together the $3.80 but the driver refused our money. At our stop, another woman was getting off also and she offered to direct us to the Opera House. She did so and she also told us that the drivers always accommodated passengers who did not have the proper funds. We were quite surprised to hear that.

We explored the Opera House area and inquired about the High Tea which includes a performance. Unfortunately it takes place only on Wednesday afternoons - when we return after the b2b it will be a Tuesday and Toni will leave the next morning. I thought I might be interested, since I’m staying an additional day, but when I heard that the cost is $155AUD, I wasn’t so sure. If I meet people on the hip who are staying in Sydney afterwards, I’ll consider it, but I think it unlikely at this time.

Our next destination was the flea market in the Rocks area. Along the way, because it was so hot today, we decided to take a 45 minute harbor cruise. It turned out, however, that neither of us was comfortable stepping into the water taxi (it required a step considerably more difficult than the worst tender), so we got our money back. It was suggested that we take one of the big boats instead, and we will probably do so upon our return next month.

 

[BoyntonBeth]

Today was a bit disappointing. We took the HOHO and should have recognized there was a problem from the very beginning. I knew there were two companies, but I didn't realize that there was a signficant difference between them. I merely looked at the two as competitors. I was wrong.

One company advertises a $39AUD package including both the Sydney and Bondi routes. The other advertises $30. It turns out that the 2nd company also advertises a $20 senior rate. OK, so one advertises that, surely the other matches it, right? I don't know.

I got on the bus first and paid my $20. Then Toni presented a $50 bill and the driver refused to accept it, saying he didn't have change. I had already given him $20. Did he really not have another $10? We should have realized that something was amiss at that point, but we didn't.

The narration has not been updated in a few years. For example, there is a reference to a Hard Rock Cafe, but there is a sign posted advising that there no longer is a Hard Rock in Sydney.

The driver often did not play the narration at the proper time. We frequently heard "welcome" statements before we reached a particular stop.

On the Bondi route, the driver was scheduled to have a 30 minute break in the middle of the trip, at which point we were told we had to get off the bus. Contrary to experiences in other places, there was no snack bar, no souvenier shop, no T-shirt vendors - nothing where we had to wait.

When we were waiting to change back to the Sydney bus, there was a rather unpleasant dispatcher who refused to help an Asian woman who was trying to find out which bus was right in front of us and how long the trip would be.

Then, the most disappointing part of the day took place when the Sydney Explorer bus pulled up behind us. What a nice, air-conditioned bus that was with very comfortable-looking seating.

The moral of the story clearly is that you get what you pay for. Take the Explorer, don't take the so-called Official City Sightseeing tour. If your concierge tells you there are 2 companies but one is better than the other (as reported by fellow passengers), listen to him. If your concierge tells you to taken the HOHO, find out if there is more than one, and if so, which is better.

The other disappointment was the Sydney Tower. There was nothing particularly wrong, it just was not a satisfying experience. I wouldn't tell you not to go there, but rather to moderate your expectations and you'll be ok.

[BoyntonBeth]

Embarkation day - at last!!!

We arrived at the port at approximately 11:30 and I was surprised to see so many people there already. The dox said boarding would begin at 3:30 and we would sail at 6:30. They also said you must be on board at least 2 hours prior to sailing. That left a one hour window during which 2000+ people were to board. Not likely. I guess I'm not the only one to figure out that their timetable was unrealistic. None-the- less, we were seated in the Windjammer by around 12:15. There was no announcement at 1pm advising that cabins were available, but we found that the doors were had been opened. We probably had our luggage by 3-3:30pm. So far, so good.

Reading the welcome aboard dox, I found a few surprises. One thing (actually no surprise if you think about it) was the price of the soda card - $117.30 for the entire trip. It's the same old $6/day plus 15% but what a high total!

Then I discovered info about the shuttle in some ports. Brisbane $8 one way - Cairns $7 - Broome $7 - Exmouth $5 - unlimited use $47per person. This could have been useful to know in advance. That's why some people have scouting parties.

