Rare arxcards Posted June 28 #1951 Share Posted June 28 (edited) 59 minutes ago, Chiliburn said: I have been trawling for years for anything on the RCG private island in Vanuatu. News papers,construction tenders,government planning and I haven’t found anything of substance. Cox architects had it on their books but that seems to have faded away ,they don’t seem to be involved. This is all that has popped up ,a renovation of the chief’s hut and they are hoping for foreign aid from Australia or N.Z . You would think a company that spends a Billion dollars regularly on a new ship could put a roof on the a hut . https://www.dailypost.vu/news/lelepa-community-begins-renovation-of-old-chiefs-nakamal/article_d1fdbde2-2c1c-50e1-b7a1-f13c6ae16e31.html Maybe so. Money dissolves in Vanuatu. I am pretty sure that along with the other lines visiting Port Vila, that a fair bit of money is fed into local coffers via port charges, and then they support via tour companies and admission fees. For the amount of tourist dollars in the area, they can't afford to keep an airline in the air, maintain a hospital to a polyclinic standard or even fill the craters they call potholes. Hard to be charitable when funds don't make it to where they are meant to be spent. Maybe we could do a working bee? Edited June 28 by arxcards 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted June 28 #1952 Share Posted June 28 Where is the money? or perhaps more aptly, where does the money go? is a huge issue in Vanautu. Apart from Geoff's points above, I am aware of the situation with the Convention Centre, opened in 2016 built with Chinese money (USD$16M reportedly). Local tourist operators will drive you by, saying that you can not go in, as the country does not have enough money to pay for the electricity to turn on the lights. Apparently, the deal for the Centre was tied in with the building of new Offices of the Prime Minister's Department.😮 I'm up for a CC working bee!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted June 28 #1953 Share Posted June 28 1 hour ago, Chiliburn said: I have been trawling for years for anything on the RCG private island in Vanuatu. News papers,construction tenders,government planning and I haven’t found anything of substance. Cox architects had it on their books but that seems to have faded away ,they don’t seem to be involved. This is all that has popped up ,a renovation of the chief’s hut and they are hoping for foreign aid from Australia or N.Z . You would think a company that spends a Billion dollars regularly on a new ship could put a roof on the a hut . https://www.dailypost.vu/news/lelepa-community-begins-renovation-of-old-chiefs-nakamal/article_d1fdbde2-2c1c-50e1-b7a1-f13c6ae16e31.html I notice one of the biggest blogger supporters of Lelepa now has doubts it is going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted June 28 #1954 Share Posted June 28 Apart from tribal wants and the corruption in these remote places. Getting someone to do things and getting building materials is the biggest challenge. You can’t call ready mix for a truck of concrete and go to Bunnings for some bits and pieces. And the market just isn’t there like the Caribbean. I think the fella that signed the lease is probably the idiot that planned the world cruise. I forgot his name but he was shown the back door. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare arxcards Posted June 29 #1955 Share Posted June 29 (edited) 19 hours ago, Chiliburn said: Apart from tribal wants and the corruption in these remote places. Getting someone to do things and getting building materials is the biggest challenge. You can’t call ready mix for a truck of concrete and go to Bunnings for some bits and pieces. And the market just isn’t there like the Caribbean. I think the fella that signed the lease is probably the idiot that planned the world cruise. I forgot his name but he was shown the back door. Kandos of the Seas to the rescue 😉 (PS: No, I don't have the photoshop skills to turn Quantum into a cement ship, complete with a North Star pumping boom). Edited June 29 by arxcards PS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted June 29 #1956 Share Posted June 29 (edited) 17 minutes ago, arxcards said: Kandos of the Seas to the rescue 😉 (PS: No, I don't have the photoshop skills to turn Quantum into a cement ship, complete with a North Star pumping boom). Maybe they could just ground a ship like the Philippines did and call it a resort. Tenement of the seas . Edited June 29 by Chiliburn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodscruise Posted June 29 Author #1957 Share Posted June 29 Royal Caribbean to Deploy Two Ships in Australia in 2025-26 June 28, 