nchpmn
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Posts posted by nchpmn
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14 hours ago, chaching said:
Do these rules apply to carry on and checked luggage? I had no idea about any of these things! TIA.
ChaChing
Biosecurity rules apply to EVERYTHING you're bringing in... checked bags, carry on, stuffed down your bra...
If you're unsure (ie brought your own snacks for the flight, prescription meds, or muddy hiking boots, etc. etc.), just declare it. The officers at the border are decent and there's no penalty for declaring something that's then confiscated (ie if your foodstuff was deemed to be unwelcome in Australia cos it's got seeds in it or something... generally anything processed & packaged is totally fine).
If you hide it... and are caught... then you'll see their bad side.
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53 minutes ago, JeffroK said:
Would a bus back to Sydney be an option, you get to see a different view of the scenery an wildlife?
Route 333 is the most express bus route CBD <--> Bondi Beach. It can get busy in peak hour (mornings towards beach, afternoon return to city)!
https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/transdev-john-holland-buses/333/30333
You'll end up coming back through Bondi Junction on this route, then onwards to the CBD
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Sydney's my local 'big city', so perhaps a jaded response from a local, but I enjoy walking and wandering both scenic and not-scenic routes around cities.
From the train station (Bondi Junction) down to the beach is a long walk, with a fair amount (depending on route) the footpath of a 4-lane main road. Not a lot of neighbourhood on that road! Still, it's enjoyable enough. The Google Maps route seems to pick some smaller roads a couple of blocks north so that might be nicer.
The killer, is the return walk: it's all uphill (about 1:20 to 1:30 gradient). Now, it's not a mountain or anything but you'll feel it in your calves. The main rise out of Bondi Beach is the main uphill section.
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7 hours ago, Peteymil said:
Thank you. Looked at the videos and now know I can use myI Visa card. Can my husband and I use the same Visa card to tap on and tap off?
The Opal system is one card per person - whether a VISA, or a preloaded Opal card per person. (Otherwise, it couldn't tell if you're tapping on a second person, or reversing an accidental tap!)
Remember to tap on AND off (except at some Ferry wharfs like Manly, where you don't have to tap off). This ensures you get the correct pricing - forgetting to tap off will charge the 'default' maximum fare.
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On 1/10/2020 at 4:19 PM, Kiwi Kruzer said:
A jumper is another word for jersey ,or sweater.
What do you call a sheep doing the hurdles?
...
A woolly jumper.
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At this stage, most of the fire areas are under control. Various authorities, including Police and local councils, are starting 'open for business' campaigns - tourists are now welcome, the threat has passed. Yes, rebuilding has to commence, but livelihoods are dying without a tourist season.
NSW Police - South Coast Re-opens for Business
Having said that it would be a good idea to check conditions before entering a (former) fire area - some roads are still closed, and air quality is about what you'd expect. (Though having said that in my opinion if you don't have an existing respiratory condition you really won't be affected... I AM NOT A DOCTOR)
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You've almost got everything you'll need!
You're in the right place for the timetable - F1 Manly to Circular Quay [ https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/sydney-ferries/f1/090F1 ].
The 'Day Restrictions' is only referring to the exact service that has the icon above that time, not the whole row. It's basically used for late night/early morning services that only run on weekend nights. ie the 00:20 Friday-only Circular Quay-Manly service.
So, you (almost) certainly won't miss the last ferry back - it's at least 00:20 on a weeknight and 23:40 on Sunday!
The trip itself takes about 40-45 minutes, plus queueing on top of that. You'll want to be on the wharf at least 10 minutes before departure, more if you'd like a decent seat/view on the boat. Embarking is pretty chaotic at times 😛
Your hotel is already pretty close to Circular Quay - it's only a 10 minute walk [ https://goo.gl/maps/ChY7xRkTKa17YeCg8 ], essentially in a straight line. You could also catch the brand new light rail, but it's barely faster than walking [ https://goo.gl/maps/sxxtyd4NuPrHq89A9 ].
I really like the Bondi to Bronte walk (I think that's what you're referring to?) [ https://www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/recreation/places_of_interest/waverley_walks/bondi_to_bronte_coastal_walk ], though I think the Manly ferry is a great harbour cruise in and of itself and tips the scales in that direction..?
