cassamanda

They will want to actually park.:)

 

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You will be able to drop off at OPT but not park. Lots of buses and tour operators also need access as well as delivery trucks all using he same tiny piece of roadway.

You can get lucky and park in the metered area of Hickson rd just behind the Waterfront restaurants..but only for a few hours, so it will have to be a quick cruise!

A few years ago we spent some time at Luganville in a resort.

The road to Champagne Bay was Gravel, we hired a taxi and took over an hour of rough riding, was about $80 for the day, not sure what it's like now.

Road is still the same and there are no road rules:eek: Close your eyes and you will be ok. There is a great blue hole only 20 minutes down the road - Nanda. Go there instead.

Just reading your last post again. I would not take the duty free with me to Cascades. There is quite a long walk from the park entrance to the waterfalls and most if it is uphill.

At the Cascades we just jumped into the first water hole you get to but you can clamber further up, as most do - especially the kids.

Get there early as the cascades is very popular.

When you get the water taxi were does it drop you is it near the duty free shops and does it bring you back to the same place on the way back???? Never been to port villa before very excited but very nervous also traveling with 2 children 11 and 15. Also when you buy duty free grog do they take it to the ship for you or should I buy it after cascade so I don't have to carry it around :)

 

 

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There are about 3 operators spread through the markets nearby the ship. We got the first one ( yellow banana boat) just a few stalls up on the way in and they dropped us at the Casino in town where there is a bit of a parking lot where there were a dozen or so taxis. Shops just down the road.

Get your duty free on the way back if you are going to carry it on board else get taxi to drive past and buy first but I have heard that only one store now delivers back to ship. Shop called Fung Kuei is best but they no longer send it back to ship. I believe the one that does is just a few doors down. We didn't bother.

Your driver will ask where you want to get dropped off.

You can't see the water taxis near the ship because thy are hidden behind the stalls with very primitive landing facilities, but we managed ok. Look for the signs or just ask. Some of them also do tours themselves.

The water taxis all have there own drop off points near the ship behind the market stalls so you can still do some last minute shopping and only 2 minutes from the ship.

Do a search on this forum for duty free at Vila. There was a thread not so long ago.

Others are more experienced in the precise location of individual shops in town.

Hugh

But was it a different ship and sail date to the one you originaly booked with FCC? if so then its still a new booking?

 

Glad of the news you got about FCC,s that have never been assigned being able to be used with the sales!

 

This means Gae will get her discount and mine wasnt a fluke!

Same ship but different sail date. Will get another opinion tomorrow and speak to a supervisor. This agent only repeated what yet supervisor told her.

Even though I do tend to over react on forums I am sure cruise lines dont take any notice of my posts on CC:D

 

I read the sale rules as Gae did, Its for new bookings only, yes that is correct but most FCC,s are not actually a booking unless you have chosen a cruise whilst onboard.

 

The booking conditions I think relate to the OBC, you get OBC with a FCC so you cant get more with a sale that includes OBC, most OBC is not combinable with other deals.

 

The phone rep assured me that I would get the discount and I did so therefore it seems you can use a FCC for a sale price:)

 

Go forth and book:D

Well I put a hold on the Feb 2015 cruise and then tried all day today to get through to rccl. Finally after several phone dropouts and being placed on hold I got through to a Ms T in the US.

30 minutes later she said I could not transfer my existing open on board booking that I had subsequently assigned to a cruise, to the new Feb cruise and get the early bird discount. I would retain the OBC but not get the $1400 discount.

No way am I paying a highly inflated price and so have decided to keep my existing on board booking and just transfer it after the early bird sale finishes at what will then be normal prices.

She did say that if you have an unassigned open next cruise certificate then that could be applied to the Feb cruise with all the benefits of OBC and discounts. So guess I will get another certificate next cruise in 2 weeks.

I compared this years 7 day Tassie cruise price with next years "discounted" fare and it works out to be almost the same. Go figure.

