Goingagin

A closed loop cruise (begining & ending in a US port) a certified birth certificate will do. However, having a passport is recommended for travel by most everyone now...Better safe than sorry and delayed due to unexpected circumstances.;)

A World cruise from the States is a 'closed loop' but I'd take a passport!

I've asked this many times, but I'm still paranoid....I have my Certified birth certificate. That is acceptable form right? Has anyone else traveled with just their birth certificate...Have they experienced any issues at debarkation??? :confused:

My guess is that you have not been to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America or or Australia. I believe the short hops thru the caribean and alaska trips take a birth certificate. Why not get a proper passport and open up the world?

Gerry,

 

We too have done a cruise from Boston to Rotterdam via Greenland, Iceland, Shetland Islands and down the coast of Norway. We also did the last voyage on the Royal Princess in 2010 and went from Tahiti to Ft. Lauderdale. We were supposed to land at Easter Island but it was too rough and we were booked to fly over the NAZCA lines but the ship arrived 4 hours too late so all the flights in the afternoon were booked by tourists not on the ship!! One of the main reasons we booked that cruise was to visit Easter Island and to do the flight!

 

We are also hoping to book Oceania's Capetown to Singapore cruise for January 2015 in September this year when it is announced. We have friends who did it in January 2012 and friends on it for 2013. That has been on my wish list for a number of years.

 

Jennie

You know Aussie Gal - I'm gonna love it when we meet - the boys can have a beer and we can talk - way to go. Easter Island a great stop - the original inhabitants denuded the islands of trees and they have planted eucalyptes - it's covered in gums - one wonders where that's going to lead as they are so pervasive.

Gerry,

 

Great link, thanks. We did a lot of our land based travel in the 90's and saw a lot of Europe.

 

Have you been to South American and Antarctica? That was a great trip where we not only cruised but also went to the Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. We also did a cruise later on that year from Vancouver to Tampa via the Panama and the Amazon as far as Manaus. Both of these cruises were back in 2006 and were great. We are starting to run out of itineraries re cruising as my DH doesn't like to repeat the same trips so I am always looking for new ports.

 

Jennie

Yes one of our first cruises was South america but did not land antarctica - had extension to Macchu Pichu - GALAPAGAS is VERY high on my 'to do' list as is Manaus

Did a great combo cruise in 2011 - Baltic and then North Atlantic (Faroe Is, Iceland, Greenland , Nova Scotia to New York -HAL

I dont mind going back to some places - having said that there are some places I could live and some would be quite happy never to see again (East London - South Africa). We are looking at a Cruise down the East Coast of Africa in the Future - does madagascar, Zanzibar,Mombasa, Maledives - Oceania Cruises - have an old flyer - will look into that later as we are fully booked for this year. There is also a HAL that does a complete circumnavigation of South America and there is lots there I would still like to see - NAZCAR lines - way on top of the list. On the Explore site we have done two cruises with them- The Greek Island one on the converted fishing boat and the Cruise on the old sailing boat thru the Croatian Islands - both were excellent - 4 crew 16 passengers = you dive overboard for a swim and because the vessels are really small you can get to really quaint villages on the tiny islands.

If you find any really different cruise I'd love to know.

Thanks

Hi Gerry,

 

We did the Black Sea on HAL's Prinsendam which is probably our favourite ship as it is small like the Ocean and Pacific but does have more public rooms and the mini suites are lovely with walk in wardrobes and a bathroom that is divided into 3, the same as for the suites. The ports were fine but nothing outstanding, we left from Athens and visited Istanbul where we have been before and love visiting there. We did this cruise back in 2004 and Odessa was very run down at the time. It may have changed by now. We also visited a port in Bulgaria and Yalta which was a lovely seaside town. We also went to Dubrovnik, Split and the cruise finished in Venice. Sailing into Venice has to be a highlight of any cruise.

 

 

We enjoyed the Black Sea cruise but our favourite cruise of all time was on Oceania's Nautica - sister ship to both the Pacific and Ocean Princesses, there were 8 built altogether - when we went from Hong Kong to Athens. A similar trip I presume to what you will be doing this year. We started off visiting Vietnam - 2 ports - then Thailand, then Singapore, Malaysia, India - 3 ports - where we did an excursion to Agra for 3 days/2 nights, then on to Oman, then to Luxor, again an overnight there, then to Jordan where we visited Petra then through the Suez to Port Said where we visited the Pyramids. It was a 35 day cruise with the best bunch of fellow travellers and Oceania does sell a great product.

