PasadenaDave

TLCOhio, Thanks for all of your posts as they were most helpful on our Auckland to Sydney cruise recently. The highlights of the trip were Tazmania and the Art Gallery of New South Wales

We were there on Christmas Eve with Viking which has only 930 passengers. The port is a very small town. A shuttle is required to get from the ship to the town which is close. Suttles were provided free of charge to both town and Christchurch from the ship. I don't know if Viking paid for the shuttle into Christchurch or not. I think it might have been the greater Christchurch Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Bureau. I think it is provided locally to both boost visitors to the CBD and not inundate the small town. The trip into the City isn't long, perhaps 15 minutes

We took a taxi from Marriott Circular Quay to the airport last Thursday at 7:30 in the morning very little traffic as it was holiday time and the price was $65. Last month when we arrived at the airport in Auckland and grabbed a taxi to CBD it was reasonably priced and easy to find no wait or need for local phone/data plan

I monitored a trial in the Santa Barbara courthouse last January, it was a very cold week and that court is truly historic especially the heating or lack thereof system. The courthouse grounds are beautiful and the library upstairs is amazing. Turn right and go up stairs after going through Security. Assuming that you will be there tomorrow, Monday it will be open

Final Post, except for questions Today was one long January 4 which began in Sydney don't ask me how many hours ago. We took a taxi from the Marriott and for $65 AUS and 23 minutes we were at the airport at 7:50 but the counters didn't open until 8:30. Note that I heard that the price of light rail from Circular Quay is $18-$20AUS per person so I think spending $25 AUS extra for no hassle and no luggage trudging and learning the system to be money well spent. Flight boarded and departed timely and but for a few bumpy spots including one major drop we arrived a few minutes early. It is now early afternoon PST and I had a 55 minute nap, hoping to stay up until 8 or 9 tonight. Happy Cruising

We got home this morning from the long flight from Australia and I am wasted. This cruise had more people needing assistance from walkers, scooters and canes. There were also many young people in 20-40 range, I think that was due to the holiday season when the entire family could get time to go together

There was much talk at each port concerning Biosecurity. I think all cruise lines learned from last year the problems with sea creatures riding for free. To me this is nothing to worry about. Oceania is the only cruise line that I have been told is close to Viking. One person on this cruise prefers them but most comparisons rank Viking tops. I think it comes down to itinerary.

Wednesday January 3 We slept in until 8:30!!! That never happens. We had a rude awakening in that there was no Living Room to visit. Never fear, I found a great coffee place in the alley next to the Marriott. We visited the Sydney Museum which is a top notch small museum with exhibits on the history of the area and excellent video about settlers encroaching upon aboriginal lands. Also great photos, dioramas and memorabilia from the Opera House. We walked to the Rocks area for a late lunch and saw a gigantic ship loading people. A short walk through the Contemporary Art Museum which wasn’t too our liking. Resting with tea and proper Cadbury chocolate. We will pack for a taxi at 7:30 tomorrow to the airport.

Tuesday January 2. Gr’aunt, I will reply to your message later. today was “get evicted day”. My wife got our cappuccino’s from Living Room as she was up and ready early. We were leaving the ship by taxi so our departure time was 8:30 to 9:30. We ate at World Cafe joining crowds in living room around 8:00. I had seen people struggling with luggage on gangway as they self-carried. Note, that this is Viking, only 930 passengers max, have them get your luggage ashore as it is easy to find. when our color was called we were the first off the ship, I didn’t check the time, but we barely broke stride from gangway to luggage to first taxi in line. Arrived at Marriott to a zoo, many with Viking excursion. Room wasn’t ready but they had a room to relax and have tea. No sooner was tea done when room was ready and in room at 0945. We were on our way soon and people from the ship were still checking in. A fun day at Art Gallery of New South Wales including walk to and from 12,000 step day. Relaxed in room and I had a sauna and swim. To early dinner and Opera, La Traviata where I saw a colleague whom I previously worked with. We had a similar experience in 2019 in Paris! To bed exhausted, what a great city and the opera was amazing

Monday, New Year’s Day. 0630 cappuccino from Living Room with normal 0800 visit to Nordic Spa. We ate breakfast at World Cafe before the Giant Brunch was set out in Wintergarden. This was a huge spread that we nibbled on after watch entry into Sydney Harbour. This is an amazing sail. We took the included coach tour to South Head and Bondi, it was windy and damp but people were swimming. I don’t understand the attraction to Bondi Beach, a small crowded beach, but a great party atmosphere if you are young. We packed, ate at the World Cafe and set bags in the hall for pickup. Note that we docked at Circular Quay, but moved at 11:30 at night to White Bay Cruise Terminal, I neither felt or heard the ship move. We are staying here on our own until Thursday and I will post our activities to help future travelers

Sunday, New Year’s Eve a sea day. Nordic Spa to start the day. Breakfast in World Cafe and watched passengers beat crew in Baggo. Reading, a one mile walk, a nap and lunch at the World Cafe to fill up the day. Dinner in restaurant where we were the last to be seated, our choice at 8:30. Prime Rib and Eton Mess. We explored finding Torshaven for the first time out of now 29 Viking Ocean nights. We enjoyed a drink while watching NYE from Sydney on the screen. Watched some big party at the pool, only time a crowd on Viking and in bed at 11:45 to watch the television from Sydney until the fireworks began. The first time up at midnight NYE in many years, but sleeping almost immediately. Happy New Year

