sweetp12

We just got off the Explorer which went to Covid Amber status during the cruise so I thought I would share with you what we noticed.

Pre-Cruise

You needed to complete your vaccination status on cruise control and then upload your vaccination proof on verifly.  72 hours prior to the cruise you could upload a declaration if you had a PCR test or 24hrs if you did a self administered RAT test - you need to take a photo of the RAT test.

These were not checked for every passenger, but they randomly checked people who were in the queue / bag check.

Mask Wearing

They were super vigilant about mask wearing - they required this in all public venues.  They had people at the entry to the marquee, black circus, pantry and waterfront handing out KN95 masks and would not let you in without one.  People who were wearing their own masks were told to either change them out or put the KN95 over the top.

We did see a few people try to say that a surgical mask was good enough but the crew turned them away - someone even tried to show a piece of paper (didn't see the outcome but the crew member was being very strong on no mask, no entry).  

In general mask wearing was very high - although I felt it did lead to people spending less time in public spaces and less purchasing of drinks (just a casual observation).  

You were able to take your mask off when sitting at a table for a meal, but if you got up it needed to go back on. 

Hygiene and Cleaning

There were always crew members cleaning handrails, elevator buttons etc.  

Our cabin stewards sprayed the outside of our cabin door (handle, lock etc) at least once a day with something (disinfectant?) which they left on for a bit. Even things like the do not disturb sign were cleaned regularly.

In the elevators there is a UV sanitation unit which cleaned the air

In General

We had regular announcements in the days prior reminding us re mask wearing but when we got moved to Amber status we had a few days of "public service" announcements reminding us of the protocols being developed in conjunction with state and federal guidelines to assist the safe return of cruising!  They reminded us to call medical if we had any symptoms and the assessment, including a RAT test would be at no charge. 

Under Amber Status

They closed the kids club (although they still ran a lot of family activities outside / in larger venues) however they reopened this a day later.

The laundries where closed as they were considered areas that could have high mingling of people.

They moved to table service only for the bars

In the black circus and marque they closed off some of the seating (although this seemed a bit random, they just put a line down to create segments rather than breaking up seats in to groups so it led to things like a row of 5 having the last seat blocked off rather than the middle seat!)

We were required to do a RAT test between 8am and 12pm on the day prior to disembarkation.  We were required to take a photo of the results and this would be subject to random checking.  They provided the RAT test, instructions, biohazard disposal bag etc.   

They started streaming events into the cabin tv, across the outdoor big screen and into the black circus - things like the disembarkation talk, the evening performance, cooking show etc.

Documentation

As part of the RAT test on the second to last day they provided a lot of information about what would happen if you tested positive.  They also provided a menu for lunch, dinner and breakfast which was a cut down of that days menu in the waterfront. 

This is the flight time that we always catch on our way back to NZ.  Last time (pre covid) we could have caught the 9.15... watched it go. 

I love sky city hotel - it is a few minute taxi ride to the cruise port but what I really like is:

Really nice rooms

Large standard rooms

In the complex there are multiple restaurants - including many that offer breakfast 

24 hr service

taxi rank outside

good connections to transport links

It is part of the casino but you wouldn't know that.  You could easily get a suite for the money you are willing to pay...

I second uber for three people, otherwise supershuttle is the way to go - you can prebook a place on a day and approximate time so when you land you get priority over walk-ins (I have been two hours out of my booking time but they didn't care!)

We purchased off ebay air tag pet collar holder and slipped in on our watch strap.  Wore it around the house for a few days (as close to cruising as us Kiwi's will get for a while yet 😞 ).

Worked really well and hardly noticed it on the wrist.

This is the amazon equivilent https://www.amazon.com/BABYHH-Silicone-Compatible-Anti-Scratch-Waterproof/dp/B09BNC58WW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=WMUJLTVOFCQ2&keywords=airtag+pet+collar+holder&qid=1644915421&sprefix=airtag+pet%2Caps%2C292&sr=8-1 

I will second the travelscoot, not having any experience with others I can't give you comparisons but we have cruised & flowen (domestic & international) with ours.  

We have had a combination of having to gate check or check at counter when flying - depends on airline.  Sometime the battery comes into the cabin, sometimes it is checked (depends on the type of plane). We have a double wine cooler neoprene holder that I unpicked the stiches from and use it to carry the battery.  

On the ship it has been great - small turning circle (which is great for elevators), it is reasonably narrow so able to get past luggage / trolleys in the hallway.  We tend to park the scooter in the wardrobe in our cabin as it is small enough to leave assembled and do so.  Pulling the battery out to charge is as easy as undoing two velcro strips and lifting it from the tray - easy peasy. 

It never fails to turn heads and the waiters love parking it up for us in the restaurant!  My only complaint is that when the speed gauge is turned more to the rabbit than the turtle position I struggle to keep up!!!  

