Bescotti

I found the same thing this morning on both my iPad and PC - it's very annoying!

I also received my first email from them yesterday. I now book directly with HAL so I presume they got my details from some online cruise mailing list I am on.

If you are paying for your cruise through HAL Australia you won't be charged a merchant fee - I wasn't last year, or last week for this year's cruise. That's one of the reasons I now book direct with HAL as the Aussie travel agents in the past always charged the merchant fee.

Once on board though, if you use an Aussie credit card for on board charges then you could be charged a conversion fee.

I've visited all these ports several times on cruises and haven't required visas in the past. In the early 90's I had to get visas for visiting French territories such as Martinique but they are no longer required there.

You can confirm on the Dfat (Australian Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade) website but unless things have changed in the past few years I would think your husband will only need the US ESTA.

I thought gratuities were included, if not it will cost us another $US672 a day which will probably be around $AU1000. That is a huge add on.

Any Aussie who have cruised before? Did you have to pay on top of the fare?

I've booked through both TAs and direct with HAL Australia and have never had the hotel service charge included or prepaid.

Sometimes HAL Australia has better prices than offered to US passengers - it all depends on the cruise.

I paid less last year for a 24 night Med cruise than US passengers and I received 3 price drops and ended up being upgraded to a balcony. I have now booked a 37 night Med/TA later this year. I am paying the single supplement and in a D ocean view the Aussie fare is $1,600 cheaper ($7,270 compared to $8,600 + taxes in the US when converted to AUD rates). When you look at the SY fare then I am paying just over $3,000 less as a solo passenger.

I've found that sometimes I've paid a lot more than North Americans but for the cruises I'm choosing now I have no complaints. I just think of it as 'swings and roundabouts'.

Maybe if you are that unhappy it might be worth looking at other options around the same time.

And no, HAL Australia does not include the daily hotel charge tips in our fares. We are charged onboard the same as other passengers.

I did a 24 night Med cruise at the beginning of August last year. I started the roll call in January but it really didn't take off until about May. I participated in a number of private tours which were all filled so I wouldn't give up hope yet.

Hi Col

I've cruised quite a few lines but mainly now stick with HAL because of their itineraries, etc. I've cruised on HAL since my early 40's and while on longer cruises you will have an older demographic because usually only retired people have the time to cruise for any length of time, I have always found other passengers in my own age group. A South Pacific cruise out of Sydney would have a different age group to a 3-4 cruise to Europe or South America.

HAL's ships have teak promenade decks that go right around the ship without having to change decks to complete the circuit, hot room service breakfasts, outside cabins and above have a bathtub instead of a shower and are noted for having some of the most comfortable beds at sea.

On my Med cruise last year HAL had introduced a new On Location program so we had lots of sailaways with themed buffets on the back deck around the pool and local entertainment brought on board.

No cruise line suits everyone but at present HAL ticks more boxes than the others for me. Whether that is the case for you, only you can decide. It's worth giving it a shot if the price is right.

Bev

Hi Mary Ann and Bill

I've been following your entries from your past world cruises and now love seeing your blog with photos. The photos have a different focus than some of the other world cruise blogs, showing everyday things such as your window garden and purchases, beside the usual location scenes - and I'm really enjoying it! It's providing me with lots of information for when I finally get to do either an entire or partial world cruise, hopefully, in a couple of years time.

Doing a live blog at sea is both time consuming and costly so, like many others here, appreciate the time and effort you put into.

Bev

After the obligatory working holiday in the UK in the 70's, I sailed home on the old Chandris Lines, Australis - at a cost of 13 times my weekly gross salary in a shared 6 berth inside cabin without facilities.

I must admit that the full fare paying Aussies partied hard when we found out that the £10 Poms were in twin share cabins with facilities - right under the dance floors. They eventually joined us!

I did a 24 night Med cruise last August with HAL on the Nieuw Amsterdam and had a great time. There were a number of Aussies on board, along with other Commonwealth cruisers so there was a Commonwealth brunch during one leg and a Commonwealth lunch during the other leg plus poolside cocktail parties for the Aussies and Kiwis. With HAL's new On Location program there were more themed sailaways than I have seen on previous cruises.

I also found that the NA generally spent longer in port than other cruise lines so you should certainly be able to get a little taste of the place.

I have booked again, this time going on the Noordam for 37 nights later this year as for once the fares are much more competitively priced for Aussies than for North American cruisers. I also found that last year HAL Australia honoured fare drops so I got a really good rate after 3 fare drops - so maybe the same might happen again this year.

I was on the Zuiderdam several years ago so if you enjoyed that, I'm sure you will enjoy the Nordam.

Booked on Venetian Adventure (Noordam) in September for 2 adults. Want to do 3 days in Rome prior to departure. T/A obtained a quote from HAL for hotel and transfers.