 

Our next favourite was the Capetown to Dover cruise on the Ocean. Again wonderful and unusual ports and another great group of C.C. members. This was a 32 day cruise.

 

We have been on both the Pacific and Ocean and if you have been on one then you won't notice any difference except for the staff.

 

We were on our first large ship in October - the Emerald - and that finished us for good re large ships. Too many people and too crowded.

 

Jennie

Not keen on big vessels either. We did Rome to Singapore via South Africa on the Ocean - otherway round from you but SAME YEAR!

We certainly have covered a lot of the same territory although we are reasonably new to cruising. Most of our travel pre 2006 were land based. Like small ships we LOVE small group tours - have a look at this site

http://www.explore.co.uk

English company that do FANTASTIC trips

Yes we are on the Ocean Princess in June this year and again in March next year. She is one of our favourite ships.

 

We were booked on her to do the Sydney to Singapore cruise last year in March but had to cancel 6 weeks before we were due to leave as my DH had a heart attack out of the blue and needed a stent. He wasn't allowed to travel for 8 weeks so we had to cancel unfortunately, so I rebooked it for next year.

 

Enjoy your time on her. I hope you enjoy the Ocean Princess as much as we do.

 

Jennie

Love the Ocean - first cruised with her as Tahitian - Fort Lauderdale to Sydney - and again Rome to Singapore via West Africa and Cape Town - She is THE BEST PRINCESS!! I hope DH is well. We are also on the Pacific Princess for Black Sea later in the year - I noticed you have done a black sea - any Hints? Is Pacific as good as Ocean? I know they are Sister Ships in the Small category. Despite you being from Melbourne -I think we could be soul mates (laughter)

Yes we do love the rivalry, though I do love Sydney, a great place to visit regularly.

 

Jennie

Same with Melbourne! I notice you're booked on Ocean Princess - the BWL-

next year - we are on her this year in March - Sydney to Rome via Singapore.

It should be a great trip - watch for my review! (about early Nov - as we are away for a while)

The Ballarat one is wonderful and of course recently the Bendigo Art Gallery has been having some wonderful exhibitions. The last one were the clothes of Grace Kelly - Princess Grace of Monaco.

 

Jennie

Hi rest of the world.

Please excuse us as we continue our Melbourne/Sydney rivalry. It's a long standing thing and we all love it.

Have to agree with Jennie on this. However, why not visit all three to judge for yourselves.

 

In addition, the Regional Art Galleries in Vic are a treasure trove.

Ya gotta love Victorians

Gerry one of our best RV trips was to Zion & Bryce Canyons finishing it off at Moab and the Arches. We find RVers are so friendly and ready to help their neighbors. We never worry about leaving our 5th wheel unlocked. This has been a long awaited trip and hope we can make the most of it. I have heard from others, NZ is really the place to see. I only wish on this cruise it included Tasmania. If they hadn't switched ships and direction we wouldn't gone there. During the Transpacific we will visit Picton as well.

 

I was looking at doing Perth to Sydney, but they reversed it on us, and it would have meant a long flight back to Sydney plus 2 weeks between cruises, so went with the 13 day NZ on our favorite ship, the ROS.:)

 

 

Gay

Our last trip was Alaska 2012 - but previously we spent over 5 weeks in the 4 corners area - Petrified Forest, Painted desert,Hovenweep, Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, San Juan Skyway, Dead Horse, Arches, Canyonlands and even tracked down some of the ancient petroglyphs - yep - you are right so many people so friendly - we hung an Aussie flag on our cabin and many people popped in for a chat and a beer.

We were based in Cortez KOA for most - What a great place.

You guys REALLY understand about National Parks and Service - I still get a tear in my eye when I think about our very last KOA stop in Silver City (NM)

I probably should have clerified the plans at the moment, which Jeannie was answering me on. We are doing a 13 day NZ cruise then upon our return to Sydney on April 1, 2014, we will have 9 days to sight see. I didn't really want to spend all those 9 days in Sydney, but perhaps say April 2 to 5, then travel to the Blue Mountains for one day, and possibly another day or two outside Sydney. Our 2nd cruise will depart Sydney on April 10th of 2014. Our daughter who is traveling with us wants to see Queensland if she can during the 9 days we have.