Then, the bad news. There are shore excursions for Papua New Guinea after all. Let me review the history of this disappointment.

There were no shorex listed for PNG long after there were excursions listed for the other ports.

I sent an email to RCCL's Shorex Department and was advised that there would be no excursions. I was also advised that the ship was required to get visas for all people in the PNG waters, whether they got off the ship or not. The cost was estimated as under $50US and would be added to the shipboard account.

After much consideration, I finally agreed to a private tour arranged by an Aussie on CruiseCritic. She was using a company that deals exclusively with PNG tours. That company has an office in Sydney, where we paid for our reservations. We were booked as a group of 12, in a van for 7+ hours sightseeing including lunch. The price is $155AUD which comes to about $98 US.

PNG has been the subject of US State Department warnings cautioning tourists about the safety issues there, but their advisories have moderated in recent months. All advisories cautioned about travelling alone, without a local guide.

We are booked with a local guide and have been cautioned not to stand out - to try to blend in. As if our skin color, style of dress, and cameras draped around our necks make us look like locals

Overall my concern was that RCCL would be pushing their own tours in the previous and following ports - claiming that only their drivers, etc, have been checked for proper licensing, etc. They’re saying we'll get to PNG and it's "goodbye and good luck." Frankly, I couldn't forget the Millennium tragedy in South America an few years ago.

When it comes to RCCL and PNG, I'm not a happy camper.

*******************

Both sailing and first sitting dinner were at 6:30. Service was slow but attentive. The table was pre-arranged for 6 people, 3 of whom were CruiseCritic posters. Before we realized it, it was 8:30. The 8pm show was completely overlooked, and probably would have been too difficult even if we had planned on attending.

[BoyntonBeth]

Well, the computer issues are resolved. All my posts show up on the blog and on CruiseCritic. I wish there was a way to insert new posts so that the reading would be in chronological sequence. But, at least the posting has been completed and I can back to the "almost live" posts I anticipated.

[Papa T]

Wed 0225 – Day 2 - first sea day

All in all, this was a delightfully uneventful day. The Meet and Mingle, listed on the web site for 12:15 was held at 11am. It was hosted by Carly, the CD. It was the first time I had seen her, since I didn’t go to the show on the first night. She made a point of saying we should all make an effort to get to know the staff since she believed it would make a better cruise experience, so, when she worked the room, I told her the one person I wanted to meet was the Concierge. She told me there are currently no plans to retro-fit the Rhapsody.

I told her I had read about a private Cocktail Lounge, actually right where we were at the time (in the upper portion of the Viking Crown Lounge) and she seemed vaguely familiar with that history, but, again, there are no plans to do that again.

Then I told her how unhappy I am with the PNG situation. She was not aware of the debacle. BTW, I have since heard of people who were wait-listed fir or the PNG tours shortly after boarding.

There was the first of several destination lectures in the afternoon. I got there a few minutes late, and did not hear the gentleman‘s credentials, if, in fact, there was any introduction. He seemed to be an aging historian, perhaps a retired professor, got lost several times, was frequently contradicted (quietly) by Aussies in the audience. Overall, it was an enjoyable presentation.

I didn’t go to the show because I was still trying to get my computer working – I should have gone through the whole process before leaving home. Suddenly it is working without being plugged in, so I may not have to get it repaired. Right now, I am using my roommate’s laptop and she will email this document to me and then I will post it. That plan must have worked if you’re reading thus!!

So, day 2 ended with no blogging, no show, and, surprisingly, no trivia yet. I’m on vacation. All in all, a delightfully uneventful day.

 

We were assured when we booked Rhapsody that they had identified an area for use as a Concierge lounge - at least part time. Any additional information on this? I plan to pursue this with RCCL as well.

[BoyntonBeth]

Hamilton Island Tours

Our table mates did not do the same tour that Toni and I did. One couple just took the tender, the free island sightseeing shuttle, and then the free shuttle to a hotel and used the pool there. They commented that most of the towels on the lounges appeared to be from the ship.

