kccpa

Thank both you and Possum.  A taxi sounds very easy.  And appreciate the advice on tipping.  It's so ingrained on us in the US.  It will take some getting used to but a nice getting used to.

Thanks much and so looking forward to visiting your beautiful country!

Kathy

Hi all!,

This is a really late ask.  I'm leaving from the US in about 2 days to Sydney.  I'm leaving out of LAX and I have another friend leaving behind me later the next day from Dallas.  We are both staying in your beautiful country for almost 3 1/2 weeks which equates to a sizeable amount of luggage.  We are ladies of a certain age who are not able to lug...slug...drag...our luggage or we will be falling all over them and that would be the end of our vacation most likely.  

I'm not opposed to taking Uber or such if you all think it's safe for a later 60 something.  My friend is in her early 80's.  The hotel does offer a shuttle which they post online is AUD 132.  I know that I and my friend can't manage your subway system and the bus systems with our luggage.  Way beyond our physical abilities at this time.   

I'm thinking to get my friend the hotel shuttle.  But if there is an easier route such as a car hire/limo service that would be easier for her, then I would happily arrange it for her. 

What do you all think is easier?  I have much arthritis which is why it would be hard to drag my luggage a long distance.  Is Uber easy?  Should I get the hotel shuttle?  Or hire a driver?

Looking forward to your suggestions.

Many thanks!!

Kathy

On 3/13/2023 at 1:57 AM, yarramar said:

Good ideas above.

The ship may have a penguin parade excursion but there are plenty of local ones which would be suitable. I would suggest googling for a 1/2 day excursion if interested.

Have a read through this for things on, https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/search/from-2023-11-14+to-2023-11-14+melbourne+things-to-do

And for attractions in and around Melbourne, https://www.visitmelbourne.com/

If you are still stuck for ideas, the Melbourne forum on Trip Advisor has many knowledgeable volunteers who could come up with a suitable 2 day itinerary.

Thank you for the link to "What's On" and your other.  I'll give them a good look.  

Really appreciate your help.

Thanks so much!

Kathy

On 3/12/2023 at 11:08 PM, possum52 said:

Kathy, you said you can't get your head around Melbourne - in what way?

 

As you mentioned the Sydney Opera House  - Mebourne has its arts precinct which may be of interest - Melbourne Arts Precinct and includes the Arts Centre - https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/   The main entertainment venue is Hamer Hall. There are tours of the Arts Centre as well - https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/visit/explore-buildings

 

Melbourne has an extensive tram system and there is one which goes from near the piert into the central business district. On cruise ship visits, there is a bus running as well. Trams are free around the CBD, but will cost from the pier - you can buy a Myki card in the cruise terminal. 

 

There are museums, a fabulous state library housed in a beautiful old building, great parks and gardens situated on the edge of the CBD. Melbourne is renowned for its coffee and food. There are many cafes, restaurants and bars to choose from. A walk along the the Yarra River at Southbank is interesting, also many cafes, bars and restaurants if needed. If you are interested in sport there is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Park (Australian tennis open venue) and a rugby/soccer stadium a short walk along the north side of the Yarra River. 

 

Another suggestion as you are in port overnight is the Penguin Parade at Phillip Island, a two or so hour drive from Station Pier. You would leave during the afternoon and not return to almost middnight though. This is an example of a Penguin Parade Tour - https://www.viator.com/tours/Melbourne/Phillip-Island-Penguin-and-Koala-Highlights-Day-Trip-from-Melbourne/d384-6770P13

 

If you have any more questions, please ask. Check out other threads about visiting Melbourne on this board.

 

Leigh

Thank you Leigh, I  have read up on all the threads that have mentioned Melbourne.  The Penguin Parade Tour did catch my eye.  From one post, it sounded like an all day trip with leaving in the morning and with the cruise line, they say they will arrive at 8am, but will they really?  I'm smiling at this.  I guess maybe it was the tour company that had the all day tour listed.  Good to know that we could start in the afternoon.  Thank you for the link.  

My friend is a great lover of coffee.  She will be happy to enjoy many great good cups of HOT coffee.  Must be HOT for her.  Me?  I like to be able to drink mine...Haha.  

Thank you for your help.  You are always available with such valuable info. 