 

During the 13 day NZ cruise we will visit, the three Sounds, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland & Bay of Islands from March 19 to April 1, 2014. We will revisit Wellington during on Transpacific April 10th, 2014.

 

Goinagin, with so much to see in our US and much of it I have not even seen, I would only be able to skim places to see.

 

We are so looking forward to visiting Australia and the Ports in NZ for the first time and realize, 9 days isn't enough time to see as much as we would like unless we had planned to travel by car and not cruise. I appreciate all the information I have received on CC since I began planning our journey.:)

 

Gay

Hi Gay

You will love New Zealand - they have 4 main Islands - the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island (a little one of the South and what they love to call the West Island -(Australia - laughter) The people there are great, the food is great and the scenery is MAGNIFICENT. Your cruise has the very best!

Southern Queensland is very nice but NOT near the reef - The Gold Coast - well... I would hate people to think that's Queensland (sorry Jennie) but its tacky at best. Reef access is best thru Port Douglas, Cairns (FNQ) and Airlie beach but even Brisbane with your time frame would probably require a flight and the others certainly.

I have always loved traveling in the states - it's the best budget travel in the world - when we were younger we'd hire a car - stock up at Wallmart or Kmart and head around staying in the camping cabins at KOA. The poeple we met were wonderful , always helpful and friendly - I hope you find the same DownUnder

Gerry

Hi Jennie

I was actually referring to Ozzie roads in general - the Hume is actually a good 4 lanes Sydney to Melbourne (almost - laughter) but its not what you would call scenic in world terms. I love Victoria and Melbourne is very cosmopoltian - Soveriegn Hill (you forgot to mention) is a great day out. I LOVE the races and YES for a sports fan I don't think there's a better place in the world. Sorry but best art gallery in Aust is in Canberra.

Hi Jennie the details of the 9 days haven't been fully planned yet, our daughter would love to do a trip to Queensland and I would also love to see other areas, but because it will be our first trip, not sure which direction to go . I have looked at doing a Coastal drive but not sure we wish to drive oursleves. My DH sister has now joined us so we are trying to stay within her budgit now. Both my husband & I love seeing the country.

 

Gay

Be warned - there are very few 'coastal' drives in Oz where you can ACTUALLY see the sea - One is from Cairns to Port Douglas in FNQ (Far North Queensland) and another is the Great Ocean Road in Victoria ( In US terms that means one is in Florida and one is in Maine ( That sort of distance apart) A 'coastal' drive from say Brisbane to Cairns (QUEENSLAND) would take about 4 days of 8 hour drives (truckies can do it more quickly of course) Our distances are huge and we do not have your lovely roads (or polite drivers) and there are some VERY long stretches in Aust where there is nothing!!

For a nine day glimpse of Oz perhaps Sydney for three days- harbour ferries instead of a cruise (more economical - used by commuters so not expensive) - a trip to Manly beach - fish and chips on the beach, Ferry to the Zoo - best located zoo in the world for views over a city.Good OZZIE animals to see. A train to the Blue Mountains and they have a HOHO there - lots of places to pick up food for a picnic at one of the outlooks. This would be a full day trip. Just walk the city - What the HOHO does you may as well walk - If you really want to go to Bondi (not our best beach although most famous) - there are lots buses from Circular Quay (near Opera House). Another option for country side is a day trip to the Hunter Valley (wine region) but get a tour to avoid the traffic.If you would like a drive then to Canberra - our Capital City would certainly give you a taste of the countryside (about a 6/7 hour drive depending on how long it takes to get out of the city and an overnight for two nights - Better though would be to find a tour that goes to Canberra and does it for you. What's left - 3 days? There are so many great places. Probably top is

1)THE GREAT BARRIER REEF (4/5 hour FLIGHT) from Sydney to Cairns

2)ULARU (4/5 hour FLIGHT TO ULARU) - dont go to Alice Springs ( it about the same distance as Las Vagas to the Grand Canyon as Alice is to the Rock - but without the road, gas, or facilities ... 'Oh we'll stop at the next place' - miss the one stop fill up and THAT'S IT

3) KAKADO - you don't have the time

4) BUNGLEBUNGLES - you don't have the time

5) TASMANIA - is lovely but you would need more than the time to get around to the best bits

6) Melbourne if you like to shop and eat - they have some great places to visit but are all OUT - Dandenongs, Great Ocean Road.