2024 Two Royal Caribbean International ships are set to spend the 2025-26 winter season in Australia and the South Pacific. Sailing in the region for the first time, the Anthem of the Seas is set to offer various itineraries from Sydney. The Quantum-class ship will be joined by the Voyager of the Seas, which returns to Australia after a hiatus for cruises departing from Brisbane. Together, the vessels will offer a total of 44 cruises in the region, including two- to 18-night itineraries to the South Pacific, New Zealand, and Australia, sailing between November 2025 and April 2026. Following a repositioning cruise from Hawaii, the Anthem of the Seas will offer 24 departures from Sydney. The program of the 4,100-guest ship features short coastal cruises, in addition to five-night cruises to Tasmania and nine- to 18-night itineraries to the South Pacific islands and New Zealand. Ports of call being visited include Noumea, Dunedin, Bay of Islands, Port Vila, Mystery Island, Airlie Beach and Hobart. Debuting in Brisbane, the Voyager of the Seas offers a total of 20 cruises to destinations in Australia and the South Pacific. Itineraries include seven- to nine-night cruises to Noumea, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu, as well as four, six, and seven-night cruises to Airlie Beach and Cairns on Australia’s Queensland coast. The Voyager’s program is highlighted by the introduction of a new destination to Royal Caribbean’s lineup in the region: Luganville in Vanuatu. Before starting its 2025-26 season in Australia, the 1999-built ship also offers a repositioning cruise from Singapore. The 12-night cruise sails to Brisbane and features visits to destinations in Indonesia and Australia such as Bali, Darwin and Yorkeys Knob. For the 2024-25 season, Royal Caribbean International is also deploying two ships in Australia, including the Quantum of the Seas sailing from Brisbane and the Ovation of the Seas sailing from Sydney. Source Cruise News 28June 2024 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted June 29 #1958 Share Posted June 29 2 hours ago, woodscruise said: Royal Caribbean to Deploy Two Ships in Australia in 2025-26 June 28, 2024 Two Royal Caribbean International ships are set to spend the 2025-26 winter season in Australia and the South Pacific. Sailing in the region for the first time, the Anthem of the Seas is set to offer various itineraries from Sydney. The Quantum-class ship will be joined by the Voyager of the Seas, which returns to Australia after a hiatus for cruises departing from Brisbane. Together, the vessels will offer a total of 44 cruises in the region, including two- to 18-night itineraries to the South Pacific, New Zealand, and Australia, sailing between November 2025 and April 2026. Following a repositioning cruise from Hawaii, the Anthem of the Seas will offer 24 departures from Sydney. The program of the 4,100-guest ship features short coastal cruises, in addition to five-night cruises to Tasmania and nine- to 18-night itineraries to the South Pacific islands and New Zealand. Ports of call being visited include Noumea, Dunedin, Bay of Islands, Port Vila, Mystery Island, Airlie Beach and Hobart. Debuting in Brisbane, the Voyager of the Seas offers a total of 20 cruises to destinations in Australia and the South Pacific. Itineraries include seven- to nine-night cruises to Noumea, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu, as well as four, six, and seven-night cruises to Airlie Beach and Cairns on Australia’s Queensland coast. The Voyager’s program is highlighted by the introduction of a new destination to Royal Caribbean’s lineup in the region: Luganville in Vanuatu. Before starting its 2025-26 season in Australia, the 1999-built ship also offers a repositioning cruise from Singapore. The 12-night cruise sails to Brisbane and features visits to destinations in Indonesia and Australia such as Bali, Darwin and Yorkeys Knob. For the 2024-25 season, Royal Caribbean International is also deploying two ships in Australia, including the Quantum of the Seas sailing from Brisbane and the Ovation of the Seas sailing from Sydney. Source Cruise News 28June 2024 This is just a recycled news article from April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare arxcards Posted June 29 #1959 Share Posted June 29 The headline had me there for a bit. I saw the winter bit, and thought Royal was finally committing to a year round homeporting. Then I realised it is actually for our summer, and should probably read that way, instead of RCI's head office winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted June 29 #1960 Share Posted June 29 12 hours ago, woodscruise said: Royal Caribbean to Deploy Two Ships in