Best,  Kathy

Hi all,

First time visitor to Australia.  So excited for this bucket list visit  Some pertinent info, I'm a healthy and energetic 67 YO lady who is traveling with a friend who completely surprised me when I found out her age, she is 81 YO.  I thought her to be maybe mid 70's at the oldest.  She is young at heart and very spry.  No mobility issues although I admit I walk slower when with her and don't rush.  I would have concerns if a road was very rocky.  

What are the not to be missed places to visit?  I can plan ahead.  We are going to be in Sydney from Nov 5th for 5 days, so I signed up for the Sydney Opera House newsletter...to get first notice of what performances will be there, in order to get tickets.  Is there something similar in Melbourne I need to sign up for?

For some reason I can't wrap my head around this city.  We both love food, theatre, anything informative about the new place we are visiting.  I love animals of all kinds but worry about all the walking required for my friend if we went to a zoo.  Maybe what I'm thinking is, I get my zoo fix in Sydney and we decide to each have a different excursion day apart.  We have more time in Sydney to be flexible.  Trying to give you all a bit of knowledge about us as people.

We don't have to be super budget conscious.  This is a bucket list vacation for us both and we are unlikely to return.  

With all of this said, suggestions & recommendations are most welcome!

Kathy

Hi everyone,

I'm a US solo traveler who has never been to Australia.  I booked a trip for a Nov 8th trip leaving out of Sydney.  Am I going to need insurance with a Covid rider on it?  I also have a B2B cruise that will be leaving right on the backside and the promoter (who is an Australian company) had suggested an insurance provider, but it was extremely minimal without anything related to Covid.  In fact, it expressly stated no Covid coverage.  

Can someone please explain what I should have?

Thanks much!

Kathy

An Uber from Orlando to Port Canaveral is about $48. I have to think that would be less expensive and way less headache than renting a car one way when you factor in gas and pick up and drop off. You'll get 2 hours of your vacation back by not renting.

This was my plan for a January cruise on the Oasis. I plan to arrive a day before a have hotel res in Coco Beach. This is a special deal because RCCL is also having an Elvis Birthday Cruise celebration and the hotel in Coco Beach will have many of the ETA's who will be performing on ship. There will be entertainment at the hotel which is why I want to go directly to the hotel.

Can anyone tell me that there will be a problem catching an Uber to Coco beach? Or will the Uber driver deny the fare possibly?

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Kathy

I assume you are traveling solo in one of the Studio cabins.

 

If so, they do have a coordinator, and sign up sheet prominently posted in the Studio Lounge to team people up who are looking for dinner companions or excursion companions, or even people interested in cards or games etc. It is very easy to strike up a conversation there.

 

I find that on my recent NCL cruises, the dining room hostess do not seem to ask any more if you wish to be seated with others, so you would need to actually make the request with the hostess.

 

It is very port intensive...and many people are bushed after an all day tour.

You may find new friends who are looking to add people to their "private" tours that they arranged. I found that to be much cheaper and less stressful. and splitting the cost across everyone, usually makes it less expensive than the ship tours.

No, I'm not traveling in a solo cabin...I got a great price on a balcony. So I'm going to have plenty of room to spread out. :)

I have already booked most of my tours with private people so have split the costs to a reasonable rate and am not one of a herd of people.

I'll look for that sign up sheet for solo's looking for dinner partners. That sounds like a great idea. And/or let the hostess do what she can if I arrive to the dinning room late after an excursion.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions!

Kathy

I just booked a few excursions but I'm leaving in June..this June, so NCL was happy to send me a confirmation of the price because it is very unlikely that the price is going to go down at this late late.

I think that NCL might be less than frank in their business practices so I would keep a paper trail as best you can.

There's no 3% charge for bingo - it just goes on your onboard account.

That makes sense...that is the same way all the other cruise ships I've played bingo on. If NCL charged 3% I would have had a real problem with that.

This will be my 1st NCL Cruise and on the Epic.

Not sure how everything works.

Are there formal nights? Understand that there are not regular formal dining rooms...that scares me since I'm traveling solo and have always asked for a super large table to make friends.

This will be a 7day Spain/Italy/France trip so super port intensive...so how to meet people? Especially for dinner!!!! UGH. That is what my nightmare is. I like to talk to people about their day and excursions.

