PR-Texas

Whether the a package is cost effective also depends on whether you're a new cruiser or Platinum or Elite. Some of the things that are of value to us as first time Princess cruisers are free or significantly reduced if you're Platinum or Elite or if you've booked a Suite. The discussion is good to have so folks know the alternatives but each person should do what works best for them.

Quoting from this website:https://www.mpi.govt.nz/import/border-clearance/ships-and-boats-border-clearance/cruise-ships-and-passengers/ "Only commercially bottled drinking water, chocolates, confectionery, and biscuits are permitted to leave the vessel. Passengers and crew going ashore are requested to present their hand luggage, including backpacks for inspection if requested." Based on that info we will be taking some commercially packed snacks also. I read on a post somewhere on Cruise Critic that hand carry bags were being inspected and stuff confiscated. Maybe someone else can point to the specific post.

I'm sure we'll take 2 or 3 bottled waters each with us on every excursion since we're doing a cruise around New Zealand and won't be able to bring our reusable water bottles into New Zealand. That makes the plus package much more cost effective for us.

Thanks for the info. That's kind of what I expected but it's good to have it confirmed.

Thanks so much for the detailed review. We will be going on a similar cruise as part of our cruise tour to AU and NZ in November 2024. Especially thanks for including the daily temps and pictures of folks outside. That really helps our planning. We've booked Princess excursions in all the ports since this cruise will be a one time trip and there are things we want to see and do. Do you know how shuttles were handled for folks who were on Princess excursions?

We're sailing on a 20 day AU/NZ cruise tour in November. The main reason we're getting the plus package is so we can "pay it and forget it". It's probably a break even on cost but this is a once in a lifetime trip and I want to be able to surf the net at midnight or have sodas delivered to the room without worrying if I'm going overbudget. The plus package fits in the same category as the direct flight from DFW to Sydney instead of the considerably cheaper flights connecting through LAX or SFO. The key is this works best for us. Others should do what works best for them.

I just changed the flights for our November cruise yesterday. I'd been researching them for several days by clicking on the Manage Flights, then Change Flights and checking out several options. Nothing changed until I confirmed the changes I wanted to make which included the price difference.

According to the Qantas website the flight from Sydney to LAX is 13h 45m. The one from Sydney to DFW is 15h 05m Looks like an hour and 20 minutes difference. May not matter if you can sleep through it. I would make the decision based on the best schedule for connecting flights considering total travel time between SYD and CLT.

Absolutely. Overall travel time is about 6 hours shorter each way without the hassle of changing planes, etc. We won't get home as sooner as the Qantas flight leaves SYD later but we won't have to rush to get off the ship to get to the airport. Thanks for everyone's help.

DFW is our final destination other than an hour drive home so I think we'll be happy with our choice. The spelling shows how ingrained a U after Q is in my mind. I never noticed it wasn't there. Oh well. I learned something new.

Thanks for the info. The more we thought about it having a hassle free once in a lifetime trip was worth the extra cost so we booked Quantas. Also the timing of the flights with Delta or United with a layover in either LAX or SFO wasn't as good as the Quantas nonstop from DFW.

I was really thinking about Customs and Immigration coming back to US. Depending on which airline we'd be doing that at LAX, SFO, or DFW. Anyone know if one is more of a pain than the others?

We'll be flying Economy. We've never flown internationally and don't have any rewards programs or airline credit cards. Cost, comfort, ease of getting through customs are important. We're not locked into Princess but it's what we have now subject to change and the rates seem reasonable. When planning the trip in January booking through Princess was easiest. Currently scheduled to fly out of DFW Nov 7, 2024 arriving in Sydney Nov 9 - Cruisetour starts Nov 10. Return on Nov 30. Considering changing to leaving Nov 6 to give us a day in Sydney to go to the Blue Mountains. My main thought for the question was which airport and airline you would choose if Delta/LAX or United/SFO were the choices for similar prices.

We are going on a cruisetour to Australia/NewZealand in November. Trying to decide the best route and airline to take from DFW. Currently booking through Princess EZAir. Quantas direct from DFW would be great but don't want to spend the extra $$$$. Suggestions/opinions???

KYBOB, sorry about the illness to you and your family. Hopefully you'll be able to fully recover and finish your trip report. We are taking a cruisetour in November 2024 and I'm looking forward to reading about the land portion of your trip.