Tag: first time cruise tips

Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Top 10 Transpacific Cruise Tips | What We Learned Crossing the Pacific

Thinking of doing a Transpacific Cruise? 🌊
Whether you’re sailing from Hawaii to Sydney (like we did on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas) or crossing the Pacific the other way, this ultimate guide is packed with insider advice, lessons learned, and essential tips to help you make the most of your voyage.

We cover everything from packing and budgeting, to shore excursions, entertainment, rough seas, and the unexpected.
If you’re dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime ocean crossing — this is for you!

💡 What you’ll learn:
✅How to prepare for 2–3 weeks at sea
✅Packing tips and laundry hacks for long cruises
✅Budgeting and drinks package calculators
✅How to plan excursions in Tahiti, Moorea, and Raiatea
✅Why travel insurance is essential
✅Tips for staying healthy and active onboard
✅Cruise community hacks (meetups, themed nights, and pirate pub crawls!)
✅What to do when weather changes plans
✅Why the destination isn’t always the port — it’s the ship itself
✅And how to truly cherish the journey 🌅

Where we visited:
🌴Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
🌴Moorea, French Polynesia
🌴Raiatea, French Polynesia

🥝Auckland New Zealand
🏝️Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
👥 Presented by: Deb & Matt from Deb & Matt Chat
🛳️ Life, Cruise & Travel Adventures from Australia!
📍 Video Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:22 Transpacific and Relocation Cruising
00:56 TIP 1: Too many cruise sea days?
01:25 Cruise Spa
01:52 Things to do
03:35 Tip 2: Packing for a Transpacific Cruise
03:46 Layers are you Friend
04:34 Cruise Laundry and Clothes washing
06:18 Transpacific Cruise theme nights
06:44 Reduce your baggage weight
07:07 TIP 3 Stay Healthy
07:27 Exhausting Holiday
08:00 Port Day Rush
08:41 Cruising French Polyenisa Tahiti, Mooorea, Raiatea
09:06 Keep walking
09:32 Rough Seas
10:05 How we prepare
10:42 Travel Insurance
11:30 TIP 4 FOOD
11:58 Speciality Dining Treat
15:09 TIP 5 BUDGET
15:45 Look for offers
16:19 Should you buy the cruise Drinks Package
17:01 Drinks Package Calculators
17:45 Know whats included
18:51 TIP 6 The Cruise Community
19:04 Pre-Cruise meetups
19:54 Pirate Pub Crawls
20:57 Get to know the staff
21:36 TIP 7 Excursion Planning
21:56 Research, Research, Research
22:31 LOTS of Tender Ports
23:24 Extended Port Stops
24:45 Magical Moorea, Shore Excursions, Tours
25:21 Papeete French Polynesia Cruise Shore Excursions
25:59 Cruise Port Raiatea
26:30 Pearl Farm Visit Raiatea
27:19 Pack a poncho
27:47 Cruise line contact details
28:44 TIP 8 Entertainment and activities
29:25 Kids on Transpacific Cruise
30:23 Download your Cruise App
32:15 Theme Nights on a Transpacific or Transatlantic Cruise
34:34 Tip 9 Plan for the Unexpected on Cruise
34:54 Weather on a Transpacific Cruise
36:16 Bad Weather and Shore Excursions
38:24 Shore Excursion Break Down – Don’t be late!
38:44 The Destination is your ship
40:06 TIP 10 Cherish The Journey
41:11 Pacific Ocean Sunrise
41:54 Make Memories
42:14 Final Thoughts
42:44 Blooper
42:49 Bonus
42:55 Sailing in to Sydney Harbour

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

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Oceanview Stateroom E231 Review | Crown Princess Cruise Ship

In this video, we review our Oceanview Stateroom E231 on Crown Princess after staying in it for the second leg of our back-to-back cruise. 🌊🚢

We share our honest thoughts on the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between — from the medallion entry system and lighting to the bathroom setup, shower, and storage.

Highlights include:
✔️ Convenient Medallion entry system (but sometimes with delays)
✔️ Ample storage and wardrobe space
✔️ Oceanview window providing natural light
⚠️ Dim bathroom lighting & issues with the adjustable showerhead
✔️ Comfortable overall stay with pros and cons explained

If you’re considering booking E231 or a similar Oceanview cabin on Crown Princess, this video will give you the real story.

