Dinosuitgirl

Don't forget to pay for travel insurance

19 hours ago, LindaD22 said:

 we went to Russell Island

Russell isn't an island it's on a peninsula... It was the first capital of New Zealand when the British Settlers first colonized NZ. The Duke of Marlborough claims to be one of the oldest pub/inns in NZ (but that's contentious) it's just a sleepy little chocolate box town now. From Flagstaff hill you look back at Paihia and Waitangi which is where the treaty between the English and Maori was signed. 

Personally I think that's a long drive for a nice view, but your missing so much by getting all the way to Arthur's pass and not going on any hikes... But then again you don't have that luxury of that kind of time on a cruise. (We spent 8mths towing an 8m travel trailer around the South Island) 

For us Lyttleton is nice but won't fill a morning even if the market is on... There are a few nice walks up in the hills especially around the gondola but it's a mission to get to without a car. 

I personally would get to Christchurch and do the tram around town find a nice bar or a bite at riverside, Christchurch city area is mostly new and flat and easy and has a pretty river running through it. There's more than enough to fill a day in Chch. 

I've cross the Tasman in a 4 berth catamaran and several times in cruise ships many thousand times larger.... it just depends on the weather..... It's not nearly as gnarly as the Foveaux Strait... Sometimes even the Cook Strait can be a bit lumpy... Just pack some scopolamine patches and whatever else you like for anti nausea... Find a place with a view of the horizon if you feel green and munch on some ginger candy or sip a cuppa lemon ginger tea.... Personally I find going for a brisk outdoor walk helps (can't do that on a catamaran 😆) and something starchy for my tummy. 

I literally came here to ask the same question... I just need to check my emails and check in with my house sitter and property cameras... I planned to grab a telstra sim at the airport and hope for the best (it's not a big gamble) and then connect to ship wifi if needs must as a last resort 

12 hours ago, lucymorgan said:

We have cruised out of Brisbane a couple of times (arriving/departing by air).  From the airport, we got a free shuttle (https://www.bne.com.au/sites/default/files/2017-08/Brisbane Airport Skygate Loop Timetable - July 2017.pdf) to the Skygate Shopping Centre (+DFO) which has a big woolworths and lots of shops and restaurants, stayed at the Novotel https://novotelbrisbaneairport.com.au/, then next day caught a taxi to the port.  It is a shorter distance than taking a taxi from the airport.

 

After the cruise, we catch a taxi to the airport, check in our bags then if we have a late flight catch the shuttle back to Skygate and then return to the airport in time for our flight. 

Here is the website for the Skygate shopping centre https://www.skygate.com.au/

Amazing 😍 I love TK Maxx 😆 and haven't been to an Aussie version before so that will be new and fun m! Thanks for the tip on the shuttle ❤️❤️❤️

3 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

We’re 13 months away from arriving at BNE to stay a few days in Brisbane prior to a circumnavigation of Australia cruise…any reasonably priced hotel recommendations for the CBD area?

 

The cruise is scheduled to arrive at 0800…if there are no delays would a 1215 flight to AKL likely be doable? We’ll have 2 days there before sailing to LA…we decided that was better than another long flight.

 

I booked the Alcyone on the recommendations from above, it's not the cheapest for the area but the area is where we want to be... Someone local might be able to help with Hamilton vs CBD 

If you have priority disembarkation 8am should be okay for a midday flight provided nothing goes wrong and there isn't traffic or issues collecting/checking bags I personally don't like leaving it so fine only because I enjoy duty free shopping and a bite and drink in the business lounge. 

I highly recommend staying downtown in Auckland... Depending on budget, the lylo on the low end nesuto in the mid and Sofitel/Hotel Britomart is if you're feeling fancy. The downtown mall (commerical bay) has loads of dining or walk to North Wharf for drinks and food. Big 24hr Countdown/Woolworths (in the middle of a rebrand) has all the grocery/wine/medication you'll want. And across the road is a 24hr self service laundromat 

2 hours ago, mum and son said:

The apartment-hotel at Portside is called Alcyone. There are other options around as well. At Portside there are plenty of restaurant options and a 24hr cafe downstairs from Alcyone. There's an IGA supermarket in the precinct and a Woolworths in the neighbouring complex.

Whoa haha you've been reading my mind it's literally my top listed choice on wotif right now because it looks really close to the ferry to town and stuff 🤩 thanks! I'll book it now.... the only thing holding me back was it not being refundable I did want to find something better and regret it 😂

17 minutes ago, Ozwoody said:

A taxi from the BICT to the International Airport is about 20 mins drive time, the ship would be totally disembarked I would think no later than 11am, you will have a long wait between if your flights at 6pm.

May need to drop bags of at the airport, and use the Air train to and from the city to kill time.

I'll do a lap of the duty free and then relax in the lounge maybe try and grab a nap because we have a long drive home after the flight 😮‍💨

13 minutes ago, Jean C said:

 the previous flight is 11am, too close for comfort for me.

Yeah I had a domestic midday flight from Tainjin to Shanghai post cruise and I definitely was bricking it the whole time until we got through security.... I'm certainly dreading the 3.5hr drive home after landing 😕

2 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

 there were probably two dozen cabs lined up waiting for passengers so the drivers obviously weren't reluctant to go to the terminal.

Glad to hear that as we have a same day flight home 😬 hopefully a 6pm take off is late enough not to be a drama no matter how late we disembark 

2 hours ago, Jean C said:

. To follow, we bought a couple of slices of a Belgian chocolate gateaux, absolutely delicious - I only wish they sold it in NZ, although it would be addictive 

Well I saw this morning Coles in Aus is selling Pizza Shape flavoured Hot cross buns 😧 

We live in Northland too! And this is our first cruise since the world shut down... We use to do one every year... Infact pre pandemic we lived in a down town apartment looking out over the Wharf in Auckland. 

Fab thanks! Will keep looking in portside... I saw reports from a year ago taxis are reluctant to go to the terminal and/or will charge for the state of disrepair of the road? 

We're arriving a day early from New Zealand and want something where we can wander about (not set on CBD) to grab a dinner and some last min supplies. Ideally we want somewhere we can easily get to the port terminal in the morning.

Also am I crazy or is there very limited transport options to the terminal from anywhere? 

Is Uber/Didi really our best option?