Time Difference

[HaloV]

Hi, Does anyone know the time difference between So.CA and New Zealand? I am trying to figure out when we would need to leave, if we are going to be in Auckland on Jan. 6. We are planning to go to SF a day prior to flying to Auckland. Thanks

[Spikesgirl]

I'm posting this at 1:56 p.m. (just outside of SF) and it's 8:56 a.m. on Tues in Aukland. That will give you an idea of the time change (about 18 hours). It was so worth the trip though - Aukland is still on of our favorite spots in one of our favorite places on Earth.

 

Charlie

[Globaliser]

Does anyone know the time difference between So.CA and New Zealand? I am trying to figure out when we would need to leave, if we are going to be in Auckland on Jan. 6.

You'll need to fly in the evening of 4 January; you'll then arrive early in the morning of 6 January.

[HaloV]

Did you cruise? How long is the flight from SFO to Auckland? Thanks

[mochuck]

This website shoud help you

 

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

[Globaliser]

How long is the flight from SFO to Auckland?

During the next northern winter season, the scheduled time for the flight is 13 hours 10 minutes.

[Spikesgirl]

HaloV - yes, we did cruise from Aukland to Sydney and enjoyed every minute of it..well, except when I got sea sick, but we won't split hairs. We were on the Regal Princess in 2002, so I'm guessing there have been a lot of changes, but it was still great fun.

 

Mmm, we flew out of LA, so the time might be a little difference, but we booked a flight time of 11 1/2 hours on our United flight. When I checked with them, United gave us a flying time from SF to Aukland of 12 hours 45 minutes and it re-routed you back through LA. i know you're probably not booking on them, but it will give you a general idea. No matter how you slice it, it's a lo-o-ong flight! Worth it though!

 

Charlie

[HaloV]

Thanks for the info (& everyone else) I need all I can. My mind is going blank trying to figure out everything. I know the people on CC have helped me out many times. I am thinking if we leave for LAX in late eve Jan 3, or early Jan 4 we will have a short flight to SFO. We would like to stay a day in SF. (just to be on the safe side of not missing the flight from SFO to Auckland) We are to be in Auckland to set sail on Jan 6. Wow, I am getting overwhelmed!! My next problem is what time I should get a flight back home from SFO. TA said I wouldn't get the times until 30 days before we leave. Coming home on Jan 20. If anyone could help, I would appreciate it. Sorry for babbling. HaloV

[pinksuit]

I'm posting this at 1:56 p.m. (just outside of SF) and it's 8:56 a.m. on Tues in Aukland. That will give you an idea of the time change (about 18 hours). It was so worth the trip though - Aukland is still on of our favorite spots in one of our favorite places on Earth.

 

Charlie

Charlie, why was Auckland your favorite? We are going to stay over in Auckland and surrounding area for 5 days after the cruise is ended. What did you do while there? My only requirement is the Bay of Islands.

PinkSuit

[Globaliser]

I am thinking if we leave for LAX in late eve Jan 3, or early Jan 4 we will have a short flight to SFO. We would like to stay a day in SF. (just to be on the safe side of not missing the flight from SFO to Auckland) We are to be in Auckland to set sail on Jan 6.

I understand the desire not to miss the the LA -> Auckland flight. But what if that flight is delayed and you miss the ship? I would personally direct my attention to trying to fly LA -> Auckland one day earlier, rather than trying to fly San Fran -> LA one day earlier.

My next problem is what time I should get a flight back home from SFO. TA said I wouldn't get the times until 30 days before we leave. Coming home on Jan 20.

If you're flying non-stop Auckland -> LA on 20 January 2008, the current schedules show flights arriving at 1010 (Air New Zealand), 1030 (Qantas), 1255 (Air New Zealand) and 1355 (Air New Zealand).

 

Do you know yet whether you're flying on Qantas? If not, then it's too early to book an LA -> San Fran flight - unless you take the pessimistic view and book it for something like 1800 that evening, to allow yourself about 4 hours from the scheduled arrival time of the last NZ flight.

