cassamanda

Thanks for the pics. We have sailed on Radiance and Rhapsody several times and personally think the JS cabin space on Rhapsody is larger but the bathroom on Radiance is bigger.

Maybe we are spoilt as we have had aft JS only. Lucky to get 1100 on next cruise so will be a good comparison.

I've recently phoned Royal Carribean and Celebrity as we're cruising both of them in 2014 and my husband needs a CPAP machine when sleeping or he stops breathing. They told me to bring a power board and extension cord. Perhaps they are only allowing them for medical reasons?

Suggest you put the power board in your carry on so you can at least explain the use to security if they ask. Also don't forget to put your 2 bottles of wine in the carry on as well.

On our recent cruise on Rhapsody, power boards were obviously being targeted by security for checked in luggage. Saw lots and lots of luggage with "power board" written on 2" wide masking tape on people's luggage as they retrieved them from the naughty room:eek:

I have just received an email from a friend on board. She said the Pacific Pearl helped search. The Rhapsody is now heading for Noumea and will be late. She said the rumours as to why had started.

 

Cheers

Di

Oh no this is terrible news. Both of us just came off the ship from the islands last week. Makes me feel all creepy especially considering the discussion I had with Jen:eek:

Great value at $5

Counted about 3 different water taxi operators - all spaced about 20 meters apart and they appear to go to different locations in the city between the Casino and the Markets. They were all offering various tours such as Hideaway, fishing etc but didn't check out the prices.

The cabs at the Casino were much cheaper than at the dock.

On the way back, give the water taxi at $10 the flick - it's the one closest to the markets in town. The next one along (near the bandstand thingo) is only $5 and has good access onto the boat and comes in at the stall called "Sunnys Sunnys" - they were also offering full body massage at $35.:p Opposite to the kids singing "You are My Sunshine":cool::) It's the only song they know - cute.

Hugh

So is the answer ship or bank for currency conversion?

 

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Forums mobile app

Definitely "Bank" otherwise you will get a lousy ships conversion rate.

We plan to arrive in Anchorage early AM around Aug 22, 2014 for 7 days pre cruise touring DIY by rental car from Hertz. This would include travelling north to Denali (2 days accomm at Healy), overnight Talkeetna, overnight Matanuska area then overnight Anchorage prior to driving or training to Seward.

Planned to arrive Seward on 27th for 2 days prior to boarding Radiance of the Seas on Aug 29. Following this we spend 10 days in Canada.

Thought we had our itinerary all basically worked out but when we went to book our Seward activities, found out that the longer cruises into Kenai NP finish up on Aug 24:mad: with some individual dates when we are not there.

This was confirmed by email to Major Marine.

We also wanted to do a half to full day Kayaking with Millers Landing as they have good prices and options.

What to do?

1. Continue with plan and just do the 6 hour cruise with MM on 27 or 28th then Kayak the other day with final day visiting the SeaLife Centre etc. before boarding, or

2. On day 1 travel by train to connect with a MM cruise of PWS. Want to see both wildlife and up close Tidewater glaciers, so not sure which of there tours is best for this but both connect with train both ways, then continue north on day 2, or

3 Do just Kayaking on PWS and still do the MM 6 hour cruise of Kenai NP.

The advantage (i believe) of doing activities on PWS is calmer waters as DW sometimes is prone to seasickness.

We are able to arrive earlier by a day or two into Anchorage. Nothing is booked at this time just have been emailing for dates and availability.

Travelling all the way to Fairbanks is also an option via the Glenn Hwy then down to Denali, Anchorage, Seward etc as DW commented that travelling up and down the same road to Denali seems to be duplicating our efforts and she also wants to see some of the back country. We are very familiar with long distance road travel.

As I said we can add days pre cruise.

Also noted that many of the 2 for 1 tour saver options are not available in 2014:mad:

I realise that opinions are subjective but we would appreciate any help or comment to aide us in finalising our plans.

Thanks, Hugh

8588 is a great cabin with oversize balcony and catches a bit of breeze - nice on a warm day. Go for it, tons better than deck 7.

Hi, we are sailing on Radiance on January 11th and 19th and I was able to purchase the new premium drink package for my husband online. So what is being offered overseas is available online for Aussies!

Hi Susie, we will be on Radiance on 27th, so leave some for us. Generally speaking though we don't buy the drink packages as DW only had the odd one so its cheaper for us to buy as we go.

Just came off Rhapsody, and they had half price cocktails between 4 and 7 pm in the Casino. Had to decide whether to forgo Bingo:eek: just as well I stayed to play as I won a game which then payed for all our drinks:):p

Also noticed the many cocktail glasses just left on stairs, pool deck, etc where people last finished there drink. Lots of blood shot eyes too on the young ones getting their money's worth.

Next up Alaska:) had a look at the toursaver vouchers but they are not as good for next year. Might post that on Alaska thread.

Hugh

Seems a waste of half a day going to the airport hotel just to drop off luggage. If he really must stay near the airport then I would suggest he takes his luggage to Sydney Central station by train from Circular Quay. There is a bag storage area just near platform 1 in the north western corner of the main hall of the station.

Then catch a train 2 stops back to St James station and walk via the domain to the botanic gardens.

When he is done he can return to Central, pick up bags and continue to the hotel by taxi which are just outside the entrance near the bag storage pace.

We are flying into Sydney from Cairns, presumably to the internal terminal at 15.15 on a Wednesday afternoon.

 

What is the best and most economical way of getting downtown? We are staying at the Castlereagh Hotel.

 

Thanks in anticipation........

If you are travelling light, then I would take the train, getting off at St James Station and walking 50 metres down Market St then left into Castlereagh st to the hotel which is located opposite the Castlereagh entrance into the Great Synagogue.

