BecAus

Hi Sorry if this is a dumb question 🤪 In regards to using the vacuum storage bags. I understand it compresses so you can fit more in. I'm definitely going to need to consider doing this. What does that do to the weight of the suitcase? Does compressing take some of the weight out of the items or will they still weight the same? We have a pretty generous allowance of 30kg/~66lb flying from/to Australia with Singapore Airlines but I believe the train from Barcelona to Paris is only 23kg/50lb and they do weigh your luggage I've read. I have bought a 'foldie' soft bag and if need be i'll have to shove ~ 7kg in there if the suitcase is too heavy. Although.....we fly in to Dubai and then straight on to the ship for 62n. We would use a lot of the consumables over that time that I need to pack for the trip so by the time we get off to catch the first train our cases 'should' weigh a little less perhaps. I could also likely pack quite a few of the consumables we'll use (like tin coffee, essential meds, washing 'stuff' into a soft 'foldie' type carryon and leave my suitcase just for clothes / shoes etc. It's hurting my head thinking about it 🙃 Enjoy your upcoming cruise, I look forward to reading about your trip!

My understanding since they announced the laundry facilities is that it was only going to be for the full WC's. Those of us on segments wouldn't have access. I believe even those who swapped from the full WC to the 17 mini's won't have access as they're not classed as 'full WC's' now. I personally think that's a little unfair and petty to the few who did change to that but that's not my fight to fight! I believe you are going to need to swipe your sea-pass to access the facilities and they might be in a crew area. I was thinking they would perhaps be in those areas off the cabin hallways where you see them come out with their housekeeping carts but who knows! I used your tip (that I read on one of your previous posts) of the collapsable wash tub on our last cruise which was a 17n TP. It worked well and we also sent out a couple of bags of laundry. I think that will work ok for us. 3 bags of laundry per week (my husband will put all his clothes through there) and a bit of hand washing for some of mine. I just need to make sure that most of my tshirts and shorts that I pack will withstand their wash! I'm also going to get an outside line to use on the balcony. My biggest issue will be my inability to pack light. We are travelling onwards via train for a couple of weeks so I was hoping to only travel with the 1 suitcase as we're going to have to lug on and off trains as we move around. My husband will be able to pack light but I'm going to struggle! We have booked a last minute cruise from Sydney to NZ next week. Although it will be different weather as it's going to be cold in NZ I am going to see how I go with only packing 1 suitcase - not hopeful but I'm going to give it my best shot!

I don't recall seeing larger taxi's when we've travelled to HK, not saying they don't have them but I don't remember ever seeing any. When we had six people we took two regular taxi's as I recall.

We didn't go near the shore at all, I don't know about the longer tours but we got on the jet ski at their dock and off again at their dock, other than getting in the water to swim with the rays / sharks which is optional. Perhaps email the company, they might be able to advise more. We ended up really liking the TP / sea days and will do it again in the future and probably go further ie. Aus - Honolulu - Vancouver - Alaska next time. I was concerned about the number of sea days given previously we had only had about 2 sea days in a row. I thought my husband would hate it but he liked it even better than me. It's amazing how quickly you settle into it and we are not even very involved with most of the activities they have on board. To be honest, we probably don't spend enough time on the balcony to really warrant the cost. We used it a bit as we always do - I sometimes have a coffee out there in the morning and my husband sat out there a few times to read. Every time I book think I'm not sure we're using the balcony enough to warrant the extra expense but I would find it hard not to have it now. Having the balcony makes it feel a little less claustrophobic to me but it really is a personal choice.

