NDRB

Has anyone had any issues with renting cars in Tromso, Norway, specifically with Hertz? There seem to be a  large number of disturbing online  reviews regarding being charged for damage that was not present when the car was returned.

I also feel I am  being coerced into paying extra for their  Collision Damage insurance  ( which should be covered under my credit card by waiving the Collision Damage) by requiring a document to be signed that holds you immediately  liable for any damage found  ( for up to 6 months after the rental concludes !) and authorizes an $8500 hold on your credit card! 
 

I don’t want a bad experience with Hertz to mar my trip (and my return).  We had really wanted to drive around the nearby islands, but I am wondering if it is worth the potential hassle to have to deal with a company that plays games with its customers. 

Thank you again for your insights, Peter.

Does the Driftwood Resort in Alotau have good snorkelling right off their beach? I assume they provide this service in the hopes you will rent their lounge chairs and spend plenty on food and drink? Do they return you to the ship/town as soon as you are ready to go? Did you feel safe walking back to the ship from town?.

On Kirwina Island, is there a good beach within walking distance or do you need to arrange transportation?

Nina

Hi, Peter- thanks for your note!

We will be visiting Alotau, Kirwina Island, Rabaul, Luganville, Port Vila, and Noumea...

I appreciate your offer to help- I think we have lined up our tours everywhere but Kirwina Island ( no real tours offered there) and Alotau ( we would rather just visit the beach and historical sites, but all the tours seem to visit schools and hospitals).

Nina

Can anyone share what they have been advised to do prior to a cruise to Papua New Guinea, Vanatu, and New Caledonia?

It is quite expensive to see a travel medicine physician here (they don't accept any insurance).

Typhoid vaccinations are available at Walgreens without an Rx for $96 and Yellow Fever for $160, but there is a months' long waiting list for the Yellow Fever. I'm wondering it they are really necessary.

We may eat some food off the ship that is provided by our private tour guides.

We are OK with respect to HepA and Hep B and Tetanus and Diptheria.

Are prophylactic malarial medications advised?

Thank you so much!

Nina.

I'm not sure on the transfer cost. HAL doesn't start their transfers early enough for us to catch a 7am flight, unfortunately...

Nina

I really appreciate the link, MJN1. Some of the taxi companies have apparently gone out of business, but I did receive responses frorm two of the companies... Hopefully it will work out fairly smoothly!

Does anyone have any idea how long I should allow to exit our stateroom with our suitcases and go through customs at that early morning hour? The taxi companies want a pretty precise time to meet, and they charge in 15 minute increments if you are late.

Thank you so much, DipBrat!

Nina

We have an early morning flight out of Singapore (7 am) the mornning after our HAL cruise returns to Singapore (11pm the night before).

It will be too early to take the ship's transfers and we are wondering about the availability of taxis at the pier at 4am?

Nina

Is proof of any vaccination required for entry to either Indonesia and Singapore? We are up-to-date (no cholera, though!) from a trip to Kenya, but I have misplaced documentation of it.

Nina

Thank you both for your input! I lived for two years in Djakarta in the late '60s, but I was quite young and times have changed!

We are on the 14 day HAL tour and will visit Jakarta, Semarang, Probolinggo, Bali, Lembar, Komodo, and Surabaya.

I will plan on more conservative attire for the bigger cities, but was hoping to wear cooler clothing elsewhere, as I do not do well with the heat. I never have, spending most of my years in the tropics at the pools!

Nina

Given the intense heat in Indonesia, I would prefer to wear sleeveless tops and shorts at the various ports of call there. Is there any problem there now with doing so?

Nina

We will be doing a private tour in Bali and are wondering about the good snorkeling beaches. Padang Padang (Blue Lagoon) seems to be the place everyone goes, but I have heard that the trash in the water is pretty bad...

Are there any other good (and safe) beaches where you can snorkel right off the beach?

Thank you,

Nina

We would like to see both the dragons and go out to Pink Beach, but there seem to be very few private tour guides on Komodo.

I did contact one (Jeffry B.) who was recommended by someone on these boards, but he hasn't responded to my several (confirmation request) emails in over a month.

Does anyone have any other tour guide suggestions or know what the story is with Jeffry B.?

Also, I would rather not pay $300 pp! $150 pp is excessive enough, I think.

Thank you,

Nina

I lived in Jakarta many years ago and would like to find a private guide and driver to take us around to a few old haunts.

Can anyone recommend a reputable tour guide? I have heard horror stories about the traffic, so I am a bit concerned about missing the boat, but will probably plan of being back two hours before the boat leaves at 4 pm?

Thanks!

Nina