tribefan

1 hour ago, sippican said:

 

Do you know which company the driver worked for? I would not have been happy. (Viator is a third party vendor who only resells the services of providers, after adding on their commission.) Were you compensated for the error?

 

No I don't remember, but it all worked out in the end, he was able to get all our luggage in the car and we made it to the hotel with no problems!!  All was good!

We did a private driver from Viator when we were over there 2 years ago.  Only downfall was we had told them several times that we would have 4 large suitcases, carry ones and backpacks (was going over for 5 weeks) and they sent a town car.  We made it work and our driver was really great.  We stayed in the Rocks also.  Sorry I don't remember the exact amount, but you can find it on their website.

BTW, I looked into the luggage lockers and I think it would end up costing  not much less and this way, we will have a place to clean up!!!

We have the same situation, but in Sydney.  Our flights home will not leave till late in the evening and since we will have 4 large suitcases, carry ons and backpacks, we have decided to just get a hotel room for the evening.  We will valet the luggage since we know we will not be able to get into a room.  Take off and explore some more and then later in the evening, will come back, get our luggage and go to the room.  We will be able to shower and change into something comfortable to wear for a 11 hour flight and then check out.  We will look for something that is very reasonable to pay since we won't need all the frills!!  Hope this helps!!

21 hours ago, Florida_cruisers said:

Essentially the onboard booking won’t work for us since the sailing is not even available yet and it’s 2 years away. 

We were on the Navigator the beginning of March.  I was looking to book a B2B in Australia for Feb/March 2021.  The cruise was not out yet, but yet we were able to book it for 2020 (same cruise, different year).  At that time we had 1 month from the day we got off the ship (which I see now has changed to 2 months).  As soon as our cruises came out we were able to switch to the dates we actually wanted.  It was well over a year!!  and had no problems at all!!  Also, we were given a cruise credit from the problems we had on the Navigator (we were on the 1st sailing after drydock) and according to the certificate when I got it, it said that the cruise needed to be taken within 1 year.  I called RCCL and they said no problem, that we could use it for the 2021 cruise, we just needed to have it booked within a year.  

7 hours ago, RFerrington said:

I have found that if you are in a Suite and reach your milestone as a result of your double points, the LA will often not realize you are going to reach the milestone. I always go to see the LA to let them know that I should be entitled to a black anyway but when I’m in a suite and reach it I think it’s almost required.

thanks for the heads up!!  will make it on our next cruise and since we are in a GS, getting double points, we will make it!!

We were on the Voyager over in Australia when we reached our 140 night mark.  It was nice, they shipped it directly to our home.  Since we had to watch luggage weight, it was nice!!!  Only thing I was disappointed in was our friends who were on a different cruise and reached their 140 night mark also received a nice certificate!  I called C&A and she said they couldn't help us, that we would have to go back on that ship...well when it was over in Australia and we are in the States...NOT!!    Another call later on and they told me to just check with the LA on the ship to get one made.  So, I was on the Majesty and he wanted to give me one from that ship, explained that no, they had told me that he could get one from the Voyager made an emailed to him, which he ended up doing for us!!  That certificate now hangs proudly in our home!!  Next one we receive will be when we go back in 2021 and do the Serenade all the way around Australia and NZ!!!

thanks everyone!!!

We are in a GS on the Serenade but are also Diamond Plus, is there a Concierge lounge for all of those in suites or just a Suite Lounge?  We have friends who will be in a balcony but are diamond plus and are hoping they will also be able to go into the CL.  BTW, I don't care about other ships!  We were just on the Navigator and the CL was only for suites,   just want to know about the Serenade!!

1 hour ago, njkruzer said:

We're on the 2020 b2b circumnavigation.   If that us the one you're on. Welcome.   We're planning on sightseeing that day but haven't made plans yet. 

no we are planning the 2021 trip!!  wish we could do next year, but just not in the budget since I retired!!  Plus we have friends from Australia who are also planning on joining us!!  Enjoy your trip!!