What didn't I like - everything. The speed, the rough bumping up and down over the waves, the tight turning. Don't take my hate of it as advice though. MOST people love it I'm sure, it just definitely wasn't for me - you won't catch me doing it again. The guide did say it's not as much fun if you're the passenger. I wouldn't have liked it either way but I think most people would. Most people in the afternoon group were doing the 3hr tour so there was a heap of them together and a lot had their own jet ski instead of sharing. If sharing I'm sure you can swap 1/2 way, You were able to swap drivers on the ATV tour We were the only ones doing the 1hr tour so we got our own personal tour guide which was great and we could therefore choose exactly what we wanted to do ie. go spend more time at the ray/shark area. No, there is no ladder. It was a bit of a problem for me. I have RA and leaning on my wrists is a problem which I needed to do to push myself back up at the back of the jet ski. The guide was happy to put a knee there to help you jump up but I needed more help than that. I had to get my husband to get off and help me back up. The guide was concerned as he wanted him up there first to balance the jet ski as its very easy to flip it but we were able to manage to do it, leaning away from each other and balancing it without any real trouble. There's kind of a flat / platform area at the back of the jet ski that you lift up on to / sit on as you get yourself up. It's shallow, standing area where the rays/sharks are so most people would be able to manage getting back on the jet ski ok it's just with my condition it made it difficult for me personally but we managed to get it done.

Hi We did the crossing on Quantum in April this year. 1. No, there is no limit. They wouldn't be stopping at those ports if there was. That's why they had to drop Bora Bora due to limit on passengers. We got 2 days in Moorea instead but from this season they are changing from that to the new port of Raiatea. 2. As Chili mentioned, RCI tours always have priority. Generally they are running 2 tender departure points (forward and midship) and RCI tours will use one and other passengers the other. We were in a suite this time so I can't really recall the tender ticket process but I think passengers had to line up to get them at a certain point the day before. If you are in a full suite or a Pinnacle we were given early tender tickets in the SL. I think she said she had tender #'s 1 - 10 put aside. 3. We did RCI's snorkelling tour in Papeete in the morning. It was pretty good. A couple of different snorkelling stops including one with a plane wreck (a real one, not one they placed there for the tourists!) that was pretty cool. In the afternoon we did a private island tour in the afternoon. First day in Moorea we did a snorkelling, motu island lunch tour with Moorea Miti tours booked privately. This included a couple of snorkelling stops and swimming with sting rays and black tipped sharks which was REALLY COOL! Second day we did a private tour with Moorea Activities Centre doing a 3.5hr ATV Island tour followed by a 1 hr jet ski tour. They have many different combo's of varying time lengths of each activity. The ATV tour was really cool. Thank goodness I only booked the jet ski for 1 hour because I discovered I HATE jet skiing - my husband liked it though, just not my thing. We spent 1/2 hr of that jet ski swimming with the sting rays / sharks again. We didn't have to do that but I hated the jet ski so much I was begging to get off it! It was actually really great though as there were less people than the day before so we got great time with the rays / sharks. They recognise people as well apparently (the rays that is!) and our guide was one of their favourites so they were all over him and up close to see. Moorea Activities also take free photos of your day so we got heaps from the ATV and also underwater ones from the jet ski tour which were cool. The ATV / Jet ski wasn't cheap by any means - it was $475AUD for the 3.5hr / 1hr combo for the two of us but I definitely would say it was worth it for us. I know they were booked out so if you are considering booking this sort of activity then I would book it early, like now if they're not booked out already. I paid by credit card at the time of booking (I have a fee free international credit card) Hope that helps you

Wow, I would not have expected to see that there! We have seen a lot of them in our travels throughout Asia.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review so far and all your beautiful photos. Am very interested in your review as we have all your cruise stops with RCI next year (including a day trip to Venice from Trieste) and I've not been to any of those places so it's all new to me! After RC we will be catching a train from Barcelona to Paris for a few days and then train from Paris to London for a few days (3 probably) so I wrote down heaps of your info from London so thanks for that! We won't be going to Amsterdam unfortunately because that looked amazing too! Hope the rest of your bus ride goes well and you have an amazing time on the cruise. Thank you for taking us along with you! btw. what an amazing work trip your husband had - wow!!