However, seems you have some luggage and prefer not to take train, in which case I would take a taxi. At your arrival time you should be on your way by 1545 and worst case should have you at hotel by 1630 and hopefully before the worst of the traffic.

Castlereagh st is one way from north to south so the driver will have to circumnavigate the northern end of Hyde Park past St Mary's Cathedral in order to enter Market St thence Castlereagh. This is assuming he will use the M1 from the airport and exit using the William St exit. Quite a nice drive actually.

Esperance is a tender port. A trip out to the beaches on both side of Esperance township and to the Cape is a must do. Also check out the local museum near the shuttle bus pickup point.

The replica Stonehenge is worth a look. The owners have put huge $$$ into this project.

I initiated a private tour with the local tourism office when we were there last year. This is now a regular tour offered through Esperance Visitor Centre.

Decorations were put up on the Rhapsody last week.

 

Our decorations went up today:D

 

 

Cheers

Di

Noice one Di. We left a spare EU adapter plugged in. Tell Jenny to keep it for her next cruise, or maybe you could run some lights:)

Just off Rhapsody of the Seas and have to say that the speciality package for 3 restaurants at just $55 pp is well worth it. The meals are cooked in there own kitchen and the quality and quantity of food is far superior to that of the MDR which IMHO has gone downhill since last cruise in Feb.

Thanks to Darwin for such superb service at Chops.

Hugh

Just off Rhapsody this morning. Loyalty lounge selling well on the repositioning cruises to Instanbul but prices are high.

No confirmation yet on her replacement but plenty of rumours. Hopefully another Vision class and everyone including crew sorry to be leaving Australia. As the Capt said, we will know soon enough.

Missed out on Mystery Island and overnighted at Luganville :mad: for urgent corrosion repairs. Everyone compensated with a few dollars to help pay the bar bill😛

Hugh

21 days until my first ever cruise and I have never spent this much time on one website in my life. My kids tell me I know too much about cruising already. Not sure what I am going to do once my cruise is over. Looking forward to posting a review (hopefully it will be a good one) and helping others with info. Love this site.

Great ship, Rhapsody, and we will be on her on Saturday:D:D

I don't think anyone on tomorrow's cruise needs to worry about "schoolies" - I think its the over 90s they need to worry about! Suggest you read the 2 most recent Radiance reviews on CC for the recent top end ....

Think the person who wrote that review has a serious chip on his shoulder.

Would take that review with a large piece of salt.

Dunedin is a working port & you cannot just walk out of there. There is a shuttle available at $ 8 NZD each way. Travel time to the city center is 25 minutes.’

Port Chalmers does not have any restrictions. Perhaps you mean Picton which is a working port that does require you to take either a shuttle or tour.

Agree with MrsWaldo. To experience what Sydney and Australians is/are all about you MUST be in Sydney on the 26th. Harbour ferry races, fireworks etc etc. The date represents the beginning of European settlement in Australia and occurred right there at Circular Quay. Huge day for us Aussies.

We sail to Tassie on the 27th:D

By all means visit the Blue Mountains area but your TA price seems rediculously high. Give the cc recommended ones on this thread a try or do it yourself as suggestion by rail at a quarter the price.

Hugh

Try also Blue Diamond Tours as they have had good reports here on cc.

We will b staying at the Brighton 38 Bridge street. Would we abe able to take the train to the airport to catch a flight. If so how long is the ride and where would we get on and off. Many thanks.

Took me awhile to work out where you are staying. From your other posts I now see you had the name wrong. You seem to be staying at The Bridgeport Apartments in Bridge St.

Don't know anything about it apart from what is on Tripadvisor but I do know where it is. location is good, near bus interchange and Circular Quay train station (5mins). You could easily walk to ship if you are departing from the OPT.

Australian stock exchange nearby and Sydney Museum on the sight of the first Governors residence just 5 mins walk up the street. Very easy access to George and Pitt streets - 2 of the main downtown streets.

Others may know about the Apartments. If the price is right then go for it.

Hugh

G'day again,

Looks like a great excursion. Looking forward to your report. Might look at that itinerary in 2015 - AFTER our big Alaska year next year:)

Regards, Hugh

Well done, good info there and helpful to those considering the Coastal drive.

If you did not want to do the full drive you could also turn left at Geelong and visit the Wool Museum for a break and then head on to Queenscliff and catch the car ferry across to Sorrento. Perhaps duck in for a bite to eat at one of the cafes on Ocean Beach Rd before heading off to Melbourne via the coastal roads or join the freeway if running out of time.

Not as dramatic scenery but nevertheless a nice bayside drive through some of Melbourne's suburbs.

I also noted from my last visit that there is a bicycle self serve hire rack on the side walk a few hundred metres up the esplanade when you turn right out of the pier.

Hugh

Another reason that many cruises do both NZ and Australia is because visitors from other countries (US in particular) see coming "downunder" as being a long flight.

 

Therefore, having made the decision to tale that long flight, they want to see both countries "while they are there".

Similar situation when we go to the northern hemisphere, long long flights. Looking forward to a trip to Europe and then Alaska/Canada next winter (ours) but not to the long flights at peak rates.

At least it's only a short flight across the ditch:)

Hugh

Hi,

 

We are going on radiance in 2wks 4days (but who's counting ) and we are considering doing the mystery dinner.

 

Has anyone been to one before and what did you think of it?

 

Thanks :)

Good value if you haven't been before. Lots of fun and audience participation. You will get a free champagne before the start of Act 1 in the Colony Club before moving into the restaurant - probably Giovannis.

I'm up to bribes if you want to win the prize:p

Hugh