Tag: cruise tips

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: First Impressions After Anthem’s FIRST Cruise in Australia!

by Deb & Matt | Dec 11, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

After three unforgettable days onboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, we’re wrapping up our series with some final thoughts and honest first impressions! 🇦🇺

Anthem has officially launched her first Australian cruise season, sailing from Sydney’s Circular Quay, and in this quick 6-minute review we share what stood out — from the Two70 entertainment to the Seaplex, food, and those all-important crew and cabin experiences.

We talk about the people we met, the parties, and whether we think Anthem of the Seas is the perfect ship for cruising in Australia.

🎥 Highlights:
✅ Two70 & Seaplex – entertainment that blew us away
🍽️ Dining & food review – from buffet to MDR
🛏️ Virtual Balcony cabin impressions
🏊 Pools, parties & atmosphere
📍 Boarding and sailing from Circular Quay, Sydney

🛳️ Ship: Anthem of the Seas
⚓ Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
📆 Season: First Australian sailings – 2025

👉 Watch the full Anthem of the Seas Australia Cruise Series playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrIRRgMzmBX3PAvrpolzbWRg

CHAPTER MARKERS

00:00 Intro
00:34 Eden
01:24 Meeting People
01:51 Parties
02:11 Seaplex
02:28 Pools
02:46 Two70 Entertainment
03:35 Food
04:30 Cabin Steward
05:16 Virtual Balcony
05:41 Circular Quay Location

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Whales, Seafood & Sailaway | Anthem of the Seas Visits Eden Australia

by Deb & Matt | Dec 5, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

It’s our final day aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas 🇦🇺 and what a way to finish – with whales, seafood and stunning coastal views!

Today we arrive in Eden, New South Wales, one of Australia’s most picturesque regional cruise ports. Join us as we explore the Tastes of Eden Festival, visit the historic Seahorse Inn, and stroll through the town’s heritage walk along Two Fold Bay.

Matt hunts down his favourite smoked seafood chowder, we enjoy a relaxed sail-away watching whales, and wrap up our cruise with dinner in the Main Dining Room and a quick review of Anthem of the Seas.

Eden is a great family friendly destination.

So Join Deb & Matt as we share our latest cruise vlog from the Anthem of the Seas cruise ship arriving in Eden! We had a glorious day exploring the Tastes of Eden Festival, enjoying yummy local foods and the stunning weather during our Royal Caribbean cruise. This eating and travel experience was truly unforgettable.

🌊 Highlights:
✅ Tastes of Eden Festival & local food stalls
🐋 Whale watching from Anthem of the Seas
🏨 Historic Seahorse Inn at Two Fold Bay
🍽️ Cruise buffet & final MDR dinner
👨‍👩‍👦 Family-friendly cruising in Australia

📍 Port: Eden NSW, Australia
🛳️ Ship: Anthem of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International
🎥 Series: Anthem of the Seas Australia Cruise Vlogs 2025

==========
CHAPTERS
==========
00:00 Intro
00:11 Anthem of the Seas Cruise
01:40 Tastes of Eden Festival
03:51 Two Fold Bay
04:35 Smoked Seafood Chowder
10:04 Seahorse Inn
13:24 Eden New South Wales
19:02 Eden History Walk
20:04 Crusie Port Eden
22:26 Cruise Dad Joke
22:50 Cruise Buffet
23:11 Sailaway Eden
23:50 Whale watching on cruise ships
24:50 Family Friendly Cruising
25:41 Main Dining Room MDR
29:05 Review Anthem of the Seas

#AnthemoftheSeas #CruiseVlog #RoyalCaribbean #DebAndMattChat #EdenNSW #CruiseAustralia #SydneyCruise #WhaleWatching #CruiseFood #RoyalCaribbeanAustralia

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Carnival Rewards Changes Explained + New AirAsia Cruise Deals! | Aussie Cruise News LIVE

by Deb & Matt | Nov 26, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

oin Deb & Matt Chat LIVE as we dive into the biggest cruise news of the week! 🚢🌏
Tonight we’re breaking down major updates across the cruise world — from loyalty program changes, new rewards partnerships and exciting news for Australian travellers. Grab a drink, jump in the chat and let’s talk cruising!

