chezzyr

I feel conflicted about tours that include turtles or swimming with turtles. I had a previous experience in Vila where people could swim with captive turtles. That in itself I didn't have a problem with until I saw one young lad "hogging" a particular turtle and kept hanging onto it it, didn't seem to understand the concept of sharing or giving the turtle a rest from the harassment. It was not monitored, the kid's parents did not step in and nor did the facility or tour operators. I felt sorry for the turtles. Just saying that everything is not picture postcard perfect. If you can, do your own research on the facilities and operators before committing to something.

Shore excursion cancellations can and do happen. I had two pre-booked shore exursions cancelled on my last cruise. Might have been lack of numbers. In any case didn't give me much time to plan. This time am more likely to take a "wait and see" approach in case of changed ports, weather conditions etc. Will take a chance and see what is happening closer to the time.

None of the RATs I have ever done have changed with time

Some more info from another cruiser: "I went through Olveston House, cost me $3.00 return for local bus and $25 tour at Olveston. Just do your research on tour times. Bus stop in Main Street of Port Chalmers just join the queue, comes I think hourly. The walk up to Olveston House was around 15 mins but a steep street. Grab a map from the tour volunteers at Port Chalmers."

Didn't get to Wellington due to weather (apparently). Highlight for me was the Middle Earth tour (Canterbury plains/Southern Alps) and the day scenic cruising Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds. Just magic!! It was my first solo cruise and I'd do it again in a heart beat.

Have asked. Some did independent tours when they got off the ship and just arranged at terminal building. They think there might have been options for the castle and house you mentioned. There is a board on the right featuring various operators when you enter the building/shed. You could also just try researching online and making contact with some operators before your cruise? If I get any other info will let you know.

Something more has to be done about transport from/to BICT. More shuttle buses or flat rate options. To avoid nasty surprises. Taxi supervisors there did help somewhat but some of the things I witnessed at the terminal I just shake my head at. Frayed tempers, luggage being roughly thrown by taxi drivers (I think that one was being reported), dodgy stuff going on with fares/rides being cancelled (eg by uber). And I was soaked to the skin (my fault partly as I had to wander away from the crowds so I could hear myself think while making a phone call).

I was on that cruise and found it really good, in fact I only had a touch of seasickness towards the end of the trip, just for one night but a tablet sorted me out and I slept like a baby

I am recently back from the Carnival Luminosa trip to NZ. I had booked an independent boat/wildlife trip before arriving. I did notice in the terminal building (Port Chalmers) there were numerous posters/info for other operators. I wish I had taken a picture so I know for next time. But have no doubt there will be non-ship options for you. I can ask on my cruise group if anyone noticed trips to the Larnach Castle or Olveston House?

What a shame. I just did the NZ cruise on Luminosa. I had no problem with choice/variety. Sure the odd cold or tough item but I have found that on other cruise ships as well. I am just grateful I didn't have to cook or clean for a couple weeks. I'd sail Carnival again, I'd sail Luminosa again. I had a wonderful "bargain" solo cruise and am toying with another.

Fingers crossed as I am booked to fly to Brisbane tomorrow and a cruise departing on Sunday. Where can we get updates? I have emailed BICT/Port of Brisbane but not holding my breath.

B'Elanna: that is $65/night which includes meals and accomm AND entertainment etc. Great value! Enjoy it!

I think the bargain cruise and OBC softens the blow on all the extra costs (interstate flights, cruise insurance etc). Enjoy your 'me time'!

Logged in with my VIFP I am still seeing some good deals (not $250 though), eg $514 interior on deck 4 and $607 balcony on deck 6 for the 11 night NZ cruise ex Brisbane 20th Nov. These deals end 31 Oct though (not sure if that is Aust or USA)

I cruised with Carnival once, back in 2015. But did not recall any membership number but I joined the VIFP club recently and was issued with a VIFP number and I used that when browsing the cruise deals. It turns out they did email me back in 2015 welcoming me to VIFP red status. Same number. So I suggest those who cruised Carnival atleast once try find that number or maybe call them? Because it does seem to open up other offers?

Thanks to this thread I have been able to make a rough plan for my own cruise visit to Wellington at the end of Nov. Cable car > Zealandia > Botanic gardens walk back to city > Museum to see the skeleton of Phar Lap if it is there (his hide is in my hometown Melbourne and I have seen his heart in Canberra)

Another who scored a terrific deal, but this will be my first solo cruise (have done other cruises and a couple of NZ road trips in the past). I can be a bit of a loner at times but looking forward to experiencing ship life again. I love nature and photography, if you see someone wandering around with a longish lens it might be me looking out for birdies, dolphins or flying fish. Feel free to say hi 🙂

Question re Port Chalmers. Can passengers walk off the ship and walk straight to the terminal building and beyond? Or is it a 'working port' and passengers have to be bussed/escorted?

I guess I will want to "hit the ground running" if I am only having one day (or just a few hours) in a particular area. Being by myself I won't have to worry about others dragging the chain. But I really don't want to be stressing about shuttle/taxi costs/availability or public transport timings from/to Port Chalmers. If anyone has done any good wildlife related tours (land or water) around Dunedin please feel free to chime in. Thankyou.

Thankyou, Jean C. I will contact some and see how I go. I am not sure if more tours will be added by my cruise ship (in which case I could use OBC) or whether I do something independently that might be a better fit. My main interest is NZ wildlife and scenery (which I would opt for over castles/culture when my time is limited)

Is there a way to find out which tour operators are offering Port Chalmers pick ups/drop off on cruise ship days (besides the ship advertised shore excursions)?

I was very happy to score a $267 balcony room for the NZ cruise ex Brisbane. My first time cruising solo. Although I have to factor in flights from/to Melbourne it is going to be terrific value for me especially as the cruise includes $500 OBC. I have been needing "time out" and other doors kept closing. It is odd because I did not receive any email offers from Carnival but visited their website as a result of one of the threads on here. Popped in my number and the deals came up (I cruised once with Carnival in 2015). Wish me luck with my prep and solo-travel jitters 😉