Flipper133

Hi everyone!

 

We will go on our second cruise from New Zealand to Sydney On Celebrity Solstice in November.

 

Is there somebody who can recommend travel agencies, etc. that offer excursions in the ports of call besides the offered ones from Celebrity?

 

Kind regards

Hi Cadel

Here is a direct answer to your question.

A company I use, and can highly recommend is

http://www.shoretripsandtours.com

They offer professional, reliable and reasonably priced tours in all cities visited by cruise ships in NZ and most in Aust.

There are many other that tend to be port specific, but this mob is a good place to start as they cover all the ports and specialize in cruise ship tours.

cheers

Here is a video of a helicopter landing on Solstice for a medivac - thanks to CC member Flipper133

 

A couple of things about this video:

1. Note the railings have been dropped - no doubt a safety issue ...although I don't really know what those are.

2. The Solstice had to change course and sail for several hours to meet up with the Helicopter that had flown 4 hrs from Darwin. Subsequently late getting into Cairns.

3. I overheard some passengers questioning why it took so long.... "land is not that far away"..... they did not appreciate that the coast of Arnhem Land in Nth Oz is very remote... and very unlike anything in US. There are no facilities.

4. The Australian helicopter pilot did a fantastic job... I wondered what training they do for this sort of thing.

5. I also wondered about the cost (I am a retired bean counter). The evac was for a crew member so it was all to Celebrities account...but there is no price you can put on human life.

All in all an extremely uplifting experience (no pun intended)

cheers

Hi everyone,

 

My parents will be in Wellington in November & I will be there in January & I'm looking at options for getting around.

 

Been looking at the Wellington Hop on/Hop off bus to suggest to my parents as Dad had a knee reconstruction a few years ago.

 

Looking for opinions & experiences about hopping on the bus as opposed to just walking around the town.

 

Is there any other similar things in Wellington besides this one? The reviews on Trip Advisor are very mixed ... saying it is just a man in a minivan.

I haven't done the hop on hop off tour (but I have done others) and for our visit to Wellington in December I have done a fair bit of research.

The HOHO service used to be called John's Hopon Hopoff City Tour, but I understand the business was recently sold, and I now note that the web site refers to themselves simply as Wellington HOHO City tour.

http://www.hoponhopoff.co.nz/wellington/

They do use smaller people mover type vans, because these are better for some of the streets they go through and in all they make 18 stops.

The option I have been looking at however is their Cruise Ship special. Its not all that obvious on the web site (at least not now) but if you go to the booking page it shows up there. This option does not provide the HoHo facility but does provides a pick up from the ship, is cheaper, and does pretty much the same itinerary as the HoHo but you have to stay on board. I understand that it is also in a larger bus.

This could be ideal for someone with a mobility problem.

cheers

For me it would have to be Solstice

Best Port...hmmm... The New Zealand Sounds (Milford, Dusky and Doubtful) are tops, but not actually ports, so probably Akaroa ...a little bit of Le French in NZ...nice:)

...and they don't even mention the Ettamogah Pub :D

You could contact this mob...

http://travelheadfirst.com/destinations/dunedin/

They will shuttle you to the City Center, or they can combine that with one of several tours they offer.

cheers

I never been cruise before. I am planning to bring my parents to have a cruise from Sydney to New Zealand in anytime between end of Nov to Jan.

 

I have a few questions about the cruise.

 

1) My mother and me are very easy to get sea sick (motion sick). What is the tips for that to avoid sea sick ?

 

2) Is the sea from Sydney to NZ route claim or rought ? Any rough waves and bad condition during Nov to Jan ?

 

3) I did some research, there are a few cruise from Sydney to NZ

 

- P & O Pacific Pearl

- Princess Sun

- radiance of the seas

- Celebrity solstice cruise (Very big ship but need to buy a one-way air ticket from Auckland to Sydney, it is about $140 more)

 

Which one is better and recommended ?

 

Pacific Pearl and Sun Princess are small ship comparing other. Will they not good for sea sick ?

 

 

4) Apart from NZL, is that sailing from Sydney to South Pacific Island/FiJi are more claim in the sea ? Or they are the same ?

 

Thanks !

We have cruised to NZ 3 times. Twice we were on Sapphire Princess (sister ship to Diamond Princess which does this cruise although not on your list). The other time was on Sun Princess, and next December we are going again on Celebrity Solstice.

As already stated, no one can predict the seas - and even in the South Pacific you can run the risk of encountering cyclones. Our previous sailings have all been in Jan/Feb and we have been relatively lucky with the weather. On the Sun however we did have to make a significant detour to avoid some cyclonic weather approaching from up north.

Essentially the larger ships handle the seas better. My recommendation would be the Solstice.. still some good deals available, even after allowing for air fares...(and deals on airfares are always about...have a look at Emirates.) You can choose to sail ex Sydney and fly back from Auckland or the other way round.

The Diamond Princess would be my second choice, followed by Radiance, Sun Princess...and a long last would be the Pacific Pearl.

cheers

Yes thanks Di, as you can see I managed to post my photos of the OPT renovations...it is so easy........only problem is those pesty little advertisements that keep popping up......I think I might have purchased a couple of Russian brides by mistake....the wife will not be happy:eek::eek:... but apart from that small mishap it works well:D:D

This could be why my Virus Protection program does NOT like Tiny Pics. I hope the site is OK, but I would suggest that everyone makes sure their protection software is checking it.

cheers

I don't want to insult your intelligence, but please don't hire a car.

In OZ our cars have the steering wheel on the right hand side of the cabin and we drive on the left hand side of the road. If you are not used to it, driving can be a nightmare, especially going through roundabouts and also in heavy traffic.

Enjoy your holiday and take a tour bus or at least the train.

I get whimsical about the Blue Mtns. I trekked there many many moons ago when I was a boy scout. When you go to Echo Point you will see a "mountain" across the valley called Mt Solitary. I hiked over it from the Kings Tablelands, ...marvelous...but I suspect it has all changed now. I know they no longer have the original Mine trolley we rode in when we got back to Echo Point. (Sigh)

I will have to go back there some day...but in the meantime, please be my surrogate. :D

For same cost, or less, than a cab,(A$49 fixed) you can get a pre booked hire car from www.towncars.com

They have never let me down.

cheers

AVIS has a depot in the forecourt of the Marriott hotel 30 Pitt St. It is very close to where the ship docks. (5 minute walk)

I have used them several times and the cost for a one way hire to the airport was less than a cab. Gives me time to do some sightseeing depending on when flight is.

Avis also have excellent booking, pick up and drop off procedures.

Without any Wizard or other discounts a small car for 7 days in November will cost under A$400 (plus any extras like damage waiver and GPS)

Cheers

From my experience there will be no coverage after you leave Darwin until you get to about Cairns. From there down the coast (as Helen indicated) it will be a bit intermittent... depending how far off the coast you are.

I am sure there are a lot of factors... I had some good reception (on and off) when cruising down the coast of West Australia, and that's pretty remote.

cheers

Oh whoops....I mean't Baldwin Street - I don't know where Chapman Street came from - must be old age and dry rot :o I hope I haven't got people frantically looking for Chapman Street...sorry. Worth a trip up for sure.

I knew a Dizzy Lizzie many many moons ago who did that same sort of thing. :D

Did you ever live in Sydney?

Hi everyone,

 

Planning excursions for our Princess cruise to NZ in December/January next year & the only place I am struggling with ideas for things to do is Akoroa.

 

I have read very mixed reviews on the train (& the expense of it). I was wondering if anyone could give their advise on things to possibly do or see?

 

DH & I are in our mid 30s.

The Web Link suggested by Fletch has many ideas...worth checking out.

We are visiting Akaroa (again) in December and I have booked the Golden Wing Sidecar tour for my wife and two kids...I will be waiting for them at one of the bayside establishments with a jar :D

Any one of the tours that go around Summit Rd are good and a visit to the pub near the top is well worthwhile.

Going to Christchurch is in my view too far...and no way can you get the Train Tour. A visit to the Antarctic Experience near the Christchurch Airport is however worth considering.

cheers

Sounds like fun. I haven't seen any performances in the MDR for a long time (apart from the Chef's acknowledgement thing).:D

I have a video of one of the waitstaff doing his fantastic "Barnsey Impression" but its a bit too big to load on here.

Here is a snapshot (bit dark I know) which clearly shows the upper dining area and how they had to stand at the rail to see the show.

Cheers

Just a view from the other perspective.....

When on Spirit (as per many others) if you are Anytime Dining you are on the upper level (Deck 4)

There is a lot going on on the lower level (3) where the traditional seating is... particularly "Showtime".....where the staff provide a fantastic show. (The guy doing his version of Jimmy Barnes's "Working Class Man" should not be missed)

Unless you are close to the balcony on the upper level you will miss a lot of this.

I also found this to some extent on Solstice...

cheers

Please do some further research regarding the Cadbury chocolate factory. Have read you do not tour the factory itself but are directed to their gift shop to purchase items. Have read disappointing reviews on the visit.

