JeffroK

Closed, There's a gate on the road just outside Pt Chalmers that will be locked

OK, Miles off thread here but...... Roughly 2016 I visited NZ , went to Bay of Islands (Paihia) and though we got torrential rain overnight (about 200mm in 4 days) the days were beautiful. I then went to Auckland where I had booked an evening Ferry-Wine Tasting-Dinner tour. The weather was terrible, went to the Ferry and battled 2m waves i the dark and rain. Got to Waiheke and discovered that I was the tour!!!! So off to a flash winery where I found a 1 person tasting isnt too much fun. The to a Restuarant where there was a wedding reception which was happy noisy and I suppose better than being there as the only customer. It wasnt the tour from hell and I'd love to try it again but my cruise gets into Auckland at 1100 on Christmas day so I will not be venturing too far.

The train journey is well worth it, best journey I did was on a day of sleet and snow. Its not cheap, but neither is the cruise you are on. I'd rate it better than the TransAlpine or the bus trip to Edoras (Mt Sunday)

16 yo drinking would only happen while in NZ waters or in NZ ports, rest of the time it would be local rules (Nothing in Qatar) or ship rules while on the high seas. Or cruise on a line that doesnt impress 16-17 year olds.

I thought a much larger state of the art terminal was being built to enable them to handle the much larger ships in service. While I understand this is build by Carnival, I believe all ships can use it. Maintaining another terminal for small ships only would be a waste of your tax dollars

On our last trip and other research. Port Chalmers, I thought was NZD$10 each way, its 15-20km into town so this is reasonable. Akaroa, you walk off the jetty. Lyttelton, about 10km from Christchurch CBD. Was a free shuttle. Wellington, Free shuttle Napier, free shuttle into the CBD Tauranga, free shuttle from Maunganui to Tauranga Auckland, the ship parks at the bottom of the main street. Bay of Islands, free shuttle from Waitangi to Paihia. Most shuttles are put on by the local Port Authority, maybe along with the local tourist bureau

Lots of wine snobbery here. My experience from drinking far too much wine is that it totally depends on the individual, the environment, your mood, what you had just eaten etc etc. Picking by the label, and not even being concerned about the vintage is not the way to go. On my last cruise I tried a $75USD French wine (I wasnt paying) and found it no better than the $20 wine I get from my Wine Club (Stomp, Hunter Valley or their cheaper line, Pissed & Broke)

Shuttle is about $10NZD

In Fiordland, I'm going to be negative. Went through on the Grand Princess and was thoroughly underwhelmed. The Ships are just too big and the transit from Milford to Dusky created a break which led to getting otherwise occupied. However, the small boat cruises which I have done in Milford & Doubtful Sounds is fantastic, down at water level and nosing up to waterfalls brings out the best of the scenery. Its a pity that time couldnt be found to offer short 1-2 hour small boat excursions, maybe too many on board to cover? I's happily drop Doubtful/Dusky to fit it in. In Marlborough I been in and out of Picton on the ferry, beautiful scenery, would be a great introduction to a stop at Picton and tours of the Blenheim.Picton/Nelson region.

Sydney, Brisbane & Adelaide are better than Melbourne, the Tassie boat hasrelocated from Station pier its so bad. (Interesting to see how that works out!)

Warning if you use a credit card. My Wife & I have separate cards linked to the same account. For some reason we couldn't buy separate tickets at the Manly end of the Ferry. I got through but my wife had to trek back to the entrance to buy her ticket.

I use Wotif.com.au to get an idea of whats available. Often I look at the accomodation website and if the same price n=book through them.

Cunning plan, provide every berth with some blow up chairs. If you want to sit by the pool you blow up your chair. Hey Rudeney, Its always been illegal here to drive in the right lane unless overtaking, nothing to do with road rage and very similar to chair hogs, people thinking they have a right to do whatever they want.

Often these buses are provided by the Port Corporation, look up their website. https://www.lpc.co.nz/our-services/cruise-ships/

I'm not sure thats correct, Most cruise ships park up near the ferry docks, well past the Sky stadium in an industrial area. A substantial walk to the Cable car. On our cruise there were complimentary buses running into the CBD

MikeD has it spot on, talk to the people who matter. Warning, we have a heap of pressure on our immigration department so answers may be slow.

Investigate ahead of time, it could be the cruise offer is best. Check reviews and make sure you find an operator with a good reputation, there is a movie about scuba diving on the reef! Look at Trip adviser for recommendations and warnings.

Good News, our first cancelled cruise was Milne Bay, Rabaul, Guadalcanal.

These people may do it: https://www.radcarhire.co.nz/branches/napier/contact-us-and-location

Gday Suey, There hasnt been much traffic here. I dont believe there are any hire car companies in Eden, it isnt a big town. You may get some action if you call the Merimbula/Pambula based companies, they MAY drop a car off to Eden,its about 20km away.

Not recommendations, just options http://www.exploring.net.nz/index.php/cruise-ship-tours?title=Dunedin_Cruise_Ship_Tours#Tour_Information https://backtonaturetours.co.nz/dunedin-tours/ https://www.fantailtours.co.nz/ Send them an email, because ship arrival times are random they may be flexible. Hop a shuttle into Dunedin, spend the day window shopping. Nice Cafe on the corner in front of the Pt Chalmers Museum.

Matkai, I'm Double dosed, Boosted and still caught Covid. If you dont like it stay off the ship, of course if you can afford to fly to the US do so, better chance of being another Covid stat over there and I wont be on that ship.

-Plenty of day trips up to the Hunter Wineries, plenty of Sydney sights tours. What does the cruise line recommend?

Change, I have seen ships delayed by 1-2 hrs, delays disembarking a traffic jams. Dont forget you have to be at the airport a couple of hours early as well.

3 years late