First time cruising from Australia

[krisean]

We are very close to finally booking a cruise out of Sydney to New Zealand in March 2024.  We are long time cruisers (US based) and have only sailed from USA or Caribbean ports and have not ventured so far away before.

 

For those who have cruised out of both Australia and the US, I would appreciate any insight into what differences we might find on an Australia cruise experience versus sailing from a US port.  If it matters, we are looking at the Ovation for 10 nights.

 

TIA!

[arxcards]

2 hours ago, krisean said:

We are very close to finally booking a cruise out of Sydney to New Zealand in March 2024.  We are long time cruisers (US based) and have only sailed from USA or Caribbean ports and have not ventured so far away before.

 

For those who have cruised out of both Australia and the US, I would appreciate any insight into what differences we might find on an Australia cruise experience versus sailing from a US port.  If it matters, we are looking at the Ovation for 10 nights.

 

TIA!

You need to watch out for those Aussies and those Kiwis. They are known to be pretty laid back and out for a relaxing & fun time. We also have strange accents.

 

Formal night isn't quite so formal. If you want to dress to the nines that is fine, but there will be many that don't.

People will help you drop your luggage at the terminal without looking for a tip.

Being Royal, it is your native dollar on the ship.

Sailaway and sail-in is pretty awesome in Sydney Harbour. NZ has safe and relaxed ports.

[ceeceeDee]

The weather should be good at the time of the year you are considering. If you've sailed Royal Caribbean before you'll be familiar with the cruise experience on their ships.

We've done the reverse and flown to Miami to cruise the Caribbean on Symphony. It was a great experience.

[lyndarra]

Spending for the most part is cashless. Tap/wave using cards, debit or credit and also payment using smart phones are the go. Sometimes a PIN may be required (usually for large amounts say over $100 or $200 but signing is very, very rare.

There are a few threads on this forum re tipping.

[Bubbeh]

2 hours ago, lyndarra said:

There are a few threads on this forum re tipping

In a word, 'don't'.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Both Australia and NZ have strict bio-security laws so don't even think of taking food off the ship unless it's something like a muesli bar in original packaging. Fruit is a very strict no-no. 

[cruiser3775]

Be aware that your US dollar notes are not going to be welcomed in Australian and New Zealand ports. You can pay for almost everything ashore by credit card, but check before you go how much you are going to be charged in foreign exchange fees every time you use the card.  If it's a flat fee, like one of my credit cards, then it is expensive to use it for small transactions like a cup of coffee.  You could research a credit card with no foreign exchange transaction fees and get one before you leave home - it will be useful on your overseas travels everywhere. Same with a debit card to use for getting local cash at ATMs.

And, yes, please don't tip like you would at home.

[Chiliburn]

On 11/2/2023 at 11:55 AM, krisean said:

We are very close to finally booking a cruise out of Sydney to New Zealand in March 2024.  We are long time cruisers (US based) and have only sailed from USA or Caribbean ports and have not ventured so far away before.

 

For those who have cruised out of both Australia and the US, I would appreciate any insight into what differences we might find on an Australia cruise experience versus sailing from a US port.  If it matters, we are looking at the Ovation for 10 nights.

 

TIA!

You won’t find it much different,it will be like a second home. Ovation is pretty standard American.

[ceeceeDee]

When we last cruised from an American port, we used our credit card for most things, but obtained a few hundred dollars in US currency before leaving Australia so we had cash for small purchases. Perhaps get some Australian dollars before you come.

[Balsam12]

One very big difference is that any ship sailing from Australia will have no smoking in ANY indoor areas, including the casino. You may see this as a good thing or a bad thing....

[krisean]

16 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

Be aware that your US dollar notes are not going to be welcomed in Australian and New Zealand ports. You can pay for almost everything ashore by credit card, but check before you go how much you are going to be charged in foreign exchange fees every time you use the card.  If it's a flat fee, like one of my credit cards, then it is expensive to use it for small transactions like a cup of coffee.  You could research a credit card with no foreign exchange transaction fees and get one before you leave home - it will be useful on your overseas travels everywhere. Same with a debit card to use for getting local cash at ATMs.

And, yes, please don't tip like you would at home.

Thanks for this!  We are very used to the US Dollar being accepted everywhere so will review best options on credit card usage or exchanging USD for local currency.

[krisean]

11 hours ago, Balsam12 said:

One very big difference is that any ship sailing from Australia will have no smoking in ANY indoor areas, including the casino. You may see this as a good thing or a bad thing....

