MrsB05

57 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

The 2 things that I like about all M Class ships are that Luminae and Blu were carved out of the MDR. Most of the times this allows you to order off the MDR menu also. The other thing is that most of the suites are located aft deck 6.

Thanks.  We ended up on Deck 8 but I did see a lot of suites on Deck 6.

30 minutes ago, FINTPOPE said:

The Constellation is currently in dry dock and Michael's Club is being renamed The Retreat Lounge

Thanks!

Where is Luminae located on Constellation? 

I know there isn't a Retreat Lounge per se, is it Michael's Club?

TIA

12 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

If you have been in a Yellow Fever designated area within six days of arrival in Australia, you have to show proof of vaccination.

Thanks, don't think I need to worry about that!

22 minutes ago, JJK2008 said:

Just a month ago completed a trip to Oz and cruise to New Zealand. No vaccines required.

Thank you! 😊 

I've been searching on the internet and the information that I've been reading is a bit unclear.

It seems fairly obvious that proof of COVID vaccination is no longer required, but is proof of other vaccinations required OR proof of a negative TB test to enter either Australia or New Zealand?  We are flying into Sydney, spending two days there, then boarding a ship going to New Zealand, then back to Sydney for a few days before flying back to the US.

I traveled to Australia many years ago (2002) and had to undergo a physical and other tests plus provide proof of a negative TB test and proof of updated vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, etc.  But I was traveling for work on a military base so that could have been why.

TIA for any input!

1 hour ago, KBs mum said:

Local or US dollars onboard. But tipping is not important enough to plan for. Only US passengers give it any thought. 

We check local protocol if a country we haven't visited before, so far, other than in the US we don't 'plan' to tip at all 

I am one of those LOL

On 8/1/2023 at 8:25 AM, May B said:

For us in the US, they are not included in our cruise fare. A daily gratuity is posted to our shipboard acct. but not until near the end of the cruise. Of course some of us like to reward our favorite crew members with a little extra.

Following this thread because we'll be newbies on Viking May 2025.

So, perhaps a silly question, when providing extra cash, what currency is to be used?  Euro (we'll be on a Italian/Mediterranean cruise).

On 5/30/2023 at 6:44 PM, lissie said:

I'm assuming you are travelling on a US passport and are not a known drug dealer, criminal etc 🙂

 

You don't need a visa for NZ or Australia. You do however need an electronic travel waiver -these are the official links 

Information about NZeTA: New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority | Immigration New Zealand  

Apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (highcommission.gov.au) 

 

The biggest thing you need to understand that you CANNOT bring in food or vegetables of any type into NZ or Australia - our bio security is taken very seriously here. You must NOT take food of the cruise ship at ports unless its a sealed commercial item(like a sealed protein bar).  If flying there is an instant $400 fine if you have a piece of fruit (or anything else ) in your bag - doesnt' matter if you forgot it was there. 

 

There no requirements for Covid vaccines/test at the border to enter the country- but there maybe still some for embarking  your ship in Australia - as that's state authority not Federal.  If you've come from certain places like S America and Africa there maybe a requirement for a yellow fever vaccine. 

Thanks for clearing this up.  ETA NOT Visas LOL.  I have both apps on my phone now so will apply shortly. 

I remember years ago flying into SYD and I had half a candy bar in my purse and that caused quite the stir.  The agent told me "No lollies!" and of course I had no idea what he was talking about LOL.

20 hours ago, possum52 said:

There is no way to get your ETA online and there hasn't been for a year or so, this option has been removed, it is 'not out of order' The only way now is on the app as per stated on the links below. If you are unable to use the app, you can apply for another visa - the information is available through these links.

 

Australia ETA

 

ETA Guide/How to

 

Thanks, and we need one for NZ too, right?

We are flying into SYD for a cruise that basically goes to New Zealand.  It appears to me we have to have Visas for both Australia and New Zealand (thanks for your post, BTW, and the photo hint).

Are you aware of any health/inoculation requirements/proof upon entry?  All I've been able to find is that there is no longer any requirement to show proof of COVID vax.

7 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Since they have installed Starlink access on the ships, they have dropped the "surf" plan.

Thanks.  