[Spikesgirl]

Pinksuit - We only had two days in Aukland, but in a country of wonderful and generous people, Aukland seemed to have a larger percentage than most cities. We had one gentleman escort us to some of his favorite used book stores as we searched for a copy of "Footrot Flats Weekender #12. He then later saw us and asked how the book hunting had gone - imagine him even remembering us. People were generous with their time, advice and consideration. It was just such a warm and welcoming city that for about a year afterwards, my husband was seriously thinking about immigrating there.

 

We loved the access of everything, from the botannical gardens to the penguin exhibit. One of our favorite days was spent wandering the gardens, then heading over to the Art Museum for an exhibit of cartoons/cartooning (I'm an artist among other things).

 

It was really rainy when we arrived, but we took a taxi to One Tree Hill (I think - I'd have to look that up), where they say you can see the entire city - we couldn't, but it didn't matter. The hotel in which the cruiselines placed us was very centrally located and within easy walking distance to shops and restaurants. The food was creative and very tasty in the hotel restauarnt, but also down on the Quay. The hotel was also about five minutes walking from the pier, so we were literally able to walk to the ship.

 

We visited Bay of Islands as part of the cruise - I don't think Princess goes there now, but we had a blast. We did 100 Mile Beach (ship tour) and I nearly had heart failure when I saw all the sea shells. We got to surf down sand dunes, play in the waves, venture up to a lighthouse and watch the Tasman Sea collide with the Pacific Ocean. It was a great visit.

 

Have a wonderful time!

 

Charlie

[mochuck]

Just remember the Bay of Islands is about 2 -3 hrs drive north of Auckland

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Just remember the Bay of Islands is about 2 -3 hrs drive north of Auckland

 

And it is just over 1/2 hour by air, with great scenery all the way.

If you pick up a rental car there , you have saved nearly a whole days drive.

[mochuck]

And it is just over 1/2 hour by air, with great scenery all the way.

If you pick up a rental car there , you have saved nearly a whole days drive.

 

My comment was mainly for the Americans who might look at the map and think its a 30 min drive.;) My husband is from Kaitaia and most Australians who have been to NZ are quite surprised that there is anything north of Bay of Islands.

 

Is Orewa the place where Piggy Muldoon used to have his batch?

[SelectSys]

Hi, Does anyone know the time difference between So.CA and New Zealand? I am trying to figure out when we would need to leave, if we are going to be in Auckland on Jan. 6. We are planning to go to SF a day prior to flying to Auckland. Thanks

 

Why the visit to SF the day before leaving to NZ? This seems too complicated for my tastes given how easy it is to get to the Bay Area from Southern California. I would guess Southwest alone has 75+ flights / day given all the various airport combinations and can be done for not too much money. My preference would be Air New Zealand or Qantas from LAX. Simple, non-stop, and the most daily flights if something bad happens.

[HaloV]

Oh Boy. We are going through the cruise lines with our SF to Auk flight. We usually go independently but, this is such a long way from home, and thought we had better go with the cruise line to be safe. It would have cost us $2000.00 more to leave from LAX. That's crazy, we paid a little more than that p.p. for the cruise w/flight. We figured going a day prior to SF we would have plenty of time to catch our flight to Auk. Now I am looking for a hotel in SF. Not fancy, but not a dive either. Any suggestions? Thanks, HaloV

[Spikesgirl]

This might not be to your liking, but there is a Red Roof Inn, along with about five other hotels just outside the airport. They have a shuttle that runs back and forth to all the hotels. We often spend the night there, especially if we have an earlier morning flight out. There is a really nice restaurant called Kincaid's that a short walk from the hotel. From there, it's a short drive into the city or are you looking for some that's located more in the city proper?

 

What would be your plans once you hit town? General sightseeing or something specific? If you're getting a car, there are a few more options.

 

You might want to post a similar question on the west coast ports board because there is a ton of info there as well.