This is a huge plus for us!

[krisean]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

We are looking at using New Zealand Air (for their Skycouch option), which means a flight from LAX to AKL to SYD.  Will we be required to clear customs (and baggage retrieve) in AKL, or only in SYD?

 

What is the earliest flight time out of SYD that we should be looking to book, post cruise.  Ship arrives back into port at 6:30am on a Friday.

[MMDown Under]

2 hours ago, krisean said:

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

We are looking at using New Zealand Air (for their Skycouch option), which means a flight from LAX to AKL to SYD.  Will we be required to clear customs (and baggage retrieve) in AKL, or only in SYD?

 

What is the earliest flight time out of SYD that we should be looking to book, post cruise.  Ship arrives back into port at 6:30am on a Friday.

Only in Sydney if you are not staying in Auckland.  My daughter is looking forward to trying Air NZ Skycouch in December.

I would recommend you book the latest flight possible so you don't end your cruise rushed and anxious, if the ship is delayed for any reason.  

[Over from NZ]

3 hours ago, krisean said:

Thanks for this!  We are very used to the US Dollar being accepted everywhere so will review best options on credit card usage or exchanging USD for local currency.

And on that note (excuse the pun), obviously the $AUD & $NZD are not accepted in each others country either 🙂 

[cruiser3775]

8 hours ago, krisean said:

We are looking at using New Zealand Air (for their Skycouch option), which means a flight from LAX to AKL to SYD.  Will we be required to clear customs (and baggage retrieve) in AKL, or only in SYD?

 

What is the earliest flight time out of SYD that we should be looking to book, post cruise.  Ship arrives back into port at 6:30am on a Friday.

Are you not planning on spending some time in Sydney itself?  It's a beautiful city. I'd suggest two nights there, at least, when you first arrive. That will help you get over the jetlag before you board the ship.  We can offer some suggestions for places to stay and things to do.

The advice for flights out after the cruise is not to book anything before 12 noon. Sydney airport is about a 30 minute drive from the port, allowing for traffic delays.

 

Australia and New Zealand are separate countries. If your flight involves a stopover in Auckland en route to Sydney, and you leave the airport, you will certainly have to collect your luggage and clear customs and quarantine for New Zealand.  And again for Australia. And you will need a visa for both New Zealand and for Australia. If you stay in the airport in Auckland and just transit for the flight to Sydney, you won't need a visa, but when you disembark the cruise in Auckland, you will need a NZ visa then.  So, you should apply now for both NZ and Australian visas.

 

As far as money is concerned, you will need both Australian and New Zealand dollars. They are not interchangeable.  However, you can pay for most things ashore by using a credit card, in both countries, so you won't need a lot of actual cash.

Edited November 4, 2023 by cruiser3775

[Jean C]

On 11/2/2023 at 4:09 PM, arxcards said:

Sailaway and sail-in is pretty awesome in Sydney Harbour.

Sailaway and sail-in are pretty awesome in Auckland as well, although minus the opera house 😉 Both the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney and the port in Auckland are right in the middle of town, so both very convenient for walking on and off the ship 🛳 😊

[krisean]

17 hours ago, cruiser3775 said:

Are you not planning on spending some time in Sydney itself?  It's a beautiful city. I'd suggest two nights there, at least, when you first arrive. That will help you get over the jetlag before you board the ship.  We can offer some suggestions for places to stay and things to do.

The advice for flights out after the cruise is not to book anything before 12 noon. Sydney airport is about a 30 minute drive from the port, allowing for traffic delays.

 

Australia and New Zealand are separate countries. If your flight involves a stopover in Auckland en route to Sydney, and you leave the airport, you will certainly have to collect your luggage and clear customs and quarantine for New Zealand.  And again for Australia. And you will need a visa for both New Zealand and for Australia. If you stay in the airport in Auckland and just transit for the flight to Sydney, you won't need a visa, but when you disembark the cruise in Auckland, you will need a NZ visa then.  So, you should apply now for both NZ and Australian visas.

 

As far as money is concerned, you will need both Australian and New Zealand dollars. They are not interchangeable.  However, you can pay for most things ashore by using a credit card, in both countries, so you won't need a lot of actual cash.

We are planning to arrive Sunday morning to Sydney, with the cruise leaving on Tuesday so we will have 2 full days in Sydney pre-cruise.  Typically like to stay at a Hilton brand property so we can use points.  Any suggestions on places to stay and things to do greatly appreciated!

