First timer with questions galore!

[marc08]

Hi guys, thoroughly enjoying reading these forums and gaining some valuable knowledge.

 

Taking our first cruise in Feb onboard RCCL on the Voyager of the Seas through the South Pacific, and have some questions on the experience;

 

- Our stops are at Mare, Mystery Island, Isle of pines & Noumea. What are the food options like at each of these ports? Plenty of options near the beaches? Can food be taken in back packs off the ship?

 

- booking onshore experiences. Looks expensive via the cruise options, are these easy enough to book once we get to the island? EG paddle boarding / snorkelling etc

 

- how long does it take getting off the boat at each stop? And how long prior to take off should we arrive back?

 

- I've searched the net and I think we're fine but I'll check anyway, is a visa require me to visit Vanuatu?

 

- Drinks packaged on board. Are they worth the money? We're a couple that will probably enjoy a drink or two poolside in the afternoon, and 2 or 3 drinks with dinner most nights.

 

- do we need to book at the certain speciality restaurants onboard or is it easy enough to get a table?

 

- currency requirements. Do we need to worry about any other currency apart from AUD? For the islands, or at the casino on board etc?

 

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions but this will do me for now.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[JVilleGal]

You really need to go to the RCCL board and get first hand info from Royal cruisers. Here is a link to that board

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

You also need to join the Roll Call of your sailing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Grandma Dazzles]

You may get a better response on the Royal Caribbean board, and also on the Ports of Call boards.

 

You may also find people are more familiar with the Caribbean than the South Pacific. I am thinking you are probably leaving from an Australian port. If so, the entire pricing/booking system may be different than US cruising.

 

Drink packages can be very subjective. Really depends how much you drink. Remember drink packages can also include soda, bottled water, fresh squeezed juice, etc., not just alcoholic drinks. Do your research and price things out.

 

As far as I know, ship operates in US dollars including the casino.

[JVilleGal]

Your Visa requirements are based on your Nationality and the passport you travel under. Hint: your profile should at least list your country of origin so we can give you better advice. So list a State or Province something to at least assist with your needs.

 

 

Note if you are sailing on the Feb 12, 2017 sailing I could not locate a Roll Call.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited January 2, 2017 by JVilleGal

[marc08]

Thanks guys, yes leaving from Sydney and travelling under an Australian passport.

 

What is the roll call you're referring to?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[JVilleGal]

Thanks guys, yes leaving from Sydney and travelling under an Australian passport.

 

What is the roll call you're referring to?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Go to the RCCL board at the link above and they can help you. But please fix your profile to let people know you are Australian as most info on CC is geared towards North American travelers.

 

You can adjust your profile by going to the Top of the Page under the Cruise Critic Banner on the left click on User CP and go down the left side of page to Edit Profile. This will save people time and stop them from giving you wrong info.

 

As to your Roll Call I did not find one if your sailing date is actually 12 Feb 2017 but you could start one.

 

Link to RCCL Board!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited January 2, 2017 by JVilleGal

[GUT2407]

Thanks guys, yes leaving from Sydney and travelling under an Australian passport.

 

What is the roll call you're referring to?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

And this is where the cool kids hang (Aussies actually)

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=712

 

And we all know they're the cool ones.

[JVilleGal]

LoL :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[marc08]

Hi guys, thoroughly enjoying reading these forums and gaining some valuable knowledge.

 

Taking our first cruise in Feb onboard RCCL on the Voyager of the Seas through the South Pacific, and have some questions on the experience;

 

- Our stops are at Mare, Mystery Island, Isle of pines & Noumea. What are the food options like at each of these ports? Plenty of options near the beaches? Can food be taken in back packs off the ship?

 

- booking onshore experiences. Looks expensive via the cruise options, are these easy enough to book once we get to the island? EG paddle boarding / snorkelling etc

 

- how long does it take getting off the boat at each stop? And how long prior to take off should we arrive back?

 

- I've searched the net and I think we're fine but I'll check anyway, is a visa require me to visit Vanuatu?

 

- Drinks packaged on board. Are they worth the money? We're a couple that will probably enjoy a drink or two poolside in the afternoon, and 2 or 3 drinks with dinner most nights.

 

- do we need to book at the certain speciality restaurants onboard or is it easy enough to get a table?

 

- currency requirements. Do we need to worry about any other currency apart from AUD? For the islands, or at the casino on board etc?

 

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions but this will do me for now.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[GUT2407]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Nothing there Marc08

[cb at sea]

Get a guidebook on your ports...the most recent you can find...it can really enhance you time ashore,, and save you money if you can do things on your own! That's where a guidebook comes in SO handy!

[taglovestocruise]

You can be off the ship in10-15 minutes if your docked, double that if your tendered. We usually sit by a window in the Windjammer and watch the people departing and wait until things slow down. Be back to the ship 30 minutes before sail away.

 

You are at breakeven after 6 cocktails per day. Remember that while in port your not drinking on their dime.

 

No problem getting a specialty reservation once you board unless your extremely picky as to time. 8: pm time slots go fast. Chops is great but Giovanni's is fantastic..

 

hope this helps a little.. PS. voyager class ships are still at the top of our list.

 

happy cruising

[Cruisin' Chick]

Hi guys, thoroughly enjoying reading these forums and gaining some valuable knowledge.

