Scubadoc

We just booked the Royal for a 12 day Australia New Zealand cruise next January. A long time away but I love to plan! And we’ve never been to Australia. Hoping that the Covid craziness is basically done by then so that cruising is happening in somewhat normal ways.

A few questions:

— Anyone found good prices on flights to Sydney? We usually fly Delta the flights right now are over $3000!

— Will we be happy that we’re choosing to cruise New Zealand instead of doing an Australia itinerary? Everything I’ve seen of New Zealand just looks so beautiful and we are lord of the rings fans!

— How long would you stay in Sydney before the cruise? I’m thinking about three nights.

— Any general observations on cruising in Australia and New Zealand? We just got off the regal so we have a good idea of what the royal will be like but no idea what it will be like cruising in Australia. 
 

Thanx!

On this forum people want to know what’s actually happening on the ships I think more than what some people want to happen. Some people may want everyone to walk down empty hallways wearing a mask but that’s not what’s happening. At least not on our cruise. There’s also no evidence of sip and cover anywhere. But Everyone was respectful and masked up around people. It seemed like reasonable but not fanatical adherence to rules. 

Just off the Regal. What an amazing time. So much angst about cruising now. Here are my thoughts on why this may be the best time ever to cruise. 
 

1.  No Crowds. Never stood in a line. 
2.  Amazing Customer service. Less people to take care of. Happy people at every turn eager to serve, to get to know you, to make sure u are happy. Who doesn’t need that these days?

3.  Masks are no big deal. U can walk the length of the ship most of the time to ur cabin and see no one. No need to mask. Empty elevators. Almost no one masks at bars and none sitting at a restaurant or outside. Only time it is irritating is in a show. But less bothersome than just living in most American cities

4.  You are likely safer from Covid on the ship than at home. All are vaccinated, tested and mostly staying away from u unless u want to be with them. And the newest studies show the risk of dying of Omicron is about half that of the flu now. No one in America is on a ventilator due to Omicron. No one. Only thing to fear is the rare ship that cancels or a port canceling or the remote chance of getting quarantined. In which case they refund your money. Not much risk in my book. If I get it at home I’m stuck for 5 days anyway. 
5. Whatever you think about Covid this is your chance to really live!  If u think the government screwed it all up, stick it in the CDC’s face and get on a ship!  If u think Covid is still an existential threat, this is your chance to live dangerously. In that case view a cruise as an adventure sport like skydiving. Risk your Life. Live wild. Board a ship. 😊

Thanx to all on Princess for an awesome cruise. Especially Maryna in the Concierge lounge. What a wonderful person who helped us so much. Booked our next cruise on the ship. Happy cruising to all!

I see many dirty bananas in my future beginning tomorrow!  Thanx all!

Thanx so much!  Sure waited a long time for this

How do u know which terminal your cruise sails from?  We sail on Regal from Port Everglades tomorrow and I'm not sure where to tell the driver to take us

We board tomorrow and we are in a suite. I understand that the arrival times haven’t seem to be enforced. A good shady place in the sanctuary is really important to us so I want to get on the ship as soon as possible. What time would everyone suggest we arrive?

Once you get to the port has it taken a long time to actually get in or is it better than normal with Covid crowds being less?

Anyone had any experience using AT&T text and talk plan on board? We have free Wi-Fi but I would assume we need a plan like this as well if we’re going to be texting and calling home? Wondering how it works. So excited to be on board Regal tomorrow!

Thank u all so much. Very helpful

 Considering booking a cruise later this month on the Allure and noticed that the crown loft suites are still available and seem to be priced pretty reasonably.  We have never been in any cabin like this. Does anyone have experience with this cabin and do you recommend it? The videos online look incredible.  The price is about half of the next level of suite and that makes me wonder if I'm missing something that makes this class of suite less desirable?

Are there any of these suites that are preferable to another? Because of location or other reasons? Thanx!

Thank you so much. I have been looking at the aft balconies as well which is normally our first choice. From the videos I can’t tell if they are actually deep enough for a full lounger.

Also on the video of the captain suite it looks like the balcony actually faces to the side of the ship rather than directly to the front and has a Wall to block the wind. Has anyone had personal experience with how bad the wind is on that balcony?

I’ve been looking for a Caribbean carnival cruise next January. We love a balcony that is deep enough to have lounge chairs on it that don’t have to be turned sideways. We spend lots of time on the balcony. But even in the suites on carnival it looks like the balconies are very narrow. However I saw a video of a captain suite on Freedom that looks amazing. Two bathrooms and a deep and private balcony. Has anyone been in the suite? The videos I have seen are several years old. Has there been any change to these cabins in the renovation that I believe  took place in 2019?

Thank u so much Skents. Praying the passenger is alright and that u have a great cruise.  We are on the Regal next week. If u can update us on how things go on the ship I wud appreciate it!

Vessel finder shows the Regal headed back to port and arriving this morning in Fort Lauderdale. I sure hope that’s a glitch or some kind of mistake. Anyone on the regal now that can let us know if all is well?

We are booked in an Aft suite D727 on regal January 14. I see in another thread that some are being moved out of this cabin without notice. We still show to be in this cabin when we log in. Does anyone have definite info on this?  Do we have to call Princess to find out for sure?  

Well this sure has me concerned! We are in D727 on the regal leaving January 14. I have heard nothing about any cabin change. We also booked this cruise particularly for this cabin. 

I absolutely love milk shakes. 😊 we are on the Regal soon and I just read that the “free” beverage package we have includes milk shakes. Is this true?  Where do u get them?  And are they any good?  Thanx!

My wife and I love the spa on a ship. We are on the Regal soon. First of all, how is the spa in these crazy days?  Are they requiring masks during ur treatment?  (Please no mask lectures. Just want the info. 😊)

Also anyone have a really good deep tissue therapist u recommend on the Regal?  

Well since I have traveled 267 days for my work this year in 4 countries, vaccinated, boosted and healthy,  I live life freely when it comes to restaurants etc. Fine with others disagreeing. 
 

Thanx for advice!  Will try the water taxi and maybe Primanti. Happy new year to all. 

I am losing hope that Hawaii and Tahiti cruises are going to happen in May and June. Is there any advantage to waiting to cancel to see if norwegiaan cancels the entire cruise? Do they give any benefit or discount on future cruises if they cancel?

Beginning to think we might actually be on a cruise ship January 14. Have not allowed myself to think too much about it until now but it’s time!

Using some Hilton points to have a special night at the Conrad in Fort Lauderdale before our cruise. Seems like a wonderful hotel. Anyone have a great recommendation for a romantic dinner in Fort Lauderdale not too far away? Or some thing else you really enjoy doing in Fort Lauderdale the night before a cruise?

I’ve done all inclusive and lots of cruises. To me no comparison. First of all unless you spend a ton of money I think the food on cruises is much better than the all inclusive so I have done. Plus there’s just something magical and mystical about being on the open ocean. I love it so much and I’m just praying that we will be able to go on the regal January 14!

For those of you who are using the at home test that princess recommends, how does this actually work? I have the test. I’ve downloaded the app and the box says to create an account before my appointment. Well I’ve created an account but I see no place to make an appointment? It looks like I am supposed to get on a desktop and just do the test. That makes me nervous because will be testing right before we leave to go to the airport and I don’t have a back up plan. Am I missing something? Is there a way to make an appointment so you know they’ll be ready to do this test?

And then if I understand it if we are negative we just bring that test result with us?

Thank u so much! 

We cruise in Regal in January. Excited but sad for no Voice of Ocean. Have loved participating in that a few times. Such fun. 
 

What shows are in the theater on Regal?