Australia in 2025-26 June 28, 2024 Two Royal Caribbean International ships are set to spend the 2025-26 winter season in Australia and the South Pacific. Sailing in the region for the first time, the Anthem of the Seas is set to offer various itineraries from Sydney. The Quantum-class ship will be joined by the Voyager of the Seas, which returns to Australia after a hiatus for cruises departing from Brisbane. Together, the vessels will offer a total of 44 cruises in the region, including two- to 18-night itineraries to the South Pacific, New Zealand, and Australia, sailing between November 2025 and April 2026. Following a repositioning cruise from Hawaii, the Anthem of the Seas will offer 24 departures from Sydney. The program of the 4,100-guest ship features short coastal cruises, in addition to five-night cruises to Tasmania and nine- to 18-night itineraries to the South Pacific islands and New Zealand. Ports of call being visited include Noumea, Dunedin, Bay of Islands, Port Vila, Mystery Island, Airlie Beach and Hobart. Debuting in Brisbane, the Voyager of the Seas offers a total of 20 cruises to destinations in Australia and the South Pacific. Itineraries include seven- to nine-night cruises to Noumea, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu, as well as four, six, and seven-night cruises to Airlie Beach and Cairns on Australia’s Queensland coast. The Voyager’s program is highlighted by the introduction of a new destination to Royal Caribbean’s lineup in the region: Luganville in Vanuatu. Before starting its 2025-26 season in Australia, the 1999-built ship also offers a repositioning cruise from Singapore. The 12-night cruise sails to Brisbane and features visits to destinations in Indonesia and Australia such as Bali, Darwin and Yorkeys Knob. For the 2024-25 season, Royal Caribbean International is also deploying two ships in Australia, including the Quantum of the Seas sailing from Brisbane and the Ovation of the Seas sailing from Sydney. Source Cruise News 28June 2024 Michael ,with Serenade unusually not having a deployment for 25-26 and just about no domestic cruises to southern Australia. I wonder is Royal Caribbean are waiting on a extension of the cruise ship exemption on coastal trading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare arxcards Posted June 30 #1961 Share Posted June 30 4 hours ago, Chiliburn said: I wonder is Royal Caribbean are waiting on a extension of the cruise ship exemption on coastal trading. That is just a bollocks CLIA thought bubble about why cruise ships are departing. There has been an exemption in place since 1998. The current exemption is in play because the 12yo Coastal Trading act is not ready to be implemented. When it becomes law, each of the cruise lines just need to apply for 2 year permits for each ship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinbadThePorter Posted June 30 #1962 Share Posted June 30 (edited) On 6/29/2024 at 10:34 AM, Chiliburn said: Maybe they could just ground a ship like the Philippines did and call it a resort. Tenement of the seas . The itinerary looks good, but I'm not doing formal night. 😎 Edited June 30 by SinbadThePorter 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishRobbie Posted July 1 #1963 Share Posted July 1 Will be quite a while until they're on sale, however Sydney Ports are showing Anthem of the Seas homeporting here in our 2026/27 summer season. Arrives Friday 30/10, leaves Wednesday 14/4 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted July 1 #1964 Share Posted July 1 35 minutes ago, ScottishRobbie said: Will be quite a while until they're on sale, however Sydney Ports are showing Anthem of the Seas homeporting here in our 2026/27 summer season. Arrives Friday 30/10, leaves Wednesday 14/4 Thanks Anthem should be on the Oz Alaska shuttle for around 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted July 1 #1965 Share Posted July 1 (edited) 14 minutes ago, springaussie said: Thanks Anthem should be on the Oz Alaska shuttle for around 5 years. L.A is rumoured to expand its cruise port ,I think they are talking about another 5 wharfs and terminals .That could jeopardise things with the Alaska rotation. https://www.cruisehive.com/port-of-los-angeles-seeks-to-enhance-and-expand/138299 Edited July 1 by Chiliburn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted July 4 #1966 Share Posted July 4 My first thought at looking at the Sydney 26/27 port bookings for Anthem was this looks like a Lelepa itinerary. No 3 nighters Heaps of 9 night cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted July 4 #1967 Share Posted July 4 (edited) 3 hours ago, springaussie said: My first thought at looking at the Sydney 26/27 port