I appreciate the budget thing - and Australia is expensive. Having said that we all speak a form of English (LAUGHTER) and local transport is good. From memory I think there is a travel lodge in Sydney (WYNARD) which is well located and friends from US have stayed there and found it well located and reasonably priced. With only about 22/25 Million People in Aust and we are approx the same size as the lower 48 - there is not the infrastructure on roads or facilities. Our major road ( HIGHWAY ONE ) is for 90% of its circuit two lanes - one each way.(and some of that is dirt track)

I hope I haven't put you off - it is great down here but like the States you are not going to see a lot in 9 days (imagine trying to tell someone what to see in nine days in the US)

Goodness, the air fares I saw were close to $1000 - not sure if that was AU or US. Is there one web site for me to look at, or should I look at each airline separately? Because, with this information gives me me something to think about if I can fly that inexpensively. Thanks.

 

Oh, and Amtrak here in the US is not like European trains, either, by a long shot.

 

Beth

Do NOT take a P&O cruise out of Australia - they are Not for ferquent cruisers - they are party cruisers for the young or those who have not yet grown up - they even charge for the prawns(shrimps)

I'm curious that several people keep saying that flying in Australia is cheaper than the train. Maybe I haven't looked at the right web sites, because the flights I've seen were very expensive.

 

I do understand what everyone is saying about the train, but I have a love for trains and train travel and would enjoy the trip regardless of how much I could see of the countryside. Trains don't cover all of the US either.

 

Well, as I've said, right now I'm just looking at options and certainly appreciate all the suggestions and will put them all into the hopper once I'm ready to make a decision.

Hi Scotland

Well you are certainly raking in the info. Here is some more.

If you want to see the Great Barrier Reef on a cruise I suggest you look up - CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES - That's a VERY good way to see the reef - apart from renting your own Yacht, probably the best way- for off the beaten track I agree with AAT but also try APT Australian Pacific Tours - Everyone is correct about the train - Its flat out there and I mean its flat - there really isn't anything in the middle except Uluru/Olgas - I'd miss Alice Springs (sorry Alice) there are problems there that will spoil your trip - FLY - Try Jet Star/ Virgin Australia - having said that one 0f the BEST drives anywhere in the world is The WEST MACDONALD RANGES (out of THE ALICE) and all the fantastic canyons and waterholes (we're fond of waterholes in Oz.) Now... about New Zealand - If you have seen Lord of the Rings - which is great - ALL THAT SCENERY IS FOR REAL - No special effects needed for New Zealand scenery- the people are great - the food is great - the roads are ******* - so everywhere takes at least 3 times longer to drive than you think but again try AAT or APT.

If you decide to drive in Australia - we drive on the OTHER side of the road and Aussie drivers are NOT polite or forgiving. If you head out of the cities into country side ( with a small population in Oz) you can find yourself in towns that WILL NOT have a standard of accommodation you might like. If staying in Sydney your hotel will have lots of Day trip options - from the Blue mountains to the Hunter Valley and probably even to Canberra (which is interesting) But if heading for Canberra I'd opt for an overnight(or 2) there - bound to be a tour that does that. I'll probably think of lots more as soon as I've finished. Best Advice here - CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES for the GREAT BARRIER REEF.

Enjoy

Thank you all! I was wondering about the bug spray since it is only February ...guess I will pack it and take it with me ! Thank you for the warning !! I am one of those people who get chewed up bad when no one else gets bit at all!

Hi Toxic

Definitly take insect repellant! Get a DET tropical strenghth. It's not the maleria that gets you - those mossies are mornings and evenings - it's the Dengy Fever ones which are out ALL DAY. Wear light coloured clothing (not Blue - they like that) and long sleeves and long lightweight trousers - spray your ankles!

Gerry