I am generally reluctant to list “must see” places as what I think is great is dull to others a vice versa. I will say that the War Memorial has some excellent Māori items and history. We didn’t, but I think the ferry ride and a walk in Davenport would be nice. suggest that you study a Google map for sightseeing and organize what you want to see

We stayed at Hotel Britomart on December 18. It is two blocks from Queens Wharf/Shed 10 where our Viking Sip docked and where ferries to Davenport and the islands dock. Plenty of taxis available from the airport

We saw a great deal of sloppy dress yesterday and it was the line of people boarding the three day P&O cruise out of Melbourne. We even saw a kid on the Adventure Ropes Course

I think I forgot to post about our sea day on Friday, it was more of the same except for two visits to the Nordic Spa! Yesterday which was Saturday the 30th was Melbourne. Showers as we arrived and no morning spa due to an excursion. We did the included to the War Memorial and Botanical Gardens with driving through downtown and narration. I have seen many war memorials and don’t need to see any more. The Botanical Gardens was nice despite my answering a few questions about trees that the docent could not. We have the world class Huntington Gardens and Galleries ten minutes from where we live so there is that. I thought that we would be dropped off near the ship shuttle but the directions were vague and we were chilled so we returned to the ship. I made my visit to the Nordic Spa and had a nap due to two beers at pool grill when we returned from excursion. We had sailed twenty minutes when we returned to the wharf to discharge a passenger needing hospital care. Slight diversion which won’t impact our journey. World cafe for roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and sleep by nine.

We are currently on Auckland to Sydney. I took out $100 NZ from an ATM and I spent all but $5, but really didn’t need cash. I didn’t need cash in Hobart and I don’t plan on getting any AUS $ for four full land days remaining. Keep in mind that it is legal here for the merchant to charge you the merchant fee passing on charges that in North America merchants absorb. I don’t think this applies if using a debit card

We walked off ship and took the first taxi. There is a shuttle service by an outfit which is unaffiliated with the Sanctuary, however they take this time to go on holiday, he was very responsive to my inquiry. You can purchase admission on website of Sanctuary with no specific time, it is good for one year

October 2024

Today, Thursday the 28th was such a great day that I am awake after nine! The day began with cappuccino from the Living Room at 0630 and then steam and soak at Nordic Spa. Breakfast in World Cafe and wait to leave ship which was delayed until 11:35. We took a taxi to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There is a tour but it was full and we are glad that it was. We were almost done there when the tour arrived. We had a great time feeding and petting kangaroos and seeing Tasmanian devils. The taxi hung around as business is slow and he drove us back via Richmond to see a historic bridge and village. Upon returning we walked the city and waterfront. We were very lucky to see the number 3 and 4 finishers of the Sydney to Hobart race, the winners crossed the line at 0800. I was so excited to see this as it is to me the World Series or Super Bowl. Shared hot dog and relaxed in room and on sailing watched number five approaching the finish. Nap and then dinner in restaurant which was the bast meal ever at sea. Tomorrow is a sea day.

We booked two cruises yesterday while on board Auckland to Sydney. Based on the occupancy levels of both cruises booked, there is no need to worry about Viking filling their ships.

Wednesday the 27th was more of the same. The seas were rough with walking, I mean waltzing to and fro around the ship. Our excitement, we watched Baggo while waiting, was booking a River Cruise to Portugal and a Japan to Hong Kong journey. We ate at Manfriedies. It was a disappointment, poor service and my pork chop was very salty. The Carbonara was very good. We would have had a better meal at the Restaurant which has been good. Yes, I am critical when served a dish that I could have made it better myself. Tomorrow is Hobart! Hint, it was better than imagined with Maxi class racing yachts!

Boxing Day was more of the same at sea. All meals in the World Cafe today as we need a break from mega dining. Three highlights: I finished my book about Shackleton, I did a full mile walk around the ship, and I saw a pod of whales at a distance. Today I learned that there had been a pod of ten near the ship. Bed by nine, yes we love excitement

We were in Auckland for one night December 18 and stayed at the Hotel Britomart which is two blocks from Shed 10 where Viking docks. Most convenient hotel to the ship at that pier. New modern hotel which we learned about from booking at aa.com frequent flier site as we used ff miles to book and pay.

Yesterday was Christmas in these parts. I am a creature of habit enjoying the Nordic Spa on opening. The day was devoted to reading, World Cafe for breakfast, The restaurant for lunch and dinner. Dinner was scallop appetizer and beef Wellington followed by blueberry cheesecake. A cool and cloudy day.

Yesterday we were at Lyttelton/Christchurch. There were provided shuttle from ship to local town and separate shuttle to Christchurch. The route from port went through a long tunnel and dropped off at CBD. We had a nice walk visiting the art museum and craft fair. As expected it was quiet due to Sunday and it being Christmas Eve. Weather began cool in the fifties with low clouds rising to 70 and sun. Morning activities limited to hot tub as the steam room was under repair. My wife had her hair “fixed”, I don’t have those issues. Due to the port of Dunedin being skipped due to Christmas we learned that we were all awarded $150 US in onboard credit each. That is fair. We had a late lunch and enjoyed a drink in Explorers Lounge as we sailed out of the port. A late dinner in World Cafe and time in our books.