 

Taking our first cruise in Feb onboard RCCL on the Voyager of the Seas through the South Pacific, and have some questions on the experience;

 

- Our stops are at Mare, Mystery Island, Isle of pines & Noumea. What are the food options like at each of these ports? Plenty of options near the beaches? Can food be taken in back packs off the ship?

 

In many ports all over the world, you will not be allowed to take food off the ship. Exceptions may be made in some ports for unopened factory-sealed items. You can ask about local eateries on the destinations board for the south pacific...I would think there will be ones popular for cruisers..or you can ask crew members on board if they grab a bite in these ports for a change of pace when they get a rare day off the ship.

 

Also, you will be allowed to return to the ship at any time so if you want to eat on board and then get off the ship again for the afternoon, you can (as long as you get back by the deadline). You don't even have to get off the ship, if you want to relax by the pool instead (there will be repeat cruisers who aren't going for the ports as they've been there...and they'll take advantage of having a nearly empty ship).

 

- booking onshore experiences. Looks expensive via the cruise options, are these easy enough to book once we get to the island? EG paddle boarding / snorkelling etc

 

I would research ahead of time. You might find you don't need to book anything in some of your ports. Get recommendations for excursions you're interested in. Sometimes you might get lucky booking at the pier, but some years ago, when we did this, my hubby didn't care for the tour we got so he decided no more booking with a pier operation. In fact, he seems to prefer the excursions we've booked through the cruiseline (and we may have been lucky, but the ones we've selected haven't been too much more money than independent ones and not even crowded, as some people claim).

 

- how long does it take getting off the boat at each stop? And how long prior to take off should we arrive back?

 

It depends if each port is one where the ship is docked at the pier, or anchored off in the water and you take a tender boat to the pier.

 

When the ship is docked, and the harbor master clears the ship, you'll hear an announcement that you can now go ashore. Your daily newsletter will list the location where the gangway is and you can line up there. Make sure to take your cabin card (which has your photo embedded) and a photo ID. Set a dependable watch (not your cell phone) to the time on the clock near the exit. bring the newsletter so you have the time to be back on board.

 

For tender ports, there will be some passengers with priority to get off (those on ship-booked excursions, maybe those in the highest category of cabins, those with high level in the loyalty program perhaps) the ship. There will probably be a waiting place (on Princess it's the main dining room not used for breakfast) to await a turn for the tender. So if you do prebook an independent excursion, allow for extra time to get off the ship so you don't miss your tour.

 

for returning to the ship, allow for at least a half hour (we actually shoot for an hour, especially as my hubby doesn't like lines, and wants to avoid the last minute security check line). Allow more time for the tenders as there will be only so many tenders being used.

 

- I've searched the net and I think we're fine but I'll check anyway, is a visa require me to visit Vanuatu?

 

check the regulations for your home country. There should be an official travel website with this kind of info.

 

- Drinks packaged on board. Are they worth the money? We're a couple that will probably enjoy a drink or two poolside in the afternoon, and 2 or 3 drinks with dinner most nights.

 

something to ask about on the RC board. someone who has recently cruised should know recent drink prices for singular drinks.

 

- do we need to book at the certain speciality restaurants onboard or is it easy enough to get a table?

 

- currency requirements. Do we need to worry about any other currency apart from AUD? For the islands, or at the casino on board etc?

 

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions but this will do me for now.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Never been on Royal Caribbean nor been to the south pacific (my last three cruises were to Hawaii from Los Angeles, but that won't help you).

 

I would suggest going over to the RC board here but also go to the cruise line's website (if there's a separate one for RC cruises sold in Australia, even better) Many of the questions you have or will have may be answered on the RC website.

 

also get a guide book about the specific area for some ideas of where to sightsee, where to beach it, where to eat in port. Google each port and you'll find plenty of tourism sites.

[Beachdude]

If you can book the specialty restaurants on line, that gets you a good start. Otherwise book as soon as you board the ship.

 

The drink package is worth it if you drink four or more drinks a day, and/or enjoy specialty coffee drinks. The package does not work for Starbucks, but the ships other specialty coffee drinks venders are pretty good.

 

You can save money on some port excursions if you don't use RCI, but you really need to do research to verify they are safe and understand the ship schedules. One word of advice is take phone numbers of the ship incase you do run into an emergency and contact the crew immediately. They generally know how to deal with most situations.

 

Have a great time on the Voyager of the Seas, she was our first cruise on her 3rd sailing way back when.

 

Burt

[marc08]

If you can book the specialty restaurants on line, that gets you a good start. Otherwise book as soon as you board the ship.

 

 

 

The drink package is worth it if you drink four or more drinks a day, and/or enjoy specialty coffee drinks. The package does not work for Starbucks, but the ships other specialty coffee drinks venders are pretty good.

 

 

 

You can save money on some port excursions if you don't use RCI, but you really need to do research to verify they are safe and understand the ship schedules. One word of advice is take phone numbers of the ship incase you do run into an emergency and contact the crew immediately. They generally know how to deal with most situations.

 

 

 

Have a great time on the Voyager of the Seas, she was our first cruise on her 3rd sailing way back when.

 

 

 

Burt

 

 

Thanks for your help Burt, very appreciative :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums