Port Power

Boarding day dinner you can attend in much more casual clothing because luggage might not have been delivered to your room yet. Just don’t board in shorts and thongs! That applies to every cruise line. Departure night is usually also a little more lax in dress code, although most people won’t have put luggage out that early.

I’m sorry, I don’t know that place. I have been to Akaroa, which is the other location where ships anchor. I would simply confirming the Antarctic Centre experience. If you prefer water to ice, go for the catamaran. A week or so ago I did a catamaran tour of Twofold Bay in Eden, and really enjoyed seeing the coast, geology and scenery from the water.

I absolutely agree about going to Zealandia. However, I think the free shuttle goes from the Information Centre in Wellington, across the road from Te Papa. The ship's shuttle usually drops people off there. Just make sure you are in front of the line as it is only a little 12-14 seater! When leaving, they drop you at the top of the cable car. Depending on time available, another option is to walk down through the Botanic Gardens. Probably not enough time though, so use the cable car. So big tick for Zealandia. Next big tick for the Antarctic Centre. A must see.

That means you have to use it (apply it to a cruise) by December 2023. Not that you have to go on a cruise by that date.

It has been six years since I was on Quantum's maiden relocation to China. After that the decision was made to have diners move through the four dining rooms along with their servers, but the cuisine in each location was different. French, Italian, American and Asian. It obviously became too hard, so they changed to one menu suits all. I hope the food is still as good?

As long as the nuts are not raw or in the shell. Roasted peanuts, for instance, are okay. And I will repeat for emphasis, even though candy is allowed, always declare you have food on your incoming passenger card.

If you are going to use a few ferries in one day, remember to buy a day pass. Only $8-$9, it’s much cheaper than paying by sections.

The sightseeing tours in mini buses go much further out than just the city area, visiting interesting and scenic areas. If only in Auckland for the day, for some it is more encompassing than shops and an art gallery.

The counter selling myki cards was still at Station Pier on Friday. It wasn’t busy when I went through at 8:30am. However, you can also buy a myki card from the vending machine at the tram stop. It wasn’t working on Friday, so the inspectors told people to hop on the tram anyway and buy their card at a “Seven 11” in the city for the return journey. It seems PTV has finally acknowledged how incredibly user- unfriendly the myki-only system is for visitors and are heading the way of Sydney where you can tap on with your credit card.

Viator has a cruise shore excursion for ships that go into Lyttleton, but the beautiful Akaroa is a bit further away. Perhaps try and get a small group together and hire a car to drive to Christchurch? Your ship might offer just a transfer without a tour, although Silversea usually has excursions included. @Liriohas posted great photos. I visited the Centre during a stay in Christchurch a few years ago.

I have been to Vietnam several times on cruises and never had to apply for a visa beforehand. The ships always had blanket visas for passengers. There was no charge to my account, but whether that was because I have an Australian passport I cannot say. One cruise went to three ports, so that was three entries.

No, Deck 4 OV are the standard size, and with porthole IIRC. The four forward OV are much larger as the “balcony” space is part of the cabin.

On a transatlantic cruise we did, the photographer also ran a class on photography for iPhones. It was extremely useful! She also ran a photo competition to show what we had learned, which was a lot of fun.

We wrote our replies at the same time. I was surprised when I read AZ still allowed visitors. But as you advised, it is not as simple as just bringing them on unannounced.

No, your cabin category makes no difference in Windows. First come, first serve. You can ask for a particular table or section, which will most like be given if it is free. Windows also has a lot of two-tops, but many are very close to the next table. Regarding bringing visitors aboard, I thought that was discontinued decades ago as security increased? On every cruise line. I doubt very much Azamara allows it.

What a great idea! I spent a few nights in one some years ago. Perfectly comfortable to sleep in, but I would not have liked sharing that cabin even with my husband.

Ships want to make the most they can out of these short cruises, so I am pretty sure Ovation will be going far enough out to sea in order to open their casino and shops.

That doesn’t make it right. It is just learned behaviour from visiting Americans. It is avarice and greed hoping for free, untaxed money.

No, that definitely does not happen. Local tourism ways has access.

On ships, it is the American social norm as staff are poorly paid. I am sorry you are pressured to tip on land in Australia, but unfortunately it is only because visiting Americans have previously tipped. Some providers are simply greedy! Australian prices are dearer because proper wages and taxation are included in the retail price.

As the available wine is well below par for many of us, perhaps we should insist that corkage not be charged. We are bringing our own wine as included wines are not drinkable, hence saving the company money as well.

NO TIPPING. End of story. Bus drivers and tour guides are paid well. Better than waiters most likely. It is annoying that Americans have brought in the idea of free money, undeclared and untaxed, into Australian society. (This is not a personal attack on you.) No tipping anyone, anywhere.

Tauranga Tourism has a great big marquee at the dock where everyone who has booked directly with their registered people meet up and depart. Guaranteed to return on time. Smaller groups. Absolutely much better than using the cruise lines with their inflated prices. They have a range of other tours as well.

V1, V2, V3 and VX denote where on the ship the cabins are located. Look at the deck plan. V1 are midships on several decks (and possibly also deck 8 IIRM); V2 are deck 7 fore and aft near midships; V3 are forward and aft.

A balcony! "Club Veranda" is just Azamara's terminology for a normal balcony cabin. As opposed to "Verandah Plus" which includes internet, laundry and something or other else.