Chelseapop

I find the best exchange rates I can get are from Travelex on line. Just go on line and order what you want for pick up in a certain store. They have better rates online than if you just walk into a store. But some currencies have a minimum amount that you need to order online. Aust Post is also fairly good I believe. Most places in Vanuatu accept $A but you are at their mercy as to the exchange rate they ask for each purchase - having the local Vatu makes it easier. Noumea, most places will only accept the local Pacific Franc - after all they are mainly French. I would think the exchange rate on board would only be favourable to the shipping line.

:mad: Sorry - the link doesn't work. Here's the info. Found it on the CruiseCritic Facebook page.

Royal Caribbean Expands Alcohol-Inclusive Beverage Package Options

(2:58 p.m.) -- Just a little under a year after Royal Caribbean first introduced alcohol-inclusive beverage packages, the line is updating and expanding its offerings. Four packages are available on all North American sailings of four nights or longer. Itineraries that depart from international ports will get the packages mid-December.

Among the changes made to the packages, only passengers who intend to use a package need to buy it. Previously, all passengers in a cabin had to purchase a package, even if only one wanted it.

Package holders are limited to the number of drinks they can order at a time (one), but there is no cap on the number of drinks they may purchase in a day.

Package prices range from $20 to $65 per passenger/per day. All prices include a 15 percent gratuity. Packages must be purchased a minimum of four days before the cruise ends.

Package choices are:

Royal Replenish Package ($20 per day): includes premium coffee and tea, bottled still and sparkling water, fresh-squeezed orange juice, nonalcoholic cocktails and fountain sodas with a souvenir Coca-Cola cup.

Select Package ($40 per day): includes beer, wine by the glass (up to $8 value), nonalcoholic cocktails, fountain sodas with a souvenir Coca-Cola cup and a 20 percent discount on wine bottle purchases.

Premium Package ($55 per day): includes house and premium cocktails (up to $10 value), frozen cocktails, beers, premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value), nonalcoholic cocktails, bottled still water, fountain sodas with a souvenir Coca-Cola cup and a 20 percent discount on wine bottle purchases.

Ultimate Package ($65 per day): includes premium coffee and tea, bottled still and sparkling water, fresh-squeezed orange juice, house and premium cocktails (up to $10 value), frozen cocktails, beers, premium wine by the glass (up to $12 value), nonalcoholic cocktails, fountain sodas with a souvenir Coca-Cola cup and a 20 percent discount on wine bottle purchases.

Passengers who have already bought the former Classic package will receive the Select package once on board and a refund of $5 per day to their onboard accounts. Passengers who purchased the former Premium package will receive the new Premium package once onboard.

--by Dori Saltzman, News Editor

Hopefully this link might explain what is included and what isn't. Also, with the change, not everyone in the cabin has to purchase a drink package. Just not sure if the spirits included have changed - no mention of them,

http://*******/1gYtfgx

:)

My guess would be NCL and CCL.

Carnival ships sailing out of Australia have the same no smoking policy - only have smoking areas on certain sections of certain decks including one side of the Lido/pool deck. Definitely no smoking in the casino, bars, cabins or balconies. Certainly hasn't put people off cruising with Carnival from Oz. But then we do have really strict no smoking rules in Oz too

If you are a serving or ex serving member of the Australian Defence Force or NZ Defence force you may be interested in this little gem. I have just applied for and received an extra $200 onboard credit for my cruise just by emailing a copy of our statements of service. (both hubby and I were in the Army). Couple bottles of wine for me and maybe a beer or two for him. This is an extract of an email I received from Carnival Australia.:)

Carnival Spirit is pleased to announce the extension of the special defence program to ex-serving members of the defence force. This program is designed to allow an onboard credit to Australian Defence Force (ADF) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) members. An overview of the program is as follows: 1) Available to personnel in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Regular Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand Army or the Royal New Zealand Air Force who are:

a. Active personnel currently serving by providing their PM KeyS number, Regiment number or Service Number, and

b. Ex-serving personnel, including discharged and retired personnel, by providing relevant documentation which shows evidence of having served in the ADF or NZDF, such as military superannuation/pension statement from the MilitarySuper scheme, the DFRDB scheme, the DFRB scheme, or the DFSS scheme (New Zealand) and/or Certificate of Service.

2) Onboard Credit Amount: Cruise Length Amount*

6 days or less $50/person

7 – 13 days $100/person

14 days or longer $250/person

*Onboard credit currency is in AUD for Carnival Spirit

3) Restrictions:

- This offer is available to a maximum of two defence personnel per cabin.

- Offer is valid for eligible active defence personnel and ex-serving personnel in Australia and New Zealand only.

- This offer cannot be used for casino credits/charges and gratuities.

- Offer excludes all concessionary Staff and Travel Agent travel (including family and friends specials) and Breakaway/Interline fares.

- Offer is combinable with other Onboard Credit offers including the Select Sailing program, Onboard Sales program and Cruise Sales Day program.

4) Once booking has been made through travel agent, website or via call centre, Defence personnel details, including passenger name, reservation number, ship and sailing date with relevant proof of identification and/or documentation (i.e. military superannuation/pension statement or certificate of service) to be emailed to defencebenefits@carnivalaustralia.com no later than two weeks prior to sailing. Defence Personnel may be asked to produce proof of Defence identification.

5) Effective immediately, all requests for defence benefits must be confirmed prior to passengers boarding cruise. Onboard staff will not be able to add the OBC.