Hi, I've cruised a couple of times on Spectrum out of Singapore. Previous to that I've been on Mariner and Voyager out of Singapore. We are Australian and flew up to Singapore to cruise. I really liked Spectrum, it's a lovely ship and a little bit different to the other Quantum class ships being the newer 'Ultra' class but basically the same. I don't think I've seen too many bad reviews or none with any issues that would overly concern me. Yes, it does cater a little more to the Asian market, as you say, not surprising considering that's where it is based. I think RCI states it as being a 'culturally enriching cruise' which is the email I usually get beforehand advising it as being so when I've cruised in the region. Yes, the food onboard is a little more inclined towards the Asian side but there are still plenty of other 'western' options to choose from. I actually found the dress code to be more casual than usual - like shorts and t-shirts being worn in the dining room at night by a lot of the guests! I think they still had the 'Dress to Impress/Formal' night but most guests treated it pretty casual. As with most of the ships these days, just wear whatever makes you comfortable. When we were last onboard (just post-covid) most guests were encouraged to look at menus on their phones although the waiters were happy to bring us a real menu, usually without us even asking. Everything is still in English - menu's and entertainment. We've always had a great time sailing on the ships out of Singapore, very easy and simple process. I did look at this cruise and would have loved to do it but we are on a segment of the World Cruise next year so that is more than enough to deal with for now! Quantum is going to Singapore for her 5 year dry dock at the end of next year so we are going to join the ship for the sailing after that from Singapore to Brisbane. I'm sure you will have a great time sailing on Spectrum. Whilst we were in the minority in regards to nationalities we in no way felt out of place or had any issues. Have a great cruise!

I'm still trying to understand the benefits for the 'segmenters'. Royal originally stated this in the WC - FAQ section - "And all our Crown & Anchor Society members will enjoy enhanced benefits when purchasing the Ultimate World Cruise or Ultimate Cruise segments — details to follow in the near future." and that wording is still there on the website. I don't think there has been any enhanced benefits for segments has there? When they released the mini's I priced out our 5 mini's that make up our S3 - same catergory in a OVB (before they pulled the OVB from the mini's inventory). It was $18,600 AUD diff / ~ 12K USD I stuck with our original reservation, assuming there would be some benefit for booking a segment. I knew the cost going in when I made the reservation so I thought, just wait and see. This of course may turn out to be a mistake and I should have just switched! As we're D+ we don't really need the drink pkg's, I 'might' have got the refreshment for me as I don't drink much and my husband would have used most of the D drinks. We probably would get the wifi and need 2 - 3 bags laundry p/wk I don't begrudge any of the benefits that are going to full WC'ers. That is the well deserved benefits for having booked the full journey. There doesn't seem like there was any benefit booking a segment though - probably should have switched to the mini's when I had the chance! I'm not losing sleep over it though, we are still very much looking forward to it!

Hi Do the 2 free days of wifi for D+ have to be used consecutively? Thanks

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread including all the photos and food reviews. It was really great reading about your week on Oasis, it sounded like you had a blast! Safe travels home to all and a speedy recovery to good health to those feeling under the weather.

Thank you both for your clarification and I do apologise if my post was confusing to anyone. I checked back on our invoice and we booked a Silver Junior suite so we had full access with that. We are Diamond so we also had access to the Silver Dining Room when I booked an inside cabin on a previous trip. It was really worth it to us to have access to that dining room but everyone's different on what they prefer. We tried the main dining room one night just because I said we should at least try it but it wasn't great. Service was pretty bad and food was just ok. That was just after their restart though so it could be down to that, things may obviously have improved a lot a few months on. I really don't know if we paid more at the time for the Silver suite - I only booked that one last minute, about 3 weeks out, and can't recall if there was several options. To me the seperate dining room is worth it but I don't know what my limit on how much $$ I would pay for it would be. Not sure if we made it in there for B/F (don't think we did) but it's definitely mainly buffet for lunch and dinner, we really liked it but it may not be suitable for you and your mum in that case. Best of luck whatever you decide and have a wonderful cruise!

