Hints or tips please new cruiser

[StAnnesSuzi]

22 hours ago, wowzz said:

I see you are in the UK. 

Before looking at a cruise, have you already explored Australia?

 It is such an immense country, that to travel all the way there just for a cruise seems strange. You will miss so much by being stuck on a ship! We spent five weeks travelling around, and needed another fifty weeks to really see the country.

Apologies if you are a veteran visitor to Oz !

 

[StAnnesSuzi]

We have never been to Oz but always wanted to go. We are visiting our son in Qatar then flying to Sydney to spend a week there before boarding a cruise. We intend to explore Sydney for a week and then board a cruise. We fly back to Qatar for a few days then home. My husband has poor mobility (bad knees) and also suffers from anxiety and as this trip is for  his 70th birthday he doesn’t want to tour around Australia. We have both always wanted to visit Sydney and New Zealand so two birds one stone. 😀

[9tee2Sea]

This can apply to any cruise for a newbie.  Pack a foldable tote bag. It can be used to carry around your towel if you are going to a beach. It can be used as a carryon for all those extra souvenirs that had been purchased.  It can be used as a laundry hamper in your cabin.  Also, many cruise lines have done away with single use plastic straws.  If you think you need straws, go out and purchase some metal ones.  Wash them nightly in the bathroom sink.  Also, pack an empty refillable travel bottle ( use a glass to fill it up from the beverage dispenser).  That way at least you can have some (safe?) water  while out on shore.

[shipgeeks]

While you are in Sydney, you might be offered the chance to do the "Bridge Climb".  While I'm sure it is spectacular, it is also very $$$.  But if you are able to climb some steps, and then walk on a safe, protected walkway, it is well worth it to walk at least partway across the Harbour Bridge, especially on a nice day. And it is free, with no reservations required. Fabulous views of the city and the harbour.

[Ged2316]

On 10/6/2022 at 5:37 AM, shipgeeks said:

While you are in Sydney, you might be offered the chance to do the "Bridge Climb".  While I'm sure it is spectacular, it is also very $$$.  But if you are able to climb some steps, and then walk on a safe, protected walkway, it is well worth it to walk at least partway across the Harbour Bridge, especially on a nice day. And it is free, with no reservations required. Fabulous views of the city and the harbour.

Also the south east pylon accessible from the eastern walkway on the bridge had a Sydney harbour bridge museum. You can go to the top of the pylon for a good view and the museum is a relatively nominal entry fee. Check the pylon website out.

[GeezerCouple]

On 9/26/2022 at 4:47 PM, StAnnesSuzi said:

We have never been to Oz but always wanted to go. We are visiting our son in Qatar then flying to Sydney to spend a week there before boarding a cruise. We intend to explore Sydney for a week and then board a cruise. We fly back to Qatar for a few days then home. My husband has poor mobility (bad knees) and also suffers from anxiety and as this trip is for  his 70th birthday he doesn’t want to tour around Australia. We have both always wanted to visit Sydney and New Zealand so two birds one stone. 😀

 

There are several other resources here on CC that you might enjoy.

One is the sub-forum for NZ and Australia:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/48-australia-amp-new-zealand/

You might find that useful for the pre- and post-cruise time.

You can ask more specific questions there about places to stay and things go do in those cities or nearby, depending upon how much time you have there.

 

You can also check the general "ports of call" for that area:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/48-australia-amp-new-zealand/

to get information about activities and sightseeing in whichever ports your ship will visit.

 

And then, there will probably be a "Roll Call" for your specific cruise.  That will be a sub-forum for those on your actual cruise.  In addition to possibly meeting others (there may be a "Meet and Greet" early in the sailing), that's a good place to discuss excursions in general, and also perhaps find a few others to share a small-group private tour of some of the areas.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/20-roll-calls/

 

A cruise will probably be very convenient for your husband (for anyone, of course!) because "the hotel follows you around overnight". 😄  Not needing to pack/unpack in each city is soooo nice!

It can be as relaxing as you both wish... do lots of things, or just r-e-l-a-x!

 

And do browse through the cruiseline sub-forum as previously mentioned.   There will be helpful comments about the line in general, and also about specific ships.

The first day, with boarding, can be a bit confusing on a new ship, and all the more so for a first cruise.  Ask on the other sub-forums (cruise line plus Roll Call) about what to expect about checking in and getting on the ship.... where to wait if your cabin isn't ready yet (not unusual; they have to clean and turn-around the entire ship - fast!), and also where to have the first meal.  A buffet will likely be ... busy and crowded.  Ask if the main dining room will be open for that first day's lunch.  It will probably be much more relaxed.

Also find out if your category of cabin or suite has any special perks, in terms of access or service to see if any appeal to you.

 

Do ask about any special areas of the specific ship you will be on, such as a spa area or therapy pool (nice warm water) if there is one, etc.  Or special observation areas or activities, or specialty restaurants, etc.  Best to find out about the choices before the cruise, rather than to read about something special *after* the cruise. [uh, don't ask....! 🙄 ]

 

And you might mention to your travel agent or to the cruise line directly that there is a birthday being celebrated. 😉

 

Enjoy!

That cruise was one of our favorites!

 

GC