The other couple took the all-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. They were very disappointed. First of all, there was a problem with breakfast. They had an early departure which coincided with the opening time fof the Windjammer. The dining room was still closed. The only thing available was the Continental breakfast outside the WJ, but the food was gone very early. I remember the same thing happening to me in St Petersburg on the Jewel OTS last summer.

Then they had an long trip to the Reef. It is unclear why the Reef is an excursion from Hamilton when the trip from Cairns is shorter.

A full wet suit was required but there were no private changing facilities. There were just 2 large, open rooms with no privacy. After donning the wet suits, they said they looked like teletubbies.

Due to weather conditions, their snorkeling was disappointing. Also due to the weather the sea conditions were terrible and most people got ill on the way back.

I’m really glad I took the High Tea excursion.

[BoyntonBeth]

Sun 0301 - Day 6 - Cairns

This was another tender port as well as a shuttle port. I’m a little surprised that the tender docks so far from the city. I don’t like tenders, especially getting into and out of them. On the other hand, considering the rough water after my excursion, I was glad to be in a local twin-hulled cat rather than the ship’s tenders. I understand that tender operations were suspended for about 2 hours later in the day,

My tour was Cairns City Tour and Rainforest Village. We drove through residential areas and the beach areas. Of course there were rough surf warnings at the beaches. There is also an area where the swimming area is roped in - there is netting to keep the jelly fish away from the swimmers.

The drive through the rainforest on the way to the village was lovely. Quite reminiscent of driving through St John USVI although the road was more windy as in St Thomas. The shopping was flea market style, local crafts, nothing spectacular.

 

The tour itself was adequate and as described. Nothing spectacular. I guess the biggest dissatisfier is due to the distance between the tender pier and the sights. There seems to be so much wasted time, just sitting on the bus.

 

Toni took a different tour and she was really upset. Again, too much time on the bus and too little time at the venues she had been looking forward to. She said there were snippets of 5 or 10 minutes that were worthwhile.

 

It’s becoming quite obvious that this is her first and last cruise on Royal Caribbean.

[Ex Bklyn Girl]

Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that I've been reading your blog and following your trip along with you. Unfortunately it seems like things aren't going to good and I'd like to see them turn around. I'm shocked to see that you've been going to shows--that's a plus. Are you taking lots of pics? If there are any errors I'm still getting used to my new keyboard.

[cruisingnic]

Thanks for keeping us updated.

My parents are also onbaord with you, they're having a great time (they did their own trips).

[raringtogo]

waiting impatiently to read the next installment.

[BoyntonBeth]

Day 1 - Los Pampas Gauchos - did not go - dinner ran late - one show combined for both sittings - good reports

Day 2 - Jonathan Clark - comedian/impressionist - did not go - rave reports - sorry I missed him - will not miss him next time

Day 3 - Production show - Piano Man - don't like production shows - went anyway - hated it

Day 4 - Colleen Austen - Divas - good show - Jonathan's wife

Day 5 - Fluoresence - by Los Pampas Gauchos - hard to describe but excellent

........Professional dance duo - no wonder I donb't dance!

........Jonathann Clark - now I know what they were raving about - he and Colleen leaving tomorrow - thought I could seen him on second leg

Day 6 - No show - Mamma Mia in showroom - Brisbane - later departure

Day 7 - Martin Lass - violinist - classical, Romanian, Fiddler on the Roof - enjoyed

Day 8 - Country Western Prodcuction show - don't like c/w - don't like productions shows - didn't go - heard it was better than previous production show

Day 9 - John Taylor - scheduled after Crown and Anchor platinum/diamond/d+ reception - no seats by the time I got to the theater

[BoyntonBeth]

No chocolates

No daily newspaper

Daily chat w/cruise director Carly

To WolfCatHOrse: Capt Stein leaving April 13th - 2nd child due in May - vacation 10 weeks

Loyalty Ambassador leaving next week in Perth - Danny next

400+ b2b

To Gladys: everything fine - having a good time - reporting the differences and unusual things, so appears more negative - not reporting the normal things which are fine

