Royalty X

The RCI rep came to see me at work a couple of weeks ago and gave me promo handouts which highlight the new drink packages. She said we're getting the lot!

As the Legend (our first cruiseship) is the same size as the Rhapsody, it will be a good swap.

 

Friends just recently completed a 2-week cruise on the Voyager and weren't too impressed with the time it took to disembark at each port because of the extra 1000 passengers on-board.

 

We love the Rhapsody because of it's size and will be happy to cruise on the Legend again if she comes down-under.

Bogan = trailer trash (I guess would be the closest comparison).

Oh, and for the Americans on her, we should point out that "nappy" = diaper.

Of course they don't care! I'm an Aussie but the number of inconsiderate bogans who cruise astounds me. They should be restricted to Carnival! :D

Great pics! Looks exactly like Rhapsody! Love it! :)

Why not just buy a stateroom on The World?

I actually like the "mass-market lines" though. I like what the ships have to offer.

I would prefer to deal with someone local and then you wouldn't need to worry about things like the time difference, currency conversion, etc. I've found a lot of times that the overseas agency you've mentioned, doesn't include taxes (because the taxes are different depending on where you are in the states) and therefore you get a false sense of them being cheaper.

Some cruise lines occasionally allow what you're suggesting, however he would still have to pay for the full cruise (there would be no discount for fewer days). P&O would be able to confirm if it's possible or not in this instance so I would suggest calling them to ask. :)

Serenade? Why do you say that? She isn't even that old. We have sailed her twice, great ship and crew both times.

What!? I certainly hope not! I loved my Rhapsody cruise. She's one of the newer Vision class ships and they just spent around $55million revitalizing her. Plus she's heading up to the Med from 2015. I doubt she's going to be leaving the fleet. Majesty will be next to leave the fleet and then probably Legend and Serenade after that.

I am about to cruise on Rhapsody for the first time next week. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to access the bow on her?

Pacific Jewel will allow you out the very front as part of the Titanic Experience for P&OEdge, but they charge you for it.

I thought Salt Grill was good value for $40. However, even though it's just a small increase, I question whether I would go there again as a result. RCI's specialty venues were great value for money. That being said, I wasn't fussed on Izumi and would give that a miss next time.

Does anybody know why this Astor (and the small ship before it -- name escapes me) base themselves in Fremantle. Why not Brisbane ? (for example)

 

Barry

Don't forget to watch tonight (Friday 06 December) 6.30pm on Channel 7 'Today Tonight' program.

Looking at the adverts it is showing Celebrity Millennium.... mind you that doesn't mean to say that was the actual ship. The media will show anything for their story.

Jill:)

Never knew that. I have one of the huge inaugural season ones. Does anyone have a picture comparison of the two sizes?

The one I got 3 or 4 years ago is also smaller than my Freedom and Liberty. Also noticed when on Oasis in September, that the Oasis model on sale was a lot smaller than the one I have. Maybe they changed supplier, made them smaller but still put the price up :eek:

Oh yeah, I remember reading something about it as well. This is from the Cairns Post...

A CRUISE company has defended forcing an elderly passenger with dementia to leave a ship while it was docked at Yorkeys Knob.

Adry Arnold, 78, and her husband were sailing on Celebrity Millennium last month and were told they were not allowed back aboard because the ship's doctor was concerned for Mrs Arnold's safety.

Mrs Arnold's story has gone viral after her nephew Don Stones posted a complaint on his Facebook page.

His post has been shared more than 5200 times on the social media website. "I posted it not only because they are my family, but because no one should (treat someone) like that and be allowed to get away with it," he said.

Mr Stones said his aunt was forced to stand at Yorkeys Knob marina with her and her husband's suitcases because she was not able to find her way back to her cabin.

"She was staying on board while her husband went to view Cairns while the ship was docked," he said.

"On his arrival back from sightseeing he was met by his wife and told they were not allowed back on the ship because the doctor did not think they were the kind of people who should be on the cruise ... if she was left alone."

Mrs Arnold was found by the ship's staff while trying to find her cabin and she was upset and crying, Mr Stones wrote.

"The couple, on the pension mind you, paid over $12,000 for the cruise, which will probably be the last one they will be able to go on together (and) had to find their own way back to their home," he wrote.

"This is a disgusting way to treat anybody, let alone an elderly couple, without even trying to resolve the issue at hand."

A Celebrity Cruises spokeswoman said staff felt it was "necessary to disembark" Mrs Arnold after she was found disoriented on the ship.

"Mrs Arnold was escorted to the ship's onboard medical facility while attempts were made to contact Mr Arnold, who was ashore and could not be reached," she said.

"Regrettably, since we were concerned for Mrs Arnold's safety and wellbeing while aboard the ship, particularly in a cabin with its own balcony, we felt it was necessary to disembark her."

The spokeswoman said the ship's care team arranged transport from the ship to Cairns Hospital.

"Mr and Mrs Arnold will receive a pro-rata refund for the remaining nine days of their sailing, as well as full refund of the monies paid for their second cruise," she said.

"We apologise if they have not yet received their refund and we are working with their travel agent to ensure that it is processed quickly."

Indy models are quite elusive. I got one off eBay a few months ago and it's actually a lot smaller than the Freedom and Liberty models. I'm hoping it's maybe an older one and they've since replaced it with one the same size...

How about Australia? :D

Hi Ally, I haven't actually sailed on Solstice but I have had the privilege of doing a walkthrough when she was in Fremantle earlier this year, and although Solstice wouldn't have a huge amount of kids/teen on board traditionally, she is well and truly equipped to handle them with quite a large teen area. I would say if there is ever gonna be a time where there will be young people on board, it would be school holidays. I say go for it! :)

Im really into collecting these too! You dont happen to have a picture of the model they sell aboard the QM2 do you? Im extremely curious to see it because ive never seen it before.

I only have the jewel of the seas, Reflection, and grandeur of the seas

Yes, you will need an international policy. Covermore have an "international policy" specifically for domestic cruises (and another for SW Pacific cruises).