We are going to book a back to back in Australia, circumnavigating the country.  It will start and end in Sydney with Perth being the half way stop.  When we arrive in Perth, I would think we will need to get off and get our new cards, but we are wondering is can we do this first thing in the morning so we have the full day to explore before the ship leaves again? We have friends who live there and would love to spend time with them!   Any help would be appreciated!!!

Talked to a RCCL agent and for those in C&A, schedule will be out this sunday, March 31st, for others April 1st!!   Guess who will be on line sunday morning to find our cruises!!!

What a great job on the photos!!!!  We were also on the sailing but never saw many of these locations!!!  Guess we were always too busy!!  Where was the suite seating for the pools?  It use to be right next to the pool bar but that is now gone.  We never did notice where it was!!

I just purchased the drink package for my husband and I already had the royal refreshment package.  When I called to see about getting the package for him, they asked why wasn't I getting it and I said, I don't drink!!!  They let us have it just for him, guessing since I already had the royal refreshment one

We did this several years ago and had a great time.  Pretty much most of the boat was our group!  It is a nice sail over to Nevis and then had lunch and beach time, then sailed back.  Everyone enjoyed the day!!

Ok, I had called RCCL a few months ago asking when the schedule will be out for 2021 for Australia.  They told me this Jan or Feb, which would work out perfectly since we are going on the Navigator March 1st and plan to book while on the ship for the perks.  I just called and the guy I talked to said that it won't be out till June of this year!!!  OMG!!!  Really?  I find that hard to believe but does anyone out there have any insight to when it might really be??? If it really isn't till June, can we book a cruise and then change it??    Thanks!!

I've tried to find the answer here but nothing that is current. Sailing on the Mariner for a weekend. I am a diamond member and I know that I can get 1 free 24 hour of internet but would like to know if they give you any other type of savings if you purchase it on the ship for a package? I called and the lady tried to tell me that I get 2 days and I kept telling her no, that is for plus!! So has any diamond members sailed recently and know exactly what the coupon is for internet packages (prefer someone who has done a 3 day cruise!)...thanks!

Also got an email asking if we wanted to go on the wait list for an upgrade on a weekend sailing of the Mariner. Tre was no price listed but we said sure! Already in a GS would be cool to be in an OS!!!

We flew of out Detroit to Honolulu and spent 2 nights to help break up the flights and time zone. Leaving Honolulu at noon and arriving at 7:30pm the next night was perfect since we caught a cap nap on the flight and was tired enough by time we landed in Sydney and got to our hotel (Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks. it was great, opened the balcony curtains to a lit up Opera House!!) We were able to get a great nights sleep and got up in the morning to see the Voyager pulling into port. After we did our cruise to Fiji, we came back to Sydney and spent 4 nights. During that time we were able to do a back stage tour of the Opera House (highly recommend!!!) regular tour of the Opera House, and then did the Hop On Hop Off bus for 2 days. We were able to see so much!! After Sydney we took off for Cairns for 4 nights then onto Brisbane for 3 nights. Try to do so much while you are there! We are already planning our trip back in 2021 to do a cruise around Australia!! 14 nights on the top half and 18 on the bottom half which includes NZ!! can't wait!!

From the US here, we sail the Caribbean all the time!! As for flying over, Miami is a major international airport. You can sail out of either Miami or Ft Lauderdale when landing here. We really love the eastern and southern routes when sailing. Just don't feel that safe when going to Mexico anymore. If you have any questions on the islands, feel free to ask!!

Just did the Voyager in Feb for my retirement and our 25th anniversary. Went to Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu out of Sydney. It was one of the best cruises we have ever been on!! Met some fantastic people on it!!

We were in Sydney for 4 nights after our cruise in Feb, we rented a condo in Wooloomooloo and it was perfect. The hop on hop off bus picked us up right around the corner and would take us downtown for the day. On days that we stayed later then what it ran, just took Uber back for a faction of the price of a taxi. Was nice having a washer and dryer so that we were able to get everything cleaned before our next flight to Cairns!!

Thanks everyone for your help!! Looking forward to our visit there!!

Thanks

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We will be staying for a vacation in Australia after our cruise to Fiji. I gave read that you do not usually tip, is this correct? Say for waiters or cabbies? Thanks!

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