bookings for Anthem was this looks like a Lelepa itinerary. No 3 nighters Heaps of 9 night cruises. There’s usually a couple of booze cruises or samplers to get the punters in. I don’t know about Lelepa but at least we have a ship here . Any news on Serenade? Edited July 4 by Chiliburn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted July 4 #1968 Share Posted July 4 8 minutes ago, Chiliburn said: There’s usually a couple of booze cruises or samplers to get the punters in. I don’t know about Lelepa but at least we have a ship here . Any news on Serenade? No news on Serenade changing to Brisbane. Serenade still has port booking Astoria, Los Angeles, Grand Cayman and heaps in St Marten over a 12 month period. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted July 4 #1969 Share Posted July 4 16 hours ago, springaussie said: No news on Serenade changing to Brisbane. Serenade still has port booking Astoria, Los Angeles, Grand Cayman and heaps in St Marten over a 12 month period. If my wild idea of Royal swapping Serenade for Voyager ,did happen. Do you think Voyager could take those bookings in the Caribbean? It won’t happen but the potential is there. They wouldn’t have to pay the half million for Panama and the extra million in fuel for Voyager to go around the bottom of Africa .And a trans pacific on Serenade to Singapore would sell in a flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted July 4 #1970 Share Posted July 4 41 minutes ago, Chiliburn said: If my wild idea of Royal swapping Serenade for Voyager ,did happen. Do you think Voyager could take those bookings in the Caribbean? It won’t happen but the potential is there. They wouldn’t have to pay the half million for Panama and the extra million in fuel for Voyager to go around the bottom of Africa .And a trans pacific on Serenade to Singapore would sell in a flash. Chilli I have watching for Serenade to take over Brisbane 25/26 since the Voyager deployment went on sale. Yes I think Voyager would have no problems taking over the Caribbean itineraries. The big question is where Voyager will be Mid 2026. [Apparently Lelepa is opening late 2026. Plus Royal has no plans to base a ship in Oz for our Winter for now. (President’s Cruise) ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted July 5 #1971 Share Posted July 5 (edited) 2 hours ago, springaussie said: Chilli I have watching for Serenade to take over Brisbane 25/26 since the Voyager deployment went on sale. Yes I think Voyager would have no problems taking over the Caribbean itineraries. The big question is where Voyager will be Mid 2026. [Apparently Lelepa is opening late 2026. Plus Royal has no plans to base a ship in Oz for our Winter for now. (President’s Cruise) ] 2026 ! Anything could happen,we might even be looking at a Oasis in the Pacific.There’s going to be 10 of the big ships around then. Voyager could go around the bottom of South America after a Christmas in the Caribbean . Miami ,cape horn ,L.A and on to Brisbane. What route did Mariner take around South America, It had passengers . Edited July 5 by Chiliburn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted July 5 #1972 Share Posted July 5 2 minutes ago, Chiliburn said: 2026 ! Anything could happen,we might even be looking at an Oasis in the Pacific.There’s going to be 10 of the big ships around then. What route did Marina take around South America, It had passengers . Mariner went around South America while being deployed in Los Angeles. Mariner and Voyager both went thru the Suez getting to and from Singapore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted July 6 #1973 Share Posted July 6 Does anyone want to have a guess on the schedule for the 9 nighters from Sydney apparently going to Lelepa 26/27 season. I reckon at least one way will 3 days (4 nights) to or from Sydney and 2 days at Lelepa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax1972 Posted July 6 #1974 Share Posted July 6 On 6/29/2024 at 6:49 PM, woodscruise said: ... The Voyager’s program is highlighted by the introduction of a new destination to Royal Caribbean’s lineup in the region: Luganville in Vanuatu. I went there in 2014 on Rhapsody OTS. Not a new destination at all. Didn't get off the boat though... too sunburnt from Champagne Bay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliburn Posted July 6 #1975 Share Posted July 6 3 minutes ago, madmax1972 said: I went there in 2014 on Rhapsody OTS. Not a new destination at all. Didn't get off the boat though... too sunburnt from Champagne Bay! I think Brilliance went to luganville last season or was supposed to . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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