Kangaroo Island arrival

[Rosee]

Hi,

 

I am wondering if anyone reading this Board has been on a cruise stopping at Kangaroo Island, which was unable to land passengers by tender because of rough conditions.

 

Previous sea conditions in November in that area would also be appreciated.

 

Thanks in anticipation,

Rosee

[rkmw]

Hi,

 

I am wondering if anyone reading this Board has been on a cruise stopping at Kangaroo Island, which was unable to land passengers by tender because of rough conditions.

 

Previous sea conditions in November in that area would also be appreciated.

 

Thanks in anticipation,

Rosee

 

if they have to tender and the seas were too rough they wouldnt be able to stop and it would mean another day at sea

[tygeray]

Hi Rosee

Never been on a cruise to KI as I live quite close to it. I doubt if there has been many times you would be unable to land by tender. November is a good time to visit, weather perfect although it can be hot 35-40c.

Ray

Edited April 17, 2014 by tygeray

[Pushka]

The stretch of water between SA coast and KI is known to be quite rough. It wouldn't surprise me if the port had to be skipped at any time if it's a tender port although this would depend on how close to the KI shore the ship can get. November can be hot, or cold, and usually winds in SA are most calm from January until April. But it really depends on weather on that very day. The day before or the day after could be completely different. Its late Spring - anything goes.

[MicCanberra]

The ferry needs to be cancelled at times due to the weather, it is simply a condition of seafaring, that you are always at the mercy of the weather.:D

[fanoforion]

Backstairs passage can get very rough...I hope you get there..it is beautiful.

 

I lived there, left when I was 19.

 

kind regards, Lorraine :):)

[Dancuboz]

Was there on the Volendam last year and it was fine. Very calm but plenty of flies so you might want to take some insect repellent.

 

Worth going to the sea lion colony and there is a very nice pub and restaurant opposite overlooking the Southern Ocean where you might like to try King George Whiting fish!! Plus a nice glass of Local wine/beer.

 

No problems with the tenders on my visit.

 

Danny

 

 

 

 

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[Rosee]

Thanks Danny.

 

I'm guessing you did Volendam's Around Australia cruise. If so, how did you find it?

 

That's what we're on this year. By all reports this itinerary has a lot going for it.....overnight in Fremantle, Melbourne and (virtually) Hobart...although the ship moves to Port Arthur for tendering the next day.

 

Any good or bad points or hints for this trip you can throw our way? Did you do a review for CC?

 

Glad Kangaroo Island was calm waters as we are going on a private shore tour and we were worrying whether we might be able to get to the island if the sea is rough.

 

Thanks for your reply, makes for less stress about it.

 

Rosee

[Dancuboz]

Rosee

 

Yes I did the circumnavigation of Australia on the Volendam last year. I loved the trip and didn't want to get off when we sailed back into Sydney Harbour.

 

It is a smaller ship and we had smooth seas for the most part at that time of the year. No cyclones around. I visited ports I had never been to.

 

We had a very active CC group/roll call. I joined the CC tours mostly except for Komodo Island where I had to join the ship excursion to see the dragons. But I believe there was one private tour to Komodo but they had to seek special approval. We called into Lombok as well. When I boarded in Sydney, they took my passport and organised the Indonesian visas efficiently and kept the passport and then returned it after we had left Indonesian waters. Australian immigration travelled on the ship and processed our passports on board while sailing.

 

We missed out Exmouth because of high swell and had an extra day in Perth which was nice.

 

Not sure if you play bridge but we had a fabulous director with lessons in the morning and then choice of duplicate or social bridge in the afternoon.

 

Food and service and entertainment was superb and my trip was made even more special when I won a raffle in the dining room and the prize was another 7 day cruise.

 

Mix of passengers from other countries was really interesting. A lot of Americans and Canadians had done the Pacific crossing and then stayed on to do the circumnavigation.

 

I have no bad points to describe. However, I did hear some grumbles on board but quickly removed myself into white light and positivity!!!

 

No I didn't do a review. In hindsight, I should have but regard myself as a relatively inexperienced cruiser compared to others I met.

 

In case you are wondering, the Volendam has several laundries which is handy. You use USA quarters which you can get from the front desk. I bought a wine package which worked out quite well.

 

I loved the ports of call but Esperance, Port Lincoln (king George whiting and coffin bay oysters with Lincoln White for lunch at Del Giornos on the Main Street), Burnie and Kangaroo Island and Hamilton Island were really special because it was my first visit to those ports.

 

I just adored the experience and hope you do too.

 

Danny

 

 

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[erewhon]

Dancuboz,

 

Thanks for all your information in the above posts, very helpful.

Who took your passport? Was that after boarding?

[Dancuboz]

Erewhon

 

Holland America took it after boarding and gave a receipt.

 

It was kept until we visited Indonesia and the required visas were processed on board ship.

 

When we left Indonesian waters, the passports were returned and stamped by Australian immigration staff travelling on the ship. We had to report in person to receive them back from immigration.

 

Indonesian visa costs charged direct to our on board account.

 

Danny

 

 

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[Rosee]

Thanks Danny for your great reply.

I can't wait for October to come!

 

Can you remember which shore tours you did, or where they went to?

 

Rosee

[erewhon]

Danny,

Thanks for your reply, good to know what the procedure will be.

[Dancuboz]

Rosee,

 

Yes mostly with CC groups except for ports I had been before. Often Holland America provided a free shuttle or a free shuttle provided by local council eg Burnie,

 

We did CC trips to the Pinnacles in Perth, Cape Le Grande in Esperance, local tour in Port Lincoln, Sea Lion trip on Kangaroo Island, ship tour on Komodo Island, 4 of us hired a taxi in Lombok for the day and that worked out great. Negotiated price with driver before we left the port.

 

Other ports I took shuttle and did my own touring.

 

Perth (Freemantle) and Adelaide (Outer Harbour) there was a train station very close to the wharf that took approx 30 mins to the city.

 

Free city buses in Perth that do a circle route and stop at Botanic Gardens.

 

We even had a Melbourne Cup party with live coverage but I was busy at the bridge table. You could even enter a sweep in the casino!!

 

By the way, the Volendam has a full time florist, Marcus on board. Fresh arrangements all over the ship. Very often they reflected the flora of the port we had visited.

 

Just let me know if I can help any further.

 

Best wishes, Danny

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Rosee]

Thanks again Danny.

It is good to know that you did several of the trips I am thinking about. The HOHO trams in Perth & Fremantle, shuttles into the city (great to know they could be free) to do our own thing. We overnight in Melbourne so that gives us enough time to do the Great Ocean Road. Two half days with a night in between in Hobart and Fremantle also is a big improvement to their itinerary too. I am expecting Darwin can be done on foot....don't want to venture too far afield from the city there. Kakadu and the like seem to me to be mostly travelling in the short time we have there.

Anyway it is all sounding like a great trip,

 

Thanks for all your advice,

Rosee