Fortunatefew

13 hours ago, ljandgb said:

We're planning with another couple.  I'd like to see the Great Barrier Reef.  One of us wants to see Sydney.  Another Tasmania and Uluru.  We will need to really pare down what we want.  Or consider a land tour to see the highlights. My husband wants to do Australia and New Zealand.  If we do NZ, I want to do it by land.  I actually prefer land trips, so we can settle in to a pub at night and people watch, poke around towns, etc.

 

I, obviously, don't know a lot about the area, and personally would like to see more than just a couple places but time is the biggest constraint.  I could do 3 weeks, but the other couple is closer to 2.

 

I looked at Coral Expeditions.  Those Kimberly cruises look amazing, but I don't think I can sell it to the rest of the group.  I'm the "go as far away from other people as I can get" sort of traveler.  The rest, not so much.

 

Thanks so much for all the info.  I appreciate it!

My thoughts if you want to see New Zealand do it by cruising.  You’ll go through the Fiords which is one of the highlights and why many travellers from all over the world travel a long way to witness the beauty of the Sounds.  You can people watch and poke around all the towns on port days.
I agree with your husband.  

Some cruise lines offer a combined Hobbiton and Rotorua excursion in one day. We were on Celebrity in January and that particular excursion was booked out pretty quickly. I agree with Iainmac, there have been a lot of roads closed in the areas mentioned but still some wonderful places for you to explore.  

March is normally pretty warm, today it’s 26degrees. But as we know weather patterns are changing but it doesn’t tend to get cooler until April/May in NZ. Others may disagree. The Fiords may be a little chillier depending on conditions on the day. We have been in beautiful blue skies, overcast and 3rd time was showery.  I doubt you will need jumpers and coats, just something light that’s folds up like a parka that will get you through slightly cooler days.

On 3/2/2023 at 6:04 AM, gerelmx said:

Up to $800 off + up to $800 onboard credit is the same as $1,600 off, they just pass the money from one bag to the other

Up to…….

On 12/12/2022 at 2:20 PM, Ramblergirl said:

I totally agree with the above.  The std balcony state rooms in Princess are smaller. You need to book Princess  Mini-Suite to get the same floor space and facilities than in standard Celebrity balcony cabin.  

That’s true about the size and sofa in Celebrity but I love the big wardrobe space in Princess and the  laundromat. We have been on both recently, both have likes and dislikes but can’t wait to go on one again sooner rather than later  

On 2/16/2023 at 5:15 PM, Cruisers47 said:

Oh wouldn’t that be lovely…loverly….please RC come to Melbourne.

 

i don’t like Princess.   My first cruise was on Norwegian with a lovely cabin, then I did a Princess cruise to NZ on Diamond Princess..I could not believe that there was no settee, on a balcony cabin!   Have done a short cruise prior to Covid on  Princess.  The food in the buffet was cold and it was really like an old cafeteria!   Now Diamond on RC so free drinks lowers the cost.   
 

sorry Princess lovers!🥶

 

Eileen

Yes, but Princess have big wardrobes and a laundromat on most decks.  You can get a sofa in the mini suites. 

Having recently cruised with Princess late last year and Celebrity in mid January, it was noticeably different on the mask protocols from different cruise lines,  I liked how Princess enforced or at least tried to get passengers to wear masks.

There hand washing stations and sanitising reminders was commendable.   On the other hand Celebrity only offered sanitiser upon entry into the buffet.  Never mentioned in theatres or public indoor areas to wear a mask, it was quite noticeable to us having been on Princess not long before.   We both tested positive for covid on Celebrity towards the end of the cruise, fortunately we had a balcony.

The Celebrity captain made a public announcement that all crew did not have to wear a mask from January 6, it was up to each individual, 

On 1/29/2023 at 1:30 PM, Auscruisefam said:

I have a cruise booked in a few weeks. It will be our last until the mandates drop or at least most of them. Honestly I’m dreading the cruise,  I booked an ocean view no balcony. If I go into isolation I don’t know how I will cope. The room is small and no fresh air. I have only ever had balcony rooms and I only booked this cabin as a bet with my husband that I can actually cruise on the cheap. Obviously I can not. 
Also it’s on Luminosa, which I’ve had a few friends do and said it was absolutely crap. 
My husband is being positive and saying it’s an “adventure” meanwhile I’m completely freaking out. But it is 100% my fault for not thinking it through and trying to prove hubby wrong. 




 

Try for an upgrade to a balcony 

 We were on Coral in October and had a speaker from New Zealand although he was an American. He spoke on the  2nd world wars throughout the pacific. The lectures were spread out over 3 or 4 days. We found it really interesting although I realise not everyone is interested in the Second World War. 

