wagtail_syd

Yes I've seen the staggered boarding times online but they didn't mention them on the boarding pass it on any other documents so assuming that means they are not enforced as they are for carnival and P and O. 1pm sounds good. We'll aim for that. 4pm is too late! We want to holiday asap. :)

Hi

We just checked in for Voyager of the Seas next week. Our first RCI cruise and first repositioning cruise too. So excited!

Our boarding passes say boarding is 11.30am-5.00pm. No time slot. Obviously we'd rather get on earlier than later but would also rather not stand in a queue for hours. We are on deck 2 with no status so won't be skipping to the front of any lines.

What time do you suggest to balance getting on early and avoiding queues? We live quite close so can easily go down at any time.

Thanks.

Carnival does great kids comedy. Generally two PG rated shows each night performed by the same comedians who do the adults only shows later in the evenings. Must be a nightmare for them to come up with enough clean jokes and avoid swearing but they did a great job and my kids loved it and we found it funny too. Was suitable for all ages. They didn't offer that when we went on P&O.

Also important to try and get outside and into the sunshine as much as you can on your first full day in Sydney (without getting sun burnt of course) as the natural light will help your body clock readjust. Try to stay awake till 6pm even if it is tough and then you'll have a better chance of a good night's sleep. I find westbound jetlag lasts one day if I sleep well on the flight or 3-4 days if I can't sleep so I take over the counter sleeping tablets to try and help me nod off.

I'm on that sailing too! So close now. My understanding is definitely tendering to Yorkey's Knob, not docking at Cairns. Sounds like that timing would be fine but I would personally still find it stressful and it would impact my enjoyment of the day.

Thank you Wansbrough. That is really helpful! Beach looks ok but definitely think worth it to taxi to Trinity Beach as it is so much nicer there. You've helped me make my decision. Not worried about crocs. We will definitely be swimming inside the stinger nets just to be safe even though it will be right at the end of the stinger season (late April).

Hi

Our cruise has a day in Yorkey's knob. We've been to Cairns before so keen to just spend a day at the beach rather than doing any properr sightseeing. I've been to Trinity Beach and Palm Cove before and found them both lovely. Is the beach at Yorkey's Knob nice for swimming, strolling and lunching? It looks a bit windy and mud flat-like on google images. Is the beach walkable from the tender drop off? If not and we have to get a taxi in any case, would we be better off heading to Trinity Beach so we can enjoy the nice palm tree lined beach and cafes there?

Thanks

What happens fairly often? Do male passengers ask female officers out on dates or do male officers ask female passengers out on dates?

I read elsewhere that all crew (including officers) are expressly prohibited from dating passengers, cos it's a distraction and can interfere with their duties.

Maybe female passengers ask the male officers out on a date. :p:p:)

When we were on Eden there was a desk to sign up for The Edge in the terminal so we signed up while we were waiting to be called to check-in.

The number of 'premium' activities is restricted. So you can only sign up for 2 of these activities on a sea day and 1 one a port day. These are things like zip lining, walk the plank, abseiling, laser tag. However they also run other activities which you can just turn up and participate in. Can't remember them all but they were things like slack line surfing and some kind of trampoline thing. As well as the 1 or 2 activities you book you can also just turn up and hang about and if they have spare spaces on activities they will fit you in. You also need to make sure you understand the booking system so that you turn up and book at the right times as things do book out.

Loved the P&O concept of youth security and wish other lines would follow suit. Such a great idea, especially around the pool deck. The youth security staff on Eden were excellent with our kids; friendly but firm and focused on keeping everyone safe. Leaves the real security to deal with the drunken adults! :)

I find google flights can be a good tool for researching flight options, especially multi-city fares. You should be able to get a cheap flight home Singapore to Sydney on Scoot. We paid around $170 each plus seat selection and luggage charges. Not sure how far out Scoot release their fares so you may need to wait.

Interesting. Does that mean Spirit or Legend are going? What is Splendor like?

I personally don't like being locked into those type of passes in case you change your mind or the weather does not cooperate. In saying that there are some quite good options on that pass. The harbour jet boating, Wildlife world and hop on hop off bus are all good activities for tourists. I wonder if there is some tricky small print about which combo of activities you can do though.

