dandtgeddes

Gidday :D

Suffering Friday afternoon in the office and the boss has upped internet so we can't go on facebook.

Glad I can still check out my favourite comedic team on cc, you guys are fab! ;p

TraceyG :)

Neat clip, thank you :-)

TraceyG :-)

Niice!

I know it is still a bummer to miss your much anticipated trip, but this sounds lovely.

Enjoy!

TraceyG :-)

Gidday :D

Did this on Explorer less than a month ago, got it for NZD $21 on special, usual specialty dinner $53 for our trip on the cruise planner.

Cruise Line chooses the restaurant for you but you can adjust this once your on board, if you are early enough ;)

Hope you have a lovely trip!

TraceyG:)

Ship - Explorer of the Seas

Deck - 7

Stateroom # - 7388

Stateroom Category – E1

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes, got to hear the crew intercom messages as the crew hang out on deck 5 at the back.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Cabins pretty much what we expected, not being able to open the balcony divider was annoying but not a deal breaker. Had 7388 and 7390.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Kids were in 7390, had a balcony likely 6 times bigger than the mid ship balconies, two sun loungers, two chairs and a decent table. DH and I had 7388, I cried and thanked God when I saw the size of our balcony and the furniture! Two sun loungers, two laid back deck chairs and two standard chairs, a low table and a big table. Fully covered by deck 8. There is a view out the side of the ship and a massive view out the back. There is some obstruction with the superstructure of the ship, but when relaxing on the deck we hardly noticed it. Yes, we spent a lot of time out there. Size of balcony I would estimate is 8 times that of a standard balcony.

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - No, but there was sea salt & spray.

Any specific problems with this cabin? - None.

Any other comments? - Will defnitely book again.

I am so sad for you Esilef :(

There is a Voyager pacific cruise that looks like there is still room on departing Thursday, not Akoroa, but still a vacay.

Other than that the Solstice is heading out soon after but that would likely play havoc with any work or house sitting commitments.

Please let your cc family know how things go, it must be devastating.

TraceyG

Gidday.

I am boarding Explorer of the Seas on Monday.

Just wondering how Linda is likely to affect the course to Mystery Island, Vanuatu & Noumea.

It seems that we are getting a tropical cyclone fortnightly from this region at present.

TraceyG :)

Thank you ozscot01 and others for this marvellous information :D

Really enjoying this thread.

TraceyG :)

Thank you ozscot01.

I have been told that this is the stop for duty free, I imagine that any booze will be looked after by security on return to the vessel.

Did you shop for duty free here?

Our group is travelling to NZ on return to Sydney, so will I have to pay Aussie duty?

TraceyG :)

Thank you for the update ozscot1

How big is the group they will take?

My group could range from 5 to 9 depending on who wants to come.

Also, is the lunch gluten friendly?

Thank you

TraceyG :)

Gidday Cc cruisers :D

Last time we were on Voyager at the OPT we had a specific boarding time, as you say 1pm which we adhered to, all went well, a bit crowded but okay.

In January 2017 we boarded Ovation at the OPT and were able to secure an 11-30am time but our friend had a 1pm time that was strictly enforced.

Where I am confused is that we don't have a specific allocated time, it is merely a suggested boarding time.

Then some of my paperwork suggests that because I am a C&A member that I can nip in that line.

Worst case scenario, board at 2pm :cool:

Look forward to meeting you at the Meet & Greet!

TraceyG:)

See Mic, I told you maths is a weakness, I am much gooder at England ;p

TraceyG:)

Thank you for your response :D

DM has decided to switch to an earlier Air NZ flight that an Air NZ plane is flying.

Oh the joys of travelling with family...

Thanks again to all who have answered, it really helps having fellow travellers first hand experience I can trust.

TraceyG :)

Whoops!

Still in the Platinum area, maths is a four letter word ;p

TraceyG:)

Thank you Sparky74, good to know.

I don't think there is much of a change in benefits anyways.

Currently dealing with flight issues, first things first ;p

Get to the ship...

TraceyG:)

Thank you all for your helpful responses.

I will have a chat with DM and see what she wants to do.

Is quite stressed as her original Air NZ flight was cancelled, so she had to switch and now that flight is with a different airline and what seems to be a lesser service.

Has there been any talk of compensation or full refunds?

TraceyG:)

Gidday fellow cruisers!

Just had word that Hi Fly is assisting with some Air New Zealand flights and some of our cruise party have been affected.

Looking on the net views vary wildly regarding this airline, the standard of service etc.

Anyone on the Aus/NZ board got any personal experience with this company?

Thanking you in anticipation.

TraceyG:)

Question for gbenjo

My party of 9 is boarding ETOS on the 19th of March 2018.

Out set sail documents state a "suggested" check in of 2pm as we are in various cabins on deck 7, yet we are also advised on the same documents we can check in anytime from 11-30am to 5pm.

Most of our group are upgrading from gold to emerald status on Day 2 of the cruise, diamonds please look away ;p

Can we check in via the Crown & Anchor line at any time?

I have elderly folk and a friend who is recovering from an accident so I don't want them waiting for an extended time.

Thank you for your input , hope to maybe finally meet you :D

TraceyG

Thank you Desert Cruizers and Host Clarea :D

Will get ours sorted proper after boarding.

Have First Night Done Right day 1 anyways ;)

TraceyG :)

We usually get the photo package too.

In the terms and conditions it said that any children sailing with us, that is under 21 years old, would be included.

Although the kids were in different cabins to us their photos were on the USB, even ones we were absent from.

Latest experience with this was in January 2017 on Ovation.

Happy cruising!

TraceyG :)

Question, how big are the tables in the restaurant?

I have a group of 9 on Explorer.

TraceyG:)

I was looking forward to this class too.

Was released on the cruise planner for my sailing on Explorer just over 2 months ahead of our sail date.

Purchased as soon as I could, thought it was a bit pricey but as I am not booking speciality restaurant then why not :D

TraceyG:)

I must admit, when I was on Voyager I anticipated the BBQ event but was not aware of any advertising of it.

Nothing in the cruise compass or anything.

Someone on CC had posted about it so I knew to be on the look out and was in the pool area when the crew started to set up.

It was a number of grades higher than the offerings at my BBQs ;)

TraceyG:)

Thank you so much Big Kev (aka Phil & Sue) and Banzaii !

This is good to hear.

Taking my Mum and Step Dad and I really wanted them to experience the deck BBQ.

Any particular day for the event?

I am hopeful that it is on day 3 perhaps...

Again, many thanks!

TraceyG :-)

Gidday fellow cruisers!

Just wondering if the BBQ lunch still happens on the pool deck during the cruise.

Our family was on Voyager of the Seas in 2012 and the BBQ lunch was on a sea day.

Doing a cruise from Sydney to the Islands this time, 9 nights.

Thanking you in anticipation.

TraceyG:)