Over from NZ

Think it's dearer than $65 pp isn't it? We didn't bother as one doesn't drink and the other is a light weight.. but am sure it was going to cost much more than that (I'm assuming you're saying AUD$65).

Yes - you'll do it easily. Pre-book your Sagrada tickets. We had 9am and were waiting at opening and were second in. It was great.. got a good chance to look and take photos before it was fill. Out of there say after 10.. heaps of time to do the HoHo, Park Guell, walk through the Gothic Quarter etc.

Every time we've been there; if they dock in the industrial port - they put on free shuttles to the main town.

I think they're trying to push everybody into the drink packages. When they get to critical mass.. they'll just wrap the drink package into full fare for everybody. Ironically; just got off the Enchanted Princess 21-nights Med cruise. We just walked onboard at a number of ports with wine, beer and spirits - unchallenged. Drank them in our room. Bugger them.

We found the same problem as you. 5 years ago we organised all our excursions on cruise critic and there was lots of activity. This time round.. it was hard to get any traction. The boards were rather quiet and we couldn't get enough interest. The short answer is yes - you need to try something else. Facebook. We filled half our excursions via here and half via facebook event pages set up for the cruises we were on.

If you can make it down there.. depending on the time of the year they often do public sheep shearing and it's pretty damn remarkable anyhow in Queenstown and surrounding areas (easy flight from Auckland) - https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/dining/walter-peak-gourmet-bbq-dining/walter-peak-gourmet-bbq-dining/?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-7OlBhB8EiwAnoOEk6ppzXi2CkmkK474_H22G_6UU556onHfuuEAYDmtiy7vyoXDqk9-pBoClS4QAvD_BwE

"2-weeks in Oz what to do?". Fly to NZ! Ouch lol. "Runs out of thread really fast" before Aussies jump me.. Jokes aside. If it's your one and only time - Cruise Aussie and do NZ by land.

That's a good trip! You'll see so much more than on a cruise. Although pity you're missing the Arthurs Pass and the West Coast which is some of the best. But it's the old problem.. you just can't do it all haha. Hope you enjoy it!

Good for you! It's a great day out.. so much to see. The 7-hours was just enough with a stop for lunch. So glad we did that excursion.. was one of the best we've done. Enjoy!

Best thing you could have done. NZ might be ok for Aussies to cruise as it's "just over the ditch" and they can come anytime.. but to come half way round the world to a country that you only really come to see the scenery for.. and then to not see much of the scenery (which you won't on a ship).. makes me scratch my head lol. Good luck with the land tour!

This is the best one if you can get a group of 8 - https://www.rocktoursgibraltar.com/packages/ultimate-tour It's not that expensive - just under Eu$100 each. Gibraltar is amazing. The tour is 7-hours.. so if you've got lots of hours there you can still shop etc. afterwards. The place is small.. so after the excursion.. do the shopping.. have the meal etc.. and then either walk back to the ship or take a short taxi ride.

Hello. We've booked for the Pacific Explorer around NZ in November. Wondering if the pools are heated? Be a bit borderline otherwise for swimming much lol.

Thanks. Yes, we're on the Enchanted. Have now booked a tour through italytoursharing to The Godfather highlights and Taormina. Kind regards

We stayed at Novotel Athenes. Rooftop terrace with pool/bar and view of the Acropolis. Neighbourhood was nothing to look at.. but the Hotel was great and the view from up there amazing!

2.7 wouldn't even rattle the windows lol

Really? It cruises in the fiord.. turns around and comes back out? I wouldn't bother staying in my room when in the fiord.. but if I did.. you'd see exactly the same whichever side of the ship you're on.

Yes they will leave you in limbo - because they don't advise you if your bid is unsuccessful. You'll only know for sure 2-days out (or whatever the cut-off is), when you haven't been advised of any change.

I find the same problem. Can't hear it well enough to be bothered watching.

I think it's more than successful enough. Have to be careful what you wish for. Over in NZ.. there's a large part of the population that would prefer to see less cruise-ships (and they're a climate-change nightmare too).

No there's not a preferable side. Both are going the same way. 🙂

How would that even make sense?! 🤣 "Yep.. you've been a loyal client of our opposition and you've never cruised with us. So here, have the perks for free that we offer our loyal customers to reward them". hahaha.

Yep! They absolutely stiff you these cruise-lines! 🤣

Great. Many thanks.

Hiya. Haven't cruised since the Medallion became a thing. They don't ship them to NZ. I gather we just pick it up at the Port.. is it much of a mission? Just line up somewhere to get it.. and then line up again somewhere to board? Or are we going to expect queues of people lining up for Medallions? Tia.

https://www.christchurchattractions.nz/packages/ There's the combo packages. The punting might seem a bit naff and expensive (I've hired the cheaper kayaks on the Avon plenty of times), but the wife talked me into it earlier this year and I was pleasantly surprised how we enjoyed it. Good informative guide.. good to see the scenery from the river.. was really nice. The Christchurch discovery ride at the top of the Gondola was really good too.