Tara Jane

When measuring they include the wheels and handles.  Make you put your luggage in a test frame so no sneaking an inch or two.  All airlines very strict.

I've had more cancellations with virgin than Jetstar but it's always a gamble.   Just allow plenty of time if you have a timetable that's not flexible.  If you are flying anywhere to join a cruise I would be flying in absolute min of 2 days prior preferably 3 prior to sailing.

I wonder what a taxi would cost from Dunedin port to town.  We've gone various ways over the years but last couple of times just enjoyed Port Chalmers.  For those going into Dunedin city bring in our 60s we really enjoyed the museum next to the railway station.  It had many things of my childhood, I'm not a museum person but really enjoyed this possibly as the items meant something to me.

On 12/20/2022 at 10:32 AM, By The Bay said:

Cheaper than staying at home at $53 a night.😵 P&O are having trouble filling their ships.

We have booked on this one.

Hi Don

I have been checking regularly to see if you have posted any more on your cruise report.

I hope you are fully recovered by now.

It took me a good 2 weeks and hubby still not back to normal at 4 weeks.  

We have stayed the last few times but precovid at the Ibis budget at Sydney airport.  They have 2 levels we go for the superior of the 2.  Easy less than 5 mins walk from airport then back next morning to get the bus/train to the ship.   KFC right next door along with Krispy Kreme but heaps of food options at the airport.  Last time we stayed was 2019 and $119 for triple room.

My son is awaiting a bone marrow transplant due to leukaemia.

He has a match in Europe but this virus is delaying the transplant.

I ask that everyone stops and thinks of those who have no immunity and other health and age related issues.  Just stay home forget about shopping and socializing.  It's not going to kill you to stay home but by going out you can potentially be responsible for someone else's death by unknowingly contracting and spreading the virus.

Thank you all for your replies. Lots of food for thought.

I am not familiar with the share market but sounds like I should invest in some.

My brother who does tinker in shares and cruises with princess frequently tells me buying would complicate things tax wise.

Agree or disagree?

I have spare cash so happy to take the risk but dont want tax issues.

Could you please tell me how far the walk from rmtender boats to the treaty house is.  Is it an easy walk?   Asking for a friend who struggles a bit walking but is ok on the flat 10 mins or so.

Thank you

Hope they dont treat it as non refundable. 

Please let us know when you receive it.

Email them so you have an answer in writing.  Then print a copy.

You then have a defence if challenged.

Hokey pokey ice cream yummmmy

First trip to Japan I bought what looked like milk for my coffee.  Turns out it was flavoured drinking yogurt.  It was long before we could buy drinking yogurt in Australia. 

Thats interesting having a set charge rather than just paying the expenses.   THanks for letting me know about it.

Have a wonderful time, I'm currently planning another trip to Japan taking a friend next year.

Highly recommend goodwill guides all over Japan.  They are not professional guides but volunteers who enjoy showing their country. 

Some are uni students studying English others business people  retired teachers home makers they come from all walks of life.

Only cost is guides transport and meals while with you but book ahead.

They are in very high demand.

Thanks Gbenjo for your prompt reply.

Now I understand how its done😉

Just a query for those who put a "phantom" name how do you get around the on line check in and passport number request? Maybe it isnt essential to do the online check in part.

We had a genuine case of twin going to solo on a Japan cruise on the diamond.  At the last minute one person became very I'll and unable to fly.  On check in the other advised her friend wasn't able to travel.  No problem at all and the non travelling person claimed all expenses on her travel insurance.  The cruise was only part of an extended trip around Japan so it was quite a large insurance claim on her free credit card NAB policy which was processed very quickly.

GUT I would put 200% confidence in you representing me if the need ever arose.

We also use super shuttle as it will drop off at hotel door rather than at bus stops.

If in a group the super shuttle is extremely inexpensive.  The bigger the group the cheaper the ticket.

IQ 108 large interior stateroom

I should have added in my comments that we chose this cruise due to the itinerary.  We have travelled NZ extensively both cruise and road travel.  This itinerary went into quite a few smaller ports that the big ships cant get into.  We missed Kaikoura due to weather and the captain decided not to take us far in to Milford sound.  We were travelling with a RCI ship which went fully in and spent quite some time so felt quite cheated.

Weather was not an issue that day.

Yes I should have but we had a recent family death and I just wasnt in the mood to fight.  I was just glad the others all had good cabins as I was the organizer of the trip and would have felt bad if they had a cabin like us.

We were on Maasdam last December on an Auckland to Sydney cruise.  Ship only had 800 passengers of a capacity approx 1200 so no queues for anything.

Food was good. 

Entertainment very light on.  Night entertainment often was educational speaker or movie.

Worst cabin weve ever had in 25 plus cruises.

We were a group with 4 cabins all inside guarantee.  The other 3 cabins were excellent size ours was a super micro we had to push the bed to be able to get in and out of the room. Supposed to be large room we all booked same catagory and paid same price booking together same agent  

I went down to ask if we could be moved seeing the ship had so many empty cabins but they wanted $2000 pp so we just put up with it.  We rarely spend time in the cabin which is why we take insides.

I wouldn't jump at another HAL cruise unless it was a ridiculously good price.

Our favorite is celebrity though we are not particularly loyal to any line.

Bizziecruzer

An excellent suggestion.😀

Absolutely agree.  I am reasonably fit travel with hand luggage only and only need a domestic flight home to Melbourne.   I never book my flight before 1.30 pm.   After a relaxing holiday the last thing you need is to worry about delayed arrival or traffic or airport congestion.  My sister missed her flight to Melbourne due to a late arrival because of rough seas.   Her flight was to depart at 3 pm.

Be one of the last to depart the ship have an extra night in Sydney check out of hotel and taxi to the airport in plenty of time for check in.   

Yes airport queues are bad but that's international travel and having flown international from Sydney many times I assure you it is a breeze compared to LAX.

You will need 2 plus hrs check in.  Last time I flew to US it was 3 hrs. That means you have to be at the airport before 10 am.

Just booked solstice aukland to Sydney 1 dec includes flights to Auckland 1 night accommodation 12 night cruise $1499 inside guarantee. Guess I'm not the 1st 😉 to get this deal.  Includes bay of islands and Hobart.