Thunderbird19

We are doing the Hobbiton Movie Set tour. It cost less than the cruise ship offered one and it includes stops at a couple places the ship tour would not be doing. Doing a ship sponsored glow worm cave tour from Bay of Islands.

thanks for that info!

Thanks!

Cruising in January on NCL for the first time. Are evening shows and acts generally at the same time and, if so, what are those times? Making dinner reservations and would like to allow for show attendance. If someone books a spa service ( say a pedicure) do they get access to the thermal spa for that day? Thermal Spa Pass for entire cruise is pricey- is it true that on the Spirit it only has heated lounge chairs, sauna, showers but NO jetted pool or hot tub like other NCL ships? Thanks.

Maybe check some of the local tour companies out of Tauranga that offer Hobbiton tours?

Bay of Islands is a tender port if that is one of your ports.

Cruise ends in Auckland - getting off the boat on an early Friday morning, but flight home doesn't depart until late that night Looking for recommendations of sites to see in or near Auckland since we have a full day there. There are reasonably priced luggage storage facilities to use for the day so we won't be encumbered and can easily take public transportation or walk to get around. We are also considering renting a car for the day (luggage problem solved) so we'd be a bit more mobile. Would appreciate advice and suggestions!

Will be visiting some of the same ports you are in January. Booked a couple excursions through the cruise line, will do walking "tour" on our own at some ports, booked with Zealandier Tours for an excursion in Tauranga. They were very responsive to work with online.In Christchurch there is a free "penguin express" shuttle to the Antarctic Center if you are interested in that.

Cruise ship arrives in Auckland in mid-January on a Friday, plane back to the states doesn't leave until 11 pm. Would love suggestions for what to see/do that day. Thinking of getting a rental car (that would solve the "what to do with luggage?" issue) so would be able to drive outside of Auckland as well. Another Option is getting an inexpensive hotel room near airport (luggage issue solved) and, after getting around Auckland using public transport or a tour group, maybe grabbing a late evening nap before heading to airport.

Another alternative that might give you better flight options is to go through Hawaii and stay there a night or two - breaks up the long flight as well.

I have read that the Thermal Spas can be quite different on various NCL ships. Some have large windows overlooking front of ship with tiled warm lingers along the windows while some ships do not. Do you have any experience with this and which ships do you recommend for best Thermal Spa? Thanks.

The discussion about credit cards above mentioned Euros are good to have on hand (agreed!) . My question is what euro amount (paper or coin?) is typically is needed for public toilets in France and Italy? Would not want to need a public toilet and have to worry about making change before being able to enter one!

Yes! I’m always happy to get back home to my nice big, deep bathtub!

Learned that our NCL cruise ship will be departing out of White Bay Cruise Terminal, not Circular Quay. Have a couple options to use hotel points to stay in Sydney either near Erskine St. & Sussex St. or near Pitt St. & Market St. Wondering if we would have to use taxi or Uber to get over to White Bay Terminal or if easy access to a tram or train would be avail bye very near either of those locations (would have a large suitcase to deal with). Thanks!

For us newbies to NYC disembarking, do people have to “head across 12th Ave” because that is where we would get a taxi or UBER to bring us to a mid-town hotel? Thanks, in advance.

Would appreciate advice/tips from anyone who has visited the old monastery, Montserrat, near Barcelona. Thanks, in advance! Will be in port for about 9 hours and the cruise ship offers an excursion there, but have just started exploring doing it on our own (is public transportation even an option?) to perhaps have more time there or with a local tour company.

Cruised Alaska in mid august. We reserved a morning whale watching tour with Jayleen’s Alaska for our day in Juneau. Just posting here to HIGHLY recommend this company. She was raised in Juneau, really knows her stuff when it comes to whales and boats, her boats only accommodate 6 or less customers (really nice!), can pick up and drop off from where cruise ship docks, friendly and professional staff that sincerely want to provide a positive experience.

I don't gamble. Husband sometimes plays a bit of blackjack/21 for fun depending on how casino structures the game. First time on Princess and curious about boat "rules", so would appreciate any comments on the following: 1) what the typical minimum & maximum bet dollar amounts might be in Princess ship casinos, 2) do table limits vary by time of day, 3) does dealer use a multi-deck shoe, hand shuffle a couple decks together, etc. 4) does blackjack pay out at 3 to 2 or 6 to 5? Will be on the Majestic and Grand, if it makes a difference. Thanks!