✨ This week’s Cruise News topics include:

🔹 CarnivalRewards.com updates — what’s changing, what’s new, and what it means for Aussie cruisers
🔹 CarnivalRewards.com.au launch — how it works, earning points, redemptions & what to look out for
🔹 Australia’s first five-star river cruise expanding — big news for luxury river cruising Down Under
(Ref: VIC Government announcement)
🔹 AirAsia Rewards partners with Arrivia — a brand-new way to book cruises through AirAsia Rewards
🔹 What this means for Aussie travellers, loyalty points collectors & cruise deal hunters

We’ll also cover:
💬 Live viewer questions
🎉 Our latest cruise updates
🛳 Tips for getting the most value out of cruise rewards programs
🎥 Behind-the-scenes from our Anthem of the Seas content

Whether you’re cruising Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, P&O or new river itineraries, this week’s live chat has something for every cruiser!

👉 Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & join us in the live chat!
👉 Replay watchers – comment your questions below!

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise Chill Day on Anthem of the Seas | Free Ice Cream & 80s Party Fun!

by Deb & Matt | Nov 22, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Day 2 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas was all about relaxation, great food, and retro fun! 🛳️✨

Join us as we explore some of the must-see and do spots onboard — from free ice cream on the pool deck to the Solarium Bistro and a night full of neon and nostalgia at the Totally Awesome 80s Party! 🎉

Join Deb & Matt as they share their second day aboard the Anthem of the Seas cruise ship. This cruise vlog captures their morning routine, breakfast, and explorations around the royal caribbean vessel. It’s a fun couple vlog showcasing their experience cruising on this magnificent cruise ship.

Whether you’re planning your first cruise or just love ship-life, this vlog shows what a perfect sea day on Anthem looks like.

🍦 Highlights:
✅ Free Ice Cream on a Cruise Ship!
🍽️ Solarium Bistro & Main Dining Room
🕺 80s Party onboard Anthem of the Seas
👀 WOW moments you’ll want to experience yourself!

📍 Ship: Anthem of the Seas
⚓ Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
🇦🇺 Departing From: Sydney, Australia

==========
CHAPTERS
==========
00:00 Intro
02:54 WOW
04:47 Must See and Do
06:01 Free Ice Cream on a Cruise Ship
10:05 Solarium Bistro – Anthem of the Seas
12:08 Main Dining Room
12:57 My Time Dining
14:09 Royal Caribbean MDR
16:16 80s Party

#cruise #cruisevlog #cruisetips #cruiseadvice #cruisehacks #travel #travelcouple #cruiselife #traveladvice #travelhints

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Black Friday Travel DEALS + This Week’s Cruise Headlines | LIVE with Deb & Matt

by Deb & Matt | Nov 19, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Join Deb & Matt LIVE for this week’s Let’s Chat About It — packed full of cruise news, travel updates and our favourite Black Friday travel deals!

Here’s what we’re diving into this week:
🚢 Virgin Voyages Black Friday Mega Sale

Virgin releases its lowest fares ever and offers up to 70% off the second sailor, plus bonus bar tabs — one of the biggest promotions they’ve ever run. Great deals on 2024–26 sailings.

🍽️ Carnival Expands Adults-Only Premium Menu

Carnival is expanding its premium dining menus across adults-only sailings, improving entrée quality, dessert options, and elevated specialty offerings.

Carnival Launches New Zero-Alcohol Drinks Package

Carnival unveils a new zero-proof beverage package, but there’s controversy: not all inclusions from the alcoholic packages carry over, meaning guests may still face gaps in value.

Celebrity Cruises 2027–28 Edge-Class Sailings

Celebrity reveals new Australia & New Zealand itineraries aboard Edge-class ships, with prices starting from $200 per night, offering premium experiences at competitive pricing.

PLUS — OUR FAVOURITE BLACK FRIDAY TRAVEL DEALS

Cruises, flights, hotels and travel tech we actually recommend — with real value, not gimmicks.

