CruznRagtop

True...I'm so weird about my hair products. I think I'm scared I would run out or a cheap plastic bottle would break or something. [emoji16][emoji15] My hair is so carefree at home. I only wash it every 3-4 days and wear it up a lot. When we cruise though, I'm always in the water and wash daily. I'm not sure if that's the problem, or if it's the ship water or humidity, but whatever the cause it's a dry, frizzy mess. [emoji32] Hence, I pack all sorts of hair products...conditioner, deep treatment, Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum (I use this every time I wash, even at home), and shine spray to make it look better. This will be my first trip anywhere without my curling iron. I feel like that's a big deal for me, as my hair looks much better curled. However, I usually on bother with it on formal nights since its time consuming and NCL doesn't have them.

 

Maybe I will look into something like that if I can't find travel size products in one of my favorite brands. Although, my products aren't in large bottles to begin with and easily fit in the new toiletry kit I bought. The guys can deal with bringing the sunscreens.

What product do you use?

Seeing you asked..... :)

 

I think they're a little wintery looking for a Caribbean cruise. That is not to say you 'cannot' wear them. Of course, it is your choice.

 

Wear what makes you feel good and happy.

 

UBM

Yes!!

Calyx by Clinique, Angel by Thierry Mugler, Be Delicious by DKNY, Green Tea by Elizabeth Arden, and Happy Heart by Clinique all work well for me. I usually only wear Calyx or Angel in the evening though. It seems that I've been wearing Calyx for approximately 25 years now.....

Thank you for "talking perfume!"

We had a fantastic tour of the Hunter Valley with Suanne Adelmann of Real Sydney Tours in November of 2011. We're planning on coming back to Australia in 2015 and will definitely book a tour of the Blue Mountains with her. The web site is www.realsydneytours.com.au.

BBM

Thank you for your suggestion which came simultaneously with word from Peter Bailey that he is unavailable! Have sent an email to Real Sydney Tours.

someone posted on here that they had a private guide in Sydney and they had a good time

 

edit: i did a search and came up with this link

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=41192263&highlight=private+guide+in+sydney#post41192263

BBM

Thank you so much, rkmw: I have sent Peter Bailey an email!

Life is short......

Eat Dessert First.

Why have pretty things if we never use them?

Use good sense, take care of them but enjoy them.

 

Yes!!!

I only go to a tanning salon for a spray tan. But another choice is Jergens Natural Glow. I have tried the new foam version & it works well with no odor!

 

I carry our formal/easily creased clothing in a garment bag.

This has always worked for me!

It is true hand luggage allowance varies.

 

I am in Jersey in the Channel Islands later this week on business flying from mainland UK and have a 10kg limit. My pre cruise flight to Barbados from the UK in a few weeks has a 5kg limit.

 

I have never had my hand luggage weighed though.

Good to know!

This is the most interesting thread I've read on CC in a very long time! Thank you all for updating my "golden senior" mindset.....

Would welcome any suggestion for a private tour guide in Sydney. Had posted this request last night on the "Ports of Call" section, and while the post has had 101 views, no one has replied.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

Would welcome any suggestion any of you may have for a private tour guide in Sydney.

Thank you in advance!

I agree with what Stujay says about using the airport staff to assist (in Aust. we do care about visitors and there is no tipping culture)....but I would also suggest that you consider pre booking a "limo'...a hire car actually. Cost is not that much more than a cab, but you can be comfortable in knowing your ride is going to meet your needs. Apart from the relatively few cabs that cater for disabilities, the general cabs will not suit... most have a gas tank taking up 50% of the boot (trunk) space.. and drivers can be a little "international".

 

I always use a mob called towncars in Sydney and I can recommend them.

 

cheers

BBM

Thank you for the recommendation: I have already sent them an email!

Would there be time? Larnach Castle is a distance outside Dunedin. We toured it many years ago and I have to confess, we weren't overly impressed, although the gardens are lovely.

BBM

Thank you for sharing your impression; it means a lot to me!

It varies according to which card and bank you are with . Most folks just take out enough cash for small daily purchases , and put anything else on their CC. If you intend to withdraw large amounts of cash , make sure you notify your bank before you leave or they may put a stop on your card suspecting it is being used fraudulently.

I did so on Friday, and I have made this a practice every time I travel.

Thanks!

Most allow $NZ400 per day but depending upon arrangements one has with the bank up to $800. There will be additional bank charges if one uses an ATM which is not aligned with your parent bank. Suggest you check with your bank to ascertain if they have an agreement with a NZ trading bank. Our major banks are also Australian banks

BBM

The $NZ400 per day is very helpful! I checked with my local bank on Friday, and they are in the NYCE network which is only in operation in the U.S. according to the customer service rep; I can use NYCE in Australia and New Zealand, but I must be on a military base to do so according to the rep.

I have a card with another bank which is on the Jeanie, Star, and Plus networks, but I haven't heard back yet from that bank's rep about the availability in Australia and New Zealand.

Thank you for your input!

We used Cruise Tauranga/Learning Journeys and had a fantastic tour. We did their Classic Rotorua Tour to Wai-O-Tapu with many additional stops... in addition to Wai-O-Tapu (which is amazing), we really enjoyed visiting Hamurana Springs and the 'young' Redwood forest nearby. We had an excellent and very knowledgeable driver/guide.

BBM

Michele is a great point of contact!

Would someone please advise the maximum amount an ATM dispenses in both Australia and New Zealand? I realize there is a daily limit, but I don't know much much to enter at the ATM. Here I can withdraw $500. in a calendar day; is it the same in Australia and New Zealand?

Thank you in advance for enlightening me!

Debra..spelt the RIGHT way too..must be a nice person :)

 

Richmond is a nice village too....has the oldest bridge still in use in Australia. With Bonorong Park, maybe you could share a cab with another couple.

I'm sure you will enjoy your stay in Hobart, whatever you see and do.

Deb

Lovely, absolutely lovely.....

Thank you for the information. I think we'll definitely plan on going to Rotorua this time, though I would also be content to simply stay in the Mount Manganui area... sounds relaxing as at the moment (exhaustion post Christmas) I need to chill.

 

So there is every chance we'll pick up Rotorua tours at the port upon arrival? On other cruises we've disembarked and often found heaps of options for tours from the operators waiting at the dock. Seems that would be the case too at Tauranga?

BBM

Have been searching on CC since the middle of August, and my notes culled from this searching indicate Cruise Tauranga would be a viable contact. If you need more information, please post again (be patient because I can't access CC every day).

Discounts are now available.....

Would really appreciate any name or company specific suggestions or recommendations anyone would care to post about making arrangements in advance for someone to meet us at the baggage carousel, help collect our luggage, and drive us to our hotel at The Rocks. DH is disabled and will be in a wheelchair.

Thank you in advance!

The Taiarei Gorge railway in Dunedin is rated one of the top rail journeys in the world. We really enjoyed it. If you book thro Princess the train comes to the dock. If you book privately you have to make your way to the station. Worth investigating.

Thank you for sharing!

Has anyone reading this combined the railway journey with a visit to Larnach Castle? All comments are welcome.

Just returned from Australia cruise. Blue Diamond Tour of the Blue Mountains was top notch. I would recommend them to everyone. Also did Red Diamond Tour of the Tobruk Sheep Station outside of Sydney. It was also a great tour.

BBM

Sent an email inquiry on December 24 and haven't heard anything; do you have a point of contact that you would feel comfortable posting?

Has anyone used Gray Line in Sydney?

Happy New Year to all!

I have enjoyed reading this thread and it makes me even more excited to visit NZ for the first time in February.

BBM

Me too!

Happy holidays to all!!