sagittarius

8 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Was it $15 one way or $15 return? The Christchurch Transport site has the cost of an all-day bus pass as NZ$10 per adult.

$15 return. 

8 hours ago, Aus Traveller said:

I have found the answer to my question regarding the cost of a shuttle bus from Lyttleton to C'church. It is NZ$10 adult, NZ$5 child for unlimited travel in the day. (Under 5 y.o. have free travel.). The transport website also says that the only way to visit Lyttleton town is to go on the shuttle to Christchurch then return on a local bus to Lyttleton and do the reverse at the end of the day.

As of early Nov there was another change allowing cruisers to get free shuttle from ship to Lyttelton and on Royal Princess 7th Nov think the cost to Christchurch was $15 per person. 

On 11/10/2023 at 10:25 AM, valantine80 said:

This may no longer be possible with the new transport arrangements coming into effect this season. They are restricting access to Lyttleton it seems unless you have local tours booked.

Just done Lyttelton 7th Nov and there are still buses into Lyttelton itself and drop off is Norwich Wharf. Buses open to all. 

1 hour ago, arxcards said:

Thanks for the input. As we are there on a Friday evening, at this stage Chatswood Mall markets could be the go. Maybe some crepes, dim sum, Korean pancakes, Asian noodles or all of the above. Looks like there are plenty of eateries in and around Westfield as well.

https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Community/Chatswood-Mall-Market/Stallholders

If between Nov and April there are noodle markets on Miller St next to Stanton Library just up from North Sydney too. 

4 hours ago, arxcards said:

Thank you. 

I have been casually looking around the city, up as far as Chatswood chase. There was a really good Indian place at Crows Nest last time we called in there, but that was donkeys ago. Do you have a favourite?

Dhakshin or Masala both on Pacific Highway are good. But in Chatswood new dining area above train station has some great options. 

8 hours ago, arxcards said:

11 sleeps now, but who's counting.

@OzKiwiJJ (or any other that frequents that part of Sydney). Do you have any recommendations for good but casual food in the North Sydney area? We are staying the night at the Harbourview, but our favourite little Italian restaurant near North Sydney station has closed since we were last there. Pizza, Italian, Asian, burgers - pretty much anything that has good and unpretentious food is on our long shortlist.

Try Crows Nest short bus ride away with loads of places to eat there. Bus 115 from station takes you to Willoughby Road which had plenty to choose from. Or 20 mins walk or quick uber/taxi. 

4 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

That's just crazy and may result in people who do want to spend the day in and around Lyttelton clogging up the public buses still.

 

Most people who used the public buses did so because they didn't want to pay the shuttle bus fee but if the shuttle to Christchurch is free that issue goes away. And if Lyttelton doesn't want cruisers shopping, or having coffee or lunch in their town then stuff them, I'll stay on the ship.

 

Akaroa may be happy to have a few cruise ships back there. 

Bit sad we can't get dropped off at Lyttelton as had great walk there last Dec and was looking forward to doing a different one this time before stocking up on more NZ honey and chocolate. So not sure if we'll head to Christchurch. Understand about local bus issues but they don't visitors at all?

2 hours ago, SinbadThePorter said:

 

Increasing the price would turn it into even more of a ghost town. I've never yet seen much demand for the Sanctuary in Australian waters.

It can be empty tho we have used it occasionally. But at times it does seem too chilly. Suppose I'm hoping for warm weather. 

1 minute ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

As far as I know it's still $40pp for a full day, $20pp for a half day. I don't believe it has changed since we were on Coral last year.

Thanks for that. Just having seen the doubling of corkage charge was wondering if they'd do something similar with sanctuary charges. 

Apologies but after several attempts at searching the forum and not getting anywhere..thought I would come to the fount of wisdom.

What is the current cost in Australia of Sanctuary access. Know other charges have increased. 

Many thanks. 

If your circumnavigation docks in Darwin try there. We bought some, plus didgeridoo, from great shop there. Tho was some years ago. 

I found on our recent Coral Princess trip that buffet staff were quite insistent on hand washing which was great. 

15 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

The Bordeaux MDR on deck 5, which has Club Class in one corner.

Thank you. Hope your trip is wonderful. Am on board next one. 

Great to read can still have lunch on embarkation day in MDR. Which one was used? Love a quiet meal to start my holiday. 