I'll try and answer this with as much correct info as I am aware of. Spectrum of the Seas is a little different to the other Quantum class ships and other ships in the fleet. It doesn't have a diamond lounge per se. It has a Gold Lounge / Dining which is for the top tier suites. I believe you have to book a 'Gold' suite to get in there. The other lounge / dining is the Silver Lounge / Dining room. This serves as the Diamond Lounge and lounge / dining for Silver suites. I know for sure that a junior suite is a 'Silver' suite. That's what we stayed in. I'm not sure which other suites on Spectrum fall into that category, if any? The Silver Lounge is sort of a cross between a DL and a Coastal Kitchen combined. There's the usual lounge area and then adjoining that is the dining area which is a combo of a buffet section and you can also order from a small selection of ala carte. I've been told these selections don't change each day - they're a little like the classic regulars on the main dining menu. We really liked the buffet selection in there and ate that most of the time. They don't have appetisers in the Silver lounge part and didn't seem keen on you eating in there. During dining hours they do have those sort of items on the buffet and were quite happy for you to make up a plate and sit at a table and eat them with pre-dinner drinks if you like. So, to your specific question. They definitely recognise Diamond status on the ship and you will get a welcome letter stating your benefits for the cruise. 4 drinks / photo / day of wifi and all else that is usually included. There was no issue with us getting any of our usual benefits. They will serve you a drink in the Silver Lounge seating area, using one of your vouchers of course. Now...we last cruised on Spectrum in June 2022 and it was as above. I read a recent posting (on the Aus/NZ CC site I think) that access to the Silver Lounge was restricted to the suites and not to Diamonds if you weren't staying in a 'Silver' suite. I don't know that I believe that but it is of course possible that there has been a change. Even if it has changed, and I'm not sure it has, I'm sure receiving your Diamond benefits won't be a problem! Hope that helps : )

I've tried searching CC and googling and can't find the answer. I've received a FCC (from covid isolation onboard) I didn't receive in time before having to make final payment on our upcoming April cruise. Is there a way to apply it to the reservation after having paid it off in full and getting a refund to the credit card or is that not possible? This is an Australian (AUD) website booking if that matters but wondering what the rules are in US also. Thanks

Hope you're enjoying your cruise. What shows are onboard - theatre productions shows and in Two70. Thanks : )

Hi That would have been SGD and from memory we were about on par, that's AUD to SGD or it was close ~ .98c. Currently it's down to ~ .91c to AUD. I'm going to assume you are US based? The ~ USD equivalent would have been $18/day (Memorial Day sale) or $27/day when I first booked. Hope that is clear / helps : )

Hi I just went back and checked my booking invoice. Definitely included. Listed the 'onboard service charges' + the 'taxes, fees & port expenses' on seperate lines (just like on my Aus booking invoices) Cruise Fare EXTRA SAV NRD 30% OFF NRD On Board Service Charge T axes, fees, and port expenses Total Charge Amount Paid Balance Due edit. and there was definitely no extra charges onboard, it was already included as per my invoice

So glad you’ve made the best of a bad situation and still managed to have a great time Thanks for sharing about your trip and sharing all your lovely photos You’ll love Singapore (I’ve been lots of times as it’s a short flight from Perth) Gardens by the Bay is not to be missed! A river cruise is lovely too! So…we get off Ovation tomorrow Hubby tested positive last night He didn’t really have any symptoms - he slept a lot yesterday & was a bit achy but that’s it. No cough, runny nose or any other symptoms. We tested to be safe/sure not expecting it to be + (Him sleeping a lot is not unusual - we work really long hours at home, 7 days a week so recuperation / sleep a lot on holidays is usual) Rang Medical this AM & he went down It was a waste of time really - they don’t do any testing, won’t write any sort of medical certificate stating C19 positive so not sure what the point was I’m not saying we would have let him walk around positive, we absolutely wouldn’t do that, but we may as well have self managed / isolated ourselves All they did is offer free internet/room service but we get that in a suite anyway We did several ship tours & there were people who were obviously sick with a cough / runny nose. There was more than a couple near us on the last tour in Wellington Coughing in CK & theatre as well. I tested negative. I’m immunocompromised & have been wearing a mask most of the time He did not wear a mask except when told to on tour shuttles etc I’ve been told to disembark as regular with other guests Hubby will be collected later & escorted off - a guy just knocked on the door with (brown) tags for him - said they wanted to collect the bag in 1/2 hr - I told him you can’t do that with so little notice Hubby will walk his bag off You would really think they would have the process for this a bit more organised by now! So..then we have a problem/dilemma tomorrow We are boarding the Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Perth I checked their website & it said please call ASAP if unwell I rang this morning & was pretty stunned at the response There are no restrictions - they don’t care if you have C19 If we don’t board we lose the full amount (10K) - I said I can’t believe you are telling C19+ passengers to board and she said yes, Aus / NSW has no current restrictions so you board or lose it - no credit note offered or any other option. I actually have 2 travel insurance policies (incl. C19 cover) but neither will be any good Their PDS states that you must contact your travel provider ASAP to minimise the loss - given they are happy for us to board we wouldn’t be covered if we choose not to So…I guess we’re boarding He’s not really unwell at all He’ll wear a mask even though it’s not required & we’ll stay in our cabin as much as possible - what else are we supposed to do, I’m not throwing 10k down the drain Anyway..that’s how our trip ended up It was mostly ok for the first 9 - 10 days with minimal complaints - I guess that’s what travel is like ATM We’d managed to avoid C19 till now and we’ve been away several times but them’s the breaks I guess Safe travels back home x

