mochuck

22 hours ago, Carol From California said:

228.  In the polar regions it may be restricted to 200.  It was that way on Silversea when we went to Antarctica last year.  

 So what did you think of Antarctica? It seems like a lot of the same, but I'm sure there is more to it than that.

What is the maximum number of passengers on Scenic Eclipse?

Thanks. Even then its ridiculously expensive.

I've been looking for an internet package for a 16 day cruise we're doing on Norwegian Joy in October. I came across this one AU$451but further down the page it says:

 Price displayed is per day use. Total cruise rate will be calculated based on the number of cruise days.

That can't be right can it?  $451 per day? That is extortionate! Please tell me its wrong!

Did the kettle stay in the cabin for the duration of the cruise. Did they have a normal balcony cabin or JS ?

Thanks, Claire

The kettle was there for the duration of the cruise.

None of the packages include the beverages in the stateroom cooler, or beverages from room service.

We have gotten wine from our package via room service before.

Has anyone done this in Salerno? We're doing a land trip to Amalfi in September. I've sent off an inquiry but they don't have any prices on their website.

I wouldnt worry people take on huge suitcases and jam them in the overhead lockers. No one seems to care . These days you could bring a baby elephant on board and if it will fit in the overhead locker then no one seems to care .

 

You see the first airline to actually enforce weight or size of luggage carried on board becomes the bad boy and loses out with bad PR that just drives people to other airlines.

Seriously? That is not true at all. People don't take on huge suitcases. I've seen plenty of people sent back to check in bags that are larger than the allowed limit.

As for PR I don't think too many airlines worry about that much these days. :confused:

Rather than do a harbour cruise I would suggest catching the Manly Ferry. You'll see all of the same things and its much cheaper. Get off at Manly go to the beach have some lunch and come back on the ferry.

FWIW there is now way I would catch a bus from Sydney to Brisbane. Seriously! Catch a plane and be there in just over an hour. There's an awful lot of not much to look at on the road from Sydney to Brisbane.

There is a free shuttle bus that does a continuous loop of the city itself.

We used Simon from Cruise Tauranga last year. He was very good

Thanks to both of you. As long as its only a slight hill we will probably walk

Can anyone tell me how far the SkyTower is from the port? Is it walking distance?

What i would like to know is apart from the ship's costs does you provider charge you extra if you are outside of your home country?

For me it comes down to this: The people on the ship who are tipped earn about $50 per month in salary.

Wow that is absolutely shocking! Why not pay them nothing and tell them to suck it up and work for their tips. That is outright exploitation.

I booked it through King's Tours and we are staying on the Canadian side I believe.

It is proper to tip tour guides $10 or 15% of the tour price. Here is a linke to an Orbitz Guide for tipping:

 

http://www.orbitz.com/App/ViewTravelWatchArticle?headline=Tips+on+tipping

 

And here's the quote from it:

Tour Guides and drivers: For extended tours, $1-$2 per person per day; for day trips, $10 or 15 percent of the tour cost per person.

 

 

During the summer months I work as tour guide in Niagara Falls. The tours I give cost $75.00 for a five to six hour trip. I both drive the bus and give the tour. I receive an average tip of $6.61 per person. I get paid minimum wage by my company. Some companies just give their driver/guides a flat fee of $40.00 no matter how long the tour takes. I am given a small commission from the one gift shop that we are contractually obligated to visit; it usually works out to about $12.00 per tour. My total hourly income with all of these revenue streams put together comes to about $23.00. Without tips it would be $9.00 and I wouldn't do it.

 

Tip your tour guides!

Actually I'm doing a Niagara Falls day tour from Toronto next month. Do the same priciples apply for tipping Canada as the US?

I sailed on Legend of the Seas last year and the perfume was definitely cheaper than at Sydney airport.

Thanks so much Jane. Its useful to have a fellow Aussie's perspective and experience. We've booked the cruise, next will be the flights then the hotels.

I've never used Priceline before - only became aware of its existence on this site. Any idea of the optimum time to book ahead to get the best price? Closer to the date or further?

Also does anyone know if you can book hotel rooms in the US through Priceline from Australia

I find this one a little bit anal

Hi-lighter (can select things on the Daily Schedule to do) and other pens for filling in forms

Are you planning to go and stay in the Hunter Valley or do a day trip from Sydney? You mentioned Newcastle, are you planning to stay there and do a day trip?