I have most of my port visits set up with small groups so hopefully can be "adopted" into some groups. I'm a VERY active....Ugh...a newly turned 60YO beautiful lady who likes to travel, just travel dates this year didn't mesh with friends at this point. So I'm going solo and have done so before. So I know the ropes on "regular" ships with "normal" dining. :) And possibly no formal nights to dress up? How can I show off? Hahahaha!!!!

Suggestions, please.

Solo travelers what do you do? I make friends pretty easily. But I found out on my roll call that one member didn't think that they had formal nights.

Have to admit that my luggage weight just went down dramatically. :) But I LIKE to dress up occasionally. That's the prob.

Ok...so if you all could fill me in on what's what...I would appreciate it...as my cruise leaves next MONTH!!

Thanks!!

Kathy

We used Florence Custom Tours for a half day walking tour of Florence. It worked out great. Florence is very easy to walk around and the sites are close together. We spent the morning walking around Florence with a very nice and informative guide and went to the Accademia to see David. Not having been to Florence before it was nice to have someone show us around. We had lunch after the tour and then went to the Ufizzi Gallery. They made reservations for us so we could avoid the lines at the museums. Florence Custom Tours has great reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

While in Florence go inside the Basilica di Santa Croce. It has the tombs of Michelangelo and other famous people.

 

If you aren't into paintings skip the Ufizzi Gallery and enjoy the rest of Florence on you own after you have a feel where everything is.

 

Rome in Limo is great if you are coming from Livorno and need a driver to get to Florence. If you are already there a car and driver isn't needed within the city walls.

 

Rick

Thanks Rick,

I'll take a look. They too sound like what we are looking for. From what I've read and watched (Rick Steves), considering giving the Ufizzi Gallery a pass. All the other spots sound very interesting.

Thanks everyone for your help!

Kathy

It sounds to me like the OP is asking for a tour guide to walk them around Florence, NOT transportation to/from the port...

 

/QUOTE]

 

Cruisemom42...you got it exactly right. I am looking for a good walking tour guide around Florence....NOT transportation. We will already be in Florence and would like to have someone knowledgeable to bring the history to life and to be able to bypass the lines of the places we visit.

 

Thank you for your recommendation. If anyone has other suggestions, they would be become.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Kathy

A little reading down the board would reveal the excellent Rome in Limo operates in Florence.

I'm not really looking for a LIMO but for a tour operator.

Thank you.

Kathy

Hi all,

My family (there will be 3 adults) will be staying a full day in Florence and would like to make the most of our time there.

We generally get the most from a city if we hire a tour guide to show us the city and who can give us some history as we go along.

Can you make some recommendations as to tour guides that you can recommend?

Thanks in advance!!

Kathy

Ann,

 

I just surfed onto this thread because I've volunteered to host a slot pull, and apparently you are the person to ask! I don't know if you ever intended to be the ultimate authority on the subject, but Google and CC seem to think so! Yay for me!

 

If I may impose on you, could you please send me the email and spreadsheet everyone refers to on the thread? My CC group and I thank you very much in advance! My email is g o t o p a m @ g m a i l dot c o m.

 

Regards...Pam

Hi Ann,

I too am hosting a slot pull. I would greatly appreciate it if you could email me your spreadsheet and information that you are sending out. My email is kathy dot cpa at usa dot net.

Many thanks to you for sharing your info with all.

Kathy

Shawn,

 

Here is the list I have. It is a year + old.

Berda Davis Grand & Star bdavis@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4451

 

Berna Grayr Emerald & Pacific bgrayr@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4448

 

Renee Wittwer Ruby & Sun rwittwer@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4443

 

Coleen Reyes Crown creyes@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4447

 

Diana Hall Diamond dhall@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4449

 

Jan James Golden, Ocean jjames@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4452

 

Jenny Streeck Sapphire jstreeck@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4444

 

Liz Williamson Caribbean & Sea ewilliamson@princesscruises.com (661)-284-4442

 

Stacey Anderson Island & Coral sanderson@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4446

 

Kelly Ashley *special diets/Place order for distilled water/baby food

kashley@princesscruises.com (661) 284-4450

Renee Wittwer handles the Ruby, Caribbean & Sun now. :)

Kathy