chester32

I have been following this since the start and wanted to make a comment.

 

For those who aren't aware of it the rules (i.e. Terms and Conditions) in Australia are very different to the US. There are certain benefits, such as the fact that they must advertise prices including taxes and there are certain consumer protections. But there are also areas where the rules are what many would say is not as good such as being able to get price drops credited and loss of deposit if you cancel within 150 days of the cruise.

 

Interestingly enough it also says in the Australian T&C that "All guests MUST obtain personal travel insurance at the time that you book your cruise" (which I presume is so that RCI doesn't have trouble trying to get money from an individual for something that costs them a lot of money). This means that if you follow the T&C and you end up needing to cancel your cruise for negative reasons then you get almost all your money back.

 

I would hope that the OP (and in fact everyone who makes a booking) has travel insurance at which point they should be able to claim back their loss minus the excess and book a different cruise with minimal out of pocket expenses.

Not sure where you got all that from have done 4 royal cruises never had to book travel insurance when I book a cruise? so I have to ask after reading this thread are some of you royal lovers for real? The OP has not asked for anything other than have to reinstate there cruise no cost to RCI, happened same day ? yet you people carry on like the OP is asking for the earth come on get real .

Just remember next time you return something to a shop for a refund or exchange ????? same difference To the OP hope things work out for you and your family I would just count your losses and never touch Royal again

During the sale, there was a lot of vitriol on here towards it. Seemed like most people felt that prices would actually go down after the sale was over. However, for any of the crusies I looked at...that has not been the case at all. If anything, prices have gone up.

Over here in AUS prices dropped the day the sale finished

Hi,

 

We are cruising on solstice and would love to hear any feedback on the ship whether its positive or negative.

 

We you enjoy a drink would like to the drink prices onboard...espcially beer and wine.

 

thanks heaps

 

Col & Di :)

We were on the Solstice last March although we did have the drinks package the beer prices started at $5.50 and wine started at $7.00 per glass

We don't have any negative feedback perhaps the entertainment maybe, but you will love the Solstice

Thanks Goodycruising its been a long time between drinks for South's just hope its a good game

As for our upcoming cruise the issues will certainly not effect us at all , it will be our first time on Radiance but so far our favourite is the Solstice beautiful ship so I will be comparing it to Radiance but will still enjoy regardless of the differences but I suspect that I will be with Celebrity next time (I realise there are Under RCI) I am sure you will love the Solstice

Hi Goodycruising

It is not worth while cancelling but getting the upgrade is not what I am on about , to explain I starting with a booking for 2 in an oceanview room in a non sale period for $3090.00 for 2 .A month or so later they had the BOGOHO sale I rang my TA to see if I could pay to upgrade to an E2 balcony cabin which was selling for $3980.00 , the TA said I could but would have to pay the price at the original booking date which was $4207.00,so it was $227.00 more than the advertised sale price but we were fine with that . We went ahead and booked the E2 cabin (which I should have in the first place ) because I just don't like not being a balcony cabin. So that brings us to the present, the sale has finished my E2 cabin is now selling for $3942.00 and a D1 is selling for $4318.00 which is $111.00 more than what I payed for my E2 cabin fine with that too. But when the TA told me that I would have to pay $1500.00 extra because that is what the price was when we booked the E2 Cabin in the sale period and there was nothing he could do because it was RCI rules ,so there is no way I would pay a total of $5707.00 for 2 for a nine night cruise ?

So I am not whinging because I cant get an upgrade we are happy with what we have got would be nice to have the larger cabin but that's not going to happen

It is the utter contempt the way RCI treat us and there so called SALES , I just do not understand how RCI advertise 50% of second passenger then when the sale finishes the price drops by $1400.00,and also the prices above included our Emerald balcony discounts

One more thing Go SOUTHS

Chester32 That seems to be the way it is working now, you have to pay the difference at the old price. It sounds weird to me, but several seem to be told that. I wonder if you had booked direct would you be able to upgrade, or is the recent lower price another sale?

Goodycruising that is what they are saying to upgrade I have to pay the price when I originally booked which was when the bogoho sale was on, so what I am trying to say is sale is finished, current prices are sale free no gimmicks that is the price

So basically if you booked during the sale you are penalised for thinking you are getting a better price , just book outside of sales and RCI will give you a better price seems very close to fraudulent to me

But once again I want to stress that it is not all about the $ it is more about been taking for a ride by RCI so I guess just don't book early or during a sale and RCI will reward you

What about looking at an upgrade now the price has dropped? Is that an option for you?

I did look into that I looked at a D1 cabin which at there current non sale price would be an extra $111.00 . But my TA told me that I cant have that price that it is for new bookings only ? it would cost me an extra $1500.00 because that is what the rate was when I booked ??

Disregarding the actual prices, the Price fluctuations from one week (sometimes day) to the next whether up or down seem to be much more fluid. It is making it harder and harder to predict which way the price will go as each cruise is acting differently to the next.