Hugh

Ps see some of you on the 27th

You will find in Vila that the taxis at the start of the line as you walk off the ship near the markets charge heaps more than the ones further down or in town.

Walk half way down the markets and take a water taxi into town for just $5. Look for the signs. We negotiated in town for $90 all day including Cascades.

Just make absolutely sure that you agree to the price and where he is taking you before you leave and don't pay until you return. This is very important.

Also prices at the shops and markets are fixed so please do not embarrass yourself and insult them by bargaining for a better deal. They will just stare are you.

Aussie dollars are readily accepted in Vila.

We used Francs in Noumea as although they do accept AU at the terminal markets and tour offices, you got a much better price using local currency.

Hugh

Searching for more options, I found P&O Cruises. The ship Pacific Jewel does a 5 night cruise to Tasmania. It is round trip from Brisbane. Ports are: Melbourne, Burnie, Port Arthur, Hobart, Hobart, Melbourne. I think this would fit in with out plans except we would have to get to Perth, Sydney, or Brisbane to continue our travels.

 

Any information on P&O Cruises and/or Pacific Jewel?

 

Any travel tips from Melbourne to Perth (next day so fly), Sydney (also next day), or Brisbane (5 days to get there).

 

Thanks again!

Very easy to fly from Melbourne and Sydney, several direct flights per day. Checkout Qantas and Virgin for specials.

If you fly from Brisbane then I would definitely go via Central Australia (either Alice Springs or Ularu which is Eyres Rock). Prices there are not cheap though. Just like us visiting Alaska in summer.:eek:

The P&O cruise could be a bit of a booze cruise but it might educate you in Australia's partying culture:) but it is a good itinerary.

Suggest you look up some of the many threads created by Terry (TLCOHIO) who is about to sail on the Soltice.

Plan 8A but stay in and around Sydney.

Tasmania will be shoulder season in April. Pity that Radiance doesn't include Tasmania on the 1st cruise - it used to.

The Perth to Sydney cruise is a good choice. Temps will be getting cooler as you travel East to NZ.

No point doing the South Pacific cruise twice. The 12 nighter is excellent as it includes Champagne Bay (not to be missed - but get on the first tender as everyone will get off the ship there). These ports are all good for swimming/snorkelling with temps in the 90s.

The Transpacific is also outstanding on Radiance. When in Picton, do a winery tour with lunch. Bora bora was our favourite port with lots of options. We did the lagoon cruise with lunch with Patrick - excellent.

We have done all the above 3 cruises and enjoyed each one.

Suggest you break your flight with a stopover in either Honolulu or or perhaps NZ or even Brisbane before continuing to Perth. It is a 5 hour flight from East Coast to West coast Austalia.

Hugh

We were at OPT in October returning on a RCCL trip. We got back into Sydney and had a disembark time for 0930. We had booked domestic flights for 1330 as people had told us not to book early. We were in the designated waiting area of the ship at 0920, heading to the gangway at 0925. Before we knew it we were on a bus and headed to the airport, arriving around 1020. Only problem was we had booked our flights a long way in advance and very cheaply so they were unable to be changed. We walked and walked and walked the airport until it was time to board. Time over again I'm still not sure I would book a flight hours earlier than we had. I think we just totally fluked it.

You can get away with it at the domestic airport but the OP is flying out of the international airport. They will need to be at the checkin no later than 9.00am as it can take quite some time just to get through Customs if you do not have priority.

Early morning rush hour is a nightmare around Sydney weekdays and on the weekends traffic around the airport is also very bad, Sunday particularly.

Stay in Sydney overnight and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

There is a Rydges hotel on site at the airport.

Hi Gae and others, RCI emailed me back today and have now applied the $600 PP Early Bird discount to my FCC booking:)

 

It was a pretty quick reply as it was only yesterday I sent the email.

 

Perhaps thats why the phone lines are so busy?

 

So apologies For saying not so nice things about RCI in this thread:o

That's good news.

Do you think they applied the discount because you made a noise or do you think rccl will apply the discount to all Next cruise certificates. If the latter is the case, I will give it a go tonight and hope my preferred cabin is still avail.

