shireboi
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Posts posted by shireboi
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Didn't need one last week (Resilient Lady / Arrival) into Auckland.
Just filled out the two page 'declaration' form - quickly thru passport control / customs and then straight out into the Queen Street Wharf
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On 2/11/2024 at 8:09 PM, jcruizer said:
We are cruising VV to NZ on the 5th March. Only cruising this one, as it was a great price... Not normally our kind of ship but food reviews are good and it will be interesting to try this one...
Same - only 20 more days (you can spot me in red on Scarlett Night or in Pjs on the first night 🙂
VV has to take into consideration that this season was quite quick, short cruises, limited ports (mainly Tasmania) - and ask is that what consumers are after ?? It was very much a trial !!
I've love to do the Athens to Australia trip - and all the ports in btw (maybe 2025) - but I wouldn't be planning / booking anything that far out (I got a good deal - with a $U900 bar tab)
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Whilst not listed here....
Auckland - Dock or Tenders (ship dependent) - eg Ovation (Tender) / Most others dock - and this dock is like Circular Quay right in town.
Just heard from mate/travelling at the moment - that Ovation has had ISSUEs with Tenders today in Auckland - and has ultimately 'missed' this stop - everyone is p******.
Christchurch - See article - https://www.christchurchnz.com/news/transport-plan-confirmed-for-christchurch-cruise-seasonhttps://www.metroinfo.co.nz/travel-and-fares-info/cruise-ship-passengers/
To travel to the Gondola or into Christchurch city, your best options are to use the shuttle buses from the wharf provided by the cruise lines. We have been working hard with our industry partners to ensure that these shuttles offer a fast, direct and affordable service
Picton - shuttle from the 'log dock' is provided - you cannot walk off - this takes you to the park/bus stop close to the shop areas
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1 hour ago, mr walker said:
I'm hoping for a 5-6N roundtrip from Sydney in 1st half Dec '25 - don't really care where it goes.
after they have based their AU departures for the 1st season out of Melbourne ???
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a google search here
https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles/overseas-passenger-terminal-parking-address-amenity-info
There is NO free wifi
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Lot of promotional activity for Resilient Lady over the next few days. They were lucky to get such great weather !!
Looks like that tree at the back has been removed !
(gee you can't even post a youtube page from a travel reviewer site on here)
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So… since last Thurs it hasn’t arrived anywhere ?? They should join the P&O passengers and revolt /s
when one thing goes wrong,,,,we got lucky on its 3rd cruise out of Sydney that it rushed between Picton and Dunedin arriving a night earlier Jan 2017 due to expected bad weather
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/look-what-turned-time-dinner
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3 hours ago, MMDown Under said:
Looking for personal recommendations for excursions to -
Napier (15/1) Cape Kidnappers (Gannets) or similar) Have visited the art decor town.
Picton (16/1) First visit (Drove through from ferry down West Coast South Island ?)
Picton - again it's wineries - however CHECK your port schedule for your cruise (doing the 5 March - and times on this trip are 10.00 -17.00 - this doesn't allow for much time)
I probably wont be getting off, didn't find much to do walking around the town (note its a working dock - and requires buses from the logging port).
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SO much for this couple wanting to get married
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1 hour ago, MMDown Under said:
One rule I follow - I don't eat those yummy bread rolls they bring around in a basket. Do they do that on Virgin?
you think ??
Korean BBQ.... plus a bread basket.
Mexican.... plus a bread basket..
/s if you didn't know .
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back on topic.....
Menus for VV / Resilient Lady
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Virgin trivia....
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2 hours ago, helkatred said:
We have booked for a 4 night Sydney-Hobart (and back!) on Resilient Lady and looking forward to trying it with the idea of also doing the October 2024 Athens-Perth repositioning. I'm on top of things with regards to the app, check-in, Hobart excursion booked (beware, the cruise was in AUD but the excursion was charged in USD although quoted in AUD, so we incurred international transaction fees) BUT I would love to know what the entertainment on board is like. Afraid to say I am mad keen trivia player and wonder if that's too old fashioned for Virgin; or do they do upcoming port lectures for instance??? Anyone able to help?
There’s plenty of YouTube clips on this ship - if you are imagining Cunard and port lectures, then this is not the cruise line for you. Expecting big sit down shows or captain announcements, again, not for you.there’s Scarlet night (where the whole ship is red - so dress up in red ), Pajama night…l plus a few shows in the Manor.
doing the Melb to Auckland trip in March - but wish I could fo the Athens to Sydney trip next year. There were a few deals a few weeks ago offering decent bar tabs (we got $U900)
Any further questions are answered here
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11 hours ago, yarramar said:
Anyone interested in the Resilient Lady can follow the shenanigans of her first repositioning cruise to Australia. There are hundreds of Aussies on board as the deal to sail was to good to pass up. They left Athens on October 22. https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2841105-resilient-lady-athens-to-sydney-october-22-2023/page/155/
I SO WANT to do this cruise next year (some GREAT deals) ... but I would have to do it solo (and that's the burden 😞 )
You can also follow Resilient Lady on the FB group as well (for this ship) - there's been some GREAT videos of the sail thru the Suez Canal.- been looking at this group every day.
Don't know if you have to book dinner to get go and look over the ship
You do - but most of the restaurant time slots are sold out.
Noted this event via FB. Doing the Melb/Auck cruise in March - so will pass on this.
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11 minutes ago, possum52 said:
Why do you need an app? You are just using your credit card and there is a minimum top up of $20 when you get the Opal card which you might not use.
