steve1970

Thank you for your comments.

I emailed Princess, they 'corrected' my mistake (its always my mistake) and now I have the name changed back to the original name.

I coughed up the $170 USD for the change.

Lets see if I manage to get onto the international flight. Feedback from here usually isn't wrong.

Thank you all.

Thank you, I should have quit whilst ahead.

Example 

Passport: Robert Edward Smith

EZ Air: Robertedwar Smith

Now

Passport  Robert Edward Smith 

EZ Air: Robertedwar Edward Smith

This is the first time I've used an agent in 20+ years. The princess agent booked this for me. I only used the app to book the cruise. Added flights at payment time.

I suppose I've made it worse. 

I could throw another $170 for the right to 'correct' their initial mistake.

Hello All, I have researched my query, but I still have a question. 

First booking with EZ Air (Big mistake) flying SFO International after Auckland to San Francisco cruise. We are on a foreign passport.

Flights booked and paid for on the day of booking with Princess agent directly - 3.5 weeks from cruise departure. 

Booked, gave names, spelt names and got agent to read back my name.

4 days later checked booking

Firstmiddl Surname called & emailed Princess. They said they would get back to me.

They called next day and said 'name changed, $170 USD please' I said no, I'm not paying. Play the tape. You entered my name incorrectly (I'm not a brain surgeon, but I can spell my own name) They tried to put me through to an agent. After 20 minutes, they said they would get back to me the following day. So far, nothing.

I checked my flight booking.

Firstmiddl Middle Surname

It's now worse.

With $170 USD on my account, saying payment not complete. 

So far, incompetence in the agents part. 

Any advice please. 

Thanks

So, from the feedback here, if I give a tip over and above the Grats that are already paid - they don't go to the person who delivered that service? Seems odd.

I know P&O Australia they used to hand them over. Saw them doing it in the dining room years ago. Not sure now though.

Hi, just booked a cruise from Australia with the new 'Grats included'.

Comment then Question: We used to also tip extra to some staff we delt with, but 2 cruises ago the bar waiter in the resturant said the extra tip I put on for him at the bottom of the chit I signed goes to the pool (not to him). Should I continue to tip extra to the room attendant, waiters and bar staff? or will that go to the pool (or to them directly)?

Sorry, not a hope in hell of watching Netflix. As far as I know there is no ship in Oz/NZ waters that could supply you with a fraction of the bandwidth necessary. The connectivity just doesn't exist in this part of the world. As has been said the data costs would cripple you anyway.

 

Some (most?) ships will have TVs with accessible HDMI ports, but no way to select them from the remote. You might be able to get around that with a universal remote like a Harmony.

 

I think the only possible way to get Netflix to work would be if you were in port on a balcony and you cast your Netflix app to the Chromecast stick from your mobile phone. Of course that would not work at sea.

 

That would presuppose some sort of international roaming data plan on the phone.

We were on the Radiance in December, had the voom stream package. I have a chrome cast, but didn't take it.

I did use Skype voip calls and Skype video calls, amazing clarity and so clear. No buffering at all and used about 30 minutes per day.

Used YouTube for some videos, again no noticeable buffering.

I have used the Internet before on ships and Its absolute rubbish. Voom surf is actually what they say it is.

Next cruise I'm trying to do some of my work for a few hours a day. I think it might just work.

I've just read the story. I'm not too bright, so maybe someone here smarter than me can explain why Ports of Auckland won't let Ovation berth at 368 m long X 41.2m wide, but can berth Quun Mary 2 at 345m long and 41m wide.

QM2 requires 1.5.meters more draught than Ovation.

Could it be Ports of Auckland putting pressure so they expand the wharf into the sea?

Can't Jellicoe wharf handle the extra 3m in length and 20cm in width from the Ovation?

Could it be a political football?

They are also charging for the steam room sauna its free on the other ships but $99 for ovation

Well, maybe RCI are looking at the P&O business model. That's the reason we stopped cruising with P&O after about 20 cruises and switched to RCI. Everything on RCI was included such as Sauna, Steam Room & Room Service, Kids Activities (skating, golf etc....)

Maybe they could charge for Rock Climbing, Flow Riderand Ice Skating as an extra?

I do have to clarify that we do still use P&O in winter as its local, but if RCI were based year round, we'd cruise with them in winter too.

I may have start looking at another cruise line - darn, so close to Diamond.

We enjoy the occasional breakfast on the balcony. Is the charge across all RCI ships?

We've been on the voyager a few times now and once on the Radiance and the room service as always free, included in the cost. So from what understand the other ships in Australia don't charge. P&O charge for each item for room service.

I've just finished reading the reviews Sinapore - Adelaide and sounds like a real disaster. I'm not fond of queuing.

This could be a problem for RCI, I am guessing that most of the staff are Chinese speaking for the Chinese market so their service may not be what Australian cruises are used too.

Just got of the Radiance Friday - much less crowded than the Voyager So this being much bigger again may seem crowded. We have been on the voyager before and after it was based in Asia, big difference in service and the way things are done.

I noticed that someone said room service breakfast was chargeable now, I wonder if they are going down the P&O way of charging extra for everything they can?

Vodafone nz phones work on some royal ships. But the rates are expensive.

 

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/roaming/maritime-coverage/

 

I'm on account with them . Next year on my trip to Australia then on my cruise I'm sticking to only using my phone where their $5 daily roaming is available [emoji3][emoji106].

 

 

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That's why I got a Vodafone phone - as we went on the Voyager (it's on that list). After 4 cruises taking my Vodafone phone and 2 degrees phone, I can confirm that Voyager of the Seas does not offer coverage for Vodafone or 2 Degrees.