Surely it isn't an issue when ordering non-alcoholic drinks?  These are uncapped when on a drinks plan and won't require "responsible" drinking.  

I was booked on two cruises - Brisbane to Sydney (12-14 Nov) and then the 14 Nov cruise Sydney to Auckland.  We received the message from Princess cancelling the first but as yet nothing to cancel the second even though they have publically cancelled all cruises to Dec.  I was able to complete the form indicating my preference without the email cancellation, using the link from the first one.

I am so sorry that your once in a lifetime cruise is becoming such a chore, unfortunately both Aus and NZ are very slow off the mark vaccinating the population and both countries will struggle to get 70% vaccinated before Christmas.  Here in NZ they are now suggesting international travel for holidays is unlikely to return to pre-covid levels till 2023.  

I have sailed mainly with P&O but done a cruise with Carnival and Princess.  For me P&O is good value for money and offers a good product.  It is the 3 star line - the ships are older but well kept, the entertainment is certainly on par with the others.  Food was the difference for me - I certainly never went hungry and I do like the pantry from a choice and hygiene perspective.  However the menu choices are a little more limited - e.g. 3 mains not 5 or 6 and the meat is more braised (e.g. casseroles) than steaks. 

While I found the quality of the food to be better on Carnival I don't like seafood so actually struggled more with the food on them.... 

I have both a Princess and P&O cruise booked for the future - P&O is half the price so we can always pay for the premium food and still come out with money to spare.  

Personally I love Sky City or Sky City Grand.  They are surrounded by restaurants and are part of the casino complex.  We like the size of the rooms (spacious), the comfort, the security and just the level of luxe for the price. While we don't gamble it doesn't affect our stay but does mean there is loads of food options with good hours of service in the complex.  We are semi locals - from NZ but this is our pre-cruise hotel of choice.   There is a supermarket less than 5 min walk away and then we just get a taxi or uber to the port for about $10. 

We tend to catch a shuttle from the airport - super shuttles is the primary provider in NZ and the cost shouldn't be much more than $25pp.  You can book online for a day and rough time and then just rock up to the stand.  A booking means you don't have to queue - you can catch the first shuttle.  

The reason I say this over Uber is that to catch a rideshare service you have to cross out of the main airport area to the ride share area.  The shuttle service to the city shouldn't have many (if any) drops before they get you there so comparable to the bus in price but should be faster in time + less hassle with luggage.  

Most places in NZ will accept credit card no worries, it is unlikely you will need cash - you don't tip here so unless you are going to small shops or markets you will be fine with your card.  However i temper that to say you will be fine with Visa or Mastercard - others such as American Express are not always accepted.  

I echo the above, there is no ability to pre-purchase cans of drink - just water.  Cans from memory were $2.50Au each - but always warm as the bar would only tip it over ice and never had any in a fridge.  The soft drink package is not worth it (I worked out you get about a third of a can per cup so need to drink a fair few a day to come out even).

The good thing however is P&O allow you to take a dozen cans per person onboard so just take your own.  No rule on the type of drink as long as it is in a can and non-alcoholic.  You do however have to pack them loose in hand luggage (out of wrap etc) so security can give them a quick check.  I normally just dedicate a cabin sized roller bag to this.  

Being a rider of both I would suggest something comfortable with an upwards riding position e.g. not a sports bike.  Sports bikes are great for an afternoon blat but not ideal for the roads in reality.  

I am not sure if you live in NZ but if you do I strongly encourage you to enroll in the ride forever courses - I try to do one a year to keep my skills up and they are low cost and with the current cash back on rego pay for themselves....

Hey Taffy

I am with you - keen to get back to cruising and think that NZ is in front of the world with this.  Hubby and I were looking at this cruise as well 🙂 Both of us feel more comfortable cruising to the pacific than Aussie at the mo.

Not liking P&O's current deal (we have FCC so the $1 deposit is valueless to us and we are particular about our cabins) but once it changes we will book a cruise ASAP!

Cruise ships got a bad wrap with Corvid - you didn't hear much about the 5000 people infected at a European ski resort!

Not sure where you are located @Wellydancer but if you are in the UK or Australia / New Zealand then I suggest you check out Stake.  They allow you to purchase on the US exchange - this is how I bought my shares from NZ.  

I have used a couple of platforms to purchase shares and they are the easiest and cheapest....

So for us we are still keen on cruising and have a few booked over the next 18 months.  They may get cancelled not because we don't want to go but because we may not be able to leave / return the country.

I don't need to get my confidence back but I think it will change the cruise industry - who will have to overcome the negative publicity that has been generated by the Diamond / Ruby Princess etc.

One of the things that could easily be adopted it what P&O Australia has done.  While they have been heavily criticized for the "food court" feeling of turning the buffet into 9 food stations all the food is served to you and is behind screens.  There is no way anyone can touch the food or utensils that you use.  Cutlery is wrapped in the napkin so unused utensils go back to the kitchen and not back into supply.  

