SinbadThePorter

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/faq/questions/different-departure-port-city Apparently the email contact at RC is emergencytravelteam@rccl.com.

I think this cabin should be very similar.

There are a number of hotels that are within walking distance of the cruise terminal (known locally as the OPT). I would suggest that a taxi would be all that you would need to get you to a hotel. The OPT is located at Circular Quay, a major public transport hub with trains, trams, ferries and buses. There are a number of posts in this forum that give far better details about hotels than I can.

I thought it looked OK for a 25 year old ship. My idea has been that if they are looking after the lower decks, then the upper decks must be even better cared for.

I notice that Isle of Pines and Mare are the last two ports on that itinerary. I would guess that the most likely port to go to if those two are not available would be Port Vila. Maybe even an overnight stay. Of course this is pure speculation. 🤔

It's almost impossible to do independent excursions to the Reef on a GBR cruise, the timings just don't work out. The only real option is to take a ship excursion. February is the height of summer. It's the hottest and most humid time of year, but apart from the very occasional cyclone is nothing to put you off.

I thought this was an interesting crew perspective on the Pacific Explorer. https://crew-center.com/crew-areas-po-australia-cruise-ship-pacific-explorer

Formal is in the South Pacific is informal. Smart casual is fine for everyone. Shorts for men are not however. Most anything goes for the ladies.

I would suggest that that ship has sailed. Sydney Harbour is what it is. The Navy isn't moving and I know of no suitable alternative site. If someone knows of a suitable block of land on the harbour foreshore that's available for development, I'd be interested in hearing about it. 🤑

Didn't Norwegian go there a few times? People complain about White Bay being too far away from the CBD. I can't imagine what they would say about Port Kembla. I think it's about a 2 hour train trip from there to Central Station. But it's very easy to nitpick options and much harder to actually come up with solutions. I think it would be better to look at Port Kembla as a port in its own right rather than as an adjunct to Sydney.

Only if the cruise is purchased in Oz/NZ I think.

I realise the rules relaxation was inevitable, but I just hope that the cruise lines stay serious about the washy washy in the buffets and offer some better distancing options between tables in the dining rooms. I've been avoiding dining rooms lately as even though I ask for a table for two, these tables are jammed together where they essentially form one table, which you share with several people. Now is not the time to be sociable at close distance.

I went with Qantas Travel Insurance (over 65 with medical conditions).

If only I owned my own plane, it would probably be cheaper than the airfares to Honolulu.

I've had the interior window cabin on Luminosa. They are good value except that you need to be prepared for tendering days as the noise outside your window gets very industrial and crew will be walking around checking things. Also a number of these cabins on the port side are directly over the nightclub, which makes sleeping before 1am a bit difficult. I've also had an aft facing balcony on the ship, the main problem of which was that the vibrations from the engine and/or propulsion seem to be magnified right at the stern of the ship. But this is a problem on almost all ships and is easy to get used to.

The policy has definitely changed. There are now no covid testing or reporting requirements for boarding cruise vessels in Australia. I think there may still be a testing requirement if you turn up to the boarding showing symptoms, but that's about it. 😁

The thing to do is to fold up some paper and shove it into the cracks separating the rattling partitions.

The balcony space is usable in the sense that there are usually two chairs and a small table which can be used for al fresco dining or relaxation. I find the main purpose of the balcony is to get fresh air and to sit privately without having to go out to the public areas of the ship. I also like looking at the sea. They can be windy and wet, but usually aren't. Some are covered, some are not, some are half covered. It all depends on position. I don't know how you find out which balconies are covered, perhaps a TA could find out, or maybe you could check out some youtube videos to get a general idea.

I can understand Carnival being too busy, but Princess? The only major cruise line I can think of that would be less busy than Princess would be Holland America. I believe that they have some cruises departing from Auckland. P&O is fine as long as you have realistic expectations, but it isn't quiet. Keep an eye out for their Flash Sales.

Welcome aboard Britni. What do you wear on board? Whatever you like. ☺️

I think it's time to face facts. Botany Bay is out, Garden Island is out, that leaves sweet nothing as a site for another cruise terminal in Sydney Harbour. Unless the RAN can be persuaded to give up HMAS Penguin and the North Shore nimbys all stay at home. Which is not happening. Cruise lines will just have to get creative about sharing the OPT over the cruise season.

Wouldn't both cruises do the Sounds? It would be an unusual NZ cruise which didn't. For someone who hasn't visited NZ before, I'd say that both are good. Nothing to pick between them. More important would be departure port and which ship. I assume you are considering a round trip from Sydney. My preference is Coral Princess, but that is from Brisbane. The museum in Wellington is probably the Te Papa. You could also consider a NZ cruise that starts in Sydney and ends in Auckland, they usually include Melbourne and Hobart. Which gives you the option of a few days at both ends for land touring. This would mean only one Tasman crossing.

But the navy has the big guns. 🤕

You are correct, however there is some informed speculation that these requirements may disappear soon. However nobody will be surprised if they don't, so don't bet on it.

Unfortunately perfect has left the building and all that's left are varieties of imperfect.