11 hours ago, Luvcrusn said:

I never can use them, they are too weak for my mop. I'd spend my whole cruise drying my hair lol. Also I don't like having to constantly keep the switch depressed to get airflow...but that's another and entirely different thread.

Agree totally 

Just now, Fortunatefew said:

Sorry - off topic -.

Did you get off the ship on 11 February at Mt Maunganui ?  Tauranga port.

Both the Island and sister ship Coral were in on the same day so there were thousands of passengers around but many seemed at a loss as what to do or where to go.  We often go there when the ships in and walk around the many boardwalks or around the “Mount” and often chat or help the visitors with questions they may have,.

Just now, Fortunatefew said:

 

On 2/12/2023 at 11:32 AM, We_like_to_cruise said:

 

Splenda available everywhere, but you might have to ask for it.  

Sugar is on the tables on Horizon Court.

 

Soda dispensers working fine at every bar we have been to.  Okay, all of them.  🙂

 

Plumbing is working fine.  We have had zero issues.

 

22 hours ago, Kellyansapansa said:

We were on the same cruise and thought that the mask requirements were very reasonable and handled well on board. It certainly made us feel safer. It actually felt odd going to the airport after disembarking and seeing everyone walking around without masks!

 

We also loved the handwashing stations at Horizon Court and the many sanitiser dispensers around the ship. The crew did a fantastic job making sure that everyone was washing hands before entering the buffet.

We were on Coral in October and agree with your comments. Washed hands before the buffet and made full use of all the sanitisers.  Announcements were made in the theatres etc to wear your masks, we did it and never complained.  Recently disembarked from Celebrity, totally different protocols. Passengers sanitise upon entering the buffet, and that’s it.  No hand basins and very few sanitise stations anywhere and no verbal reminders in closed public area . It was announced a week ago by the Celebrity Captain that crew no longer need to wear masks from 6 January,    

On 2/8/2023 at 5:17 PM, lissie said:

I totally understand going north in the winter - when its not cyclone season!  And yes no reason to go to SA /Tassie from May to October - same as NZ - far too miserable 

There are no cruises in NZ from May to October 

On 4/10/2022 at 7:01 PM, Cascade1 said:

Thanks for your reply. I think that is what used to happen but its not happening for me now. Another thing is that I am pretty sure previously all my saved cruises showed up however I now only get three displayed. But thanks again for taking the time to reply.

I have the same problem - only get three and I can’t delete them 

11 hours ago, Redking said:

It seems the jockey has gone awal on the home straight of this Live review! I had fully intended to finish the review and do a wrap up when I got home.

 

Best laid plans and all, I've arrived home with a departure gift. After 3 years of dodging the Rona, Fin and I have finally succumbed. At least we didn't come down with it during the cruise and let's face it we could have got it at the airport or on the plane. At least we haven't been flooded like the poor folks in Auckland.

 

I hope to come back in the next couple of days to complete the review and answer any outstanding questions. In the meantime, another sleep might be in order. Stay tuned.

11 hours ago, Redking said:

It seems the jockey has gone awal on the home straight of this Live review! I had fully intended to finish the review and do a wrap up when I got home.

 

Best laid plans and all, I've arrived home with a departure gift. After 3 years of dodging the Rona, Fin and I have finally succumbed. At least we didn't come down with it during the cruise and let's face it we could have got it at the airport or on the plane. At least we haven't been flooded like the poor folks in Auckland.

 

I hope to come back in the next couple of days to complete the review and answer any outstanding questions. In the meantime, another sleep might be in order. Stay tuned.

Unfortunately there were a quite a number of passengers who succumbed during and after the cruise.  It always appears to spread more so towards the end of a cruise.

On 12/31/2022 at 1:49 PM, Betsynh said:

I got an email that my MoveUp bid was accepted for 1/2/23 Equinox 10-day jumping from inside to veranda for $500pp… BUT my RCCL credit card expired 11/22 so it was declined. Even though I quickly jumped through every hoop to update my expiration date and inform them… crickets. We’re now less than 72 hours out and tons of balconies still open but I guess we’re sailing on my strategically chosen inside (#1023) and saving $1k. I’m a little bummed. It was my first time using MoveUp. Double check everything so this doesn’t happen to 

1 hour ago, zanyw said:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/bid-on-cruise-room-upgrade

I had seen that but it says can’t do anything until cruise is less than 21 days out.  
 

9 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Look what I spotted in a very foggy Auckland harbour, peeking between the buildings. The "jet engines" are a clue.

