arxcards

Ovation has skipped Picton to get a head start back to Sydney. They have headed north to circle the worst of the seas, but are still cruising at 20 knots into a gale with 4.5m seas. Their original schedule would have had them traversing 9 metre seas tomorrow night.

There is, but is a very specific one. PNG from Sydney doesn't fit. They have tried and it wasn't popular with retirees and was heavily discounted. I wish they weren't so boring with their itineraries, but they do know the what, where, when & how as they piece together their itineraries. For them, new itineraries add risk at a time when a lot of their traditional customers don't have spare cash to spend. They will stick with what worked best last year, also considering that both Royal & Princess are taking away a ship next season and that will result in even less choice. In comparison, we are not so different either. You mention Icon. Over the next two years, it visits only 11 ports and every cruise is a 7-nighter and only one cruise skips Coco Cay. It is a defined offering, and designed to generate maximum profit.

Leaving bang on time 😉 AIS destination is showing Picton, so it looks like they are hoping to make up for lost time.

In general for the cruises that size, Ovation's suites are currently 40% more expensive next summer than the equivalent ones on Anthem the following season. There is heaps of availability, so it isn't like they are selling out. In comparison, I could do a 5 nighter on Anthem for around the same price as a 3 nighter on Ovation. I guess that is why I haven't already booked on Ovation.

Now that Barb has a confirmed surgery date, if it is successful, it looks like we might be able to look for something late this year. Time for me to compare prices between Ovation this coming summer with Anthem's prices.

Yes, Voyager has booked entries at Yorkey's with QLD Ports.

I am even weighing-up whether to put my retirement back another year and spring for a 5 nighter to Tassie.

I think that is right. It is a bit like having concierge class or club class on other brands - a mini suite with at least some of the suite perks. I would think anything Sky class would include the things listed in that section here: What benefits are included in each Royal Suite Class Tier? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

I think I found one. The lure of the Wiggle Friends is just too much, so I think I can afford a two night weekend birthday party on Anthem.

Yes, It started with Royal class, so it was Royal & Majestic this season, next season it will be just Royal Princess. In 2025/26 it will be Discovery Princess.

Toot, Toot, Chugga, Chugga, Big White Ship

I will grab a stiff drink later and make sure I take my medication before I take a look.

Wiggly Friends?

I can't see your pics Phil. What do the prices look like? These are decent typical Royal offerings on feature packed Royal ships. The disappointment for me is that it is just too typical, and the local office is a victim of not delivering on their aspirations. Over the past 10 years, the travel media bites have been: - We will have a ship here year-round - We are bringing an Oasis class ship (by 2020) - A Perfect Day at Lelepa Instead, we get the same stuff less a ship downgrade. I will poke through the dates and have a look at a shortie on Anthem. Apart from that, I am also on the sidelines awaiting some exciting news for 26/27.

Yes, Solstice. I was thinking just through the heads was for Solstice going, but was for Majestic coming.

I hope so too. Looks like a bumpy couple of days, but the seas are declining ahead of them. The timing is a bonus, but leaving 6+ hrs late might incur a modified itinerary. They may go slow and skip Picton, which would be a shame.

Good news indeed. Their AIS shows they are skipping Lifou and heading straight to their 2nd stop at Mystery Island. A blessing they are cruising via the Islands and not NZ - that would be quite a crossing ATM.

Length and beam at and below the waterline (not LOA) are the main restrictions. There is plenty of room above the waterline and the wharf is large enough to accept two of these ships at the same time. It is the width of the dredged shipping channel and the area of the dredged turning basin that restricts what ships can visit. There has been work done 5 - 10 years ago to increase the size of the channel & turning basin. Prior to that, even Pacific Dawn would tender from Yorkeys. She could physically fit in Cairns, but her design made it difficult to navigate the tight channel. Back in her earlier days as Regal Princess, she drifted out of the channel and was briefly stuck.

She has port entries that also confirm she will be docking in Cairns. Sister ships Pac Encounter, Pac Adventure and Grand Princess have previously docked in Cairns. Both Diamond and Crown will add to that list next season.

Late departure from Adelaide was no risk to their schedule. A short stroll to Kangaroo Island for today. Off to Hobart this afternoon.

Definitely. It was also considered too dangerous to navigate through Sydney Heads, with a crosswind southerly blowing a gale.

A bonus night in Sydney Harbour. Awesome! Even better if they aren't confined to ship??

If there is no pilot departing with Solstice, Majestic may not get a pilot to come into port with. She has altered course and is now showing an 11am arrival tomorrow. Majestic is sitting just 20 nm off Manly, and is reporting a SSW gale. Solstice is not showing any departure or movement details.

These late specials, rightfully, are promoted by T/A's. The good T/A's will notice the vacancies and keep an eye out for deals so they can spring them on their loyal customers and be seen as a valuable part of the chain. It is rare for Princess to broadly promote last minute fares.

Ahh, when there is a void .... If Royal announced a different ship, year-round from Brisbane, the launch of Perfect Day at Lelepa, this would be tracking on topic. Instead, it is the lament of all cruise lines are doing the same cruises as last year. It might also stay on track if the new release stuff is posted here.