Korimako
-
Posts
365 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by Korimako
-
-
P.S The word 'Luddite' springs to mind!
😉
-
Thank you Cruise Mom for your well considered reply. I couldn't have put it any better!
One thing which seems to escape the OP's notice, that one can only travel with a suitcase of books if one can drive to the cruise port. Those of us who have to start most trips with an international flight don't have that option. I too love books, but as I can read at least a book a day - there's no way I could take enough for a 15 day cruise, so I really appreciate my Kindle.
-
We fly annually from NZ to Europe via Asia (24+ hour flights)and have done for years. On boarding, I always set my watch to the time at my destination. I eat all the meals and have all the free drinks on offer and have never had jet lag. Tiredness yes. Business class helps, but a tip I found for economy long haul is to take an inflatable beach ball to rest your feet on.
-
We once (first and only time) cruised - a repositioning from San Diego back to NZ - as a means of getting home after several months in Europe.
We thoroughly enjoyed it - lots of sea days and for me, no thoughts about should I be putting some washing on/doing some vacuuming/tidying ? But would never consider cruising again as a vacation. Typically we spend several months in Europe - staying put in a rental, mostly France - and cruising doesn't begin to fulfil our criteria. The 'pick and mix' cruise style of travel is not our way. No way would we be happy with only 12 hours in any European port. So yes, you could never convince us to spend $$$ on a cruise vacation, no matter how good friends we were with you😀!
-
1
-
-
When are you there? Between now and 22 April, Te Papa has an exhibition of the Terracotta Warriors.
Google their website for more information.
Also at Te Papa and finishing in April is the Gallipoli exhibition - well worth a visit.
-
Another thing to be aware of. Your final fare may change if, like us, you don't want departures, or onward flights, at stupid o'clock in the morning. We prefer day flights and factor that into our budget. We also take advantage of the transit hotels airside at Changi or Dubai.
However, if you're on an Emirates flight and your layover in DXB is more than 6 hours, Emirates will bus you to an off airport hotel with breakfast and back at no extra cost.
We considered that, but flights from DXB to AKL are now over 17 hours and we thought that was just too long, so we're going with Singapore which has a more even division of flight times.
-
Register with Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific to be notified as to when their special Earlybird fares come out.
We fly annually from NZ to Europe and this is what we do to get the best fares. You will only - at the moment - see fares as far ahead as mid September 2019, so for March 2020 you won't find anything until April 2019.
-
Having spoken to the ticket office at Te Papa, I can tell you that there are ONLY dated and timed entrances. There will be a Ticketek desk selling tickets for those who, for whatever reason, cannot book online, but there will be no guarantee that there will be a date/time slot on the day you buy your ticket.
Entry is limited to 300 per timed hourly slot.
I would strongly advise booking online as soon as possible. I booked yesterday (I was on their pre-sales list) an hour after I got their email and already the ticket numbers were past the 200 mark.
-
-
Just to say that a 2 week cruise isn't the best way to see New Zealand. Could you not make the NZ section a land trip?
-
We love nature and scenery the most; big cities are ok and I am sure we would want to spend some time in Sydney or other Australian cities, but mostly we would want to focus on smaller towns, nature and scenic tours.
...... but definitely want to do New Zealand mostly by ship.
If you really want - as you say - nature and scenery, then a cruise is not the best way to see NZ. Yes you will probably sail into and out of Doubtful/Dusky/Milford Sounds, but most of NZ's spectacular scenery is too far from the usual port stops.
I'd do it the other way round - land trip to NZ and cruise round Australia.
But then I might be biased:D
-
I'm looking for personal recommendations for an apartment in the Prati district of Rome. I've seen some on Air BnB, but never having used them, I'm a bit nervous having heard some scary reports.
Thanks in advance.
-
found a non stop flight on Quantis.
No such airline!
It's QANTAS - Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services
:D:D:D:D:D:D
-
Just a reminder that if your international flight departs at 06.00, then you will need to be checking-in - as stated by the airport - " at least 2 hours before departure", so no later than 04.00.
Another plus point for Jet Park!:)
-
We fly annually from NZ to Europe and always stay overnight before the flight at the Jet Park Hotel. http://www.jetpark.co.nz
It's a 10 minute ride from the airport and they have a free dedicated shuttle bus. They are always very friendly and efficient and I can highly recommend them.
-
I know the Anne Frank House gets very busy, but I wondered how crowded the Rijksmuseum got. If I want to see 'The Night Watch' for example, will it be similar to trying to see the Mona Lisa in the Louvre i.e throngs of tourists between me and the picture.
Are there days of the week/times of day that are better? I will not be doing this from a cruise, so would imagine choosing a day that didn't have any cruise ships in port might help?
TIA
-
hi
We annually fly New Zealand to Europe, and I can honestly say I have never suffered from jet-lag. Weariness, yes, but not that 'my body says it's 3a.m. but it's actually 6p.m' feeling.
Many many years ago I was advised to do the following and for me it works.
The minute you get on board your flight, set your watch to the time that your arrival airport is on. I always do this and I believe that's what the flight attendants do too.
And in case you're wondering - no we're not spring chickens, both of us are senior citizens!!
Works for me!!
-
A quick search:
https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/operations/preclearance
Pre-clearence is a procedure where you meet your Immigration and Customs requirements at an airport outside the US. There are about 15 such airports. The flight to the US thus becomes a domestic flight.
No, you wouldn't be showing your passport at JFK.
I can vouch personally for this. As non-US citizens, we flew Dublin to Boston and had all the security and immigration done before departing Dublin. As it is then considered a domestic flight, on arrival at Logan, we just collected our bags and exited the airport.
Presumably the same applies at JFK.
-
Fair enough, but the OP did say if cost wasn't a factor and we don't know what class of travel they were considering.
But they've decided now anyway:)
-
Just to reiterate what other people with international flight experience have said - we fly annually (and have done for decades) from NZ to whichever European airport is our best option for that particular trip - and back.
Given the heightened security checks , we always allow 3 hours before our departure time. Sometimes security is speedy and we're far too early and have to spend time in the business class lounge (oh - what hardship!!) and other times it's a much longer security issue - depending on whether there have been any recent incidents.
Why give yourself added unnecessary stress??
-
If you really want to visit New Zealand - do a land based holiday.
-
Welcome to Cruise Critic! I am interested in the answer as well. I googled it last night and got mostly hostels and pensioners (sp?).
No, it's pensiones - means a small family-run (usually) hotel.
I can't give recommendations, but if you use booking.com, you can filter for B&B and the reviews are all genuine - only from people who have actually stayed there.
Hope this helps:)
-
Air NZ cause I'm a Kiwi. Also can use our FF miles to pay
-
And as they are both members of Star Alliance, you could fly
Vancouver - Auckland - Sydney - Vancouver on one ticket.
Useless information, I know, if you've already got non refundable, no amendments tickets
Where would you cruise for most scenic on-ship views?
in Ask a Cruise Question
Posted
This is absolutely not true at all. If flying via Singapore to Europe - as the OP seems to indicate judging from the timings mentioned - there is no need whatsoever to leave the airport. The Ambassador Hotel http://www.harilelahospitality.com is within the airport terminal. You do not go through Immigration as you are not entering the country. Baggage is NOT collected as you are still airside. We use this every time we fly from NZ to Europe, which we do on a regular basis. And we choose daytime flights.
This is not what "I think" about an overnight stay in Asia, it's what I know about an overnight stay in Asia. And it isn't a nightmare, it's restful and relaxing.