I see you now just coming past the Opera House!

So, so sorry to come on here just now & read this. I’ve really enjoyed reading about your trip - I feel terrible for you!! We flew in yesterday from Perth & I’m lying in bed looking out the hotel window across to the Opera House & overlooking the cruise terminal waiting for the ship to arrive, been awake since just after 2am unfortunately An unbelievable shame for you having travelled all this way, glad at least a full refund is being offered I think you’ve made the right decision though, you should hopefully be a little more comfortable in an apartment than in the ships cabin & fingers crossed your husband might not come down with it I’m a little concerned but I knew the risks Unfortunately we are having our ? 4th wave here in Aus - we did sail on Spectrum out of Singapore in June with no issues. I’m immunocompromised although I didn’t know (or wasn’t) when I booked this 12 - 18mths ago I wore a mask on the plane & I will wear one today & in public indoors areas on ship & will probably ask my husband to as well and hope for the best We are in a suite so have meals in CK & room service option I believe so can avoid the WJ / MDR & perhaps lower the risks a little We live in a rural area & haven’t caught C19 to date, both our teens in the house caught it but it’s quite a big house & I was able to separate them at other end & just throw their meals down the hall! My husband has 3 jabs & Ive had 4 so we’ve really done all we can We’ll go, take some precautions & hope for the best So, again, I’m so very sorry for you for how this has turned out I am wishing you a super speedy recovery & hope you are able to get out soon & try & enjoy your last few days before heading home Safe travels xx

Sorry for your loss 😢

I was going to ask - when you caught the water taxi in Vila into town was there still a lot of wrecked boats along the shore lines on the way across. We did the water taxi into town in January 2018 from Voyager and there was so many wrecked / abandoned boats, apparently from a cyclone 2 or 3 years before?

"No production shows" - does this mean they didn't show Pixels Cabaret in Two70? Thanks 🙂

Yes, I received an email yesterday from RCI that our excursion was cancelled, I was kinda expecting it as I couldn't see it on Royal's website anymore for a while now. It was the Blue Baths, Tea & Rotorua Thermal Tour. There's not many options on RCI website for Tauranga. I don't think they plan on missing Tauranga (although anything can happen of course) From what I read on one of the private operators websites Tauranga in particular has been hit with a lot of changes / closures to tour stops / operators during covid. I've been looking at other options. I'm one who likes to have something locked in, I'm not a big 'just wing it' type of person. It causes me angst not to have it organised. My husband hates it! I'm looking at a 6.5hr Local Tasting Tour that includes lunch and afternoon dessert / cocktail that I'm leaning towards. There's also a 3hr Sundowner History Tour including a beer or wine at 2.30pm which would probably work okay with our 7.45pm expected departure but I'm leaning towards the lunch one. I read on another thread (the CC Aus/NZ board I think) that Tauranga in particular was a port that had lots of tour options available at the port on arrival. That info is probably pre-covid though.