Need help rating this reposition cruise ticket

enveloped on 29/12/2018 - 23:04
Last edited 30/12/2018 - 00:25

First time buying cruise ticket - I wish my retired parents come to Australia from Singapore for the Christmas in a slow-paced cruise, as they wanted to try once (of course the son pays), then they will fly back the usual way. It seems there is only one reposition cruise available for that:

https://www.cruiseaway.com.au/cruise/splendours-of-indonesia…

It's full board, 18 days at $2800 per person, so $5600 for both of my parents. It's the price for an inside cabin for 2 people.

Do you think the price is good? Is there another website to search for?

(Also, they have only one entry to Australia on their VISAs. I guess they are considered entering Australia on the 10th day when the cruise hit Australia for the first time at Darwin port, not having to enter the border again when the ship hit Sydney by the end.)

Travel Cruise

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 29/12/2018 - 23:18

    Seems like a good deal - which cruise line? Personally I always prefer a balcony room.

    • JimmyF on 29/12/2018 - 23:20

      Ship is Carnival Splendor, so………

      • enveloped on 30/12/2018 - 00:27
        +1

        Can you say the unspoken?

        • JimmyF on 30/12/2018 - 10:53

          Carnival? Sure…… but after saying its on the Carnival Splendor there isn't really a need to double up on that ;)

  • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2018 - 00:07
    +3

    $2800 per person, so $4600 for both of my parents

    I'm waiting on mathnerd to confirm this.

    • enveloped on 30/12/2018 - 00:26

      Updated. Stayed up too late.

  • Agarwal on 30/12/2018 - 00:19

    This includes flights from Sydney to Singapore before the cruise. Since your parents are coming from Singapore, you can book directly from Carnival for around 1649pp for an inside cabin, and then just book the return flights yourself.

    Royal Caribbean also has a repositioning cruise from Singapore in November, it's slightly shorter and doesn't include Indonesia.

    • enveloped on 30/12/2018 - 00:33

      you can book directly from Carnival for around 1649pp

      Excellent!

      Royal Caribbean also has a repositioning cruise from Singapore in November, it's slightly shorter and doesn't include Indonesia.

      Did a bit of Googling, you must be referring to this:

      http://www.repositioncruises.com/royal-caribbean-repositioni…

      2019 November 16 – 14-day from Singapore to Sydney, visiting Darwin (21), Yorky’s (25), Airlie Beach (26), Brisbane (28) – prices from $1150 pp.

      With this new shorter option, it's possible to use a better cabin within the budget. Thanks a lot!

      • RandomNinja on 30/12/2018 - 09:46
        +1

        I did the Royal Caribbean repositioning cruise earlier this year, but in the other direction. We had an inside cabin that has a window overlooking the main promenade which is fun if you enjoy a bit of people watching, plus it's a bit larger than the regular inside cabins. Downside is it can get noisy if they're having dance parties out on the promenade.

        We found RC to be ok for our family, not many kids facilities but that won't matter for your parents. On my trip, the pools were very heavily salted, to the point where my young kids wouldn't swim in it as it made their skin feel uncomfortable. The wait staff were pushy about onboard upselling (compared to other cruise lines), esp with drink and restaurant packages.

        The repositioning cruise includes an extended stint at sea between SG and AU which got boring for us as it was at the end of our itinerary and we'd already fully explored the boat. Since it's at the start of your itinerary, hopefully it'll be much better - but wouldn't hurt for your parents to bring along some of their own entertainment.

        So, that's the negatives out of the way, what was great about RC?
        The shows were pretty good, with features on the main stage and on the ice skating rink.
        Foodwise, it's about average in my experience, but they do have BBQs on the deck during sea days and the restaurant breakfasts are actually pretty awesome (don't do buffet breakfast if you can help it). We only tried the Japanese onboard restaurant, but that was mostly cos we craved Asian food after a week; they had a couple of dishes that shone, but otherwise pretty standard.
        Drinks are exxy (eg: US$10 for a beer), so if your parent drink it may be worth considering the drinks package.
        The shore excursion pricing isn't horrible if it's just your parents. We did the math for our family and it worked out cheaper for us to organise our own activities, but for two people the premium seems justifiable to save all the time and effort of doing it yourself.

        Overall, I think the RC cruise will be a great option for your parents' first cruise. Just be careful if they get a taste for it since you're paying! ;)

  • try2bhelpful on 30/12/2018 - 00:47
    +1

    Also worth checking cruiseguru for options. An outside cabin would be nicer to get some daylight.

  • norrisrules on 30/12/2018 - 07:39
    +1

    I would never do an inside room again. Because there's no natural light to wake you up, you can sleep for 10 hours and still feel exhausted. Always do ocean view or better. Price looks good though

  • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2018 - 10:36

    Does travel insurance cover septic Komodo dragon bite limb loss?

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