Regards, Hugh

Well that just throws a spanner in the works doesn't it. Rccl needs to issue an explanatory email or update the website so everyone is in the picture.

I have a certificate I could use now but have held off because of the uncertainty.

RCCL ARE YOU READING THIS THREAD? ARE YOU GOING TO ALLOW WOWSALE TO BE APPLIED TO NCC?

Sorry about the shouting.

Hugh

Hi,

 

We have recently done cruises from Sydney and used KST and they were shocking both times. Rude drivers and left waiting at the pier for about one and half hours and made numerous phone calls. Never again, it will be a taxi or train in the future.

 

Sue

You and many others have received poor service by that company and it seems they haven't picked up their act recently.

Another place to consider is the YHA at Circular Quay, see http://www3.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/sydney-surrounds/sydney-harbour/. They have great views of the Opera House, Bridge and the Harbour. You can check out their web cam on the link above. A double with a view is about AUD$150 a night.

YHA the Rocks is good and a nice pub just down the road for beer and pizza. We will be staying there in March.

Depending on day of the week, early morning rush hour can be horrendous in Sydney, so allow extra time getting to the airport if travelling by road. That's what is good about the train. 12 minutes and you are the airport.

The way out of this would be to not cancel your next cruise certificate booking. Change it over to another cruise once the sale period ends, provided of course you are still outside the cutoff date for no loss. Our last cruise was an on board certificate that I had changed no less than 3 times without cost, so it can be done.

Purchase your current cruise using the sale prices as a new booking but you will probably have to select another cabin.

I do understand how you feel.

Good lesson for everyone. Don't use your next cruise certificate on sales like this. I also noticed that they actually jacked the prices up to cover much of the discount - comparing the same cruise last year.

Would be good to hear others experience on this.

Hugh

This topic comes up very frequently and the general concencus is not to use any of the airport based shuttles and that hire cars such as town cars provide a far superior service at very little extra cost and can accommodate any amount of people.

If the train takes you close to your destination then this is also a good option particularly if you are travelling light and just the two of you.

I am confused! I have a 'next cruise' certificate and rang today to book a cruise on the Early Bird Sale, for Feb 2015. I went through to the US and spoke to a very helpful gentleman, however he said I definitely wasn't entitled to the Early Bird discount with my next cruise certificate. He said the next cruise certificate counts as an existing booking as there is already a booking number and the cost worked out to be $2000+ more.

 

I then decided to book without the cruise certificate as I wanted a particular cabin (that I couldn't select online, but that's another story) and the deal was so good I thought I'd book even if I couldn't use my certificate, or could get more info and perhaps apply the certificate later.

 

Anyway, I get home from work and check my email and I have a reservation confirmation with the new booking number and the correct discounted early bird price, and the full deposit due by next week. This was emailed to me at the time I made the booking. However, I also have another reservation confirmation that was sent to me hours later that has another reservation for the same cruise but with my next cruise booking number, showing the deposit as paid, but the overall price for the much higher rate! The cabin is the one next door to the one I booked.

 

I am thinking that maybe they decided they could apply my certificate and are in the process of doing that? But then I saw Hugh's comment that you cant combine the next cruise certificate with Early Bird Sale. Very confusing and I will email them or call again tomorrow to try and work out what's going on.

 

Will be keen to hear if Gae gets the certificate and early bird combo.

 

On the other note I mentioned earlier re cabin booking, when attempting to book a balcony cabin for the cruise I am going on in a few weeks and also for the one I just booked for Feb 2015, the RCI website only allows the lowest category (E3) to be selected, and wont let me change to a different category (E1), hence I had to ring and book. I haven't noticed this issue when booking previously. Do they do this on purpose to sell off particular cabins first or is it just another glitch with their website?

 

Anyway, I'm happy, I have two cruises booked, and a third it seems is a claytons booking. Will have to see what happens :D

Correct, you cannot combine a next cruise certificate or any other loyalty discount with this sale as it applies to new bookings only. You also cannot cancel an existing booking and rebook and hope to get the discount.

