Auscruisefam

I was recently on Brilliance of the Seas and had a chat to a few crew/staff about the itineraries for the next couple of years. Interesting conversations. Some didn’t believe Lelepa will happen, apparently some dispute about the island. They all said that the cruise lines are struggling to secure ports and that the Australian Government is not investing in cruising, they just aren’t interested. Even when Royal is throwing money at building bigger ports in Aust or South Pacific. They said it’s really hard in this part of the world to develop the market. Royal aren’t focusing here anymore and they also said they are struggling to fill cabins in Australia.

Sydney has one of the most beautiful sail aways in the world. It is absolutely spectacular. I don’t think many overseas tourists would be thrilled sailing out of Port Kembla.

There are cruise drink calculators online google them. You put in the cruise line and how much you think you will drink and it will give an idea if the drinks package is worth it. 2 glasses of wine is not far off $40 aud. I’m reconsidering Royal at the moment as all their add ons are just crazy.

Prices are in USD but in Aust they include gratitude. So $12 glass of wine will be around $19 AUD depending on exchange rate, possibly more.

Ok great hopefully cruise lines will update soon. Don’t mind doings RATs

Is this leaving NSW only? What about cruises leaving NSW going to QLD?

I have to laugh at the exchange rate, 2 coronas for $26AUD. Thanks for the list. I still can’t justify the drinks package.

From what I am reading standard cocktails like a mojito are $14USD but that was last season it may be more now. In AUD that is about $22 at least and who knows what exchange rates will be like. It could be up to $25 AUD and that’s a basic cocktail. Can of soft drink is $3.50USD but I don’t know if any of this includes gratitude. Coffee is $5USD so about $8AUD and that’s a basic coffee. Ultimate dining package is $647 AUD per person so $1300ish and internet is $29.50 per day AUD per guest. Drinks package is $124 AUD per person. We are booked for 11 nights drinks alone would be $2728. I wouldn’t pay for dining but we need internet due to work/family. These are just prices for our specific cruise but Im sure they only change by a few dollars. Individual drinks will add up very quickly especially for families. At this rate we might just fly to brissy and sail Luminosa back to back at literally a fraction of the price.

So the included food will just be the MDR and buffet?

So with plus I can only go to Alfredo’s twice after that it’s an up charge? That’s ridiculous. With premier is it unlimited casual dining? I am not paying an up charge for Ocean Ready. They must be out of their minds, I just won’t use it.

It varies depending on cruise, they vary the price all the time. Currently I have an offer for $112 per day AUD. It includes gratitude. That’s for the deluxe drinks package.

I was on Luminosa in Feb and loved it. I will probably be back on that ship at some point this summer.

My daughter was on Splendor a couple of weeks ago and had the same opinion. She is a young adult and neither her or her friends would cruise on Splendor again. They all struggled with the food and said the ship just looks worn out.

The only restrictions in place are be vaxxed from whenever ago and do a rat test at home, and people are not doing that correctly. Very few people are testing on board and crew are no enforcing it because I’m sure the cruise lines are well and truely over it. This is the same conversation that happened before they dropped the requirements every else in the world. NZ has dropped them. PO already have unvaxxed cruises to the islands from Auckland. I can’t see how they can keep dragging this along. I’m sure if the rest of the world managed we will be just fine. I think Sep/Oct they will drop the restrictions. Considering they pretty much don’t exist anyway.

Speaking of prices and a little off topic Carnival are drive me mad with their ridiculous difference in pricing through VIFP offers. I have a few cruises booked one being Singapore/syd. Hubby has a VIFP number but never books under it and the cruises are all booked under mine. Now he has got offers on the cruises we booked including $1000 on board credit. So I have to cancel what I have booked and re book under him.