karoo
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Posts posted by karoo
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9 hours ago, Muckyduckway said:
Did you do a trip report or review of your New Zealand cruise? I've been trying to find first hand accounts but have found very few - your responses and comments on other posts lead me to think I would enjoy your perspective.
No I didn't. I did 5 cruises earlier this year and I never seem to find the time to do a trip report. What ports are you visiting? If you list them I can tell you what I did in each port.
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2 hours ago, mugtech said:
Thank you for the information. I was afraid it might still be a requirement to get into Australia.
These days we send them back where they came from!
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3 hours ago, mugtech said:
Any US citizens have any problems getting tourist visas for Australia or New Zealand? Do they ask you if you were ever arrested or convicted of any crimes anywhere in the world?
You can’t have a criminal record. You will be asked about it when you fill out the online form to get your tourist visa.
Also in reply to the OP- NZ is very well set up to book shore excursions in all the ports. The locals are very friendly and they have people in the ports when you get off to help answer questions and give directions, tips on what to do etc. We didn’t have any problems with shuttles at the ports. You just lined up and when the bus was full you were driven out of the port to the drop off point. Embarkation was slow at Auckland due to many passengers not applying for their Aus visas online before they arrived at the ship. They had to do it online in the terminal and yes you can’t take food, especially fruits, vegetables, plants etc. off the ship. They have a good agricultural industry they want to protect. Aus is the same. NZ though has very good food so this presented no problems. I can’t remember the situation with water. I think I would have taken water off.
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That’s a shame. The risk you take. Personally I would never travel without it. Luckily it’s probably only the cost of the cruise she’s out of pocket, the cost of a medical evacuation is horrendous. Sad she lost out this time, but let’s hope she has a positive outcome with her health, which to me is the most important thing. You can’t buy your health.
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Accidentally repeated post!
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Yes- I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to cancel my cruise/holiday due to surgery chemo etc. I was able to get a full refund through travel insurance. The things I could cancel I did and they paid the cancellation fees I was out of pocket. They fully covered the cost of the cruise as it was 10 days prior to sailing I was diagnosed. So hopefully you’ll be able to recoup the money you’re out of pocket through your insurance. Good luck with your treatment and hopefully you’ll get to cruise in full health once your treatment is finished. Try and let go of the stress. As a survivor of three different primary cancers (yes I unfortunately have the BRCA2 gene) I believe eliminating stress and developing a positive mindset is the key to good health.
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Russian immigration is notorious. I wouldn’t count on Haven access to get out quickly. It may help but there could be other ships in port. And if they are following the new requirement for ship tours to leave first, it won’t matter.
The haven guests were off first even before the ship tours were organised on my sailing May 20th.
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Was this the cruise with Rod Elbo as solo coordinator? I’ve read many negative comments from several people about how he was lazy and didn’t bother organising anything, just basically turned up. It sounds like you were just unlucky to get a coordinator who was too lazy to bother putting any effort in. This is not the norm. You probably could have gone above his head. Mentioned it to the CD or dropped a letter in the HD’s box. I’m sure the HD would have been interested and would have spoken to the CD about it. The 5 cruises I’ve done this year the coordinator still organised group dinners and seats for the show in the theatre, even on Breakaway. Some coordinators are excellent, others not quite up to the standard of others, but I believe this guy needs to step up.
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I thought it was only for those who had the soda package only. It’s usually for the kids so they can walk up with their cup and don’t need to have a card. I’ve only ever had the UBP, but I’ve seen them give the cups to the kids.
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I’ve done two cruises that visited and overnighted in Haifa. The Holy Lands Cruise, but Egypt was cancelled and Dubai to Venice both with NCL. I have had 4 days in Israel and ended up doing wonderful, interesting tours each day. The first time with ‘Israel Tours’ / Jerusalem and Bethlehem, Day 2 the Sea of Galilee, River of Jordan etc. Second cruise I did the Masada and Dead Sea tour through the ship. Day 4 I just walked around Haifa and visited the Baha’i Gardens. And if I end up visiting again on another itinerary I will probably just catch the train to Tel Aviv. I’m so excited about some of the new cruises/itineraries NCL is offering.
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Loving this! I did the May 20th Cruise so you’re bringing back many wonderful memories. I also did 2 days pre cruise and 5 days post cruise in Copenhagen. Absolutely loved Copenhagen and did the ‘Hey Dads’ tour as well as enjoying a few Aperol Spritzes on the waterfront nearby. We were incredibly lucky with great, warm, sunny weather the whole time I was there. I also chose to visit Rostock instead of the long commute to Berlin. Lovely walled ‘Old Town’ and I also enjoyed Warnemunde, the beach and waterfront area. Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip. Enjoy the rest of the ports/ it’s a wonderful itinerary and as I sit here, back home in the cold (winter here) I’m definitely having an attack of post cruise blues.
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We've done the Getaway and the Escape several times each. The only real crowding compliant I have is the pools; plenty of deck space, but both of the pools are tiny and really inadequate for 4000 passengers. Sea days are crazy.
I found all the public areas I went to were way too crowded as they were all too small to cater for the amount of passengers. I struggled to get a seat in the Atrium for the many activities scheduled there. Larger ships I know - but the cruises I’ve done on them I always feel claustrophobic, particularly on the Getaway class- all that dark wood just makes me feel trapped.
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Are the megaships really that much better? I've read they have massive crowding problems because they don't expand the eating/entertainment areas enough to match the greater number of passengers.
(Keep in mind that the largest ships we've sailed on are the Jewel and the Carnival Splendor, both of which are medium-sized at best.)