To Bev/Nate: we're getting along just fine

Port security/customs: no open water bottles were allowed in at the Australian ports so far - we were also told no food products, not just fruits but including sealed packages of snacks - bottles confiscated first port - bottles and snacks second port - no overt confiscation third port, but dog sniffing all packages - this is all upon exiting the ship - normal xray and liquor procedures upon return

Gambling - no gambling in Western Austalian waters - today (day 10, Thurs 0305) is the last day for bingo and casino games until Adelaide 0318 or possibly when we are in Adelaide waters

[BoyntonBeth]

TU0303 - day 8 - PNG

There were written warnings and announcements from the Captain and the Cruise Director about the safety precautions needed in third world countries. Stay with a group, avoid public transportation (including taxis), avoid crowds, don't go to remote places such as the cemetaries.

Well, we survived PNG!!!

There were 12 of us on a private tour arranged by two CruisteCritic posters - Angie in OZ and Glor stateside - 6 Aussies, 4 Americans, 2 Canadians. We paid $155AUD each (just under $100US) in advance - the Aussies handled their arrangements locally and the other 6 went into the tour agency in Sydney and paid by credit card in person. The tour was to be 7 hours, including lunch.

We were met promptly at the pier by two gentlemen, one (Jack) a regular employee of the company and the other the son of one of the other employees - Rex normally works for a hotel in the hospitality industry. Rex's roles became obvious in due course.

We were in a 15 passenger van - the 12 of us, the two of them, and a cooler with bottled water in the space of the 15th seat.

Our first stop was a market. Three of us instantly decided not to get out of the van. The other 9 went with Jack and a security guard - those of us who remained on the van did not know about the guard, but we were not too thrilled with how so many people seemed to follow the group with their eyes. Rex stayed with the van. It was unclear whether he was guarding the van or us, but we were locked in.

Then we went to the ANZAC cemetary. Very well done. Apparently the Aussie equivalent of the Normandy cemetaries and equally important to them.

Our lunch was at the March Girls - both a hotel and restaurant owned by a family from

Rex's villate. The place is so-named because the daughters were all born in

March. Nice lunch. Coconut welcome. Native dances by the daughters and other relatives.

We spent some time in Rex's village where we were offered more coconut drinks as well as shell necklaces. Wonderful hospitality which we didn't really expect.

Our final stop was a craft shop with native handicrafts. Good shopping if you're into maaks and carvings.

We made it back without incident. I'm glad we found a satisfactory arrangement, but I still think my anxiety was warranted.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that I've been reading your blog and following your trip along with you. Unfortunately it seems like things aren't going to good and I'd like to see them turn around. I'm shocked to see that you've been going to shows--that's a plus. Are you taking lots of pics? If there are any errors I'm still getting used to my new keyboard.

 

Hi Gladys. :)

 

No chocolates

No daily newspaper

Daily chat w/cruise director Carly

To WolfCatHOrse: Capt Stein leaving April 13th - 2nd child due in May - vacation 10 weeks

Loyalty Ambassador leaving next week in Perth - Danny next

400+ b2b

To Gladys: everything fine - having a good time - reporting the differences and unusual things, so appears more negative - not reporting the normal things which are fine

To Bev/Nate: we're getting along just fine

Port security/customs: no open water bottles were allowed in at the Australian ports so far - we were also told no food products, not just fruits but including sealed packages of snacks - bottles confiscated first port - bottles and snacks second port - no overt confiscation third port, but dog sniffing all packages - this is all upon exiting the ship - normal xray and liquor procedures upon return

Gambling - no gambling in Western Austalian waters - today (day 10, Thurs 0305) is the last day for bingo and casino games until Adelaide 0318 or possibly when we are in Adelaide waters

 

I'm really enjoying both your blog and CC "live" thread. This cruise is on our bucket list and we hope to do it one day. How do you like the ship?

 

When Danney come on as the LA please tell him hello from his Monarch family.