Do you what to keep things SIMPLE for tourists - or just make it more non simple ??
No probs - I wont comment any further in providing assistance for foreign tourists.
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44 minutes ago, possum52 said:
Yes I realise that, I was just correcting the statement that you need to buy Opal cards.
then you have to install the app, turn on NFC, ENSURE that you have access to the internet (data sim or using roaming), credit cards, fees, etc etc etc for a one day user - much easier just to get a card, less to worry about
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On 10/30/2023 at 7:49 AM, Teachkids2 said:
There are 8 adults in our party ranging in ages from 54-78. We don't mind doing separate excursions. We are looking for recommendations on seeing wildlife. In Sydney do you recommend the Taronga Zoo, Wildlife Sydney Zoo, or Sea Life Aquarium?
For Sydney - Taronga Zoo - here are the details
https://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo
Note that you are BEST to book online and save % - further it appears that it's all cashless there.
To get there - you will need to get Opal cards (locate the customer service centres at Circular Quay (this is the hub for the trains and ferries) - and it's a 5min walk from where the cruise ship is - just load it up with enough $ - based on the costings below :
Trip Planner on the transportnsw website has the cost (about $6.80 each way)
https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/sydney-ferries/f2/090F2
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You had an existing thread - with your questions - suggest to merge your posts.
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On 10/25/2023 at 9:17 AM, OzKiwiJJ said:
Last season they started a new ferry service across to Tauranga. It leaves from a wharf right next to the cruise dock.
it's not cheap $N15 return.
https://taurangaharbourferry.rezdy.com/
We'll be getting the day bus pass for $N7.80 and taking a few trips around the areas
https://faqs.baybus.co.nz/hc/en-nz/articles/7305813525135-Tauranga-Urban-and-School-Bus-Fares
MAKE SURE you have $NZ cash if you want to do this !!
maps
https://www.baybus.co.nz/tauranga-western-bay/tauranga-and-western-bay/
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this is NOT a recommendation - but try this mob
https://www.dunedindetours.co.nz/cruise-ship-tours-dunedin
That Port Chalmers is quite a way out - throw in that the driver to deliver would need to then find their way back to their office - PLUS then come back out to it up again - these 'costs' will ultimately be 'added' to any one day rental.
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On 10/22/2023 at 5:59 AM, lovedecruise said:
Hi, as we have previously sailed on cruises leaving Australia or NZ, we have had our gratuities included in the fare and have tipped those we felt deserved it at the end of the cruise. On this cruise, however, we have a daily gratuity to pay that is added to our onboard account. This is because the cruise is en route to Australia from the US, sailing through NZ, where we join the cruise. When I was speaking to our Princess Cruise Planner, I was rather surprised when he said we could just take the tips off as that is what some Australians and NZ's do, and then tip those who deserved it at the end of the cruise. The way he said it, it sounded as though this was almost the norm. To those out there in Australia and NZ, what did you do when you found yourself in this situation? I know tipping is a personal decision but I just wondered what others thought.
I simply don't tip - it's become a 'fall back' scam that cruise lines have simply used as an 'excuse'. In the 'past' you may have left some $$$ for your room attendant, NOW it goes into some 'company bucket' without you knowing exactly where your 'gratuity' contribution goes "Oh we just add it to your bill - and it miraculously gets handed to your attendant". Accepting this is just nuts. What justification is there to provide a 'gratuity' based upon the numbers in a room ?? - so a room with 2 in it takes less time to 'clean' than one with 4 ?? (added do you really need your room attended to everyday ??) - throw in the number of 'rooms' this attendant might clean - x the number of days - and basically you are this persons' employer - as the company isn't paying them.
It's a bit rich for this line to 'add' this tip just for your section from NZ to AU
One can take time to see how tipping is out of control in the US - where you (the customer) are getting presented with a screen to 'tip' at various percentages - even before you've been provided with anything. THIS is EXACTLY how you are being treated : please 'pre-pay' before you actually get anything.
It has become a 'guilt' trip now - where even for small purchases and drive thru
I am going to enjoy my Virgin Voyage next year without this gratuity scam
If those that 'think' that auto tips being 'added' cheapens their cruise - maybe explain how Disney gets to charge a small fortune - and then nickel and dimes with those extra 'tips' ??
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5 hours ago, Kangakid said:
We have a 4 night Disney cruise planned for this November. I But gosh, the extras that come with it….$14.50USD per day per person so for us $USD58 per day per room $USD232 per cruise so nearly $366AUD.
If this is the 'gratuity' - then simply see about not paying this - or reduce that amount. It's outrageous that they are slugging everyone in the room for the same amount - for the same amount of 'service' (like what are you honestly going to get done in your room for 4 nights ?? what .. new sheets, a bit of clean, anything else ?????)
Don't get 'guilted' into paying this - Disney are charging big $$$$$$
The optional gratuity for your assigned cruise stateroom and dining hosts will be automatically added to the onboard cruise folio on embarkation day. Guests may request to adjust or remove this optional gratuity before the end of their cruise. Simply call or visit the cruise ship's Guest Services Desk while you are onboard, any time prior to disembarking at the end of the cruise. If available on your vessel, you can use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator mobile application (the "Mobile App") to review your onboard cruise folio during your cruise. More information on optional gratuities can be found at /faq/onboard-services/gratuities/.
Resilient Lady in Fremantle today - 2nd April 2024
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
Posted
You might be counting for a while 😞
Yep - missing that ship - it's been 3 weeks since leaving it.......