wynkys

Thank you all for your comments.

How does the Splendor compare re facilities to other older ships in the fleet? I recently completed a short four-night cruise on her out of Sydney. I have been cruising for over fifty years and have experienced many different cruiselines, some of which are no longer in existence, but I never previously had the urge to try Carnival. As a result of reading this board I decided to give them a go and am not sorry I did so. It was local school holidays and the ship was full and I boarded with admittedly low expectations. I liked the layout of the ship and its facilities and although I had one of the cheapest cabins, it was more than satisfactory, particularly in comparison with recent experience with RCCL. Overall, a good product and one I intend enjoying again.

I travelled on QE from Melbourne last December and really enjoyed the QE2 cocktail in the Commodore Club. Since then, I have been on Royal Caribbean utilising their Bionic Bar and then recently on Carnival Splendor where their Alchemy Bar came closest to replicating the QE experience. The bartender on Carnival said that they may add it as an option for a sourer option.

Re your Post#448, in the town of Seymour, Victoria, Australia there is a Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk that includes a wall that lists all Australian personnel who served during the Vietnam conflict. Of course, sheer numbers would prevent something similar in the US.

Re Post#475, what do you INhale?

G'Day Sid, I always enjoy reading your reports and I am especially interested in this one as I am booked on Resilient Lady for five nights out of Melbourne in December. As a newly minted Sea Rover courtesy of Princess Elite, I have also been advised that I will receive the Deep Blue Extras. I know that this doesn't directly affect you, but I read this morning that Resilient will have five new shows. Safe travels and make sure that you do all the things you shouldn't.

Bill and MaryAnn, Thank you again for another entertaining and informative report. Stay healthy, Wayne (Downunder)

Should cruises be marketed on the basis of destinations or the onboard experience? If it is the former, what should be sufficient compensation for missing scheduled ports? I recently completed an eight-night cruise out of Sydney on Ovation and we were to visit Mystery Island and Vila, Vanuatu as well as Noumea, New Caledonia. Instead, because of weather warnings, our itinerary was rearranged at sea to exclude the first two calls. I can fully understand the necessity for change and personally enjoyed the placid days at sea going nowhere fast, however, when I have told travelers on other lines that we received a refund of $100/person as compensation, they have questioned the paucity of the offer. Any comments?

Thank you. I tried to get the Bionic Bar on Ovation Of The Seas to replicate it recently and it didn't do a bad job.

Does anyone know the exact make-up of the QE2 cocktail served in the Commodore Lounge on QE?

I have just completed Ovation's amended South Pacific cruise and enjoyed the fine weather and smooth seas that we experienced by staying away from the cyclone up North. I had purchased The Key for the cruise and RCI really dropped the ball on this one. I was advised on two separate occasions that my boarding time was 3pm and so I assumed that the embarkation lunch wasn't being offered as on my Quantum cruise in December. When I reached my cabin, there was no welcoming letter and so I went to Guest Services. It turned out the lunch had been held and so I was offered a compensatory lunch at the Crown Grill which I enjoyed the next day. After some fiddling around, a letter was produced for me and it was only later when I read it that it referred to me being on Navigator and advising me about making a reservation for the ice show. The next day, the original letter turned up in cabin and I also discovered that an email had been sent to me early on embarkation day telling me about the arrangements. Then, prior to the last day I received notification about the departure breakfast only to discover when I went to it, I had been directed to an incorrect dining room. Additionally, during the cruise I had a number of specialty meals. Izumi and The Chef's Table were very good. Chops was satisfactory, however, Jamie's was a major disappointment with slow service, barely warm appetizers and the main course of Lamb chops inedible. Without asking, I was offered a refund, however, I am still waiting for that.

I have purchased The Key for an upcoming cruise out of Sydney and have been allotted a boarding time of 3pm. So it will be a very late lunch! I had it for a recent cruise out of Brisbane and once again there was no lunch but as compensation you could order room service free. Overall, as a new cruiser to RCI, I won't be sucked in again.

What a refreshing approach you have to it all! Keep enjoying.

I mentioned this on another topic, however, I recently did a Quantum cruise followed by a Cunard one and noticed a big difference between prices for my favourite drink. On Cunard, I was paying $9.00 less for my double Chivas than on RCI. I realise prices fluctuate, but that is quite a difference.

Just prior to Christmas, I completed two short cruises here in Australia. The first one was a five-nighter ex-Brisbane and the second, seven nights to Tasmania with Cunard. It was my first time cruising with RCI (Quantum OTS) and I have done several before with Cunard. My drink of choice is a double Chivas on the rocks and whilst I paid $US21.00 for each drink on Quantum, the equivalent drink on the Queen Elizabeth was $US12.19. So, there was a considerable difference in price which I find intriguing. I only had a few other types of drinks but with them found no great price differences between the ships.

Hi Bill & Mary Ann, Happy and a safe New Year. I look forward to following along again and please remember me to Barb. Wayne from Downunder.

Pre-Covid, I did a seven night cruise (not on Princess) and when I compared the onboard price of the drinks I had against the package price, I finished over $A1000 ahead. The fact that the line went broke during the lockdown surely had nothing to do with me!

As many know, tipping is not something widely practiced in Australia, however, it prompts the question of what happens when Quantum and Ovation begin their season Downunder. I am booked on both ships, however, as a newbie to RCI I have read how even those with packages, slip a dollar note or two to servers to ensure that they will get prompt follow-up service. As an experienced traveller, I have no problem with this apart from the fact that our currency's lowest paper currency is five dollars. Does this mean filling your pockets with coins before going drinking? A first world problem but then, most of what is written on these boards falls into that category.

Hi Bill & Mary Ann, Once again I'm enjoying reading about your adventures and your reference to the GWV 2011 prompted me to write. It was on the first leg to Sydney that we met and shared a table along with my mate from Cairns, Pat Dunworth. I am resuming cruising in a few weeks time but it will be only local stuff because of the insurance issues. Keep enjoying and stay safe. Wayne Keys

Thank you very much for your wonderful reporting style and I look forward to following along. It is a real pleasure to read about life aboard a more traditional type ship in these days of mega floating amusement parks.

Thank you for a very positive and informative review especially after your stressful journey to the ship.

As an infrequent traveller on Cunard over a period of seventy years, I would like to contribute to this topic. I have sailed Britannia class on QE2, however, in 2004 I travelled along with my mother in PG on both QM2's inaugural crossing and on QE2 for the tandem crossing and I felt somewhat letdown feeling excluded from the main dining room festivities for both those crossings. I am booked on Queen Elizabeth in December this year and will be back in Britannia.

Hi, Looking forward to following along. I did Antarctica on Le Boreal for Christmas/New Year 2010/11 and recall Christmas dinner with one piece of broccoli the only vegetable offered. The cruise itself was great however and I am interested in the condition of the vessel.

What a fantastic account of cruising in these straitened times Your dialogue and photos are great and I'm sorry that it is at an end. I have been fortunate to do a large number of cruises over the years on just on twenty different lines and I am booked on Resilient Lady in Nov 23, Singapore to Sydney and I can't wait. Thanks again and continue continuing on! Wayne