I think people would be more ready to accept this mode of serving now, rather than considering it low brow and taking away the largest of a buffet.  Yes it is not ideal - you have to go / queue at multiple places to get food.   Yes they eliminated trays so it can be hard to get multiple items at one time.  Food can be luke warm by the time you get to the table if you go to a number of stations (particularly at breakfast).  But this also means that you don't waste food - as you tend to go to one place then eat and then go to the next. 

I would also like to see the hand washing stations become spread throughout all the fleets.  While enforcing hand sanitizing is one thing it actually doesn't work against Noro or Corovirus so is almost creating a false sense of security.  Hand washing while slower and requiring more infrastructure is far more effective across the board for hygiene and illness prevention.  If cruise lines made this a mandatory provision and reconfigured buffets it could show more than just a token nod to taking hygiene seriously. 

Hi Tracey

It is my understanding that there is Carnival on both the US and the UK market.  I purchased my US shares via Stake (they are allowing kiwi's on the Aussie site till the launch in NZ later this month).  It took about two days to set up and then another 2 to get the money transferred.

It is a great time to be buying the shares - they have halved in value since I bought them but not worried as they will go up + I have enough cruises planned to more than get my money back through OBC.

Look for CCL with the picture of a red flag with a blue centre.  

Following as I am interested too.  We are on a Princess cruise to these ports in October which appealed as these destinations aren't typically offered.

They sure do. If you have previously received this it is likely to be on your profile and  automatically applied to your booking. 

I have only ever booked through a personal cruise planner but this time wanted to book direct online using the Princess website.  We need an accessible cabin (we have sailed before and completed special needs profiles) but while it allow me to go through select a cabin when it comes to completing the booking it just says the cabin is unavailable and select another one.  However they don't give another one but the cabin is still showing as been able to be selected. 

I have tried to call but gave up after 30 min on hold and chat is offline.  I am thinking my issue is because we are trying to book an accessible cabin but hoping not.  I really want to be able to do it myself after our cruise planner let us down significantly in our last cruise - i would sooner be the reason for a mistake if one is made!

So key question - can you book an accessible cabin directly online or do I just go back to the planners???

The Ruby is running a special menu on trial that is very beef heavy - pretty much every night there is prime rib / strip steak / beef tips etc.  They did do a "hangi" dinner - however being a Kiwi i ordered this with an open mind and can confirm it is nothing like a hangi in NZ.  

I am so with you on that.  We have a cruise on the Majestic booked in Sept but would really like something different and the Sapphire would be ideal.  It is annoying that they release something to agents but it isn't on their site ready to book.  

In January we paid $25 NZ from Sydney OPT to the airport (sorry I know you are after White bay!) on the Princess transfer

In Auckland we normally pre book a super shuttle - you go straight to the head of the line, show your booking confirmation and they pop you straight on the van.  Never had to wait as they have a controller there and 2+ vans at all times filling up.  Costs $25pp. 

Happy travels

no, you can bring anything - cans, bottles or cartons.  Apart from alcohol there is no restriction.  

So we recently had the same question except it was the Ruby Princess and an 11.50 international flight.  We only had the one flight choice or spend the night in Sydney (and an extra days leave which I couldn't really afford to do).  To ease our concern I booked the flight through EzAir (Princess's air booking service) + transfers.  My thoughts were that if the ship was late it was on them to sort out.  

The 11.50 flight was within their flight booking window (from memory 5 hours after the 6pm docking) so they were able to get the flight I wanted.  Everything worked fine - we were off the ship at 7 and at the airport by 8.  

One of the things that likely worked in our favour was Sydney was not our first port of call in Aussie so we did not have to clear customs or immigration as disembarkation.  

In one regard it was stressful (what if the ship was late / what if there was road works etc) but I tried to mitigate that risk by putting some of the onus back on the cruise line.  I would be happy to catch the same flight again in the future... even with a later in the day flight issues could happen.

Guarantee means that you will receive a cabin in the category you have paid for or better.  While with Princess there is no financial advantage to booking guarantee, it does give you the possibility of an upgrade.

The cabins can be allocated from within hours of the booking to a day or two prior to the cruise.  

We have been to Noumea a few times and there is a wide variety of tours you can pick up either prior or at the terminal.  One of the largest operators is Lyvai and I have been happy with the tour we did with them.  Depending on what you like you should be able to pick up a tour that meets your needs.  

As for Port Vila - this is a country that is on the start of their cruise tourist journey, so depending on your level of expectation it may be worth looking at getting something from the ship.  The on wharf tour operators / taxi drivers can be very aggressive with touting for business.  The transport is also not at the level you would be used to - unlikely to have air con etc (to quote my husband, this is where cars go to die).

My plan for the next time we visit is to go to a spa then hit town for the cheapest duty free in the south pacific.