Korimako

When are you in Sète? The water-jousting festival is not to be missed!

Thank you all for these very helpful suggestions. Lots to think about!

Hi I am going on a Baltic cruise in July visiting Tallinn, Visby, Stockholm, Helsinki, Warnemünde, Copenhagen, Skagen and Kristiansand ( not necessarily in that order!) The ship's excursions to be honest, don't look all that exciting and I wondered if anyone could recommend anything else for any of these ports. I'm quite happy to potter off on my own, but would welcome any suggestions. TIA And on another topic - somewhere on these boards I remember seeing a thread about buying a SIM card just for Europe for basic calls and texts. Using my iPhone with a roaming package from home would be eye-wateringly expensive. I'm not based in the US, so advice about US cellphone providers isn't relevant. TIA again🙂

Not a cruise, but we used to annually leave our home in NZ winter to spend 3 months in Europe. Driving there is not an option! This is what we did, not in any particular order. Taxi to and from local airport for connecting onward international flight Water turned off Mail held at the post office Cat to cattery, cat door locked Cars left in locked garage on trickle chargers Garage door opener disabled Potted plants given to a friend to look after. All banking & bill-paying online (we do that anyway) Asked neighbour to keep an eye on things. Gardener came a couple of times (we don't have grass that needs mowing)

Hope you don't mind me jumping in here, but I'd like to know if you've sailed recently from a UK port, are there kettles? I know further up this thread someone said they had kettles on their last 2 cruises, but there was no indication as to how recent that was. And if not, is it permissable to bring a small travel kettle? TIA

I've just left Majestic Princess and I really liked the current Sea Salt and Eucalyptus hand wash. Is it available to purchase anywhere in the world other than on Princess?

Italian Chapel Scapa Flow??

Covid testing no longer needed, but you DO need proof of medical travel insurance (including repatriation) - a requirement from New Caledonia. No insurance, no boarding - even if you don't intend to go ashore in Nouméa.

Are bathrobes provided in Majestic Princess balcony cabins?

Thanks. Very disappointed as I love French bistro food. Seafood I can get any time at home as I live in a fishing port.

Can you clarify something for me? Is Bistro sur la Mer still on Majestic, or has it been replaced with something else? I was really looking forward to magret de canard and will be very disappointed if it's no longer there. Thanks

Does this happen often? And does it happen more on some lines than others?

Thank you all for your very helpful replies. I now know that I can enjoy my cruise without having to worry about who to tip and how much. It's so out of the norm for us Kiwis to tip - I remember once coming home from a trip of several months in Europe, going to hand my hairdresser a tip (which I had got used to doing in France) to have her tell me ' You've been away too long, you've forgotten we don't tip!' Thanks again all.

I have been reading this thread with increasing anxiety. I am going on an Australian based cruise in a couple of weeks and I understood from the cruise line information I was given, that tips/gratuities are built in to the fare and I don't need to tip anyone at all - during or at the end of the cruise. As a Kiwi, I feel very uncomfortable with the whole idea of tipping and would like to know if it's OK not to tip? It was one of the reasons for choosing this cruise, to avoid (my) embarassment and discomfort at having to tip.

There is no currency exchange in my area which is why I thought I'd look for an ATM in Nouméa. I only intend to change a very small amount for anywhere that might not accept cards.

No I'm not French, but we used to live in France. I can't get currency before I leave as my NZ bank no longer issues foreign currency

Yes I was thinking of doing the HOHO to orientate myself. I did a quick Google for ATMs near the visitor centre and have found at least 3, so I just hope the info is up-to-date. There is a BNP Paribas quite close by, so hopefully that should still be functioning!

Merci beaucoup!!

By 'Visitor Centre' do you mean the Office de Tourisme Grand Sud, the Thibaou Cultural Centre, Nouméa Island Tours office or somewhere else?? I'm trying to figure out what I want to do that doesn't involve an organised tour. Do you have an address for it?

We have always used the bands that you wear on your wrists. Much better than medication. Even stopped us being seasick on a cross-Channel ferry during the storm which decimated the Fastnet Race in 1979 (Google it!).

Not sure if this is the right place to ask. I'd like to know which exact quay she ties up at, not just the general port area as I want to explore by myself. TIA

I would second that. Not to pour cold water on your plans, but there's no way you can see our magnificent scenery on a one day ship's excursion on a day visit from any of those ports. To truly see NZ you need to do a land trip. 3 of the ports are on the North Island and the most spectacular scenery is well inland from the ports on the South Island. Are you committed to the cruise?

I know it will likely be hot and humid on land in Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia and I will bring suitable clothing. But what will the temperatures be like on the ship between these places? I also know it is air-conditioned, but I wondered how hot it would be if I wanted to find a quiet corner to read on deck.

Are fresh (or defrosted) berries available? I like blueberries on my muesli.

What is on the menu for room service breakfast?