JeffroK

We were there about 23/1/24, you missed a hot sweaty day on a tiny island made from broken coral, not sand.

😎 We have just been advised of minor changes to the 18 Jan Noumea-Fiji-Mystery Is itinerary in that we leave Dravanui an hour early and arrive at Noumea 2 hours later than scheduled. ITINERARY CHANGE Please be advised that due to newly scheduled engine maintenance, Majestic Princess will now depart Dravuni Island, Fiji at 4:00 PM on Friday, January 26, 2024 rather than 5:00 PM as previously scheduled. Additionally, we will now arrive in Noumea, New Caledonia at 9:00 AM on Sunday, January 28 rather than 7:00 AM. Minor Problem. As long as they are confident of getting us back to Sydney!

My impression, she is old, top of the line when she first sailed everything has moved on. You compare er with newer ships and things are a bit smaller or older fashioned.

The Grand is making a habit of this, on the Christmas/New Year cruise we circled (a figure 8 ) to investigate an abandoned yacht which later washed ashore on Great Barron Island.

63 days on the Grrand?? We did 13 days over Christmas and were not impressed, she's seen better days. No convicts in my family, jumped ship and went to the Ballarat Goldfields!!

My suggestion is because I dont rate Hobbiton that highly whereas Rotorua is a fantastic cultural location. You can then do Day 1 Auckland - Hamilton - Taupo. Day 2 Taupo - Desert Rd - Whangerei. Day 3 Whangerei - Mt Egmont/Taranaki - New Plymouth Day 4 New Plymouth - Hamilton - Auckland. Take a day or 2 to see the Auckland area, West Coast beaches, Waiheke Island etc. If you had an extra day you could find plenty of worthwhile spots on the way an you would have an equally interesting journey if you went north.

Rotorua, Taupo, The Desert Road, New Plymouth. But I'd change your excursion from Tauranga to visit Rotorua.

Beautiful place, honeymooned here in 1985, revisited about 5 years ago. Calling Kingscote a city is going too far, a small town is more accurate 🙂 You chose a great way to get 5-6 people around the island, I would only add a visit to the North cost for more scenery.

My wife, on return from NZ, declared she had wooden products. She was diverted to the lane for that, she showed her wooden book mark, they smiled and waved her through. I was in the main queue with a thousand others, drug dogs climbing over everything and after 15-20 finally surfaced to see my wife enjoying her cup of tea.' Next time...........

You think only Australians are on board, you are in for a surprise. 1 of 2 listed on the Roll call for my cruise are from the USA What Bank???

It is so easy to go to a currency exchange and buy some of the local currency, exchange rate may be average but a minute part of your holiday budget. I planned on the equivalent of AUD$100 in Fiji Dollars, CPFrancs and AUD$50i Vatu's (You can order on the net for pickup at the airport or local exchange. If I purchase something major I would wave the credit card. As mentioned, many cruises stop at a "Mystery" island, do you think its the right thing to pay in AUD/USD, would you do the same in some Cornish Village??? Many of the shop owners will rely on your payments to make a living, do you think they run a currency exchange on Mare, Dravanui or Mystery Island. maybe the local shylock would exchange your payment at ridiculous rates. I'm sure Hogbay running his shop in Coffs would be happy to take in payments from a half dozen different countries, ater all Coffs is a tourist town.

Try buying some local currencies, Fiji Dollars and CPF. The alternative is being another annoying tourist!

There are usually operators at the port, however you are best booking in advance if you want to go to a specific place. Often they are small 10-20 seaters which can fill up quickly.

But it also covers those who sat behind a desk in Vic Barracks but put on their Khakis everytime there is a benefit to be gained.

Barossa, traditional SA wineries. . Adelaide Hills, the new kids on the block.