This is one para out of the rules and conditions:

"Offer is not combinable with any other offer and/or promotion, including, but not limited to, Crown & Anchor, Shareholder Benefits, Future or NextCruise offers."

The problem with not being able to select the higher grade balcony cabins seems to be a website glitch that has been there for many months. Also happens on the D1/D2 selections. Works ok on the website on board the ship.

Might be worth an email to bring it to their attention.

Hugh

Hi Hugh, you can IF your cruise that you bought your certificate on was booked through an US agent.

 

In Auckland - another beautiful day:) and just to make you green - it's Chops tonight:p

 

Cheers

Di

That's interesting.

There are some really good deals on at the moment with rccl on the new year sales, eg, JS less than a D category. Think I may get into trouble again :eek:

Don't know if can wait until next cruise to book, besides next cruise certificates arent combinable with these sales according o the rules. Some cruises have $1400 to $2000 off per person but if it is in 2015 there is no OBC being offered, just the price reduction. For cruises up to Dec 2014 you can get $300 plus price reduction.

I'm having chops tonight too :):)

Grrrrrrr:mad:

Have a good one,

Hugh

Great to see that things are being sorted out. I also note that Guest Services actually didn't apologise for the inconvenience and personal worry to you, only for the delay in sorting it out.

I would be writing to Royal (after you have received the refund and any interest accrued) and expressing your concerns. You never know they may give you some extra benefits on your next cruise. I know we are more laid back in Australia but i bet folks from the US wouldn't just let it go.

We are visiting Alaska in August and plan to hire a car for 7 Days. I have been looking at a Hertz one way rental Anchorage to Seward with unlimited mileage.

I found no difference in the prices between Airport or downtown rentals.

The fee for one way drop off was about $150 for a full size car but only $50 for an SUV. Go figure.

Thanks I will put a 24hour hold on Sunday as the phone lines dont open for RCI AU until Monday morning:rolleyes:

Put the cabin on hold today and give the number a try over the weekend as I think you will be transferred to the USA which also happens during normal hours if rccl au is overloaded. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

My sister just booked a cruise on New Year's Day through rccl.

No problem getting MTD changes done after booking. You also can't transfer the certificate to a US TA.

Hugh

Hey Everybody!

 

Just checking in, I haven't heard anything back yet, but I'm used to that by now!

 

Hi Di!! Good to see you! I agree with you about the Guest Services desk leaving much to be desired. We only went up twice but both times we had a really hard time with language issues and there was lots of confusion.

 

I guess we'll see! I will keep you guys updated for sure!

This is not good and I do hope your bank gets to the bottom of things soon.

Agree with Di that guest services were badly managed and some staff had very poor English language skills. Having just 2 staff on duty for the last night was ridiculous.

You were so excited to be on that cruise and RCI needs to act quickly to keep your confidence in them. Some form of compensation and apology is required I feel if it turns out to be no fault of yours.

Regards, Hugh

Try also posting on the Rccl Facebook pages. They definitely read them and don't like negative comments ;)

So sorry this happened to you. Yes it was a fantastic cruise, even with the layover at Luganville and the long long line at guest relations on the final day.:mad:

Your statement should at least have the transaction invoice number and the department/shop etc that initiated the charge. This will isolate to some degree where the purchase was made.

Looks to me like it is someone else's spend on your sea pass. Hopefully your bank will be able to put a freeze on the amount as a disputed transaction for 60 days.

Regards, Hugh

We'll be flying into Sydney, Australia to begin a 32 day voyage. I'm aware that Visa's are required to enter Australia but I'm thinking that perhaps having Global Entry eliminates the requirement for a Visa.

 

Can anyone help me with more details? Thanks!

Incorrect. You still need a Visa. Global Entry has nothing to do with your permission to enter this country. It is only a speedy way to go through electronic passport control. If you don't have a visa, you could be denied entry.