HAL's price is $AU500 more than booking it myself on the net. What benefit would I be getting for this extra money? I understand booking charges, but $AU500! What pitfalls should I be aware of if I book myself?

 

Cheers

 

Sent from my tablet thingy using Tapatalk

I'm on the Noordam in late September departing from Rome. I also got a quote from HAL Australia but their hotel wasn't in a central location, ie have to take public transport to get to the main sites, so I have made my own arrangements at a lot less money. I have been to Rome before though so know where I want to stay.

Some people are happy to pay extra for the convenience of not having to get themselves to and from the airport/hotel/port but I would rather have the extra money in my wallet.

There is plenty of advice on transfers and hotels on CC's Mediterranean Ports of Call board so if you use some of the highly recommended providers there hopefully you shouldn't come across any pitfalls.

While reading your post I realised I had made a mistake. Our cruise has the same itinerary as yours, and we aren't in Turkey 72 hours in total, even though 74 hours elapses between when we first arrive in Turkey and when we leave. Whew, what a relief! We don't need to spend money on the visas after all. Thanks for your help in getting my head straight on this.

 

Michelle.

Glad I was able to help, Michelle. Last year's cruise was great, especially with all the new On Location sailaways etc organised on the NA. Hopefully you will have just as an enjoyable time as I did. I'm now going back later in the year to do a much longer Med/TA cruise on the Noordam.

Bev

I've spoken to the Turkish Embassy in Australia. If the total time in Turkey exceeds 72 hours, you need to get an e-visa.

 

On my cruise in October, the total time the ship is due to be in Turkey is 74 hours, spread over 4 days. I haven't been to Turkey before, and I have no wish to end up in a Turkish jail . I'll have to decide whether it is safer to get an e-visa or decide not to leave the ship for more than 72 hours. I have to admit that I am nervous about a local authority expecting to see a visa.

 

Apologies for doubting people about the need for a visa. I don't like breaking rules. Especially in countries whose jails aren't comfortable!

 

Michelle.

I'm not sure which cruise you are on but I was in exactly the same position on my NA cruise last year. We had an overnight in Istanbul, a day in Lesbos (Greece) and then a further day in Kusadasi, making 74 hours from when we first arrived in Turkey until we left it. Because we visited Greece for the day between Istanbul and Kusadasi, it was not counted as 74 hours total.

There was a huge contingent of Aussies on board and none of us had any issues at all by not having the visa. I don't think I even took my passport ashore.

A couple I know got their visa but never had to use it so, although unnecessary, if it gives you peace of mind and negates your worries, then go ahead and arrange for the e-visa.

 

Does going to Ephesus constitute touring beyond the port city?

 

Ozcruizer

Aussies who arrive by plane into Turkey, or start or finish a cruise in Turkey (and will then being staying on land) have required a visa for some years. In the past you have been able to buy them at the border but from April you will be required to organise a visa beforehand.

Cruise passengers though have always been treated differently.

I have visited Turkey on 4 previous cruises (and again on an upcoming cruise later this year) and I have never required a visa because although I have gone ashore during the day (including visiting Ephesus on 3 of those cruises) I have entered and left Turkey on the same ship at the end of the day (or the next day when the NA overnighted in Istanbul last year).

So, rather a long reply, but you will not have any problems visiting Ephesus without a visa as the current and post April requirements stand.

I read somewhere that after April this year it will still be the same for cruise passengers as you will not be staying ashore so you can go further afield than the port city as you will be still be departing on the same ship you arrived on earlier in the day, for example, as in the past, visiting Ephesus from Kusadasi isn't a problem.

 

I will be on the Noordam in September this year visiting Turkey and Tunisia and until I hear otherwise I will not be getting visas for either country as I will be relying on HAL, as in the past.

I found my source: FAQs for foreign visitors on the Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs web page:

"Question: I am taking a Mediterranean boat cruise with my family. Our ship will also visit Kuşadası. Do we need visas to enter Turkey?

Answer: Foreigners who are travelling to Turkey by cruises are allowed to enter Turkey without visa for a maximum period of 72 hours, with the permission given by the local security authorities."

This is on the main page FAQs for foreign visitors, not the e-visas FAQs.

I was on the Nieuw Amsterdam last year which included an overnight in Istanbul and a visit to Kusadasi and visas weren't required for Aussies as we weren't finishing the cruise there.

I read somewhere that after April this year it will still be the same for cruise passengers as you will not be staying ashore so you can go further afield than the port city as you will be still be departing on the same ship you arrived on earlier in the day, for example, as in the past, visiting Ephesus from Kusadasi isn't a problem.

I will be on the Noordam in September this year visiting Turkey and Tunisia and until I hear otherwise I will not be getting visas for either country as I will be relying on HAL, as in the past.

