Fletch1 Posted May 30, 2016 #2576 Share Posted May 30, 2016 It depends on the person but in my experience, if someone buys a drinks package, they ensure that they get their monies worth, while if they receive a drinks package as part of the fare or as a perk, they do not hit it as hard. It is all about perceived value for money. I would agree with Mick. We just booked a 12 day Pacific Pearl cruise for about $98 per day for an ocean view cabin and the deal included $100 OBC and the premium drinks package (add to this a previous FCC of $150 and shareholders benefit of $100 = $350 OBC). Unfortunately, my big drinking days are well and truly over, but I will enjoy a glass of wine for lunch and maybe 2 glasses with dinner. Add bottled water and two premium coffees per day and it will add up. For me, this would add up to about $45-50 per day, so for 12 days, it is worth $550-600. For Mrs Fletch, it would be a little more as she enjoys a cocktail or two and the occasional G&T. For us, it was definitely the perceived value for money. We would not have booked it if it wasn't for the drinks package being tossed in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyren Posted May 30, 2016 #2577 Share Posted May 30, 2016 It depends on the person but in my experience, if someone buys a drinks package, they ensure that they get their monies worth, while if they receive a drinks package as part of the fare or as a perk, they do not hit it as hard. It is all about perceived value for money. The drinks are just like the food. The more you eat the cheaper your cruise. :p;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodyren Posted May 30, 2016 #2578 Share Posted May 30, 2016 I had a long conversation with the future cruise manager on Voyager recently. She was adamant that RCL had changed their pricing policy for Aussies booking locally to exactly the same as their US bookings. She clearly said; Price drops before final payment. Upgrades by paying the difference if a higher category before or after final payment. Ability to change cabins within the same category once gty allocations are made. Said this was now possible because that had updated their booking system. I have no great confidence in anything that I am told by people at RCL and have not tested this. Just a heads up for those with bookings through Aus to keep an eye out and test the waters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 30, 2016 #2579 Share Posted May 30, 2016 The drinks are just like the food. The more you eat the cheaper your cruise. :p;) Some people must really get a cheap cruise then.:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 30, 2016 #2580 Share Posted May 30, 2016 I had a long conversation with the future cruise manager on Voyager recently. She was adamant that RCL had changed their pricing policy for Aussies booking locally to exactly the same as their US bookings. She clearly said; Price drops before final payment. Upgrades by paying the difference if a higher category before or after final payment. Ability to change cabins within the same category once gty allocations are made. Said this was now possible because that had updated their booking system. I have no great confidence in anything that I am told by people at RCL and have not tested this. Just a heads up for those with bookings through Aus to keep an eye out and test the waters. Interesting. Although I wouldn't like to be relying on the website or booking system for anything important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
challis Posted May 30, 2016 #2581 Share Posted May 30, 2016 you bagged a great deal fletch1 shame the pearl does,nt stop at wala island-if it did I would have to go,as it and mystery island are my favourite destinations. I would imagine that given the booze package,i would have a binge blowout on day 1 or,2-then swear off the scotch for a few days,and stick to the coffees and coke. but I don't go on a cruise to get sloshed-I ,ve seen the diamond club members come out at 6-7 p.m -sloshed ,just like the old 6 oclock swill- so I wont buy in.but if I was part of a footy team,stag - bucks group ect going on a cruise,Wow-look out .well done to those who can handle there booze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara Jane Posted June 1, 2016 #2582 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Just scored an inside on Pacific Eden October 15th 7 nights to Papua New Guinea from Cairns for $575 twin. I had been looking at it at $815 and it suddenly went to 575. I quickly booked, phoned my sister and booked for her and within 5 mins it was back to $815. Not too sure what actually happened but all paid and receipted so good to go. Have got my return flights from melb to cairns thanks to a jetstar sale, a night in a hotel pre cruise all for less than the cruise fare that I was prepared to pay anyway. Happy traveller here tonight. Japan in August, New Zealand in October that will keep me happy planning for a while. A large oz company has been very good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted June 1, 2016 #2583 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Just scored an inside on Pacific Eden October 15th 7 nights to Papua New Guinea from Cairns for $575 twin. I had been looking at it at $815 and it suddenly went to 575. I quickly booked, phoned my sister and booked for her and within 5 mins it was back to $815. Not too sure what actually happened but all paid and receipted so good to go. Have got my return flights from melb to cairns thanks to a jetstar sale, a night in a hotel pre cruise all for less than the cruise fare that I was prepared to pay anyway.Happy traveller here tonight. Japan in August, New Zealand in October that will keep me happy planning for a while. A large oz company has been very good to me. Good deal:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted June 1, 2016 #2584 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Just scored an inside on Pacific Eden October 15th 7 nights to Papua New Guinea from Cairns for $575 twin. I had been looking at it at $815 and it suddenly went to 575. I quickly booked, phoned my sister and booked for her and within 5 mins it was back to $815. Not too sure what actually happened but all paid and receipted so good to go. Have got my return flights from melb to cairns thanks to a jetstar sale, a night in a hotel pre cruise all for less than the cruise fare that I was prepared to pay anyway.Happy traveller here tonight. Japan in August, New Zealand in October that will keep me happy planning for a while. A large oz company has been very good to me. I was looking at that too but getting to Cairns is a hassle for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icat2000 Posted June 1, 2016 Author #2585 Share Posted June 1, 2016 I was looking at that too but getting to Cairns is a hassle for us. I had a look at it too. Similar problems, the flight costs from Melbourne really add to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted June 1, 2016 #2586 Share Posted June 1, 2016 I had a look at it too. Similar problems, the flight costs from Melbourne really add to it. Even worse from Canberra:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thistledoo Posted June 1, 2016 #2587 Share Posted June 1, 2016 From Canberra it used to work out cheaper and quicker to drive to Sydney and leave the car in the long stay at the airport. One time we got a deal with an airport hotel where we stayed one night and they stored the car in their undercover carport for free. Now we are in FNQ the costs can be awful to fly from Cairns to Sydney unless we can get a special. :( It's cheaper sometimes to fly to Japan from Cairns.