What you read was about the Cadbury factory in Hobart, which no longer does factory tours due to Health regulations.

The Cadbury Factory in Dunedin NZ, still does them (I have a booking which is recommended).

Look here:

http://www.cadbury.co.nz/en/cadbury-world.aspx

There is a local tour company that does all things the OP wants. I have had dealings with this mob and they are fair dinkum.

Have a look here:

http://travelheadfirst.com/local-legends/cruise-packages-dunedin/

Cheers

Hi, I'm wanting to take out travel insurance for a Celebrity cruise that goes to all Australian ports. I know you need "international" type insurance for onboard the ship and that "Australian domestic" travel insurance does not cover you for this. However, to get a quote for international travel, they ask you where you're going to spend the most time (e.g. N.Z. Indonesia, South Pacific). There's no selection for Australian cruise. Can you please tell me how you get round this when trying to get a quote? thanks.

Just put in South Pacific. I know it is very annoying sometimes that options provided in Drop Down boxes don't always seem to match your situation. In the end you are dealing with a computer which is looking for a worse case scenario.

cheers

Anyone been in this cabin in the last few months just wondering what people think of it seeing Im in that cabin for my Med cruise Oct 14

We are booked in 9237 on Solstice in December. Just checked and Solstice and Equinox are the same. We were in a similar cabin (9262) on Solstice last year, and they are in a great position and have larger than normal balconies.

Have a look at first pic as it will give you an idea of where 9237 is and how much bigger the balcony is.

If you look at second pic you will see that 9237 (both ships) is a quad, that has a convertible sofa bed and a Pullman bed that comes down from the ceiling. A lot of the quads have a trundle bed that comes out from the sofa....takes up a lot of floor space. :(

(These pics are not originally mine, I borrowed them from these boards somewhere, and did some editing)

This Pic of Solstice Cabins on the Hump will give you a good idea of the different balcony sizes and what can be put on them. With the Concierge Class cabins they come standard with two footstools (that can be use for sitting on. I am hoping that with the 1A cabin we have in December (for 4) we can arrange to get the extra seats/stools.

Thanks for all your replies.

I have just about driven myself around the twist on this...but one thing seems certain...many people just hire a car based on price/convenience and just let their insurance (travel or CC) look after the excess. It seems that no one has actually had to make a claim, and the way I see it, is that any claim for damage has to be paid by the hirer then and there (up to the excess limit) and he is then responsible for claiming off his insurance. Could be out of pocket for some time.

I believe I have found a solution however...or at least a compromise.

I have been checking some of the other majors, and some like Europcar and Thrifty have a depot near the airport...but not in the precinct that attracts the added airport location charge (up to $50).

Thrifty seemed to have good prices (Corolla for $82 less 10% for RACQ/NRMA members) ... and allowed a full excess reduction for about $30/day... so I can hire a reasonably sized car for about $105 + taxi fares.

Then I found on their site (not yet heavily promoted) that they now offer a free shuttle for cruise ship passengers. YEH....that's what I have been looking for.

Awaiting formal quote from Thrifty....worth all the research

BTW....ABC came back to me and advised that they don't offer excess reduction for a single days hire....seems weird to me if they are chasing the cruise ship business.

cheers

We have cruised to NZ 3 times already. 2 x Sapphire Princess (Sister to Diamond) and 1 x Sun Princess. We are doing it again on Solstice in December.

We have had both Port and Starboard balcony cabins, and frankly I dont think there is much difference.

Leaving Sydney, you should be up on one of the upper decks where you an enjoy the vista - esp. the setting sun framed by the harbour bridge.

We enjoyed a few glasses of wine on our starboard balcony in Melbourne watching the harbour activity....the ships usually dock stern in.

In Hobart they dock bow in, so best view from cabin is port side.

In any event you should be ashore :D

Crossing the Tasman can be problematical...depends on weather. If there is anything severe, it will come from the south and then starboard side would be most effected....but no big issue.

Going through the fjords doesn't matter....but best is up on deck anyway.

NZ Ports ....again no preferences... and sailing north up the east Coast of NZ you do get to see a bit of the coastline, (and sometimes the mountains in the far distance) from the Port-side. However it is a Port intensive section of the cruise, and there is limited daylight cruising.

Top cruise....you will enjoy

cheers

I have a large magnifying glass on my desk....I tend to use it a lot...even with my glasses :D

I think it's about choice actually.

 

I wouldn't bother with basketball, baseball and gridiron.

absolutely

Why???