rugbypopsie

I buy the patches over the counter in NZ...they are very effective. My friends swear by them. Generally if you follow he standard method for during less strong meds you will be fine. Avo mine one each night on retiring two days before boarding then one more one the first day after that you should be able to discontinue and get on with enjoying your cruise.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I thank you so much for your replies.:)

 

I think I can handle this. It sounds like it's more my speed. I just need to add something different to my Caribbean cruises to break up the monotony.

 

I'm considering either Dec. 18, 2014 (Africa to Asia) or April 4, 2015 (Voyage To Ancient Wonders)

 

Thanks again,

 

Barbara

One thing I didn't mention is the friendly atmosphere, small ship means you get to know your other passengers especially since you will all share the included tours. It's not at all intrusive just very friendly, you'll find quite a few solo cruisers.

Sue

I was in the army favourite quote what music do you want ? "Dont care just pay it loud "

 

Come on folks I am 50 and hopefully will see 90 live a little and if it does not suit do what we have done try another cruise product .

 

Our first cruise was Princess and I was ready to fling the funeral music CD over the side after day 3

The music is modern and LOUD! Celebrity is a quality product....you won't be disappointed..

Sue

I'm currently considering cruising with VtA in April 2015. Sounds like a great educational experience. I'm getting a bit bored with my usual cruise itinerary and I need change for sure. I've been trying to find out what a day is like onboard their ship. Are there activities? How different is it from regular mega cruise lines? I will also be traveling solo on this voyage.

 

Keystonetraveler I sent you a friend request since you have sailed with them before and thought you would be able to answer some questions for me.

Most v to a cruises are quite port intensive, tours are included and in general they are comprehensive and in depth. Life on board is laid back, no casino, production shows or magicians! That said despite my liking some of those things I did not miss them on v to a. There are interesting and well credentialed lecturers on board, the port lectures are good and the ambience amazing. Dining in the open air when the sea is so close is one of my favourite memories of our med cruise. It's intimate more like cruising on your own mega yacht.

Sue

Hi everyone,

 

Can anyone tell me, as my TA can't, if it's still possible to buy OBC for our Century cruise tp Fiji in October. On an older thread, I read that Celebrity is offering Dollar for Dollar and I want to buy $AD500 worth, as we've got the 1-2-3 Classic Package, but we like a bottle of wine with dinner. We aren't "Elite" or "Conceige" class, just (youngish) :cool: Pensioners who enjoy our cruises once a year!

 

ALSO - hopefully we can book a night at Murano (if the money holds out). Any comments on the $45 pp charge?

 

Anyone, please?

 

Thank you all - love reading all the posts - specially the OZ ones....:D

Don't know about the obc but the food is so good I would not worry if you don't make it..we had dinner in murano and the Madrid was just as good. If you do want to try the specialty restaurants book the first night of your cruise it's usually cheaper.

Can anyone tell me how the enclosed, cove balconies are compared to a regular balcony? Do they feel closed in? Can you see the water when sitting on the balcony?

 

We are booked on NCL Dawn

 

Thanks

Do you mean the balconies that are cut into the hull? If so I like them...you can shelter from the sun or the wind and are not overlooked from the levels above you. You can see the sea and if on one of the lower decks hear it was well.

Sue

So many of the ships are inwards facing, no big atrium etc. that it would be easy to forget you were on a ship..I love balconies, to see hear and smell the ocean. The bliss of sitting there with the endless horizon spread before you..priceless.

Sue

Just back from a weekend cruise to get a sea fix. Not sure about your question in response to my last post re Central Australia in preference to Perth. Don't leave yourself short of days in Sydney lots to see and do in a wonderful city. Re Central Australia you can fly direct to the Rock from Sydney and have a couple of days there..tours easily arranged through the hotel.."Sails" is good. Make sure you do the "Sounds of Silence" dinner in the desert!