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From the Port Authority's schedule, the Solstice is to move from Athol Bay to the OPT from 21:00 onwards:
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13 hours ago, ECCruise said:
If you arrive later than your scheduled time there should be no problem (unless everyone does it ☺️)
12 hours ago, mahdnc said:I agree you should be fine.
Thanks folks! Appreciate it 🙂
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You'll be fine. If you're in Sydney, you'll see smoke but you'll be breathing just fine.
Yeah, I believe the monitoring stations are listing that particulate is high, and you might be able to smell bushfire smoke at times, but it's not a choking smog needing masks for everyday use - head out into the regions, nearer the fires (and please, don't go into the firegrounds, even if they're tourist hotspots, or even to 'go see' the devastation) and you might need a breathing mask.
Air Quality Index: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/air-quality/current-air-quality
Forecast, Including Smoke: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/sydney.shtml
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If you're sailing from White Bay Cruise Terminal, it's quite a trek - especially since you can't (aren't supposed to) walk through the port from the eastern side, you have to walk all the way around and enter from Balmain. It's about 6.5km, or 1:20 walk.
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I'll be cruising out of Auckland on the Solstice on 17 Feb - I've received the following email from Celebrity regarding boarding:
We look forward to welcoming you aboard Celebrity Solstice® for your 12-Night New Zealand cruise departing Monday, February 17th from Auckland, New Zealand. Before your arrival, we would like to make you aware of some important travel information.
The terminal is small, with limited seating. To avoid long waits and ensure a smooth embarkation process, we're asking guests to check in online at www.celebrity.com/onlinecheckin, if you have not yet done so. Also, you should not arrive to the terminal before noon. Instead, please come at the scheduled arrival times listed here:
Suite guests, as well as Captain’s Club Zenith, Elite Plus, and Elite members, are welcome to check in at their convenience, anytime between 12:00 noon and 4:30 p.m.
My understanding previously was boarding times were 'whenever you wanted, so long as we haven't hauled anchor'*
Being cattle class and not suite guests, would we have any trouble not arriving at our designated time? We'd much rather be exploring Auckland than sitting on the ship for hours (we've got 2 weeks to do that!).
Thanks!
*This is a joke. I am well aware to be on board by 16:30 😛
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On 12/23/2019 at 7:35 AM, zitsky said:
And can anything be done to make the bed firmer? I found the bed to be too soft.
Sleep on the floor..? 😛
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Whether a sale or not, I've done the same on my booking, cancelled and rebooked excursions. Saving of ~AU$250 across 5 items.
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One thing off in your math, I think, is the beverage package cost - I believe you've forgotten to multiply that amount ($69) by the number of days of the cruise.
From my reading, currently you're just 'paying' for one day of beverage package, whereas the 'perk' cost is for the whole cruise.
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Haven't travelled it myself in NZ, but the SkyBus is generally a great option (used it in Surfers Paradise, Australia, and other places).
Basically a airport-to-main strip bus service. For Quest on Queen, there's a stop (Stop 11) across the road from your hotel, apparently. https://www.skybus.co.nz/find-your-stop
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On 3/23/2019 at 10:32 AM, SinbadThePorter said:
[...]
If you are without heavy luggage and/or just visiting there is an alternative to the CC ferry or a taxi through the city, but you will need an Opal card.
Get a taxi from White Bay[....]
You can now use Visa/Mastercard/Amex on Opal card reader-enabled public transport (at the adult on-peak fare, regardless of time of day) if your card supports contactless/tap-and-go payments. Details: https://transportnsw.info/tickets-opal/opal/contactless-payments
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I booked earlier this month, and from the bottom of my invoice:
Service Charge for dining and stateroom attendants are included in your voyage fare. Spa & Bar services a service charge is not included. For your convenience, an 18% service charge will be added to your onboard folio for spa & bar services.
Which sounds like to officially corroborates what many have reported here.
New-Zealand Excursions by Celebrity: Reviews, suggestions or opinions
in Celebrity Cruises
Posted
When we were over in Dunedin in 2020, we booked the Taieri Gorge Train independently (some hundreds of AUD$ cheaper!), directly with the operator - though on this occasion it was departing from Dunedin Railway Station, and not Port Otago where the ship docks.