Teachkids2

Sailing on NCL, Spirit, on January 16-28.  We originally were scheduled to go to Lyttelton but port was changed to Timaru. Now port is changed back to Lyttlelton. Does anyone know if there are shuttles that take people to Christchurch.  It looks like there are buses (public transportation) but not sure how close they are to port or if you can purchase a ticket at this location. Has anyone gone recently that can give me info?  Thanks in advance  

1 hour ago, Chiliburn said:

I haven’t been there by ship but if you can get a car ,drive up to lake tekapo .

Yes, that’s what we would like to do.

Our cruise ship, NCL, has changed ports from Lyttleton to Timaru. Has anyone been to Timaru to give us ideas of what to do? We would love to rent a car. Has anyone done this? Thanks

2 hours ago, Vader1111 said:

Tauranga is the jumping off point for trips to Rotorua (basically one big thermal wonderland), and Hobbiton (where they shot parts of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies).  Neither of these attractions are terribly close to Tauranga, so pre-booking tours is an excellent idea.

 

I must admit, I've never spent any time in the city itself - I've done tours to Rotorua on both of my previous visits.

Thanks! We are staying in Aukland 2 extra days after the cruise and have already booked the excursion for Hobbiton and Rotorua from Aukland. 

Has anyone used Get Your Guide services when they visited Burnie?

On 10/25/2023 at 8:57 PM, shireboi said:

 

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/

What are must sees and dos in Tauranga?

On 10/24/2023 at 5:06 AM, yarramar said:

If you want more specific advice, tell us your interests, number in party, ages etc.

I would suggest that you could always do better to do anything other than take the excursions offered by NCL and sitting on a bus with 5o other people, however, Eden is a difficult one as it is only on the list because it has facilities to take a large ship. Eden itself is (IMO) a horrible place to be avoided if possible. The surrounds, though, are beautiful so taking a shuttle into town would not be my idea of a good use of valuable sightseeing.

A day trip to Cradle Mountain from Burnie is worthwhile if you love nature and views.

Melbourne & Sydney both have a huge variety of things to do depending upon your interests

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? 

On NCL we have booked the following excursions.  Not sure if we will take them all.  Please let me know if you have been on any of these and if so please provide feedback.

Eden ~ Cruise to Twofold Bay

Burnie ~ Devils & Roos (Wings Park Farm)

Melbourne ~ Healsville Sanctuary (we have decided only to do one of these either this one or Burnie or if we should just do the one in Sydney and scrap both of these)

Lyttleton Discovery Cruise

Thank you for the map and information.

On 10/24/2023 at 1:12 AM, possum52 said:

All trams in Melbourne CBD are free, just cost once outside the green zone on the map below.

Thanks for the information

Hi, 

We are stopping at the following ports and are wondering what are the best excursions/places to see & visit. Eden, Burnie, Melbourne, Sydney in Australia

Dunedin, Lyttleton, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Aukland. 
We are on NCL but looking at other excursions from other vendors.

Thanks

6 hours ago, ezcruzer said:

Just checked the NCL website and it still has vax required for those over 12 if going to Tasmania. Where did you see the update? Thanks.

They updated it on 10/6. Tasmania is no longer on the list, they don’t have any countries listed.

1 hour ago, cheznandy said:

We are on this one. I can confirm that we have 2 days in Hobart, no vax or testing required for the cruise.

I received an email from my inquiry regarding Tasmania. They confirmed that Tasmania no longer has any restrictions regarding vaccination. I was told the website would be changed today and I just checked again and there is an update and restrictions are gone. 😊

I’m surprised NCL hasn’t switched to another port as well. I do have an email submitted to the Tasmania department of Health because I can’t find anything not permitting people who are unvaccinated to sail/visit there.

2 hours ago, arxcards said:

+1. I can't spot anything here - maybe you can. The protocols were just undone, without much in the way of press releases. I can only think that NCL hasn't noticed..

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Tasmanian Department of Health

 

IF Tasmania was to be the odd one out (I don't think they are), it would be in NCL's interest to find an alternate port to Hobart. Alas, it is NCL that is the odd one out.

 

Good Luck, you must be running out of time.

 

4 minutes ago, habitatnal said:

The interesting thing is that Carnival is selling a cruise that leaves on October 31st going to Hobart and there is nothing on the Carnival website that indicates that there are any cruises with restrictions.  If there truly are restrictions there will be many upset people because they weren’t told about them when booking.

Does anyone know why Tasmania is on the list for NCL?

Has anyone heard from NCL regarding vaccine status for Australia?

2 hours ago, habitatnal said:

Have you heard anything from NCL?  When I emailed them they didn’t respond.

They said they are not changing their policy and to keep checking website for any updates. I don’t get it. All the other cruise lines have opened their sailings since the government lifted the restrictions. Someone else said they emailed and got same response. Others, like you have heard nothing. 

I didn’t know where to start so I sent it to the above email. I got a very nice email from the VP of guest services so am including that email as well.

vicepresidentguestservices@ncl.com

Just now, Teachkids2 said:

I emailed public relations publicrelations@ncl.com

12 minutes ago, habitatnal said:

I don’t understand how NCL can sail around the world with no protocols but they won’t drop them for Australia.  Do you have a good email address for NCL?  I couldn’t find one.

I emailed public relations publicrelations@ncl.com

I sent an email to NCL guest services. They said they would be discussing this at meetings this week. I got a reply back on Monday stating at this time NCL is keeping their requirement to be vaccinated and tested prior to sailing from Australia. They did say to keep checking because things could change but for now the protocol remains. Perhaps those that wish to travel should hound corporate and send emails. Most of us in our party are vaccinated but we have a few that are not. 

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/australian-states-remove-all-cruise-covid-protocols/