few questions sailing south pacific explorer

[jadekatz]

Sorry guys, I'm sure these questions have been asked before, just in a rush getting 3 kids ready and wanting to be as prepared as possible.

 

1. Is this correct you need a US or Euro adaptor (Is a UK adaptor different from a Euro adaptor as this is the only one i can find at our shop)

 

2. Does Vila Vanuatu accept Aussie dollars

 

3. Do you need to book for the main dining or do you just rock up at your allotted time slot?

 

4. We are sailing 25th Jan to early Feb does it get cold at all during this time. Coming from perth so need to pack as little as possible. Would one jacket or jumper be sufficient.

 

5. Can you use your seapass for gambling at the casino?

 

6. Can you use onboard credit for internet package. And can you chose internet on a day by day basis or do you need to buy it for the entire cruise. And is there any other things onboard that are excluded from onboard credit?

 

Thanks

[Aus Traveller]

I am not sure which ship you will be on. You mention 'seapass' so is it RCL?

 

A few answers: In Vanuatu AUD is accepted everywhere. I would not take any warm clothes for the time of year that you will be travelling. At most, I would take a very light long-sleeve jacket or shirt mainly to use if it is windy. I would not take a jumper. If you have a booked time slot for dinner, you would just rock up at the appointed dining room.

Edited January 19, 2017 by Aus Traveller

[jadekatz]

Sorry yes it RCI sailing on Explorer of the Seas.

[tassie cruiser]

I always take a few warmish things now as sometimes the ship has the air con quite cool, so sometimes required indoors on the ship at night times. The last couple of cruises I had to go outside to get warm lol.......

 

Yes as mentioned above Vila - Aus dollars fine....

 

Re the power points, yes, there is US and Euro.. The US is a low voltage (110 v from memory)

and the Euro (220 v) so if you using hair dryers etc.... need to use the Euro one (that is the closest to Aus voltage. if just wanting to charge phone etc... then the US is fine... Hope this makes sense.. lol....

Don't stress about it, if you forget they will have on the ship for sale or your cabin steward may be able to get you one... We always take the power cubes which have 4 x power points and 2 x USB points..

They don't normally allow power boards as such but the cubes and similar are different and are fine (something about having a built in breaker or something)

Edited January 19, 2017 by tassie cruiser

[jadekatz]

I always take a few warmish things now as sometimes the ship has the air con quite cool, so sometimes required indoors on the ship at night times. The last couple of cruises I had to go outside to get warm lol.......

 

Yes as mentioned above Vila - Aus dollars fine....

 

Re the power points, yes, there is US and Euro.. The US is a low voltage (110 v from memory)

and the Euro (220 v) so if you using hair dryers etc.... need to use the Euro one (that is the closest to Aus voltage. if just wanting to charge phone etc... then the US is fine... Hope this makes sense.. lol....

Don't stress about it, if you forget they will have on the ship for sale or your cabin steward may be able to get you one... We always take the power cubes which have 4 x power points and 2 x USB points..

They don't normally allow power boards as such but the cubes and similar are different and are fine (something about having a built in breaker or something)

 

Thank you. Sounds like the Euro will be more suited. Also thanks for the tip about the cube, i did hear from my friend who got her power board confiscated. lol

[The_Big_M]

Sorry guys, I'm sure these questions have been asked before, just in a rush getting 3 kids ready and wanting to be as prepared as possible.

 

1. Is this correct you need a US or Euro adaptor (Is a UK adaptor different from a Euro adaptor as this is the only one i can find at our shop)

 

2. Does Vila Vanuatu accept Aussie dollars

 

3. Do you need to book for the main dining or do you just rock up at your allotted time slot?

 

4. We are sailing 25th Jan to early Feb does it get cold at all during this time. Coming from perth so need to pack as little as possible. Would one jacket or jumper be sufficient.

 

5. Can you use your seapass for gambling at the casino?

 

6. Can you use onboard credit for internet package. And can you chose internet on a day by day basis or do you need to buy it for the entire cruise. And is there any other things onboard that are excluded from onboard credit?

 

Thanks

 

Just the points not already covered.

 

1) I suspect the UK one you see has rectangular pins. If so, it's not suitable. The European one will have round pins.

 

3) Explorer has two options: My time, and Specific time dining. If your booking shows a time, you need to attend the dining room at that time (or can go to the buffet any other time). If you have "My Time", you can go at any time, with a wait. Or book a preferred time for each night before hand.