[Rancher Dave]

Where in Cairns did the tender drop you off? I'd have expected it to land at the dock in back of the Casino Hotel but based on your comment about it being far out of town I must be wrong. I'd be upset about ending up too far out.

 

As for Cairns waters, every trip out to the liveaboard boats and/or back, the waters were relatively rough. I found though out on the reef they waters were not as bad.

 

Hadn't heard that Western Australia waters were off limits to gambling. Wow, that must put a dent in profits for RCCL since there must be a number of days on the way around that are off limits for gambling.

 

Glad to see you are having a good time!!!

[raringtogo]

RancherDave..the cruise lines usually tender at Yorkeys Knob which is kinda half way between the gorgeous Port Douglas and Cairns.

 

My son says the casino is crap (his words) and no-one is ever in there. The much touted big Texas Holdem Tournament which was supposed to be played out on every RCI ship has not eventuated and no discussion with the purser shed any light on why not- only that it will not be conducted on Rhapsody. thumbs down about that!:mad: so, RCI must be losing heaps of money because australians wouldn't want to be gambling in US$ anyway.

[Rancher Dave]

RancherDave..the cruise lines usually tender at Yorkeys Knob which is kinda half way between the gorgeous Port Douglas and Cairns.

 

Trying to recall the hamlet where we stayed first time in that area. It was about 1/3 of the way North from Cairns to PD. I can see where Yorkeys Knob would be a bit of a drive and upsetting to the pax.

 

I will add we loved our week in Melbourne as well. DW's sister lived there for a couple years.

[raringtogo]

Trying to recall the hamlet where we stayed first time in that area. It was about 1/3 of the way North from Cairns to PD. I can see where Yorkeys Knob would be a bit of a drive and upsetting to the pax.

 

I will add we loved our week in Melbourne as well. DW's sister lived there for a couple years.

 

I think you are talking about Palm Cove.

To tell the truth, I don't mind a bit of driving as you get to see the place.

 

yes, melbourne is a beautiful city- friendly people, lovely place. where did your sister live?

[BoyntonBeth]

I forgot to mention something that happened 3 days ago (the morning after PNG). We suddenly

lurched to avoid a fishing boat which was probably an illegal boat from Indonesia. The

movement woke several passengers (it was 6:40 am) but I was up and simply wondered why the

sea momentarily seemed so rough.

Later that day, during his noon report, the Captain told us what hade happened, but he

didn't tell us the consequences. A great deal of water flowed out of the swimming pools.

There was water in the elevator shafts and repairs continued that day and the next day.

Ultimately, after much vacuuming and extraction, carpeting in the WJ had to be replaced.

During that same report, Capt Stein also repeatedly talked about our arrival in Darwin the

next morning. The only problem with that is the fact that the next day was scheduled as a

sea day. (Many of us checked the itinerary to confirm the fact that the Capt was wrong and

we were right.)

Nobody dared to criticize or correct the Capt publicly, but Carly did refer to the itinerary

carefully in her next public announcement, reviewing the day's activities and indicating

that there would be more of the same tomorrow, which would also be a sea day.

That evening there was a notice in the cabins "reminding" us of the intinerary for the

balance of the trip.

During his next noontime report, Capt Stein said we would indeed be in Darwin the next day.

 

[BoyntonBeth]

FR0306 - day 11 - Darwin

I took the Glimpse of Darwin tour. At 10 degrees from the equator, I wanted an easy tour. It was pretty much like the old Grey Line City tours - a drive around the city with limited on/off. It ended back at the ship or you could get off in town - at the Smith St Mall in the CBD - which is what I did.

The Mall is like a pedestrian street, rather than the huge single-building malls that we think of. Several restaurants and cafes, fine jewelry stores, gift shops, drug stores, even a dollar store. The only thing you wouldn't find at an American mall was the tobacco and bong shop.

On my way to the shuttle, I ran into Toni. She had takent the walking tour and loved it,

There were shuttles between the ship and the end of the mall. I didn't know that we would have a free entree into town until last night, but I do not regret having taken the tour I took.