1 minute ago, GUT2407 said:

A strange happening 1:00 am music starts blaring over the PA, at least on our deck. By te time I get the message that pursers desk lines are busy it has stopped.

Same for us. Deck 9. Other half wondered if was someone's idea of a practical joke! I'd thought someone had made mistake with switches. 

2 hours ago, megsie said:

Not much rain, just a few drizzles.

Bit choppy around Bass St and Vic, Captain said 2-3 m seas, windy but the ship cruised very smoothly, didn't feel any motion the whole cruise. 

Very enjoyable cruise for all in our extended family, something for everyone.

 As on any cruise some things could be done a little better but really nothing to complain about. Well, maybe just one - their tendering process wasn't so good when we went accross to Port Arthur, first time I've seen tender rage!

Gosh..glad we didn't see that. Got off quite early and also came back once got more busy around Port Arthur. Going over the black card was very helpful. 

We booked with Play Around Tour and she created a great private day's trip. Highly recommended. 

We are doing a city tour and drop off at the airport with Jennys Shanghai Tours. Works out about USD$58 each.

That sounds like fun. Did you see post on a roll call thread about how long it took to disembark? Was concerned about how to know what time to book if prebooked something. Still trying to decide what to do.

@eelectric: got our passports back today with visas in place. So paperwork from TA must have been satisfactory. Good luck with yours.

We have done quite a few RCI trips...Emerald Status. We haven’t booked a transfer yet. Looking at private transfers at present. We ate sa group of six.

If you find reasonable quote or company then would be grateful for any info. Just two of us.

Only done RCI cruise but several with Princess. So very low on loyalty ladder here. QOS will be largest ship we been on. Be quite different i expect.

@mking8288 many thanks for the comprehensive info.

@eelectric have you prebooked transfer from cruise terminal to airport? Am now considering waiting for either ship organised shuttle or portside taxi.

Did you have any trouble with paperwork when applying for the Visa?

We are going on Monday to get them.

We will be on bus No 4 in China.

Once we finally got the paperwork from cruise1st and could fill in the forms. The visa centre is very busy but very efficient and didn't wait too long. My other half is going in on 26th to collect our passports so will know then if all good.

Think we are on bus 4 too.

Have you cruised RCI much previously?

Yes, Cruise1st trip.

Who have not been the most knowledgeable or helpful of companies. Quoted me for transfer to Shanghai Pudgong airport and when I pointed out that this was not our itinerary said they did not have our itinerary details😀.

Only just been able to apply for china visa too.

Look forward to meeting you on the trip.

Time to find and use a different TA, drop the one you are considering not (hopefully, not too late) That is, IMHO, way over-priced unless they are sending you a Mercedes S500 or deluxe Sprinter van.

 

First, are you 99% sure that RCL's Quantum is docking at the Bund on the river, I don't think so as it's too shallow for mega ships to come and sail in & out of. I believe your ship will be at the Baoshan district, about 15 km NE of the central Shanghai "city" area popular with tourists - which is about a 40 km trip by taxi or other means of private transport to Hongqiao Airport, NW of the city, 45 minutes driving time but allow up to 75 to 90 minutes during rush hour in congested urban traffic.

 

Estimated taxi fare is under $150 RMB, including a little loose change for tipping (it's not required nor expected, but always appreciated - round up to about 10% should do nicely; and, it is a metered taxi fare) That convert to about $31 AUD or $24 USD roughly, based on published exchange rates.

 

Have the name & address of Hongqiao Airport written out in Chinese and the driver should understood and take you there ... most visitors & tourists do not speak and aren't fluent in the Chinese language in its many dialects. Between the cruiseline and the port's hospitality/tourism staff at the terminal, they should be able to help you with giving the driver a simple destination.

 

Hongqiao is for domestic & mostly, if not, all domestic "internal" flights within China, not international or flights to go abroad. Oversea flights are at Pudong (PVG) in a different direction, south of the port and a little closer.

Thanks for reply. QOS will be docking in Baoshan as stated and due to nature of our package we fly from Shanghai to Guangzhou where we get the flight back to Oz. Good to know that maybe waiting till we disembark to get taxi at the port is an option.

Are you on the trip leaving Sydney on 28th May?

Yes we leave Sydney on 28th May. After land tour get onto QOS for five day trip to Japan. Are you doing this trip too ?