lyndarra

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/270-norwegian-jade-roll-calls/

Have done that many times but never had to "drag" luggage. Granted, it could be a chore for some who ridiculously over-packed. You make it sound more onerous than it is. Those four-wheelie suitcases are great, so easy to move along. Pay taxi with credit card or scan at turnstile no extra chore there and, if prepared, have Opal card at the ready. By train you know the cost and the train driver is not about to try and rip you off.😉

@Blackduck59 My Alaska cruise is now booked in. Will arrive 3/6 for cruise 4/6. I don't know if we'll be able to meet up as time , on arrival, is limited. I am at the mercy of my three companions movements as it is their cruise/holiday and I'm just along for the ride. We have Qantas credits we need to use up on accommodation as Qantas has refused to refund for cancelled flights that were booked before COVID - will only give credits. BTW Qantas is charging more for flights using credits than they do for newly booked flights. Air pirates! Grrr.😠 We have a post cruise tour to Fairbanks so may be able to squeeze in a day or two in Vancouver afterwards but not sure of dates ATM...

Got my fifth vax on Wednesday at my GP. First two were Moderna, then two Pfizer and this one was Novavax. My fourth was in March (nine months ago) and, as I will be cruising to Singapore in January, thought it better to be prepared and "up-to-date". No reaction to jab whatsover.

Not all are struggling with it. Many enjoy smoking regardless. The cost alone would put me off.

My BF has an Apple watch and likes it. Apparently they require daily charging. My Garmin lasts for a couple of weeks between charge, depending on usage, but I can't take/make phone calls on it. The Apple sounds like the way to go in your circumstances. If you have a smart phone I would strongly recommend installing (if you haven't already) the Emergency Plus app. It gives you a three letter emergency code which allows emergency responders to pinpoint your location to within 3m2.

I'd been considering buying a GPS sports watch for some time. Black Friday sales gave that a kickalong. I ended up buying a Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire half price at Rebel Sport - $699! Before this I'd never paid more than $40 for a waterproof, digital, watch.

Would one of these help?😁

It's not without a little envy that I am reading about everyone getting into multiple cruises. ATM I have two booked, one for Jan 23 and Jun 23. For two reasons I don't think I'll be booking any more for next year. First is that I am a destinations cruiser and I've done pretty much most of all the Ozcentric ones, some more than once. Second is, in the last two years I have invested close to $30k in new sailboard equipment and, at age 74, I need to get the most out of it while still fit enough and sailboarding is what keeps me fit. Six weeks away in August and September this year has set me back and, for the last four weeks, bursitis in my right shoulder. A cortisone injection last week seems to have done the trick and I'm back on the water without too much discomfort. Oh, there is a Third reason, my travelling/cruising companion has had enough of weeks away from home, pet poodle, young grandchildren so, if I do travel, it looks like being solo and I'm not real keen on that. My late wife and I travelled a lot with her and her family over many years in Oz and abroad so I will miss the company but we still see each other. So, apart from the two cruises, I have no other plans for 2023 except to keep sailing (and working on and riding my bikes but that's another story).

What is an "Aussie" apart from Vegemite on toast?

Last time in Wellington, just before the shutdown, we had an excellent meal at the Foxglove pub. Has an upper floor dining deck with views and is right next to harbour. https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x6d38afd309f9c565%3A0xe788f7455851a173!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMTiyZ8lyAMjYmLQG8_FijIRi6G6uAsxfIdoMqU%3Dw86-h87-n-k-no!5swellington nz pubs - Google Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipMTiyZ8lyAMjYmLQG8_FijIRi6G6uAsxfIdoMqU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjcnuGsnMb7AhW71TgGHbagAFEQ7ZgBegQIHBAN

Local rules apply. 16 year old NZs are permitted alcohol under supervision of parents or adults. Can any Kiwis confirm this? Not a good thing on a cruise, too many dangers for kids with immature brains.

G'day Takee1. I'm also from Oz and have done four US cruises including Mississippi. When my late wife and I intially started cruising 10 years ago we were also confused. However, after a few cruises we got to understand the tipping "culture" and its foibles. When on non Oz cruises I now follow the "when in Rome". I always prepay the stated grats. If I get exceptional service from room attendants I may give a personal reward but I have found that, almost without exception, the standard service to be exceptional. Dining servers really appreciate that you recognise their service in your review after the cruise (or during if you like) mentioning the servers by name. These reviews are important to them as it can help them gain promotion. There's not much we can do about exchange rates except budget for it. It didn't seem so long ago that the Oz$ was at parity with the US$. I have two upcoming cruises with HAL next year, my third Alaska Inside Passage and Sydney/Singapore. I know in advance that HAL does not include gratuities in their fares (even for Oz cruises) so I have to budget for that. (BTW if you are you happen to be dining onshore in Canada, GST, tips and province taxes are not include in prices.)

I prefer bar soap but I keep dropping those little buggers then I have to bend over to pick them up in a cramped shower space (not easy sometimes for taller folk like I) - except on Celebrity and HAL. HAL has showers over tubs and Celebrity have decent size, rounded glass, sliding door recesses.

Heard a report on radio this morning. It appears that the voting age is in conflict with NZ bill of rights (?) that citizens over age 16 cannot by discriminated against by age.

How would this affect cruising?

Be aware of a report I read in today's paper (Telegraph). Taxi drivers when hailed ask where you're going then check Uber price and if it is more than a normal cab fare they are quoting it - non metered. Usually in times of high demand.

Platform at Central for airport is 23, North Concourse.

If possums are using them it would be at night.

Go to your card's website and look for a link where you can download a copy of policy. You may have to input your card and client number. I've had to do that (NAB Visa) for O/S cruises and tours. Sometimes you have to show the copy and policy number, sometimes you don't.

As well as for possums. Watch out for drop bears.😱🙄

So sorry to hear.

Hmm. You got me. acne, able, adze, ache, ante, axle, acre.... Aha! APSE!

You're not Robyn Crusoe. So long as the ship is still at the dock when I get there. I usually travel by train so my boarding is somewhat governed by train time table from Newcastle. I don't rush to get the train because, in haste, I may overlook something important - passport, wine? I time the train so that I miss the commuter rush. Arriving at abot 2 or 3pm usually sees a quick boarding in my experience.

At Napier the shuttle bus drops you at the Visitors Centre where local tour operators have stands set up. Some do multiple tours during the day. It is best to get there as early as possible as the the longer tours can book out and depart early. There is usually more than one operator doing wine tours.