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara Jane Posted June 1, 2016 #2588 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Ooops I was so super excited last night. Just re read and I sain new Zealand. As much as I love NZ this cruise is to new guinea. Jetstar had a sale that ended at midnight last night. Going via gold coast for a few days got $49.50 melb to coolangatta using Jetstar price match guarantee. Cooly to cairns $75 and $89 cairns to Melbourne.very . Total 789 plus 50 for night in motel in cairns. Now have to decide what to do at the ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted June 2, 2016 #2589 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Apart from not having direct flights, just about everything out of Canberra is more expensive than Sydney. The Winter Sale is on now, prices below but the differences in price get worse when not on sale. Canberra - Sydney = $115; Canberra - Melbourne = $185; Canberra - Brisbane = $205; Sydney - Melbourne = $109; Sydney - Brisbane = $99; Melbourne to Brisbane = $189. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir-magoo Posted June 2, 2016 #2590 Share Posted June 2, 2016 From Canberra it used to work out cheaper and quicker to drive to Sydney and leave the car in the long stay at the airport. One time we got a deal with an airport hotel where we stayed one night and they stored the car in their undercover carport for free. Now we are in FNQ the costs can be awful to fly from Cairns to Sydney unless we can get a special. :( It's cheaper sometimes to fly to Japan from Cairns.:) Yeah we are in Canberra too and the last few cruises we have just driven to Sydney and parked under the opera house. Much easier and relatively cheap at only $20 per night. Of course, we can't do that for our next cruise, that one departs Fremantle :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted June 2, 2016 #2591 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Yeah we are in Canberra too and the last few cruises we have just driven to Sydney and parked under the opera house. Much easier and relatively cheap at only $20 per night. Of course, we can't do that for our next cruise, that one departs Fremantle :) The Sydney cruises are not the issue it is the other port like Brisbane, Melbourne or even further afield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wishfulone Posted June 2, 2016 #2592 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Yeah we are in Canberra too and the last few cruises we have just driven to Sydney and parked under the opera house. Much easier and relatively cheap at only $20 per night. Of course, we can't do that for our next cruise, that one departs Fremantle :) Why drive to Sydney when Murray's Coaches direct service from Jolimont to Central is so cheap and easy? What you pay for petrol and parking would cost you a lot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted June 2, 2016 #2593 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Why drive to Sydney when Murray's Coaches direct service from Jolimont to Central is so cheap and easy? What you pay for petrol and parking would cost you a lot more. For us it depends, we have caught the bus, the train, driven and flown depending on pre or post travel plans. I can park for free in Sydney, so driving is often more convenient. Saves having Taxis or parking here in Canberra if catching buses, trains or planes.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted June 3, 2016 #2594 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Deals are coming out for Arcadias WC segments heres one from a NZ agent for Kiwis ....no doubt Au agents are doing deals as well. P&O ARCADIA: WORLD CRUISE 2017 SECTOR :FLY/STAY/CRUISE SAN FRANCISCO - AUCKLAND DEPARTS 24TH JANUARY 2017 - 19 NIGHTS! Departs 24th January 2017 (19 Nights) Interior Cabin (Fly/Stay/Cruise Package) $3649.00 per person(NZ $) BONUS: 190 British Pounds Onboard Credit Total Not bad for an Air Fare, 2 nights in 4* Hotel and a Trans Pacific cruise through Hawai and Tahiti..:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted June 3, 2016 #2595 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Deals are coming out for Arcadias WC segments heres one from a NZ agent for Kiwis ....no doubt Au agents are doing deals as well. P&O ARCADIA: WORLD CRUISE 2017 SECTOR :FLY/STAY/CRUISE SAN FRANCISCO - AUCKLAND DEPARTS 24TH JANUARY 2017 - 19 NIGHTS! Departs 24th January 2017 (19 Nights) Interior Cabin (Fly/Stay/Cruise Package) $3649.00 per person(NZ $) BONUS: 190 British Pounds Onboard Credit Total Not bad for an Air Fare, 2 nights in 4* Hotel and a Trans Pacific cruise through Hawai and Tahiti..:) That is a good price. How does P&O stack up against the other lines like Princess and X? is it better or worse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted June 3, 2016 #2596 Share Posted June 3, 2016 That is a good price. How does P&O stack up against the other lines like Princess and X? is it better or worse? Personally I think its far better...it is very British. Expect to dress for dinner . The stage shows are some of the best I have seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icat2000 Posted June 3, 2016 Author #2597 Share Posted June 3, 2016 I've done a couple of PO UK cruises. I wouldn't say it was better. Certainly more dressed up for dinner and great sailways. But I didn't think the food was all that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted June 3, 2016 #2598 Share Posted June 3, 2016 I've done a couple of PO UK cruises. I wouldn't say it was better. Certainly more dressed up for dinner and great sailways. But I didn't think the food was all that. Yeah..They are not big on salads:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted June 3, 2016 #2599 Share Posted June 3, 2016 That is a good price. How does P&O stack up against the other lines like Princess and X? is it better or worse? As a rough description, princess/celebrity in food/entertainment but near Cunard on dress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted June 3, 2016 #2600 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Apart from not having direct flights, just about everything out of Canberra is more expensive than Sydney. Probably because the average income is higher there than most anywhere else. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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