 

 

Coral Princess. My sister boarded today in miserable weather. Don’t know where the NZ summer has gone.

On 11/26/2022 at 10:22 AM, zanyw said:

We're booked for the Solstice on January 14th, 2023 in an interior room. I did a few mock bookings and see that there is a significant amount of veranda and AQ rooms available. Today I checked into my MoveUp offers and see that they want $300 PP minimum bid to go into AQ. Is there any chance that these MoveUp minimum bids will go lower as we get closer to departure? 

We are booked on Eclipse 14 January. How were you able to see what the price is for Move up offers? We are only 32 days from sailing but can’t find anything regarding move up pricing. Any information would be greatly appreciated 

I booked a 12 day cruise November 2021.  Half price for 2nd guest and all inclusive. Classic drinks package, wifi and gratuities. The cruise is for January 14 2023 so I booked 13 months in advance. 

I often do a dummy booking to compare - category verandah deck 9 mid ship cabin under the new Journey Eventfull sale (all inclusive)  It would cost only $12.00 more than 13 months ago. 

20 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

The captain wasn't impressed by the way some passengers behaved during the first helivac. Everyone had been told to stay off their balconies while the helicopter was operating around the ship but, of course, some people thought that didn't apply to them. When the captain announced the second helivac he gave those people a stern telling off and told them not to do 

19 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

My first cruise, part 4

 

Money

I found it very hard to get Kina (PNG currency) in Australia. I eventually got some through Travelex, at a bad rate of exchange and only in big notes.  Then we were informed, at the last minute as we arrived at the first port, that there would be a pop up currency exchange on board, but only for a couple of hours. Because I was on a booked morning excursion,  I could not have gone to it anyway.  There are banks in Alotau, but it was a Sunday.  Most of the locals don't want to take Australian notes, which are difficult for them to change.

 

Ports and Shore excursions

We called at Alotau (Milne Bay), Rabaul, Kiriwina and the Conflict islands.   Because I had very little onboard credit, I didn't want to pay for the very expensive ship excursions.  I joined the CC Roll Call for this cruise, and found other passengers who had organised half day shore excursions I could tag along with. Most of these were "pay in AUD cash on the day" arrangements, and mostly only half the price of the ship excursions. I sent emails to the local companies and booked myself on two like this, one in Alotau and one in Rabaul.  I also booked on one ship excursion in Alotau, and added another ship excursion at the last minute in Rabaul.

 

Alotau

The ship offered a morning shuttle service to the "Lik Lik Festival", in a private property around the bay, maybe 2 kms from the port.  Some people on CC asked if they could walk there, but the answer was that the ship had a monopoly on entry to the festival. You had to take the official shuttle bus to get in. I'm not sure if that was true, but it would have been a long walk in the heat and humidity. The cost of $A39.95 included the shuttle bus and entry to the festival grounds.  You were given a nominal time of two hours, but, in fact, you could stay as long as you liked, and just wait in the shade on chairs until the next shuttle bus arrived.

The festival grounds had some beautiful timber buildings,  shaded areas under palm tree fronds with chairs and bench seating, plus extensive grounds with many big shade trees. It bordered the harbour so you could see back across to the moored ship.

The festival dancing was performed by two troupes from different villages. The first one was mainly children, aged maybe 5 to 15 years, accompanied by drummers.  They all wore colourful costumes and had painted skin decorations.   The second troupe from another village were more mixed in age, from small children to older women, and different traditional costumes.   The dancing had been well rehearsed and was fascinating to watch and the hollow tree branch drum rhythms were quite mesmerising.   I got a front row seat and took many photographs. People were happy to be photographed everywhere.

Next there were some very talented women singers, with long plaintive notes and drum accompaniment.   

When this part had finished, I wandered around the stalls where locals were selling handicrafts and clothing, plus some fairly tacky souvenir kitsch.  There was absolutely no hard sell going on. Some of the wood carvings were beautifully done, but I was saving my purchases for the Kiriwina stop.  There were also men in traditional costume with long canoes drawn up, offering to take people on short rides in the bay.

I know that the "festival' is a commercial enterprise, but I thought it was colourful and interesting and a good introduction to PNG. I went back to the ship for lunch, on the next shuttle bus. The track leading into the port was lined with locals selling similar handicrafts, which would have been an easy walk from the ship.

 

In the afternoon, I had organised my second excursion, a private one.  There were supposed to be three people booked, but the other two never turned up. I thought the organiser would cancel after we waited half an hour, but they agreed to take me.  So I ended up by myself on an 11 seater minibus with my own driver and local guide for three hours for $A50.  This was great, because they tailored the tour to my interests and took me to places I wanted to see, like Gurney Airfield, which was some way out of town, and then to a high point that looked over the harbour, but had no other cruise tour buses at all, plus some very friendly local people. 

