Ela 2

I HATE the whole tipping culture.

 

I have seen way too often people who tip thinking that it entitles them to better service (just look at all the threads that talk about handing out $$$ to the steward on the first day, or a tip to the bartender to get faster service when things are busy) or to treat those receiving the tip as some lesser being.

 

HOWEVER, having become aware of how the system works, with staff getting minimal pay and relying on the service charges /tips to make an income, I leave the auto tips in place on line's that have them.

 

What worries me most is that some seem to insist that not only should you leave these in place but then MUST tip extra again, to the degree that over the last few years some crew seem to expect to get extra.

 

I have tipped extra when someone has really gone out of their way to make my experience special.

Agreed. :D

You can easily get a taxi. The last time we did that the price worked out at AUD$20 per hour. Allowing for some inflation, AUD$25 per hour would be plenty. When you are negotiating, stipulate that you mean AUD, otherwise they will think it is FJD that are worth a lot less.

I suggest you ask to be taken to a village and then to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. It is a superb orchid garden originally owned by Raymond Burr the actor. If you plan to go to a village, make sure that the women in the group all have their knees and shoulders covered. Short sleeves are OK, but no shoe-string straps. If anyone is wearing short pants they will have to put a sarong over. The Fijians are very conservative. The other place worth visiting is the Hindu temple in Nandi. Even if you just look from outside, it is worth visiting. Some people spend the port day in one of the hotels on Denaru Island. A shuttle bus goes from the shopping centre where the tender drops you off and it does the circuit of the hotels. Their pools are lovely and you can get a drink and a meal. The beach is not attractive.

It is not obvious, but when you log in to cruise control, there is a link that takes you to what the parties will be for that particular cruise.

 

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I will have a look for it. :)

There is one undeniable fact:

 

1. Building a cruise terminal into open ocean is not just stupid, it's insane.

Agreed.;)

I found a fix for my problem in the "report bugs and gliches" forum. It involved deleting cookies from my browser. If you don't know how to do this, google "delete cookies firefox" or "delete cookies chrome" or whatever browser you are using, and follow the directions given.

I will try that. I am still not accessing the forum when I 'click' to open. I am also not posting under my regular name. :) It does not come up for me.

P.S. I looked at the "report bugs and gliches" but didn't want to post all my details - email etc. I have sent a couple of emails to the moderators and hope they respond. I do like to check out CC.

P&O doesn't have formal nights - only 'cocktail' nights. That is 'cocktail' dress, not cocktails being served. On the Cruise Personalizer (called Cruise Control) it does not show what the special nights are. As was mentioned earlier, they will have a Blanco (White) night and Gatsby night. A lot of people dress up, but not all.

In Fiji we used AUD. They would probably also take NZ dollars.

Princess doesn't have a shuttle to Christchurch, but they do run a shore tour. It is about two hours' drive (each way). When you go ashore at Akaroa there will be a private tour to Christchurch offered.

Unless you have a particular reason to go to Christchurch, I wouldn't recommend it. As you probably know, the centre of the city was devastated by an earthquake. The last time we were there, no reconstruction had taken place. Buildings have either been removed leaving an empty space, or they are fenced off. The tour that includes a visit to the Antarctic centre is probably worth it because you go there, then have some time on your own in the centre of the city. Because there isn't much to see (except a lot of empty lots and some damaged buildings) it doesn't take long. The gardens and the River Avon are still there.

Nope no problems for me.

Must just be me. :( I hope it can get sorted out.

Is anyone else having trouble accessing the forum? I had a problem a week or so ago, then it resolved itself after a couple of days. Then it has happened again this morning. :(

The islands of the Pacific are tropical and I don't think there would be a lot of use for baby blankets. Maybe there is a charity in Sydney that would welcome the blankets.

Cruise Ship: Pacific Dawn

Cruise Name: Samoan Surprise

Date Travelled: 20th March - 6th April, 2009

Ports of Call/Destination(s): Suva, Savusavu, Apia, Pago Pago, Niuafo'ou, Dravuni Island, Port Denarau, Vila, Lifou

Review Link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=963345&highlight=review+port+vila

Evon.

Cruise Ship: Pacific Sun

Cruise Name: White Cloud Wonders

Date Travelled: 31st January - 15th February 2009

Ports of Call/Destination(s): Milford Sound, Port Chalmers, Lyttleton, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland

Review Link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=927867&highlight=review+new+zealand+cruise

Evon.

Thanks Graham,

We have the whole day in Noumea so it is probably worth going to the markets first. Less than 11 weeks until we sail!!:):)

Hi Bob,

I have seen the little buggy cars parked near the terminal. Someone else on this forum hired one. I think they paid over $60. This is just from memory. We will be in Noumea in October. We plan to walk to the markets (they close at 11am) then get the Explorer Bus to the Aquarium, zoo/gardens and Tjibaou Cultural Centre. I don't know if the markets are much different from the ones in Vila - probably a bit more classy and upmarket, but that probably means "less colourful".:):)

Hi Bob,

Glenda who posted this information is in Noumea today on the Pacific Dawn. I think the info about Noumea is on this thread. If you want any more, Glenda will be home on 10th August.

Evon.

My 87 year old Mum-in-law came to Australia in 1927 on the 'Ormonde' which I think was a P & O ship. In those days there were no subsidised ten pound fares. Her first 'pleasure cruise' was over 70 years later on a Holland America ship that was somewhat more luxurious than the 'Ormonde'. Since then she has cruised several times (always with us) on P & O, Holland America and Carnival ships. :):)

Hi Glenda,

Thanks very much for that. I will print it out because it will be very useful when we are in Noumea in October.

Kind regards,

Evon.:):):)

Have read that irons are not permitted but didn't realise hairdryers weren't either :eek: Not too sure about the little hotel style dryers, I always take my own. Have enough trouble with that, let alone a new one:o

 

Ella

Hi Ella (one Ela to another Ella!!),

In the list of 'Questions? you'll find the answers here' section in the cruise brochure it says:

"For safety reasons we ask passengers not to use their own electrical appliances (except electric shavers) on board. A hairdryer is available in your cabin or by request from your cabin steward."

:):):)

Hi Jen,

That is an excellent list. The only additions I can think of are lanyards (unless you want to buy souvenir ones), pegs to hand undies on the line in the bathroom and a clock with lighted time display if you have an inside cabin. I find that is better than leaving the TV on.:):)

Maybe the only other thing I would mention is not to take a hairdryer or a travel iron.