Sue

I'm just back off the 3 days on VOS too. Samplers are just that...even the coastals are more sedate, you have to see beyond the hens/bucks parties, huge family groups..etc. 500 kids onboard..but honestly they were not a problem. I had one of the insides overlooking the shopping street, quiet no problem there just a a few cabins down from the elevators. Interesting ship, great for get togethers, families etc. Not really my cup of tea but certainly not bad. Thought having a formal night on a 3 day cruise was ridiculous...especially since I missed reading that note..lol, wasn't happy to have to pay big bucks to have lobster on formal night. Service and food was pretty ordinary but again that is a subjective comment..others may think otherwise. I thought the street parade for the kids last night was great pity it was on at 11pm. The entertainment was good, great dancers and a comedian who was actually funny! The casino was nice to me for a change..Debsta usually cleans up my donations. DH was second in the blackjack comp so that's a bit more for the next trip in USD. My cabin was fine...bed comfortable. The ship is due for a refurb in a few months so will be fresh again.

Again a good cruise...not great..but that's just me.

Sue

To tux or not to tux that is the question...depends if you want to get lucky...there is nothing so sexy as a man in a tux! Ladies don't have to go to extremes with gowns..evening pants with sparkly tops are fine. Pacific cruises tend to be less formal...but its fun to dress up, for me its party of my cruising rituals..

Sue

I used to say who'd bother with a two or three days but as you can see I am off to check out Voyager today for 3 days. Its a great way to check out a new ship, value you for money? Probably not! But I just consider it a weekend away with friends and we all have a good time. If you are not into the party atmosphere be warned sometimes these shorties are booze cruises with all that entails. The ones between Sydney and Melbourne or Brisbane are much quieter but you do have the added cost of flying home.

Sue

I did Celebrity Solstice to NZ from Sydney in November last year, magnificent ship and wonderful scenery. Haven't got time to check itineraries this morning I should be packing but Hawaiian Airlines is the best option for flights through Hawaii. Make sure you have a few days in Sydney, Tasmania is very interesting, NZ is wonderful. If you can allow time for a flight to Central Australia from Sydney two nights is enough for you to see our real outback...Perth is nice but I would choose Central Australia in preference.

Sue

I would be more than venting....good luck keep us posted.

Sue

I think you can find bogans on every line...but I am sure they travel in suites...after all bogans think your cabin denotes status...lol

Sue

Definitely the longer the cruise the older the passengers, six weeks on the Dawn Princess felt like Gods waiting room, 3 day cruises are booze cruises unless they are going to and from different ports, school holiday cruises obviously are attractive to families. However you will find a cross section of ages on all cruises it really should not affect your enjoyment too much. Just don't expect a big night in the nightclub on the longer cruises...:)

Sue

Whinging works keep it up until we have similar conditions!

Sue

Hi David,

Please add Celebrity Solstice Hawaii to Sydney 5th October 2014

Norwegian Pearl Alaska 1st May

Thanks

Sue

I think some people are over reacting...my 89 year old Mum is physically fit but has dementia, she lives with us and goes to a dementia specific day program every day. There are only 15 in the group...there are at least 5 or 6 staff to assist them, and this is a locked gate facility..there is no way they can get out and get lost. One of the problems with dementia is wandering and many elderly people die each year as a result of getting lost and perishing. I never let Mum out of my sight...within seconds she can be totally confused about where we are what we are doing or where she lives. The ship had every right to assess the situation as not acceptable. The husband left her alone on the ship, he must have known it was not a good idea, the ship tried to contact him but where unable to reach him (again what was he thinking!). Perhaps if he had been contactable they might have accepted his reassurance that he would not leave her alone again. There are just too many dangers for a person with this horrible affliction to be left alone on a ship...they are as vulnerable as a toddler would be.

Its sad that it happened but that is husbands responsibility. They can cruise with her perhaps the nephew might assist them by going too so his uncle can have a break.

Sue

Vale Dennis...we will miss chatting with you.....