I was back on the ship in plenty of time. We were supposed to sail at 5pm, but we were still there an hour later.  Eventually, an announcement from the bridge said that there had been a medical emergency and we had to wait for an air evacuation.   I was told later that the passenger was refused admission to the local hospital because of the seriousness of her condition, so she was in the ship's hospital.   The air ambulance was delayed, so we stayed in Alotau port overnight, and the passenger was only transferred next morning. 

We left Alotau 16 hours late, and went very fast to make up time, but we still arrived in Rabaul more or less on time.

 

On our Sept/oct cruise on Coral there  were  2 medical emergencies over 2 days. In both cases helicopters arrived to airlift the passengers from the ship. It was explained in the theatre by an officer some days later  what is involved when the captain has to request the services of a helicopter - it was a real eye opener. 

On 12/10/2022 at 12:53 PM, cruiser3775 said:

My first cruise, part 3

Drinks

I didn't buy the drinks package.  I am a wine drinker, and the wines offered by Princess are a disgrace. I think their wine buyer got taken for a ride by some canny Australian wine wholesaler. They have wines for $50 - $60 a bottle or $12 a glass that are cask quality you can buy retail for $5.99 a bottle.  They do have some better quality wines, but the prices are eye-watering.

I read the fine print. You can bring onboard one bottle of wine for no charge, and any other bottles you bring attract $15 corkage.  I have some two-bottle padded wine carriers, so I lugged them along, bought four good bottles of Australian wine I actually like, in Brisbane, and packed them in my small wheeled carry on.  The total cost was less than I would have paid for one bottle on Princess. When I arrived at the chaos at the terminal, someone from Princess helped me with my luggage, and both my bigger suitcase and the carry on were taken away, leaving me just with a carry bag to board.

As I said earlier, they found my bottles of wine, but that is the last I heard about paying for the excess. So far, 11 days since I got home, I haven't been charged the $45 corkage.

I drank the wine in my cabin during the trip, didn't take any of it to the dining rooms. Maybe if I had done that, I would have paid the corkage?

My experience with shared tables was that many people on board wouldn't know a good quality wine anyway.  And the waiters don't know much about wine.   People would order: "I will have a glass of red", and the waiter would ask which one. Most people chose randomly or on price, or told the waiter to choose.  Several people also ordered a glass of ice cubes, and added them to their red wine, which was probably appropriate for the cask quality wine.   Anyone who ordered from the more expensive end of the wine list caused some consternation with the waiters.  In my case, I used some of my OBC to order a $17 glass of red in Bayou Cafe (one of the speciality restaurants).  The waiter came back with a glass of red. I took one sniff and said "This is not what I ordered". He shuffled about a bit and said "We don't have any of that here".   He did not apologise for giving me something else.  After a bit of further conversation, he went away and came back after a while with another anonymous glass.  This one appeared to be what I had actually ordered.  Later, I noted that the charge on my account said I had bought it from Sabatini's (the other speciality restaurant).  I think the waiter had to get a bottle from them.   Yes, I do appreciate good wine, and I think Princess needs to do some serious work on their wine lists, their rip-off prices, and some proper training for their waiters.

FOOD

The food on Princess was generally very good.  I tried out all the restaurants in turn, starting with the two speciality restaurants, Bayou Cafe and Sabatinis.   These had more expensive choices, like top quality steaks and seafood (whole lobster tails), and I thought the extra charge was easily comparable to what you would pay in an Australian restaurant if you ordered those things.  But I didn't like the fact that you couldn't share a table, and I had to eat alone.

The two main dining rooms (almost identical menus) were a better fit for me. I asked to share a table and usually got put on a table for six, so I met a lot of interesting people.  The three course meals were always interesting and well presented, and used quality ingredients.

I only ate in the buffet a couple of times, and chose quiet times, early and late.  I found the food a bit bland, as though they were trying to please all tastes, but there was enough variety to suit me.

I used the free room service a lot, for every breakfast, for example. Loved breakfast in bed, or out on my balcony.   Also good for a mid afternoon snack when coming back from a shore visit. They do a killer chocolate layer cake.  I also used the medallion app on my phone to order coffee or a soft drink while out and about on the ship. Everything I ordered came quickly, usually within 10 - 15 minutes.

I liked the International Cafe, where you can order a coffee or tea, and help yourself to free pastries and cakes.

 

Enough about the ship - next time I'll start talking about the ports in PNG.

We’re waiting……its like a tv series and having to wait for the next episode