📍 Cabin: E231, Emerald Deck – Oceanview Stateroom
⚓ Ship: Crown Princess, Princess Cruises

👉 Subscribe and follow along with our Crown Princess Back-to-Back Cruise Series — daily vlogs, cabin reviews, and dining experiences!

#CrownPrincess #PrincessCruises #CruiseCabinReview #OceanviewCabin

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: What We Loved & Didn’t Love | Crown Princess Mini-Suite D301 Review

In this video, we review our Mini-Suite Stateroom D301 on Crown Princess at the end of our first back-to-back segment (Brisbane → Sydney). 🚢✨

We’ve spent a couple of days in this cabin and share our honest thoughts on the good and the not-so-good — from storage and lighting to the bathroom setup and bed area.

If you’re considering booking a Mini-Suite on Crown Princess, this video will give you a real idea of what to expect.

Highlights include:
✔️ Plenty of storage space (great for longer cruises)
✔️ Strong shower water pressure
✔️ Comfortable layout and lighting
⚠️ Some quirks like limited power outlets near the bed and a fixed showerhead height

This was our first Princess cruise, and this cabin was home for the Brisbane to Sydney leg before moving to a different stateroom for the return trip.

📍 Cabin: D301, Dolphin Deck – Mini-Suite
⚓ Ship: Crown Princess, Princess Cruises

👉 Subscribe and follow along as we continue our Crown Princess back-to-back series!

#CruiseVlog #CrownPrincess #PrincessCruises #CruiseCabinReview #MiniSuite

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You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/
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https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat
🎞️🍿🎬🍿
📽️ Cabin Tour Crown Princess D301
https://youtu.be/z9u9YiY5g20

📽️ Crown Princess Embarkation Day
https://youtu.be/3nvbf31UzXo

📽️ Crown Princess Dance Off with @CruiseCrazedFam
https://youtu.be/NWj4baawIUI

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Mini Suite Tour on Crown Princess You Have to See before you cruise!

Join us for a room tour of cabin D301, a mini suite on the Crown Princess! This cruise room offers a unique stateroom tour experience, showcasing what Princess Cruises has to offer, including regal accommodations and great cruise ship amenities.

Quick Stats:
Cruise line: Crown Princess
Ship: Cruise Princess
Stateroom Number: D301
Type: Mini-Suite
Category: MB
Location: Mid-Forward
Deck: 9 (Dolphin)
Bath Type: Shower/tub
Connecting Room: N/A
Average Size: 323 sq. ft.

👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE!
Your support helps us continue to bring you more fantastic cruise content. 🚢💕
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You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/
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Checkout out some other videos
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#cruise #princesscruise #cabintour #cruisetips #cruiseadvice #cruisehacks #travel #travelcouple #cruiselife #traveladvice #travelhints

Join us as we take you on a detailed walkthrough of cabin D301 on board a Princess Cruises cruise ship! This stateroom tour gives you an inside look at the amenities and layout of this particular cabin. If you are interested in a cruise ship tour, this is a great place to start!
📽️ More Room and Cabin Tours
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrJ5bridAKcgqxwHGl2FKh3C
📽️ Royal Caribbean MEGA Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrLMyRgi7seksqf8H4Vet_S0

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Cruise Q&A Secrets REVEALED by Two YouTube Couples

We are back with a special Q&A session, sharing our experiences and answering questions about cruising with our new friends! In this video we are joined by  ⁨@robandalicruisetravel⁩  on a Carnival Encounter cruise, while sharing cruise tips. We discuss our collaboration and what it’s like to meet fellow creators while traveling. and some of our top-tips and bucket list cruises.

👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE!
Your support helps us continue to bring you more fantastic cruise content. 🚢💕
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You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/
&
https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat
🎞️🍿🎬🍿
Checkout out some other videos
📽️ More Room and Cabin Tours
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrJ5bridAKcgqxwHGl2FKh3C
📽️ Royal Caribbean MEGA Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrLMyRgi7seksqf8H4Vet_S0

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

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: The PROS and CONS of Cabin 10206 on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas

We are back with another #Cruise #Cabin Review! Welcome to 10206. We have been staying in this cabin for a few days now and are happy to share the highs and the lows from our experience in this Cabin. How does this cruise cabin on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas compare to others?

Find out in this honest cruise review.

👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE!
Your support helps us continue to bring you more fantastic cruise content. 🚢💕
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You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/
&
https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat
🎞️🍿🎬🍿
Checkout out some other videos
📽️ Our Royal Caribbean Mega Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrLMyRgi7seksqf8H4Vet_S0

📽️ Our Ultimate Cabin Tours and Reviews Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrJ5bridAKcgqxwHGl2FKh3C

📽️ Cruise & Travel Hacks
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrL8DEKjn6FcNyd9Kd_QcTVZ

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

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: What Really Happens on the Final Day of a Cruise?

Join us as we review our last day on a Royal Caribbean cruise after spending a few days aboard Quantum of the Seas! We’ll share our thoughts on the having a slow and easy day, speciality dining, free and easy activities and more, giving you an honest review of our experience. If you’re planning a quantum-class cruise ship vacation, these cruise review will be helpful!

It’s the final sea day of our incredible back-to-back cruise on Quantum of the Seas—and what a way to wrap it up! 🚢

In this honest and reflective vlog, we take you through a day of beautiful ocean views, sleep-ins, crew kindness, and an unfortunate incident—a theft onboard. But thanks to the amazing staff, we felt supported and safe.

We also share some final thoughts on cruise ship design, spend time with friends onboard, and finish our evening with a delicious meal at Jamie’s Italian. This video is a mix of real cruise life moments—the good, the bad, and the unexpectedly heartwarming.

💬 Drop a comment if you’ve ever had a moment that challenged your cruise—but still left you feeling grateful.
📽️ More Room and Cabin Tours
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrJ5bridAKcgqxwHGl2FKh3C
📽️ Royal Caribbean MEGA Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrLMyRgi7seksqf8H4Vet_S0

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Back to back Cruising| What it’s like on change over day?

Today we have a choice get off the ship and adventure or stay on board during the change over. In this video we shed some light on what to expect during the back to back cruise process.
Today we also had something stolen on the cruise ship and had to visit with security!

Join us as we experience changeover day during our back-to-back cruises on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas! From changeover procedures, new room allocations and even a special change over lunch. We take you through the adventure and the pitfalls of change over day.

👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE!
Your support helps us continue to bring you more fantastic cruise content. 🚢💕
😻💌
You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/
&
https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat
🎞️🍿🎬🍿
Checkout out some other videos
📽️ Our Royal Caribbean Mega Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrLMyRgi7seksqf8H4Vet_S0

📽️ Our Ultimate Cabin Tours and Reviews Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrJ5bridAKcgqxwHGl2FKh3C

📽️ Cruise & Travel Hacks
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPUerYdynBrL8DEKjn6FcNyd9Kd_QcTVZ

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CHAPTERS
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0:00 Change over day
1:12 Lets eat
2:41 Change over process
8:27 Continuing Cruisers lunch
11:06 Cruising from Brisbane Cruise Terminal Sunset
13:18 Afternoon review and sail away party
15:21 Dinner
19:20 Theft on a cruise ship

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

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: LIVE: Transpacific #Cruise 50 Day Countdown – Ovation of the Seas – Royal Caribbean

Join the 50 Day-ish Countdown #Live Stream before our #Transpacific #Cruise from Hawaii to Sydney.

We will be tackling a range of topics, how-tos and answering some hot topics from the Facebook Cruise Group.

👀🚢Check out the previous 100 day countdown live stream here
https://www.youtube.com/live/xOuzGizqSno?si=poGoHQjRiuSBZ2iO

ℹ️VISA Links & Info
US Visa – https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
Australia Visa – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas…
New Zealand Visa – https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-z…
French Polynesia Visa – https://www.tahititourisme.au/visa-fo…

🎉Favourite drinks package calculator
https://www.portplanner.com.au/dpc

❌What not to bring (including hairdryers)
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/faq/questions/prohibited-items-onboard-policy

Other cruise videos
Royal Caribbean Check-in Process
https://youtu.be/zvogwh8ywzA?si=vLwbZ2YkfQEbg4G5

Is the Key Worth It?
https://youtu.be/Qzbs6AZFXpE?si=6YCBJZ_R6ajpJ4Wp

Our Favourite Cabin Storage Hacks
https://youtu.be/m7Pj0-JEkbM?si=4i5gJcCFOyqJRz3L