[MMDown Under]

18 minutes ago, krisean said:

We are planning to arrive Sunday morning to Sydney, with the cruise leaving on Tuesday so we will have 2 full days in Sydney pre-cruise.  Typically like to stay at a Hilton brand property so we can use points.  Any suggestions on places to stay and things to do greatly appreciated!

Sydney has a beautiful harbour, so I like to ride the ferries, if it is beautiful sunny weather.  Sydney Ferries have 10 ferry routes from which to choose.  Manly Wharf and Watsons Bay are very popular.  From Watson's Bay you can catch three buses which have scenic routes back into the city.  Or You can catch a bus to North Bondi for lunch or a drink at the local RSL, then walk along Bondi Beach to Icebreakers for another drink, where you can watch the swimmers in the Rock Pool swimming all year.  You can catch a bus from here back to the city or continue walking towards to Bronte on the scenic coastal walk (45 min.)

If the weather isn't good, there are lots of Museums, Art Galleries and the State Library from which to choose.  

[cruiser3775]

The Hilton Sydney in George Street is in a very good location for cruisers.  The light rail runs along George Street right down to Circular Quay, adjacent to the cruise ship terminal, the OPT, so you can use it to get to the ship.  It's fine to use with luggage, as there are no steps, and there is an open area just inside the doors where you can sit with your luggage. You can pay for it using a credit card to tap on and off. You need a separate card for each person.  Opposite the Hilton is the Queen Victoria Building, an amazing restored Victorian building that has great shops and cafes.

Catching a ferry from Circular Quay is one of the best things to do during a Sydney stay. My favourite ferry trip is to Watson's Bay. It goes right past the Opera House. At Watson's Bay, have lunch or just a drink at the pub.

[krisean]

We are considering renting e-bikes.  Are you permitted to bring those on the ferries?

[lyndarra]

You're good to go.

https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/using-public-transport/travelling-with-bikes-surfboards

[MMDown Under]

On 11/5/2023 at 8:58 AM, cruiser3775 said:

The Hilton Sydney in George Street is in a very good location for cruisers.  The light rail runs along George Street right down to Circular Quay, adjacent to the cruise ship terminal, the OPT, so you can use it to get to the ship.  It's fine to use with luggage, as there are no steps, and there is an open area just inside the doors where you can sit with your luggage. You can pay for it using a credit card to tap on and off. You need a separate card for each person.  Opposite the Hilton is the Queen Victoria Building, an amazing restored Victorian building that has great shops and cafes.

Catching a ferry from Circular Quay is one of the best things to do during a Sydney stay. My favourite ferry trip is to Watson's Bay. It goes right past the Opera House. At Watson's Bay, have lunch or just a drink at the pub.

The Hilton is close to the Town Hall if there are any concerts on when you are in Sydney.  

[MMDown Under]

2 minutes ago, jjk2023 said:

We just got off Royal Princess from a 2 week NZ cruise. Also spent several weeks before the cruise and now spending additional time in Oz after the cruise. Australia & New Zealand are virtually cashless. We used credit card for everything. We have NO local currency. Next, Australia & New Zealand are NO TIPPING culture countries. Do NOT be the Ugly American and go against this custom. Enjoy your cruise. 

What I noticed on a cruise ship provisioned for Americans was the food was sweeter.  Grits for breakfast, sweet pastries, sweet teas, etc. I think our food is more savoury, more Asian.  I take my own favourite Earl Grey teabags.  Someone who has cruised on Ovation might like to comment on the food.  

[arxcards]

10 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

What I noticed on a cruise ship provisioned for Americans was the food was sweeter.  Grits for breakfast, sweet pastries, sweet teas, etc. I think our food is more savoury, more Asian.  I take my own favourite Earl Grey teabags.  Someone who has cruised on Ovation might like to comment on the food.  

I find the menus have sweeter options, but not sweeter through all dishes. At breakfast, there are sweet pastries, pancakes with maple syrup, french toast etc; but they also have omelettes, eggs benny or generic hot breakfasts that are void of sugar. I tend to stick to a bran muffin or a croissant for pastry which also have less sugar than the alternates. Similarly at lunch & dinner, sauces and gravies can be a bit sweeter, but those are mostly optional anyway.

 

Generically, I think foods with corn syrup (HFCS) are sweeter on the palate than those using sucrose. The US are more of a corn sweetened country, while we are a sugar cane sweetened country.