shireboi

Thought that i would use an existing thread .. Looking at some Celebrity Edge cruises - given that I have some months off. This 13 Day Sydney - NZ - Sydney cruise as a guide - $3400 for a 'cruise only Balcony (Veranda) which is $261 per day HOWEVER the 'included' package of drinks and wifi... WOW... $6089 per person... This is a difference of $2689 PER PERSON which equals $206 per night for drinks / wifi. Does this even look ... right ??

You might be counting for a while 😞 Yep - missing that ship - it's been 3 weeks since leaving it.......

Didn't need one last week (Resilient Lady / Arrival) into Auckland. Just filled out the two page 'declaration' form - quickly thru passport control / customs and then straight out into the Queen Street Wharf

Same - only 20 more days (you can spot me in red on Scarlett Night or in Pjs on the first night 🙂 VV has to take into consideration that this season was quite quick, short cruises, limited ports (mainly Tasmania) - and ask is that what consumers are after ?? It was very much a trial !! I've love to do the Athens to Australia trip - and all the ports in btw (maybe 2025) - but I wouldn't be planning / booking anything that far out (I got a good deal - with a $U900 bar tab)

Whilst not listed here.... Auckland - Dock or Tenders (ship dependent) - eg Ovation (Tender) / Most others dock - and this dock is like Circular Quay right in town. Just heard from mate/travelling at the moment - that Ovation has had ISSUEs with Tenders today in Auckland - and has ultimately 'missed' this stop - everyone is p******. Christchurch - See article - https://www.christchurchnz.com/news/transport-plan-confirmed-for-christchurch-cruise-season https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/travel-and-fares-info/cruise-ship-passengers/ To travel to the Gondola or into Christchurch city, your best options are to use the shuttle buses from the wharf provided by the cruise lines. We have been working hard with our industry partners to ensure that these shuttles offer a fast, direct and affordable service Picton - shuttle from the 'log dock' is provided - you cannot walk off - this takes you to the park/bus stop close to the shop areas

after they have based their AU departures for the 1st season out of Melbourne ???

a google search here https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles/overseas-passenger-terminal-parking-address-amenity-info There is NO free wifi

Lot of promotional activity for Resilient Lady over the next few days. They were lucky to get such great weather !! https://www.9news.com.au/national/virgin-voyages-richard-branson-arrives-in-sydney/7b90eba3-c8a6-4942-aaeb-b214a0a36d59 Looks like that tree at the back has been removed ! (gee you can't even post a youtube page from a travel reviewer site on here)

So… since last Thurs it hasn’t arrived anywhere ?? They should join the P&O passengers and revolt /s when one thing goes wrong,,,, we got lucky on its 3rd cruise out of Sydney that it rushed between Picton and Dunedin arriving a night earlier Jan 2017 due to expected bad weather https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/look-what-turned-time-dinner

Picton - again it's wineries - however CHECK your port schedule for your cruise (doing the 5 March - and times on this trip are 10.00 -17.00 - this doesn't allow for much time) I probably wont be getting off, didn't find much to do walking around the town (note its a working dock - and requires buses from the logging port).

SO much for this couple wanting to get married

https://www.9news.com.au/national/cruise-australia-new-zealand-hull-cleaning-passengers-sent-to-hobart/8fd50144-17b5-4dc0-b6b5-ed02eda12921 https://www.9news.com.au/national/cruise-australia-new-zealand-hull-cleaning-passengers-sent-to-hobart/8fd50144-17b5-4dc0-b6b5-ed02eda12921

you think ?? Korean BBQ.... plus a bread basket. Mexican.... plus a bread basket.. /s if you didn't know .

back on topic..... Menus for VV / Resilient Lady https://profcruise.com/resilient-lady-menus?fbclid=IwAR29_gsO2ImjSRFpcAmIppXVFo5lgaoJUXEDrNSf3sMuqcQcxKm87aVSsSI

Virgin trivia....