DIY Cruise Laundry
https://youtu.be/_cN2UzkNED0?si=LPcvG-2IWhcRxJSI

Royal Caribbean Cruise App – 3 Tips
https://youtu.be/ChiuXL-32ww?si=rVahUfq4_nFmKoF6

#royalcaribbean #cruisetips #ovationoftheseas #livestream #traveltips #travelwithkids #cruisewithkids #familyholiday #hawaii #sydney

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: Disembarkation from Pacific Adventure with Sydney Airport transfers

From finding luggage bags and dis-embarking the #cruise ship to boarding the bus and plane at a great value price, this video has you covered. #Disembarking from Pacific Adventure easily with #Sydney Airport transfers prebooked with P&O! Say goodbye to stress and hello to a smooth transition from the ship to the airport.

Get the inside scoop on disembarkation from the Pacific Adventure cruise ship, complete with Sydney Airport transfers and tips for navigating Circular Quay. Explore the P&O Cruises Australia Sydney Airport Transfer experience in this helpful guide!

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you enjoy our relaxing spa adventure! Your support helps us continue to bring you more fantastic cruise content.

🚢💕😻💌You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/ & https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat

🎞️🍿🎬🍿Checkout out some other videos==========CHAPTERS==========
0:00 Finding luggage tags.
1:43 Disembarking the ship
3:25 Sydney Circular Quay
5:14 Overseas Passenger Terminal
6:25 Transfer Bus

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: SAVE Money! DIY Cruise Laundry

In this video Deb takes you through one of her “must pack” cruise items and how it saves us plenty money and reduces our packing needs, especially when we are on a longer #cruise. Given we no longer have to overpack and we can SAVE $$$ this is one of our favourite #cruisetips and #travelhacks for laundry.

Deb recently purchased The @Scrubba wash bag and has been testing it before our big Transpacific cruise on Ovation of the Seas. She shot this video onboard Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas, but the great thing is no matter where you travel this product will be useful.

Enjoy the video as she does the washing, and we end up with fresh clean laundry.

=================
Disclaimer
=================
We purchased this with our own funds. This is NOT a paid endorsement and we are not affiliated with Srubba. We just love the product.

👍 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE if you enjoy our relaxing spa adventure! Your support helps us continue to bring you more fantastic cruise content. 🚢💕
😻💌
You can also follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/ & https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat

🎞️🍿🎬🍿
Checkout out some other videos
Laundry on P&O Australia https://youtu.be/LQCnjhMzoFA
Favourite Cabin storage hacks https://youtu.be/m7Pj0-JEkbM
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0:00 Intro
0:20 Laundry Solution
0:58 How it works
4:20 Prep for drying
4:44 Rinse
5:50 Drying
6:55 Our Cruise Clothesline

#moneysaving #quantumoftheseas #cruisehip #laundry #cruiselaundry

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Deb & Matt Chat on YT: DAY #4 Vlog Quantum of the Seas Noumea

Today on the 8 Night Easter Cruise on Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas, we visited Noumea, New Caledonia.

After disembarking we took a walk through town to the World War Two Museum, Musée de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale, and also the Maritime Museum, Musée Maritime de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Following a stop at the markets we headed back to the ship for a swim and Noah went indoor sky the ships iFly onboard.

Don’t forget to check out our website. https://www.debandmattchat.com
and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debandmattchat/ & https://www.instagram.com/debandmattchat

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0:00 Intro and Arrival
0:57 Arrival & Noumea Activities
2:36 Street Walk
4:34 World War 2 Museum
5:09 Montage WW2 Museum
6:00 Wrap up – Musée de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale
7:01 Street walk 2
8:34 Getting our bearings
10:10 Maritime Museum
13:22 Montage Maritime Museum
15:31 Wrap up – Musée Maritime de Nouvelle-Calédonie
16:39 Tchou Tchou Train
18:50 Lunch options
21:10 Markets (tourist)
24:20 Back on board
25:43 iFly
27:40 Hotdog
27:57 Day 4 Wrap up

#Royalcaribbean #Quantumoftheseas #cruisevlog #cruise #lovecruising #travel #vlogging #cruisepackages #cruisetips #vlog #travel #travelvlog #gatsby #birthdaycruise #cruisetheme #birthdays #australiacruise #southpacificcruise #vanuatu #mysteryisland #portvila #noumea #birthdayparty

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