Korimako

Do what we usually do when flying from NZ to anywhere in Europe or North America - have a stopover en route in either direction. Can you not fly via Europe instead of West Coast USA?

 

What I hope is that you don't plan to just fly to Australia and get on a cruise ship as you will miss most of Australia and you will not be able to see what makes Australia such a great country from the ship. The vast majority of really great things to see and do in Australia are too far inland to do on a ship's excursion. So do give that some thought and consider doing a driving land trip as well as your cruise - after all, it takes quite a while to fly down there from Canada, the US or UK (or wherever).

Ditto for New Zealand. Do a land trip.

Has nobody noticed yet the spokeswoman for this venture is called April Fuller?? :D

We found going via Dubai was worse than anything we've experienced in US.

Admittedly the queues in Dubai can be lengthy, but if you are in transit, this doesn't apply as you don't need to clear customs/immigration. In transit - unlike at LAX - you are not barked at and treated as an undesirable.

Nor are you subjected to the horrible attitude of US Immigration/Border Security. We have been flying NZ - Europe via Dubai/Singapore annually for over almost 20 years and have never encountered the kind of behaviour which seems routine at LAX

This unpleasant attitude is nothing new, and unrelated to any recent event. We experienced the nasty treatment at LAX at least 20 years ago. This is why we now always travel NZ to Europe via Asia and not the US.

Yes we will be in Platinum - anybody done that? I believe all the carriages were revamped fairly recently.

Has anyone travelled on the Ghan Darwin - Adelaide? I can't seem to find any information on storage space for cabin baggage. I know our large suitcases are put in the hold and inaccessible during the journey. But where do I put my roll-on bag in the compartment?

Any info graciously received:)

I have a stunning pair of designer embroidered black skinny jeans - but they are fashionably ripped (not faded and worn low on the hip as the dress code reads!).

Anyone had any issues on Norwegian wearing designer ripped jeans?

I wear them with high heels and really glam tops?

Love my jeans -

Actually, on my Celebrity cruise I wore jeans now on their evening chic night - so cant see a problem on NCL.

Anyone got first hand experience of this?

No, no first hand experience. Just a query.

How is anyone seeing your jeans supposed to know if they are intentionally ripped - and cost you a lot of money - or if they got ripped in the laundry/dry-cleaners on board and they're the only jeans you had with you?

............so since this is my first trip 'down under' and we somewhat class (NZ/OZ) as sister countries (whether that's right or not)

Nope - not related in any way whatsoever.

It's not a question of 'best' currency for NZ, NZ dollars are the ONLY currency for NZ!!!!

but yeah - the Frenchies aren't exactly noted for hospitality huh?

Really?? And how much travelling have you done in francophone countries I wonder?

I know of very few places in the world that would not accept Uncle Sam Dollar. In fact, it is probably the preferred money over local currency.

Fact???? And would you like to list all these places in the world you know from personal experience that will accept US dollars?

Absolute rubbish and as someone else has said, typical Ugly American arrogance

Can anyone who has sailed with them as well as Crystal share their opinions please? I know they're different, but I'd like to find out what people's thoughts on both were. We've only sailed on Crystal and I'm afraid we might be disappointed.

Thanks

 

 

NZ is kind of like a miniature version of Australia - the land, flora and fauna are the same. It's just smaller and more remote.

NO it definitely is NOT a miniature version of Australia! The flora and fauna are totally different and we don't - unlike Australia - have any poisonous reptiles, spiders or fish which can kill you!!

And our scenery is NOTHING like Australia's. But we're just as friendly.

Just saying!:)

e.g. a couple of maxi dresses instead of the broomstick skirts

Sorry if I appear totally dim, but what on earth is a broomstick skirt???:)

Just a couple of things

Use the AA Travel and Distance calculator and not Google. Google is always wildly optimistic re times!

I'm not sure on reading your revised itinerary whether Greymouth still features on it, but as someone who lives only 4 hours away, I wouldn't spend 3 hours let alone 3 days in Greymouth:)

It's one of the most un-scenic places in an extremely scenic country!

Just my 2 cents

This may sound like heresy on this board, but if you want to see wildlife, why not have a land based holiday and NOT a cruise?:)

October - November here is still very early spring and can be changeable and cool, if not cold and rainy. Certainly not beach weather. The best time for warm weather is January - February, but this is peak holiday time being school summer holidays.:)

hi

I can't actually help with the information you need. However, if you ask this question on the Lonely Planet Thorn Tree Australia forum, you will find many posters who have done similar trips and who will have detailed advice and info

HTH

:)

I thought I knew what it meant but upon further review I don't. My idea was that it meant a synonym for 'malarkey'. Good thing I kept my thought to myself:o.

Well I did wonder, as it's Fijian for hello!!

:D

A gf & I were at a cafe in Venice and when presented the bill, she naively asked the waiter what did "servicio" mean. He responded it's the tax, to which I responded "bula"!:cool:

 

Well, I thought "bula", but said no, it's the tip.

'Bula'?? why that response?

You would have to book a full day with late check in . Day rooms are available from 6 am to 6 pm.which would not fit the posters time frame.

Sorry - I misread it as an 05.50 arrival! You could try Jet Park Hotel at AKL and see if they could accommodate you. They have a 24 hour shuttle from the airport and are only 5 minutes away. Have used them too, but don't know about very late arrival. I would assume they are used to them, otherwise why have a 24 hour shuttle?

http://www.jetpark.co.nz

Novotel at Auckland International arrivals has a daily rate. We've used it when we've got off an early arriving flight to catch up on some sleep for several hours before continuing our journey.

Does anyone know of any good tattoo shops near any ports in NZ??

Keen to get one over there

Thanks in advance

Why in New Zealand?

Where is your concert? In the City?

 

Carnegie Hall