There’s plenty of YouTube clips on this ship - if you are imagining Cunard and port lectures, then this is not the cruise line for you. Expecting big sit down shows or captain announcements, again, not for you. there’s Scarlet night (where the whole ship is red - so dress up in red ), Pajama night…l plus a few shows in the Manor. doing the Melb to Auckland trip in March - but wish I could fo the Athens to Sydney trip next year. There were a few deals a few weeks ago offering decent bar tabs (we got $U900) Any further questions are answered here https://vvinsider.com/

I SO WANT to do this cruise next year (some GREAT deals) ... but I would have to do it solo (and that's the burden 😞 ) You can also follow Resilient Lady on the FB group as well (for this ship) - there's been some GREAT videos of the sail thru the Suez Canal.- been looking at this group every day. Don't know if you have to book dinner to get go and look over the ship You do - but most of the restaurant time slots are sold out. Noted this event via FB. Doing the Melb/Auck cruise in March - so will pass on this.

Do you what to keep things SIMPLE for tourists - or just make it more non simple ?? No probs - I wont comment any further in providing assistance for foreign tourists.

then you have to install the app, turn on NFC, ENSURE that you have access to the internet (data sim or using roaming), credit cards, fees, etc etc etc for a one day user - much easier just to get a card, less to worry about https://sydneyexpert.com/opal-cards-visitors-sydney/#:~:text=Off-peak travel is 30,peak fares all the time.

For Sydney - Taronga Zoo - here are the details https://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo Note that you are BEST to book online and save % - further it appears that it's all cashless there. To get there - you will need to get Opal cards (locate the customer service centres at Circular Quay (this is the hub for the trains and ferries) - and it's a 5min walk from where the cruise ship is - just load it up with enough $ - based on the costings below : Trip Planner on the transportnsw website has the cost (about $6.80 each way) https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/sydney-ferries/f2/090F2

You had an existing thread - with your questions - suggest to merge your posts.

it's not cheap $N15 return. https://taurangaharbourferry.rezdy.com/ We'll be getting the day bus pass for $N7.80 and taking a few trips around the areas https://faqs.baybus.co.nz/hc/en-nz/articles/7305813525135-Tauranga-Urban-and-School-Bus-Fares MAKE SURE you have $NZ cash if you want to do this !! maps https://www.baybus.co.nz/tauranga-western-bay/tauranga-and-western-bay/

this is NOT a recommendation - but try this mob https://www.dunedindetours.co.nz/cruise-ship-tours-dunedin That Port Chalmers is quite a way out - throw in that the driver to deliver would need to then find their way back to their office - PLUS then come back out to it up again - these 'costs' will ultimately be 'added' to any one day rental.

I simply don't tip - it's become a 'fall back' scam that cruise lines have simply used as an 'excuse'. In the 'past' you may have left some $$$ for your room attendant, NOW it goes into some 'company bucket' without you knowing exactly where your 'gratuity' contribution goes "Oh we just add it to your bill - and it miraculously gets handed to your attendant". Accepting this is just nuts. What justification is there to provide a 'gratuity' based upon the numbers in a room ?? - so a room with 2 in it takes less time to 'clean' than one with 4 ?? (added do you really need your room attended to everyday ??) - throw in the number of 'rooms' this attendant might clean - x the number of days - and basically you are this persons' employer - as the company isn't paying them. It's a bit rich for this line to 'add' this tip just for your section from NZ to AU One can take time to see how tipping is out of control in the US - where you (the customer) are getting presented with a screen to 'tip' at various percentages - even before you've been provided with anything. THIS is EXACTLY how you are being treated : please 'pre-pay' before you actually get anything. It has become a 'guilt' trip now - where even for small purchases and drive thru I am going to enjoy my Virgin Voyage next year without this gratuity scam If those that 'think' that auto tips being 'added' cheapens their cruise - maybe explain how Disney gets to charge a small fortune - and then nickel and dimes with those extra 'tips' ??