If you see a good deal that you want, grab it as it will unlikely be there the next day if you hesitate. And then forget about what you paid unless you want buyer's remorse, still have time before final payment or have no perks to lose.:D

You are right in what you say Mic but my gripe is not buyers remorse it is the way RCI conduct business .As they said buy one get 50% for 2nd passenger

which we did good deal?, well that's we thought but as I said price is cheaper the day after the sale finished so price fluctuations has nothing to do with it if you believe there sales pitch

So don't get me wrong it is not all about the money, to me it is RCI arrogance to charge more during a sale than a non sale period, as in lets suck them in with the word SALE they will pay, make sense why they kept extending the sale cut off period, and as others have said about the aussie $ this has nothing to do with it as prices are quoted in $AU at the current rate and that is the price regardless .To me it is just RCI treating us like fools , but maybe once but certainly not twice

With the Aussie dollar falling cruises will only get more expensive as will all monies spent onboard [emoji53]

???? prices are now cheaper???

RCI sales just finished checked prices and guess what my E2 cabin I booked during the last sale is now $337.00 cheaper that what I payed at the so called sale , sorry royal but I think that is it for us

Wondering if anyone could tell me if a D2 is much better than an E2, have a current booking in a E2 extended balcony but could pay an extra $278.00 for a D2 aft balcony , having never cruised in either of these cabins not sure if it is worth paying extra for the D2 any advice?

Thanks Maree! Do you know if they have a website? I tried google and can see them on tripadvisor but can't find a website.

Try this http://gateawaytoursn9.wix.com/noumea-shore-tours#!company/c

We are arriving in Perth to pick up cruise in Fremantle. We expect to be at the cruise terminal at about 10 am. We doubt that we will be able to board so early so is there anywhere we can leave our luggage?

When we cruised from Freemantle we arrived at the dock about 10.30am and we were able to check our luggage in but could not board till 12.30pm

Tuscan would be second favourite for me and then Bistro on Five is good for something different or to escape the MDR.

However, the MDR does great food as well, and without a cover charge.:D

You are right Mic nothing wrong with the MDR but I would say the view as well is why Tuscan was are favourite but as I said the others are definitely worth a visit just don't have lunch if you are going to Izumus

Wondering if any one has done this excursion of Efate we will be there in January on Radiance and have been looking at shore excursions and was looking at this one. Also any advice on Noumea and Lifou as there is not that much that grabs us on the ships excursions , interest are snorkelling and local way of life

Sorry if this has been asked before and advice would be appreciated

Thanks

Tuscan Grill is an absolute must , but all the others are nice and bistro at five is a nice alternate for breakfast or lunch

Can members confirm when taking a balcony cabin around the North of Australia,is a port or starboard cabin better to take advantage of the sun. The cruise is on Celebrity Solstice in March.

Sounds like your doing the Top End cruise Perth(Freemantle) to Sydney , if so we did this last march and had a port side balcony and if I had a choice I would book a starboard balcony mainly for the views, as for the sun probably starboard but trust me you don't want to be in the sun too long

Curiosity got the better of me so i rang the TA today they told me it is just so there is no comeback on them if something went wrong

As for signing a declaration I said no but they were happy to have me send them an email stating that I had been offered insurance and declined , fair enough

I think something must have happened to be covering themselves like this

but that's fine

Had a email from TA regarding a final payment due soon and was asked to sign a declaration stating we had declined travel insurance they offered, have never this happen before and this is the second time we have used this TA , any one had this before by the way we do have travel insurance just not through the TA

The question has been asked about Port Hedland ie. what to do? Personally I'll do the mine tour because that interests me but other than getting off to stretch your legs there doesn't seem to be much of a reason to get off. Any thoughts

Hi Rob

We did this cruise Feb this year and It was fantastic but as for Port Headland , we did the mine tour thinking we would go to the mine but no you don't it is to far away to do in a day . So what they call a mine tour is a drive around the port to show how the transfer of the iron ore to the ships is done , still interesting but I have to admit I thought we were going to a mine

The whole trip is about an hour then they take you into town which is ok but the locals are the best ever cant do enough for you.

I am 100% sure you will love this cruise and have your camera ready when you cruise through the Torres straight and Thursday island absolutely stunning

enjoy

What does BOGOHO stand for?

Buy One Get Other Half Off

in other words 2nd person half price

Thanks Gae you beat me to it

Just noticed this sale is back and had a look at our booking now $900 cheaper will be in touch with TA tomorrow

Thanks the Shangri la it is

Yup, short walk to pier from both. Slightly downhill. The Shangri La is a fair bit closer.

 

I have only stayed at Shangri-La... really nice hotel. I had a harbour view room...but it was of Darling Harbour not Circular Quay. Might be worth double checking if you decide to stay there... I think they promote their Circular Quay view rooms as having Opera House Views.

 

cheers

Checked room details at the Shangri -la

Luxuriously furnished, the Deluxe Grand Harbour View rooms offer breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. These rooms are located on levels 5-23 of the hotel and feature modern design and furnishings for a relaxing stay in Sydney

And the intercontinental

32 sqm views sydneys iconic harbour and harbour bridge window seat maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child rollaway bed at a charge ipod docking station free access to gym and indoor swimming pool internet at a charge for non ihg rewards club members.

So not sure After all its only one night

If you can get a bridge view go intercontinental and watch the ship dock

They are both good though

 

 

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The room at both are full harbour bridge view and I presume it is a short walk from both to the terminal

Thanks again