I'm a solo cruiser and spent 30 nights on the Westerdam about 18 months ago in a VD verandah stateroom on Deck 4 towards the aft. These cabins will become either VB or VC from May. They have a larger balcony than similar verandah staterooms and don't overlook the lifeboats. I was very happy with my choice - and the Westerdam became my favourite HAL ship. I liked reading on the sofa and there was also a rug to use if it got cool while out on the balcony.

If you decide to go for a Signature or Neptune suite, that's a different story and someone else might be able to answer or you.

I haven't sailed on the Volendam so can't comment on it either. For me too, the itinerary would also be important.

Whatever you decide, you should have a great time.

I forgot to add that there are always a number of blogger on the Princess Australia world cruise which leaves Sydney in May each year but none are active at the moment.

It's also worthwhile reading the roll calls of the world cruises as you can pick up lots of ideas as they prepare for their cruises and also links to anyone doing live blogs.

TY Bescotti, any chance you would post the links of the blogs u are actually following ? Id like to read that too

 

Thanks

 

Pierre

Hi

Here are some of them:

HAL:

http://amazingvoyages2.blogspot.com.au/

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1954366

http://gowithme.net/

http://snoopsistercruiser.wordpress.com/

Cunard:

http://kathisworldvoyage.blogspot.com.au/

Keith on Crystal is also doing a live blog but you have to go across to the Crystal board to contact him to get access to his blog.

A woman is on P&O's Aurora doing the world voyage but hasn't posted after the first day so I haven't put that link here. If I find the blog becomes active I'll add it.

The top 2 links are by passengers who have done several world cruises and while Jeff concentrates on photos John and Dianne answer questions along the way and give pretty unbiased impressions of the ship, fellow passengers, food etc.

Hope this helps,

Bev

Welcome to Cruise Critic Pierre and Thelma

I'm like you - looking to do a world cruise in 3 or 4 years. I've had a number of cruises on several different lines so have narrowed down my choice of cruise line for a world cruise.

Unless you are going on Cunard or P&O, other lines which offer world cruises tend to have ships quite a bit smaller than the Diamond Princess and Liberty so whichever cruise line you decide on it might be a good idea to try a shorter cruise on that particular ship to see if you like it.

I'm following several world cruise blogs at present by passengers on 4 different cruise lines and this is also giving me an idea of what entertainment and enrichment programs are on board (eg watercolour, cooking and photography classes and lectures etc). Some of the smaller ships such as on Oceania and Crystal don't seem to offer as many entertainment venues, especially in the evenings.

I could do a world cruise out of Sydney on Princess Australia which would have me miss our 'winter' but at this stage I am leaning more towards HAL - it just depends on the final itinerary as to which year I will do it. I like the size of the Amsterdam and the size of its cabins and after reading several bloggers on its world cruises over the last few years know that HAL's world cruises generally offer a higher standard of food, service, entertainment and lecturers than on its normal cruises which I have been happy with. Hopefully this will continue into the future.

So, my advice is to keep researching and reading. I'm sure others will come on here and give their views too.

Bev

Cool, I will get there one day. What airline flies to Tahiti? it wouldn't be LAN or is it Tahitian airlines.:D

I flew home from South America via Easter Island - LAN to Easter Island then Air Tahiti from there to Sydney. Flights to Sydney were only twice a week so you either stayed 2 nights or 5 nights (because of timing of incoming LAN flights). I opted for 5 nights, stayed at a waterfront B&B and hired a 4WD. A lot of visitors stick to the guided tours so I was at some of the sites on my own (apart from roaming horses) to watch the moonrise.

I hope to go back on a world cruise.

Coming home this way only increased my return airfare to South America by a nominal amount so it's definitely worth considering.

Hi

Thanks for keeping this listing going. Please add me:

Bescotti - 27 September 2014, Noordam, Rome to Fort Lauderdale, 37 nights

Thanks. I'm sure you knew what I meant. I truly meant cruise excursion. We booked all our cruises for our Caribbean cruise coming up in feb on Edam. It is not so easy to know what is popular and what is not when it comes to cruises in Caribbean. Too many to choose from.

Yes, I knew what you meant. I do a lot of research before I travel and tend to have most of my port plans sorted before I go on board - but that could also be because of the destinations I cruise too. I've been happy with just about all my excursions (and I was cruising long before I found CC) but I'm also a glass half full type of person.

Whatever you have decided, have a wonderful cruise.

How do u know if a cruise is popular ?

When reading

some of the destination forums you can get an idea if a shore excursion is going to be popular. On the Italy forum most cruisers recommend taking the ship's excursion to Cinque Terre out of Livorno rather than a private excursion because of time restraints and on my Med cruises it has always been booked out before the cruise had begun.

I also did a private excursion to Volunteer Point in the Falklands but the ship's excursion booked out months before the cruise due to a limit in the number of seats available and popularity.

I think a lot depends on the country and transportation logistics. I'm doing a 37 night cruise later this year and although I will do a lot of independent tours, there are a few I will book through HAL - and book soon to ensure I have a seat.