 

5) Not really. The casino is cash only. You can use your Seapass to withdraw cash at the casino from the cashier, but it comes at a 5% cost. So you're better off having US cash in advance.

 

6) Yes for OBC. They've made changes in the past year, but they used to offer a daily rate, as well as a package rate for the cruise. The daily rate was about $5 more expensive than the /per day rate for the cruise e.g. US$25 v $20/day.

 

Anything you can charge to your onboard account is fine.

 

That excludes casino and future cruise bookings as they are not charged to your onboard account.

[jadekatz]

Thanks for the helpful answers :)

[MicCanberra]

5. Can you use your seapass for gambling at the casino?

 

5) Not really. The casino is cash only. You can use your Seapass to withdraw cash at the casino from the cashier, but it comes at a 5% cost. So you're better off having US cash in advance.

 

That excludes casino and future cruise bookings as they are not charged to your onboard account.

 

You CAN use OBC or your sea pass card to gamble in the casino without paying the 5% fee (which is for getting OBC as cash only).

Note: Any winnings can be cashed out as well without attracting the 5% fee.

[lilly4350]

Sorry guys, I'm sure these questions have been asked before, just in a rush getting 3 kids ready and wanting to be as prepared as possible.

 

1. Is this correct you need a US or Euro adaptor (Is a UK adaptor different from a Euro adaptor as this is the only one i can find at our shop)

 

2. Does Vila Vanuatu accept Aussie dollars

 

3. Do you need to book for the main dining or do you just rock up at your allotted time slot?

 

4. We are sailing 25th Jan to early Feb does it get cold at all during this time. Coming from perth so need to pack as little as possible. Would one jacket or jumper be sufficient.

 

5. Can you use your seapass for gambling at the casino?

 

6. Can you use onboard credit for internet package. And can you chose internet on a day by day basis or do you need to buy it for the entire cruise. And is there any other things onboard that are excluded from onboard credit?

 

Thanks

 

1. You are better off getting a US adapter. The UK one might be connected to your fridge or hairdryer. Big W, KMart, any luggage store will sell US adapters for a reasonable price. See if you can get one with one or two USB plugs in it as well

2. Yes, Vanuatu accepts AUD$. Make sure you take smallish notes, eg $5, $10 for the markets. They will try and give you change in their money but if you insist (and they have it on hand), they will give AUD change

3. If you have an allocated time on your booking, then that's the time you go. If you have Anytime Dining, you can just show up or book a time. You can book each night for the next night if you want.

4. Unless you are a cold frog, there is no need for a jacket. It is summer out there too and will probably be hotter than Australia

5. I believe you can use your Seapass for the Casino but remember to be disciplined

6. Yes you can use OBC for internet. There will usually be a package price which obviously works out the cheapest price per day. You can buy just a day here and there if you want at a higher price. On our last cruise, someone told us that the one day pass lasts from when you buy it till the end of that day (not 24 hours). Not 100% sure as this was someone else's experience.

[robinph]

Sorry guys, I'm sure these questions have been asked before, just in a rush getting 3 kids ready and wanting to be as prepared as possible.

 

1. Is this correct you need a US or Euro adaptor (Is a UK adaptor different from a Euro adaptor as this is the only one i can find at our shop)

 

2. Does Vila Vanuatu accept Aussie dollars

 

3. Do you need to book for the main dining or do you just rock up at your allotted time slot?

 

4. We are sailing 25th Jan to early Feb does it get cold at all during this time. Coming from perth so need to pack as little as possible. Would one jacket or jumper be sufficient.

 

5. Can you use your seapass for gambling at the casino?

 

6. Can you use onboard credit for internet package. And can you chose internet on a day by day basis or do you need to buy it for the entire cruise. And is there any other things onboard that are excluded from onboard credit?

 

Thanks

 

 

Hi Jadekatz, we to are on this cruise, not long to go now. The cabins have both European and US powerpoints, but we find the European is much better for charging Australian appliances. We take a small power block with two powerpoint outlets and 4 USB ports used with the European adaptor,and we find this more than sufficient. I always take a light cardigan for day and night, mainly for inside as the aircondtioning can be quite cold in some parts of the ship. Sometimes it can be a bit windy and cool on deck to while at sea. Once in the island the weather will be HOT, HOT, HOT!. Don't forget to take small denomination notes for taxis, water taxis or market stalls. Enjoy your cruise Robin