Holland America/Noordam in Fiordland National Park

[emoore]

We are trying to decide on an Australia/NZ cruise this winter/spring, and are having trouble finding out what Sounds in Fiordland Holland America's Noordam sails through.  The itineraries on HAL's site just say "Cruising Fiordland"; while other companies, like Norwegian, specifically list that they sail through Doubtful, Dusky, and Milford Sounds.  Has anyone been on a Holland New Zealand cruise recently, that could tell us which Sounds in Fiordland they cruised through?

Thanks!

[cruiser3775]

I went on Noordam to NZ in March. They started very early in the morning at Milford Sound. Cruised up, did a U turn, stopped for a while to transfer some people who were going on the two day overland shore excursion, then cruised back to the entrance. Spectacular scenery!   Then they proceeded around the bottom of the south island. A couple of hours later, they went into Doubtful Sound. This is a big fjord with multiple entrances, so they went in one way and out another.  Then they moved on to Dusky Sound, which also has more than one entrance, so again they went in one way and cruised around and went out another way. The ship continued around the beautiful coastline. By late afternoon, we were going past Stewart Island to the south and saw it at sunset.   It was a wonderful day of scenic cruising.

Edited July 11, 2023 by cruiser3775

[emoore]

Thank you! 

 

[LittleFish1976]

The Sounds are very weather-dependent and are often missed on cruises for that reason. View them as a bonus if you get to see them

[pooh/tigger]

We are thinking of booking Holland America to Aus/NZ and have a question about covid requirements. One cruise line, Princess, tells us that we have to be tested 2 days before getting on board down there. Holland America says as long as we're up to date on boosters, that's all they need. 

 

Is this all true? The Princess rep seems to be reading from a script when we spoke. Holland America rep was extremely nice but didn't seem to know much about it either. 

 

Would appreciate help. And sorry for intruding on your post. 

 

 

[emoore]

We just completed online check-in for our Aus/NZ cruise this coming Nov/Dec on Noordam.  So far the only question they ask during the check-in process is if you had full vaccination + at least 1 booster.  But they say they do not yet have specific requirements for that cruise yet.  Probably too far out to know for sure if they will require any testing.

[pooh/tigger]

Thanks emoore

 

We are trying to decide whether to do Princess or Holland. Both have lots to offer us old folks for our huge anniversary celebration. And, it seems, like their covid rules are different. 

 

This could be the deciding factor

[emoore]

We sailed Princess in the Caribbean in March, and there were no testing requirements, or immunization requirements either, if I remember correctly.  So I suspect it is more a matter of the requirements of the destination countries being visited.  I would suspect, though definitely don't know as a fact, that both Princess & HAL would end up with the same requirements for the same cruise destinations/times.  You should be able to find their current requirements on their websites--although we had friends who were going to sail on Royal Caribbean in March transatlantic, and it was buried in the fine print that the transatlantic cruises required vaccines, even though everything on their main sites says they don't.  They only found out a couple weeks before departure, so they ended up having to cancel last minute--thankfully, RCI gave them full credit.

 

How soon are you thinking of sailing?

[pooh/tigger]

We started out reading online and then on here before contacting them over the phone. 

 

Thanks emoore for the help. 

[pooh/tigger]

If we are required to do a test before we board down there, what store/pharmacy/medical office would we get tested at in Sydney??

 

Sorry, we're not comfortable doing a self test. 

[arxcards]

2 hours ago, pooh/tigger said:

If we are required to do a test before we board down there, what store/pharmacy/medical office would we get tested at in Sydney??

 

Sorry, we're not comfortable doing a self test. 

It doesn't matter what ship you are on, testing is based on our authorities. For cruises out of Australia, they are identical for HAL and Princess (and all of the others).

 

Currently, you are required to take a self-administered RAT, and report the result. Most lines also ask you to take a photo of the test strip beside a time/date reference, which "may" be requested at check-in. There is also a vaccination requirement. This is the current protocol and will be in place until the end of the year - at least.

 

You can pay for a PCR test, but it is a hassle, and I can't help with specific locations.

[pooh/tigger]

Thank you arxcards

[arxcards]

3 hours ago, emoore said:

We just completed online check-in for our Aus/NZ cruise this coming Nov/Dec on Noordam.  So far the only question they ask during the check-in process is if you had full vaccination + at least 1 booster.  But they say they do not yet have specific requirements for that cruise yet.  Probably too far out to know for sure if they will require any testing.

You will find out soon.

 

Last week, Carnival alerted us that the current test requirements will be required for our cruise in December. Yesterday, we received the same alert for a Princess cruise in November.

 

It is possible that the current protocols could be repealed at any time, but the cruise lines are gearing-up for them to still be in place till at least the end of the year.

 

Full vaccination here = two doss of a recognised vaccine..

Testing is a self RAT withing 24hrs of boarding, with the result attested to the cruise line at check-in. Some lines are also asking that a photo and time stamp be taken of the test strip.

[2022cruisey]

If you are departing from Sydney there is a pharmacy at Central Quay station (near the Overseas Passenger Terminal) that has a big sign advertising covid testing for travellers.  

[coo359a2]

21 hours ago, arxcards said:

You will find out soon.

 

Last week, Carnival alerted us that the current test requirements will be required for our cruise in December. Yesterday, we received the same alert for a Princess cruise in November.

 

It is possible that the current protocols could be repealed at any time, but the cruise lines are gearing-up for them to still be in place till at least the end of the year.

 

Full vaccination here = two doss of a recognised vaccine..

Testing is a self RAT withing 24hrs of boarding, with the result attested to the cruise line at check-in. Some lines are also asking that a photo and time stamp be taken of the test strip.

What did you receive from Princess that had the Covid testing requirements. We start our cruise to Sydney on 26 September and then 5 other B2B cruises out of Melbourne. So far Have only received 2 standard “Safety and Health” emails for the 21 and 23 October cruises that mention covid testing as well as other topics. 

[arxcards]

1 hour ago, coo359a2 said:

What did you receive from Princess that had the Covid testing requirements. We start our cruise to Sydney on 26 September and then 5 other B2B cruises out of Melbourne. So far Have only received 2 standard “Safety and Health” emails for the 21 and 23 October cruises that mention covid testing as well as other topics. 

Those would be the emails, with a topic of:

Booking #abcde: Latest health & safety protocols

 Starts as the standard safety & health email, then says:

Keep reading for details on:

·  vaccinations and testing

·  required Health Status, Passage Contract and COVID-19 Acknowledgement

·  arriving and embarking

·  sailing as safely as possible