#CruiseNews #DebAndMattChat #CruisingAustralia #CruiseVloggers #CruiseCommunity #BlackFridayDeals #CruiseSales #VirginVoyages #CarnivalCruise #PrincessCruises #CelebrityCruises

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Anthem of the Seas Interior Cabin Tour | Virtual Balcony Room 11229

by Deb & Matt | Nov 18, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Step inside our home at sea! 🛳️
Join Deb & Matt as we provide an in-depth walkthrough tour of our cabin on the Anthem of the Seas cruise ship, specifically cabin 11229. This cruise vlog guides you through finding your room key and exploring the various features of a Royal Caribbean cruise cabin. We share all the details of our living space on this fantastic cruise ship.
In this video, we share our first impressions of Interior Cabin 11229 on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas — featuring the famous Virtual Balcony.

We take you through every detail — from storage and sockets to the bathroom, fridge, and what it’s really like cruising without a window but with a live HD view of the ocean. 🌊

💡 Is the Virtual Balcony worth the upgrade?
You’ll see our honest thoughts after stepping onboard in Sydney for Anthem’s first Australian season!

👉 What you’ll see in this video:
⚓ Full cabin walkthrough & layout
🔌 Power, storage, desk & amenities tour
🚿 Bathroom & shower review
📺 Virtual Balcony demo
💬 Final verdict – Would we book this again?

📍 Ship: Anthem of the Seas
🛏️ Cabin: Interior Virtual Balcony – Room 11229
⚓ Departing From: Sydney, Australia

==========
CHAPTERS
==========
🕒 CHAPTER MARKERS

00:00 Intro
00:47 Room Entry
01:05 Main Power
01:17 Air Conditioning
01:31 Full-Length Mirror
01:39 Bathroom
02:40 Shower
04:00 Sofa Bed
04:25 Power Sockets
04:46 Desk
05:08 Kettle in Cabin
05:27 Hair Dryer
05:42 Room Service
05:53 Room Service Charges
06:47 More Storage
06:58 Fridge
07:21 Travelling with Medication
07:33 Cabin Safe
08:00 Room Phone
08:42 TV
09:26 Twin Bed Configuration
09:46 Bedside Power
09:56 Virtual Balcony
10:42 Virtual Balcony Worth It?
10:59 First Impressions and Final Thoughts

#AnthemoftheSeas #RoyalCaribbean #CruiseCabinTour #DebAndMattChat #VirtualBalcony #SydneyCruise #RoyalCaribbeanAustralia #InteriorCabin #CruiseVlog

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Anthem of the Seas Boarding Day | First Cruise from Sydney!

by Deb & Matt | Nov 14, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Join us as we embark on ⁨@RoyalCaribbeanAUNZ⁩ Anthem of the Seas — her first-ever cruise from Sydney, Australia! 🇦🇺
Deb & Matt are finally boarding Anthem of the Seas cruise ship in Sydney! Join us as we experience our first cruise travel on this amazing cruise ship. We even managed to get a peek at the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the ship!
In this vlog, we share our full embarkation day experience from the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, including helpful tips, hidden food hacks, and some familiar cruise friends along the way.

We’ll show you what it’s like boarding one of Royal Caribbean’s most high-tech ships, explore the Windjammer Buffet, Seaplex Laser Tag, and the Sailaway Party from Sydney Harbour — plus the Halloween theme night fun and balloon drop finale! 🎈

👀 Watch for:
⚓ Cruise day hacks & check-in tips
🥗 Secret buffet options you don’t want to miss
🎭 Theme night & Halloween fun on board
🎥 Behind the scenes of our Sydney sailaway live stream!

Watch @Horton_Novak
Watch @TheCruiseandTravelGuy

📍 Embarkation Port: Sydney, Australia
🛳 Ship: Anthem of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
📆 Event: First Royal Caribbean cruise from Australia 2025

You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/
&
https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat
🎞️🍿🎬🍿