Personally I’m not a fan of the mega ships and much prefer the Jewel class, Sun and Star. I would rather sail on the Sun any day than any of the mega ships I’ve been on.
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The big change I can see from my 2017 cruises is the H2O. Looks great!
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Oh no..and so it continues. We have had a bit of a cruise drought...just getting back into it now. We have booked Australia Day 2019 cruise to see the fireworks. I just stumbled upon this thread last night. The agent I have booked through had Eden docked until 10:30pm. After seeing this thread I checked P & O and the Port authority have Eden leaving at 5:30pm.
I have written to the agent to see what their reponse is. We wouldn't have booked if we had known. Should the agent offer OBC (their website still indicates leaving at 10:30pm) and I purchased in good faith or do I need to just suck it up and/or cancel?
Thanks cruisers - thoughts appreciated,
Angela
This would be interesting to follow through as I’m pretty sure this is false advertising and you should be entitled to a full refund. But what would I know- I know when purchasing other commodities I’ve been able to cancel a contract if I don’t get what I’ve signed on to buy. I haven’t read the PO contract though to see if they cover this. It just seems so wrong to advertise an itinerary they know they won’t be delivering.
I get itineraries can change due to unforeseen circumstances, but if they already know the itinerary has changed that should be what they are advertising.
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Did. I. Not. Just. Read. This. Same. Post. A. Few. Pages. Back....?
When I become this obsessed with drinks, packages, beers, wines, and it influences what cruise line or itinerary I take, I’m checking myself into rehab.
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Do they teach punctuation in rehab too! Sorry - I couldn’t help myself. 🤣🤣🤣
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oh heavens no I do not think you were making anything up, I do remember one NCL cruise when there was no service added but that was all. The tip policy was changed when people decided they did not have to tip and didn't I do take exception with the comment about premium liquor. I can't speak for all types as I only know what we drink, but hubby is a huge scotch drinker ad is more than satisfied with the selection of single malts and I am happy with the vodka choices. Yes. some of the perks have gone up but this is true with all lines, just like the prices. We have noticed a huge difference in pricing but this too, is the same with all lines. yes, there are times when one will have an offer that is better than the next, but all in all they are all raising their prices and cutting back on some of what we love.
I have to admit- I do miss the espresso martinis now not being included in the UBP.
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Sweden you can use credit card everywhere. Russia you have to be on an organised tour unless you have a visa. I made very few purchases as both days my tour included lunch, but I bought a few souvenirs- everywhere seemed to accept credit card. I used Danish Knoner and Euros only. Credit Card seemed to be accepted everywhere in Copenhagen too. I think though I needed cash for the train.
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Hmm, I bet the OP is talking about Matua sauvignon blanc.
We sailed Escape 10/17. Matua by the glass on UBP. Great!
Sailed again on Escape 2/18. Not by the glass. Initially brought some other horrible wine told to be Matua. Then told Matua not available by the glass. Other iterations followed... was really disappointed. The only other SB available was North South (which was awful). Once I was given a glass of chardonnay as a substitute (without my approval.) A tasty crisp white wine in Caribbean cruising doesn't seem like a ridiculous request. Very disappointed with this matter.
That’s the wine I was talking about too. And I agree totally with your comment on the North/South. The Matua is the only Sav Blanc I find onboard that is actually drinkable and a true Sav Blanc as I know it.
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I have no idea what I posted to make you think this.
Because you said you don’t watch soccer just because of ‘your accident of birth’. I interpreted this as a negative - I’m glad I was born an Aussie and definitely don’t see it as an ‘accident of birth’. In fact I recently visited Scotland where my grandparents are from. I loved it, thought it was quite beautiful, Edinburgh with the castle and old town absolutely stunning, the Highlands, lochs, old castles etc so pretty, everyone I met was so friendly, well mannered and polite, but I also thought while Scotland is lovely, I’m glad they all chose to immigrate to Australia. I see being born here as a plus not an ‘unfortunate accident’. Apologies if I interpreted your quote wrong.
PS- yes NCL charge lots for their drinks. Eg a bottle of wine that costs $40US I can buy on land for the equivalent of $7.50US. We are a captive audience and that’s how they make their profit. I know I have to overpay on cruises I just wish they had good or even average wine always available to buy. My last 4 on the Jewel this year they ran out and there was very limited availability on the Breakaway last month. The little I was able to purchase I had to negotiate with the Beverage Manager. Luckily I had purchased some at the Duty Free in Copenhagen Airport, because ‘Life’s too short to drink bad wine’- although on the ship I qualify that quote by adding -‘unless it’s free. ‘ [emoji6]
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I just read that the Alla Tours for St. Petersburg July 19 are now sold out. People may want to consider that. I booked our tour about 6 weeks ago. It seems like many people from our July 13 roll call have opted for the Grand Tour.
If Alla is sold out- SPB tours are excellent. A bigger company, with many more buses than Alla- I was able to book with them last minute (5 days prior) - they were efficient, responsive and the whole tour was totally professional and organized. I did the 2 day Deluxe tour.
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Port Kelang to Batu Caves
in Asia
Posted · Edited by karoo
grammar
We are in Port Kelang for two days arriving at 11am and leaving the next day at 6pm. We're thinking of hiring a cab (for 2) to take us to the Batu Caves from Port Kelang, then see some of the city highlights and return us to the port for approximately 8 hours. Does anyone know the approximate cost?
Or alternatively a separate trip to see just the Batu Caves? What would be the approximate cost? How long does it take to get there and how long would be needed to see them, climb the stairs etc? I've heard the taxi prices are set and I'm just wondering what the current set prices are?
Thank You