I will try it on the Radiance of the Seas in a few weeks and let you know.

I know on P&O the Vodafone NZ and 2 Degrees work on roaming and the calls costs are not that high (stay away from data at $10mb). I'm just looking for calling and texts only for RCI.

Hopefully someone will have experience with Australian networks.

I find it odd that you say P&O has coverage. This is because there are no towers at sea, so you would be out of range of Australian coverage.

 

Unless you just mean you can go on global roaming in which case you would be charged satellite rates at sea, which will be high due to their nature?

P&O ships give me coverage via their network (or whatever technology they use) so I can make calls at about $1.49 per min, receive calls for $1.00 per minute, receive text messages for free and send text messages at about 50cents, charged to me through my provider.

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what (if any) phone networks in Australia have coverage on RCI ships?

We have done a few cruises on them and their material says that Vodafone (NZ) works - I got one of their phones and no coverage.

I do need to stay available while away so am thinking to get an Australian number on a network that does have coverage.

Anyone got some ideas please?

I know im on holiday etc etc, but we have our own business and I need to keep in contact back home.

*Edited* To add on P&O Australia we have coverage all the time in the islands and at sea - mainly with texts and sometimes calls.

We are going around the islands on this cruise and would like coverage also.*

Thanks,

Steve

Yes there were quite a few extra charges. Also saw no complimentary soft serve stations or at the buffet. Ice cream is always nice and refreshing.

The soft serve ice cream is nice to have on a hot day - don't forget it's P&O - there is the NZ Natural Ice Cream, really beautiful ice cream and at only $5.00 a scoop I think it's basically a giveaway.:)

This is a really great review. Very comprehensive and impartial. We used to do a fair few P&O cruises (still do the odd one). P&O have basically lost our custom. We have been on Royal Carribean in the last few years (P&O last August) and I would say the quality of Royal Carribean food over the last 2 years has dropped but P&O has improved their game. I remember fondly where on most days P&O main meat in the Buffett was Silverside (nothing wrong with silverside, but for a main for 6 days out of a 10 day cruise).

For us all the little extras that P&O charge for and other lines do not charge for do make a difference.

Last P&O cruise no welcome back cocktail party, but we got an invite to the captains cocktail party (in the dome on the Jewel) and received a photo!

Thanks for the photos - I nearly gagged when I saw P&O charge $15 for a room service full hot breakfast.

Otherwise, they are all good days on holidays.

what makes me most sad is it appears that the Jewel will only be based her for 2 months, rather than the previous 5. I hope they have plans to change this

Over the last few years the seasons have been quite short for NZ cruises from Auckland.

We have basically have given up with P&O we went with Royal Carribean and with the savings on the cruise it more than covers the return fares to Sydney.

I suggest to give it a go.

Cruises from Auckland are OK price wise with their last minute deals.

We got a maxi taxi from Circular quay to the airport in December. About 10am - not rush hour traffic. Cost about $85.00 Aud.

I would imagine from the airport will cost you another $20 -$30 more than that.

I would get the train. Faster, cheaper you can always get a taxi at the other end.

I thought it maybe like herding cats. I wouldn't look forward to that.

I might give the company a call and ask them directly.

Thanks

I believe it's there to push people into buying a drinks package.

At the drinks package prices vs paying per drink, you would have to stay drunk to break even (on the premium package).

Simply a ploy to sell more drinks packages.

Hi, what is considered a group booking (minimum numbers or cabins) looking to book a cruise for 14+ people over 4 or 4 cabins. Is there any advantage to making a 'group' booking?

Thanks

Does Voyager still have a separate small cinema for 2D movies, or maybe they have replaced it with cabins?

 

The small cinema is gone and replaced with cabins - looks like for crew as its not carpeted. The 'screening room' entrance is still there, walk through and you will see the cabins.

You have encountered the problems with booking direct.

We did a cruise from Singapore - Sydney in November and booked directly with RCCL. It was a disaster - we had at least 13 itineraries/invoices issued and it took months and many, many calls and emails to sort out.

You can book directly and book a cabin for 4. You need to be sure what that cabin is and the rules around that (ie it's a 4 berth not 5). We booked a family ocean view and did not have a problem in obtaining a booking. I think their computer system needs a major overhaul.

When you throw in the word 'family' the booking staff may have thought 5 person family suite. Who knows.

Call back, each tine you speak to someone, they will all have their own version of what's going on. As long as you know that 1854 is a 4 person cabin, stick to your guns and politely point out that it's not a 5 berth cabin.

We also would like to do that cruise, but will wait to closer to see if the price reduces,if it does we book. If it does not we miss out.

Good luck.

Don't waste your time reading reviews on this site. They are worthless and provide little information that is worthwhile. Bad reviews are like an infections virus and most humans are like sheep and tend to follow a leader. One person says and the rest follow. Personally I think anyone who posts a review on these boards ought to scan a copy of their cruise ticket as proof that they went. That is how much credibility I give the reviews on this site.

We were on the Singapore / Sydney cruise.

The staff I all talked to seemed fine. They were all friendly and helpful.

There are always areas that can be improved, changes made that some like, others do not. Overall the Voyager offers a far superior product than other cruise lines based in Australia.

We have cruise on the Voyager before the refit and very recently and the service and staff on both cruises were fine, very friendly and helpful.

I think they run the tours around 10 - 11am start. Definitely in the morning.

You can get the local bus to the centre for only a few dollars each way and the entry fee is very low (can't remember how much exactly, but not much at all).

Call them, I'm sure the person answering the phone will speak enough English to understand you.