==========
CHAPTERS
==========
00:00 Intro
03:16 HACK Laundry on a Cruise
04:21 Bag Drop
05:08 Cruise Café
05:21 Before You Board – Safety Briefing
06:44 Norton Hovak Meetup
06:53 Adrian The Cruise and Travel Guy
07:09 Boarding Anthem of the Seas
07:51 First Stop – Muster Station
08:23 Familiar Cruise Crew
08:40 Washy Washy
08:57 Cruise Hygiene
09:36 Windjammer Buffet
12:17 Cruise Buffet Secret
12:41 Stir-fry on a Cruise
14:23 Carvery Lunch
17:00 Ship Highlights 1
19:55 HINT: First Day Offers
21:35 Ship Highlights 2
23:10 Activities On Board
23:36 Sydney Sailaway – Anthem of the Seas
24:13 LIVE STREAM Sydney Sailaway
25:21 Laser Tag – Seaplex
26:22 Lost on a Cruise Ship
27:01 Cruise Theme Night
28:02 Specialty Dining – Izumi Anthem of the Seas
34:06 Balloon Drop
34:50 Costume Contest
35:01 Cruise Halloween Party
35:11 Anthem of the Seas Boarding Day Wrap-Up

#cruise #cruisevlog #cruisetips #cruiseadvice #cruisehacks #travel #travelcouple #cruiselife #traveladvice #travelhints
#CruiseSydney #DebAndMattChat #RoyalCaribbean

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: ⚓ LIVE: Cruise News, Ship Updates & What’s Coming Next!

by Deb & Matt | Nov 12, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Grab a drink and join Deb & Matt LIVE for this week’s “Let’s Chat About It” — your place for cruise news, updates, rumours and fun!
(Note the slightly later start time this week)

This week we’ll dive into the latest stories from the world of cruising, plus a few surprises along the way. Expect:
⚓ Cruise line announcements & ship updates
🛳️ Port news and itinerary changes
🎬 Viewer questions and cruise stories
🎁 Maybe even a laugh or two (and Matt’s weekly cruise joke!)

Whether you’re Team Royal, Carnival, Princess, or just love to sail — you’ll feel right at home here.

🕖 Live: Wednesday 715PM Brisbane / 815PM Sydney
🎥 Channel: Deb & Matt Chat

#CruiseNews #DebAndMattChat #CruisingAustralia #CruiseVloggers #CruiseCommunity

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Staying at YHA Sydney Harbour – Affordable Cruise Hotel Near Circular Quay!

by Deb & Matt | Nov 9, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Planning your Sydney cruise? 🚢 Before boarding Anthem of the Seas, we stayed just 6 minutes from the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal at YHA Sydney Harbour, right in The Rocks!

Join us for a detailed hostel tour of our stay in Sydney Australia! We’re checking out some cheap accommodation and showing you why it’s great budget accommodation. Explore Sydney hotels with us and get a feel for Hostels Sydney!

This historic and eco-friendly hostel surprised us — with private ensuite rooms, epic rooftop views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and unbeatable proximity to Circular Quay. Perfect for couples, families, or solo travellers looking for affordable Sydney accommodation before or after a cruise.

Join us as we take you through:
✅ How to check in and access the lifts
✅ Room tour of our Harbour View Ensuite
✅ Facilities, rooftop bar, and history of this unique site
✅ Our honest verdict — is it worth staying here before your cruise?

📍 YHA Sydney Harbour – The Rocks, Circular Quay
💡 Tip: It’s just a short walk to the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal where most major cruise lines depart!

00:00 Intro
00:30 How to Check-in
00:58 Lift Security
01:12 Hostel Accommodation For Couples
02:09 Historical Sydney Accommodation
02:37 YHA Sydney Harbour Facilities
04:45 YHA Sydney Harbour View Private Room
05:09 The View
06:10 Coffee and Tea
06:26 The Bed
06:53 Location Circular Quay Station
07:39 POWER
07:56 TV
08:09 Storage
09:03 YHA Ensuite Sydney Harbour
10:13 Unique Building and History
10:49 BEST VIEWS OF SYDNEY HARBOUR
11:06 Rooftop Lounge and Bar
12:09 Sydney Cruise Ship Accommodation
12:56 Is it Worth it?

#SydneyCruise #YHASydneyHarbour #SydneyAccommodation #CircularQuay #DebAndMattChat #AnthemoftheSeas #CruiseTips #SydneyTravel #RoyalCaribbeanAustralia #TheRocksSydney

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: ⚓ Breaking Cruise Updates: Viking Cancels Newcastle, Coral Adventurer Under Investigation & More!

by Deb & Matt | Nov 5, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Join Deb & Matt LIVE as we dive into this week’s massive cruise headlines from across Australia and beyond!