Sue

I was on the Celebrity Solstice..the trip was purchased from the tourism tent on the wharf as advised by the train people when I emailed them. It was slight differently from the ships offering ..we went to the top of the Gorge by bus, bought an excellent sandwich and cup of coffee onboard for an additional $10 NZ. The bus into town and up to train and back to ship at the end of the trip was included in the price of $113 NZD. We saved over 80 USD..saw a lot of beautiful scenery from the bus, still got to see the best of the Gorge so very happy all around and the money we saved paid for another tour in another port.

Sue

We did this trip last month...you DO NOT have to find your own way to the railway. We booked on the day in the tent on pier...they bussed us to rail station..we saved almost 50% on the ships cost for an almost identical trip. Have a look at the web site and they will confirm what I have said.

Did not have to pay anything in advance..

Sue

This should be about the issue of dementia one of the fastest growing diseases in Australia. I have my elderly mother living with me and she has suffered this disease for a number of years. She loves to cruise, not that she remembers, the vital fact is that she cannot be left alone. Some days are good some days are not and it can change very quickly. I understand the cruise lines concern but the husband, who was in the best position to understand his wife's condition, should not have left her alone. That said I know just how hard it is to deal with the symptoms of this disease every day. Mum goes to a dementia specific day program 5 days a week...it is the only way I can manage and we can happily live together until the day comes when that is no longer possible. Would I take mum on another cruise..sure..but with the proviso I know I have to stay with her day and night.

Sue

Fair comment Sue, but in some places the ship's tour offices book out all the tour operators and associated transport, i.e. sometimes the trains and all the buses in town. Thus leaving no options for those who want to book shorex privately.

That's the great thing about forums like this isn't it Les. We will always be able find someone who knows the inside story. The ship had booked out one train in Dunedin but there is more than one..hence our tour...according to the volunteers aboard the train they reckon its the best way to do it..ie bus up train down..but either way its a great trip I got some fantastic photos. I always want to do more for less so am keen to learn from others when I go to a new port. CC motto should be "we're here to help".

I wish the Aussie tourism people would learn from our Kiwi cousins.

Sue

On Celebrity Solstice, cruising to NZ in March, I found the NZ tours very expensive, more so than Europe and that is a big statement. The Kiwi Tour Operators are making a motza.

 

Personally? We stay with ship's shorex, safer, (they won't leave you stranded) money back if you cancel or don't get into a port. No money up front on some cruiselines, i.e. Princess.

 

But for those booking private tours..avoid up front payment, many shonky operators around, who 'fail to appear' or refund if the ship does not get in.

 

I probably should not say this and might get 'flamed'.... but some pax who organise large private shorex have a 'motivator,' a freebie or two for them, true, it happens.

 

Just my 2 cents worth anyway, many would differ.

No flaming just saying.. Soltice in Nov this year..Taireri Railway Dunedin ships tour $197 USD (don't know what exchange rate the ship was using), booking on pier with NZ tourism $113 NZD, ships tour pickup at wharf train up and back small boxed lunch back to pier, our tour picked up a wharf bus to see train station bus through fantastic scenery to top of gorge, train back through gorge great fresh food from buffet $10 NZD with coffee, town tour and dropped back at wharf...lots of dollars in my pocket! Our penguin tour in Akoroa booked on internet was on $65 NZD pick up at pier return to pier..don't think that is exhorbitant..ships tours are generally a 100% markup..that's why I go private most places.

Sue

NZ is one place where I would never do a ships tour...why...because they have a fantastic tourism setup at every port there is a NZ tourism site tent where you can book on the day or shuttle into the I Site where they have scheduled tours.

You can see the same things or more interesting things in smaller groups (which usually means you see more and there are less delays loading and unloading buses) and they do to get you back to the ship in plenty of time. NZ has a busy cruise ship schedule they are well used to the needs of passengers.

Last trip we did a mixture of booking on line and private arrangements they were all excellent.

Sue