SinbadThePorter

As a self proclaimed pie aficionado, I declare the best pie I've ever had in NZ was today from the bakery in Paihia. A truly delicious steak, bacon and cheese pie. Is it better than the best pies I have found in Brisbane? I'll have to go back to Tony's Bakery in Sandgate to find out.😁

They have been renovating Hobbiton for the past few months and are trying to limit the numbers of visitors. The way they are doing this is to only allow local tour operators in. So cruise booked tours are not running. Once you get to Tauranga you should be able to book a Hobbiton excursion at the wharf, or else online.

It was meant ironically. Las Vegas as a 24 hour excitement city and Brisbane as the opposite.

I lived in Sydney for 40 years. There are two Sydneys. One lives near the water and the other doesn't. The first one is fun to visit. The second one is fun to leave.

Virgin Airlines sent an email with this link. You don't need to be a Virgin Airlines member to use it.

There were two recent offers. The first one was to buy a Virgin cruise (up to 6 nights) for 79,999 Velocity points. That one is finished. The second one runs until the end of November and involves getting 50% off the cruise fare (not fees and taxes) if you enter "VirginAustralia" as an access key when you book online.

Given how often they are visiting it, I think the entire crew will be world class experts in Burnie by the end of the season. 🤪 I also have a 4 day Hobart cruise booked, but in January. Who knows, if you are at the trivia I may see you there.

Not to Queenslanders. 😜

From what I've gleaned, it seems there is a free for all for dining bookings 45 days out from a cruise (midnight Miami time) and then another one on boarding. If you miss out, you miss out. Although some say you can generally get into most restaurants outside of peak hours because of people with bookings who don't turn up. Same for shows.

The price is the same for 2 single plans as it is for a 4 user plan. You may as well get the 4 plan.

The US economy is actually very strong right now. I don't know where people get the idea it is so bad. The U.S. economy is set to expand at a 5.8% annualized rate in the third quarter Unemployment is at record low levels. Wages are rising. Inflation is coming down. That last one is probably why there is a slight uptick in the AUD/USD rate. Downward pressure on interest rates make the US dollar less desirable to investors, so they start looking for other places with higher rates of return, which increases demand for second rank currencies like the AUD.

On the Virgin website direct. I already had set up an account with Virgin Voyages. When you login it shows Upcoming Voyages. You click on View Payment Balance. Then there should be a Make a Payment option. If you don't have an account I'm not sure how it works. The discount is good until 30th November, so if it doesn't work out you can always try again later.

I should add that getting a signal at Tangalooma was no problem last time I was there.

I just paid by credit card on the Virgin Voyages website. There wasn't even a credit card surcharge.

Make sure that roaming is disabled with your mobile service provider so that your phone will only connect with them. Telstra and Telstra resellers have the best coverage along the coast. It's patchy, but you can often get a signal from the top deck if you can see the coastline. Especially going past the big towns like Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour.

I ended up booking the two shorter cruises for a B2B. Should be interesting.

It is a great spot, but take a woolly jumper, on Encounter it is freezing cold. You could keep slabs of beef up there. 🥶

So have I. Let us know how you go. 😊

Details are here. It requires an access code, which is "VirginAustralia" (sans quotes of course). It should work for anyone as far as I can see.

Virgin Australia customers are getting 50% off four Virgin Voyages.

Virgin Voyages have just released their Black Friday pricing. Some local cruises down to $150pp/night for inside guarantee.

I second the 110 bus. It's quick and easy. Just download the timetable from Translink.

With Splendor you get sail out and sail in to Sydney Harbour and docking at Circular Quay opposite the Opera House, which is always a bonus. Enjoy. 😁 I notice in April she has a NZ cruise followed by a Queensland cruise. Either would be very good, both would be excellent.

I haven't been on Splendor, but I'd hate to think it was worse than Luminosa. Not my favourite ship. In fact, it's my least favourite of the ships I've travelled on in Australia, and that includes the Pacific Explorer. To the OP, I would suggest that unless there is a compelling reason to prefer Carnival, then either Princess or Royal Caribbean would be preferable. It's a long way to come to sail on a very ordinary vessel.

Which cruises are they? Are they local Australia/NZ or Transpacifics? If you are going to NZ, April is generally better than September weather wise. Your Fall (Autumn) is our Spring and visa versa.