💥 This Week’s Top Cruise Stories:
🇸🇬 Singapore Cruise Hub Upgrade — The Marina Bay Cruise Centre has completed a major upgrade, strengthening Singapore’s position as Asia’s leading cruise hub and enhancing passenger flow, berthing capacity, and terminal efficiency

😔 Coral Adventurer Investigation — The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Queensland Police are investigating after a tragic passenger death during a shore excursion hike on Lizard Island. The ship remains docked as inquiries continue

✋ Viking Cancels Newcastle Call — Viking Cruises has cancelled its second scheduled visit to Newcastle, citing safety concerns linked to Rising Tide climate protests, disrupting local tourism plans

🌟 Star Princess Update — A celebrity couple has been announced as godparents of the Star Princess, ahead of her highly anticipated debut, symbolising the ship’s blend of elegance, innovation, and Hollywood sparkle

🌟 Disney Destiny Christening Ceremony Live Stream Scheduled for November 10th at 6:30PM

🎥 Plus — your comments, cruise tips, and LIVE viewer chat from 7PM Brisbane / 8PM Sydney!

#CruiseNews #DebAndMattChat #CruisingAustralia #CruiseVloggers #VikingCruises #CoralExpeditions #PrincessCruises #SingaporeCruise

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: 🚢 MASSIVE Cruise News! Carnival’s 2027-28 Upgrades + Royal Caribbean Loyalty Shake-Up!

by Deb & Matt | Oct 29, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

Join Deb & Matt LIVE as we dive into massive cruise news that’s rocking the Australian cruise scene!

🚢 CARNIVAL AUSTRALIA just dropped their 2027–2028 cruise season, including:
• Brand-new homeports in Auckland & Adelaide
• More sailings from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
• Over 200 cruises to 39 destinations across the South Pacific, Asia, and beyond

⚓ ROYAL CARIBBEAN announced a HUGE update to its loyalty program, giving cruisers even more reasons to stay loyal — plus, the Status Match program continues across all Royal Caribbean Group brands!

🎉 PLUS — Deb & Matt are about to set sail on Anthem of the Seas this weekend from Sydney to Eden — her first-ever Australian voyage!

Join the live chat, ask questions, and be part of the cruise community!
🕖 7PM Brisbane | 8PM Sydney

It’s Wednesday and that means it is time to chat about all things cruise and travel. See you tonight!

This week we will be getting cruise ready with Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas about to arrive for her first season in Australia. Plus we will be covering all the latest cruise news and getting cruise ready as we sail again in just a few days.

#CruiseNews #DebAndMattChat #CarnivalCruise #RoyalCaribbean #AnthemoftheSeas

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Carnival Encounter 80’s Cruise Finale | Dinner at Trattoria with Rob & Ali

by Deb & Matt | Oct 28, 2025 | YouTube: Deb And Matt Chat | 0 |

t’s the final day onboard Carnival Encounter, and we’re ending our 3-night 80’s themed cruise in style 🎉

Join us as we explore the **cruise ship buffet**, highlighting the delicious **cruise cuisine** and some unexpected moments! From trying new **food** options at **breakfast** to sharing our **cruise travel tips**, this video offers a glimpse into life onboard. We share some **cruise tips** for making the most of your time on the **cruise ship**.

In this vlog, we enjoy a relaxed sea day, talk about packing tips, share how we plan a cruise day, and finish with an amazing dinner at Trattoria alongside our good friends Rob & Ali from Rob & Ali Cruise & Travel.

We’ll show you a little more of the ship, some of the final 80’s entertainment, and wrap up our Carnival Encounter adventure with reflections, laughs, and farewells.

📍 Cruise: 3-Night 80’s Themed Cruise
🛳️ Ship: Carnival Encounter
⚓ Departure Port: Brisbane, Australia
🎥 Episode: Day 3 — Sea Day & Farewell Dinner

==========
CHAPTERS
==========
00:00 Intro
00:11 Breakfast
02:00 Planning a Cruise Day
05:28 Packing on a Cruise
07:27 Totally Awesome 80’s
08:52 Trattoria Dinner
15:05 Show Entertainment
16:35 Forever 80’s
17:32 Wrap Up