Cassie_Zuzu

I collect label pins from each port then put them on a lanyard when I get home. They are small. quite light and serve as a good reminder of where we have been. I used to collect charms for my bracelet but when it was full I switched to pins.

Please add Jocelyn & Peter to the April 2020 list. Doing Circle the Pacific on the Sun Princess, Sydney to Auckland. 73 days

On 8/23/2019 at 10:39 PM, valantine80 said:

Does anyone know if you can still exchange mini bar for a coffee card?  My only gripe with this is you have to exchange both mini bars.

If you are Elite you just ask housekeeping to exchange it. this is done usually on the first day.

Skybus is the best and most efficient way to get to the airport. Allow the 3 hour checkin time as well so a flight after 1pm is advisable. It's a scenic drive out to the airport as well so you get a brief view of the suburbs. 

Monday is if course the beginning of the working week so if you can leave the ship soon after 9am you will have a much better trip through as well.

If you have never been to Napier before then there are a couple of things you could try. Both can be booked when you get there.

1. The Heritage walk. This takes about 2-3 hours and you can do it at your own pace. You just pick up the pamphlet at the information centre.

2. A wine trail. There are a wide variety of these as the Hawke's Bay is one of NZ premium wine areas. Try to get a trail around some of the smaller boutique wineries. If you google this you can see what I mean.

To get from the ship to the centre of town is an easy walk along the waterfront.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions, lots of great ideas to keep my young man happy:)

We do have some unusual chip flavours that can be bought in any supermarket.

Whittakers chocolate is exclusively made in NZ and they also have some unusual flavours. So head to the local supermarket. There is one across the road from Te Papa.

Hokey Pokey icecream is a favorite and is best got from supermarkets in tubs. In Wellington there is also a specialist chocolate store that has some interesting combinations. In Auckland there is Devonport chocolate which is a very specialist chocolate place. If you google either of these places you will be able to check them out before you get here.

Jocelyn & Peter sailing on 6 December Sydney to Auckland on the Majestic

What is the story about the Russian visa? Does the tour operator organise it or do we have to do our own.

Post-it pads. Write what you want to do that day from whatever is on and it can fit on the back of your cruise card or if you are like me the small map of the ship they give you when you board. Saves carrying big sheets of paper around as it fits neatly into pocket.

We used Monica Tours and she was great. In the evening we did the Magic Light show, organised by her. It is only on Wednesday to Sunday evenings and really a not to be missed experience. A lot of other tour operators organise this or you can do it on your own.

With over 100 days still to go before arriving at Easter Island I have just found out that the only shore excursion that visits any of the shore line statues

 

is booked out and wait listed for both the morning and afternoon three hour excursion.

 

Having asked the staggering amount of A$315 each for my wife and myself, for just a three hour tour, we now find that there are only two tours of 35 people. 70 people out of the thousands on board.

 

Could someone help by giving any information about booking a local tour please? Is this advisable?

If you go to the thread under the roll call you will find there is a group doing an informal tour with contact details. Perhaps that would be a good option.

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Cassie-Zuzu leaving on 15 Jan 2017 to Circle South America on the Sea Princess

Hi does anyone know if there is a shuttle form the cruise pier to Waikiki please?

Can't stay home. Please add to your list our next cruise

Sea princess April 2015 South Pacific & Hawaii

Thanks

Jocelyn

Thanks for all your input re wine packages Astro Flyer. We are on the BA/LA cruise in March as well. Hope to meet you there - have been impressed with your no nonsense advice. Instead of avoiding sellers of coffee cards etc when we board, will certainly be asking about the wine package. We have the advantage that if there is no wine package, we don't sail until the next day, so can bring some on board and pay the corkage (or these days, is it screwtop-age??) :confused:

We have just returned from the cruise around Australia on the Dawn Princess. There is no wine package available here even though it was 35days long. Very disappointing:confused::eek:

I have a copy of the spreadsheet we used for the cruise around South America at Christmas time. If anyone would like a copy please email me at jocelynwatson@gmail.com Only individuals please.

Thanks Truckmaker, I am new to this, is the roll call here on this site?

 

Pam, I have tried Patrick Watts and he is fully booked, but thanks for all the info.

You could try Derek Petterson - drp@horizon.co,fk

Hi,

 

My wife and I will be coming to the Falklands on the Golden Princess on March 7th and we would desperately love to go to Volunteer Point, but it seems as if everyone - literally everyone - is booked. We're taking our honeymoon to see Penguins!!!

 

Any suggestions???

We were there just recently and Patrick Watts is the person to contact. If he is fully booked you could ask him to recommend someone. A person who might be able to help is Derek Petterson. He puts out a DVD with photos of penguins etc. Contact is drp@horizon.co.fk

On a recent cruise it became obvious that some people do not appreciate how busy a laundromat on board ship can get. I thought I would float a few ideas of things people who are using the laundromat should be mindful of.

1. If you put a load of washing on please make it back in time to take your washing out of the machine once it has finished washing.

2. If someone takes your washing out of the machine because you are not there don't complain. Most people are considerate and put it in a neat pile, preferably on top of a drier.

3. Try to ensure that the wash is not too big. The driers struggle to dry a very large load of washing in the time of one cycle. This can mean the washing can take up to 1 1/2hrs to dry completely.

4. Be nice to people who are in the laundromat waiting for a washing machine or drier to become available. They may not be as well organised as you so be helpful and considerate.

Two cruises planned.

1. Golden Princess from LA to Rio 4 December 2013

2. Dawn Princess around Australia & NZ 13 April 2014

Hokey Pokey icecream found only in NZ I think