Barwick Cruiser

Totally agree with garden bunny…enjoying the pics and very happy that you’re able to separate the individual photos and add the caption with details. Job well done and much appreciated! Cathy

Thanks for all the helpful responses. Since I will need local calling I think I’m better off using a physical SIM card and activating it once we land in Auckland as have done previously.

Didn’t want to start a new thread so sorry if I’m resurrecting an older one but it’s relevant. I’m traveling to NZ for a month…land trip to visit family, no cruising involved. My iPhone accepts eSIMs. I need both data and the ability to make local calls. Don’t need calling back to Canada or to receive calls from Canada. Can an eSIM do this or do I need to just connect with a local provider in NZ for this? Previously I’ve installed a NZ company physical sim (on arrival at the airport) with a monthly plan that included data, calls and texting. Trying to save money by using the eSIM and setting it up prior to travelling. Thanks for any help!

Great pictures, thanks for posting and glad that everything is running smoothly for you!

Enjoying your review, thanks for doing it. Did you get off in SJ? If so, what did you do?

Hope you have a nice holiday! I was curious when you mentioned the cost of wines going up…my go to is the Villa Maria SB and looks like it’s now priced at $15! Although I love just about any NZ SB the Villa Maria is def not high end and that price is a bit ridiculous. Glad I upgraded my package during the sale. Thanks for posting and good luck with the wifi!

When I boarded the Eclipse last year I had purchased a session in my cruise planner using obc. I had seen a sea turtle posted on a previous review and very much wanted to make one. Once onboard I didn’t see any sea turtles in the display of items to make and asked the assistant when making my appointment and he said that wouldn’t be a problem. Guess they can only put so many items on display? 🤷‍♀️. Anyway, my session ran close to 30 minutes (depends on the complexity of your chosen item) and I paid the upcharge from obc so my souvenir and experience cost me nothing! I had a blast and my turtle made it home safely (in my hand luggage) and every time I look at it it’s the best reminder of a fun holiday that I’ve ever bought! Because I’ve very little creative or artistic genes in me, my turtle is far from perfect but I’m proud to have played a big part in making it so there’s that 🤣.

Following! I’ve very much enjoyed the two Expedition ‘live froms’ (thx @mahdnc and @prmssk) and it will be interesting to read about your journey on Flora. Thank you for all the great details so far!

We need parking for 5 weeks in Jan/Feb and have found Skypark to have the best rate $230 and they are quick to shuttle to the airport and the car is cleaned and pickup is quick on arrival back. Can’t find a better price yet.

Following as well! Hope you enjoy a wonderful sailing! And your pups are super cute! 🐕 🛳️ 🥂

Yes, thank you @Fouremco, we’ll be watching our mail as well although we haven’t received a second approval confirmation. Don't know why they don’t get Amazon to do the deliveries…would’ve had it the next day 🤣🤣 Cathy

We’re looking at sailing from Seward in 2025 on Summit. At this point only three of the southbound itineraries have a precruise landtour available to book…the first sailing and then two in August. Does that seem correct or should each sailing have the opportunity to book a cruise tour? I’m not sure if it’s limited at this point because the itineraries were just released this week or whether that’s the way it always is. We’ve only done round trip Alaska prior. Thanks for any insight.

We’ve done Alaska twice in September, both were very good, but we’d like to see more snow on the peaks so figured we’d try a cruise earlier in the season. We’ve booked the May 30th Summit southbound and will add the precruise tour on when they’re released.

Oh what a horrible way to end off an amazing adventure. Hope you both feel better soon, perhaps looking over all the fantastic photos will help somewhat! Glad you made it home ok, nothing like your own bed when you’re under the weather! Feel better soon and thank you for the wonderful postings. Cathy

Just booked a SV for Alaska May ‘25…have to wait to see and book the precruise land tours.

Just booked the Summit one way southbound for end of May ‘25…wanted a SV and there’s so few of those. Oddly, the cruise tours aren’t available yet so we’ll have to add that when they get them sorted. I believe, if memory serves, that the Solstice will do the round trip out of Vancouver, Edge round trip out of Seattle and Summit the one ways Vancouver-Seward-Vancouver.

Noticed tonight that the ‘25 itineraries are showing on the website but the land tours aren’t detailed and when you try to book you can’t get to the page where you would choose your type of cabin…just says no cabins available. Guessing IT department is still loading? Typical X. We enjoyed the September sailings very much, had warm temps and little rain both times, contrary to what many predict. We enjoyed less children, no bugs, cheaper fares and still lots of wildlife including the salmon runs especially in Ketchikan. I did miss seeing snow capped peaks which is why we’re looking to do it again in the Spring. We do want to add in a pre cruise land tour thru the ship but X isn’t making it easy. Very little detail as to what is included at each stop.

Thank you for the entire posting and glad that you both made it home safely! I’m quite envious that you were able to sleep for 8 hours in economy. Do you have special blankets, pillows or ? Hope work wasn’t too tough today! Did you say what your next holiday will be? I’m selfishly hoping it’s another cruise so we can all tag along 🤣 Cathy

I’m waiting for this as well. Thought maybe they’d be released today, being the 27th, but could be any day this week. I’ve done Sept twice so looking to try in the Spring now.

Happy Birthday Jim! Hope you, Iain and your friends enjoy a wonderful day and that they spoil you all day! I’m very much enjoying your Live From, thank goodness since @Norwaylady had to leave and go home to work 😅.

We are too far from yyz to use Uber etc and our upcoming trip to NZ will mean parking for over a month and I’ve found that Skypark is our best and cheapest option. We do the valet option and they currently have coupons for $150 for a month or $80 for a week so even combined it’s the best deal going. We’ve dealt with them before and never an issue. Car is cleaned off when we arrive and drop off and pickup is efficient. We need five weeks of parking and even at $230 seems to be the best deal. Anyone seen anything better?

We received notice that our renewals were approved Oct 16…still waiting on our new cards too. I’ll def come back here to report when/if we receive them. It is reassuring that others are waiting as well. Cathy

@Norwaylady just want to thank you for all the wonderful posts and amazing pics! I’ve really loved following along each day, one of the best “live froms” for sure. Hope you and Mr enjoy your final day and all your flights home are smooth and on time! Cathy

Wow, David, just wow…your photos are really capturing the wildlife in their glory. Absolutely stunning! I’m not surprised you’re so tired at the end of each day…I’m feeling it just reading about it! 😅 Hope it continues to be an amazing trip!

Haha, good catch, I never noticed until I read your post.