 

Charlie

[HaloV]

I will take a look at The Red Roof Inn. We really don't plan to do much when we get to SF. Our main concern is that we are there a day before the flight to Auckland. I thought it would be easiest if we stayed in a hotel that had a shuttle. Less $$ to spend. I think a lot of shuttles pick up & take back to the airport, that is what I am looking for. Thanks for all of your help. HaloV

[Spikesgirl]

The nice part about the area around Red Roof (and other hotelslocated there at the airport) is that there is a bunch of restuarnts located close at hand. It's a fairly safe area with lots of foot traffic. There's a jog/walking path that goes along the ocean front and a small park. Further out, there is Coyote Point, but you would need a car to get there.

 

Cheers!

 

Charlie

[SelectSys]

Oh Boy. We are going through the cruise lines with our SF to Auk flight. We usually go independently but, this is such a long way from home, and thought we had better go with the cruise line to be safe. It would have cost us $2000.00 more to leave from LAX. That's crazy, we paid a little more than that p.p. for the cruise w/flight. We figured going a day prior to SF we would have plenty of time to catch our flight to Auk. Now I am looking for a hotel in SF. Not fancy, but not a dive either. Any suggestions? Thanks, HaloV

 

I am not sure what you mean by being "safe with the cruise line" with respect to flights. While the logistics may be simplified, they don't hold up the ship if your flight is delayed. My own preference is to arrive in the cruise embarkation city one day prior to departure when a long flight is required.

 

I do understand your logic with respect to the money. $4000 just for changing departure locations doesn't make any sense at all.

[SelectSys]

BTW - If you are on the evening UAL departure, I think you could feel comfortable leaving SoCal to SFO on your date of departure. From San Diego, I have at least 10 flights that would get me to SFO before 3:00 on either UAL or Southwest. If it were me, I would leave on a mid-morning flight, check in my bags at the airport and then take BART or a cab into the city for lunch.

[Spikesgirl]

I would definitely echo Select Sys's suggestion of flying in a day early to Aukland. There are too many things that could go wrong - IMO - to fly the day of the cruise. We enjoy just having a day to sort of get our feet back underneath us before getting on the ship. it also allows for any wayward luggage to catch up with us -not that it's ever been a problem, but I'd hate to sail without a suitcase.

 

Charlie

[HaloV]

SelectSys, We have been on a cruise w/flight, the flight was delayed and they held the ship for us. The ship was suppose to leave at 9:00 pm, & didn't leave until 3:30 am next morning. With ins. & going through the ship with flight, is safer because they will eventually get you to the ship. We have had several friends that this has happened to. This (Jan. 08) cruise is set w/cruise & flight package, they will not let you go early to Auckland or fly back later. The days are set.

This will be our 15th cruise (started in 1998) & 6th cruiseline. We ususally don't get ins. & we make our own flight arrangements.

[SelectSys]

SelectSys, We have been on a cruise w/flight, the flight was delayed and they held the ship for us. The ship was suppose to leave at 9:00 pm, & didn't leave until 3:30 am next morning. With ins. & going through the ship with flight, is safer because they will eventually get you to the ship.

 

I am amazed that they held the ship for you. They must have had quite a bit of padding built into the schedule. The onboard announcements always indicate that the ship will leave promptly at the assigned departure time. Out of curiousity, was the ship going and did you have a few sea days right at the start of your cruise?

 

In our cruise from Southampton this summer, a guy I met on the ship got stuck in traffic going down the M3 from London and missed the ship. This caused their family to miss the first 2 full days at sea and they ended up joining the ship in Gibraltar. Not exactly the way to start a vacation ...

[Spikesgirl]

Selectsys - what cruise lines were you sailing? I had similar comments on the Princess board. A man's son and DIL missed the first two days of their Alaska cruise because the plane had technical difficulities. Princess's response was to fly them to the next port of call.

 

We always fly in a day early for a variety of reasons - it gives you a chance to see the embarcation city, it gives you a chance to get over jet lag (or at least on top of it) before the cruise and it gives your luggage a chance to catch up with you if it decides to try to vacation elsewhere. Plus I'm a bit of a worry wart and would make everyone around me crazy with my fretting if we flew the day of the cruise.

 

Same thing with insurance - I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

Charlie