Another option...when you fly in there will be tourist magazines in large displays at the airport. They have some great discount vouchers in them plus maps etc. Make sure you grab one.

Does RCI still have the rule that everyone in the room has to purchase the package? Just thinking this may effect your decision if you were only looking at purchasing it for your husband.

Good deal for singles - single oceanview 22 Feb 4 night Syd-Moreton Island on Pacific Explorer is $585. Basically same price per person as double and triple.

We brought home chocolate fish and pineapple chunks from NZ.

For Australia I agree with the previous suggestions...timtams, cherry ripe. You can also buy caramello koalas and furry friends (choc with native Australian animals on the wrappers) as gifts for kids. Would you get sealed ground coffee through customs I wonder? I'm a big fan of Campos coffee which is based right here in Sydney and sold at many cafes. Will make your whole suitcase smell delicious too! David Jones (it's a fancy department store) food hall might also have some nice things to choose from...thinking jars of Australian conserves, chutneys, that kind of thing.

The only problem I can see is if you happen to be flying on the first weekend of the school holidays or a long weekend as the traffic in and out of the international terminal can be very bad on those days. I am still a fan of the train. If you are docking at the OPT and don't manage to get off the boat before 7am (when traffic through the city would be really light and taxi definitely the best option) I would bear the trek to the station with my luggage and take the train. The reason is that once you are actually on the train the stress is over whereas in a taxi the stress has just begun if traffic starts to get bad. In reality i don't think you will have a problem arriving on time with either option but for me the train is the more relaxing option.

I found the cocktails on Legend to be really great value and delicious. Since they don't have a drinks package they don't stint on the alcohol. They are really nice and strong and probably cheaper than on land. P&O cocktails tasted like sugary cordial with a slight hint of spirits by comparison.

Also just wanted to confirm that we took some pre-packaged snacks on board (for kids to eat on the islands) and these were no problem.

I don't think Sydney airport (FF lounges excluded) has ever been considered an enjoyable place to hang out for more than about 30 minutes. Check-in 2 hours before flight time is ample.

The traffic to the airport can be truly diabolical however and you definitely need to be generous with time allowed to get there. I would be very uncomfortable doing a day tour of the Blue Mountains on the same day as a 7.30pm flight. Too many possibilities for missing your flight or at the least spending a very stressful few hours stuck in freeway traffic.

I love the empty ship on port days. We are early risers so at tender ports in the South Pacific we often get off on the first couple of tenders, spend two or three hours swimming and lying on the beach and then hop back on by 11am just as everyone is getting off the ship. Best of both worlds and easy to nab a shady deck chair for a hard afternoon of more lazing around!

P.s. Make sure you book the jinek bay excursion at lifuo as soon as you board so you can experience the snorkeling there. It sells out quickly as limited spots.

With 3 cruises already booked I would spend those 8 days exploring by land to give you some variety. There are plenty of great areas to explore near sydney especially if you're happy to hire a car. I'd spend 2 days each in sydney, blue mountains, hunter valley, port Stephens and possibly also canberra. Or if you have the funds spend some time in Sydney and then fly to Lord howe island for 4 nights.

A very hard decision! I love the pacific islands but would ideally have picked a cruise that visited Isle of Pines, Mare and and maybe Santo for good snorkeling rather than going to Fiji. If those stops were an option then pacific would win hands down. There are some other cruises leaving that month. Would you consider Carnival Legend 25 March Sydney, Noumea, Mare, Isle Of Pines, Sydney? We've done this exact cruise and it was so good for snorkeling. Gives you 4 days in Sydney between cruises to look around.

Which ship are you on and which class of cabin?

I can only answer for interior on Pacific Eden...no tea making facilities.

Trying to squeeze in Sydney, Australia Zoo (Brisbane) and GBR (Cairns) is too much for 6 days. If you are keen on the reef you could fly Sydney to Cairns, do a day trip to the reef and also visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures to see some Australian animals. Be aware that there is no beach in Cairns so can be nicer to book accommodation at one of the beaches to the north (Palm Cove, Trinity Beach or even Port Douglas). I've been disappointed with the reef on recent trips due to damage and bleaching so do some tripadvisor research before you plan your whole trip around a trip to the reef. There may be other things that you would enjoy more.