I just looked at purchasing an internet plan for my April cruise.  Where there used to be two plans (Surf and Surf and Stream) now it seems only the later (and more expensive) plan is available.

I checked all my other cruises and it's the same situation.

Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks for all of the info and the pics!!!!!

On 2/3/2023 at 3:31 PM, broadwaycam said:

That's a great deal. I wonder why they were offering such good deals on Adventure?

On 2/3/2023 at 3:29 PM, kelbell said:

We got Holiday week (Christmas) 12/2024 Spacious Balcony with pre-paid

tips, taxes ect. $1769.56 for two.

We are on the same cruise in a Junior Suite $1877 total.

My BFF and I are going on our first cruise together in April on Adventure 5 nights and we'll be in 9618!

Question:  Do you happen to remember what night was formal night and what were the theme nights for this cruise (70s, 80s, White Party, etc.?)

TIA

Amy

4 minutes ago, Jasukkie said:

I bought a policy about a week ago for my 9/10 departure, including Covid coverage. It was about $225 for two people. This does not include cancel for any reason since it's too close to sailing but it will cover medical, evacuation, and trip interruption. I believe RC will issue FCC (perhaps refund?) if we should test positive before sailing.

I think they will issue full FCC, they are for those who aren't vaxed and decide to cancel.  So it makes sense they'd offer it to vaxed PAX who end up getting caught up in this.  I just read the likelihood of a vaxed person spreading it to an unvaxed isn't very high.  If the unvaxed have to wear masks the entire time onboard, why are we doing this?  I'm sure it's just to CYA.

I hope everyone who wants to take the rapid antigen test is planning ahead.  At least in FL, not all of the chain pharmacy locations offer this, only the PCR or another test that doesn't have "antigen" in its name, so I assume it wouldn't be accepted by the cruise line.

In my area NO Walgreens locations offer the rapid antigen test.  NONE.  Closest is in VA!

I found a CVS that does about a 45 minute drive away.

Urgent Clinics offer it, but you have to pay $125 a test.

My goodness, those who are sailing tomorrow out of FL must be scrambling!!!!!

I hope everyone who wants to take the rapid antigen test is planning ahead.  At least in FL, not all of the chain pharmacy locations offer this, only the PCR or another test that doesn't have "antigen" in its name, so I assume it wouldn't be accepted by the cruise line.

In my area NO Walgreens locations offer the rapid antigen test.  NONE.  Closest is in VA!

I found a CVS that does about a 45 minute drive away.

Urgent Clinics offer it, but you have to pay $125 a test.

My goodness, those who are sailing tomorrow out of FL must be scrambling!!!!!

On 11/7/2019 at 11:31 AM, broberts said:

Use the browser on your phone instead of the app. I find my browsers bookmark feature useful for rapid access to frequently visited pages.

Thanks for the suggestion.  My app kept telling me "false" when I tried to log in, I was starting to have an identity crisis!

3 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Have you tried the normal fixes: cleaing cache, clearing cookies, private browsing mode, different browsers?

A few of those but not all.  It just seems odd to me that it would do this, no other website I log on to does.

Almost every time I go to log in to the website, it says my password is incorrect and makes me change it.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

Ship -  Harmony of the Seas

Deck - 10

Stateroom # - 10636

Stateroom Category – Junior Suite

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes!

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No, but it is next to a larger suite (maybe an Owner's?)

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. –  Great.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - A bit oversized as it is on the front side of the hump.

Was wind a problem? - No.

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - No, it was a refreshing change from those on the older ships.  Modern, updated.

Any other comments? -  Bed is on the wall going to the front of the ship.  Not right next to the balcony door as that is where the sitting area is.  There was no shower curtain in the tub/shower but a half glass partition thing.  It looked nice, but, you have to be careful where you position the shower head or else water will get all over the bathroom floor!

There used to be a way to search this thread so you could easily find ship/stateroom.  Am I missing something?

On 7/4/2019 at 3:17 AM, fla gang said:

We are new Diamond members and just got off of the Ovation. We each had 24 hours of free wifi.

Same when we were on Mariner this past May.  Hoping it'll still be two days per in October since we're now Diamond Plus.