BayAreaBC Posted April 16, 2014 #1 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I don't see a roll call for this Pied Piper cruise. Is anyone else going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted July 9, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 9, 2014 We're also going. Recently booked the cruise with Pied Piper. Almost didn't see this thread... there have to be more going, but don't see any other Pied Piper couples on the main ship/cruise thread either. Ray :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted July 10, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I'm glad that you guys are also going. I was afraid we would be the only ones on board. Are you arriving in Auckland early or staying over in Sydney after? We are doing both (5 nights before and after). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted July 10, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 10, 2014 We're arriving in Sydney for New Years Eve, staying a couple days then on to NZ the day before the cruise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted July 10, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Good you can give us a few tips on Sydney. The last time we were there was almost 10 years ago. I lived in Columbus OH for a few years, now we are in the SF Bay area. Bob and Randy here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted August 10, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Useful list of all things gay in New Zealand http://www.gayscout.com/queerguide/c0g76.-1/New-Zealand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socialworkers Posted September 4, 2014 #7 Share Posted September 4, 2014 My partner and I going. We're a lesbian couple from Dallas, have been the lone women on several of the Pied Piper bookings! Look forward to meeting you guys, glad to fine a thread for this one! We always end up with guy friends anyway, so lack of women not an issue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted September 4, 2014 #8 Share Posted September 4, 2014 :) Welcome aboard. The more the merrier. We'll also be joined by two couples from Miami and Stockholm. Not sure how big the Pied Piper group will be on this cruise, but they are always good people! We are so looking forward to this cruise. Finally bit the bullet and got airfare... was hoping for the price to go down, but no luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted September 5, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted September 5, 2014 25 Reasons New Zealand Must be on Your Travel Bucket List http://list25.com/25-reasons-why-new-zealand-must-be-on-your-travel-bucket-list/?view=all Milford Sound looks amazing. We are spending a couple days in Rotorua before the cruise too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted October 23, 2014 #10 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Well, it's time to start thinking about excursions. We booked a tour for Tauranga that takes us to the Lord of the Rings filming location Hobbiton, a native village and the geothermal area. Sounds super! Also thinking about the train ride through the gorge from Dunedin. Anyone done either one before, or have other ideas/recommendations? We have the Pied Piper Post-Thanksgiving cruise before this one, but we're certainly getting excited already for Australia and New Zealand. Whheeeee..... :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted October 24, 2014 Author #11 Share Posted October 24, 2014 (edited) We booked the train trip in Dunedin since it got rave reviews as an excursion. It's very expensive but people seemed to think it's worth it. On previous cruises we found it was often better to do excursions on your own. We booked the Wellington Hop On/Off tour on our own. It's the same bus and tour the cruiselines use but if you book on your own you actually can hop on and off. If you book through the cruiseline you can't actually hop on and off. http://www.hoponhopoff.co.nz/ There is a gay nude beach in Tauranga which is a few miles from the cruise terminal. I'm not sure if it's worth going to it since apparently the water is rough there. We may just hike up Mount Maunganai which is adjacent to the cruise terminal. We arrive 5 days before the cruise in Auckland and are doing the Hobbiton and Rotorua hot springs on our own. There is a gay bed and breakfast in Rotorua we stay at for one night. If anyone else is arriving early and wants to meet in Auckland for lunch or dinner it would be great to get to know fellow travelers. We have a small apartment booked in Auckland and can host for drinks before lunch or dinner. Bob and Randy Edited October 24, 2014 by BayAreaBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted October 27, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted October 27, 2014 (edited) Excellent description of Tasmania by a local. Many pics and suggestions. http://**********/a/QkPso This sounds interesting to me Another destination that is also accessible by boat - in the opposite direction, north of Hobart - is MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art). It is a private museum which opened in 2011 to international acclaim and has been Tasmania's #1 tourist destination ever since. Getting there: MONA is at 655 Main Road, Berridale, Hobart, Tasmania 7011, with free car parking on site. Alternatively, the MONA ferry departs six times a day from the Brooke Street ferry terminal in Hobart. Return tickets are $15 per person. Bicycles are also for hire at the terminal for $15 a day. Entry to MONA is free for Tasmanians (proof of identify not required), $10 for non-Tasmanian concession cardholders and $20 for out-of-staters over 18. Open Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Edited October 27, 2014 by BayAreaBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted October 28, 2014 Author #13 Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) http://**********/a/QkPso The Tasmanian link above doesn't seem to work. I hope this fixes it. It's still not working. Cruise Critic doesn't like imgur links apparently go to imgur dot com /a/QkPso Edited October 28, 2014 by BayAreaBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted November 3, 2014 Author #14 Share Posted November 3, 2014 The French Cafe in Auckland is considered to be one of top five best restaurants in the world. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11339834 Anyway, with the favorable exchange rate for USD we plan on checking it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted November 3, 2014 #15 Share Posted November 3, 2014 We are meeting our small group in Auckland the day before our departure, and are planning on going to the Sky Lounge for drinks before dinner... and then wander somewhere else for dinner... ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted November 3, 2014 Author #16 Share Posted November 3, 2014 It turns out the French Cafe is closed for summer break for a month at that time. Anyone have any other restaurant recommendations? Apparently Clooney is supposed to be good from what I've read. I've never been to Auckland and advice is welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted November 4, 2014 Author #17 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I have a bad habit of answering my own questions and posting too much information. However, in case anyone actually reads my posts Urbanspoon rates Depot as the best seafood restaurant in Auckland. As an added bonus it's cheap, in the CBD and you don't need a reservation. http://www.eatatdepot.co.nz/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted November 4, 2014 #18 Share Posted November 4, 2014 A friend highly recommended the Ponsonby neighborhood. http://www.iloveponsonby.co.nz/index.asp Not sure where we'll wind up yet... :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted November 4, 2014 Author #19 Share Posted November 4, 2014 K Road is the Castro of Auckland. It's adjacent to Ponsonby. http://www.kroad.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted November 7, 2014 #20 Share Posted November 7, 2014 For those of use coming from the US... we only need our passports and online visa(ETA) for Australia right? No special documentation other than our passports for NZ? ...woohoo it's getting close now. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted November 7, 2014 Author #21 Share Posted November 7, 2014 For those of use coming from the US... we only need our passports and online visa(ETA) for Australia right? No special documentation other than our passports for NZ? ...woohoo it's getting close now. :D Yes, that's my understanding. The online visa for Australia is good for a year after you purchase it. Does anyone have an idea of how many people from Pied Piper are going? Since this Roll Call is not that active I'm assuming it's not a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted November 7, 2014 #22 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I'm wondering that as well. We've only been on the Post Thanksgiving cruises with them, which are the largest groups. I'm sure this will be a much smaller group, but have no idea how many. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socialworkers Posted November 15, 2014 #23 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Hi guys, my partner and I are married lesbian couple from Dallas. Will get to Aukland on Jan. 3, look forward to meeting new folks. We always seem to be among minority of women w/Pied Piper, but really have enjoyed the guys we've met and with whom we've become friends! Hope we can beg an invite to do drinks/dinner with some of you night before we sail. Get back with us on message board! Susan & Diane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaBC Posted November 15, 2014 Author #24 Share Posted November 15, 2014 (edited) Randy and I (Bob) haven't made plans for drinks and dinner on January 3rd and would love to meet other gay men and lesbian women for drinks/dinner. Apparently there is a large group of people having dinner and drinks at Sky City in Auckland that night. From reviews I've read the food there is overpriced and not that great but the views are good. It would be great if Pied Piper would arrange a gathering the night prior to departure. Do you think if we asked Derek they would do this? update I just emailed Derek and asked. We've sailed with RSVP previously and there were always several pre-cruise parties held at gay bars or host hotels. I know RSVP is much larger than PP but gay bars/restaurants love to host these parties since they bring in business. Caluzzi is a drag bar and restaurant in Auckland. I'm not sure how good it is but it looks fun http://www.caluzzi.co.nz/ Just an idea. Does anyone have other suggestions? Edited November 15, 2014 by BayAreaBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaynJeffnOhio Posted November 15, 2014 #25 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Hi all. Bob that place Caluzzi looks totally fun! (gets great reviews on TripAdvisor) And it seems to be not so far from the Sky Lounge, where we tentatively plan to have happy hour. I sent the link to our travel companions (from Miami and Stockholm). We would love to have the ladies join us as well... will provide more information as we firm up our plans! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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